OUTFRONT Media Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
or
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||||||||||
For the transition period from | to |
Commission File Number: 001-36367
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland | 46-4494703 | ||||||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
405 Lexington Avenue, 17th Floor | |||||||||||
New York, | NY | 10174 | |||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(212) 297-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Common Stock, $0.01, par value | OUT | New York Stock Exchange |
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 ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | 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 any 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 Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
As of May 4, 2021, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 145,539,929.
OUTFRONT MEDIA INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements.
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
As of | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 560.0 | $ | 710.4 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash | 1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||
Receivables, less allowance ($22.7 in 2021 and $26.3 in 2020) | 164.9 | 209.2 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid lease and franchise costs | 9.1 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||
Other prepaid expenses | 13.9 | 14.4 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 28.0 | 33.7 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 777.5 | 974.7 | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net (Note 4) | 629.2 | 634.2 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 2,078.0 | 2,077.8 | ||||||||||||
Intangible assets (Note 5) | 545.8 | 547.5 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease assets (Note 6) | 1,437.7 | 1,421.3 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs (Note 18) | 208.2 | 204.6 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 37.5 | 36.8 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,713.9 | $ | 5,896.9 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 56.8 | $ | 64.9 | ||||||||||
Accrued compensation | 30.9 | 35.0 | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest | 17.5 | 24.5 | ||||||||||||
Accrued lease and franchise costs | 39.1 | 65.8 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses | 40.0 | 38.0 | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | 42.3 | 29.5 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt (Note 9) | — | 80.0 | ||||||||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities (Note 6) | 185.7 | 176.5 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | 20.4 | 20.7 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 432.7 | 534.9 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net (Note 9) | 2,616.6 | 2,620.8 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities, net | 13.2 | 14.6 | ||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligation (Note 7) | 36.1 | 35.9 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities (Note 6) | 1,258.4 | 1,252.0 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 52.7 | 55.0 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 4,409.7 | 4,513.2 | ||||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) | ||||||||||||||
Preferred stock (2021 - 50.0 shares authorized, and 0.4 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; 2020 - 50.0 shares authorized, and 0.4 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding) (Note 10) | 383.4 | 383.4 | ||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity (Note 10): | ||||||||||||||
Common stock (2021 - 450.0 shares authorized, and 145.5 shares issued and outstanding; 2020 - 450.0 shares authorized, and 144.5 issued and outstanding) | 1.5 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 2,095.5 | 2,090.8 | ||||||||||||
Distribution in excess of earnings | (1,175.1) | (1,100.4) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (15.5) | (18.0) | ||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 906.4 | 973.8 | ||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 14.4 | 26.5 | ||||||||||||
Total equity | 1,304.2 | 1,383.7 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 5,713.9 | $ | 5,896.9 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 223.6 | $ | 270.9 | ||||||||||
Transit and other | 35.6 | 114.4 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 259.2 | 385.3 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Operating | 177.6 | 224.8 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 76.5 | 90.8 | ||||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 20.0 | 21.0 | ||||||||||||
Amortization | 16.4 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 290.2 | 351.5 | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (31.0) | 33.8 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (34.6) | (29.8) | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (6.3) | — | ||||||||||||
Other income, net | — | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes and equity in earnings of investee companies | (71.9) | 4.2 | ||||||||||||
Benefit for income taxes | 4.7 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax | (0.4) | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) before allocation to non-controlling interests | (67.6) | 6.3 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | $ | (67.7) | $ | 6.1 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.52) | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.52) | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 144.8 | 143.9 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 144.8 | 144.7 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
4
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) before allocation to non-controlling interests | $ | (67.6) | $ | 6.3 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | (67.7) | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative translation adjustments | 1.3 | (10.5) | ||||||||||||
Net actuarial gain | — | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements | 1.2 | (4.3) | ||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax | 2.5 | (14.1) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | $ | (65.2) | $ | (8.0) |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
5
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Unaudited)
Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | Shares of Common Stock | Common Stock ($0.01 per share par value) | Additional Paid-In Capital | Distribution in Excess of Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ Equity | Non-Controlling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | 143.6 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 2,074.7 | $ | (964.6) | $ | (17.7) | $ | 1,093.8 | $ | 32.6 | $ | 1,126.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | 6.1 | — | 6.1 | 0.2 | 6.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | (14.1) | (14.1) | — | (14.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based payments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vested | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | — | — | 5.8 | — | — | 5.8 | — | 5.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based payments | (0.4) | — | (12.1) | — | — | (12.1) | — | (12.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A equity interest redemptions | 0.2 | — | 4.4 | — | — | 4.4 | (4.4) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($0.38 per share) | — | — | — | (55.3) | — | (55.3) | — | (55.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2020 | 144.4 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 2,072.8 | $ | (1,013.8) | $ | (31.8) | $ | 1,028.6 | $ | 28.4 | $ | 1,057.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | Shares of Series A Preferred Stock | Series A Preferred Stock ($0.01 per share par value) | Shares of Common Stock | Common Stock ($0.01 per share par value) | Additional Paid-In Capital | Distribution in Excess of Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ Equity | Non-Controlling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | 0.4 | $ | 383.4 | 144.5 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 2,090.8 | $ | (1,100.4) | $ | (18.0) | $ | 973.8 | $ | 26.5 | $ | 1,383.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (67.7) | — | (67.7) | 0.1 | (67.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.5 | 2.5 | — | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based payments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vested | — | — | 1.0 | 0.1 | — | — | — | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | — | — | — | — | 6.0 | — | — | 6.0 | — | 6.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based payments | — | — | (0.5) | — | (8.7) | — | — | (8.7) | — | (8.7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A equity interest redemptions | — | — | 0.5 | — | 10.7 | — | — | 10.7 | (10.7) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock dividends (7%) | — | — | — | — | — | (7.0) | — | (7.0) | — | (7.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | — | — | — | — | (3.3) | — | — | (3.3) | (1.5) | (4.8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2021 | 0.4 | $ | 383.4 | 145.5 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 2,095.5 | $ | (1,175.1) | $ | (15.5) | $ | 906.4 | $ | 14.4 | $ | 1,304.2 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
6
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | $ | (67.7) | $ | 6.1 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 36.4 | 36.0 | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax benefit | (5.2) | (1.8) | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 6.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | (2.8) | 8.1 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expense | 0.7 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6.3 | — | ||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax | 0.4 | (0.4) | ||||||||||||
Distributions from investee companies | 0.3 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount and premium | 1.9 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Decrease in receivables | 47.2 | 19.7 | ||||||||||||
Increase in prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs | (3.6) | (18.2) | ||||||||||||
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1.2 | (2.8) | ||||||||||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (46.1) | (46.0) | ||||||||||||
Increase in operating lease assets and liabilities | 0.4 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Increase in deferred revenues | 12.8 | 11.1 | ||||||||||||
Decrease in income taxes | (0.1) | (0.7) | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 1.3 | (6.5) | ||||||||||||
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities | (10.8) | 14.9 | ||||||||||||
Investing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (9.4) | (18.2) | ||||||||||||
Acquisitions | (15.8) | (6.6) | ||||||||||||
MTA franchise rights | (4.2) | (2.8) | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from dispositions | 1.1 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Return of investment in investee companies | — | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Net cash flow used for investing activities | (28.3) | (26.7) | ||||||||||||
Financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings | 500.0 | 495.0 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt borrowings | (500.0) | — | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings under short-term debt facilities | — | 15.0 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of borrowings under short-term debt facilities | (80.0) | — | ||||||||||||
Payments of deferred financing costs | (7.1) | (0.4) | ||||||||||||
Payments of debt extinguishment charges | (4.7) | — | ||||||||||||
Taxes withheld for stock-based compensation | (8.8) | (11.8) | ||||||||||||
Dividends | (7.3) | (55.6) | ||||||||||||
Other | (3.7) | — | ||||||||||||
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities | (111.6) | 442.2 |
7
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 0.3 | (1.7) | ||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (150.4) | 428.7 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 712.0 | 60.9 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 561.6 | $ | 489.6 | ||||||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 0.5 | $ | 0.8 | ||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | 39.9 | 37.5 | ||||||||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Accrued purchases of property and equipment | $ | 3.8 | $ | 9.7 | ||||||||||
Accrued MTA franchise rights | 7.0 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
Taxes withheld for stock-based compensation | — | 0.2 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
8
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
OUTFRONT Media Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “we,” “us” or “our”) is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), which provides advertising space (“displays”) on out-of-home advertising structures and sites in the United States (the “U.S.”) and Canada. Our inventory consists of billboard displays, which are primarily located on the most heavily traveled highways and roadways in top Nielsen Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”), and transit advertising displays operated under exclusive multi-year contracts with municipalities in large cities across the U.S. and Canada. In total, we have displays in all of the 25 largest markets in the U.S. and approximately 150 markets across the U.S. and Canada. We currently manage our operations through two operating segments—U.S. Billboard and Transit, which is included in our U.S. Media reportable segment, and International.
In the third quarter of 2020, we sold all of our equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries (the “Sports Disposition”), which held all of the assets of our Sports Marketing operating segment, for a purchase price of approximately $34.6 million in cash, subject to closing and post-closing adjustments. The Sports Marketing operating segment was the marketing and multimedia rights holder for a variety of colleges, universities and other educational institutions across the United States. The operating results of our Sports Marketing operating segment through June 30, 2020, are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of our management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain reclassifications of prior year’s data have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation. Consistent with 2021, amortization of direct lease acquisition costs previously reported in Amortization have been reclassified to conform with the current period’s presentation. The impact of the reclassification is a decrease in Amortization of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, and a corresponding increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the more detailed financial statements and notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021.
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, including the impact of extraordinary events such as the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, including the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the related preventative measures taken to help curb the spread, have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on the global economy and our business. Given the uncertainty around the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken, or may be taken, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations at this time, which may be material.
Note 2. New Accounting Standards
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In the first quarter of 2021, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB’s”) guidance for simplifying the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
9
Recent Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for accounting for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. We do not expect this guidance to impact our accounting for our existing debt and hedging instruments.
Note 3. Restricted Cash
We have an escrow agreement in connection with one of our transit franchise contracts, which requires us to deposit funds into an escrow account to fund capital expenditures over the term of the transit franchise contract. As of March 31, 2021, we have $1.6 million of restricted cash deposited in the escrow account.
As of | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 560.0 | $ | 487.8 | $ | 710.4 | ||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 561.6 | $ | 489.6 | $ | 712.0 |
Note 4. Property and Equipment, Net
The table below presents the balances of major classes of assets and accumulated depreciation.
As of | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Estimated Useful Lives | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Land | $ | 102.6 | $ | 98.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Buildings | 20 to 40 years | 48.6 | 48.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Advertising structures | 5 to 20 years | 1,908.3 | 1,897.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Furniture, equipment and other | 3 to 10 years | 170.7 | 168.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Construction in progress | 24.1 | 25.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
2,254.3 | 2,237.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | 1,625.1 | 1,603.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 629.2 | $ | 634.2 |
Depreciation expense was $20.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $21.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Note 5. Intangible Assets
Our identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of acquired permits and leasehold agreements, and franchise agreements, which grant us the right to operate out-of-home structures in specified locations and the right to provide advertising space on railroad and municipal transit properties. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, which is the respective life of the agreement that in some cases includes historical experience of renewals.
