Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

 

or

 

[     ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 000-51446

 

 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

  (217) 235-3311   

(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   X           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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes   X            No ____

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer X    Accelerated filer    

 

Non-accelerated filer___ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company ____

Emerging growth company ____

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ____

 

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

 

Yes                No   X     

 

On April 28, 2017, the registrant had 50,733,313 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Business and Basis of Accounting

 

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide integrated communications services in consumer, commercial and carrier channels in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. 

 

We operate as both an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) and a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”), dependent upon the territory served.  We provide a wide range of services and products that include local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, cloud data services, data center and managed services, directory publishing and equipment sales.  As of March 31, 2017, we had approximately 453 thousand voice connections, 477 thousand data connections and 103 thousand video connections.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Effective January 1, 2017, we adopted the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, calculation of compensation expense and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation awards vesting to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement on a prospective basis. Previously, these amounts were recognized in additional paid-in capital. The impact of this change was not material for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. In addition, ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be excluded from the assumed proceeds in the calculation of diluted shares. This requirement did not impact diluted loss per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 as the diluted shares were excluded from the computation of loss per share. Due to our net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the inclusion of these shares would have had an anti-dilutive impact.

 

ASU 2016-09 removed the requirement to delay recognition of excess tax benefits until it reduces current income taxes payable. This update is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $2.2 million to increase opening retained earnings for the cumulative impact of excess tax benefits related to our net operating loss carryforwards. This amount was subsequently transferred into additional paid-in capital at March 31, 2017.

 

ASU 2016-09 permits the election of an accounting policy for forfeitures of share-based payment awards, either to recognize forfeitures as they occur or estimate forfeitures over the vesting period of the award. We have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and the cumulative impact of this change was not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07 (“ASU 2017-07”), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 requires presentation of the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by relevant employees during the period, and presentation of the other cost components of net periodic benefit cost separately and outside of the income from operations subtotal. In addition, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the annual period and should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component in assets. We will adopt this update effective January 1, 2018 and do not expect a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In February 2017, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-05 (“ASU 2017-05”), Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 provides additional guidance to (i) clarify the scope for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers, and (ii) clarify the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and can be applied using the retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We plan to adopt ASU 2017-05 as of January 1, 2018 and are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In January 2017, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04 (“ASU 2017-04”), Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under updated guidance, the goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and an impairment charge recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing performed after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01 (“ASU 2017-01”), Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business and establishes a screening process to determine whether an integrated set of assets and activities acquired is deemed the acquisition of a business or the acquisition of assets. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that adoption of ASU 2017-01 will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16 (“ASU 2016-16”), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. ASU 2016-16 eliminates the existing exception prohibiting the recognition of the income tax consequences for intra-entity asset transfers until the asset has been sold to an outside party. Under ASU 2016-16, entities will be required to recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective on a modified retrospective basis for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We currently anticipate adopting this update effective January 1, 2018 and do not expect a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15 (“ASU 2016-15”), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance concerning the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 establishes the new “current expected credit loss” model for measuring and recognizing credit losses on financial assets based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases. ASU 2016-02 establishes a new lease accounting model for leases. Lessees will be required to recognize most leases on their balance sheets but lease expense will be recognized on the income statement in a manner similar to existing requirements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the population of our leases and anticipate that most of our operating lease commitments will be recognized on our consolidated balance sheets. We have not yet made a decision on the timing and method of adoption and are continuing to assess all potential impacts of this update on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In May 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will replace the current revenue recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP.  The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  In addition, ASU 2014-09 requires disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  Two transition methods are permitted under ASU 2014-09, the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application.  In August 2015, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14 (“ASU 2015-14”), Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year.  Accordingly, ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, at which point we plan to adopt the standard. 

 

In 2016, we established a cross-functional implementation team consisting of representatives from across all of our functional areas.  We are using a bottoms-up approach to assess the impact of ASU 2014-09 on our revenue contracts by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of this update.  While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of this update, we currently believe that the most significant impact relates to the deferral of contract acquisition costs, which we currently expense as incurred but under ASU 2014-09 will generally be capitalized and amortized over the contract performance period.  Currently, we anticipate adopting this update using the full retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented.

 

 

2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

 

Acquisitions

 

FairPoint Communications, Inc.

 

On December 3, 2016, we entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”) to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of FairPoint in exchange for shares of our common stock.  FairPoint is an advanced communications provider to business, wholesale and residential customers within its service territory which spans across 17 states.  FairPoint owns and operates a robust fiber-based network with more than 21,000 route miles of fiber, including 17,000 route miles of fiber in northern New England.

 

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, of FairPoint issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into and become the right to receive

0.7300 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Consolidated and cash in lieu of fractional shares, as set forth in the Merger Agreement.  Based on the closing price of our common stock as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the total value of the consideration to be exchanged is approximately $585.3 million, exclusive of debt of approximately $917.6 million.  In connection with the merger, we secured committed debt financing through a $935.0 million incremental term loan facility, as described in Note 6, that, in addition to cash on hand and other sources of liquidity, will be used to repay the existing indebtedness of FairPoint and pay the fees and expenses in connection with the merger.

