EchoStar Announces Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

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Englewood, CO, May 6, 2021—EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Financial Highlights:

  • Consolidated revenues of $482.6 million.
  • Net income of $77.6 million, consolidated net income attributable to EchoStar common stock of $78.5 million, and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.84.
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $185.7 million (see discussion and the reconciliation of GAAP to this non-GAAP measure below).

“I am pleased with the company’s financial performance in the first quarter of 2021,” commented Michael Dugan, CEO and President of EchoStar.  “We grew revenue, net income, and Adjusted EBITDA over the same period last year by focusing on meeting our customers’ needs for connectivity and prudently managing all areas of the business.”

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 – Additional Information:

  • Consolidated revenue increased 3.6% or $16.9 million year over year primarily driven by higher sales of broadband services to our consumer customers.This increase included an estimated negative foreign exchange impact of $5.9 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 25% or $37.1 million year over year.
  • Hughes segment Adjusted EBITDA increased $39.7 million year over year.The increase was driven primarily by the higher gross margin associated with the growth in our consumer broadband service revenue and lower selling, general and administrative expenses.
  • ESS segment Adjusted EBITDA was essentially flat year over year.
  • Corporate and Other segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.5 million year over year.The decrease was primarily due to lower equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net, and higher legal expense.
  • Net income increased $135.3 million to $77.6 million.The increase was primarily due to higher operating income of $42.9 million and higher gains on investments, net, of $125.3 million, partially offset by higher income tax expense, net, of $29.6 million.
  • Total Hughes broadband subscribers are approximately 1,553,000 as of March 31, 2021.Subscribers in the US decreased by 25,000 to approximately 1,164,000.In Latin America, subscribers increased by 14,000 to approximately 389,000.
  • For the three months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 70% of Hughes segment revenue was attributable to our consumer customers with approximately 30% attributable to our enterprise customers.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities were $2.3 billion as of March 31, 2021.
  • For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we purchased 4,770,714 shares of our Class A common stock in open market trades.
  • For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we purchased $90.5 million of our 7.625% Sr. Unsecured Notes due June 2021 in open market trades.

Set forth below is a table highlighting certain of EchoStar’s segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (amounts in thousands) (all US GAAP amounts reference results from  operations):

 

    For the three months ended March 31,
    2021   2020
         
Revenue        
Hughes   $ 475,859     $ 458,482  
EchoStar Satellite Services   4,089     4,652  
Corporate and Other   2,634     2,532  
Total revenue   $ 482,582     $ 465,666  
         
Adjusted EBITDA        
Hughes   $ 201,937     $ 162,219  
EchoStar Satellite Services   1,919     2,030  
Corporate & Other:        
Corporate overhead, operating and other   (21,468)     (20,124)  
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net   3,353     4,512  
Total Corporate & Other   (18,115)     (15,612)  
Total Adjusted EBITDA   $ 185,741     $ 148,637  
         
Net income (loss)   $ 77,572     $ (57,737)  
Expenditures for property and equipment   $ 179,235     $ 104,604  

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

    For the three months ended March 31,
    2021   2020
         
Net income (loss)   $ 77,572     $ (57,737)  
Interest income, net   (5,949)     (15,583)  
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized   34,667     36,233  
Income tax provision (benefit), net   22,147     (7,492)  
Depreciation and amortization   129,286     132,368  
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests   947     3,442  
EBITDA   258,670     91,231  
(Gains) losses on investments, net   (78,600)     46,672  
Impairment of long-lived assets   230      
License fee dispute – India, net of non-controlling interests   (210)     (110)  
Loss on Debt Repurchase   1,582      
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, net   4,069     10,844  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 185,741     $ 148,637  

Note on Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss)” excluding “Interest income, net,” Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized,” “Income tax benefit (provision), net,” “Depreciation and amortization,” and “Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests.”

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

The consolidated financial statements of EchoStar for the periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are attached to this press release. Detailed financial data and other information are available in EchoStar’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021 filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EchoStar will host a conference call to discuss its earnings on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode on EchoStar’s investor relations website at ir.echostar.com.  To ask a question, the dial in numbers are (833) 562-0124 (toll-free) and (661) 567-1102 (international), Conference ID 1976218.

 

About EchoStar Corporation

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

 

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

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used in this release, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “seek,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “continue,” “future,” “will,” “would,” “can,” “may,” “plans,” and similar expressions and the use of future dates are intended to identify forward‑looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‑looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy of forward-looking statements or information or for updating forward-looking information or statements. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. See “Risk Factors” in EchoStar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the other documents EchoStar files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

 

Contact Information

EchoStar Investor Relations EchoStar Media Relations
Terry BrownPhone: +1 303-728-5179Email: terry.brown@echostar.com Sharyn NerenbergPhone: +1 301-428-7124Email: sharyn.nerenberg@echostar.com