10
Our identifiable intangible assets consist of the following:
(in millions) | Gross | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Permits and leasehold agreements | $ | 1,200.4 | $ | (787.9) | $ | 412.5 | ||||||||||||||
Franchise agreements | 519.1 | (388.6) | 130.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets | 22.1 | (19.3) | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Total intangible assets | $ | 1,741.6 | $ | (1,195.8) | $ | 545.8 | ||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2020: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Permits and leasehold agreements | $ | 1,190.0 | $ | (777.1) | $ | 412.9 | ||||||||||||||
Franchise agreements | 514.7 | (383.7) | 131.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets | 45.8 | (42.2) | 3.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Total intangible assets | $ | 1,750.5 | $ | (1,203.0) | $ | 547.5 |
All of our intangible assets, except goodwill, are subject to amortization. Amortization expense was $16.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $15.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Note 6. Leases
Lessee
As of March 31, 2021, we have operating lease assets of $1.4 billion, short-term operating lease liabilities of $185.7 million and non-current operating lease liabilities of $1.3 billion. As of December 31, 2020, we had operating lease assets of $1.4 billion, short-term operating lease liabilities of $176.5 million and non-current operating lease liabilities of $1.3 billion. As of March 31, 2021, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 10.5 years and the weighted-average discount rate was 5.4%.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded operating lease costs of $93.7 million in Operating expenses and $2.1 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, these costs include $13.9 million of variable operating lease costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded operating lease costs of $102.5 million in Operating expenses and $2.2 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, these costs include $22.1 million of variable operating lease costs. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, sublease income was immaterial.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, cash paid for operating leases was $97.9 million and leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities was $69.1 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, cash paid for operating leases was $108.6 million and leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities was $77.2 million.
Lessor
We recorded rental income of $215.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $262.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, in Revenues on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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Note 7. Asset Retirement Obligation
The following table sets forth the change in the asset retirement obligations associated with our advertising structures located on leased properties. The obligation is calculated based on the assumption that all of our advertising structures will be removed within the next 50 years. The estimated annual costs to dismantle and remove the structures upon the termination or non-renewal of our leases are consistent with our historical experience.
(in millions) | ||||||||
As of December 31, 2020 | $ | 35.9 | ||||||
Accretion expense | 0.7 | |||||||
Additions | 0.1 | |||||||
Liabilities settled | (0.6) | |||||||
As of March 31, 2021 | $ | 36.1 |
Note 8. Related Party Transactions
We have a 50% ownership interest in two joint ventures that operate transit shelters in the greater Los Angeles area and Vancouver, and four joint ventures which currently operate a total of seven billboard displays in New York and Boston. All of these joint ventures are accounted for as equity investments. These investments totaled $9.8 million as of March 31, 2021, and $10.5 million as of December 31, 2020, and are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. We provided sales and management services to these joint ventures and recorded management fees in Revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Operations of $1.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
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Note 9. Debt
Debt, net, consists of the following:
As of | ||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt: | ||||||||||||||
Repurchase Facility | $ | — | $ | 80.0 | ||||||||||
Total short-term debt | — | 80.0 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||
Term loan, due 2026 | 597.9 | 597.8 | ||||||||||||
Senior unsecured notes: | ||||||||||||||
5.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2024 | — | 501.3 | ||||||||||||
6.250% senior unsecured notes, due 2025 | 400.0 | 400.0 | ||||||||||||
5.000% senior unsecured notes, due 2027 | 650.0 | 650.0 | ||||||||||||
4.250% senior unsecured notes, due 2029 | 500.0 | — | ||||||||||||
4.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2030 | 500.0 | 500.0 | ||||||||||||
Total senior unsecured notes | 2,050.0 | 2,051.3 | ||||||||||||
Debt issuance costs | (31.3) | (28.3) | ||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, net | 2,616.6 | 2,620.8 | ||||||||||||
Total debt, net | $ | 2,616.6 | $ | 2,700.8 | ||||||||||
Weighted average cost of debt | 4.3 | % | 4.5 | % |
Term Loan
The interest rate on the term loan due in 2026 (the “Term Loan”) was 1.9% per annum as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, a discount of $2.1 million on the Term Loan remains unamortized. The discount is being amortized through Interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Revolving Credit Facility
We also have a $500.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures in 2024 (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” together with the Term Loan, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).
As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The commitment fee based on the amount of unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility was $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, we had issued letters of credit totaling approximately $2.1 million against the letter of credit facility sublimit under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Standalone Letter of Credit Facilities
As of March 31, 2021, we had issued letters of credit totaling approximately $72.0 million under our aggregate $78.0 million standalone letter of credit facilities. The total fees under the letter of credit facilities were immaterial in each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Accounts Receivable Securitization Facilities
As of March 31, 2021, we have a revolving accounts receivable securitization facility (the “AR Facility”), which terminates in June 2022, unless further extended, and a 364-day uncommitted structured repurchase facility (the “Repurchase Facility” and together with the AR Facility, the “AR Securitization Facilities”), which terminates in June 2021, unless further extended.
In connection with the AR Securitization Facilities, Outfront Media LLC and Outfront Media Outernet Inc., each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and certain of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) (the “Originators”), will sell and/or contribute their respective existing and future accounts receivable and certain related assets to either Outfront Media Receivables LLC, a special purpose vehicle and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company relating to the Company’s qualified REIT subsidiary accounts receivable assets (the “QRS SPV”) or Outfront Media Receivables TRS, LLC a special purpose vehicle and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company relating to the Company’s TRS accounts receivable assets (the “TRS SPV” and together with the QRS SPV, the “SPVs”). The SPVs may transfer undivided interests in their respective accounts receivable assets to certain purchasers from time to time (the “Purchasers”). The SPVs are separate legal entities with their own separate creditors who will be entitled to access the SPVs’ assets before the assets become available to the Company. Accordingly, the SPVs’ assets are not available to pay creditors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, although collections from the receivables in excess of amounts required to repay the Purchasers and other creditors of the SPVs may be remitted to the Company. Outfront Media LLC will service the accounts receivables on behalf of the SPVs for a fee. The Company has agreed to guarantee the performance of the Originators and Outfront Media LLC, in its capacity as servicer, of their respective obligations under the agreements governing the AR Facility. Neither the Company, the Originators nor the SPVs guarantee the collectability of the receivables under the AR Facility. Further, the TRS SPV and the QRS SPV are jointly and severally liable for their respective obligations under the agreements governing the AR Facility.
In connection with the Repurchase Facility, the Originators may borrow funds collateralized by subordinated notes (the “Subordinated Notes”) issued by the SPVs in favor of their respective Originators and representing a portion of the outstanding balance of the accounts receivable assets sold by the Originators to the SPVs under the AR Facility. The Subordinated Notes will be transferred to MUFG, as repurchase buyer, on an uncommitted basis, and subject to repurchase by the applicable Originators on termination of the Repurchase Facility. The Originators have granted MUFG a security interest in the Subordinated Notes to secure their obligations under the agreements governing the Repurchase Facility, and the Company has agreed to guarantee the Originators’ obligations under the agreements governing the Repurchase Facility.
As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under either the AR Facility or the Repurchase Facility. As of March 31, 2021, there was no borrowing capacity remaining under the AR Facility based on approximately $207.9 million of accounts receivable used as collateral for the AR Securitization Facilities and a related voluntary temporary suspension of the AR Facility, and there was $80.0 million of borrowing capacity remaining under the Repurchase Facility, in accordance with the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities. The commitment fee based on the amount of unused commitments under the AR Facility was immaterial for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On January 19, 2021, two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Outfront Media Capital LLC (“Finance LLC”) and Outfront Media Capital Corporation (“Finance Corp” and, together with Finance LLC, the “Borrowers”) issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.250% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) in a private placement. The 2029 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company and each of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Senior Credit Facilities. Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2021. On or after January 15, 2024, the Borrowers may redeem at any time, or from time to time, some or all of the 2029 Notes. Prior to such date, the Borrowers may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, provided that at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes will remain outstanding after the redemption.
On February 16, 2021, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of our outstanding 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the 2024 Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the 2029 Notes offering and the 2024 Notes redemption. In the first quarter of 2021, we recorded a Loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.3 million relating to the 2024 Notes on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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Debt Covenants
Our credit agreement, dated as of January 31, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”), governing the Senior Credit Facilities, the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities, and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, subject to certain exceptions, including but not limited to those that restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ abilities to (i) pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions in respect to the Company’s or its wholly-owned subsidiary, Outfront Media Capital LLC’s (“Finance LLC’s”) capital stock or make other restricted payments other than dividends or distributions necessary for us to maintain our REIT status, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, (ii) enter into agreements restricting certain subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany or third-party transfers, and (iii) incur additional indebtedness. One of the exceptions to the restriction on our ability to incur additional indebtedness is satisfaction of a Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of our consolidated total debt to our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the trailing four consecutive quarters, of no greater than 6.0 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2021, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio was 12.7 to 1.0 in accordance with the Credit Agreement.
The terms of the Credit Agreement (and under certain circumstances, the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities) require that we maintain a Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of (i) our consolidated secured debt (less up to $150.0 million of unrestricted cash) to (ii) our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the trailing four consecutive quarters, of no greater than 4.5 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2021, our Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio was 1.1 to 1.0 in accordance with the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2021, we are in compliance with our debt covenants.
On April 15, 2020, the Company, along with the Borrowers, and other guarantor subsidiaries party thereto, entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The Amendment provides that for the period from April 15, 2020 through September 30, 2021 (i) the Company’s Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated by substituting the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, included in any last twelve month compliance testing period, with the Company’s historical Consolidated EBITDA for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, respectively; and (ii) the Company will not make any Restricted Payments (as defined in the Credit Agreement) without the consent of the applicable lenders under the Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions such as payments necessary to maintain the Company’s REIT status, including any payments on any class of the Company’s capital stock that is required to be made prior to the payment of a dividend or distribution on the Company’s common stock and the Company’s existing payment obligations to holders of the Class A equity interests in Outfront Canada (as defined in Note 10. Equity to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Deferred Financing Costs
As of March 31, 2021, we had deferred $35.1 million in fees and expenses associated with the Term Loan, Revolving Credit Facility, AR Securitization Facilities and our senior unsecured notes. We are amortizing the deferred fees through Interest expense, net, on our Consolidated Statement of Operations over the respective terms of the Term Loan, Revolving Credit Facility, AR Securitization Facilities and our senior unsecured notes.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
We have several interest rate cash flow swap agreements to effectively convert a portion of our LIBOR-based variable rate debt to a fixed rate and hedge our interest rate risk related to such variable rate debt. The fair value of these swap positions was a net liability of approximately $4.3 million as of March 31, 2021, and $5.6 million as of December 31, 2020, and is included in Other liabilities on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
As of March 31, 2021, under the terms of these agreements, we will pay interest based on an aggregate notional amount of $200.0 million, under a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 2.7%, with a receive rate of one-month LIBOR and which mature at various dates until June 30, 2022. The one-month LIBOR rate was approximately 0.1% as of March 31, 2021.