 

The merger is subject to standard closing conditions including the approval of our stockholders and FairPoint’s stockholders, the approval of the listing of additional shares of Consolidated common stock to be issued to FairPoint’s stockholders, required federal and state regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. In March 2017, our stockholders approved the issuance of Company common stock to FairPoint’s stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement and FairPoint’s stockholders approved the adoption of the Merger Agreement by FairPoint.  We have completed all required filings with the Federal Communications Commission and have received approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and are in the process of securing the necessary state and federal regulatory approvals necessary to complete the merger.  We expect the merger to close by mid-2017.

 

Champaign Telephone Company, Inc.

 

On July 1, 2016, we acquired substantially all of the assets of  Champaign Telephone Company, Inc. and its sister company, Big Broadband Services, LLC, a private business communications provider in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area.  The aggregate purchase price, including customary working capital adjustments, consisted of cash consideration of $13.4 million, which was paid from our existing cash resources.  The preliminary fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed consists primarily of property, plant and equipment of $6.9 million, intangible assets of $1.0 million, working capital of $0.8 million and goodwill of $4.7 million. Goodwill and other intangible assets are expected to be amortizable and deductible for income tax purposes.  We are in the process of finalizing the valuation of the net assets acquired, most notably, the completion of various tax related matters for the acquisition. Upon completion of the final fair value assessment, the fair values of the net assets acquired may differ from the preliminary assessment.  We expect to finalize these valuations during the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

 

Divestitures

 

On December 6, 2016, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company’s Enterprise Services equipment and IT Services business (“EIS”) to ePlus Technology inc. (“ePlus”) for cash proceeds of $9.2 million net of a customary working capital adjustment.  As part of the transaction, we entered into a Co-Marketing Agreement with ePlus, a nationwide systems integrator of technology solutions, to cross-sell both broadband network services and IT services.  The strategic partnership will provide our business customers access to a broader suite of IT solutions, and will also provide ePlus customers access to Consolidated’s business network services. 

 

On May 3, 2016, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the issued and outstanding stock of our non-core, rural ILEC business located in northwest Iowa, Consolidated Communications of Iowa Company (“CCIC”), formerly Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa.  CCIC provides telecommunications and data services to residential and business customers in 11 rural communities in northwest Iowa and surrounding areas.  The sale was completed on September 1, 2016 for total cash proceeds of approximately $21.0 million, net of certain contractual and customary working capital adjustments. 

 

 

3.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends during the vesting term.  Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period.  Dilutive securities are not included in the

computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive.

 

The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, awards are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price for the period.  Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation.

 

The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two‑class method is as follows:

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 excludes 0.2 million potential common shares that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect.

 

4.  INVESTMENTS

 

Our investments are as follows:

 

 

Cost Method

 

We own 2.34% of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”).  The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas

metropolitan areas.  We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (“Pittsburgh SMSA”), which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.  Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we use the cost method to account for both of these investments.  It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these investments.  No factors of impairment existed for any of the investments during the quarters ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.  For the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $1.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

 

CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers.  On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility.  The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.

 

Equity Method

 

We own 20.51% of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”).  RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas.  RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory.  Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method.  For each of the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $4.0 million.

   

The combined unaudited results of operations and financial position of our three equity investments in the cellular limited partnerships are summarized below:

 

 

 

 

5.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments.  See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.

 

Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

 

 

We have not elected the fair value option for any of our financial assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities or variable-rate nature of the respective balances.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

 

Cost & Equity Method Investments

 

Our investments as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 accounted for under both the equity and cost methods consisted primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank.  It is impracticable to determine the fair value of these investments.

 

Long-term Debt

 

The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

 

6.    LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:

 

 

Credit Agreement

 

In October 2016, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (the “Credit Agreement”).  The Credit Agreement consists of a $110.0 million revolving credit facility and initial term loans in the aggregate amount of $900.0 million (“Term 5”).  The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental term loan facility which provides the ability to borrow up to $300.0 million of incremental term loans subject to certain terms and conditions and to borrow more than $300.0 million provided that its senior secured leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00:1.00.  Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated.

 

The Term 5 loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million with a maturity date of October 5, 2023, but is subject to earlier maturity on March 31, 2022 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in October 2022 are repaid in full or redeemed in full on or prior to March 31, 2022.  The Term 5 loan contains an original issuance discount of 0.25% or $2.3 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan.  The Term 5 loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.25 million and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR“) subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

 

Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 5, 2021 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, depending on our total net leverage ratio.  Based on our leverage ratio as of March 31, 2017, the borrowing margin for the three month period ending June 30, 2017 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.25%  for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.25% for an alternate base rate loan.  The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  A stand-by letter of credit of $1.6 million, issued primarily in connection with the Company’s insurance coverage, was outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017.  The stand-by letter of credit is renewable annually and reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2017, $108.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

 

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.00% as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  Interest is payable at least quarterly.

 

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

 

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and issue capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios,

including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement.  As of March 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

 

In general, our Credit Agreement restricts our ability to pay dividends to the amount of our available cash as defined in our Credit Agreement.  As of March 31, 2017, and including the $19.7 million dividend declared in February 2017 and paid on May 1, 2017, we had $269.8 million in dividend availability under the credit facility covenant.

