Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including those described in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this Annual Report, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes.
Discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 can be found in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
OVERVIEW
The Company’s net revenues are derived primarily from the rental of advertising space on outdoor advertising displays owned and operated by the Company. Revenue growth is based on many factors that include the Company’s ability to increase occupancy of its existing advertising displays; raise advertising rates; and acquire new advertising displays and its operating results are therefore affected by general economic conditions, as well as trends in the advertising industry. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, which affect the rates the Company is able to charge for advertising on its displays and its ability to maximize advertising sales or occupancy on its displays.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The unprecedented and rapid spread of COVID-19 and the related government-imposed restrictions and social distancing measures implemented throughout the world negatively affected our business in 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, our business has generally improved as the economy has recovered. While some of our corporate, front office and sales workforce continue to work from home, a large majority have returned to their offices while adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local governmental guidelines and recommendations. The impacts of working from home have been minimal on productivity. Also, while working from home has minimally impacted our processes, there have been no material impacts to our internal control environment.
We continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners and stockholders.
Acquisitions and capital expenditures
Historically, the Company has made strategic acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets to increase the number of outdoor advertising displays it operates in existing and new markets. The Company continues to evaluate and pursue strategic acquisition opportunities as they arise. The Company has financed its historical acquisitions and intends to finance any future acquisition activity from available cash, borrowings under the senior credit facility or the issuance of debt or equity securities. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources- Sources of Cash, ” for more information. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company completed multiple acquisitions for a total cash purchase price of approximately $312.3 million. See “ Uses of Cash-Acquisitions ,” for more information.
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The Company’s business requires expenditures for maintenance and capitalized costs associated with the construction of new billboard displays, the entrance into and renewal of logo sign and transit contracts, and the purchase of real estate and operating equipment. The following table presents a breakdown of capitalized expenditures for the past two years:
2021 2020
(In thousands)
Billboard — Traditional $ 31,894 $ 11,131
Billboard — Digital 55,285 22,618
Logos 12,926 13,108
Transit 2,514 3,212
Land and buildings 14,077 6,303
PP&E 9,394 5,900
Total capital expenditures $ 126,090 $ 62,272
We expect our 2022 capital expenditures to be approximately $170.0 million.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Our management reviews our performance by focusing on several key performance indicators not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“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.
Included in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations (“FFO”), as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) and acquisition-adjusted net revenue.
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income before income tax expense (benefit), interest expense (income), equity in (earnings) loss of investee, loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and investments, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on disposition of assets and investments, and capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net.
FFO is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate assets and investments and real estate related depreciation and amortization and including adjustments to eliminate unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest.
We define AFFO as FFO before (i) straight-line income and expense; (ii) capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net, (iii) stock-based compensation expense; (iv) non-cash portion of tax expense (benefit); (v) non-real estate related depreciation and amortization; (vi) amortization of deferred financing costs, (vii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (viii) non-recurring infrequent or unusual losses (gains); (ix) less maintenance capital expenditures; and (xi) an adjustment for unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest.
Acquisition-adjusted net revenue adjusts our net revenue for the prior period by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets before our acquisition of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the current period. In calculating acquisition-adjusted revenue, therefore, we include revenue generated by assets that we did not own in the period but acquired in the current period. We refer to the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the prior period that corresponds with the current period in which we owned the assets (to the extent within the period to which this report relates) as “acquisition net revenue”. In addition, we also adjust the prior period to subtract revenue generated by the assets that have been divested since the prior period and, therefore, no revenue derived from those assets is reflected in the current period.
Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Neither FFO nor AFFO represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for purposes of decision
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making and for evaluating our core operating results; (2) adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the industry to measure operating performance as depreciation and amortization may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (3) acquisition-adjusted net revenue is a supplement to net revenue to enable investors to compare period over period results on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions and divestitures, which reflects our core performance and organic growth (if any) during the period in which the assets were owned and managed by us; (4) adjusted EBITDA, FFO and AFFO each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (5) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies.
Our measurement of adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included herein.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Net revenues 100.0 % 100.0 %
Operating expenses:
Direct advertising expenses 32.3 % 35.5 %
General and administrative expenses 18.3 % 18.3 %
Corporate expenses 5.2 % 4.5 %
Depreciation and amortization 15.2 % 16.0 %
Operating income 29.2 % 26.1 %
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1.2 % 1.6 %
Interest expense 6.0 % 8.8 %
Income tax expense 0.5 % 0.3 %
Net income 21.7 % 15.5 %
Year ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year ended December 31, 2020
Net revenues increased $218.5 million or 13.9% to $1.79 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $1.57 billion for the same period in 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in billboard and transit net revenues of $210.3 million and $13.0 million, respectively, offset by a decrease in logo net revenues of $4.8 million over the prior year.