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Fair Value
Under the fair value hierarchy, observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are defined as Level 1; observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability are defined as Level 2; and unobservable inputs for the asset or liability are defined as Level 3. The aggregate fair value of our debt, which is estimated based on quoted market prices of similar liabilities, was approximately $2.7 billion as of March 31, 2021, and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2020. The fair value of our debt as of both March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, is classified as Level 2. The aggregate fair value loss associated with our interest rate cash flow swap agreements was approximately $4.3 million as of March 31, 2021, and $5.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The aggregate fair value of our interest rate cash flow swap agreements as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, is classified as Level 2.
Note 10. Equity
As of March 31, 2021, 450,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were authorized; 145,538,216 shares were issued and outstanding; and 50,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, were authorized with 400,000 shares of Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding.
The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend and distribution rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative dividend accruing at the initial rate of 7.0% per year, payable quarterly in arrears, subject to increases as set forth in the Articles Supplementary, effective as of April 20, 2020 (the “Articles”). Dividends may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash, in-kind, through the issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or a combination of cash and in-kind, until April 20, 2028, after which time dividends will be payable solely in cash. So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company may not declare a dividend on, or make any distributions relating to, capital stock that ranks junior to, or on a parity basis with, the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions, including but not limited to (i) any dividend or distribution in cash or capital stock of the Company on or in respect of the capital stock of the Company to the extent that such dividend or distribution is necessary to maintain the Company’s status as a REIT; and (ii) any dividend or distribution in cash in respect of our common stock that, together with the dividends or distributions during the 12-month period immediately preceding such dividend or distribution, is not in excess of 5% of the aggregate dividends or distributions paid by the Company necessary to maintain its REIT status during such 12-month period. If any dividends or distributions in respect of the shares of our common stock are paid in cash, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will participate in the dividends or distributions on an as-converted basis up to the amount of their accrued dividend for such quarter, which amounts will reduce the dividends payable on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock dollar-for-dollar for such quarter. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of any holder at any time into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $16.00 per share and an initial conversion rate of 62.50 shares of our common stock per share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments and a share cap as set forth in the Articles. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Articles (including a change of control), each of the Company and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may convert or redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at the prices set forth in the Articles, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we paid cash dividends of $7.0 million on the Series A Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2021, the maximum number of shares of common stock that could be required to be issued on conversion of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock was 25.0 million shares.
In connection with the acquisition of outdoor advertising assets in Canada in June 2017, the Company issued 1,953,407 shares of Class A equity interests of a subsidiary of the Company that controls its Canadian business (“Outfront Canada”). The Class A equity interests are entitled to receive priority cash distributions from Outfront Canada at the same time and in the same per share amount as the dividends paid on shares of the Company’s common stock. The Class A equity interests may be redeemed by the holders in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis (subject to anti-dilution adjustments) or, at the Company’s option, cash equal to the then fair market value of the shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company is also subject to limitations on its ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the assets acquired in Canada until June 2022, unless it pays holders of the Class A equity interests in Outfront Canada an amount intended to approximate their resulting tax liability, plus a tax gross-up.
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During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we made no distributions to holders of the Class A equity interests. As of March 31, 2021, 1,527,579 Class A equity interests have been redeemed for shares of the Company’s common stock.
We have a sales agreement in connection with an “at-the-market” equity offering program (the “ATM Program”), under which we may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $300.0 million. We have no obligation to sell any of our common stock under the sales agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the sales agreement. No shares were sold under the ATM Program during the three months ended March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $232.5 million of capacity remaining under the ATM Program.
Note 11. Revenues
The following table summarizes revenues by source:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Billboard: | ||||||||||||||
Static displays | $ | 165.1 | $ | 201.1 | ||||||||||
Digital displays | 49.3 | 60.4 | ||||||||||||
Other | 9.2 | 9.4 | ||||||||||||
Billboard revenues | 223.6 | 270.9 | ||||||||||||
Transit: | ||||||||||||||
Static displays | 23.9 | 65.1 | ||||||||||||
Digital displays | 6.4 | 27.7 | ||||||||||||
Other | 4.6 | 7.4 | ||||||||||||
Total transit revenues | 34.9 | 100.2 | ||||||||||||
Sports marketing and other | 0.7 | 14.2 | ||||||||||||
Transit and other revenues | 35.6 | 114.4 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 |
Rental income was $215.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $262.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, and is recorded in Billboard revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The following table summarizes revenues by geography:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
United States: | ||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 212.5 | $ | 256.5 | ||||||||||
Transit and other | 32.9 | 98.2 | ||||||||||||
Sports marketing and other | 0.7 | 14.2 | ||||||||||||
Total United States revenues | 246.1 | 368.9 | ||||||||||||
Canada | 13.1 | 16.4 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 |
We recognized substantially all of the Deferred revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2020, during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
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Note 12. Restructuring Charges
As of March 31, 2021, $1.0 million in restructuring reserves remain outstanding and is included in Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
Note 13. Acquisitions
We completed several asset acquisitions for a total purchase price of approximately $15.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $6.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
In the second quarter of 2018, we entered into an agreement to acquire 14 digital and seven static billboard displays in California for a total estimated purchase price of $35.4 million. In the second quarter of 2019, we completed this acquisition except with respect to four digital displays, which we expect to acquire in 2022 for an estimated purchase price of $9.2 million, subject to customary closing conditions and the timing of site development.
Note 14. Stock-Based Compensation
In the first quarter of 2021, the Company granted one-time equity award grants to our executive officers. The grant values of the one-time restricted share unit (“RSU”) awards were equal to 100% of each executive officer’s current base salary, and comprised of 60% performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”), which contain a market and service condition, and 40% time-based RSUs, which only contain a service condition. The PRSU market condition will be based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to the TSRs of the companies in the iShares Evolved U.S. Media and Entertainment Index as of January 1, 2021, measured over a -year performance period, with the number of PRSUs eligible to vest ranging from 0% to 200% of target based on a percentile ranking of the Company’s relative TSR. Subject to the market condition, these one-time equity grants will cliff vest in full on the second anniversary of the award grant date. A Monte Carlo method simulation has been used to estimate the grant date fair value of the PRSUs that have a market condition.
The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expenses (RSUs and PRSUs), before income taxes | $ | 6.0 | $ | 5.8 | ||||||||||
Tax benefit | (0.3) | (0.4) | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax | $ | 5.7 | $ | 5.4 |
As of March 31, 2021, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs and PRSUs was $52.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.
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RSUs and PRSUs
The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021, of RSUs and PRSUs issued to our employees.
Activity | Weighted Average Per Share Grant Date Fair Market Value | |||||||||||||
Non-vested as of December 31, 2020 | 2,208,059 | $ | 24.80 | |||||||||||
Granted: | ||||||||||||||
RSUs | 954,350 | 21.48 | ||||||||||||
PRSUs | 567,571 | 23.34 | ||||||||||||
Vested: | ||||||||||||||
RSUs | (651,997) | 24.55 | ||||||||||||
PRSUs | (239,202) | 21.81 | ||||||||||||
Forfeitures: | ||||||||||||||
RSUs | (6,178) | 25.48 | ||||||||||||
PRSUs | (259,086) | 30.63 | ||||||||||||
Non-vested as of March 31, 2021 | 2,573,517 | 23.00 |
Stock Options
The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021, of stock options issued to our employees.
Activity | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 | 103,413 | $ | 26.39 | |||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2021 | 103,413 | 26.39 | ||||||||||||
Exercisable as of March 31, 2021 | 103,413 | 26.39 |
As of March 31, 2021, all exercisable stock options issued to our employees were out-of-the-money based on the closing stock price of our common stock of $21.83.
Note 15. Retirement Benefits
The following table presents the components of net periodic pension cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for our pension plans:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Components of net periodic pension cost: | ||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.4 | ||||||||||
Interest cost | 0.5 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (0.8) | (1.1) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial losses(a) | 0.2 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic pension cost | $ | — | $ | 0.3 |
(a)Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income.
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In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we contributed $0.3 million to our pension plans. In 2021, we expect to contribute approximately $1.2 million to our pension plans.
Note 16. Income Taxes
We are organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and, accordingly, we have not provided for U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. We have elected to treat our subsidiaries that participate in certain non-REIT qualifying activities as TRSs. As such, we have provided for their federal, state and foreign income taxes.
Tax years 2017 to present are open for examination by the tax authorities.
Our effective income tax rate represents a combined annual effective tax rate for federal, state, local and foreign taxes applied to interim operating results.
In the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, our effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate primarily due to our REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction, the impact of state and local taxes, and the effect of foreign operations.
Note 17. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders | $ | (67.7) | $ | 6.1 | ||||||||||
Less: Distributions to holders of Series A Preferred Stock | 7.0 | — | ||||||||||||
Less: Distributions to holders of Class A equity interests of a subsidiary | — | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ | (74.7) | $ | 5.7 | ||||||||||
Weighted average shares for basic EPS | 144.8 | 143.9 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive potential shares from grants of RSUs, PRSUs and stock options(a) | — | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS | 144.8 | 144.7 |
(a)The potential impact of an aggregate 1.9 million granted RSUs, PRSUs and stock options in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 0.5 million granted RSUs, PRSUs and stock options in the three months ended March 31, 2020, were antidilutive.
(b)The potential impact of 25.0 million shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock in the three months ended March 31, 2021, was antidilutive.
(c)The potential impact of 0.8 million of Class A equity interests of Outfront Canada in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 1.1 million of Class A equity interests of Outfront Canada in the three months ended March 31, 2020, was antidilutive. (See Note 10. Equity to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance sheet commitments primarily consist of guaranteed minimum annual payments. These arrangements result from our normal course of business and represent obligations that are payable over several years.
Contractual Obligations
We have agreements with municipalities and transit operators that entitle us to operate advertising displays within their transit systems, including on the interior and exterior of rail and subway cars and buses, as well as on benches, transit shelters, street kiosks, and transit platforms. Under most of these franchise agreements, the franchisor is entitled to receive the greater of a percentage of the relevant revenues, net of agency fees, or a specified guaranteed minimum annual payment.
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Under the MTA agreement, we are obligated to deploy, over a number of years, (i) 8,565 digital advertising screens on subway and train platforms and entrances, (ii) 37,716 smaller-format digital advertising screens on rolling stock, and (iii) 7,829 MTA communications displays, with such deployment amounts being subject to modification as agreed-upon by us and the MTA. In addition, we are obligated to pay to the MTA the greater of a percentage of revenues or a guaranteed minimum annual payment. Incremental revenues that exceed an annual base revenue amount will be retained by us for the cost of deploying advertising and communications displays throughout the transit system. As presented in the table below, recoupable MTA equipment deployment costs are recorded as Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs and Intangible assets on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, and as these costs are recouped from incremental revenues that the MTA would otherwise be entitled to receive, Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs will be reduced. If incremental revenues generated over the term of the agreement are not sufficient to cover all or a portion of the equipment deployment costs, the costs will not be recouped, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We did not recoup any equipment deployment costs in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and it is unlikely we will recoup equipment deployment costs in the remainder of 2021. In June 2020, we entered into an amendment to the MTA agreement, pursuant to which, (i) for up to $143.0 million of MTA equipment deployment costs to be incurred under the MTA agreement after June 2020, the MTA and the Company will directly pay 70% and 30% of the costs, respectively, instead of the costs being recoupable from incremental revenues generated under the agreement, and (ii) any guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts that would have been paid for the period from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (less any revenue share amounts actually paid during this period using an increased revenue share percentage of 65%) will instead be added in equal increments to the guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts owed for the period from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2026. Our payment obligations with respect to guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts owed to the MTA resumed on January 1, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the MTA agreement, as amended. We have engaged, and will continue to engage, in constructive conversations with the MTA regarding possible modifications to the overall scope and term under the MTA agreement. As of March 31, 2021, 7,645 digital displays had been installed, of which 265 installations occurred in the three months ended March 31, 2021.
