Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including tower structures, rooftops and other structures that support antennas used for wireless communications, which we collectively refer to as “towers” or “sites.” Our principal operations are in the United States and its territories. In addition, we own and operate towers in South America, Central America, Canada, and South Africa. Our primary business line is our site leasing business, which contributed 97.6% of our total segment operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2021. In our site leasing business, we (1) lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers that we own or operate and (2) manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. As of June 30, 2021, we owned 33,854 towers, a substantial portion of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to multiple wireless service providers. Our other business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.
Site Leasing
Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts in the United States, South America, Central America, Canada, and South Africa. As of June 30, 2021, no U.S. state or territory accounted for more than 10% of our total tower portfolio by tower count, and no U.S. state or territory accounted
21
Table of Contents
for more than 10% of our total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021. In addition, as of June 30, 2021, approximately 30% of our total towers are located in Brazil and less than 4% of our total towers are located in any of our other international markets (each country is considered a market). We derive site leasing revenues primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Oi S.A., Telefonica, Claro, Tigo, and TIM. Wireless service providers enter into tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual site. In the United States and Canada, our tenant leases are generally for an initial term of five years to 10 years with multiple renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases in South Africa and our Central and South American markets typically have an initial term of 10 years with multiple renewal periods. In Central America, we have similar rent escalators to that of leases in the United States and Canada while our leases in South America and South Africa escalate in accordance with a standard cost of living index. Site leases in South America typically provide for a fixed rental amount and a pass through charge for the underlying rent related to ground leases and other property interests.
Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of:
Cash and non-cash rental expense on ground leases and other underlying property interests;
Property taxes;
Site maintenance and monitoring costs (exclusive of employee related costs);
Utilities;
Property insurance; and
Lease initial direct cost amortization.
In the United States and our international markets, ground leases and other property interests are generally for an initial term of five years to 10 years with multiple renewal periods, at our option, and provide for rent escalators which typically average 2-3% annually, or in our South American markets and South Africa, adjust in accordance with a standard cost of living index. As of June 30, 2021, approximately 71% of our tower structures were located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, or parcels of land in which we have a leasehold interest that extends beyond 20 years. For any given tower, costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase as a result of adding additional customers to the tower. The amount of property taxes varies from site to site depending on the taxing jurisdiction and the height and age of the tower. The ongoing maintenance requirements are typically minimal and include replacing lighting systems, painting a tower, or upgrading or repairing an access road or fencing.
In our Central American markets and Ecuador, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures arising from our new build activities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Specifically, most of our ground leases and other property interests, tenant leases, and tower-related expenses are paid in U.S. dollars. In our Central American markets, our local currency obligations are principally limited to (1) permitting and other local fees, (2) utilities, and (3) taxes. In Brazil, Canada, Chile, and South Africa significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases and other property interests, and other tower-related expenses are denominated in local currency. In Colombia, Argentina, and Peru, our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases and other property interests, and other tower-related expenses are denominated in a mix of local currency and U.S. dollars.
As indicated in the table below, our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 14 of our condensed notes to consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report.
For the three months ended
For the six months ended
Segment operating profit as a percentage of
June 30,
June 30,
total operating profit
2021
2020
2021
2020
Domestic site leasing
80.7%
81.9%
80.7%
81.1%
International site leasing
16.8%
16.9%
16.9%
17.7%
Total site leasing
97.5%
98.8%
97.6%
98.8%
We believe that the site leasing business continues to be attractive due to its long-term contracts, built-in rent escalators, high operating margins, and low customer churn (which refers to when a customer does not renew its lease or cancels its lease prior to the end of its term) other than in connection with customer consolidation or cessation of a particular technology. We believe that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers lease additional antenna space on our towers due to increasing minutes of network use and data transfer, network expansion and network coverage requirements. During the remainder of 2021, we expect organic site leasing revenue in both our domestic and international segments to increase over 2020 levels due in part to wireless carriers deploying unused spectrum. We believe our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures. Due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, we expect future expenditures required to maintain these towers to be minimal. Consequently, we
22
Table of Contents
expect to grow our cash flows by (1) adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the cost of tower modifications and (2) executing monetary amendments as wireless service providers add or upgrade their equipment. Furthermore, because our towers are strategically positioned, we have historically experienced low tenant lease terminations as a percentage of revenue other than in connection with customer consolidation or cessations of a specific technology.