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2020, increased $217.0 million, or 13.8%. The $217.0 million increase in net revenues is primarily due to a $202.9 million and $15.1 million increase in billboard and transit net revenues, respectively, over the prior year. The increase in billboard and transit net revenues was slightly offset by a decrease of $0.9 million in logo net revenues. See “ Reconciliations ” below.
Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on disposition of assets, increased $80.6 million, or 8.8% to $997.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $916.5 million in the same period in 2020. The $80.6 million increase over the prior year is primarily comprised of an increase in total direct, general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) of $62.0 million primarily related to an increase in our variable billboard lease costs and transit and airport franchise costs, as well as increases in our workforce.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $20.0 million to $271.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $251.3 million for the same period in 2020. The increase is primarily due to the revision in the cost estimate included in the calculation of asset retirement obligations during the period.
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For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized a gain on disposition of assets of $2.1 million as compared to a gain on disposition of assets of $9.0 million for the same period in 2020. The gain on disposition of assets for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily from transactions related to the sale of billboard locations and displays.
Due to the above factors, operating income increased $111.1 million to $521.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $410.1 million for the same period in 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a $21.6 million loss on debt extinguishment related to Lamar Media's repayment of its 5 3/4% Senior Notes.
Interest expense decreased $31.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $106.4 million as compared to $137.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest expense is primarily related to the Company’s debt transactions completed in 2020 and 2021.
Equity in earnings of investee was $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of the investment in Vistar Media that occurred in July 2021. There was no equity in earnings of investee for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The increase in operating income, as well as the decrease in interest expense and the decrease in loss on extinguishment of debt over the comparable period in 2020, resulted in a $149.3 million increase in net income before income taxes.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to income tax expense of $4.7 million for the same period in 2020. The $9.3 million tax expense equates to an effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 of approximately 2.3%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT.
As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $388.1 million, as compared to net income of $243.4 million for the same period in 2020.
Reconciliations:
Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2019 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2020 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 by adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2021.
Reconciliations of 2020 reported net revenue to 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 as well as a comparison of 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2021 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021, are provided below:
Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
Year ended
December 31,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Reported net revenue $ 1,787,401 $ 1,568,856
Acquisition net revenue — 1,524
Adjusted totals $ 1,787,401 $ 1,570,380
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Key Performance Indicators
Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, Amount of Increase (Decrease) Percent Increase (Decrease)
2021 2020
Net income $ 388,090 $ 243,386 $ 144,704 59.5 %
Income tax expense 9,256 4,660 4,596
Loss on extinguishment of debt 21,604 25,235 (3,631)
Interest expense (income), net 105,621 136,826 (31,205)
Equity in earnings of investee (3,384) — (3,384)
Gain on disposition of assets (2,115) (9,026) 6,911
Depreciation and amortization 271,294 251,296 19,998
Capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net (445) 387 (832)
Stock-based compensation expense 37,368 18,772 18,596
Adjusted EBITDA $ 827,289 $ 671,536 $ 155,753 23.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 23.2% to $827.3 million. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net) of $198.9 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $43.1 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.
Net Income/FFO/AFFO
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, Amount of Increase (Decrease) Percent Increase (Decrease)
2021 2020
Net income $ 388,090 $ 243,386 $ 144,704 59.5 %
Depreciation and amortization related to real estate 259,933 238,932 21,001
Gain from sale or disposal of real estate, net of tax (1,865) (5,790) 3,925
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest (2,756) 629 (3,385)
FFO $ 643,402 $ 477,157 $ 166,245 34.8 %
Straight-line expense 2,443 3,597 (1,154)
Capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net (445) 387 (832)
Stock-based compensation expense 37,368 18,772 18,596
Non-cash portion of tax provision 1,574 (797) 2,371
Gain from one-time sale of non-real estate assets — (3,197) 3,197
Non-real estate related depreciation and amortization 11,361 12,364 (1,003)
Amortization of deferred financing costs 5,877 5,909 (32)
Loss on extinguishment of debt 21,604 25,235 (3,631)
Capital expenditures – maintenance (58,196) (24,028) (34,168)
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest 2,756 (629) 3,385
AFFO $ 667,744 $ 514,770 $ 152,974 29.7 %
FFO for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $643.4 million as compared to FFO of $477.2 million for the same period in 2020. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 29.7% to $667.7 million as compared to $514.8 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in AFFO was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue
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less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net), partially offset by an increase in total general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock-based compensation expense).