(in millions) | Beginning Balance | Deployment Costs Incurred | Recoupment/MTA Funding | Amortization | Ending Balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs | $ | 204.6 | $ | 3.6 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 208.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current assets | 28.0 | 9.1 | (16.2) | — | 20.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets (franchise agreements) | 58.4 | 4.7 | — | (2.5) | 60.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 291.0 | $ | 17.4 | $ | (16.2) | $ | (2.5) | $ | 289.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2020: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs | $ | 171.5 | $ | 33.1 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 204.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current assets | — | 44.4 | (16.4) | — | 28.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets (franchise agreements) | 38.3 | 26.0 | — | (5.9) | 58.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 209.8 | $ | 103.5 | $ | (16.4) | $ | (5.9) | $ | 291.0 |
Letters of Credit
We have indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding letters of credit were approximately $74.1 million and outstanding surety bonds were approximately $167.5 million, and were not recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
Legal Matters
On an ongoing basis, we are engaged in lawsuits and governmental proceedings and respond to various investigations, inquiries, notices and claims from national, state and local governmental and other authorities (collectively, “litigation”). Litigation is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the
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eventual outcome of any litigation, in our opinion, none of our current litigation is expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Note 19. Segment Information
We currently manage our operations through two operating segments—U.S. Billboard and Transit, which is included in our U.S. Media reportable segment, and International. International does not meet the criteria to be a reportable segment and accordingly, is included in Other.
The following tables set forth our financial performance by segment. In the third quarter of 2020, we completed the Sports Disposition. Historical operating results for our Sports Marketing operating segment through June 30, 2020, are included in Other.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | 245.4 | $ | 354.7 | ||||||||||
Other | 13.8 | 30.6 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 |
We present Operating income (loss) before Depreciation, Amortization, Net gain on dispositions and Stock-based compensation (“Adjusted OIBDA”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for our operating segments.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) before allocation to non-controlling interests | $ | (67.6) | $ | 6.3 | ||||||||||
Benefit for income taxes | (4.7) | (1.7) | ||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax | 0.4 | (0.4) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 34.6 | 29.8 | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6.3 | — | ||||||||||||
Other income, net | — | (0.2) | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (31.0) | 33.8 | ||||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(a) | 36.4 | 36.0 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 6.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Total Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 11.1 | $ | 75.5 | ||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media(a) | $ | 24.6 | $ | 80.0 | ||||||||||
Other(a) | (2.0) | — | ||||||||||||
Corporate | (11.5) | (4.5) | ||||||||||||
Total Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 11.1 | $ | 75.5 | ||||||||||
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, of which $10.8 million was recorded in our U.S. Media segment and $0.5 million was recorded in Other, from Amortization to SG&A expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
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Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss): | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | (8.6) | $ | 47.4 | ||||||||||
Other | (4.9) | (3.3) | ||||||||||||
Corporate | (17.5) | (10.3) | ||||||||||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | (31.0) | $ | 33.8 | ||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | (0.3) | $ | (0.1) | ||||||||||
Total gain on dispositions | $ | (0.3) | $ | (0.1) | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media(a) | $ | 33.5 | $ | 32.7 | ||||||||||
Other(a) | 2.9 | 3.3 | ||||||||||||
Total depreciation and amortization(a) | $ | 36.4 | $ | 36.0 | ||||||||||
Capital expenditures: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | 8.9 | $ | 17.3 | ||||||||||
Other | 0.5 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Total capital expenditures | $ | 9.4 | $ | 18.2 |
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, of which $10.8 million was recorded in our U.S. Media segment and $0.5 million was recorded in Other, from Amortization to SG&A expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
As of | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | 4,950.8 | $ | 4,977.2 | ||||||||||
Other | 245.8 | 249.5 | ||||||||||||
Corporate | 517.3 | 670.2 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,713.9 | $ | 5,896.9 |
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 26, 2021, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of important factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021, and the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described herein or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to (i) “OUTFRONT Media,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” mean OUTFRONT Media Inc., a Maryland corporation, and unless the context requires otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries, and (ii) the “25 largest markets in the U.S.,” “approximately 150 markets in the U.S. and Canada” and “Nielsen Designated Market Areas” are based, in whole or in part, on Nielsen Media Research’s Designated Market Area rankings as of January 1, 2021.
Overview
OUTFRONT Media is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), which provides advertising space (“displays”) on out-of-home advertising structures and sites in the United States (the “U.S.”) and Canada. We currently manage our operations through two operating segments—U.S. Billboard and Transit, which is included in our U.S. Media reportable segment, and International. International does not meet the criteria to be a reportable segment and accordingly, is included in Other (see Note 19. Segment Information to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
In the third quarter of 2020, we sold all of our equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries (the “Sports Disposition”), which held all of the assets of our Sports Marketing operating segment, for a purchase price of approximately $34.6 million in cash, subject to closing and post-closing adjustments. The Sports Marketing operating segment was the marketing and multimedia rights holder for a variety of colleges, universities and other educational institutions across the United States. The operating results of our Sports Marketing operating segment through June 30, 2020, are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements and are included in Other in our segment reporting.
Business
We are one of the largest providers of advertising space on out-of-home advertising structures and sites across the U.S. and Canada. Our inventory consists of billboard displays, which are primarily located on the most heavily traveled highways and roadways in top Nielsen Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”), and transit advertising displays operated under exclusive multi-year contracts with municipalities in large cities across the U.S. and Canada. In total, we have displays in all of the 25 largest markets in the U.S. and approximately 150 markets in the U.S. and Canada. Our top market, high profile location focused portfolio includes sites in and around both Grand Central Station and Times Square in New York, various locations along Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. The breadth and depth of our portfolio provides our customers with a range of options to address their marketing objectives, from national, brand-building campaigns to hyper-local campaigns that drive customers to the advertiser’s website or retail location “one mile down the road.”
In addition to providing location-based displays, we also focus on delivering mass and targeted audiences to our customers. Geopath, the out-of-home advertising industry’s audience measurement system, enables us to build campaigns based on the size and demographic composition of audiences. As part of our technology platform, we are developing solutions for enhanced demographic and location targeting, and engaging ways to connect with consumers on-the-go. Additionally, our OUTFRONT Mobile Network and social influence add-on products allow our customers to further leverage location targeting with interactive mobile advertising and social sharing amplification.
We believe out-of-home continues to be an attractive form of advertising, as our displays are always viewable and cannot be turned off, skipped, blocked or fast-forwarded. Further, out-of-home advertising can be an effective “stand-alone” medium, as well as an integral part of a campaign to reach audiences using multiple forms of media, including television, radio, print, online, mobile and social media advertising platforms. We provide our customers with a differentiated advertising solution at an attractive price point relative to other forms of advertising. In addition to leasing displays, we provide other value-added
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services to our customers, such as pre-campaign category research, consumer insights, print production and post-campaign tracking and analytics.
U.S. Media. Our U.S. Media segment generated 12% of its revenues in the New York City metropolitan area in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 22% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, and generated 15% in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, our U.S. Media segment generated $245.4 million of Revenues and $24.6 million of Operating income before Depreciation, Amortization, Net gain on dispositions and Stock-based compensation (“Adjusted OIBDA”). In the three months ended March 31, 2020, our U.S. Media segment generated $354.7 million of Revenues and $80.0 million of Adjusted OIBDA. (See the “Segment Results of Operations” section of this MD&A.)
Other (includes International and through June 30, 2020, Sports Marketing). In the three months ended March 31, 2021, Other generated $13.8 million of Revenues and an Adjusted OIBDA loss of $2.0 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2020, Other generated $30.6 million of Revenues and Adjusted OIBDA of $0.0 million.
COVID-19 Impact
The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and the related preventative measures taken to help curb the spread, including shutdowns and slowdowns of, and restrictions on, businesses, public gatherings, social interactions and travel (including reductions in foot traffic, roadway traffic, commuting, transit ridership and overall target audiences) throughout the markets in which we do business have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on the global economy and our business. Though generally we remain able to continue to sell and service our displays, governmental restrictions have eased in several of our markets and several of our markets have commenced their economic recoveries, our billboard and transit businesses in many of the top DMAs, such as New York and Los Angeles, are still experiencing the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to, among other things, (i) reduce or curtail our customers’ advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services through purchase cancellations or otherwise; (ii) increase the volatility of our customers’ advertising expenditure patterns from period-to-period through short-notice purchases, purchase deferrals or otherwise; and (iii) extend delays in the collection of certain earned advertising revenues from our customers, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation in 2021.
As a result of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations, we expect our key performance indicators and total revenues to incrementally improve throughout the remainder of 2021 as compared to 2020, but be materially lower in 2021 than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, particularly in our U.S. Media segment and with respect to our transit and other business. We expect total expenses to increase throughout the remainder of 2021 as compared to 2020, but be materially lower than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, particularly in our U.S. Media segment and with respect to our transit and other business. Additionally, we expect billboard property lease expenses, such as rental expenses, and posting, maintenance and other expenses, as a percentage of revenues, to decrease throughout the remainder of 2021 as compared to 2020, but be materially higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. We expect transit franchise expenses, such as transit franchise payments, as a percentage of revenues, to increase throughout the remainder of 2021 as compared to 2020, and be materially higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, primarily due to our guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts owed to the MTA, which resumed on January 1, 2021. The impacts described above with respect to 2020 were greatest in the second quarter of 2020, with incremental improvement in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Accordingly, results for the three months ended March 31, 2021, are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have prioritized the health and safety of our employees and customers by (i) shifting to a secure remote workforce for personnel other than operations personnel who service our displays and certain other personnel, (ii) implementing deep cleaning, social distancing and other protective policies and practices in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and guidance across all offices and facilities that are open or in the process of reopening, (iii) restricting non-essential business travel, and (iv) communicating frequently with our employees and customers to address any concerns. None of these actions have caused a significant disruption in our ability to manage the continuity of our business or our internal controls. In addition, in order to preserve financial flexibility, increase liquidity and reduce expenses in light of the current uncertainty in the global economy and our business, we modified our business goals and undertook several actions to date, including, among other things, issuing the Series A Preferred Stock (as defined below) and certain senior unsecured notes; amending the Credit Agreement (as defined below) to modify the calculation of the Company’s financial maintenance covenant ratio under the Credit Agreement; suspending our quarterly dividend payments on our common stock, subject to the minimum annual REIT distribution requirement (which may be satisfied by making distributions to our common stockholders, our
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preferred stockholders (including holders of Series A Preferred Stock) or a combination of our stockholders); and reducing SG&A (as defined below) and posting, maintenance and other expenses.
