WCN

WASTE CONNECTIONS INC

Industrials | Large Cap

$1.34

EPS Forecast

$2,304

Revenue Forecast

The company already released most recent quarter's earnings. We will publish our AI's next quarter's forecast around 2024-12-31
EX-99.1 2 wcn-20220216xex99d1.htm EX-99.1 _

Graphic

WASTE CONNECTIONS REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2021 RESULTS

AND PROVIDES 2022 OUTLOOK

Fourth Quarter Highlights

-Strong price-led organic growth and acquisition activity, along with continuing underlying margin expansion, drives Q4 results above expectations and provides higher entry point into 2022
-Revenue of $1.624 billion, net income(a) of $166.3 million, and adjusted EBITDA(b) of $495.4 million, or 30.5% of revenue
-Net income and adjusted net income(b) of $0.64 and $0.83 per share, respectively

Full Year 2021 Highlights

-Revenue of $6.151 billion, up 13.0%
-Net income of $618.0 million, or $2.36 per share, and adjusted net income(b) of $846.6 million, or $3.23 per share, up 22.3%
-Adjusted EBITDA(b) of $1.919 billion, up 15.5%, and adjusted EBITDA margin of 31.2%, up 70 basis points
-Net cash provided by operating activities of $1.698 billion, up 20.6%
-Adjusted free cash flow(b) of $1.010 billion, up 19.9% on capital expenditures of $744.3 million, up 24.7%
-Completes acquisitions with approximately $400 million of total annualized revenue in 2021

Expectations for 2022

-Strong pricing and acquisition growth to drive double digit percentage increases in revenue and adjusted free cash flow(b), along with continuing underlying margin expansion
-Revenue of approximately $6.875 billion, up 11.8%, excluding additional acquisitions
-Net income of approximately $846 million and adjusted EBITDA(b) of approximately $2.145 billion, or about 31.2% of revenue 
-Net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $2.000 billion
-Adjusted free cash flow(b) of approximately $1.150 billion, up 13.9%, on capital expenditures up 14.2% to approximately $850 million, including $100 million for new landfill gas and resource recovery facilities
-Increasing return of capital to shareholders, including opportunistic share repurchases

TORONTO, ONTARIO, February 16, 2022 - Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) (“Waste Connections” or the “Company”) today announced its results for the fourth quarter of 2021 and outlook for 2022.   

“2021’s results are a reflection of how a culture of commitment and accountability to all stakeholders enabled us to excel in a challenging operating environment, overcome inflationary pressures and supply chain issues, execute our growth strategy, expand margins, support employee health and welfare, and position the Company well for 2022 and beyond.  The year ended on a high note, as strong solid waste organic growth and acquisition activity, along with continuing underlying margin expansion, drove Q4 financial results once again above expectations.  We are also extremely pleased with our results for the full year, as adjusted EBITDA(b) margin expanded 70 basis points.  Moreover, we delivered 20% growth in adjusted free cash flow(b)  to $1.010 billion, in spite of capital expenditures up 25%, as we continued to reinvest in and grow our business,” said Worthing F. Jackman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

 

“Acquisition activity accelerated in the fourth quarter, resulting in approximately $400 million in acquired annualized revenues in 2021 and setting up acquisition contribution approaching 6% in 2022, including transactions completed year to date.  Along with solid waste pricing growth of about 6.5%, this already positions us for double-digit percentage growth in revenue, adjusted

1


EBITDA(b) and adjusted free cash flow(b) in 2022.  Additional acquisitions expected to be completed during the year, improvement in commodity-driven revenues and E&P waste activity, or moderation of inflationary trends would provide incremental benefit.”

 

Mr. Jackman continued, “The strength and consistency of our results reflect the durability of our market model and the benefits of an intentional culture focused on employees and value creation.  Proactive pricing, along with a step-up in capital expenditures and over $1 billion in acquisition outlays in 2021, positions us for continued double digit growth in 2022, while preserving the balance sheet strength and flexibility to capitalize on another potential above average year of acquisition activity, invest in sustainability-focused growth projects and increase return of capital to shareholders.”