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
The Company has historically satisfied its working capital requirements with cash from operations and borrowings under its senior credit facility. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., is the principal borrower under the senior credit facility and maintains all corporate operating cash balances. Any cash requirements of the Company, therefore, must be funded by distributions from Lamar Media.
Sources of Cash
Total Liquidity. As of December 31, 2021 we had $662.4 million of total liquidity, which is comprised of $99.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $562.6 million of availability under the revolving portion of the senior credit facility. We expect our total liquidity to be adequate for the Company to meet its operational requirements for the next twelve months. We are currently in compliance with the maintenance covenant included in the senior credit facility, and we would remain in compliance after giving effect to borrowing the full amount available to us under the revolving portion of the senior credit facility.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had a working capital deficit of $274.4 million and $167.3 million, respectively. The working capital deficit for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily related to $198.3 million in current operating lease liabilities which has a corresponding right of use asset recorded in long term assets. We expect to have enough cash on hand and availability under our revolving credit facility to meet our operating needs for the next twelve months.
Cash Generated by Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 our cash provided by operating activities was $734.4 million, $569.9 million and $630.9 million, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 over the same period in 2020 relates to an increase in revenues offset by an increase in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization). We expect to generate cash flows from operations during 2022 in excess of our cash needs for operations, capital expenditures and dividends, as described herein.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. On December 18, 2018, we entered into the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. The Accounts Receivable Securitization Program provides up to $175.0 million in borrowing capacity, plus an accordion feature that would permit the borrowing capacity to be increased by up to $125.0 million. Borrowing capacity under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program is limited to the availability of eligible accounts receivable collateralizing the borrowings under the agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. In connection with the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, Lamar Media and certain of its subsidiaries (such subsidiaries, the “Subsidiary Originators”) sell and/or contribute their existing and future accounts receivable and certain related assets to one of two special purpose subsidiaries, Lamar QRS Receivables, LLC (the “QRS SPV”) and Lamar TRS Receivables, LLC (the “TRS SPV” and together with the QRS SPV the “Special Purpose Subsidiaries”), each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lamar Media. Existing and future accounts receivable relating to Lamar Media and its qualified REIT subsidiaries will be sold and/or contributed to the QRS SPV and existing and future accounts receivable relating to Lamar Media’s TRSs will be sold and/or contributed to the TRS SPV. Each of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries has granted the lenders party to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program a security interest in all of its assets, which consist of the accounts receivable and related assets sold or contributed to them, as described above, in order to secure the obligations of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries under the agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. Pursuant to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, Lamar Media has agreed to service the accounts receivable on behalf of the two Special Purpose Subsidiaries for a fee. Lamar Media has also agreed to guaranty its performance in its capacity as servicer and originator, as well as the performance of the Subsidiary Originators, of their obligations under the agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. None of Lamar Media, the Subsidiary Originators or the Special Purpose Subsidiaries guarantees the collectability of the receivables under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. In addition, each of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled to access the assets of such Special Purpose Subsidiary before the assets become available to Lamar Media. Accordingly, the assets of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries are not available to pay creditors of Lamar Media or any of its subsidiaries, although collections from receivables in excess of the amounts required to repay the lenders and the other creditors of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries may be remitted to Lamar Media.
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On May 24, 2021, Lamar Media and the Special Purpose Subsidiaries entered into the Fifth Amendment (the "Fifth Amendment") to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, as amended. The Fifth Amendment extends the maturity date of the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program to July 21, 2024. Additionally, the Fifth Amendment decreases the Minimum Funding Threshold which, as amended, requires the Special Purpose Subsidiaries to maintain minimum borrowings under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program on any day equal to the lesser of (i) 50.00% of the aggregate Commitment of all Lenders or (ii) the Borrowing Base, provided that the Minimum Funding Threshold shall be zero on any day that is a Minimum Funding Threshold Holiday which, as amended, provides for an annual holiday from the requirement of up to sixty days per year. The Fifth Amendment also provides for updated LIBOR replacement procedures. Lamar Media may amend the facility to extend the maturity date, enter into a new securitization facility with a different maturity date, or refinance the indebtedness outstanding under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program using borrowings under its senior credit facility or from other financing sources.
As of December 31, 2021, there was $175.0 million of outstanding aggregate borrowings under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program at a borrowing rate of approximately 1.1%. Lamar Media has no additional availability under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program as of December 31, 2021. The Accounts Receivable Securitization Program will mature on July 21, 2024.
“At-the-Market” Offering Program. On May 1, 2018, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as our sales agents. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company could have, from time to time, issued and sold shares of its Class A common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $400.0 million through the sales agents as either agents or principals. The Sales Agreement expired by its terms on May 1, 2021. The Company did not issue any shares under this program in 2020 and 2021.