We will continue in 2021 to focus on managing costs and expenses to offset any decreases in revenues in 2021 as compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. However, we have resumed capital investments in a measured manner, including taking a highly selective approach to new acquisition activity, based on our current financial condition. In addition, we have engaged, and will continue to engage, in constructive conversations with our billboard ground lease landlords and transit franchise partners to mitigate any increases as a percentage of revenues in billboard property lease expenses, transit franchise expenses and posting, maintenance and other expenses.
We continue to monitor the evolving situation and guidance from federal, state and local public health authorities and may take additional actions based on their recommendations. When the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, there can be no assurances as to the time it may take to generate revenues at pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. There remains uncertainty around the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken, or may be taken, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will depend on numerous factors, including, among others, the emergence of new cases of COVID-19 or its variants, hospitalization and mortality rates, and the availability and distribution of safe and effective treatments and vaccines. Accordingly, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations at this time, which may be material.
Economic Environment
Our revenues and operating results are sensitive to fluctuations in advertising expenditures, general economic conditions and other external events beyond our control such as the COVID-19 pandemic as described above.
Business Environment
The outdoor advertising industry is fragmented, consisting of several companies operating on a national basis, as well as hundreds of smaller regional and local companies operating a limited number of displays in a single or a few local geographic markets. We compete with these companies for both customers and structure and display locations. We also compete with other media, including online, mobile and social media advertising platforms and traditional advertising platforms (such as television, radio, print and direct mail marketers). In addition, we compete with a wide variety of out-of-home media, including advertising in shopping centers, airports, movie theaters supermarkets and taxis.
Increasing the number of digital displays in our prime audience locations is an important element of our organic growth strategy, as digital displays have the potential to attract additional business from both new and existing customers. We believe digital displays are attractive to our customers because they allow for the development of richer and more visually engaging messages, provide our customers with the flexibility both to target audiences by time of day and to quickly launch new advertising campaigns, and eliminate or greatly reduce print production and installation costs. In addition, digital displays enable us to run multiple advertisements on each display. Digital billboard displays generate approximately four times more revenue per display on average than traditional static billboard displays. Digital billboard displays also incur, on average, approximately two to four times more costs, including higher variable costs associated with the increase in revenue than traditional static billboard displays. As a result, digital billboard displays generate higher profits and cash flows than traditional static billboard displays. The majority of our digital billboard displays were converted from traditional static billboard displays.
In 2017, we commenced deployment of state-of-the-art digital transit displays in connection with several transit franchises and are planning to increase deployments over the coming years. Once the digital transit displays have been deployed at scale, we expect that revenue generated on digital transit displays will be a multiple of the revenue generated on comparable static transit displays. Subject to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we intend to incur significant equipment deployment costs and capital expenditures in the coming years to continue increasing the number of digital displays in our portfolio.
We have built or converted 17 new digital billboard displays in the U.S. during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Additionally, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, we entered into marketing arrangements to sell advertising on six third-party digital billboard displays in the U.S. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we have built, converted or replaced
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271 digital transit and other displays in the U.S. and three digital transit and other displays in Canada. The following table sets forth information regarding our digital displays.
Digital Revenues (in millions) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021(a) | Number of Digital Displays as of March 31, 2021(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location | Digital Billboard | Digital Transit and Other | Total Digital Revenues | Digital Billboard Displays | Digital Transit and Other Displays | Total Digital Displays | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | 45.1 | $ | 6.3 | $ | 51.4 | 1,258 | 9,171 | 10,429 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada | 4.2 | 0.1 | 4.3 | 222 | 108 | 330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 49.3 | $ | 6.4 | $ | 55.7 | 1,480 | 9,279 | 10,759 |
(a)Digital display amounts include 3,293 displays reserved for transit agency use. Our number of digital displays is impacted by acquisitions, dispositions, management agreements, the net effect of new and lost billboards, and the net effect of won and lost franchises in the period.
Our revenues and profits may fluctuate due to seasonal advertising patterns and influences on advertising markets. Typically, our revenues and profits are highest in the fourth quarter, during the holiday shopping season, and lowest in the first quarter, as advertisers adjust their spending following the holiday shopping season. As described above, our revenues and profits may also fluctuate due to external events beyond our control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have a diversified base of customers across various industries. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, our largest categories of advertisers were professional services, healthcare/pharmaceuticals and retail, each of which represented approximately 13%, 9% and 8% of our total U.S. Media segment revenues, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our largest categories of advertisers were professional services, computers/internet and retail, each of which represented approximately 10%, 9% and 9% of our total U.S. Media segment revenues, respectively.
Our large-scale portfolio allows our customers to reach a national audience and also provides the flexibility to tailor campaigns to specific regions or markets. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we generated approximately 38% of our U.S. Media segment revenues from national advertising campaigns compared to approximately 43% in the same prior-year period.
Our transit businesses require us to periodically obtain and renew contracts with municipalities and other governmental entities. When these contracts expire, we generally must participate in highly competitive bidding processes in order to obtain or renew contracts.
Key Performance Indicators
Our management reviews our performance by focusing on the indicators described below.
Several of our key performance indicators are not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We believe these non-GAAP performance indicators are meaningful supplemental measures of our operating performance and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
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Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 | (33) | % | ||||||||||||||
Organic revenues(a)(b) | 259.2 | 372.1 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (31.0) | 33.8 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(b)(c) | 11.1 | 75.5 | (85) | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(b)(c) margin | 4 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Funds from operations (“FFO”)(b) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | (30.4) | 44.7 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted FFO (“AFFO”)(b) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | (24.5) | 40.0 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | (67.7) | 6.1 | * |
*Calculation is not meaningful.
(a)Organic revenues exclude revenues associated with a disposition and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates (“non-organic revenues”). We provide organic revenues to understand the underlying growth rate of revenue excluding the impact of non-organic revenue items. Our management believes organic revenues are useful to users of our financial data because it enables them to better understand the level of growth of our business period to period. Since organic revenues are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, revenues as an indicator of operating performance. Organic revenues, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.
(b)See the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Revenues” sections of this MD&A for reconciliations of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA, Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. to FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. and AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. and Revenues to organic revenues.
(c)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, from Amortization to Selling, general and administrative expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
Adjusted OIBDA
We calculate Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, net (gain) loss on dispositions, stock-based compensation and restructuring charges. We calculate Adjusted OIBDA margin by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenues. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin are among the primary measures we use for managing our business, evaluating our operating performance and planning and forecasting future periods, as each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance. Our management believes users of our financial data are best served if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because eliminating certain non-comparable items highlight operational trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. It is management’s opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier for users of our financial data to compare our results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates.
FFO and AFFO
When used herein, references to “FFO” and “AFFO” mean “FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.” and “AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.,” respectively. We calculate FFO in accordance with the definition established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). FFO reflects net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. adjusted to exclude gains and losses from the sale of real estate assets, depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, amortization of direct lease acquisition costs and the same adjustments for our equity-based investments and non-controlling interests, as well as the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We calculate AFFO as FFO adjusted to include cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs as such costs are generally amortized over a period ranging from four weeks to one year and therefore are incurred on a regular basis. AFFO also includes cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures since these are routine uses of cash that are necessary for our operations. In addition, AFFO excludes restructuring charges and losses on extinguishment of debt, as well as certain non-cash items, including non-real estate depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, accretion expense, the non-cash effect of straight-line rent, amortization of deferred financing costs and the same adjustments for our non-controlling interests, as well as the non-cash portion of income taxes, and the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We use FFO and AFFO measures for managing our business and for planning and forecasting future periods, and each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance, especially compared to other REITs. Our management believes users of our financial data are best served
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if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of FFO and AFFO, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because adjusting results to reflect items that have more bearing on the operating performance of REITs highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. It is management’s opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier to compare our results to other companies in our industry, as well as to REITs.
Since Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted OIBDA margin, FFO and AFFO are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc., and revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as indicators of operating performance. These measures, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, these measures do not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and are not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table reconciles Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA, and Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. to FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. and AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | (31.0) | $ | 33.8 | ||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 20.0 | 21.0 | ||||||||||||
Amortization(a) | 16.4 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 6.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 11.1 | $ | 75.5 | ||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(a) margin | 4 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | $ | (67.7) | $ | 6.1 | ||||||||||
Depreciation of billboard advertising structures | 14.1 | 15.5 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of real estate-related intangible assets | 12.4 | 12.0 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of direct lease acquisition costs | 11.2 | 11.3 | ||||||||||||
Net gain on disposition of real estate assets | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Adjustment related to non-controlling interests | (0.1) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | (30.4) | 44.7 | ||||||||||||
Non-cash portion of income taxes | (5.2) | (2.5) | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs | (12.1) | (14.9) | ||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures | (3.6) | (4.8) | ||||||||||||
Other depreciation | 5.9 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
Other amortization | 4.0 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 6.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Non-cash effect of straight-line rent | 2.0 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expense | 0.7 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 1.9 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6.3 | — | ||||||||||||
AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. | $ | (24.5) | $ | 40.0 |
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, from Amortization to Selling, general and administrative expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
FFO in the three months ended March 31, 2021, was a deficit of $30.4 million compared to FFO of $44.7 million in the same prior-year period. AFFO in the three months ended March 31, 2021, was a deficit of $24.5 million compared AFFO of $40.0 million in the same prior-year period. The decreases were primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenues, partially offset by cost reduction measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Analysis of Results of Operations
Revenues
We derive Revenues primarily from providing advertising space to customers on our advertising structures and sites. Our contracts with customers generally cover periods ranging from four weeks to one year. Revenues from billboard displays are recognized as rental income on a straight-line basis over the contract term. Transit and other revenues are recognized over the contract period. (See Note 11. Revenues to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 223.6 | $ | 270.9 | (17) | % | ||||||||||||||
Transit and other | 35.6 | 114.4 | (69) | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 | (33) | |||||||||||||||
Organic revenues(a): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 223.6 | $ | 271.7 | (18) | |||||||||||||||
Transit and other | 35.6 | 100.4 | (65) | |||||||||||||||||
Total organic revenues(a) | 259.2 | 372.1 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||
Non-organic revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | — | (0.8) | * | |||||||||||||||||
Transit and other | — | 14.0 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total non-organic revenues | — | 13.2 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 | (33) |
*Calculation is not meaningful.
(a)Organic revenues exclude revenues associated with a disposition and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates (“non-organic revenues”).
Total revenues decreased by $126.1 million, or 33%, and organic revenues decreased $112.9 million, or 30%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period.
In the three months ended March 31, 2020, non-organic revenues exclude the impact of the Sports Disposition and reflect the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Total billboard revenues decreased $47.3 million, or 17%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, principally driven by a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
Organic billboard revenues decreased $48.1 million, or 18%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, principally driven by a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
Total transit and other revenues decreased $78.8 million, or 69%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, principally driven by a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services, and the impact of the Sports Disposition.
Organic transit and other revenues decreased $64.8 million, or 65%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, is due to a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
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Expenses
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating | $ | 177.6 | $ | 224.8 | (21) | % | ||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative(a) | 76.5 | 90.8 | (16) | |||||||||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | * | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 20.0 | 21.0 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization(a) | 16.4 | 15.0 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
Total expenses | $ | 290.2 | $ | 351.5 | (17) |
*Calculation is not meaningful.