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

    As of
    March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,583,747     $ 896,005  
Marketable investment securities   735,418     1,638,271  
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net   187,280     183,989  
Other current assets, net   190,958     189,821  
Total current assets   2,697,403     2,908,086  
Non-current assets:        
Property and equipment, net   2,420,917     2,390,313  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   131,601     128,303  
Goodwill   510,945     511,597  
Regulatory authorizations, net   476,092     478,762  
Other intangible assets, net   16,316     18,433  
Other investments, net   347,615     284,937  
Other non-current assets, net   350,920     352,921  
Total non-current assets   4,254,406     4,165,266  
Total assets   $ 6,951,809     $ 7,073,352  
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        
Current liabilities:        
Trade accounts payable   $ 106,500     $ 122,366  
Current portion of long-term debt, net   808,758     898,237  
Contract liabilities   112,507     104,569  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   304,018     299,999  
Total current liabilities   1,331,783     1,425,171  
Non-current liabilities:        
Long-term debt, net   1,495,436     1,495,256  
Deferred tax liabilities, net   378,271     359,896  
Operating lease liabilities   118,569     114,886  
Other non-current liabilities   69,885     70,893  
Total non-current liabilities   2,062,161     2,040,931  
Total liabilities   3,393,944     3,466,102  
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
         

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both March31, 2021 and December31, 2020        
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:        
ClassA common stock, $0.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 57,712,888 shares issued and 44,551,347 shares outstanding at March31, 2021 and 57,254,201 shares issued and 48,863,374 shares outstanding at December31, 2020   58     57  
ClassB convertible common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 47,687,039 shares issued and outstanding at both March31, 2021 and December31, 2020   48     48  
ClassC convertible common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both March31, 2021 and December31, 2020        
ClassD common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both March31, 2021 and December31, 2020        
Additional paid-in capital   3,333,047     3,321,426  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (215,476)     (187,876)  
Accumulated earnings (losses)   662,110     583,591  
Treasury shares, at cost   (285,681)     (174,912)  
Total EchoStar Corporation stockholders’ equity   3,494,106     3,542,334  
Non-controlling interests   63,759     64,916  
Total stockholders’ equity   3,557,865     3,607,250  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 6,951,809     $ 7,073,352  
                 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

    For the three months ended March 31,
    2021   2020
         
Revenue:        
Services and other revenue   $ 430,337     $ 408,357  
Equipment revenue   52,245     57,309  
Total revenue   482,582     465,666  
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of sales – services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)   132,789     145,252  
Cost of sales – equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)   45,151     45,908  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   114,119     125,281  
Research and development expenses   7,545     6,254  
Depreciation and amortization   129,286     132,368  
Impairment of long-lived assets   230      
Total costs and expenses   429,120     455,063  
Operating income (loss)   53,462     10,603  
Other income (expense):        
Interest income, net   5,949     15,583  
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized   (34,667)     (36,233)  
Gains (losses) on investments, net   78,600     (46,672)  
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net   1,374     2,613  
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net   (4,069)     (10,844)  
Other, net   (930)     (279)  
Total other income (expense), net   46,257     (75,832)  
Income (loss) before income taxes   99,719     (65,229)  
Income tax benefit (provision), net   (22,147)     7,492  
Net income (loss)   77,572     (57,737)  
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests   947     3,442  
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock   $ 78,519     $ (54,295)  
         
Earnings (losses) per share – ClassA and B common stock:        
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share   $ 0.84     $ (0.56)  

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

    For the three months ended March 31,
    2021   2020
         
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income (loss)   $ 77,572     $ (57,737)  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization   129,286     132,368  
Impairment of long-lived assets   230      
Losses (gains) on investments, net   (78,600)     46,672  
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net   (1,374)     (2,613)  
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net   4,069     10,844  
Deferred tax provision (benefit), net   18,370     (10,064)  
Stock-based compensation   2,011     2,384  
Amortization of debt issuance costs   1,118     1,050  
Other, net   11,551     (4,899)  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net:        
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net   (6,090)     (7,664)  
Other current assets, net   (1,736)     (16,127)  
Trade accounts payable   (18,375)     (9,559)  
Contract liabilities   7,938     (3,212)  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   (27,447)     (4,922)  
Non-current assets and non-current liabilities, net   (1,636)     (5,226)  
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities   116,887     71,295  
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of marketable investment securities   (389,071)     (550,891)  
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities   1,361,632     687,579  
Expenditures for property and equipment   (179,235)     (104,604)  
Expenditures for externally marketed software   (7,846)     (8,638)  
Purchase of other investments   (50,000)     (5,500)  
Sales of other investments   1,500      
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities   736,980     17,946  
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Repurchase of the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes   (62,588)      
Payment of finance lease obligations   (329)     (215)  
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations   (1,104)     (801)  
Net proceeds from ClassA common stock options exercised       150  
Net proceeds from Class A common stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan   2,486     2,924  
Treasury share repurchase   (107,862)     (5,893)  
Contribution by non-controlling interest holder   5,400     4,000  
Other, net   (292)     817  
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities   (164,289)     982  
         
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents   (1,808)     (4,809)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   687,770     85,414  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period   896,812     1,521,889  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period   $ 1,584,582     $ 1,607,303