Q4 2021 Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter totaled $1.624 billion, up from $1.398 billion in the year ago period.  Operating income was $249.3 million, which included $28.4 million primarily related to impairments and other acquisition-related costs.  This compares to operating income of $197.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which included $29.0 million primarily related to impairments and other acquisition-related costs.  Net income in the fourth quarter was $166.3 million, or $0.64 per share on a diluted basis of 261.3 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $130.7 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis of 263.6 million shares.  

Adjusted net income(b) in the fourth quarter was $217.1 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, versus $178.6 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  Adjusted EBITDA(b) in the fourth quarter was $495.4 million and 30.5% of revenue, as compared to $426.6 million and 30.5% of revenue in the prior year period.  Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA, all non-GAAP measures, primarily exclude impairments and acquisition-related items, as reflected in the detailed reconciliations in the attached tables.

Full Year 2021 Results

For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue was $6.151 billion, up from $5.446 billion in the year ago period.  Operating income, which included $32.3 million in impairments and other operating items, $11.3 million in acquisition-related costs, and $8.4 million in fair value accounting changes to equity awards, was $1.040 billion, as compared to operating income of $412.4 million for the same period in 2020, which included $482.1 million in costs primarily related to impairments and other operating items.  

Net income in 2021 was $618.0 million, or $2.36 per share on a diluted basis of 261.7 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $204.7 million, or $0.78 per share on a diluted basis of 263.7 million shares.  

Adjusted net income(b) in 2021 was $846.6 million, or $3.23 per diluted share, compared to $695.8 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) in 2021 was $1.919 billion and 31.2% of revenue, up from $1.662 billion and 30.5% of revenue in the prior year period.  

2022 Outlook

Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2022, which assumes no change in the current economic environment.  The Company’s outlook excludes any impact from additional acquisitions that may close during the year, and expensing of transaction-related items.  The outlook provided below is forward looking, and actual results may differ materially depending on risks and uncertainties detailed at the end of this release and in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. Certain components of the outlook for 2022 are subject to quarterly fluctuations.  See reconciliations in the attached tables.

-Revenue is estimated at approximately $6.875 billion;
-Net income is estimated at approximately $846 million;
-Adjusted EBITDA(b) is estimated at approximately $2.145 billion, or about 31.2% of revenue;
-Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated at approximately $2.0 billion;
-Capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $850 million;
-Adjusted free cash flow(b) is estimated at approximately $1.150 billion, or 16.7% of revenue; and
-Fully diluted share count is estimated at 259.0 million.

Q4 2021 Earnings and 2022 Outlook Conference Call

Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to fourth quarter earnings and 2022 outlook on February 17th at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time.  A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting investors.wasteconnections.com and selecting “News & Events” from the website menu. Alternatively, listeners may access the call by dialing 800-935-9319 (within

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North America) or 212-231-2925 (international) approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time; a passcode is not required.  A replay of the conference call will be available until February 24th, 2022, by calling 800-633-8284 (within North America) or 402-977-9140 (international) and entering Passcode #22014930.

Waste Connections will be filing a Form 8-K on EDGAR and on SEDAR (as an "Other" document) prior to markets opening on February 17th, providing the Company's first quarter 2022 outlook for revenue, price plus volume growth for solid waste, and adjusted EBITDA(b).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) All references to "Net income" refer to the financial statement line item "Net income attributable to Waste Connections".

(b) A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule.

About Waste Connections

Waste Connections is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation.  The Company serves more than eight million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 43 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada.  Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S., as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.  For more information, visit Waste Connections at wasteconnections.com.  

Environmental, Social and Governance

Waste Connections views its Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) efforts as integral to its business, with initiatives consistent with its objective of long-term value creation.  In 2020, the Company introduced long-term, aspirational ESG targets and committed over $500 million for investments to meet or exceed such sustainability targets. These investments primarily focus on reducing emissions, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety through reduced incidents and enhancing employee engagement through improved voluntary turnover and Servant Leadership scores.  The Company’s updated 2021 Sustainability Report provides progress updates on its targets and investments towards their achievement.  For more information, visit the Waste Connections website at wasteconnections.com/sustainability.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections' current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "expects," "estimate," "continue," "intends" or other words of similar meaning. All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about expected 2022 financial results, outlook and related assumptions, potential acquisition activity and return of capital to shareholders. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada.  You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

– financial tables attached –

CONTACT:

Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253 Joe Box / (832) 442-2153

maryannew@wasteconnections.com joe.box@wasteconnections.com

3


Waste Connections, Inc.