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in three months ended March 31, 2020, from Amortization to Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Operating Expenses
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard property lease | $ | 94.1 | $ | 102.8 | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||
Transit franchise | 39.6 | 57.8 | (31) | |||||||||||||||||
Posting, maintenance and other | 43.9 | 64.2 | (32) | |||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | $ | 177.6 | $ | 224.8 | (21) |
Billboard property lease expenses represented 42% of billboard revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 38% in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Transit franchise expenses represented 131% of transit display revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 62% in the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in transit franchise expense as a percentage of revenues is primarily driven by guaranteed minimum annual payments to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the “MTA”).
Billboard property lease and transit franchise expenses decreased $26.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to lower billboard and transit revenues resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of agreements with landlords and transit franchise partners to modify our existing minimum lease payments and guaranteed minimum annual payments to revenue share percentages.
Posting, maintenance and other expenses decreased $20.3 million, or 32%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related restrictions in the top DMAs reducing or curtailing customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services, and the impact of the Sports Disposition.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses represented 30% of Revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 24% in the same prior-year period. SG&A expenses decreased $14.3 million, or 16%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily driven by a lower provision for doubtful allowances and lower expenses resulting from the Sports Disposition. Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in three months ended March 31, 2020 from Amortization to Selling, general and administrative expenses.
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Net Gain on Dispositions
Net gain on dispositions was $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $0.1 million for the same prior-year period.
Depreciation
Depreciation decreased $1.0 million, or 5%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period.
Amortization
Amortization increased $1.4 million, or 9%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, principally driven by higher amortization of intangible assets. Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in three months ended March 31, 2020 from Amortization to Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, was $34.6 million (including $1.9 million of deferred financing costs) in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $29.8 million (including $1.3 million of deferred financing costs) in the same prior-year period. The increase in Interest expense, net, was primarily due to a higher outstanding average debt balance, partially offset by lower interest rates.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
In the first quarter of 2021, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.3 million relating to the redemption of our 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024.
Benefit for Income Taxes
Benefit for income taxes increased $3.0 million, or 176%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to a higher taxable REIT subsidiary loss in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same prior-year period.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss before allocation to non-controlling interests was $67.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared Net income before allocation to non-controlling interests of $6.3 million in the same prior-year period, due primarily to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the impact of cost reduction measures taken in response, and higher interest expense.
Segment Results of Operations
We present Adjusted OIBDA as the primary measure of profit and loss for our reportable segments. (See the “Key Performance Indicators” section of this MD&A and Note 19. Segment Information to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
We currently manage our operations through two operating segments—U.S. Billboard and Transit, which is included in our U.S. Media reportable segment, and International. International does not meet the criteria to be a reportable segment and accordingly, is included in Other. Our segment reporting therefore includes U.S. Media and Other.
The following table presents our Revenues, Adjusted OIBDA and Operating income (loss) by segment in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. In the third quarter of 2020, we completed the Sports Disposition. Historical operating results for our Sports Marketing operating segment through June 30, 2020, are included in Other.
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Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | 245.4 | $ | 354.7 | ||||||||||
Other | 13.8 | 30.6 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 259.2 | $ | 385.3 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | (31.0) | $ | 33.8 | ||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 20.0 | 21.0 | ||||||||||||
Amortization(a) | 16.4 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation(b) | 6.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Total Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 11.1 | $ | 75.5 | ||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media(a) | $ | 24.6 | $ | 80.0 | ||||||||||
Other(a) | (2.0) | — | ||||||||||||
Corporate | (11.5) | (4.5) | ||||||||||||
Total Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 11.1 | $ | 75.5 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss): | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Media | $ | (8.6) | $ | 47.4 | ||||||||||
Other | (4.9) | (3.3) | ||||||||||||
Corporate | (17.5) | (10.3) | ||||||||||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | (31.0) | $ | 33.8 |
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $11.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, of which $10.8 million was recorded in our U.S. Media segment and $0.5 million was recorded in Other, from Amortization to SG&A expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
(b)Stock-based compensation is classified as Corporate expense.
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U.S. Media
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 212.5 | $ | 256.5 | (17) | % | ||||||||||||||
Transit and other | 32.9 | 98.2 | (66) | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 245.4 | 354.7 | (31) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | (166.1) | (202.7) | (18) | |||||||||||||||||
SG&A expenses(a) | (54.7) | (72.0) | (24) | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 24.6 | $ | 80.0 | (69) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(a) margin | 10 | % | 23 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | (8.6) | $ | 47.4 | (118) | |||||||||||||||
Net gain on dispositions | (0.3) | (0.1) | 200 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(a) | 33.5 | 32.7 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(a) | $ | 24.6 | $ | 80.0 | (69) | |||||||||||||||
* Calculation is not meaningful.
(a)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $10.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, in our U.S. Media segment from Amortization to SG&A expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
Total U.S. Media segment revenues decreased $109.3 million, or 31%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we generated approximately 38% of our U.S. Media segment revenues from national advertising campaigns and 43% in the same prior-year period.
Revenues from U.S. Media segment billboards decreased $44.0 million, or 17%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, reflecting a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
Transit and other revenues in the U.S. Media segment decreased $65.3 million, or 66%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, driven by a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
U.S. Media segment operating expenses decreased $36.6 million, or 18%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily driven by lower billboard and transit revenues resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of agreements with landlords and transit franchise partners to modify our existing minimum lease payments and guaranteed minimum annual payments to revenue share percentages. U.S. Media segment SG&A expenses decreased $17.3 million, or 24%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily driven by a lower provision for doubtful allowances and lower compensation-related costs.
U.S. Media segment Adjusted OIBDA decreased $55.4 million, or 69%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period. Adjusted OIBDA margin was 10% in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 23% in the same prior-year period.
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Other
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 11.1 | $ | 14.4 | (23) | % | ||||||||||||||
Transit and other | 2.7 | 16.2 | (83) | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 13.8 | $ | 30.6 | (55) | |||||||||||||||
Organic revenues(a): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | $ | 11.1 | $ | 15.2 | (27) | |||||||||||||||
Transit and other | 2.7 | 2.2 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||
Total organic revenues(a) | 13.8 | 17.4 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||
Non-organic revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Billboard | — | (0.8) | * | |||||||||||||||||
Transit and other | — | 14.0 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total non-organic revenues | — | 13.2 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 13.8 | 30.6 | (55) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | (11.5) | (22.1) | (48) | |||||||||||||||||
SG&A expenses(b) | (4.3) | (8.5) | (49) | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(b) | $ | (2.0) | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(b) margin | (14) | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | $ | (4.9) | $ | (3.3) | 48 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(b) | 2.9 | 3.3 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA(b) | $ | (2.0) | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
* Calculation is not meaningful.
(a)Organic revenues exclude revenues associated with a disposition and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates (“non-organic revenues”).
(b)Consistent with the current year’s presentation, we have reclassified amortization of direct lease acquisition costs of $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, in Other from Amortization to SG&A expenses, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Adjusted OIBDA.
In the third quarter of 2020, we completed the Sports Disposition. The operating results of our Sports Marketing operating segment through June 30, 2020, are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Total Other revenues decreased $16.8 million, or 55%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, reflecting the Sports Disposition and a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
In the three months ended March 31, 2020, non-organic revenues exclude the impact of the Sports Disposition and reflect the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Organic Other revenues decreased $3.6 million, or 21%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, reflecting a decline in average revenue per display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services.
Other operating expenses decreased $10.6 million, or 48%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily driven by the impact of the Sports Disposition and lower billboard and transit revenues. Other SG&A expenses decreased $4.2 million, or 49%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by the impact of the Sports Disposition.
Other incurred an Adjusted OIBDA loss of $2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to Adjusted OIBDA of $0.0 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was due primarily to a decline in average revenue per
36
display (yield) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer advertising expenditures and overall demand for our services, and the impact of the Sports Disposition.
Corporate
Corporate expenses primarily include expenses associated with employees who provide centralized services. Corporate expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, were $11.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $4.5 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to the impact of market fluctuations on an equity-linked retirement plan offered by the Company to certain employees and higher compensation-related expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 560.0 | $ | 710.4 | * | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 1.6 | 1.6 | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
Receivables, less allowance ($22.7 in 2021 and $26.3 in 2020) | 164.9 | 209.2 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||
Prepaid lease and transit franchise costs | 9.1 | 5.4 | 69 | |||||||||||||||||
Other prepaid expenses | 13.9 | 14.4 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Other current assets | 28.0 | 33.7 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||
Total current assets | 777.5 | 974.7 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | 56.8 | 64.9 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued compensation | 30.9 | 35.0 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued interest | 17.5 | 24.5 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued lease and transit franchise costs | 39.1 | 65.8 | (41) | |||||||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses | 40.0 | 38.0 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | 42.3 | 29.5 | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
Short-term debt | — | 80.0 | (100) | |||||||||||||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities | 185.7 | 176.5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | 20.4 | 20.7 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 432.7 | 534.9 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||
Working capital | $ | 344.8 | $ | 439.8 | (22) |
We continually project anticipated cash requirements for our operating, investing and financing needs as well as cash flows generated from operating activities available to meet these needs. Due to seasonal advertising patterns and influences on advertising markets, our revenues and operating income are typically highest in the fourth quarter, during the holiday shopping season, and lowest in the first quarter, as advertisers adjust their spending following the holiday shopping season. Further, certain of our municipal transit contracts require guaranteed minimum annual payments to be paid on a monthly or quarterly basis, as applicable.
Our short-term cash requirements primarily include payments for operating leases, guaranteed minimum annual payments, interest, capital expenditures, equipment deployment costs and dividends. Funding for short-term cash needs will come primarily from our cash on hand, operating cash flows, our ability to issue debt and equity securities, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below), the AR Securitization Facilities (as defined below) or other credit facilities that we may establish, to the extent available.
In addition, as part of our growth strategy, we frequently evaluate strategic opportunities to acquire new businesses, assets or digital technology. Consistent with this strategy, we regularly evaluate potential acquisitions, ranging from small transactions to larger acquisitions, which transactions could be funded through cash on hand, additional borrowings, equity or other securities, or some combination thereof. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken a highly selective approach to new acquisition activity.
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Our long-term cash needs include principal payments on outstanding indebtedness and commitments related to operating leases and franchise and other agreements, including any related guaranteed minimum annual payments, and equipment deployment costs. Funding for long-term cash needs will come from our cash on hand, operating cash flows, our ability to issue debt and equity securities, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility or other credit facilities that we may establish, to the extent available.
Although we have taken several actions to date to preserve our financial flexibility and increase our liquidity, our short-term and long-term cash needs and related funding capability may be adversely affected by the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic if cash on hand and operating cash flows decrease in 2021, and our ability to issue debt and equity securities and/or borrow under our existing or new credit facilities on reasonable pricing terms, or at all, may become uncertain. (See the “Overview—COVID-19 Impact” section of this MD&A.)
