UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 
     
  FORM 10-Q  
     
(Mark One)    
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
     
  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015  
     
  Or  
     
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
     
  For the transition period from to  
     
 

Commission file number 1-31507

WCN logo-transparent background

 
     
 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
     
 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 
     
 

94-3283464

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 
     

3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110

The Woodlands, TX  77380

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 
 

(832) 442-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 
     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

 

Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

 

Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

þ Large accelerated filer      ¨ Accelerated filer      ¨ Non-accelerated filer      ¨ Smaller reporting company

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ¨ No þ

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock:

 

As of October 30, 2015:          122,369,379 shares of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)  
   
Item 1. Financial Statements  
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 1
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) 2
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 3
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity 4
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 6
     
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 7
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 31
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 56
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 58
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 59
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 59
     
Item 6. Exhibits 59
     
Signatures 60
   
Exhibit Index 61

 

 

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

  

September 30,
2015

   December 31,
2014
 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and equivalents  $23,553   $14,353 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,924 and $9,175 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively   255,976    259,969 
Deferred income taxes   48,407    49,508 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   32,988    42,314 
Total current assets   360,924    366,144 
           
Property and equipment, net   2,555,254    2,594,205 
Goodwill   1,319,970    1,693,789 
Intangible assets, net   496,409    509,995 
Restricted assets   42,505    40,841 
Other assets, net   39,661    40,293 
   $4,814,723   $5,245,267 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $138,718   $120,717 
Book overdraft   12,510    12,446 
Accrued liabilities   150,352    120,947 
Deferred revenue   82,902    80,915 
Current portion of contingent consideration   25,981    21,637 
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable   3,637    3,649 
Total current liabilities   414,100    360,311 
           
Long-term debt and notes payable   1,946,854    1,971,152 
Long-term portion of contingent consideration   27,128    48,528 
Other long-term liabilities   105,534    92,900 
Deferred income taxes   371,073    538,635 
Total liabilities   2,864,689    3,011,526 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)          
           
Equity:          
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value per share; 7,500,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock: $0.01 par value per share; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 123,419,887 and 123,984,527 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively   1,234    1,240 
Additional paid-in capital   780,060    811,289 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (13,236)   (5,593)
Treasury stock at cost, 1,050,820 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015   (49,458)   - 
Retained earnings   1,225,178    1,421,249 
Total Waste Connections’ equity   1,943,778    2,228,185 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries   6,256    5,556 
Total equity   1,950,034    2,233,741 
   $4,814,723   $5,245,267 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 1 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenues  $547,938   $546,551   $1,585,350   $1,552,953 
Operating expenses:                    
Cost of operations   300,910    297,849    879,470    847,860 
Selling, general and administrative   59,799    57,991    175,208    170,163 
Depreciation   61,373    58,998    178,318    171,920 
Amortization of intangibles   7,195    6,702    21,458    20,158 
Impairments and other operating charges   493,813    9,120    494,158    8,572 
Operating income (loss)   (375,152)   115,891    (163,262)   334,280 
                     
Interest expense   (16,367)   (15,815)   (47,386)   (48,666)
Other income (expense), net   (1,303)   (269)   (1,430)   785 
Income (loss) before income tax provision   (392,822)   99,807    (212,078)   286,399 
Income tax (provision) benefit   136,017    (39,523)   64,996    (113,992)
Net income (loss)   (256,805)   60,284    (147,082)   172,407 
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (204)   (200)   (743)   (644)
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections  $(257,009)  $60,084   $(147,825)  $171,763 
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common stockholders:                    
Basic  $(2.08)  $0.48   $(1.19)  $1.38 
Diluted  $(2.08)  $0.48   $(1.19)  $1.38 
Shares used in the per share calculations:                    
Basic   123,269,902    124,342,493    123,783,217    124,179,478 
Diluted   123,269,902    124,769,981    123,783,217    124,778,292 
                     
Cash dividends per common share  $0.13   $0.115   $0.39   $0.345 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 2 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Net income (loss)  $(256,805)  $60,284   $(147,082)  $172,407 
                     
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:                    
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense   1,041    1,313    3,114    3,267 
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations   874    (214)   2,165    (841)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps   (6,066)   968    (10,503)   (1,536)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedges   (4,891)   (1,192)   (7,069)   (1,010)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax   (9,042)   875    (12,293)   (120)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)   3,403    (336)   4,650    49 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (5,639)   539    (7,643)   (71)
Comprehensive income (loss)   (262,444)   60,823    (154,725)   172,336 
Less:  Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (204)   (200)   (743)   (644)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections  $(262,648)  $60,623   $(155,468)  $171,692 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 3 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

   Waste Connections’ Equity         
   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-In
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
   Treasury Stock   Retained   Noncontrolling     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Income (Loss)   Shares   Amount   Earnings   Interests   Total 
Balances at December 31, 2014   123,984,527   $1,240   $811,289   $(5,593)   -   $-   $1,421,249   $5,556   $2,233,741 
Vesting of restricted stock units   432,165    4    (4)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Restricted stock units released from deferred compensation plan   13,652    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units   (138,493)   (1)   (6,440)   -    -    -    -    -    (6,441)
Equity-based compensation   -    -    14,433    -    -    -    -    -    14,433 
Exercise of stock options and warrants   40,205    -    494    -    -    -    -    -    494 
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation   -    -    1,986    -    -    -    -    -    1,986 
Repurchase of common stock   (912,169)   (9)   (41,698)   -    1,050,820    (49,458)   -    -    (91,165)
Cash dividends on common stock   -    -    -    -    -    -    (48,246)   -    (48,246)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes   -    -    -    3,270    -    -    -    -    3,270 
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes   -    -    -    (10,913)   -    -    -    -    (10,913)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (43)   (43)
Net income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    -    (147,825)   743    (147,082)
Balances at September 30, 2015   123,419,887   $1,234   $780,060   $(13,236)   1,050,820   $(49,458)  $1,225,178   $6,256   $1,950,034 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 4 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

   Waste Connections’ Equity     
   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-In
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
   Retained   Noncontrolling     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Income (Loss)   Earnings   Interests   Total 
Balances at December 31, 2013   123,566,487   $1,236   $796,085   $(1,869)  $1,247,630   $5,125   $2,048,207 
Vesting of restricted stock units   501,857    5    (5)   -    -    -    - 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units   (159,534)   (2)   (6,794)   -    -    -    (6,796)
Equity-based compensation   -    -    13,889    -    -    -    13,889 
Exercise of stock options and warrants   210,902    2    2,956    -    -    -    2,958 
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation   -    -    7,177    -    -    -    7,177 
Cash dividends on common stock   -    -    -    -    (42,770)   -    (42,770)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes   -    -    -    1,496    -    -    1,496 
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes   -    -    -    (1,567)   -    -    (1,567)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests   -    -    -    -    -    (371)   (371)
Net income   -    -    -    -    171,763    644    172,407 
Balances at September 30, 2014   124,119,712   $1,241   $813,308   $(1,940)  $1,376,623   $5,398   $2,194,630 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 5 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $(147,082)  $172,407 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Loss on disposal of assets and impairments   513,872    7,535 
Depreciation   178,318    171,920 
Amortization of intangibles   21,458    20,158 
Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions   (161,811)   4,572 
Amortization of debt issuance costs   2,428    2,362 
Equity-based compensation   14,433    13,889 
Interest income on restricted assets   (319)   (345)
Interest accretion   5,346    3,631 
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation   (1,986)   (7,177)
Adjustments to contingent consideration   (19,809)   (2,813)
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings   -    (450)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions   58,480    28,829 
Net cash provided by operating activities   463,328    414,518 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (112,090)   (49,231)
Proceeds from adjustment to acquisition consideration   -    843 
Capital expenditures for property and equipment   (168,379)   (148,843)
Proceeds from disposal of assets   1,676    6,139 
Change in restricted assets, net of interest income   (367)   (2,370)
Other   2,163    18 
Net cash used in investing activities   (276,997)   (193,444)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from long-term debt   914,500    214,000 
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt   (941,440)   (394,761)
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date   (190)   (470)
Change in book overdraft   65    (180)
Proceeds from option and warrant exercises   494    2,958 
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation   1,986    7,177 
Payments for repurchase of common stock   (91,165)   - 
Payments for cash dividends   (48,246)   (42,770)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units   (6,441)   (6,796)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests   (43)   (371)
Debt issuance costs   (6,651)   (125)
Net cash used in financing activities   (177,131)   (221,338)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents   9,200    (264)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period   14,353    13,591 
Cash and equivalents at end of period  $23,553   $13,327 
           
Non-cash financing activity:          
Liabilities assumed and notes payable issued to sellers of businesses acquired  $12,734   $5,370 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 6 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements relate to Waste Connections, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“WCI” or the “Company”) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses.  Examples include accounting for landfills, self-insurance accruals, income taxes, allocation of acquisition purchase price, contingent consideration accruals and asset impairments.  An additional area that involves estimation is when the Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to litigation, claims and assessments in accordance with the accounting guidance on contingencies.  Actual results for all estimates could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. 

 

 

2.NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures. The new guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and "represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results." For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, an entity must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. For public business entities, this guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Revenue From Contracts With Customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue guidance contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 for public entities, with early adoption permitted (but not earlier than the original effective date of the pronouncement). The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Accounting for Share-Based Payment When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period. In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

 7 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires debt issuance costs (other than those paid to a lender) to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. Therefore, the amortization of such costs should continue to be calculated using the interest method and be reported as interest expense. The FASB updated this guidance in August 2015 to clarify that fees paid to lenders to secure revolving lines of credit are not in the scope of the new guidance and will continue to be recorded as an asset on the balance sheet.  The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance has been applied on a retrospective basis. The Company early adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2015.

 

Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. This cumulative adjustment would be reflected within the respective financial statement line items affected. The new guidance does not change what constitutes a measurement period adjustment. The new standard should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.

 

 

3.RECLASSIFICATION

 

Certain amounts reported in the Company’s prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2015 presentation.

 

 

4.LANDFILL ACCOUNTING

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company owned or operated 42 municipal solid waste (“MSW”) landfills, nine exploration and production (“E&P”) waste landfills, which only accept E&P waste, and nine non-MSW landfills, which only accept construction and demolition, industrial and other non-putrescible waste. At September 30, 2015, the Company’s landfills consisted of 50 owned landfills, five landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements and five landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements.  The Company’s landfills had site costs with a net book value of $1,665,295 at September 30, 2015.  For the Company’s landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements and life-of-site operating agreements, the owner of the property (generally a municipality) usually owns the permit and the Company operates the landfill for a contracted term.  Where the contracted term is not the life of the landfill, the property owner is generally responsible for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations.  The Company is responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities at the landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements. 

 

The Company’s internal and third-party engineers perform surveys at least annually to estimate the remaining disposal capacity at its landfills.  Many of the Company’s existing landfills have the potential for expanded disposal capacity beyond the amount currently permitted.  The Company’s landfill depletion rates are based on the remaining disposal capacity, considering both permitted and probable expansion airspace, at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates, but does not own, under life-of-site agreements.  The Company’s landfill depletion rate is based on the term of the operating agreement at its operated landfill that has capitalized expenditures. Expansion airspace consists of additional disposal capacity being pursued through means of an expansion that has not yet been permitted.  Expansion airspace that meets certain criteria is included in the estimate of total landfill airspace.  

 

Based on remaining permitted capacity as of September 30, 2015, and projected annual disposal volumes, the average remaining landfill life for the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is estimated to be approximately 33 years.  As of September 30, 2015, the Company is seeking to expand permitted capacity at six of its owned landfills and two landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements, and considers the achievement of these expansions to be probable.  Although the Company cannot be certain that all future expansions will be permitted as designed, the average remaining life, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume, of the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is approximately 38 years, with lives ranging from approximately 2 to 184 years. 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company expensed $61,226 and $62,334, respectively, or an average of $3.87 and $4.09 per ton consumed, respectively, related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements.  

 

 8 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

The Company reserves for final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements.  The Company calculates the net present value of its final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities by estimating the total obligation in current dollars, inflating the obligation based upon the expected date of the expenditure and discounting the inflated total to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate.  Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated undiscounted cash flows are treated as a new liability and are inflated and discounted at rates reflecting current market conditions.  Any changes in expectations that result in a downward revision (or no revision) to the estimated undiscounted cash flows result in a liability that is inflated and discounted at rates reflecting the market conditions at the time the cash flows were originally estimated.  This policy results in the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities being recorded in “layers.”  The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing 2015 and 2014 “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was 4.75% and 5.75%, respectively, which reflects the Company’s long-term credit adjusted risk free rate as of the end of 2014 and 2013.  The Company’s inflation rate assumption is 2.5% for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. The resulting final capping, closure and post-closure obligations are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet along with an offsetting addition to site costs which is amortized to depletion expense as the remaining landfill airspace is consumed.  Interest is accreted on the recorded liability using the corresponding discount rate.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company expensed $2,756 and $2,445, respectively, or an average of $0.17 and $0.16 per ton consumed, respectively, related to final capping, closure and post-closure accretion expense. 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015: 

 

Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2014  $61,500 
Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities   (37)
Liabilities incurred   3,325 
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations   2,756 
Closure payments   (66)
Assumption of closure liabilities from acquisitions   1,061 
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at September 30, 2015  $68,539 
      

The Company performs its annual review of its cost and capacity estimates in the first quarter of each year. 

 

At September 30, 2015, $39,511 of the Company’s restricted assets balance was for purposes of securing its performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations. 

 

5.GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill and/or indefinite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable. In the first step (“Step 1”) of testing for goodwill impairment, the Company estimates the fair value of each reporting unit, which consists of its three geographic operating segments and its E&P segment, and compares the fair value with the carrying value of the net assets assigned to each reporting unit.  If the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than the carrying value of the net assets, including goodwill, assigned to the reporting unit, then no impairment results.  If the fair value is less than its carrying value, then the Company would perform a second step and determine the fair value of the goodwill.  In this second step (“Step 2”), the fair value of goodwill is determined by deducting the fair value of a reporting unit’s identifiable assets and liabilities from the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole, as if that reporting unit had just been acquired and the purchase price were being initially allocated.  If the fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying value for a reporting unit, an impairment charge is recorded to Impairments and other operating charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).  

 

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment existed to require an interim goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis for its E&P segment as a result of the sustained decline in oil prices in the recent months, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in such prices. The Company, therefore, performed an interim Step 1 assessment of its E&P segment during the third quarter of 2015. The Step 1 assessment involved measuring the recoverability of goodwill by comparing the E&P segment’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value was estimated using an income approach employing a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The DCF model incorporated projected cash flows over a forecast period based on the remaining estimated lives of the operating locations comprising the E&P segment. This was based on a number of key assumptions, including, but not limited to, a discount rate of 11.6%, annual revenue projections based on E&P waste resulting from projected levels of oil and natural gas exploration and production activity during the forecast period, gross margins based on estimated operating expense requirements during the forecast period and estimated capital expenditures over the forecast period, all of which were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. As a result of the Step 1 assessment, the Company determined that the E&P segment did not pass the Step 1 test because the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The Company then performed the Step 2 test to determine the fair value of goodwill for its E&P segment. Based on the Step 1 and Step 2 analyses, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge within its E&P segment of $411,786 during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Following the impairment charge, the Company’s E&P segment has a remaining balance in goodwill of $77,343 at September 30, 2015.