On June 21, 2021, the Company entered into a new equity distribution agreement (the "2021 Sales Agreement"), with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. as our sales agents (each a "Sales Agent", and collectively, the "Sales Agents"), which replaced the prior Sales Agreement with substantially similar terms. Under the terms of the 2021 Sales Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its Class A common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $400.0 million through the Sales Agents as either agents or principals. Sales of the Class A common stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market offerings" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Global Select Market and any other existing trading market for the Class A common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the Class A common stock under the 2021 Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the 2021 Sales Agreement. The Company intends to use the net proceeds, if any, from the sale of the Class A common stock pursuant to the 2021 Sales Agreement for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment, refinancing, redemption or repurchase of existing indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures, acquisition of outdoor advertising assets and businesses and other related investments. The Company did not issue any shares under this program from its inception through December 31, 2021.
Shelf Registration Statement . On August 6, 2018, we filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement (No. 333-226614) that registered the offer and sale of an indeterminate amount of additional shares of our Class A common stock which expired by its term in August 2021. On June 21, 2021, the Company filed a new automatically effective shelf registration statement (No. 333-257243) that allows Lamar Advertising to offer and sell an indeterminate amount of additional shares of its Class A common stock on similar terms as the prior registration statement. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not issue any shares under either shelf registration.
Credit Facilities. On February 6, 2020, Lamar Media entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) with certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto, under which the parties agreed to amend and restate Lamar Media’s existing senior credit facility. The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 15, 2017.
On July 2, 2021, Lamar Media entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment"), to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amendment amends the definition of "Subsidiary" to exclude each of Lamar Partnering Sponsor LLC and Lamar Partnering Corporation and any of their subsidiaries (collectively, the "Lamar Partnering Entities") such that, after the giving effect to the Amendment, none of the Lamar Partnering Entities are subject to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement covenants and reporting requirements, but any investment by Lamar Media in any of the Lamar Partnering Entities would be subject to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement covenants. The Amendment also
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amends the definition of "EBITDA" to replace the existing calculation with a net income-based calculation, which excludes the income of non-Subsidiary entities such as the Lamar Partnering Entities, except to the extent that income of such entities is received by Lamar Media in the form of dividends or distributions.
The senior credit facility, as established by the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “senior credit facility”), consists of (i) a $750.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility which will mature on February 6, 2025 (the “revolving credit facility”), (ii) a $600.0 million Term B loan facility (the “Term B loans”) which will mature on February 6, 2027, and (iii) an incremental facility (the “Incremental Facility”) pursuant to which Lamar Media may incur additional term loan tranches or increase its revolving credit facility subject to a pro forma secured debt ratio calculated as described under “Restrictions under Senior Credit Facility” of 4.50 to 1.00, as well as certain other conditions, including lender approval. Lamar Media borrowed all $600.0 million in Term B loans on February 6, 2020. The entire amount of the Term B loans will be payable at maturity.
The Term B loans bear interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar term loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate term loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.50%. Base Rate term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.50%. The revolving credit facility bears interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar revolving loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate revolving loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar revolving loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.50% (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.25% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1). Base Rate revolving loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.50% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.25% at any time the total debt ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1). The guarantees, covenants, events of default and other terms of the senior credit facility apply to the Term B loans and revolving credit facility.
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate balance outstanding under the senior credit facility was $775.0 million, consisting of $600.0 million in Term B loans aggregate principal balance and $175.0 million outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Lamar Media had approximately $562.6 million of unused capacity under the revolving credit facility.
Note Offerings. On January 22, 2021, Lamar Media issued, through an institutional private placement, $550.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3 5/8% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “3 5/8% Senior Notes”). The issuance of the 3 5/8% Senior Notes resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $542.5 million. Lamar Media used the proceeds of this offering, together with cash on hand and borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, to redeem all of its outstanding $650.0 million aggregate principal amount 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026. See Uses of Cash-Note Redemption for more information.
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
Internally Generated Funds. The key factors affecting internally generated cash flow are general economic conditions, specific economic conditions in the markets where the Company conducts its business and overall spending on advertising by advertisers. We expect to generate cash flows from operations during 2022 in excess of our cash needs for operations, capital expenditures and dividends, as described herein.
Credit Facilities and Other Debt Securities. The Company and Lamar Media must comply with certain covenants and restrictions related to the senior credit facility, its outstanding debt securities and its Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.
Restrictions under Debt Securities. As of December 31, 2021, Lamar Media has outstanding all of the 3 3/4% Senior Notes, the 4% Senior Notes, the 4 7/8% Senior Notes and the 3 5/8% Senior Notes.
The indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict its ability to incur additional indebtedness but permit the incurrence of indebtedness (including indebtedness under the senior credit facility), (i) if no default or event of default would result from such incurrence and (ii) if after giving effect to any such incurrence, the leverage ratio (defined as the sum of (x) total consolidated debt plus (y) the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred stock of Lamar Media’s restricted subsidiaries to trailing four fiscal quarter EBITDA (as defined in the indentures)) would be less than 7.0 to 1.0. Currently, Lamar Media is not in default under the indentures of any of its outstanding notes and, therefore, would be permitted to incur additional indebtedness subject to the foregoing provision.
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In addition to debt incurred under the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes permit Lamar Media to incur indebtedness pursuant to the following baskets:
• up to $2.0 billion of indebtedness under the senior credit facility;
• indebtedness outstanding on the date of the indentures or debt incurred to refinance outstanding debt;
• inter-company debt between Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries or between restricted subsidiaries;
• certain purchase money indebtedness and capitalized lease obligations to acquire or lease property in the ordinary course of business that cannot exceed the greater of $50.0 million or 5% of Lamar Media’s net tangible assets;
• additional debt not to exceed $75.0 million; and
• up to $500.0 million of permitted securitization financings.
Restrictions under Senior Credit Facility. Lamar Media is required to comply with certain covenants and restrictions under the senior credit facility. If the Company or Lamar Media fails to comply with these tests, the lenders under the senior credit facility will be entitled to exercise certain remedies, including the termination of the lending commitments and the acceleration of the debt payments under the senior credit facility. At December 31, 2021 we were, and currently, we are in compliance with all such tests under the senior credit facility.
Lamar Media must maintain a secured debt ratio, defined as total consolidated secured debt of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (including capital lease obligations), minus the lesser of (x) $150.0 million and (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Subsidiaries (as defined above under “ Sources of Cash-Accounts Receivable Securitization Program )) to EBITDA, as defined below, for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, of less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.0.
Lamar Media is restricted from incurring additional indebtedness subject to exceptions, one of which is that it may incur additional indebtedness not exceeding the greater of $250.0 million and 6% of its total assets.
Lamar Media is also restricted from incurring additional unsecured senior indebtedness under certain circumstances unless, after giving effect to the incurrence of such indebtedness, Lamar Media would have a total debt ratio, defined as (x) total consolidated debt (including subordinated debt) of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries as of any date minus the lesser of (i) $150.0 million and (ii) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Subsidiaries) to (y) EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters then ended, of less than 7.0 to 1.0.
Lamar Media is also restricted from incurring additional subordinated indebtedness under certain circumstances unless, after giving effect to the incurrence of such indebtedness, it is in compliance with the secured debt ratio covenant and its total debt ratio is less than 7.0 to 1.0.
Under the senior credit facility, as amended, “EBITDA” means, for any period, net income, plus (a) to the extent deducted in determining net income for such period, the sum determined without duplication and in accordance with GAAP, of (i) taxes, (ii) interest expense, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) any other non-cash income or charges accrued for such period, (vi) charges and expenses in connection with the senior credit facility, any actual or proposed acquisition, disposition or investment (excluding, in each case, purchases and sales of advertising space and operating assets in the ordinary course of business) and any actual or proposed offering of securities, incurrence or repayment of indebtedness (or amendment to any agreement relating to indebtedness), including any refinancing thereof, or recapitalization, (vii) any loss or gain relating to amounts paid or earned in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any swap agreement that has been reflected in operating income for such period), and (viii) any loss on sales of receivables and related assets to a securitization entity in connection with a permitted securitization financing, plus (b) the amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies projected by Lamar Media in good faith to be realized as a result of any acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition within 18 months of any such acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such action; provided, (A) the aggregate amount for all such cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies will not exceed an amount equal to 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four quarter period and (B) any such adjustment to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (b) may only take into account cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies that are (I) directly attributable to such acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition, (II) expected to have a continuing impact on Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries and (III) factually supportable, in each case all as certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Lamar Media) on behalf of Lamar Media, minus (c) to the extent included in net
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income for such period (determined without duplication and in accordance with GAAP) (i) any extraordinary and unusual gains or losses during such period, and (ii) the proceeds of any casualty events and dispositions. For purposes of this EBITDA definition, the effect thereon of any adjustments required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R shall be excluded. If during any period for which EBITDA is being determined, Lamar Media has consummated any acquisition or disposition, EBITDA will be determined on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition or disposition had been made or consummated on the first day of such period.