The decrease in working capital as of March 31, 2021, compared to as of December 31, 2020, is primarily driven by lower cash and receivables, partially offset by lower short-term debt, accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Under the MTA agreement, we are obligated to deploy, over a number of years, (i) 8,565 digital advertising screens on subway and train platforms and entrances, (ii) 37,716 smaller-format digital advertising screens on rolling stock, and (iii) 7,829 MTA communications displays, with such deployment amounts being subject to modification as agreed-upon by us and the MTA. In addition, we are obligated to pay to the MTA the greater of a percentage of revenues or a guaranteed minimum annual payment. Incremental revenues that exceed an annual base revenue amount will be retained by us for the cost of deploying advertising and communications displays throughout the transit system. As presented in the table below, recoupable MTA equipment deployment costs are being recorded as Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs and Intangible assets on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, and as these costs are recouped from incremental revenues that the MTA would otherwise be entitled to receive, Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs will be reduced. If incremental revenues generated over the term of the agreement are not sufficient to cover all or a portion of the equipment deployment costs, the costs will not be recouped, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. We did not recoup any equipment deployment costs in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and it is unlikely we will recoup equipment deployment costs in 2021. In June 2020, we entered into an amendment to the MTA agreement, pursuant to which (i) for up to $143.0 million of MTA equipment deployment costs to be incurred under the MTA agreement after June 2020, the MTA and the Company will directly pay 70% and 30% of the costs, respectively, instead of the costs being recoupable from incremental revenues generated under the agreement, and (ii) any guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts that would have been paid for the period from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (less any revenue share amounts actually paid during this period using an increased revenue share percentage of 65%) will instead be added in equal increments to the guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts owed for the period from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2026. Our payment obligations with respect to guaranteed minimum annual payment amounts owed to the MTA resumed on January 1, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the MTA agreement, as amended. We have engaged, and will continue to engage, in constructive conversations with the MTA regarding possible modifications to the overall scope and term under the MTA agreement. While we are engaging in these conversations with the MTA, we have temporarily suspended deployment beginning in the first quarter of 2021. Accordingly, for the full year of 2021, we expect our MTA equipment deployment costs to be approximately $100.0 million. We may utilize cash on hand and/or incremental third-party financing to fund equipment deployment costs over the next couple of years. However, given the uncertainty in the market around the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot reasonably estimate the aggregate financing amount, if any, at this time. As of March 31, 2021, we have issued surety bonds in favor of the MTA totaling approximately $136.0 million, which amount is subject to change as equipment installations are completed and revenues are generated. We expect transit franchise expenses, as a percentage of revenues, to increase in 2021 as compared to 2020, and be materially higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. (See the “Overview—COVID-19 Impact” section of this MD&A.) As indicated in the table below, we incurred $17.4 million related to MTA equipment deployment costs in the three months ended March 31, 2021 (which includes equipment deployment costs related to future deployments), for a total of $368.5 million to date, of which $33.9 million had been recouped from incremental revenues to date and as of March 31, 2021, $53.5 million is to be funded by the MTA. As of March 31, 2021, 7,645 digital displays had been installed, of which 265 installations occurred in the three months ended March 31, 2021.
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(in millions) | Beginning Balance | Deployment Costs Incurred | Recoupment/MTA Funding | Amortization | Ending Balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs | $ | 204.6 | $ | 3.6 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 208.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current assets | 28.0 | 9.1 | (16.2) | — | 20.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets (franchise agreements) | 58.4 | 4.7 | — | (2.5) | 60.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 291.0 | $ | 17.4 | $ | (16.2) | $ | (2.5) | $ | 289.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2020: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs | $ | 171.5 | $ | 33.1 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 204.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current assets | — | 44.4 | (16.4) | — | 28.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets (franchise agreements) | 38.3 | 26.0 | — | (5.9) | 58.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 209.8 | $ | 103.5 | $ | (16.4) | $ | (5.9) | $ | 291.0 |
Debt
Debt, net, consists of the following:
As of | ||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt: | ||||||||||||||
Repurchase Facility | $ | — | $ | 80.0 | ||||||||||
Total short-term debt | — | 80.0 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||
Term loan, due 2026 | 597.9 | 597.8 | ||||||||||||
Senior unsecured notes: | ||||||||||||||
5.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2024 | — | 501.3 | ||||||||||||
6.250% senior unsecured notes, due 2025 | 400.0 | 400.0 | ||||||||||||
5.000% senior unsecured notes, due 2027 | 650.0 | 650.0 | ||||||||||||
4.250% senior unsecured notes, due 2029 | 500.0 | — | ||||||||||||
4.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2030 | 500.0 | 500.0 | ||||||||||||
Total senior unsecured notes | 2,050.0 | 2,051.3 | ||||||||||||
Debt issuance costs | (31.3) | (28.3) | ||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, net | 2,616.6 | 2,620.8 | ||||||||||||
Total debt, net | $ | 2,616.6 | $ | 2,700.8 | ||||||||||
Weighted average cost of debt | 4.3 | % | 4.5 | % |
Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Total | 2021 | 2022-2023 | 2024-2025 | 2026 and thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 2,650.0 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 400.0 | $ | 2,250.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 810.0 | 115.9 | 226.8 | 213.9 | 253.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,460.0 | $ | 115.9 | $ | 226.8 | $ | 613.9 | $ | 2,503.4 |
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Term Loan
The interest rate on the term loan due in 2026 (the “Term Loan”) was 1.9% per annum as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, a discount of $2.1 million on the Term Loan remains unamortized. The discount is being amortized through Interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Revolving Credit Facility
We also have a $500.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures in 2024 (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” together with the Term Loan, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).
As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The commitment fee based on the amount of unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility was $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, we had issued letters of credit totaling approximately $2.1 million against the letter of credit facility sublimit under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Standalone Letter of Credit Facilities
As of March 31, 2021, we had issued letters of credit totaling approximately $72.0 million under our aggregate $78.0 million standalone letter of credit facilities. The total fees under the letter of credit facilities were immaterial in each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facilities
As of March 31, 2021, we have a revolving accounts receivable securitization facility (the “AR Facility”), which terminates in June 2022, unless further extended, and a 364-day uncommitted structured repurchase facility (the “Repurchase Facility” and together with the AR Facility, the “AR Securitization Facilities”), which terminates in June 2021, unless further extended.
In connection with the AR Securitization Facilities, Outfront Media LLC and Outfront Media Outernet Inc., each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and certain of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) (the “Originators”), will sell and/or contribute their respective existing and future accounts receivable and certain related assets to either Outfront Media Receivables LLC, a special purpose vehicle and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company relating to the Company’s qualified REIT subsidiary accounts receivable assets (the “QRS SPV”) or Outfront Media Receivables TRS, LLC a special purpose vehicle and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company relating to the Company’s TRS accounts receivable assets (the “TRS SPV” and together with the QRS SPV, the “SPVs”). The SPVs may transfer undivided interests in their respective accounts receivable assets to certain purchasers from time to time (the “Purchasers”). The SPVs are separate legal entities with their own separate creditors who will be entitled to access the SPVs’ assets before the assets become available to the Company. Accordingly, the SPVs’ assets are not available to pay creditors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, although collections from the receivables in excess of amounts required to repay the Purchasers and other creditors of the SPVs may be remitted to the Company. Outfront Media LLC will service the accounts receivables on behalf of the SPVs for a fee. The Company has agreed to guarantee the performance of the Originators and Outfront Media LLC, in its capacity as servicer, of their respective obligations under the agreements governing the AR Facility. Neither the Company, the Originators nor the SPVs guarantee the collectability of the receivables under the AR Facility. Further, the TRS SPV and the QRS SPV are jointly and severally liable for their respective obligations under the agreements governing the AR Facility.
In connection with the Repurchase Facility, the Originators may borrow funds collateralized by subordinated notes (the “Subordinated Notes”) issued by the SPVs in favor of their respective Originators and representing a portion of the outstanding balance of the accounts receivable assets sold by the Originators to the SPVs under the AR Facility. The Subordinated Notes will be transferred to MUFG, as repurchase buyer, on an uncommitted basis, and subject to repurchase by the applicable Originators on termination of the Repurchase Facility. The Originators have granted MUFG a security interest in the Subordinated Notes to secure their obligations under the agreements governing the Repurchase Facility, and the Company has agreed to guarantee the Originators’ obligations under the agreements governing the Repurchase Facility.
As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under either the AR Facility or the Repurchase Facility. As of March 31, 2021, there was no borrowing capacity remaining under the AR Facility based on approximately $207.9 million of
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accounts receivable used as collateral for the AR Securitization Facilities and a related voluntary temporary suspension of the AR Facility, and there was $80.0 million of borrowing capacity remaining under the Repurchase Facility, in accordance with the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities. The commitment fee based on the amount of unused commitments under the AR Facility was immaterial for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On January 19, 2021, two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Outfront Media Capital LLC (“Finance LLC”) and Outfront Media Capital Corporation (“Finance Corp” and, together with Finance LLC, the “Borrowers”) issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.250% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) in a private placement. The 2029 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company and each of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Senior Credit Facilities. Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2021. On or after January 15, 2024, the Borrowers may redeem at any time, or from time to time, some or all of the 2029 Notes. Prior to such date, the Borrowers may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, provided that at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes will remain outstanding after the redemption.
On February 16, 2021, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of our outstanding 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the 2024 Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the 2029 Notes offering and the 2024 Notes redemption. In the first quarter of 2021, we recorded a Loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.3 million relating to the 2024 Notes on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Debt Covenants
Our credit agreement, dated as of January 31, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”), governing the Senior Credit Facilities, the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities, and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, subject to certain exceptions, including but not limited to those that restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ abilities to (i) pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions in respect to the Company’s or its wholly-owned subsidiary, Outfront Media Capital LLC’s (“Finance LLC’s”) capital stock or make other restricted payments other than dividends or distributions necessary for us to maintain our REIT status, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, (ii) enter into agreements restricting certain subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany or third-party transfers, and (iii) incur additional indebtedness. One of the exceptions to the restriction on our ability to incur additional indebtedness is satisfaction of a Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of our consolidated total debt to our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the trailing four consecutive quarters, of no greater than 6.0 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2021, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio was 12.7 to 1.0 in accordance with the Credit Agreement.
The terms of the Credit Agreement (and under certain circumstances, the agreements governing the AR Securitization Facilities) require that we maintain a Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of (i) our consolidated secured debt (less up to $150.0 million of unrestricted cash) to (ii) our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the trailing four consecutive quarters, of no greater than 4.5 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2021, our Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio was 1.1 to 1.0 in accordance with the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2021, we are in compliance with our debt covenants.
On April 15, 2020, the Company, along with the Borrowers, and other guarantor subsidiaries party thereto, entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The Amendment provides that for the period from April 15, 2020 through September 30, 2021 (i) the Company’s Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated by substituting the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, included in any last twelve month compliance testing period, with the Company’s historical Consolidated EBITDA for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, respectively; and (ii) the Company will not make any Restricted Payments (as defined in the Credit Agreement) without the consent of the applicable lenders under the Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions such as payments necessary to maintain the Company’s REIT status, including any payments on any class of the Company’s capital stock that is required to be made prior to the payment of a dividend or distribution on the Company’s common stock and the Company’s existing payment obligations to holders of the Class A equity interests in Outfront Canada (as defined in Note 10. Equity to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
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Deferred Financing Costs
As of March 31, 2021, we had deferred $35.1 million in fees and expenses associated with the Term Loan, Revolving Credit Facility, AR Securitization Facilities and our senior unsecured notes. We are amortizing the deferred fees through Interest expense, net, on our Consolidated Statement of Operations over the respective terms of the Term Loan, Revolving Credit Facility, AR Securitization Facilities and our senior unsecured notes.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
We have several interest rate cash flow swap agreements to effectively convert a portion of our LIBOR-based variable rate debt to a fixed rate and hedge our interest rate risk related to such variable rate debt. The fair value of these swap positions was a net liability of approximately $4.3 million as of March 31, 2021, and $5.6 million as of December 31, 2020, and is included in Other liabilities on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
As of March 31, 2021, under the terms of these agreements, we will pay interest based on an aggregate notional amount of $200.0 million, under a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 2.7%, with a receive rate of one-month LIBOR and which mature at various dates until June 30, 2022. The one-month LIBOR rate was approximately 0.1% as of March 31, 2021.