 

 9 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Prior to conducting the first step of the goodwill impairment test for the E&P segment, the Company first evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets. When indicators of impairment are present, the Company tests long-lived assets for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of an asset group to its undiscounted cash flows. The Company considered the sustained decline in oil prices in the recent months, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in such prices, to be indicators of impairment for the E&P segment’s long-lived assets. Based on the result of the recoverability test, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain asset groups within the E&P segment exceeded their undiscounted cash flows and were therefore not recoverable. The Company then compared the fair value of these asset groups to their carrying values. The Company estimated the fair value of the asset groups under an income approach, as described above. Based on the analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge to Impairments and other operating charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) on certain long-lived assets within its E&P segment of $63,928 during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Following the impairment charge, the Company’s E&P segment has a remaining balance in property, plant and equipment of $931,180 at September 30, 2015.

 

Additionally, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the E&P segment’s indefinite-lived intangible assets (other than goodwill) by comparing the estimated fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. The Company estimated the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets using an excess earnings approach. Based on the result of the recoverability test, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets within the E&P segment exceeded their fair value and were therefore not recoverable. The Company recorded an impairment charge to Impairments and other operating charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) on certain indefinite-lived intangible assets within its E&P segment of $38,300 during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Following the impairment charge, the Company’s E&P segment has a remaining balance in indefinite-lived intangible assets of $21,555 at September 30, 2015.

 

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at September 30, 2015: 

 

    Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Accumulated
Impairment
Loss
  Net Carrying
Amount
 
Finite-lived intangible assets:                 
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts  $199,290  $(58,299) $-  $140,991 
Customer lists   165,533   (92,076)  -   73,457 
Permits and non-competition agreements   78,440   (13,078)  -   65,362 
    443,263   (163,453)  -   279,810 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                 
Solid waste collection and transportation permits   152,761   -   -   152,761 
Material recycling facility permits   42,283   -   -   42,283 
E&P facility permits   59,855   -   (38,300)  21,555 
    254,899   -   (38,300)  216,599 
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill  $698,162  $(163,453) $(38,300) $496,409 

 

The weighted-average amortization period of long-term franchise agreements and contracts acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 9.8 years. The weighted-average amortization period of customer lists acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 7.2 years. The weighted-average amortization period of finite-lived permits acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 38.1 years.

 

 10 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2014: 

 

  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount
 
Finite-lived intangible assets:            
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts $195,676  $(52,448) $143,228 
Customer lists  161,463   (77,931)  83,532 
Permits and non-competition agreements  41,369   (11,777)  29,592 
   398,508   (142,156)  256,352 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:            
Solid waste collection and transportation permits  151,505   -   151,505 
Material recycling facility permits  42,283   -   42,283 
E&P facility permits  59,855   -   59,855 
   253,643   -   253,643 
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill $652,151  $(142,156) $509,995 

 

Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years relating to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows: 

 

For the year ending December 31, 2015  $28,658 
For the year ending December 31, 2016  $25,152 
For the year ending December 31, 2017  $23,099 
For the year ending December 31, 2018  $22,179 
For the year ending December 31, 2019  $17,591 

 

 11 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

6.LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

  

September 30,
2015

   December 31,
2014
 
Revolver under new credit agreement, bearing interest ranging from 1.37% to 3.45%*  $15,000   $- 
Term loan under new credit agreement, bearing interest ranging from 1.37% to 1.40%*   800,000    - 
Revolver under prior credit agreement   -    680,000 
Prior term loan agreement   -    660,000 
2015 Notes, bearing interest at 6.22%   175,000    175,000 
2016 Notes, bearing interest at 3.30%   100,000    100,000 
2018 Notes, bearing interest at 4.00%   50,000    50,000 
2019 Notes, bearing interest at 5.25%   175,000    175,000 
2021 Notes, bearing interest at 4.64%   100,000    100,000 
2022 Notes, bearing interest at 3.09%   125,000    - 
2025 Notes, bearing interest at 3.41%   375,000    - 
Tax-exempt bonds, bearing interest ranging from 0.05% to 0.19%*   31,430    31,430 
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest at 2.5% to 10.9%*   12,286    8,135 
    1,958,716    1,979,565 
Less – current portion   (3,637)   (3,649)
Less – debt issuance costs   (8,225)   (4,764)
   $1,946,854   $1,971,152 

____________________

*Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015. 

 

New Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement

 

On January 26, 2015, the Company entered into a new revolving credit and term loan agreement (the “credit agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), which refinanced and replaced the Company’s prior credit agreement and its prior term loan agreement. The credit agreement has a scheduled maturity date of January 24, 2020.

 

Pursuant to the credit agreement, the Lenders have committed to provide revolving advances up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000 at any one time outstanding. The Lenders have also provided a term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $800,000. The Company has the option to request increases in the aggregate commitments for revolving advances and one or more additional term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of commitments and term loans never exceeds $2,300,000. For any such increase, the Company may ask one or more Lenders to increase their existing commitments or provide additional term loans and/or invite additional eligible lenders to become Lenders under the credit agreement. As part of the aggregate commitments under the facility, the credit agreement provides for letters of credit to be issued at the request of the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 and for swing line loans to be issued at the request of the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed the lesser of $35,000 and the aggregate commitments.

 

 12 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Interest accrues on advances, at the Company’s option, at a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin for each interest period. The issuing fees for all letters of credit are also based on an applicable margin. The applicable margin used in connection with interest rates and fees is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans and letter of credit fees ranges from 1.00% to 1.500% and the applicable margin for base rate loans and swing line loans ranges from 0.00% to 0.500%. The Company will also pay a fee based on its consolidated leverage ratio on the actual daily unused amount of the aggregate revolving commitments. The borrowings under the credit agreement are not collateralized. Proceeds of the borrowings under the credit agreement were used to refinance the prior credit agreement, which had a maturity of May 4, 2018, and the prior term loan agreement, which had a maturity of October 25, 2017, and will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions.

 

The credit agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default, including a change of control event of default and limitations on incurrence of indebtedness and liens, limitations on new lines of business, mergers, transactions with affiliates and restrictive agreements. The credit agreement also includes covenants limiting, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, (a) the ratio of the consolidated funded debt as of such date to the Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement), measured for the preceding 12 months, to not more than 3.50x (or 3.75x during material acquisition periods, subject to certain limitations) and (b) the ratio of Consolidated EBIT (as defined in the credit agreement) to consolidated interest expense, in each case, measured for the preceding 12 months, to not less than 2.75x. During the continuance of an event of default, the Lenders may take a number of actions, including declaring the entire amount then outstanding under the credit agreement due and payable.

 

Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

The Company and certain accredited institutional investors are parties to a Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2008, as amended (the “Master Note Agreement”). On February 20, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, which (i) increases the aggregate amount of permitted investments in other lines of business under the Master Note Agreement from $50,000 to $100,000 and (ii) increases the limit on certain restricted payments under the Master Note Agreement, including dividends and share repurchases, in any fiscal year from $200,000 to $300,000 (which limit applies whenever the leverage ratio exceeds 3.0 to 1.0). The Company’s 2015 Notes, 2016 Notes, 2018 Notes, 2019 Notes and 2021 Notes were issued under the Master Note Agreement.

 

Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

On June 11, 2015, the Company and certain accredited institutional investors entered into a Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Third Supplement”), pursuant to which, on August 20, 2015, the Company issued and sold to the investors in a private placement $500,000 of senior unsecured notes at fixed interest rates with interest payable in arrears semi-annually on February 20 and August 20 beginning on February 20, 2016. The Third Supplement was entered into pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Master Note Agreement.

 

The Company issued and sold the senior unsecured notes in two tranches: $125,000 of the senior unsecured notes will mature on August 20, 2022 with an annual interest rate of 3.09% (the “2022 Notes”); and $375,000 of the senior unsecured notes will mature on August 20, 2025 with an annual interest rate of 3.41% (the “2025 Notes”). The principal of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes is payable at the maturity of each respective note.

 

The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with the existing notes outstanding under the Master Note Agreement and the obligations under the credit agreement. The Company used the proceeds from the sale of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes to reduce borrowings under its credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

 

The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes are subject to representations, warranties, covenants and events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes may be accelerated by the holders of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes. The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes may also be prepaid by the Company at any time at par plus a make whole amount determined in respect of the remaining scheduled interest payments on the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, using a discount rate of the then current market standard for United States treasury bills plus 0.50%. In addition, the Company will be required to offer to prepay the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes upon certain changes in control.

 

The Company may issue additional series of senior unsecured notes pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Master Note Agreement, provided that the purchasers of the outstanding notes, including the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, shall not have any obligation to purchase any additional notes issued pursuant to the Master Note Agreement and the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes and any additional notes issued pursuant to the Master Note Agreement shall not exceed $1,250,000. Following the issuance of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, the Company had $1,100,000 of Notes outstanding under the Master Note Agreement.

 

 13 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

7.ACQUISITIONS

 

In January 2015, the Company acquired Shale Gas Services, LLC (“Shale Gas”), which owns two E&P waste stream treatment and recycling operations in Arkansas and Texas, for cash consideration of $41,000 and potential future contingent consideration. The contingent consideration would be paid to the former owners of Shale Gas based on the achievement of certain operating targets for the acquired operations, as specified in the membership purchase agreement, over a two-year period following the close of the acquisition. The Company used probability assessments of the expected future cash flows and determined that no liability for payment of future contingent consideration existed as of the acquisition close date. As of September 30, 2015, the assessment that no liability existed for payment of future contingent consideration has not changed.

 

In March 2015, the Company acquired DNCS Properties, LLC (“DNCS”), which owns land and permits to construct and operate an E&P waste facility in the Permian Basin, for cash consideration of $30,000 and a long-term note issued to the former owners of DNCS with a fair value of $5,088. The long-term note requires ten annual principal payments of $500, followed by an additional ten annual principal payments of $250, for total future cash payments of $7,500. The fair value of the long-term note was determined by applying a discount rate of 4.75% to the payments over the 20-year payment period.

 

The Company also acquired 10 individually immaterial non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal businesses during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

In March 2014, the Company acquired Screwbean Landfill, LLC (“Screwbean”), which owns land and permits to construct and operate an E&P waste facility, and S.A. Dunn & Company, LLC (“Dunn”), which owns land and permits to construct and operate a construction and demolition landfill, for aggregate total cash consideration of $27,020 and contingent consideration of $2,923. Contingent consideration represents the fair value of up to $3,000 of amounts payable to the former Dunn owners based on the successful modification of site construction permits that would enable increased capacity at the landfill. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using probability assessments of the expected future cash flows over the two-year period in which the obligations are expected to be settled, and applying discount rates ranging from 2.4% to 2.7%. As of September 30, 2015, the obligation recognized at the purchase date has not materially changed. Any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration subsequent to the acquisition date will be charged or credited to expense until the contingency is settled.

 

In September 2014, the Company acquired Rumsey Environmental, LLC (“Rumsey”), which provides solid waste collection services in western Alabama, for aggregate total cash consideration of $16,000 and contingent consideration of $1,891. Contingent consideration represents the fair value of up to $2,000 of amounts payable to the former owners based on the achievement of certain operating targets specified in the asset purchase agreement. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using probability assessments of the expected future cash flows over the two-year period in which the obligation is expected to be settled, and applying a discount rate of 2.8%. As of September 30, 2015, the obligation recognized at the purchase date has not materially changed. Any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration subsequent to the acquisition date will be charged or credited to expense until the contingency is settled.

 

In October 2014, the Company acquired Section 18, LLC (“Section 18”), which provides E&P disposal services in North Dakota, for aggregate total cash consideration of $64,425 and contingent consideration of $37,724. Contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of amounts payable to the former owners based on approval of site construction permits for future facilities in North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana and the achievement of certain operating targets specified in the asset purchase agreement. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using probability assessments of the expected future cash flows over the one to four-year period in which the obligations are expected to be settled, and applying a discount rate of 5.2%. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company remeasured the fair value of the contingent consideration and determined that the fair value of amounts payable associated with the achievement of certain operating targets decreased by $20,642, which was credited to Impairments and other operating charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). The change in the fair value of the contingent consideration was due to an expected decrease in earnings of the future facilities as a result of the sustained decline in oil prices subsequent to the closing date of the acquisition, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in such prices.

 

The Company also acquired three individually immaterial non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer and disposal businesses during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 14 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $1,372 and $1,384 respectively, of acquisition-related costs.  These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

 

 

8.SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company’s revenues are generated from the collection, transfer, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and the treatment, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous E&P waste.  No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented. 

 

The Company manages its operations through three geographic operating segments (Western, Central and Eastern) and its E&P segment, which includes the majority of the Company’s E&P waste treatment and disposal operations. The Company’s three geographic operating segments and its E&P segment comprise the Company’s reportable segments. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts.  The Company’s Western segment is comprised of operating locations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and western Wyoming; the Company’s Central segment is comprised of operating locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and eastern Wyoming; and the Company’s Eastern segment is comprised of operating locations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The E&P segment is comprised of the Company’s E&P operations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and along the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment EBITDA. The Company defines segment EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairments and other operating charges (gains) and other income (expense).  Segment EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  The Company’s management uses segment EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments.  A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included at the end of this Note 8. 

 

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, is shown in the following tables: 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015

  Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue(b)
   Reported
Revenue
   Segment EBITDA(c) 
Western  $257,480   $(27,026)  $230,454   $76,279 
Central   175,913    (18,974)   156,939    56,783 
Eastern   131,268    (22,238)   109,030    34,301 
E&P   54,523    (3,008)   51,515    17,392 
Corporate(a)   -    -    -    2,474 
   $619,184   $(71,246)  $547,938   $187,229 

 

 15 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
  Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue(b)
   Reported
Revenue
   Segment EBITDA(c) 
Western  $240,744   $(24,895)  $215,849   $69,140 
Central   167,945    (18,732)   149,213    53,809 
Eastern   123,634    (21,010)   102,624    29,379 
E&P   82,385    (3,520)   78,865    39,535 
Corporate(a)   -    -    -    (1,152)
   $614,708   $(68,157)  $546,551   $190,711 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
  Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue(b)
   Reported
Revenue
   Segment EBITDA(c) 
Western  $734,729   $(76,261)  $658,468   $218,185 
Central   494,773    (53,087)   441,686    155,855 
Eastern   377,625    (63,357)   314,268    97,205 
E&P   180,392    (9,464)   170,928    54,571 
Corporate(a)   -    -    -    4,856 
   $1,787,519   $(202,169)  $1,585,350   $530,672 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014

  Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue(b)
   Reported
Revenue
   Segment EBITDA(c) 
Western  $689,251   $(71,778)  $617,473   $194,894 
Central   471,247    (51,052)   420,195    148,471 
Eastern   353,551    (59,543)   294,008    87,284 
E&P   232,447    (11,170)   221,277    111,730 
Corporate(a)   -    -    -    (7,449)
   $1,746,496   $(193,543)  $1,552,953   $534,930 

____________________

(a)Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions.  Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.
(b)Intercompany revenues reflect each segment’s total intercompany sales, including intercompany sales within a segment and between segments.  Transactions within and between segments are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of the service. 
(c)For those items included in the determination of segment EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 16 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Total assets for each of the Company’s reportable segments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were as follows: 

 

  

September 30,
2015

   December 31,
2014
 
Western  $1,492,989   $1,482,474 
Central   1,219,958    1,187,505 
Eastern   866,421    852,963 
E&P   1,123,733    1,609,553 
Corporate   111,622    112,772 
Total Assets  $4,814,723   $5,245,267 

 

The following tables show changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, by reportable segment: 

 

   Western   Central   Eastern   E&P   Total 
Balance as of December 31, 2014  $372,915   $460,381   $392,423   $468,070   $1,693,789 
Goodwill acquired   870    9,183    6,855    21,059    37,967 
Impairment loss   -    -    -    (411,786)   (411,786)
Balance as of September 30, 2015  $373,785   $469,564   $399,278   $77,343   $1,319,970 