Under the senior credit facility, "net income" means for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media, and its restricted subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that the following is excluded from net income: (a) the income (or deficit) of any person accrued prior to the date it becomes a restricted subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media or any of its restricted subsidiaries, and (b) the income (or deficit) of any person (other than any of our restricted subsidiaries) in which Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media or any of its subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is received by Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media or any of its restricted subsidiaries in the form of dividends or similar distributions.
The Company believes that its current level of cash on hand, availability under the senior credit facility and future cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet its operating needs for the next twelve months. All debt obligations are reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.
Restrictions under Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. The agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program contain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and termination event provisions, including but not limited to those providing for the acceleration of amounts owed under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program if, among other things, the Special Purpose Subsidiaries fail to make payments when due, Lamar Media, the Subsidiary Originators or the Special Purpose Subsidiaries become insolvent or subject to bankruptcy proceedings or certain judicial judgments, breach certain representations and warranties or covenants or default under other material indebtedness, a change of control occurs, or if Lamar Media fails to maintain the maximum secured debt ratio of 4.5 to 1.0 required under the senior credit facility.
Uses of Cash
Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, were approximately $126.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We anticipate our 2022 total capital expenditures will be approximately $170.0 million.
Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company completed 45 acquisitions for a total cash purchase price of approximately $312.3 million. The acquisitions occurring during the year ended December 31, 2021 were financed using available cash on hand, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and borrowings on the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.
Investments. On July 12, 2021, Lamar acquired a minority stake in Vistar Media ("Vistar"), a leading global provider of programmatic technology for the digital out-of-home sector. Management believes that Lamar's investment of $30.0 million will help Vistar strengthen its balance sheet, expand its research and development and extend its reach into new markets. Lamar received a seat on Vistar's Board of Directors.
Note Redemption. On February 3, 2021, the Company redeemed in full all $650.0 million aggregate principal amount 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026. The 5 3/4% Senior Notes redemption was completed using the proceeds received from the 3 5/8% Senior Notes offering completed on January 22, 2021, together with cash on hand and borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. The notes were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 102.875% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the redemption date. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $21.6 million related to the note redemption. See Sources of Cash- Note Offerings for more information.
Dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid distributions of $404.8 million, or $4.00 per share of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company declared and paid distributions of $251.9 million, or $2.50 per share of common stock. On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $1.10 per common share to be paid on March 31, 2022. Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company expects aggregate quarterly distributions to stockholders in 2022 will be $4.40 per common share, including the dividend payable on March 31, 2022.
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As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses to offset, in whole or in part, the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company. On April 6, 2021, Lamar Partnering Corporation ("LPC"), a newly formed special purpose acquisition company and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subject to market conditions, LPC's proposed public offering is expected to have a base offering size of $300.0 million, or up to $345.0 million if the underwriters' over-allotment is exercised in full. The Company, through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, would own approximately 20% of LPC's issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of the proposed offering. The Company intends to commit to acquire up to $100.0 million of forward purchase units in a forward purchase agreement that would close concurrently with LPC's consummation of an initial business combination. As of December 31, 2021, the Company incurred $1.0 million in deferred offering costs related to the proposed offering, which is included in other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Stock and Debt Repurchasing Program. On March 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of the Company's Class A common stock. Additionally, the Board of Directors has authorized Lamar Media to repurchase up to $250.0 million in outstanding senior or senior subordinated notes and other indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the senior credit facility. On September 20, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized the extension of the repurchase program through March 31, 2023. There were no repurchases under the program as of December 31, 2021. The Company's management may opt not to make any repurchases under the program, or may make aggregate purchases less than the total amount authorized.
Material Cash Requirements
Our expected material cash requirements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and thereafter are comprised of contractual obligations, required annual distributions and other opportunistic expenditures.
Debt and Contractual Obligations. The following table summarizes our future debt maturities, interest payment obligations, and contractual obligations including required payments under operating and financing leases as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
2022 Thereafter
Debt maturities (1)
$ 174.8 $ 2,838.8
Interest obligations on long-term debt (2)
98.0 597.9
Contractual obligations, including operating and financing leases 267.3 1,480.0
Total payments due $ 540.1 $ 4,916.7
(1) Debt maturities assume there is no refinancing prior to the existing maturity date.
(2) Interest rates on our variable rate instruments assume rates at the December 2021 levels.
Required Annual Distributions. As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $1.10 per common share to be paid on March 31, 2022. Our Board of Directors will continue to evaluate future dividends in order to continue to satisfy the requirements needed to maintain our REIT status.