Equity
At-the-Market Equity Offering Program
We have a sales agreement in connection with an “at-the-market” equity offering program (the “ATM Program”), under which we may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $300.0 million. We have no obligation to sell any of our common stock under the sales agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the sales agreement. No shares were sold under the ATM Program during the three months ended March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $232.5 million of capacity remaining under the ATM Program.
Series A Preferred Stock Issuance
On April 20, 2020, we issued 400,000 shares of our Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend and distribution rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative dividend accruing at the initial rate of 7.0% per year, payable quarterly in arrears, subject to increases as set forth in the Articles Supplementary, effective as of April 20, 2020 (the “Articles”). Dividends may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash, in-kind, through the issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or a combination of cash and in-kind, until April 20, 2028, after which time dividends will be payable solely in cash. So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company may not declare a dividend on, or make any distributions relating to, capital stock that ranks junior to, or on a parity basis with, the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions, including but not limited to (i) any dividend or distribution in cash or capital stock of the Company on or in respect of the capital stock of the Company to the extent that such dividend or distribution is necessary to maintain the Company’s status as a REIT; and (ii) any dividend or distribution in cash in respect of our common stock that, together with the dividends or distributions during the 12-month period immediately preceding such dividend or distribution, is not in excess of 5% of the aggregate dividends or distributions paid by the Company necessary to maintain its REIT status during such 12-month period. If any dividends or distributions in respect of the shares of our common stock are paid in cash, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will participate in the dividends or distributions on an as-converted basis up to the amount of their accrued dividend for such quarter, which amounts will reduce the dividends payable on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock dollar-for-dollar for such quarter. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of any holder at any time into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $16.00 per share and an initial conversion rate of 62.50 shares of our common stock per share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments and a share cap as set forth in the Articles. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Articles (including a change of control), each of the Company and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may convert or redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at the prices set forth in the Articles, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.
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Cash Flows
The following table presents our cash flows in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities | $ | (10.8) | $ | 14.9 | * | |||||||||||||||
Cash used for investing activities | (28.3) | (26.7) | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities | (111.6) | 442.2 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 0.3 | (1.7) | * | |||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (150.4) | $ | 428.7 | * |
*Calculation is not meaningful.
Cash used for operating activities was $10.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to Cash provided by operating activities of $14.9 million in the same prior-year period, driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the impact of cost reduction measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we received net cash of $3.5 million related to MTA equipment deployment and installed 265 digital displays. In the three months ended March 31, 2020, we paid $18.2 million related to MTA equipment deployment costs.
Cash used for investing activities increased $1.6 million, or 6%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher cash paid for acquisitions and MTA franchise rights, partially offset by lower cash paid for capital expenditures.
The following table presents our capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Growth | $ | 5.8 | $ | 13.4 | (57) | % | ||||||||||||||
Maintenance | 3.6 | 4.8 | (25) | |||||||||||||||||
Total capital expenditures | $ | 9.4 | $ | 18.2 | (48) |
Capital expenditures decreased $8.8 million, or 48%, in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to lower spending on digital billboard and transit display projects, office remodel projects, vehicles and safety, partially offset by higher spending on our technology platform.
For the full year of 2021, we expect our capital expenditures to be approximately $85.0 million, which will be used primarily for growth in digital displays, maintenance and safety-related projects, software and technology, and to renovate certain office facilities. This estimate does not include equipment deployment costs that will be incurred in connection with the MTA agreement (as described above), which will be recorded as Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs and Intangible assets on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, as applicable.
Cash used by financing activities was $111.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to Cash provided by financing activities of $442.2 million in the same prior-year period. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, we made a repayment of $80.0 million under the Repurchase Facility and paid total cash dividends of $7.3 million on the Series A Preferred Stock and vested restricted share units granted to employees. In the three months ended March 31, 2020, we drew net borrowings of $495.0 million on our Revolving Credit Facility to enhance our liquidity position in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, drew net borrowings of $15.0 million on the AR Securitization Facilities and paid cash dividends of $55.6 million on our common stock.
Cash paid for income taxes was $0.5 million for in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $0.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance sheet commitments primarily consist of guaranteed minimum annual payments. (See Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our off-balance sheet commitments.)
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including the impact of extraordinary events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions, including the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For accounting policies we consider to be the most critical as they are significant to our financial condition and results of operations, and require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021.
For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Item 8., Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021.
Accounting Standards
See Note 2. New Accounting Standards to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the adoption of new accounting standards and recent accounting pronouncements.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made statements in this MD&A and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “likely,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “forecast” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions related to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations, including but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations.
Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and may not be able to be realized. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
•Declines in advertising and general economic conditions, including declines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
•The severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and any other pandemics, and the impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations;
•Competition;
•Government regulation;
•Our ability to implement our digital display platform and deploy digital advertising displays to our transit franchise partners, including interruptions and reductions in demand caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•Losses and costs resulting from recalls and product liability, warranty and intellectual property claims;
•Our ability to obtain and renew key municipal contracts on favorable terms;
•Taxes, fees and registration requirements;
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•Decreased government compensation for the removal of lawful billboards;
•Content-based restrictions on outdoor advertising;
•Seasonal variations;
•Acquisitions and other strategic transactions that we may pursue could have a negative effect on our results of operations;
•Dependence on our management team and other key employees;
•Diverse risks in our Canadian business;
•Experiencing a cybersecurity incident;
•Changes in regulations and consumer concerns regarding privacy, information security and data, or any failure or perceived failure to comply with these regulations or our internal policies;
•Asset impairment charges for our long-lived assets and goodwill;
•Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations;
•Our substantial indebtedness;
•Restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
•Incurrence of additional debt;
•Interest rate risk exposure from our variable-rate indebtedness;
•Our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness;
•Cash available for distributions;
•Hedging transactions;
•The ability of our board of directors to cause us to issue additional shares of stock without common stockholder approval;
•Certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us;
•Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited;
•Our failure to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT;
•REIT distribution requirements;
•Availability of external sources of capital;
•We may face other tax liabilities even if we remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT;
•Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to liquidate investments or forgo otherwise attractive opportunities;
•Our ability to contribute certain contracts to a TRS;
•Our planned use of TRSs may cause us to fail to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT;
•REIT ownership limits;
•Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively;
•Failure to meet the REIT income tests as a result of receiving non-qualifying income;
•The Internal Revenue Service may deem the gains from sales of our outdoor advertising assets to be subject to a 100% prohibited transaction tax; and
•Establishing operating partnerships as part of our REIT structure.
While forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q apply as of the date of this report or as of the date they were made and, except as required by applicable law, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk related to commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates, and to a limited extent, interest rates and credit risks.
Commodity Price Risk
We incur various operating costs that are subject to price risk caused by volatility in underlying commodity values. Commodity price risk is present in electricity costs associated with powering our digital billboard displays and lighting our traditional static billboard displays at night.
We do not currently use derivatives or other financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to commodity price risk. However, we do enter into contracts with commodity providers to limit our exposure to commodity price fluctuations. For the year ended
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December 31, 2020, such contracts accounted for 17.7% of our total utility costs. As of March 31, 2021, we had active electricity purchase agreements with fixed contract rates for locations throughout Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas, which expire at various dates through June 2024.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign currency translation risk is the risk that exchange rate gains or losses arise from translating our Canadian business’s statements of earnings and statements of financial position from functional currency to our reporting currency (the U.S. Dollar) for consolidation purposes. Any gain or loss on translation is included within comprehensive income and Accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The functional currency of our international subsidiaries is their respective local currency. As of March 31, 2021, we have $0.1 million of unrecognized foreign currency translation losses included within Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
Substantially all of our transactions at our Canadian subsidiary are denominated in their local functional currency, thereby reducing our risk of foreign currency transaction gains or losses.
We do not currently use derivatives or other financial instruments to mitigate foreign currency risk, although we may do so in the future.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk to the extent we have variable-rate debt outstanding including under the Senior Credit Facilities and the AR Securitization Facilities.
As of March 31, 2021, we had a $600.0 million variable-rate Term Loan due 2026 outstanding, which has an interest rate of 1.9% per year. An increase or decrease of 1/4% in our interest rate on the Term Loan will change our annualized interest expense by approximately $1.0 million.
As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under either the AR Facility or the Repurchase Facility.
We have several interest rate cash flow swap agreements to effectively convert a portion of our LIBOR-based variable rate debt to a fixed rate and hedge our interest rate risk related to such variable rate debt. The fair value of these swap positions was a net unrecognized loss of approximately $4.3 million as of March 31, 2021, and is included in Other liabilities on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The following table provides information about our interest rate swap agreements, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual cash flows to be exchanged under the agreements.
(in millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Thereafter | Total | Fair Value Loss as of 3/31/21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed/receive variable | $ | 150.0 | $ | 50.0 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 200.0 | $ | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average pay rate | 2.7 | % | 1.8 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average receive rate(a) | one-month LIBOR | one-month LIBOR | — | — | — | — | — |
(a)The one-month LIBOR rate was approximately 0.1% as of March 31, 2021.
Credit Risk
In the opinion of our management, credit risk is limited due to the large number of customers and advertising agencies utilized. We perform credit evaluations on our customers and agencies and believe that the allowances for credit losses are adequate. We have experienced an increase in credit losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and accordingly, we recorded additional provisions for doubtful accounts in 2020. We expect provisions for doubtful accounts to decline in 2021.We do not currently use derivatives or other financial instruments to mitigate credit risk.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
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PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
On an ongoing basis, we are engaged in lawsuits and governmental proceedings and respond to various investigations, inquiries, notices and claims from national, state and local governmental and other authorities (collectively, “litigation”). Litigation is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in our opinion, none of our current litigation is expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We have disclosed the risk factors affecting our business, results of operations and financial condition in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have heightened certain of the risks disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and such risk factors are further qualified by the information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs | Remaining Authorizations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
January 1, 2021 through January 31, 2021 | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
February 1, 2021 through February 28, 2021 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
March 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | — | — | — | — |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
None.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
See Exhibit Index immediately following this Item, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
3.1 | ||||||||
3.2 | ||||||||
3.3 | ||||||||
4.1 | ||||||||
10.1 | ||||||||
10.2 | ||||||||
10.3 | ||||||||
10.4 | ||||||||
31.1 | ||||||||
31.2 | ||||||||
32.1 | ||||||||
32.2 | ||||||||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | |||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase | |||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document | |||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase | |||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase | |||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
OUTFRONT MEDIA INC. | ||||||||||||||
By: | /s/ Matthew Siegel | |||||||||||||
Name: | Matthew Siegel | |||||||||||||
Title: | Executive Vice President and | |||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||
(Principal Financial Officer) |
Date: May 5, 2021
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