 

   Western   Central   Eastern   E&P   Total 
Balance as of December 31, 2013  $372,915   $459,054   $380,570   $462,615   $1,675,154 
Goodwill acquired   -    2,050    11,698    -    13,748 
Goodwill divested   -    (143)   -    -    (143)
Goodwill adjustments   -    (843)   (1)   -    (844)
Balance as of September 30, 2014  $372,915   $460,118   $392,267   $462,615   $1,687,915 

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (segment EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) is as follows: 

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Western segment EBITDA  $76,279   $69,140   $218,185   $194,894 
Central segment EBITDA   56,783    53,809    155,855    148,471 
Eastern segment EBITDA   34,301    29,379    97,205    87,284 
E&P segment EBITDA   17,392    39,535    54,571    111,730 
Subtotal reportable segments   184,755    191,863    525,816    542,379 
Unallocated corporate overhead   2,474    (1,152)   4,856    (7,449)
Depreciation   (61,373)   (58,998)   (178,318)   (171,920)
Amortization of intangibles   (7,195)   (6,702)   (21,458)   (20,158)
Impairments and other operating charges   (493,813)   (9,120)   (494,158)   (8,572)
Interest expense   (16,367)   (15,815)   (47,386)   (48,666)
Other income (expense), net   (1,303)   (269)   (1,430)   785 
Income (loss) before income tax provision  $(392,822)  $99,807   $(212,078)  $286,399 

 

 17 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

The following tables reflect a breakdown of the Company’s revenue and inter-company eliminations for the periods indicated: 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2015 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $354,490   $(1,250)  $353,240    64.5%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   180,442    (66,322)   114,120    20.8 
Solid waste recycling   12,213    (155)   12,058    2.2 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   54,695    (3,519)   51,176    9.3 
Intermodal and other   17,344    -    17,344    3.2 
Total  $619,184   $(71,246)  $547,938    100.0%

 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2014 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $333,917   $(926)  $332,991    60.9%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   167,129    (62,295)   104,834    19.2 
Solid waste recycling   14,973    (497)   14,476    2.6 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   86,085    (4,185)   81,900    15.0 
Intermodal and other   12,604    (254)   12,350    2.3 
Total  $614,708   $(68,157)  $546,551    100.0%

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2015 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $1,024,078   $(3,150)  $1,020,928    64.4%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   494,804    (187,486)   307,318    19.4 
Solid waste recycling   35,614    (654)   34,960    2.2 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   183,103    (10,879)   172,224    10.9 
Intermodal and other   49,920    -    49,920    3.1 
Total  $1,787,519   $(202,169)  $1,585,350    100.0%

 

 18 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2014 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $962,683   $(2,676)  $960,007    61.8%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   461,605    (175,895)   285,710    18.4 
Solid waste recycling   44,713    (1,601)   43,112    2.8 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   242,049    (12,667)   229,382    14.8 
Intermodal and other   35,446    (704)   34,742    2.2 
Total  $1,746,496   $(193,543)  $1,552,953    100.0%

 

 

9.DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value.  All of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges; therefore, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be immediately recognized in earnings.  The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. 

 

One of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the variable interest rates of certain borrowings issued under its prior credit agreement and credit agreement.  The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves entering into interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps outstanding at September 30, 2015 were specifically designated to the Company’s credit agreement and accounted for as cash flow hedges. 

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company’s derivative instruments included six interest rate swap agreements as follows: 

 

 

Date Entered

  Notional
Amount
   Fixed
Interest
Rate Paid*
   Variable
Interest Rate
Received
  Effective Date  Expiration Date
December 2011  $175,000    1.600%  1-month LIBOR  February 2014  February 2017
April 2014  $100,000    1.800%  1-month LIBOR  July 2014  July 2019
May 2014  $50,000    2.344%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $25,000    2.326%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $50,000    2.350%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $50,000    2.350%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020

____________________

* Plus applicable margin.

 

Another of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the price of diesel fuel.  The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves periodically entering into fuel hedges that are specifically designated to certain forecasted diesel fuel purchases and accounted for as cash flow hedges. 

 

 19 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company’s derivative instruments included three fuel hedge agreements as follows:   

 

Date Entered 

Notional
Amount
(in gallons
per month)

   Diesel Rate
Paid Fixed
(per gallon)
   Diesel Rate Received
Variable
  Effective Date  Expiration
Date
June 2012   300,000   $3.600   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2014  December 2015
May 2015   300,000   $3.280   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2016  December 2017
May 2015   200,000   $3.275   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2016  December 2017

____________________

* If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy (“DOE”), exceeds the contract price per gallon, the Company receives the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty.  If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, the Company pays the difference to the counterparty. 

 

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2015, were as follows: 

 

Derivatives Designated as Cash  Asset Derivatives  Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges  Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value   Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value 
Interest rate swaps    $-    Accrued liabilities(a)  $(6,882)
           Other long-term liabilities   (7,601)
                 
Fuel hedges      -   Accrued liabilities(b)   (3,638)
           Other long-term liabilities   (3,245)
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges     $-       $(21,366)

____________________

(a)     Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2015 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months.  The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates. 

(b)     Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on fuel hedges as of September 30, 2015 (based on the forward DOE diesel fuel index curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months.  The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in diesel fuel prices.

 

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2014, were as follows: 

 

Derivatives Designated as Cash  Asset Derivatives  Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges  Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value   Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value 
Interest rate swaps  Other assets, net  $250   Accrued liabilities  $(4,044)
           Other long-term liabilities   (3,300)
                 
Fuel hedges      -   Accrued liabilities   (1,979)
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges     $250      $(9,323)

 

 20 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and AOCL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 

 

Derivatives
Designated as Cash
Flow Hedges
  Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized as AOCL on
Derivatives,

Net of Tax (Effective Portion)(a)
   Statement of
Net Income (Loss)
Classification
  Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Reclassified from AOCL into
Earnings, Net of Tax (Effective
Portion) (b),(c)
 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
      Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014      2015   2014 
Interest rate swaps  $(3,786)  $597   Interest expense  $645   $809 
Fuel hedges   (3,039)   (735)  Cost of operations   541    (132)
Total  $(6,825)  $(138)     $1,186   $677 

 

Derivatives
Designated as Cash
Flow Hedges
  Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized as AOCL on
Derivatives,

Net of Tax (Effective Portion)(a)
   Statement of
Net Income (Loss)
Classification
  Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Reclassified from AOCL into
Earnings, Net of Tax (Effective
Portion) (b),(c)
 
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014      2015   2014 
Interest rate swaps  $(6,528)  $(942)  Interest expense  $1,929   $2,014 
Fuel hedges   (4,385)   (625)  Cost of operations   1,341    (518)
Total  $(10,913)  $(1,567)     $3,270   $1,496 

___________________

(a)      In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps and fuel hedges have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCL.  As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCL.  Because changes in the actual price of diesel fuel and changes in the DOE index price do not offset exactly each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the fuel hedges are highly effective using the cumulative dollar offset approach. 

(b)      Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company’s hedged debt.

(c)      Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on the fuel hedges are recognized when settlement payments or receipts occur related to the hedge contracts, which correspond to when the underlying fuel is consumed. 

 

The Company measures and records ineffectiveness on the fuel hedges in Cost of operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) on a monthly basis based on the difference between the DOE index price and the actual price of diesel fuel purchased, multiplied by the notional number of gallons on the contracts.  There was no significant ineffectiveness recognized on the fuel hedges during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. 

 

See Note 13 for further discussion on the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting to its consolidated comprehensive income (loss) and AOCL. 

 

 21 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

10.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables, debt instruments, contingent consideration obligations, interest rate swaps and fuel hedges.  As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables and contingent consideration are considered to be representative of their respective fair values.  The carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding certain notes as listed in the table below, approximate their fair values as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, based on current borrowing rates, current remaining average life to maturity and borrower credit quality for similar types of borrowing arrangements, and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.  The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, are as follows:

 

   Carrying Value at   Fair Value* at 
  

September 30,
2015

   December 31,
2014
  

September 30,
2015

   December 31,
2014
 
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015  $175,000   $175,000   $175,000   $181,476 
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016  $100,000   $100,000   $101,067   $102,253 
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018  $50,000   $50,000   $52,329   $52,500 
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019  $175,000   $175,000   $193,523   $192,974 
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021  $100,000   $100,000   $109,030   $108,088 
3.09% Senior Notes due 2022  $125,000   $-   $124,802   $- 
3.41% Senior Notes due 2025  $375,000   $-   $372,829   $- 

______________________

*Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on quotes of bonds with similar ratings in similar industries.

 

For details on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps, fuel hedges and restricted assets, refer to Note 12. 

 

 

11.NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE INFORMATION

 

The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Numerator:                    
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share  $(257,009)  $60,084   $(147,825)  $171,763 
                     
Denominator:                    
Basic shares outstanding   123,269,902    124,342,493    123,783,217    124,179,478 
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants   -    62,205    -    103,401 
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units   -    365,283    -    495,413 
Diluted shares outstanding   123,269,902    124,769,981    123,783,217    124,778,292 

 

 22 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

12.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement.  These tiers include:  Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. 

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative instruments and restricted assets.  The Company’s derivative instruments are pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps and pay-fixed, receive-variable diesel fuel hedges.  The Company’s interest rate swaps are recorded at their estimated fair values based on quotes received from financial institutions that trade these contracts.  The Company verifies the reasonableness of these quotes using similar quotes from another financial institution as of each date for which financial statements are prepared.  The Company uses a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to determine the estimated fair value of the diesel fuel hedges.  The assumptions used in preparing the DCF model include:  (i) estimates for the forward DOE index curve; and (ii) the discount rate based on risk-free interest rates over the term of the hedge contracts.  The DOE index curve used in the DCF model was obtained from financial institutions that trade these contracts and ranged from $2.56 to $2.92 at September 30, 2015 and from $2.96 to $3.41 at December 31, 2014. The weighted average DOE index curve used in the DCF model was $2.76 and $3.04 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Significant increases (decreases) in the forward DOE index curve would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. For the Company’s interest rate swaps and fuel hedges, the Company also considers the Company’s creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net liability position and the banks’ creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net asset position.  The Company’s restricted assets are valued at quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf.  The Company’s restricted assets measured at fair value are invested primarily in U.S. government and agency securities. 

 

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were as follows: 

 

   Fair Value Measurement at September 30, 2015 Using 
   Total   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position  $(14,483)  $-   $(14,483)  $- 
Fuel hedge derivative instruments – net liability position  $(6,883)  $-   $-   $(6,883)
Restricted assets  $42,520   $-   $42,520   $- 
Contingent consideration  $(53,109)  $-   $-   $(53,109)

 

 23 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

   Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014 Using 
   Total   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position  $(7,094)  $-   $(7,094)  $- 
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net liability position  $(1,979)  $-   $-   $(1,979)
Restricted assets  $40,870   $-   $40,870   $- 
Contingent consideration  $(70,165)  $-   $-   $(70,165)

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Beginning balance  $(1,979)  $2,199 
Realized losses (gains) included in earnings   2,165    (841)
Unrealized losses included in AOCL   (7,069)   (1,010)
Ending balance  $(6,883)  $348 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for Level 3 liabilities related to contingent consideration for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Beginning balance  $70,165   $55,550 
Contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date   515    4,814 
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date   (190)   (470)
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings   -    (450)
Adjustments to contingent consideration   (19,809)   (2,813)
Interest accretion expense   2,428    1,022 
Ending balance  $53,109   $57,653 

 

See Note 5 regarding non-recurring fair value measurements.

 

 24 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

13.OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and fuel hedges that qualify for hedge accounting.  The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are as follows: 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2015 
   Gross   Tax effect   Net of tax 
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense  $1,041   $(396)  $645 
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations   874    (333)   541 
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps   (6,066)   2,280    (3,786)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedges   (4,891)   1,852    (3,039)
   $(9,042)  $3,403   $(5,639)

 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2014 
   Gross   Tax effect   Net of tax 
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense  $1,313   $(504)  $809 
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations   (214)   82    (132)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps   968    (371)   597 
Changes in fair value of fuel hedges   (1,192)   457    (735)
   $875   $(336)  $539 

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2015 
   Gross   Tax effect   Net of tax 
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense  $3,114   $(1,185)  $1,929 
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations   2,165    (824)   1,341 
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps   (10,503)   3,975    (6,528)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedges   (7,069)   2,684    (4,385)
   $(12,293)  $4,650   $(7,643)

 

 25 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2014 
   Gross   Tax effect   Net of tax 
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense  $3,267   $(1,253)  $2,014 
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations   (841)   323    (518)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps   (1,536)   594    (942)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedges   (1,010)   385    (625)
   $(120)  $49   $(71)

 

A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCL, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, is as follows: 

 

   Fuel Hedges   Interest
Rate Swaps
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Balance at December 31, 2014  $(1,221)  $(4,372)  $(5,593)
Amounts reclassified into earnings   1,341    1,929    3,270 
Changes in fair value   (4,385)   (6,528)   (10,913)
Balance at September 30, 2015  $(4,265)  $(8,971)  $(13,236)

 

   Fuel Hedges   Interest
Rate Swaps
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Balance at December 31, 2013  $1,357   $(3,226)  $(1,869)
Amounts reclassified into earnings   (518)   2,014    1,496 
Changes in fair value   (625)   (942)   (1,567)
Balance at September 30, 2014  $214   $(2,154)  $(1,940)

 

See Note 9 for further discussion on the Company’s derivative instruments. 

 

 26 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

14.STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

A summary of activity related to restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, is presented below: 

 

   Unvested
Shares
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014   1,200,884 
Granted   328,034 
Forfeited   (32,485)
Vested and Issued   (432,165)
Vested and Unissued   (46,521)
Outstanding at September 30, 2015   1,017,747 

 

The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs granted during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 was $46.43. 

 

Recipients of the Company’s RSUs who participate in the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan may have elected in years prior to 2015 to defer some or all of their RSUs as they vest until a specified date or dates they choose.  At the end of the deferral periods, the Company issues to recipients who deferred their RSUs shares of the Company’s common stock underlying the deferred RSUs. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had 256,621 and 223,752 vested deferred RSUs outstanding, respectively.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

 

A summary of activity related to performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, is presented below: 

 

   Unvested
Shares
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014   54,723 
Granted   238,690 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015   293,413 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Compensation Committee granted PSUs to the Company’s executive officers with three-year performance-based metrics that the Company must meet before those awards may be earned, and the performance period for those grants ends on December 31, 2017.  During the same period, the Compensation Committee also granted PSUs to the Company’s executive officers and non-executive officers with a new one-year performance-based metric that the Company must meet before those awards may be earned, with the awards then subject to time-based vesting for the remaining three years of their four-year vesting period.  The Compensation Committee will determine the achievement of performance results and corresponding vesting of PSUs for each performance period.  The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the shares of common stock underlying all PSUs granted during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 was $46.47. 

 

 27 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1,200,000 of common stock through December 31, 2017.  Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management’s discretion.  The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including the Company’s capital structure, the market price of the common stock and overall market conditions.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company repurchased 1,962,989 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $91,165. As of September 30, 2015, the Company held 1,050,820 shares of treasury stock at a cost of $49,458. These shares were retired in October 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining maximum dollar value of shares available for repurchase under the program was approximately $317,479.  The Company’s policy related to repurchases of its common stock is to charge any excess of cost over par value entirely to additional paid-in capital. 

 

Cash Dividend

 

In October 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $0.015, from $0.115 to $0.13 per share. Cash dividends of $48,246 and $42,770 were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

15.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

In the normal course of its business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste and E&P waste industries, the Company is subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving federal, state or local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines on the Company or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by the Company. From time to time, the Company may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills, transfer stations, and E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal operations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which the Company operates.

 

In addition, the Company is a party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the waste management business. Except as noted in the matters described below, as of September 30, 2015, there is no current proceeding or litigation involving the Company or its property that the Company believes could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Madera County, California Materials Recovery Facility Contract Litigation

 

The Company’s subsidiary, Madera Disposal Systems, Inc. (“MDSI”) was named in a complaint captioned County of Madera vs. Madera Disposal Systems, Inc., et al, filed in Madera County Superior Court (Case No. MCV 059402) on March 5, 2012, and subsequently transferred to Fresno County Superior Court. Madera County alleges in the complaint that from 2007 through 2010, MDSI breached a contract with the County for the operation of a materials recovery facility by withholding profits from facility operations in excess of those authorized by the contract. The County further alleges that the breach gives the County the unilateral right to terminate all of its contracts with MDSI, including contracts for (1) the collection of residential and commercial waste in the unincorporated parts of the County, (2) operation of the materials recovery facility, (3) operation of the North Fork Transfer Station and (4) operation of the Fairmead Landfill. The County seeks monetary damages of $2,962 from MDSI, plus pre-judgment interest at 10% per annum.

 

MDSI had been under contract with the County to collect residential and commercial waste and operate the county-owned Fairmead Landfill continuously since at least 1981. In 1993, MDSI contracted with the County to construct and operate a materials recovery facility for the County on the premises of the Fairmead Landfill. After it entered into the materials recovery facility contract, MDSI entered into new contracts with the County for waste collection and landfill operation to run concurrently with the materials recovery facility contract. In 1998, MDSI and the County agreed to extend the terms of the County contracts until November 10, 2012, with MDSI holding a unilateral option to extend the contracts for an additional five-year term.

 

 28 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

In March 2011, the County issued a Notice of Default to MDSI under the materials recovery facility contract and gave MDSI 30 days to cure the default. MDSI provided information that it believed demonstrated that it was not in default under the contract and had not withheld profits that it was obligated to deliver to the County under the terms of the contract.

 

On February 7, 2012, the County issued a Notice of Termination to MDSI terminating all of its contracts effective November 1, 2012. The lawsuit followed on March 5, 2012. MDSI answered the complaint and asserted a claim against the County for wrongful termination of the contracts. On October 31, 2012, MDSI ceased providing services and vacated the County premises. The case is set for trial in Fresno in February 2016.

 

At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter. The Company disputes Madera County’s right to terminate the MDSI contracts effective November 1, 2012, and seeks damages for the profits lost as a result of the wrongful termination. The Company estimates that the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings resulting from the termination of MDSI’s contracts with Madera County is approximately $2,300 per year, not including any monetary damages and interest the Court could order MDSI to pay the County.

 

Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site Allocation Process

 

The Company’s subsidiary, Northwest Container Services, Inc. (“NWCS”), has been named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (the “EPA”), along with more than 100 others, as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) with respect to the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site (the “LDW Site”).  Listed on the National Priorities List in 2001, the LDW Site is a five-mile stretch of the Duwamish River flowing into Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington.  A group of PRPs known as the Lower Duwamish Working Group or the “LDWG” and consisting of the City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and Boeing Company conducted a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study for the LDW Site.  On December 2, 2014, the EPA issued its Record of Decision (“ROD”) describing the selected cleanup remedy.  The EPA estimates the total cleanup costs (in present value dollars) at $342,000, and estimates that it will take seven years to implement the cleanup; the ROD also requires another ten years of monitoring following the cleanup, and provides that if the cleanup goals have not been met by the end of this period, then additional cleanup activities may be required at that time.  Implementation of the cleanup will not begin until after the ongoing Early Action Area (“EAA”) cleanups have been completed, which was estimated to be in mid-2015.  While three of the EAA cleanups have been completed to date, significant work remains to be done on three other EAAs and the EPA has not issued any updated estimates regarding their completion.  Implementation of the cleanup also must await additional baseline sampling throughout the LDW Site and the preparation of a remedial design for performing the cleanup.

 

On September 30, 2015, the EPA formally initiated negotiations with the LDWG to amend the LDWG’s existing Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA (the “LDWG AOC”) to require the LDWG to perform the additional baseline sediment sampling and certain technical studies needed to prepare the actual remedial design.  The EPA calls this work “Phase 1 of the Remedial Design,” and the EPA’s proposed statement of work for it indicates that it likely will be costly and take at least two years to complete, or into 2018.  These negotiations between the EPA and the LDWG have only just begun. In its letter to the LDWG the EPA proposed that the LDWG meet with it on November 10, 2015 to negotiate the EPA’s proposed amendment to the LDWG AOC.  The EPA also indicated that it would be open to having other PRPs participate in performing the work.  To date the LDWG has not indicated if it will perform the work requested by the EPA and/or if it will seek to have other PRPs, including possibly NWCS, participate as well.  In addition, in its letter to the LDWG the EPA indicated that in 2018 it plans to negotiate with all of the PRPs a “global settlement” to cover performance of the remainder of the remedial design not covered by the proposed amendment to the LDWG AOC and the cleanup itself.

 

In August 2014, NWCS entered into an Alternative Dispute Resolution Memorandum of Agreement with several dozen other PRPs and a neutral allocator to conduct a non-binding allocation of certain past response costs allegedly incurred at the LDW Site as well as the anticipated future response costs associated with the cleanup.  The allocation process is designed to develop evidence relating to each PRP’s nexus, if any, to the LDW Site (whether or not that PRP is participating in the allocation process), for the allocator to hear arguments as to how each PRP’s nexus affects the allocation of response costs, and to determine each PRP’s share of the past and future response costs.  The goal of the allocation process is to reach agreement on a division of responsibility between and amongst the PRPs so that the PRPs will then be in a position to negotiate a global settlement with the EPA.  NWCS is defending itself vigorously in this confidential allocation process and does not anticipate being allocated a material share of responsibility for the response costs.  The allocation process is currently scheduled to be completed in early 2019 with the goal thereafter of negotiating cleanup implementation and cash-out settlement agreements between and amongst the PRPs and the EPA.  At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of the allocation process being completed as intended by the participating PRPs nor the likelihood of the parties then negotiating a global settlement with the EPA, and thus cannot determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.

 

 29 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)

 

 

Chiquita Canyon Landfill Expansion Complaint

 

The Company’s subsidiary, Chiquita Canyon, LLC (“CCL”), is in the process of seeking approval to expand the lateral footprint and vertical height of its Chiquita Canyon Landfill in California.  In response to its published draft environmental impact report (“EIR”) regarding the proposed expansion, on June 8, 2015 two individuals and two organizations filed an administrative complaint with the California Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery and the California Air Resources Board against the County of Los Angeles, alleging that the county has committed racial discrimination under California law through its permitting policies and practices. Among other things, the complaint alleges that the County of Los Angeles failed to provide equal opportunities for residents of all races to participate in the draft EIR process.  The complaint seeks, among other things, a suspension of the draft EIR, the institution of hearings regarding the draft EIR that follow specified procedures and the implementation of certain surveys, notices and other hearings.  CCL is not a party to this complaint, although CCL may participate in any hearing on the complaint if the agencies elect to schedule such a hearing.  At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter, including whether it may result in a delay of the permitting process for the proposed expansion of CCL’s facility.

 

16.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On October 1, 2015, the Company redeemed the $175,000 principal of its 2015 Notes using borrowings under its credit agreement.

 

On October 26, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $0.015, from $0.13 to $0.145 per share, and then declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.145 per share on the Company’s common stock.  The dividend will be paid on November 23, 2015, to stockholders of record on the close of business on November 9, 2015.

 

On November 3, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Rock River Environmental Services, Inc., an integrated provider of solid waste collection, recycling, transfer and disposal services. The acquired operations service 19 counties in central and northern Illinois and include five collection operations, two landfills, one compost facility, one transfer station and one recycling facility. The Company paid cash consideration of $225,000 for this acquisition, using proceeds from borrowings under its credit agreement. The Company also paid an additional amount for the purchase of estimated working capital, which is subject to post-closing adjustments. The Company has not yet completed its initial purchase price allocation.

 

 30 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking in nature, including statements related to our ability to provide adequate cash to fund our operating activities, our ability to draw on our credit agreement or raise additional capital, the responsibilities of our subsidiary with regard to possible cleanup obligations imposed by the EPA, our ability to sell senior unsecured notes under our master note purchase agreement, the impact of global, regional and local economic conditions, including the price of crude oil, on our volume, business and results of operations, the effects of seasonality on our business and results of operations, our ability to address any impacts of inflation on our business, demand for recyclable commodities and recyclable commodity pricing, our expectations with respect to capital expenditures, our expectations with respect to our ability to obtain expansions of permitted landfill capacity, our expectations with respect to our stock repurchase program and future dividend payments, our expectations with respect to the outcomes of our legal proceedings and our expectations with respect to the purchase of fuel and fuel prices.  These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. 

 

Our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those projected by any forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: 

 

·Negative trends or volatility in crude oil prices may adversely affect the level of exploration, development and production activity of E&P companies and the demand for our E&P waste services;

 

·Our results are vulnerable to economic conditions; 

 

·Our E&P waste business depends on the willingness of E&P companies to outsource their waste services activities; 

 

·Our industry is highly competitive and includes larger and better capitalized companies, companies with lower prices, return expectations or other advantages, and governmental service providers, which could adversely affect our ability to compete and our operating results; 

 

·Our financial and operating performance may be affected by the inability to renew landfill operating permits, obtain new landfills and expand existing ones; 

 

·Competition for acquisition candidates, consolidation within the waste industry and economic and market conditions may limit our ability to grow through acquisitions; 

 

·Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and limit our financial flexibility; 

 

·Price increases may not be adequate to offset the impact of increased costs, or may cause us to lose volume; 

 

·Fluctuations in prices for recycled commodities that we sell and rebates we offer to customers may cause our revenues and operating results to decline; 

 

·We have limited experience in running an E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal business; 

 

·The seasonal nature of our business and “event-driven” waste projects cause our results to fluctuate; 

 

·We may lose contracts through competitive bidding, early termination or governmental action; 

 

·Alternatives to landfill disposal may cause our revenues and operating results to decline; 

 

·Increases in labor costs could impact our financial results; 

 

·Increases in the price of diesel or compressed natural gas fuel may adversely affect our collection business and reduce our operating margins; 

 

 31 

 

 

·Labor union activity could divert management attention and adversely affect our operating results; 

 

·We could face significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in one or more multiemployer pension plans in which we participate and the accrued pension benefits are not fully funded; 

 

·Our financial results could be adversely affected by impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles; 

 

·Pending or future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements; 

 

·We may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third-party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, require expensive remediation, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity; 

 

·Increases in insurance costs and the amount that we self-insure for various risks could reduce our operating margins and reported earnings; 

 

·We rely on computer systems to run our business and disruptions or privacy breaches in these systems could impact our ability to service our customers and adversely affect our financial results, damage our reputation, and expose us to litigation risk; 

 

·A portion of our growth and future financial performance depends on our ability to integrate acquired businesses, and the success of our acquisitions; 

 

·Each business that we acquire or have acquired may have liabilities or risks that we fail or are unable to discover, or that become more adverse to our business than we anticipated at the time of acquisition; 

 

·Extensive and evolving environmental, health and safety laws and regulations may restrict our operations and growth and increase our costs; 

 

·Our E&P waste business could be adversely affected by changes in laws regulating E&P waste; 

 

·Changes in laws or government regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could increase our customers’ costs of doing business and reduce oil and gas production by our customers, which could adversely impact our business; 

 

·Future changes in laws regulating the flow of solid waste in interstate commerce could adversely affect our operating results; 

 

·Extensive regulations that govern the design, operation and closure of landfills may restrict our landfill operations or increase our costs of operating landfills; 

 

·Our financial results are based upon estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual results;

 

·Our accruals for our landfill site closure and post-closure costs may be inadequate; 

 

·We depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior and regional management team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating results to suffer; 

 

·Our decentralized decision-making structure could allow local managers to make decisions that adversely affect our operating results; 

 

·Liabilities for environmental damage may adversely affect our financial condition, business and earnings; and

 

·If we are not able to develop and protect intellectual property, or if a competitor develops or obtains exclusive rights to a breakthrough technology, our financial results may suffer.

 

 32 

 

 

These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.  There may be additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial which could have an adverse impact on our business.  We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may change. 

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are an integrated municipal solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services primarily in exclusive and secondary markets in the U.S. and a leading provider of non-hazardous exploration and production, or E&P, waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several of the most active natural resource producing areas of the U.S. We also provide intermodal services for the rail haul movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest through a network of intermodal facilities.

 

We seek to avoid highly competitive, large urban markets and instead target markets where we can attain high market share either through exclusive contracts, vertical integration or asset positioning. In markets where waste collection services are provided under exclusive arrangements, or where waste disposal is municipally owned or funded or available at multiple municipal sources, we believe that controlling the waste stream by providing collection services under exclusive arrangements is often more important to our growth and profitability than owning or operating landfills.  We also target niche markets, like E&P waste treatment and disposal services.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we served residential, commercial, industrial and E&P customers in 32 states:  Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.  As of September 30, 2015, we owned or operated a network of 151 solid waste collection operations; 69 transfer stations; seven intermodal facilities, 35 recycling operations, 60 active MSW, E&P and/or non-MSW landfills, 24 E&P liquid waste injection wells, 21 E&P waste treatment and recovery facilities and 24 oil recovery facilities.

 

The municipal solid waste industry is a local and highly competitive business, requiring substantial labor and capital resources.  The participants compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and, to a lesser extent, the quality of service, and compete for landfill business on the basis of tipping fees, geographic location and quality of operations.  The municipal solid waste industry has been consolidating and continues to consolidate as a result of a number of factors, including the increasing costs and complexity associated with waste management operations and regulatory compliance.  Many small independent operators and municipalities lack the capital resources, management, operating skills and technical expertise necessary to operate effectively in such an environment.  The consolidation trend has caused municipal solid waste companies to operate larger landfills that have complementary collection routes that can use company-owned disposal capacity.  Controlling the point of transfer from haulers to landfills has become increasingly important as landfills continue to close and disposal capacity moves farther from the collection markets it serves. 

 

Generally, the most profitable operators within the municipal solid waste industry are those companies that are vertically integrated or enter into long-term collection contracts.  A vertically integrated operator will benefit from:  (1) the internalization of waste, which is bringing waste to a company-owned landfill; (2) the ability to charge third-party haulers tipping fees either at landfills or at transfer stations; and (3) the efficiencies gained by being able to aggregate and process waste at a transfer station prior to landfilling. 

 

The E&P waste services industry is regional in nature and is also highly fragmented, with acquisition opportunities available in several active natural resource basins. Competition for E&P waste comes primarily from smaller regional companies that utilize a variety of disposal methods and generally serve specific geographic markets, and other solid waste companies. In addition, customers in many markets have the option of using internal disposal methods or outsourcing to another third-party disposal company. The principal competitive factors in this business include: gaining customer approval of treatment and disposal facilities; location of facilities in relation to customer activity; reputation; reliability of services; track record of environmental compliance; ability to accept multiple waste types at a single facility; and price. The demand for our E&P waste services depends on the continued demand for, and production of, oil and natural gas. Crude oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and the substantial reductions in crude oil prices that began in October 2014, and continued into 2015, have resulted in a decline in the level of drilling and production activity, reducing the demand for E&P waste services in the basins in which we operate. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded charges totaling $514.0 million associated with the impairment of a portion of our goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment within our E&P segment as a result of the sustained decline in oil prices in recent months, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in such prices, making it more likely than not that the fair value of these assets had decreased below their respective carrying values. A further reduction in crude oil and natural gas prices could lead to continued declines in the level of production activity and demand for our E&P waste services, which could result in the recognition of additional impairment charges on our goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment associated with our E&P operations.