CONDENSED Consolidated Statements of NET INCOME

THRee AND TWELVE MONTHS ended DECEMBER 31, 2020 and 2021

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

Three months ended
December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

Revenues

$

1,398,251

$

1,624,319

$

5,445,990

$

6,151,361

 

Operating expenses:

Cost of operations

846,851

980,865

3,276,808

3,654,074

Selling, general and administrative

133,419

157,452

537,632

612,337

Depreciation

161,462

175,142

621,102

673,730

Amortization of intangibles

35,239

39,042

131,302

139,279

Impairments and other operating items

24,136

22,497

466,718

32,316

Operating income

197,144

249,321

412,428

1,039,625

Interest expense

(42,813)

(38,625)

(162,375)

(162,796)

Interest income

857

573

5,253

2,916

Other income (expense), net

1,654

833

(1,392)

6,285

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

(115,288)

Income before income tax provision

156,842

212,102

253,914

770,742

Income tax provision

(26,268)

(45,675)

(49,922)

(152,253)

Net income

130,574

166,427

203,992

618,489

Plus (less): Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

90

(117)

685

(442)

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

130,664

$

166,310

$

204,677

$

618,047

Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders:

Basic

$

0.50

$

0.64

$

0.78

$

2.37

Diluted

$

0.50

$

0.64

$

0.78

$

2.36

Shares used in the per share calculations:

Basic

263,001,985

260,547,806

263,189,699

261,166,723

Diluted

263,598,602

261,258,425

263,687,539

261,728,470

Cash dividends per common share

$

0.205

$

0.230

$

0.760

$

0.845

4


Waste Connections, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

    

December 31,
2020

    

December 31,
2021

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and equivalents

$

617,294

$

147,441

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $19,380 and $18,480 at December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively

630,264

709,614

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

160,714

175,722

Total current assets

1,408,272

1,032,777

Restricted cash

97,095

72,174

Restricted investments

57,516

59,014

Property and equipment, net

5,284,506

5,721,949

Operating lease right-of-use assets

170,923

160,567

Goodwill

5,726,650

6,187,643

Intangible assets, net

1,155,079

1,350,597

Other assets, net

92,323

115,203

Total assets

$

13,992,364

$

14,699,924

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

290,820

$

392,868

Book overdraft

17,079

16,721

Deferred revenue

233,596

273,720

Accrued liabilities

404,923

442,596

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

30,671

38,017

Current portion of contingent consideration

43,297

62,804

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

8,268

6,020

Total current liabilities

1,028,654

1,232,746

Long-term portion of debt and notes payable

4,708,678

5,040,500

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

147,223

129,628

Long-term portion of contingent consideration

28,439

31,504

Deferred income taxes

760,044

850,921

Other long-term liabilities

455,888

421,080

Total liabilities

7,128,926

7,706,379

Commitments and contingencies

Equity:

Common shares: 262,899,174 shares issued and 262,824,990 shares outstanding at December 31, 2020; 260,283,158 shares issued and 260,212,496 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021

4,030,368

3,693,027

Additional paid-in capital

170,555

199,482

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(651)

39,584

Treasury shares: 74,184 and 70,662 shares at December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively

-

-

Retained earnings

2,659,001

3,056,845

Total Waste Connections’ equity

6,859,273

6,988,938

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

4,165

4,607

Total equity

6,863,438

6,993,545

$

13,992,364

$

14,699,924

5


Waste Connections, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

TWELVE MONTHS ended DECEMBER 31, 2020 and 2021

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Twelve months ended December 31,

   

2020

    

2021

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

203,992

$

618,489

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Loss on disposal of assets and impairments

445,647

27,727

Depreciation

621,102

673,730

Amortization of intangibles

131,302

139,279

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

-

115,288

Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions

(50,487)