Opportunistic Expenditures. As part of our capital allocation strategy, we plan to continue to allocate our available capital among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria. We will continue to reinvest in our existing assets and expand our outdoor advertising display portfolio through new construction. We will also continue to pursue strategic acquisitions of outdoor advertising businesses and assets. This includes acquisitions in our existing markets and in new markets where we can meet our return on investment criteria.
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Cash Flows
The Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities increased $164.5 million from $569.9 million in 2020 to $734.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily resulting from an increase in revenues of approximately $218.5 million and offset by an increase in operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation, gain on disposition of assets, and depreciation and amortization) of approximately $62.0 million, as compared to the comparable period in 2020.
Cash flows used in investing activities increased $364.9 million from $96.9 million in 2020 to $461.8 million in 2021 primarily due to a net increase in the amount of assets acquired through acquisitions, investments and capital expenditures of $360.5 million, as compared to the same period in 2020.
The Company’s cash flows used in financing activities were $294.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $377.9 million in 2020. This decrease in cash used in financing activities of $83.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due to financing transactions during the year 2020, offset by an increase in cash paid for dividends and distributions over the comparable period in 2020.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to intangible assets, goodwill impairment and asset retirement obligations. We base our estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events and, where applicable, established valuation techniques. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from our estimates. We believe that the following significant accounting policies and assumptions may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than others.
Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company had an asset retirement obligation of $269.4 million as of December 31, 2021. This liability relates to the Company’s obligation upon the termination or non-renewal of a lease to dismantle and remove its billboard structures from the leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition. The Company records the present value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred. The liability is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset’s carrying amount. Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the expected useful life of the related asset. In calculating the liability, the Company calculates the present value of the estimated cost to dismantle using an average cost to dismantle, adjusted for inflation and market risk.
This calculation includes 100% of the Company’s billboard structures on leased land (which currently consist of approximately 69,900 structures). The Company uses a 15-year retirement period based on historical operating experience in its core markets, including the actual time that billboard structures have been located on leased land in such markets and the actual length of the leases in the core markets, which includes the initial term of the lease, plus consideration of any renewal period. Historical third-party cost information is used to estimate the cost of dismantling of the structures and the reclamation of the site. The interest rate used to calculate the present value of such costs over the retirement period is based on the Company’s historical credit-adjusted risk free rate.
Acquisitions. The Company accounts for transactions that meet the definition of a business and group asset purchases as acquisitions. For transactions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company allocates the purchase price, including any contingent consideration, to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition with any excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. For transactions that meet the definition of a business, the determination of the final purchase price and the acquisition-date fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed may extend over more than one period and result in adjustments to the preliminary estimate recognized in the prior period financial statements. For transactions that meet the definition of asset group purchases, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated relative fair values as of the date of the acquisition. If a transaction is determined to be a group of assets, any direct acquisition costs are capitalized. Transaction costs for transactions determined to be a business combination are expensed as incurred.
The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the
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Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset, adjusted for an estimated reduction in fair value due to age of the asset, and the economic useful life. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future cash flows.
Lease Liabilities and Right of Use Assets. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Codified as ASC 842),” which resulted in recording operating lease liabilities and right of use assets on our consolidated balance sheet. Our operating lease liabilities (including short-term liabilities) and right of use asset balances were $1.19 billion and $1.22 billion as of December 31, 2021, respectively. The balance is recorded based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under the leasing standard for our existing operating leases. The key estimates for our leases include (1) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value and (2) lease term. Our leases generally do not include a readily determinable implicit rate, therefore, using a portfolio approach, we determine our collateralized incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on the information available at lease commencement. Our lease terms include the noncancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either a Company option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease that the Company is reasonable certain to exercise, or an option to extend the lease controlled by the lessor. The Company has determined we are not reasonably certain to exercise renewals or termination options, and as a result we use the lease’s initial stated term as the lease term for our lease population.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND REGULATORY UPDATE
See Note 21, "New Accounting Pronouncements" to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for a discussion of our Accounting Standards and Regulatory Update.
LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Lamar Media for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media and the related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Net revenues 100.0 % 100.0 %
Operating expenses:
Direct advertising expenses 32.3 % 35.5 %
General and administrative expenses 18.3 % 18.3 %
Corporate expenses 5.2 % 4.5 %
Depreciation and amortization 15.2 % 16.0 %
Operating income 29.2 % 26.2 %
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1.2 % 1.6 %
Interest expense 6.0 % 8.8 %
Income tax expense 0.5 % 0.3 %
Net income 21.8 % 15.5 %
Year ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year ended December 31, 2020
Net revenues increased $218.5 million or 13.9% to $1.79 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $1.57 billion for the same period in 2020. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in billboard and transit net revenues of $210.3 million and $13.0 million, respectively, offset by a decrease in logo net revenues of $4.8 million over the prior year.