 

 33 

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  As described by the SEC, critical accounting estimates and assumptions are those that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on the financial condition or operating performance of a company.  Such critical accounting estimates and assumptions are applicable to our reportable segments.  Refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete description of our critical accounting estimates and assumptions. 

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

For a description of the new accounting standards that affect us, see Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 34 

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014

 

The following table sets forth items in our condensed consolidated statements of net income (loss) in thousands and as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated. 

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenues  $547,938    100.0%  $546,551    100.0%  $1,585,350    100.0%  $1,552,953    100.0%
Cost of operations   300,910    54.9    297,849    54.5    879,470    55.5    847,860    54.6 
Selling, general and administrative   59,799    10.9    57,991    10.6    175,208    11.0    170,163    11.0 
Depreciation   61,373    11.2    58,998    10.8    178,318    11.2    171,920    11.1 
Amortization of intangibles   7,195    1.3    6,702    1.2    21,458    1.4    20,158    1.3 
Impairments and other operating charges   493,813    90.2    9,120    1.7    494,158    31.2    8,572    0.5 
Operating income (loss)   (375,152)   (68.5)   115,891    21.2    (163,262)   (10.3)   334,280    21.5 
                                         
Interest expense   (16,367)   (3.0)   (15,815)   (2.9)   (47,386)   (3.0)   (48,666)   (3.2)
Other income (expense), net   (1,303)   (0.2)   (269)   (0.0)   (1,430)   (0.1)   785    0.1 
Income tax (provision) benefit   136,017    24.8    (39,523)   (7.3)   64,996    4.1    (113,992)   (7.3)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (204)   (0.0)   (200)   (0.0)   (743)   (0.0)   (644)   (0.0)
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections  $(257,009)   (46.9)%  $60,084    11.0%  $(147,825)   (9.3)%  $171,763    11.1%

 

Revenues.  Total revenues increased $1.3 million, or 0.3%, to $547.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $546.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, incremental revenue from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, increased revenues by approximately $11.8 million. Operations divested during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, decreased revenues by approximately $0.2 million. 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the net increase in prices charged to our customers was $11.7 million, consisting of $12.7 million of core price increases, partially offset by a decrease of $1.0 million from fuel, materials and environmental surcharges.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, volume increases in our existing business increased solid waste revenues by $11.8 million from increases in roll off collection, transfer station volumes and landfill volumes resulting from increased construction and general economic activity in our markets. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, two E&P disposal facilities which opened subsequent to September 30, 2014 increased E&P revenues by $1.1 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, E&P revenues at all other sites owned or fully-operated in each of the comparable periods decreased by a total of $37.3 million as the substantial reductions in crude oil prices that began in October 2014, and have continued into 2015, have resulted in a decline in the level of drilling and production activity, reducing the demand for E&P waste services in the basins in which we operate. Further or sustained declines in commodity prices may lead to further reductions in drilling activities by our E&P customers and further declines in our E&P volumes and revenues.

 

Revenues from sales of recyclable commodities during the three months ended September 30, 2015 decreased $2.4 million from the comparable period of the prior year due primarily to decreased recyclable commodity prices.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, intermodal revenues increased $5.7 million due to cargo volume from a new large intermodal customer and higher cargo volume with existing customers.

 

Other revenues decreased by $0.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 due primarily to contracted landfill construction services we performed in the prior year period at a landfill we operate.

 

Total revenues increased $32.4 million, or 2.1%, to $1.585 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $1.553 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, incremental revenue from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, increased revenues by approximately $37.7 million. Operations divested during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, decreased revenues by approximately $0.9 million. 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the net increase in prices charged to our customers was $35.8 million, consisting of $37.3 million of core price increases, partially offset by a decrease of $1.5 million from fuel, materials and environmental surcharges.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, volume increases in our existing business increased solid waste revenues by $28.9 million from increases in roll off collection, transfer station volumes and landfill volumes resulting from increased construction and general economic activity in our markets. E&P disposal facilities which opened, or significantly increased the scale of their operations during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, increased E&P revenues by $3.9 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, E&P revenues at all other sites owned or fully-operated in each of the comparable periods decreased by a total of $79.7 million as the substantial reductions in crude oil prices that began in October 2014, and have continued into 2015, have resulted in a decline in the level of drilling and production activity, reducing the demand for E&P waste services in the basins in which we operate.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the closure of a recycling operation in our Western segment in April 2014 decreased revenues by $2.0 million. Revenues from sales of recyclable commodities at all other facilities owned during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 decreased $6.3 million due primarily to decreased recyclable commodity prices.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, intermodal revenues increased $16.2 million due to cargo volume from a new large intermodal customer and higher cargo volume with existing customers.

 

Other revenues decreased by $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due primarily to contracted landfill construction services we performed in the prior year period at a landfill we operate.

 

Cost of Operations.  Total cost of operations increased $3.1 million, or 1.0%, to $300.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $297.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was primarily the result of $6.8 million of additional operating costs from solid waste and E&P acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014 and an increase in operating costs at our existing solid waste operations of $6.5 million, less a decrease in operating costs at our existing and internally developed E&P operations of $10.2 million.

 

The increase in operating costs at our existing solid waste operations of $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was comprised of an increase in labor expenses of $5.7 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and headcount increases to support volume increases, an increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations of $2.5 million due to increased rail cargo volume, an increase in taxes on revenues of $1.8 million due to an increase in revenues in our solid waste markets, an increase in auto, workers’ compensation and property claims expense under our high deductible insurance program of $1.4 million due primarily to adjustments to projected losses on prior period claims, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $1.4 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in disposal expenses of $0.7 million from disposal rate increases and higher disposal costs associated with increased collection and transfer station volumes and $1.0 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a decrease in fuel expense of $5.2 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements, a decrease of $1.1 million associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period at a landfill we operate and a decrease in benefits expenses of $1.7 million from a reduction in the employer portion of medical claims costs.

 

The decrease in operating costs at our existing and internally developed E&P operations of $10.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was comprised of decreased equipment operating expenses of $0.7 million from the restructuring of an equipment operating agreement in 2015 that resulted in a third-party equipment operator being financially responsible for equipment operating and maintenance expenses, and the following changes attributable to a reduction in our operations resulting from the decline in the level of drilling and production activity: decreased fuel expenses of $1.0 million; decreased trucking and transportation expenses of $2.6 million; decreased third-party subcontractor processing, remediation and other professional fees services of $1.4 million; decreased equipment repair expenses of $1.1 million; decreased labor and benefits expenses of $0.9 million; decreased equipment rental expenses of $0.9 million; decreased royalty expenses of $0.3 million and $1.3 million of other net expense decreases.

 

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Total cost of operations increased $31.6 million, or 3.7%, to $879.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $847.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of $20.7 million of additional operating costs from solid waste and E&P acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and an increase in operating costs at our existing solid waste operations of $20.2 million, less a decrease in operating costs at our existing and internally developed E&P operations of $9.3 million.

 

The increase in operating costs at our existing solid waste operations of $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was comprised of an increase in labor expenses of $13.3 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and headcount increases to support volume increases, an increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations of $7.0 million due to increased rail cargo volume, an increase in third-party disposal expense of $4.8 million due to disposal rate increases and higher disposal costs associated with increased collection and transfer station volumes, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $5.3 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $3.7 million due to increased transfer station and landfill volumes that require us to transport the waste to our disposal sites, an increase in taxes on revenues of $4.0 million due to increased revenues in our solid waste markets and $1.7 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a decrease in fuel expense of $14.5 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements, a decrease in auto, workers’ compensation and property claims expense under our high deductible insurance program of $3.1 million due primarily to adjustments to projected losses on prior period claims and a decrease of $2.0 million associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period.

 

The decrease in operating costs at our existing and internally developed E&P operations of $9.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was comprised of decreased equipment operating expenses of $1.7 million from the restructuring of an equipment operating agreement in 2015 that resulted in a third-party equipment operator being financially responsible for equipment operating and maintenance expenses, and the following changes attributable to a reduction in our operations resulting from the decline in the level of drilling and production activity: decreased third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $3.4 million; decreased fuel expenses of $2.8 million; decreased equipment rental expenses of $1.5 million; decreased equipment repair expenses of $1.2 million; decreased third-party subcontractor processing and remediation services of $1.2 million; decreased direct labor and benefits expenses of $1.0 million and $3.0 million of other expense decreases, partially offset by an increase of $5.0 million in expenses due to site clean-up and remediation work during the first quarter of 2015 associated with flooding and other surface damage at two of our E&P disposal sites in New Mexico resulting from heavy precipitation affecting the sites and an increase of $1.5 million due to start-up related expenses at two new E&P disposal facilities during the first quarter of 2015.

 

Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues increased 0.4 percentage points to 54.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 54.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase as a percentage of revenues was primarily the result of a 1.9 percentage point increase at our existing and internally developed E&P operations and a 0.1 percentage point increase from solid waste and E&P acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, partially offset by a 1.6 percentage point decrease at our existing solid waste operations. The increase at our existing and internally developed E&P operations was due primarily to fixed operating expenses increasing as an overall percentage of revenues due to the aforementioned decline in E&P revenues. The decrease at our existing solid waste operations was comprised of a 1.3 percentage point decrease in fuel expense, a 0.5 percentage point decrease in benefits expenses, a 0.3 percentage point decrease in third-party disposal expenses and a 0.3 percentage point decease associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period, partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point increase associated with increased labor expenses and a 0.5 percentage point increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations.

 

Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues increased 0.9 percentage points to 55.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 54.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase as a percentage of revenues was primarily the result of a 2.3 percentage point increase at our existing and internally developed E&P operations, partially offset by a 1.4 percentage point decrease at our existing solid waste operations. The increase at our existing and internally developed E&P operations was due primarily to fixed operating expenses increasing as an overall percentage of revenues due to the aforementioned decline in E&P revenues. The decrease at our existing solid waste operations was comprised of a 1.3 percentage point decrease in fuel expense, a 0.3 percentage point decrease in auto, workers’ compensation and property claims expense and a 0.2 percentage point decrease associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period, partially offset by a 0.4 percentage point increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations.

 

SG&A.  SG&A expenses increased $1.8 million, or 3.1%, to $59.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $58.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was primarily the result of $0.7 million of additional SG&A expenses from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, an increase in payroll and payroll-related expenses of $0.9 million primarily related to annual compensation increases and an increase in professional fees of $0.8 million due primarily to increased expenses for external accounting services, legal expenses and sales consulting services, partially offset by a decrease in deferred compensation expense of $0.6 million as a result of decreases in the market value of investments to which employee deferred compensation liability balances are tracked.

 

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SG&A expenses increased $5.0 million, or 3.0%, to $175.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $170.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was primarily the result of $2.0 million of additional SG&A expenses from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an increase in payroll and payroll-related expenses of $2.1 million primarily related to annual compensation increases, an increase in professional fees of $1.8 million due primarily to increased expenses for external accounting services, legal expenses and sales consulting services, an increase in employee meeting, training and travel expenses of $1.4 million, an increase in equity-based compensation expense of $0.5 million resulting from the net impact of an increase in the total fair value of our annual recurring grant of restricted stock units to our personnel being partially offset by an adjustment recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to decrease the total shares expected to vest associated with performance-based restricted stock units granted in 2014 and $0.6 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a decrease in accrued cash incentive compensation expense of $2.7 million as we are not projected to achieve the same level of certain financial targets that were met in the prior year period and a decrease in deferred compensation expense of $0.7 million as a result of decreases in the market value of investments to which employee deferred compensation liability balances are tracked.

 

SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues increased 0.3 percentage points to 10.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 10.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase as a percentage of revenues was comprised of a 0.2 percentage point increase associated with increased payroll expenses and a 0.2 percentage point increase associated with increased professional fees, partially offset by a 0.1 percentage point decrease associated with decreased deferred compensation expense.

 

SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues was unchanged at 11.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 as a result of increases associated with higher payroll expenses and professional fees being offset by decreased cash incentive compensation expense.

 

Depreciation.  Depreciation expense increased $2.4 million, or 4.0%, to $61.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $59.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in depletion expense of $2.2 million at our existing solid waste landfills due primarily to an increase in volumes, an increase in depreciation expense of $1.6 million associated with additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations and $1.6 million of additional depreciation and depletion expense from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in depletion expense at our existing E&P landfills due to volume decreases resulting from a decline in the level of oil drilling and production activity due to reductions in crude oil prices.

 

Depreciation expense increased $6.4 million, or 3.7%, to $178.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $171.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in depletion expense of $5.5 million at our existing solid waste landfills due primarily to an increase in volumes, $4.5 million of additional depreciation and depletion expense from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and an increase in depreciation expense of $3.4 million associated with additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations, partially offset by a $7.0 million decrease in depletion expense at our existing E&P landfills due to volume decreases resulting from a decline in the level of oil drilling and production activity due to reductions in crude oil prices.

 

Depreciation expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.4 percentage points to 11.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 10.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Depreciation expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.1 percentage points to 11.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 11.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increases as a percentage of revenues were due primarily to the impact of declines in E&P revenues from operations owned in the comparable periods and depreciation expense associated with additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations, partially offset by the decrease in depletion expense at our existing E&P landfills.

 

Amortization of Intangibles. Amortization of intangibles expense increased $0.5 million, or 7.4%, to $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Amortization of intangibles expense increased $1.3 million, or 6.4%, to $21.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Amortization expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.1 percentage points to 1.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 1.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Amortization expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.1 percentage points to 1.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 1.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

The dollar amount and percentage of revenues increases were attributable to additional amortization expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

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Impairments and Other Operating Charges. Impairments and other operating charges increased $484.7 million, to $493.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Impairments and other operating charges increased $485.6 million, to $494.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

The decline in oil prices that began in late 2014, and continued during 2015, has resulted in decreased levels of oil and natural gas exploration and production activity and a corresponding decrease in demand for our E&P waste services. This decrease, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in oil prices, has reduced the expected future period cash flows of our E&P segment, causing the fair value of the E&P segment to decrease below its carrying value. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $411.8 million associated with goodwill and $38.3 million associated with indefinite-lived intangible assets in our E&P segment. Following the impairment charge, at September 30, 2015, our E&P segment has remaining balances of $77.3 million in goodwill and $21.6 million in indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value of the E&P segment was estimated using an income approach employing a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The DCF model incorporated projected cash flows over a forecast period based on the estimated remaining lives of the operating locations comprising the E&P segment. One of the key assumptions in the DCF model was the estimated EBITDA contribution from each operating location. If the estimated EBITDA in the DCF model for each operating location was reduced an additional 10%, the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charge would have increased by $5.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. We also recorded impairment charges of $63.9 million related to property, plant and equipment at certain E&P operating locations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 based on an assessment that the carrying value of certain asset groups exceeded the undiscounted cash flows and were therefore not recoverable. The fair value of the unrecoverable asset groups was calculated using the aforementioned DCF model and the impairment charge was based on the amount the asset groups’ carrying values exceeded their fair value. Each asset group that was assessed as being impaired had an insignificant fair value due primarily to the estimated discounted cash outflows exceeding the estimated discounted cash inflows over the remaining estimated lives of the asset groups. Following the impairment charge, our E&P segment has a remaining balance in property, plant and equipment of $931.2 million at September 30, 2015. If the estimated EBITDA in the DCF model for each asset group was reduced an additional 10%, the property, plant and equipment impairment charge would have been unchanged.