14,563

Current period provision for expected credit losses

15,509

9,719

Amortization of debt issuance costs

7,509

5,055

Share-based compensation

45,751

58,221

Interest accretion

17,205

15,970

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings

(10,371)

(520)

Adjustments to contingent consideration

18,418

2,954

Other

2,426

(1,260)

Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

(39,482)

19,014

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,408,521

1,698,229

Cash flows from investing activities:

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(388,789)

(960,449)

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

(597,053)

(744,315)

Capital expenditures for undeveloped landfill property

(67,508)

-

Investment in noncontrolling interest

-

(25,000)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

19,084

42,768

Other

(11,777)

(6,486)

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,046,043)

(1,693,482)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt

1,815,625

2,112,193

Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt

(1,542,958)

(1,893,100)

Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt

-

(110,617)

Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date

(12,566)

(12,934)

Change in book overdraft

1,096

(367)

Payments for repurchase of common shares

(105,654)

(338,993)

Payments for cash dividends

(199,883)

(220,203)

Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation

(23,446)

(18,606)

Debt issuance costs

(11,117)

(18,521)

Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan

-

1,222

Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust

679

430

Net cash used in financing activities

(78,224)

(499,496)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

6,914

(25)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

291,168

(494,774)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

423,221

714,389

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year

$

714,389

$

219,615

6


ADDITIONAL STATISTICS

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Solid Waste Internal Growth:  The following table reflects a breakdown of the components of our solid waste internal growth for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021:

    

Three months ended December 31, 2021

    

Twelve months ended December 31, 2021

Core Price

5.0

%

4.7

%

Surcharges

0.7

%

0.3

%

Volume

1.2

%

1.6

%

Recycling

2.6

%

1.8

%

Foreign Exchange Impact

0.5

%

0.9

%

Total

10.0

%

9.3

%

Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2021:

Three months ended December 31, 2020

    

Revenue

    

Inter-company
Elimination

    

Reported
Revenue

    

%

Solid Waste Collection

$

1,024,099

$

(3,341)

$

1,020,758

73.0

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

493,093

(200,272)

292,821

20.9

%

Solid Waste Recycling

26,688

(909)

25,779

1.9

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

27,690

(2,163)

25,527

1.8

%

Intermodal and Other

33,427

(61)

33,366

2.4

%

Total

$

1,604,997

$

(206,746)

$

1,398,251

100.0

%

Three months ended December 31, 2021

    

Revenue

Inter-company

Elimination

Reported

Revenue

%

Solid Waste Collection

$

1,169,428

$

(2,780)

$

1,166,648

71.8

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

533,122

(216,957)

316,165

19.5

%

Solid Waste Recycling

75,317

(5,646)

69,671

4.3

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

37,570

(3,244)

34,326

2.1

%

Intermodal and Other

39,592

(2,083)

37,509

2.3

%

Total

$

1,855,029

$

(230,710)

$

1,624,319

100.0

%

Contribution from Acquisitions: The following table reflects revenues from acquisitions, net of divestitures, for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2021:

Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

Acquisitions, net

$

52,721

$

79,363

$

197,231

$

215,398

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ADDITIONAL STATISTICS (continued)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Other Cash Flow Items: The following table reflects cash interest and cash taxes for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2021:

Three months ended
December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

Cash Interest Paid

$

55,910

$

36,839

$

142,310

$

157,485

Cash Taxes Paid

43,603

56,094

104,618

146,198

Debt to Book Capitalization as of December 31, 2021: 42%

Internalization for the three months ended December 31, 2021: 55%

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2021: 40 (25 net of deferred revenue)

Share Information for the three months ended December 31, 2021:

Basic shares outstanding

260,547,806

Dilutive effect of equity-based awards

710,619

Diluted shares outstanding

261,258,425

8


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided 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 Waste Connections’ operations.  Waste Connections defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Waste Connections, plus or minus net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, less interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments and other operating items, plus other expense, less other income, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt.  Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of its 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.  