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2020, increased $217.0 million, or 13.8%. The $217.0 million increase in net revenues is primarily due to a $202.9 million and $15.1 million increase in billboard and transit net revenues, respectively over the prior year. The increase
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in billboard and transit net revenues was slightly offset by a decrease of $0.9 million in logo net revenues. See “Reconciliations” below.
Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on disposition of assets, increased $80.2 million, or 8.8% to $996.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $916.0 million in the same period in 2020. The $80.2 million increase over the prior year is primarily comprised of an increase in total direct, general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) of $61.6 million primarily related to an increase in our variable billboard lease costs, transit and airport franchise costs, as well as increases in our workforce.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $20.0 million to $271.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $251.3 million for the same period in 2020. The increase is primarily due to the revision in the cost estimate included in the calculation of asset retirement obligations during the period.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, Lamar Media recognized a gain on disposition of assets of $2.1 million as compared to a gain on disposition of assets of $9.0 million for the same period in 2020. The gain on disposition of assets for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily from transactions related to the sale of billboard locations and displays.
Due to the above factors, operating income increased $111.4 million to $522.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $410.6 million for the same period in 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, Lamar Media recorded a $21.6 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the repayment of its 5 3/4% Senior Notes. See “Uses of Cash” for more information.
Interest expense decreased $31.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $106.4 million as compared to $137.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest expense is primarily related Lamar Media’s debt transactions completed in 2020 and 2021.
Equity in earnings of investee was $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of the investment in Vistar Media that occurred in July 2021. There was no equity in earnings of investee for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The increase in operating income, as well as the decrease in interest expense and the decrease in loss on extinguishment of debt over the comparable period in 2020, resulted in a $149.6 million increase in net income before income taxes.
Lamar Media recorded income tax expense of $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to an income tax expense of $4.7 million for the same period in 2020. The $9.3 million tax expense equates to an effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 of approximately 2.3%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT.
As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $388.9 million, as compared to net income of $243.9 million for the same period in 2020.
Reconciliations:
Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2019 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2020 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 by adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2021.
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Reconciliations of 2020 reported net revenue to 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 as well as a comparison of 2020 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2021 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021, are provided below:
Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
Year ended December 31,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Reported net revenue $ 1,787,401 $ 1,568,856
Acquisition net revenue — 1,524
Adjusted totals $ 1,787,401 $ 1,570,380
Key Performance Indicators
Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, Amount of Increase (Decrease) Percent Increase (Decrease)
2021 2020
Net income $ 388,908 $ 243,873 $ 145,035 59.5 %
Income tax expense 9,256 4,660 4,596
Loss on extinguishment of debt 21,604 25,235 (3,631)
Interest expense, net 105,621 136,826 (31,205)
Equity in earnings of investee (3,384) — (3,384)
Gain on disposition of assets (2,115) (9,026) 6,911
Depreciation and amortization 271,294 251,296 19,998
Capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net (445) 387 (832)
Stock-based compensation expense 37,368 18,772 18,596
Adjusted EBITDA $ 828,107 $ 672,023 $ 156,084 23.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 23.2% to $828.1 million. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net) of $198.9 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $42.8 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.
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Net Income/FFO/AFFO
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, Amount of Increase (Decrease) Percent Increase (Decrease)
2021 2020
Net income $ 388,908 $ 243,873 $ 145,035 59.5 %
Depreciation and amortization related to real estate 259,933 238,932 21,001
Gain from sale or disposal of real estate, net of tax (1,865) (5,790) 3,925
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest (2,756) 629 (3,385)
FFO $ 644,220 $ 477,644 $ 166,576 34.9 %
Straight-line expense 2,443 3,597 (1,154)
Capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net (445) 387 (832)
Stock-based compensation expense 37,368 18,772 18,596
Non-cash portion of tax provision 1,574 (797) 2,371
Gain from one-time sale of non-real estate assets — (3,197) 3,197
Non-real estate related depreciation and amortization 11,361 12,364 (1,003)
Amortization of deferred financing costs 5,877 5,909 (32)
Loss on extinguishment of debt 21,604 25,235 (3,631)
Capital expenditures – maintenance (58,196) (24,028) (34,168)
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and non-controlling interest 2,756 (629) 3,385
AFFO $ 668,562 $ 515,257 $ 153,305 29.8 %
FFO for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $644.2 million as compared to FFO of $477.6 million for the same period in 2020. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 29.8% to $668.6 million as compared to $515.3 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in AFFO was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and capitalized contract fulfillment costs, net), offset by an increase in total general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock based compensation expense).
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