 

The aforementioned impairment charges were partially offset by $20.6 million of adjustments recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 to reduce the fair value of amounts payable under liability-classified contingent consideration arrangements associated with the acquisition of an E&P business in 2014 as it was determined that the decline in E&P waste services at acquired facilities subject to contingent consideration payments based on the earnings of the acquired facilities would reduce the amount ultimately payable by us upon the completion of the contingent consideration assessment period.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded an $8.4 million impairment charge at an E&P disposal facility as a result of projected operating losses resulting from the migration of the majority of the facility’s customers to a new E&P facility that we own and operate.

 

Operating Income (loss).  Operating income (loss) decreased $491.1 million to a loss of $375.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from income of $115.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease was attributable to the $484.7 million increase in impairments and other operating charges, $3.1 million increase in costs of operations, $2.4 million increase in depreciation expense, $1.8 million increase in SG&A expense and $0.5 million increase in amortization of intangibles expense, partially offset by the $1.3 million increase in revenues.

 

Operating income (loss) decreased $497.6 million to a loss of $163.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from income of $334.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease was attributable to the $485.6 million increase in impairments and other operating charges, $31.6 million increase in costs of operations, $6.4 million increase in depreciation expense, $5.0 million increase in SG&A expense and $1.3 million increase in amortization of intangibles expense, partially offset by the $32.4 million increase in revenues.

 

Operating income (loss) as a percentage of revenues decreased 89.7 percentage points to a loss of 68.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from income of 21.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease as a percentage of revenues was comprised of an 88.5 percentage point increase in impairments and other operating charges, a 0.4 percentage point increase in cost of operations, 0.4 percentage point increase in depreciation expense, a 0.3 percentage point increase in SG&A expense and a 0.1 percentage point increase in amortization expense.

 

Operating income (loss) as a percentage of revenues decreased 31.8 percentage points to a loss of 10.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from income of 21.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease as a percentage of revenues was comprised of a 30.7 percentage point increase in impairments and other operating charges, a 0.9 percentage point increase in cost of operations, 0.1 percentage point increase in depreciation expense and a 0.1 percentage point increase in amortization expense.

 

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Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased $0.6 million, or 3.5%, to $16.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, resulting from an increase of $1.9 million from the August 2015 issuance of our 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease due to refinancing and replacing our prior term loan agreement and prior credit agreement with our new revolving credit and term loan agreement, resulting in a reduction in the applicable margin above the base rate or LIBOR rate for outstanding borrowings and a decrease of $0.7 million from the net change in the combined average outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit and term loan agreement. We used the proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes to pay down a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit agreement.

 

Interest expense decreased $1.3 million, or 2.6%, to $47.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $48.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, resulting from a decrease of $3.2 million due to refinancing and replacing our prior term loan agreement and prior credit agreement with our new revolving credit and term loan agreement resulting in a reduction in the applicable margin above the base rate or LIBOR rate for outstanding borrowings, a decrease of $0.7 million from the net change in the combined average outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit and term loan agreement and $0.8 million of other net changes, partially offset by an increase of $1.9 million from the August 2015 issuance of our 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes and an increase of $1.5 million resulting from interest accretion expense recorded on long-term liabilities recorded at fair value associated with acquisitions closed subsequent to September 30, 2014.

 

Other Income (Expense), Net.  Other income (expense), net, decreased $1.0 million, to an expense total of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from an expense total of $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.7 million decrease in investment income and $0.3 million of other net changes.

 

Other income (expense), net, decreased $2.2 million, to an expense total of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from an income total of $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease was primarily attributable to recording an expense charge of $0.6 million for the write off of a portion of unamortized debt issuance costs resulting from refinancing our prior term loan agreement and prior credit agreement, a $1.0 million decrease in investment income and $0.6 million of other net changes.

 

Income Tax Provision (Benefit).  Income taxes decreased $175.5 million, to a benefit total of $136.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from an expense total of $39.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Income taxes decreased $179.0 million, to a benefit total of $65.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from an expense total of $114.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Our effective tax benefit rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were 34.6% and 30.6%, respectively. The impairment of a portion of the goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment within our E&P segment resulted in the write off of $44.4 million of assets that were not deductible for tax purposes, reducing our tax benefit during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 by 4.0 and 7.3 percentage points, respectively. Additionally, the impairment of the aforementioned assets within our E&P segment impacted the geographical apportionment of our state income taxes resulting in a non-recurring adjustment in our deferred tax liabilities that primarily increased our income tax benefit by $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and increased our tax benefit rate by 1.1 percentage points and 2.0 percentage points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

Our effective tax expense rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 39.6% and 39.8%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an adjustment in deferred tax liabilities resulting from the enactment of New York State’s 2014-2015 Budget Act increased our income tax expense and our effective tax rate by $1.2 million and 0.4 percentage points, respectively.

 

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SEGMENT RESULTS

 

General

 

No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented.  The following tables reflect a breakdown of our revenue and inter-company eliminations for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands). 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2015 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $354,490   $(1,250)  $353,240    64.5%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   180,442    (66,322)   114,120    20.8 
Solid waste recycling   12,213    (155)   12,058    2.2 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   54,695    (3,519)   51,176    9.3 
Intermodal and other   17,344    -    17,344    3.2 
Total  $619,184   $(71,246)  $547,938    100.0%

 

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2014 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $333,917   $(926)  $332,991    60.9%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   167,129    (62,295)   104,834    19.2 
Solid waste recycling   14,973    (497)   14,476    2.6 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   86,085    (4,185)   81,900    15.0 
Intermodal and other   12,604    (254)   12,350    2.3 
Total  $614,708   $(68,157)  $546,551    100.0%

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2015 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $1,024,078   $(3,150)  $1,020,928    64.4%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   494,804    (187,486)   307,318    19.4 
Solid waste recycling   35,614    (654)   34,960    2.2 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   183,103    (10,879)   172,224    10.9 
Intermodal and other   49,920    -    49,920    3.1 
Total  $1,787,519   $(202,169)  $1,585,350    100.0%

 

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   Nine months ended September 30, 2014 
   Revenue   Intercompany
Revenue
   Reported
Revenue
   % of Reported
Revenue
 
Solid waste collection  $962,683   $(2,676)  $960,007    61.8%
Solid waste disposal and transfer   461,605    (175,895)   285,710    18.4 
Solid waste recycling   44,713    (1,601)   43,112    2.8 
E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal   242,049    (12,667)   229,382    14.8 
Intermodal and other   35,446    (704)   34,742    2.2 
Total  $1,746,496   $(193,543)  $1,552,953    100.0%

 

Our CODM evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment EBITDA.  Segment EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  Our management uses segment EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance because it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments. 

 

We manage our operations through three geographic operating segments (Western, Central and Eastern) and our E&P segment, which includes the majority of our E&P waste treatment and disposal operations. Our three geographic operating segments and our E&P segment comprise our reportable segments. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts.  Our Western segment is comprised of operating locations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and western Wyoming; our Central segment is comprised of operating locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and eastern Wyoming; and our Eastern segment is comprised of operating locations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The E&P segment is comprised of our E&P operations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and along the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

Revenues, net of intercompany eliminations, for our reportable segments are shown in the following table in thousands and as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated: 

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Western  $230,454    42.1%  $215,849    39.5%  $658,468    41.5%  $617,473    39.8%
Central   156,939    28.6    149,213    27.3    441,686    27.9    420,195    27.1 
Eastern   109,030    19.9    102,624    18.8    314,268    19.8    294,008    18.9 
E&P   51,515    9.4    78,865    14.4    170,928    10.8    221,277    14.2 
   $547,938    100.0%  $546,551    100.0%  $1,585,350    100.0%  $1,552,953    100.0%

 

Segment EBITDA for our reportable segments is shown in the following table in thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues for the periods indicated: 

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Western  $76,279    33.1%  $69,140    32.0%  $218,185    33.1%  $194,894    31.6%
Central   56,783    36.2    53,809    36.1    155,855    35.3    148,471    35.3 
Eastern   34,301    31.5    29,379    28.6    97,205    30.9    87,284    29.7 
E&P   17,392    33.8    39,535    50.1    54,571    31.9    111,730    50.5 
Corporate(a)   2,474    -    (1,152)   -    4,856    -    (7,449)   - 
   $187,229    34.2%  $190,711    34.9%  $530,672    33.5%  $534,930    34.4%

____________________

(a)      Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions.  Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

 

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A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included in Note 8 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this report. 

 

Significant changes in revenue and segment EBITDA for our reportable segments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, compared to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, are discussed below: 

 

Segment Revenue

 

Revenue in our Western segment increased $14.7 million, or 6.8%, to $230.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $215.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of solid waste volume increases of $7.5 million associated with increases in residential, commercial and roll off collection operations, transfer stations and landfill special waste revenues, intermodal revenue increases of $5.7 million due to a new large intermodal customer and higher cargo volume with existing customers, net price increases of $3.7 million and revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, of $0.5 million, partially offset by recyclable commodity sales decreases of $1.5 million from declines in the price of recyclable commodities, decreases of $1.1 million from reduced E&P disposal volumes at our solid waste landfills and other revenue decreases of $0.1 million.

 

Revenue in our Western segment increased $41.0 million, or 6.6%, to $658.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $617.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of solid waste volume increases of $22.5 million associated with our residential, commercial and roll off collection operations, transfer stations and landfill special waste revenues being partially offset by lower landfill municipal solid waste revenues, intermodal revenue increases of $16.2 million due to a new large intermodal customer and higher cargo volume with existing customers, net price increases of $9.9 million, revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of $0.9 million and other revenue increases of $0.3 million, partially offset by recyclable commodity sales decreases of $2.0 million and $4.0 million resulting from the closure of a recycling operation in April 2014 and declines in the price of recyclable commodities, respectively, and decreases of $2.8 million from reduced E&P disposal volumes at our solid waste landfills.

 

Revenue in our Central segment increased $7.7 million, or 5.2%, to $156.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $149.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of net price increases of $5.6 million, solid waste volume increases of $2.1 million associated with increases in roll off collection volumes, transfer station volumes and landfill special waste volumes exceeding declines in residential collection volumes and revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, of $1.0 million, partially offset by E&P disposal volume decreases of $0.7 million at our solid waste landfills and other revenue decreases of $0.3 million.

 

Revenue in our Central segment increased $21.5 million, or 5.1%, to $441.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $420.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of net price increases of $17.9 million, solid waste volume increases of $1.3 million associated with increases in roll off collection volumes, transfer station volumes, landfill MSW volumes and landfill special waste volumes exceeding declines in residential collection volumes, revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of $2.2 million and $0.1 million of other revenue increases.

 

Revenue in our Eastern segment increased $6.4 million, or 6.2%, to $109.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $102.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, of $3.3 million, net price increases of $2.4 million and solid waste volume increases of $2.2 million primarily from volume increases in our roll off collection business, transfer station volumes and landfill special waste volumes exceeding decreases in residential collection volumes, partially offset by recyclable commodity sales decreases of $0.8 million due primarily to declines in the price of recyclable commodities and other revenue decreases of $0.7 million.

 

Revenue in our Eastern segment increased $20.3 million, or 6.9%, to $314.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $294.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the increase consisted of revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of $11.1 million, net price increases of $8.0 million and solid waste volume increases of $5.1 million primarily from volume increases in our roll off collection business, transfer station volumes and landfill special waste volumes exceeding decreases in residential collection volumes, partially offset by recyclable commodity sales decreases of $2.0 million due primarily to declines in the price of recyclable commodities and other revenue decreases of $1.9 million due primarily to landfill construction services, contracted in a prior year, that we performed at a landfill we operate.

 

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Revenue in our E&P segment decreased $27.4 million, or 34.7%, to $51.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $78.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the decrease consisted of revenue growth of $7.0 million from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2014, and $1.1 million of revenue from two new E&P disposal facilities opened subsequent to September 30, 2014, more than offset by $35.5 million of revenue decreases at facilities owned and fully-operated in each of the comparable periods due to declines in both E&P waste volumes and prices charged for our services. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, our E&P segment was adversely affected by the substantial reductions in crude oil prices that began in October 2014, and have continued into 2015, resulting in a decline in the level of drilling and production activity, reducing the demand for E&P waste services in the basins in which we operate.

 

Revenue in our E&P segment decreased $50.4 million, or 22.8%, to $170.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $221.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The components of the decrease consisted of revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of $23.5 million, an increase in volume of $1.4 million from an E&P site which commenced operations in 2014 and increased the scale of its operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $2.5 million of revenue from two new E&P disposal facilities opened subsequent to September 30, 2014, more than offset by $77.8 million of revenue decreases at facilities owned and fully-operated in each of the comparable periods due to declines in both E&P waste volumes and prices charged for our services. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our E&P segment was adversely affected by the substantial reductions in crude oil prices that began in October 2014, and have continued into 2015, resulting in a decline in the level of drilling and production activity, reducing the demand for E&P waste services in the basins in which we operate.

 

Segment EBITDA

 

Segment EBITDA in our Western segment increased $7.2 million, or 10.3%, to $76.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $69.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $14.7 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $2.4 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements and $0.2 million of other net expense decreases, partially offset by an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $3.2 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and increased headcount to support revenue volume increases, an increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations of $2.5 million due to increased rail cargo volume, an increase in taxes on revenues of $1.0 million due to increased revenues, an increase in auto, workers’ compensation and property claims expense under our high deductible insurance program of $0.9 million due primarily to adjustments to projected losses on prior period claims, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $0.8 million due to increased disposal volumes that require transportation to our landfills, an increase in third-party disposal expense of $0.7 million due to increased collection volumes and disposal rate increases, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $0.4 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $0.4 million due primarily to revenue growth and a net $0.2 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations.

 

Segment EBITDA in our Western segment increased $23.3 million, or 12.0%, to $218.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $194.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $41.0 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $6.7 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements and a decrease in auto, workers’ compensation and property claims expense under our high deductible insurance program of $1.4 million due primarily to adjustments to projected losses on prior period claims, partially offset by an increase in rail transportation expenses at our intermodal operations of $7.0 million due to increased rail cargo volume, an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $6.4 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and increased headcount to support revenue volume increases, an increase in third-party disposal expense of $3.7 million due to increased collection volumes and disposal rate increases, an increase in taxes on revenues of $2.5 million due to increased revenues, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $1.9 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $1.3 million due to increased disposal volumes that require transportation to our landfills, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $0.9 million due primarily to revenue growth, a net $0.6 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations, a $0.5 million increase in legal and professional fees expenses and $1.0 million of other net expense increases.

 

Segment EBITDA in our Central segment increased $3.0 million, or 5.5%, to $56.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $53.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $7.7 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $1.2 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements and $0.4 million of other net expense decreases, partially offset by an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $2.2 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $1.2 million due primarily to revenue growth and an increase to the overhead allocation rate, an increase in taxes on revenues of $0.9 million due primarily to increased landfill revenues, an increase in third-party disposal expense of $0.6 million due to disposal rate increases and increased roll off collection and transfer station volumes, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $0.6 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in professional fees of $0.5 million due primarily to increased expenses for legal and sales consulting services and a net $0.3 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations.

 

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Segment EBITDA in our Central segment increased $7.4 million, or 5.0%, to $155.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $148.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $21.5 million and a decrease in fuel expense of $3.3 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements, partially offset by an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $5.3 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $3.5 million due primarily to revenue growth and an increase to the overhead allocation rate, an increase in third-party disposal expense of $3.0 million due to disposal rate increases, changes in internalization in certain markets and increased transfer station volumes, an increase in professional fees of $1.6 million due primarily to increased expenses for legal and sales consulting services, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $1.2 million due to increased volumes disposed of at our transfer stations that require further transportation to our landfills, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $1.2 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in taxes on revenues of $1.1 million due primarily to increased landfill revenues and $0.5 million of other net expense increases.