 

Under our Credit Agreement, if our total net leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.10:1.00, we will be required to suspend dividends on our common stock unless otherwise permitted by an exception for dividends that may be paid from the portion of proceeds of any sale of equity not used to fund acquisitions or make other investments.  During any dividend suspension period, we will be required to repay debt in an amount equal to 50.0% of any increase in available cash, among other things.  In addition, we will not be permitted to pay dividends if an event of default under the Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing.  Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio or interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 and less than 2.25:1.00, respectively.  As of March 31, 2017, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.60:1.00, and our interest coverage ratio was 3.73:1.00.

 

Committed Financing

 

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, in December 2016, the Company entered into two amendments to its Credit Agreement to secure committed financing related to the acquisition of FairPoint.  On December 14, 2016, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, to increase the senior secured incremental term loan credit facility under the Credit Agreement from $865.0 million to an aggregate amount of $935.0 million.  Fees of $2.5 million paid to the lenders in connection with Amendment No. 1 are reflected as an additional discount on the Term 5 loan and are being amortized over the term of the debt as interest expense.  On December 21, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement in which a syndicate of lenders has agreed to provide an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $935.0 million under the Credit Agreement (the “Incremental Term Loan”), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.  The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan may be used, in part, to repay and redeem certain existing indebtedness of FairPoint and to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the Merger and the related financing.  The terms, conditions and covenants of the Incremental Term Loan are materially consistent with those in the existing Credit Agreement, as described above.  The Incremental Term Loan included an original issue discount of 0.50% and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus LIBOR based on the three-month adjusted rate subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.  Ticking fees began accruing on the Incremental Term Loan commitments on January 15, 2017 at the rate equal to the interest rate of the Incremental Term Loan.  In connection with entering into the committed financing, commitment fees of $14.0 million were capitalized in December 2016 and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the commitment period of one year. 

 

Senior Notes

 

6.50% Senior Notes due 2022

 

In September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due in October 2022 (the “Existing Notes”).  The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million.  On June 8, 2015, we completed an additional offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “Senior Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were previously issued on in September 2014.  The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest.  The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. 

 

The Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.  Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the Senior Notes, and we and certain of our wholly‑owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

In October 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the Senior Notes under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”).  The terms of the registered Senior Notes are substantially identical to those of the Senior Notes prior to the exchange, except that the Senior Notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights previously applicable to the Senior Notes no longer apply to the registered Senior Notes.  The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the Senior Notes outstanding.

 

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

 

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.  The indenture also contains customary events of default.

 

Among other matters, the Senior Notes indenture provides that CCI may not pay dividends or make other restricted payments, as defined in the indenture, if its total net leverage ratio is 4.75:1.00 or greater.  This ratio is calculated differently than the comparable ratio under the Credit Agreement; among other differences, it takes into account, on a pro forma basis, synergies expected to be achieved as a result of certain acquisitions not yet reflected in historical results.  As of March 31, 2017, this ratio was 4.64:1.00.  If this ratio is met, dividends and other restricted payments may be made from cumulative consolidated cash flow since April 1, 2012, less 1.75 times fixed charges, less dividends and other restricted payments made since May 30, 2012.  Dividends may be paid and other restricted payments may also be made from a “basket” of $50.0 million, none of which has been used to date, and pursuant to other exceptions identified in the indenture.  Since dividends of $351.2 million have been paid since May 30, 2012, including the quarterly dividend declared in February 2017 and paid on May 1, 2017, there was $402.6 million of the $753.8 million of cumulative consolidated cash flow since May 30, 2012 available to pay dividends as of March 31, 2017.  As of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

 

Capital Leases

 

We lease certain facilities and equipment under various capital leases which expire between 2017 and 2021.  As of March 31, 2017, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments was approximately $17.6 million, of which $6.8 million was due and payable within the next twelve months. The leases require total remaining rental payments of $19.6 million as of March 31, 2017, of which $3.4 million will be paid to LATEL LLC, a related party entity.

 

 7.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed‑rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments.  For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation.  If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of any hedging derivative is recognized immediately in earnings.  Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of March 31, 2017:

 

 

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2016:

 

 

The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties.  The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility.  Each of the swap agreements provides that, in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties. 

 

In conjunction with the refinancing of our Credit Agreement in October 2016 as discussed in Note 6, the interest rate swaps were simultaneously de-designated and re-designated as cash flow hedges of future anticipated interest payments associated with our variable rate debt.  The balance of the unrealized loss included in AOCI as of the date the swaps were de-designated is being amortized to earnings over the remaining terms of the respective interest rate swap agreements.  The interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates through September 2019.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the total pre-tax deferred gain (loss) related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was less than $0.1 million and $(0.2) million, respectively.  The estimated amount of losses included in AOCI as of March 31, 2017 that will be recognized in earnings in the next twelve months is approximately $0.9 million.

 

Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.  EQUITY

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

As of March 31, 2017, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $6.9 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.9 years.

 

The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017:

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the quarter ended March 31, 2017: