Shentel(US:SHEN)2025-04-30 13:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues grew 27% to $87.9 million, with former Horizon markets contributing $15.2 million. Excluding Horizon, revenues increased by $3.5 million or 5% year-over-year [11] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 43% to $27.6 million, with former Horizon markets contributing $4.4 million. Excluding Horizon, adjusted EBITDA grew by $4 million or 21% [12] - Adjusted EBITDA margins improved from 28% in Q1 2024 to 31% in Q1 2025, driven by high incremental margins from Glo Fiber subscribers [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Glo Fiber expansion markets added 5,400 new subscribers and 16,600 new passings, with revenues increasing by 52% year-over-year [6] - Legacy Glo Fiber markets revenue grew by $5.6 million or 47%, driven by subscriber increases, while incumbent broadband markets revenue declined by $2.2 million due to a 14% drop in video RGUs [11] - The commercial sales team achieved record sales bookings of just under $200,000 in monthly recurring revenues [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Glo Fiber's broadband data penetration in expansion markets rose to 19.4%, up from 18% a year earlier [17] - Monthly broadband data churn remained low at 0.9% [18] - Incumbent broadband markets saw a 2.7% year-over-year increase in broadband data customers, totaling approximately 112,000 [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to complete the construction phase of Glo Fiber expansion and government grant projects by the end of 2026, targeting 550,000 total Glo Fiber passings [16] - The company aims to achieve free cash flow positivity by 2027, with significant growth expected in 2028 and beyond [29] - The company is focusing on areas where it is the only fiber provider, avoiding competition with established players like Verizon [39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about growth prospects in Glo Fiber markets, highlighting the potential for free cash flow generation as penetration rates increase [6][7] - The company expects to realize a total of $8.5 million in incremental synergies in 2025 [12] - Management noted that they are well-positioned to execute their capital plan and complete construction projects by the end of 2026 [24] Other Important Information - Liquidity was reported at $335 million as of March 31, including $88 million in cash and $143 million in available revolver capacity [13] - The company executed an amendment to its credit facility to extend maturities and increase the net leverage covenant [13][14] - Capital expenditures in Q1 were $76 million, with full-year guidance set between $250 million and $280 million [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential for ABS securities and optimal capital structure - Management expects ABS to save about 100 basis points in interest expense and plans to use investment-grade tranches [27][28] Question: Glo Fiber capital expenditure plans - Construction to reach 550,000 passings is expected to complete by the end of 2026, with capital intensity dropping to 20-25% of revenues starting in 2027 [29][30] Question: Subscriber growth challenges - Management indicated that they are not yet facing difficulties in adding subscribers, with continued growth in mature markets [36] Question: Competitive pressures - There is minimal competition, with only a small overlap with BrightSpeed, and management is targeting areas with limited competition [37][39] Question: Refinancing process and cost factors - Internal projects are underway to save on interest rates, with expected savings of approximately $7 million annually [41]