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Mar 31, 2020

Waste Connections Q1 2020 Earnings Report

Waste Connections' first quarter performance was affected by COVID-19, but the company exceeded adjusted EBITDA outlook and delivered adjusted free cash flow of $235.7 million.

Key Takeaways

Waste Connections reported revenue of $1.352 billion, up 8.7% year-over-year. Net income attributable to Waste Connections was $143.0 million, or $0.54 per share. Adjusted net income was $170.6 million, or $0.65 per share. Adjusted EBITDA was $408.5 million, representing 30.2% of revenue. Adjusted free cash flow was $235.7 million, or 17.4% of revenue.

Revenue increased by 8.7% to $1.352 billion.

Net income attributable to Waste Connections was $143.0 million, or $0.54 per share.

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections was $170.6 million, or $0.65 per share.

Adjusted free cash flow was $235.7 million, or 17.4% of revenue.

Total Revenue
$1.35B
Previous year: $1.25B
+8.6%
EPS
$0.65
Previous year: $0.62
+4.8%
Core Price
5.5%
Volume
-0.4%
Recycling
-0.4%
Gross Profit
$537M
Previous year: $511M
+5.1%
Cash and Equivalents
$1.2B
Previous year: $499M
+139.3%
Free Cash Flow
$236M
Previous year: $250M
-5.5%
Total Assets
$14.3B
Previous year: $12.8B
+11.3%

Waste Connections

Waste Connections

Forward Guidance

The financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the pace of recovery remain uncertain. However, assuming that April reflects the depths of any impact, the company is encouraged that revenue on a reported basis for the month declined 6.0% year-over-year, or 1.4% excluding Canada and the Northeast U.S., which were hardest hit.

Positive Outlook

  • Solid waste trends have improved sequentially late in the month and into early May.
  • A continuing economic recovery should reduce the revenue impact going forward.
  • An approximate 20% reduction in budgeted capital expenditures for the year will help offset a portion of the high margin decremental and flow thru associated with pandemic-related decreases in commercial collection activity.
  • Cost controls will help offset a portion of the high margin decremental and flow thru associated with pandemic-related decreases in commercial collection activity.
  • Cost controls will help offset a portion of the high margin decremental and flow thru associated with transfer and landfill volumes and a reduction in E&P waste activity.

Challenges Ahead

  • The severity and duration of varying impacts across markets remains uncertain.
  • The shape of any economic recovery remains uncertain.
  • Any additional acquisitions completed during the year will influence the extent to which results are impacted.
  • The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will depend largely on future developments.
  • How quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume is uncertain.