 

Segment EBITDA in our Eastern segment increased $4.9 million, or 16.8%, to $34.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $29.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $6.4 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $1.6 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements, a decrease of $1.1 million associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period at a landfill we operate, a decrease in disposal expenses of $0.6 million due primarily to increased internalization of collected waste volumes in our Albany, New York market and $0.1 million of other net expense decreases, partially offset by a net $2.4 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations, an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $1.0 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and increased headcount to support internal growth, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $1.0 million due primarily to revenue growth and an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $0.5 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs.

 

Segment EBITDA in our Eastern segment increased $9.9 million, or 11.4%, to $97.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $87.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to an increase in revenues of $20.3 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $4.4 million due to lower market prices for diesel fuel not purchased under diesel fuel hedge agreements, a decrease of $2.0 million associated with the cost of contracted landfill construction services we performed during the prior year period at a landfill we operate and a decrease in disposal expenses of $1.7 million due primarily to increased internalization of collected waste volumes in our Albany, New York market, partially offset by a net $7.7 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations, an increase in direct and administrative labor expenses of $3.3 million due primarily to employee pay rate increases and increased headcount to support internal growth, an increase in corporate overhead expense allocations of $3.0 million due primarily to revenue growth, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $2.0 million due to variability in the timing and severity of major repairs, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $1.3 million due to increased volumes disposed of at our transfer stations that require further transportation to our landfills, an increase in taxes on revenues of $0.5 million at a new landfill site that commenced operations in 2015 and $0.7 million of other net expense increases.

 

Segment EBITDA in our E&P segment decreased $22.1 million, or 56.0%, to $17.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $39.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease was due primarily to a $27.4 million decrease in revenues and a net $4.6 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations, partially offset by decreased equipment operating expenses of $0.7 million from the restructuring of an equipment operating agreement in 2015 that resulted in a third-party equipment operator being financially responsible for equipment operating and maintenance expenses, and the following changes attributable to a reduction in our operations resulting from the decline in the level of drilling and production activity: decreased fuel expenses of $1.0 million; decreased trucking and transportation expenses of $2.6 million; decreased third-party subcontractor processing, remediation and other professional fees services of $1.4 million; decreased equipment repair expenses of $1.1 million; decreased labor and benefits expenses of $0.9 million; decreased equipment rental expenses of $0.9 million; decreased royalty expenses of $0.3 million and $1.0 million of other expense decreases.

 

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Segment EBITDA in our E&P segment decreased $57.1 million, or 51.2%, to $54.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $111.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease was due primarily to a $50.4 million decrease in revenues, a net $14.9 million increase in cost of operations and SG&A expenses attributable to acquired operations, an increase of $5.0 million in expenses due to site clean-up and remediation work during the first quarter of 2015 associated with flooding and other surface damage at two of our E&P disposal sites in New Mexico resulting from heavy precipitation affecting the sites and an increase of $1.5 million due to start-up related expenses at two new E&P disposal facilities during the first quarter of 2015, partially offset by decreased equipment operating expenses of $1.7 million from the restructuring of an equipment operating agreement in 2015 that resulted in a third-party equipment operator being financially responsible for equipment operating and maintenance expenses, and the following changes attributable to a reduction in our operations resulting from the decline in the level of drilling and production activity: decreased third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $3.4 million; decreased fuel expenses of $2.8 million; decreased equipment rental expenses of $1.5 million; decreased equipment repair expenses of $1.2 million; decreased third-party subcontractor processing and remediation services of $1.2 million; decreased direct and administrative labor and benefits expenses of $1.2 million and $1.7 million of other expense decreases.

 

Segment EBITDA at Corporate increased $3.7 million, to income of $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from a loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due to an increase in revenue-based corporate overhead expense allocations to our segments of $3.3 million due primarily to our revenue growth in our solid waste segments and an increase in the allocation rate to our Central and Eastern segments, a decrease in deferred compensation expense of $0.6 million resulting from deferred compensation liabilities to employees decreasing as a result of decreases in the market value of investments to which employee deferred compensation balances are tracked and $0.2 million of other net expense decreases, partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million in equity-based compensation expenses associated with our annual recurring grant of restricted stock units to our personnel.

 

Segment EBITDA at Corporate increased $12.3 million, to income of $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from a loss of $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increase was due to an increase in revenue-based corporate overhead expense allocations to our segments of $9.0 million due primarily to our revenue growth in our solid waste segments and an increase in the allocation rate to our Central and Eastern segments, a decrease in accrued cash incentive compensation expense of $2.8 million as we are not projected to achieve the same level of certain financial targets that were met in the prior year period and a decrease in deferred compensation expense of $0.8 million resulting from deferred compensation liabilities to employees decreasing as a result of decreases in the market value of investments to which employee deferred compensation balances are tracked, partially offset by $0.3 million of other net expense increases.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 

 

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
   2015   2014 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $463,328   $414,518 
Net cash used in investing activities   (276,997)   (193,444)
Net cash used in financing activities   (177,131)   (221,338)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents   9,200    (264)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period   14,353    13,591 
Cash and equivalents at end of period  $23,553   $13,327 

 

Operating Activities Cash Flows

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $463.3 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net cash provided by operating activities was $414.5 million.  The $48.8 million increase was due primarily to the following: 

 

1)A decrease in net income of $319.5 million, adjusted for an increase in cash flows from operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, of $29.7 million. Cash provided by operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, was $58.5 million and $28.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The significant components of the $58.5 million in net cash inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, include the following: 

 

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a)an increase in cash resulting from an increase in accrued liabilities of $25.6 million due primarily to an increase in accrued interest due to the timing of semi-annual interest payments under our various long-term notes, an increase in accrued income taxes due to the timing and amount of federal tax payments, an increase in accrued payroll-related expenses due to our pay cycle timing resulting in additional days of accrual at September 30, 2015 and an increase in accrued property taxes due to the timing of annual property tax payments, partially offset by a decrease in accrued cash incentive compensation expense due to the payment of annual cash incentive compensation for 2014 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015;
b)an increase in cash resulting from a $15.4 million increase in accounts payable due primarily to the timing of vendor payments;
c)an increase in cash resulting from a $10.4 million decrease in accounts receivable due, in part, to improved collection results; and
d)an increase in cash resulting from a $9.7 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets due primarily to a decrease in prepaid income taxes;
2)An increase in the loss on disposal of assets and impairments of $506.3 million due primarily to the current year impairment of a portion of our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment within our E&P segment;
3)An increase in depreciation expense of $6.4 million due primarily to increased depreciation expense resulting from increased capital expenditures;
4)An increase of $5.2 million attributable to a decrease in the excess tax benefits associated with equity-based compensation, due to a decrease in stock option exercises resulting in decreased taxable income recognized by employees that is tax deductible to us; and
5)An increase in interest accretion of $1.7 million from long-term liabilities recorded at fair value associated with acquisitions closed subsequent to September 30, 2014; less
6)A decrease in our provision for deferred taxes of $166.4 million due primarily to the aforementioned impairment charge in our E&P segment resulting in the reduction of corresponding deferred tax liabilities; less
7)A decrease of $17.0 million attributable to post-closing adjustments resulting in a net decrease in the fair value of amounts payable under liability-classified contingent consideration arrangements primarily associated with the 2014 acquisition of an E&P disposal company.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we had a working capital deficit of $53.2 million, including cash and equivalents of $23.6 million.  Our working capital deficit increased $59.0 million from a working capital surplus of $5.8 million at December 31, 2014, including cash and equivalents of $14.4 million.  To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our cash or cash equivalents; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets.  Our strategy in managing our working capital is generally to apply the cash generated from our operations that remains after satisfying our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, along with stock repurchase and dividend programs, to reduce the unhedged portion of our indebtedness under our credit agreement and to minimize our cash balances. 

 

Investing Activities Cash Flows

 

Net cash used in investing activities increased $83.6 million to $277.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $193.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The significant components of the increase include the following:

 

1)An increase in payments for acquisitions of $62.9 million due primarily to the acquisition of nine solid waste collection businesses, an integrated solid waste collection and disposal business, an E&P waste stream treatment and recycling business and a permitted, development stage E&P landfill site during the nine months ended September 30, 2015; and
2)An increase in capital expenditures for property and equipment of $19.5 million due primarily to expenditures for acquisitions closed subsequent to September 30, 2014, expenditures for a new E&P liquid waste injection well, increases in landfill site cost construction and increases in expenditures for equipment.

 

Financing Activities Cash Flows

 

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $44.2 million to $177.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $221.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The significant components of the decrease include the following: 

 

1)A decrease in net repayments of long-term borrowings of $153.8 million due primarily to increased proceeds from borrowings under our credit agreement as a result of the increases in payments for acquisitions and payments to repurchase our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015; less

 

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2)An increase in payments to repurchase our common stock of $91.2 million due to no shares being repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2014; less
3)An increase in payments for debt issuance costs of $6.5 million incurred in connection with our new revolving credit and term loan agreement that we entered into in January 2015 and our new 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes that we issued in August 2015; less
4)An increase in cash dividends paid of $5.5 million due to an increase in our quarterly dividend rate to $0.13 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from a quarterly dividend rate of $0.115 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014; less
5)A decrease of $5.2 million attributable to a decrease in the excess tax benefits associated with equity-based compensation, due to a decrease in stock option exercises resulting in decreased taxable income recognized by employees that is tax deductible to us.

 

Our business is capital intensive.  Our capital requirements include acquisitions and capital expenditures for landfill cell construction, landfill development, landfill closure activities and intermodal facility construction in the future. 

 

Our Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of our common stock through December 31, 2017. Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management’s discretion. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including our capital structure, the market price of the common stock and overall market conditions. As of September 30, 2015, we held 1.1 million shares of treasury stock at a cost of $49.5 million. These shares were retired in October 2015. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, we had repurchased in aggregate 42.0 million and 39.9 million shares, respectively, of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $882.5 million and $784.0 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2015, the remaining maximum dollar value of shares available for purchase under the program was approximately $317.5 million. No shares were repurchased under the program during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Our Board of Directors authorized the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend in October 2010 and has increased it on an annual basis. Cash dividends of $48.2 million and $42.8 million were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In October 2015, our Board of Directors authorized an increase to our regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.015, from $0.13 to $0.145 per share. We cannot assure you as to the amounts or timing of future dividends.

 

We made $168.4 million in capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  We expect to make capital expenditures of between $225 million and $230 million in 2015 in connection with our existing business.  We have funded and intend to fund the balance of our planned 2015 capital expenditures principally through cash on hand, internally generated funds and borrowings under our credit agreement.  In addition, we may make substantial additional capital expenditures in acquiring MSW and E&P waste businesses. If we acquire additional landfill disposal facilities, we may also have to make significant expenditures to bring them into compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, obtain permits or expand our available disposal capacity.  We cannot currently determine the amount of these expenditures because they will depend on the number, nature, condition and permitted status of any acquired landfill disposal facilities.  We believe that our cash and equivalents, credit agreement and the funds we expect to generate from operations will provide adequate cash to fund our working capital and other cash needs for the foreseeable future.  However, disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our ability to draw on our credit agreement or raise other capital.  Our access to funds under the credit agreement is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the agreement to meet their funding commitments.  Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time.

 

We are a well-known seasoned issuer with an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed in February 2015, which registers an unspecified amount of debt and equity securities, including preferred securities, warrants, stockholder rights and units. In the future, we may issue debt or equity securities under our shelf registration statement or in private placements from time to time on an opportunistic basis, based on market conditions and available pricing. We expect to use the proceeds from any such offerings for general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing debt, acquiring additional assets or businesses, capital expenditures and increasing our working capital.

 

On January 26, 2015, we entered into a new revolving credit and term loan agreement, or the credit agreement, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto, or the Lenders, which refinanced and replaced our prior credit agreement and our prior term loan agreement. The credit agreement consists of a $1.2 billion revolving credit facility and an $800 million term loan. Under the credit agreement, we may request increases in the aggregate commitments under the revolving credit facility and one or more additional term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of commitments and term loans never exceeds $2.3 billion. Under the credit agreement, swing line loans may be issued at our request in an aggregate amount not to exceed a $35 million sublimit and letters of credit may be issued at our request in an aggregate amount not to exceed a $250 million sublimit; however, both the issuance of swing line loans and letters of credit reduce the amount of total borrowings available.  As of September 30, 2015, we had $815.0 million outstanding under our credit agreement, exclusive of outstanding standby letters of credit of $73.1 million. 

 

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The credit agreement requires us to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.090% per annum to 0.200% per annum of the unused portion of the facility.  The borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest, at our option, at either the base rate plus the applicable base rate margin on base rate loans and swing line loans, or the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin on LIBOR loans.  The base rate for any day is a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of: (1) the federal funds rate plus one half of one percent (0.500%); (2) the LIBOR rate plus one percent (1.000%), and (3) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate.” The LIBOR rate is determined by the administrative agent pursuant to a formula in the credit agreement. The applicable margins under the credit agreement vary depending on our leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement, and range from 1.000% per annum to 1.500% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.000% per annum to 0.500% per annum for base rate and swing line loans.  The borrowings under the credit agreement are not collateralized.

 

The credit agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default, including a change of control event of default and limitations on incurrence of indebtedness and liens, new lines of business, mergers, transactions with affiliates and restrictive payments. During the continuance of an event of default, the lenders may take a number of actions, including declaring the entire amount then outstanding under the credit agreement due and payable. The credit agreement contains cross-defaults if we default on the master note purchase agreement or certain other debt. The credit agreement requires that we maintain specified quarterly leverage and interest coverage ratios. The required leverage ratio cannot exceed 3.50x total debt to EBITDA (or 3.75x during material acquisition periods, subject to certain limitations). The required interest coverage ratio must be at least 2.75x total interest expense to EBIT. We expect to be in compliance with all applicable covenants under the credit agreement for the next 12 months. We use the credit agreement for acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital, standby letters of credit and general corporate purposes.

 

On July 15, 2008, we and certain accredited institutional investors entered into a Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended, or the Master Note Agreement.  On June 11, 2015, we and certain accredited institutional investors entered into a Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, or the Third Supplement, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Master Note Agreement.  Pursuant to the Third Supplement, on August 20, 2015, we issued and sold to those investors $500 million of senior unsecured notes at fixed interest rates with interest payable in arrears semi-annually on February 20 and August 20 beginning on February 20, 2016, in a private placement.

 

We issued and sold the senior unsecured notes in two tranches: $125 million of the senior unsecured notes will mature on August 20, 2022 with an annual interest rate of 3.09%, or the 2022 Notes; and $375 million of the senior unsecured notes will mature on August 20, 2025 with an annual interest rate of 3.41%, or the 2025 Notes. The principal of each of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes is payable at the maturity of each respective note.

 

The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with the existing notes outstanding under the Master Note Agreement and the obligations under the credit agreement. We used the proceeds from the sale of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes to reduce borrowings under our credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

 

The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes are subject to representations, warranties, covenants and events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes may be accelerated by the holders of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes. The 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes may also be prepaid by us at any time at par plus a make whole amount determined in respect of the remaining scheduled interest payments on the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, using a discount rate of the then current market standard for United States treasury bills plus 0.50%. In addition, we will be required to offer to prepay the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes upon certain changes in control.