Three months ended
December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

130,664

$

166,310

$

204,677

$

618,047

Plus/(less): Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

(91)

117

(685)

442

Plus: Income tax provision

26,269

45,675

49,922

152,253

Plus: Interest expense

42,813

38,625

162,375

162,796

Less: Interest income

(857)

(573)

(5,253)

(2,916)

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

196,701

214,184

752,404

813,009

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

3,755

3,579

15,095

14,497

Plus: Impairments and other operating items

24,136

22,497

466,718

32,316

Plus/(less): Other expense (income), net

(1,654)

(833)

1,392

(6,285)

Plus: Loss on early extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

115,288

Adjustments:

Plus: Transaction-related expenses(a)

5,306

5,098

9,803

11,318

Plus/(less): Fair value changes to equity awards(b)

(485)

755

5,536

8,393

Adjusted EBITDA

$

426,557

$

495,434

$

1,661,984

$

1,919,158

As % of revenues

30.5%

30.5%

30.5%

31.2%

____________________________

(a)Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.
(b)Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards.

9


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections’ operations.  Waste Connections defines adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests.  Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of its business.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures.  Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently.  

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

1,408,521

$

1,698,229

Plus/(less): Change in book overdraft

1,096

(367)

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

19,084

42,768

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

(597,053)

(744,315)

Adjustments:

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings(a)

10,371

520

Cash received for divestitures(b)

(10,673)

(17,118)

Transaction-related expenses(c)

9,803

30,771

Pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based grants(d)

5,770

397

Tax effect(e)

(5,021)

(1,287)

Adjusted free cash flow

$

841,898

$

1,009,598

As % of revenues

15.5%

16.4%

___________________________

(a)Reflects the addback of acquisition-related payments for contingent consideration that were recorded as expenses in earnings and as a component of cash flows from operating activities as the amounts paid exceeded the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded at the acquisition date.
(b)Reflects the elimination of cash received in conjunction with the divestiture of certain operations.
(c)Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs and settlement of an acquired compensation liability.
(d)Reflects the cash settlement of pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based awards during the period.
(e)The aggregate tax effect of footnotes (a) through (d) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods.

10


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income attributable to Waste Connections and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share attributable to Waste Connections:

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections, both non-GAAP financial measures, are provided supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections’ operations.  Waste Connections provides adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures.  Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently.  

Three months ended
December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    2020

2021

Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

130,664

$

166,310

$

204,677

$

618,047

Adjustments:

Amortization of intangibles(a)

35,239

39,042

131,302

139,279

Impairments and other operating items(b)

24,136

22,497

466,718

32,316

Transaction-related expenses(c) 

5,306

5,098

9,803

11,318

Fair value changes to equity awards(d)

(485)

755

5,536

8,393

Loss on early extinguishment of debt(e)

-

-

-

115,288

Tax effect(f)

(16,235)

(16,574)

(153,758)

(78,041)

Tax items(g)

-

-

31,508

-

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

178,625

$

217,128

$

695,786

$

846,600

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders:

Reported net income

$

0.50

$

0.64

$

0.78

$

2.36

Adjusted net income

$

0.68

$

0.83

$

2.64

$

3.23

____________________________

(a)Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
(b)Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating items.
(c)Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.
(d)Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards.
(e)Reflects the make-whole premium and related fees associated with the early termination of $1.5 billion in senior notes.
(f)The aggregate tax effect of the adjustments in footnotes (a) through (e) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods.
(g)Reflects the impact of a portion of the Company’s 2019 inter-entity payments no longer being deductible for tax purposes due to the finalization of tax regulations on April 7, 2020 under Internal Revenue Code section 267A and an increase in deferred tax liabilities resulting from the E&P impairment.

11


2022 OUTLOOK

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

2022 Outlook

Estimates

Observation

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

846,000

Plus: Income tax provision

239,000

Approximate 22.0% effective rate

Plus: Interest expense, net

160,000

Plus: Depreciation and Depletion

745,000

Approximately 10.8% of revenue

Plus: Amortization

140,000

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

15,000

Adjusted EBITDA

$

2,145,000

Approximately 31.2% of revenue

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

2022 Outlook

Estimates

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

2,000,000

Less: Capital expenditures

(850,000)

Adjusted free cash flow

$

1,150,000

12