 

We may issue additional series of senior unsecured notes pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Master Note Agreement, provided that the purchasers of the outstanding notes, including the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, shall not have any obligation to purchase any additional notes issued pursuant to the Master Note Agreement and the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes and any additional notes issued pursuant to the Master Note Agreement shall not exceed $1.25 billion. Following the issuance of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes, we will have $1.1 billion of Notes outstanding under the Master Note Agreement.

 

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As of September 30, 2015, we had the following contractual obligations: 

 

   Payments Due by Period 
   (amounts in thousands) 
Recorded Obligations  Total   Less Than
1 Year
   1 to 3
Years
   3 to 5 Years   Over 5
Years
 
Long-term debt  $1,958,716   $3,637   $67,407   $1,266,447   $621,225 
Cash interest payments  $347,505   $67,182   $113,751   $87,309   $79,263 
Contingent consideration  $74,346   $26,056   $4,248   $7,369   $36,673 
Final capping, closure and post-closure  $735,005   $-   $5,517   $2,838   $726,650 

____________________

Long-term debt payments include: 

 

1)$15.0 million in principal payments due January 2020 related to our revolving credit facility under our new credit agreement.  We may elect to draw amounts on our credit agreement in either base rate loans or LIBOR loans. At September 30, 2015, $15.0 million of the outstanding borrowings drawn under the revolving credit facility were in LIBOR loans, which bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin (approximately 1.40% at September 30, 2015).  

 

2)$800.0 million in principal payments due January 2020 related to our term loan under our new credit agreement.  Outstanding amounts on the term loan can be either base rate loans or LIBOR loans. At September 30, 2015, all amounts outstanding under the term loan were in LIBOR loans which bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin (approximately 1.40% at September 30, 2015).  

 

3)$175.0 million in principal payments due October 1, 2015 related to our 2015 Notes.  Holders of the 2015 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2015 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2015 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.22%.  We have recorded this obligation in the payments due in 3 to 5 years category in the table above as we redeemed the 2015 Notes on October 1, 2015 using borrowings under our credit agreement.

 

4)$100.0 million in principal payments due 2016 related to our 2016 Notes.  Holders of the 2016 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  We have recorded this obligation in the payments due in 3 to 5 years category in the table above as we have the intent and ability to redeem the 2016 Notes on April 1, 2016 using borrowings under our credit agreement. The 2016 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.30%. 

 

5)$50.0 million in principal payments due 2018 related to our 2018 Notes.  Holders of the 2018 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2018 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2018 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.00%. 

 

6)$175.0 million in principal payments due 2019 related to our 2019 Notes.  Holders of the 2019 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2019 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2019 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.25%. 

 

7)$100.0 million in principal payments due 2021 related to our 2021 Notes.  Holders of the 2021 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2021 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.64%. 

 

8)$125.0 million in principal payments due 2022 related to our 2022 Notes.  Holders of the 2022 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.09%. 

 

9)$375.0 million in principal payments due 2025 related to our 2025 Notes.  Holders of the 2025 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement.  The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.41%. 

 

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10)$31.4 million in principal payments related to our tax-exempt bonds, which bear interest at variable rates (approximately 0.05% at September 30, 2015).  The tax-exempt bonds have maturity dates ranging from 2018 to 2033. 

 

11)$12.3 million in principal payments related to our notes payable to sellers and other third parties.  Our notes payable to sellers and other third parties bear interest at rates between 2.5% and 10.9% at September 30, 2015, and have maturity dates ranging from 2015 to 2036. 

 

The following assumptions were made in calculating cash interest payments: 

 

1)We calculated cash interest payments on the credit agreement using the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin at September 30, 2015.  We assumed the credit agreement is paid off when it matures in January 2020. 

 

2)We calculated cash interest payments on our interest rate swaps using the stated interest rate in the swap agreement less the LIBOR rate through the earlier expiration of the term of the swaps or the term of the credit facility. 

 

Contingent consideration payments include $53.1 million recorded as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2015, and $21.2 million of future interest accretion on the recorded obligations.

 

The estimated final capping, closure and post-closure expenditures presented above are in current dollars.

 

   Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period 
   (amounts in thousands) 
Unrecorded Obligations(1)  Total   Less Than
1 Year
   1 to 3
Years
   3 to 5
Years
   Over 5
Years
 
Operating leases  $132,578   $17,299   $29,769   $19,966   $65,544 
Unconditional purchase obligations  $48,599   $26,366   $22,233   $-   $- 

____________________

(1)We are party to operating lease agreements and unconditional purchase obligations.  These lease agreements and purchase obligations are established in the ordinary course of our business and are designed to provide us with access to facilities and products at competitive, market-driven prices.  At September 30, 2015, our unconditional purchase obligations consisted of multiple fixed-price fuel purchase contracts under which we have 15.1 million gallons remaining to be purchased for a total of $48.6 million.  The current fuel purchase contracts expire on or before December 31, 2017.  These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. 

 

We have obtained financial surety bonds, primarily to support our financial assurance needs and landfill and E&P operations.  We provided customers and various regulatory authorities with surety bonds in the aggregate amounts of approximately $449.5 million and $437.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. 

 

From time to time, we evaluate our existing operations and their strategic importance to us.  If we determine that a given operating unit does not have future strategic importance, we may sell or otherwise dispose of those operations.  Although we believe our reporting units would not be impaired by such dispositions, we could incur losses on them. 

 

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The disposal tonnage that we received in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, at all of our landfills during the respective period, is shown below (tons in thousands): 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   Number of
Sites
  

Total
Tons

   Number of
Sites
  

Total
Tons

 
Owned operational landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements   55    15,816    51    15,246 
Operated landfills   5    390    5    370 
    60    16,206    56    15,616 

 

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES 

 

Free Cash Flow

 

We present free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations.  We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures.  Other companies may calculate free cash flow differently.  Our free cash flow for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands): 

 

   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $463,328   $414,518 
Plus/less: Change in book overdraft   65    (180)
Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets   1,676    6,139 
Plus: Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation   1,986    7,177 
Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment   (168,379)   (148,843)
Less: Distributions to noncontrolling interests   (43)   (371)
Free cash flow  $298,633   $278,440 

 

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Adjusted EBITDA

 

We present adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations.  We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments or other operating charges, plus other expense, less other income.  We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures.  Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently.  Our adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands): 

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Net income (loss)  $(256,805)  $60,284   $(147,082)  $172,407 
Plus/less: Income tax provision (benefit)   (136,017)   39,523    (64,996)   113,992 
Plus: Interest expense   16,367    15,815    47,386    48,666 
Plus: Depreciation and amortization   68,568    65,700    199,776    192,078 
Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion   978    869    2,920    2,608 
Plus: Impairments and other operating charges (a)   493,813    9,120    494,158    8,572 
Plus/less: Other expense (income), net   1,303    269    1,430    (785)
Adjustments:                    
Plus: Acquisition-related costs (b)   777    736    1,372    1,384 
Adjusted EBITDA  $188,984   $192,316   $534,964   $538,922 

____________________

(a)Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating charges.
(b)Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

 

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Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share

 

We present adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, both non-GAAP financial measures, supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We provide adjusted net income to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share differently.  Our adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections  $(257,009)  $60,084   $(147,825)  $171,763 
Adjustments:                    
Amortization of intangibles (a)   7,195    6,702    21,458    20,158 
Acquisition-related costs (b)   777    736    1,372    1,384 
Impairments and other operating charges (c)   493,813    9,120    494,158    8,572 
Tax effect (d)   (174,053)   (6,350)   (179,883)   (11,549)
Impact of deferred tax adjustments (e)   (4,198)   -    (4,198)   1,220 
Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections  $66,525   $70,292   $185,082   $191,548 
                     
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common stockholders:                    
Reported net income (loss)  $(2.08)  $0.48   $(1.19)  $1.38 
Adjusted net income  $0.54   $0.56   $1.49   $1.54 
                     
Shares used in the per share calculations:                    
Reported diluted shares   123,269,902    124,769,981    123,783,217    124,778,292 
Adjusted diluted shares (f)   123,644,825    124,769,981    124,118,811    124,778,292 

____________________

(a)Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
(b)Reflects the elimination of acquisition-related transaction costs.
(c)Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating charges.
(d)The aggregate tax effect of the adjustments in footnotes (a) through (c) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods.
(e)Reflects (1) the elimination in 2015 of an increase to the income tax benefit primarily associated with a decrease in our deferred tax liabilities resulting from the impairment of assets in our E&P segment that impacted the geographical apportionment of our state income taxes and (2) the elimination in 2014 of an increase to the income tax provision associated with an increase in our deferred tax liabilities resulting from the enactment of New York State’s 2014-2015 Budget Act on March 31, 2014.
(f)Reflects reported diluted shares adjusted for shares that were excluded from the reported diluted shares calculation due to us reporting a net loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

INFLATION

 

Other than volatility in fuel prices and labor costs in certain markets, inflation has not materially affected our operations in recent years.  Consistent with industry practice, many of our contracts allow us to pass through certain costs to our customers, including increases in landfill tipping fees and, in some cases, fuel costs.  Therefore, we believe that we should be able to increase prices to offset many cost increases that result from inflation in the ordinary course of business.  However, competitive pressures or delays in the timing of rate increases under our contracts may require us to absorb at least part of these cost increases, especially if cost increases exceed the average rate of inflation.  Management's estimates associated with inflation have an impact on our accounting for landfill liabilities. 

 

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SEASONALITY

 

We expect our operating results to vary seasonally, with revenues typically lowest in the first quarter, higher in the second and third quarters and lower in the fourth quarter than in the second and third quarters.  This seasonality reflects (a) the lower volume of solid waste generated during the late fall, winter and early spring because of decreased construction and demolition activities during winter months in the U.S. and (b) reduced E&P activity during harsh weather conditions, with expected fluctuation due to such seasonality between our highest and lowest quarters of approximately 12% to 15%.  In addition, some of our operating costs may be higher in the winter months.  Adverse winter weather conditions slow waste collection activities, resulting in higher labor and operational costs.  Greater precipitation in the winter increases the weight of collected municipal solid waste, resulting in higher disposal costs, which are calculated on a per ton basis. 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates and prices of certain commodities.  We use hedge agreements to manage a portion of our risks related to interest rates and fuel prices.  While we are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to our hedge agreements, in all cases such counterparties are highly rated financial institutions and we do not anticipate non-performance.  We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.  We monitor our hedge positions by regularly evaluating the positions at market and by performing sensitivity analyses over the unhedged fuel and variable rate debt positions. 

 

At September 30, 2015, our derivative instruments included six interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate on the applicable notional amounts of our variable rate debt as follows (dollars in thousands): 

 

 

Date Entered

  Notional
Amount
   Fixed
Interest
Rate Paid*
   Variable
Interest Rate
Received
  Effective Date 

 

Expiration
Date

December 2011  $175,000    1.600%  1-month LIBOR  February 2014  February 2017
April 2014  $100,000    1.800%  1-month LIBOR  July 2014  July 2019
May 2014  $50,000    2.344%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $25,000    2.326%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $50,000    2.350%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020
May 2014  $50,000    2.350%  1-month LIBOR  October 2015  October 2020

____________________

*Plus applicable margin. 

 

Under derivatives and hedging guidance, the interest rate swap agreements are considered cash flow hedges for a portion of our variable rate debt, and we apply hedge accounting to account for these instruments.  The notional amounts and all other significant terms of the swap agreements are matched to the provisions and terms of the variable rate debt being hedged. 

 

We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged floating rate debt.  Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions.  Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions.  Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements.  We are exposed to cash flow risk due to changes in interest rates with respect to the unhedged floating rate balances owed at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, of $571.4 million and $946.4 million, respectively, including floating rate debt under our credit agreement and floating rate municipal bond obligations.  A one percentage point increase in interest rates on our variable-rate debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, would decrease our annual pre-tax income by approximately $5.7 million and $9.5 million, respectively.  All of our remaining debt instruments are at fixed rates, or effectively fixed under the interest rate swap agreements described above; therefore, changes in market interest rates under these instruments would not significantly impact our cash flows or results of operations, subject to counterparty default risk. 

 

The market price of diesel fuel is unpredictable and can fluctuate significantly.  We purchase approximately 32.3 million gallons of fuel per year; therefore, a significant increase in the price of fuel could adversely affect our business and reduce our operating margins.  To manage a portion of this risk, we periodically enter into fuel hedge agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases. 

 

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At September 30, 2015, our derivative instruments included three fuel hedge agreements as follows: 

 

Date Entered  Notional
Amount
(in gallons
per
month)
   Diesel
Rate
Paid
Fixed
   Diesel Rate Received
Variable
  Effective
Date
  Expiration
Date
June 2012   300,000   $3.600   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2014  December 2015
May 2015   300,000   $3.280   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2016  December 2017
May 2015   200,000   $3.275   DOE Diesel Fuel Index*  January 2016  December 2017

____________________

*If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy, exceeds the contract price per gallon, we receive the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty.  If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, we pay the difference to the counterparty. 

 

Under derivatives and hedging guidance, the fuel hedges are considered cash flow hedges for a portion of our forecasted diesel fuel purchases, and we apply hedge accounting to account for these instruments. 

 

We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged diesel fuel purchases.  Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions.  Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions.  Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements.  For the year ending December 31, 2015, we expect to purchase approximately 32.3 million gallons of fuel, of which 18.4 million gallons will be purchased at market prices, 10.3 million gallons will be purchased under our fixed price fuel purchase contracts and 3.6 million gallons are hedged at a fixed price under our fuel hedge agreements. During the three month period of October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we expect to purchase approximately 4.6 million gallons of fuel at market prices; therefore, a $0.10 per gallon increase in the price of fuel over the remaining three months in 2015 would decrease our pre-tax income during this period by approximately $0.5 million. 

 

We market a variety of recyclable materials, including cardboard, office paper, plastic containers, glass bottles and ferrous and aluminum metals.  We own and operate 35 recycling processing operations and sell other collected recyclable materials to third parties for processing before resale.  To reduce our exposure to commodity price risk with respect to recycled materials, we have adopted a pricing strategy of charging collection and processing fees for recycling volume collected from third parties.  In the event of a decline in recycled commodity prices, a 10% decrease in average recycled commodity prices from the average prices that were in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, would have had a $3.5 million and $4.3 million impact on revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. 

 

Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of September 30, 2015, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level such that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports:  (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (2) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 

 

Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 15 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.  

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

 

Our Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of our common stock through December 31, 2017.  Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management's discretion.  The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including our capital structure, the market price of our common stock and overall market conditions.  As of September 30, 2015, we held 1.1 million shares of treasury stock at a cost of $49.5 million. These shares were retired in October 2015. As of September 30, 2015, we have repurchased approximately 42.0 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $882.5 million, or an average price of $21.01 per share.  The table below reflects repurchases we made during the three months ended September 30, 2015 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

Period  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
(1)
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
   Maximum
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Program
 
7/1/15 – 7/31/15   8,400   $47.01    8,400   $366,937 
8/1/15 – 8/31/15   412,200    47.16    412,200    347,498 
9/1/15 – 9/30/15   638,620    47.01    638,620    317,479 
    1,059,220    47.07    1,059,220      

 

(1)This amount represents the weighted average price paid per common share.  This price includes a per share commission paid for all repurchases.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

    WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
Date:  November 5, 2015 BY:    /s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
    Ronald J. Mittelstaedt,
    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date:  November 5, 2015 BY:    /s/ Worthing F. Jackman
    Worthing F. Jackman,
   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX 

 

 

Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibits
    
3.1  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated as of June 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on July 24, 2013)
    
3.2  Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, effective July 17, 2014 (incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on July 21, 2014)
    
31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
    
31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
    
32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
    
32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
    
101.INS  XBRL Instance Document
    
101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
    
101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
    
101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
    
101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
    
101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
    

 

 

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