Site Development
Our site development business, which is conducted in the United States only, is complementary to our site leasing business and provides us the ability to keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and to capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna and equipment installation at our tower locations. Site development revenues are earned primarily from providing a full range of end to end services to wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our services include: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas on existing infrastructure; (4) support in leasing of the location; (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits; (6) tower and related site construction; (7) antenna installation; and (8) radio equipment installation, commissioning, and maintenance. We provide site development services at our towers and at towers owned by others on a local basis, through regional, market, and project offices. The market offices are responsible for all site development operations.
For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 14 of our condensed notes to consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report.
Capital Allocation Strategy
Our capital allocation strategy is aimed at increasing shareholder value through investment in quality assets that meet our return criteria, stock repurchases when we believe our stock price is below its intrinsic value, and by returning cash generated by our operations in the form of cash dividends. While the addition of a cash dividend to our capital allocation strategy in 2019 has provided us with a new tool to return value to our shareholders, we will also continue to make investments focused on increasing Adjusted Funds From Operations per share. To achieve this, we expect to continue to deploy capital to portfolio growth and stock repurchases, subject to compliance with REIT distribution requirements, available funds and market conditions, while maintaining our target leverage levels. Key elements of our capital allocation strategy include:
Portfolio Growth. We intend to continue to grow our asset portfolio, domestically and internationally, primarily through tower acquisitions and the construction of new towers that meet our internal return on invested capital criteria.
Stock Repurchase Program. We currently utilize stock repurchases as part of our capital allocation policy when we believe our share price is below its intrinsic value. We believe that share repurchases, when purchased at the right price, will facilitate our goal of increasing our Adjusted Funds From Operations per share.
Dividend. Cash dividends are an additional component of our strategy of returning value to shareholders. We do not expect our dividend to require any changes in our leverage and, we believe, it will allow us to continue to focus on building and buying quality assets and opportunistically buying back our stock. While the timing and amount of future dividends will be subject to approval by our Board of Directors, we believe that our future cash flow generation will permit us to grow our cash dividend in the future.
COVID-19 Update
We have experienced minimal impact to our business or results of operations from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The extent to which COVID-19 could adversely affect our future business operations will depend on future developments such as the duration of the outbreak, new information on the severity of COVID-19 or its variants, and methods taken to contain or treat the outbreak of COVID-19 including a vaccine distribution program. While the full impact of COVID-19 is not yet known, we will continue to monitor these developments and the potential effects on our business.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the policies and significant estimation processes listed below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally
23
Table of Contents
accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.
Reference Rate Reform
ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform, provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. An entity may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“IBA”) intends to cease the publication of USD LIBOR as follows: the 1 week and 2 month tenors on December 31, 2021 and all other tenors on June 30, 2023. On July 7, 2021, we amended our Credit Facility to provide mechanics relating to a transition away from LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate and the replacement of LIBOR by an alternative benchmark rate. Refer to “Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements” below for further discussion of the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2021, other than modifications to the Credit Facility, we have not modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform and are evaluating the impact this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This report presents our financial results and other financial metrics after eliminating the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe that providing these financial results and metrics on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP measures, gives management and investors the ability to evaluate the performance of our business without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by dividing the current period’s financial results by the average monthly exchange rates of the prior year period, as well as by eliminating the impact of realized and unrealized gains and losses on our intercompany loans.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
Revenues and Segment Operating Profit:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
Revenues
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
418,829
$
388,018
$
—
$
30,811
7.9%
International site leasing
105,266
94,385
3,461
7,420
7.9%
Site development
51,433
24,823
—
26,610
107.2%
Total
$
575,528
$
507,226
$
3,461
$
64,841
12.8%
Cost of Revenues
Domestic site leasing
$
63,948
$
64,093
$
—
$
(145)
(0.2%)
International site leasing
31,402
27,505
1,102
2,795
10.2%
Site development
40,409
19,904
—
20,505
103.0%
Total
$
135,759
$
111,502
$
1,102
$
23,155
20.8%
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing
$
354,881
$
323,925
$
—
$
30,956
9.6%
International site leasing
73,864
66,880
2,359
4,625
6.9%
Site development
11,024
4,919
—
6,105
124.1%
24
Table of Contents
Revenues
Domestic site leasing revenues increased $30.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to (1) revenues from 843 towers acquired (including wireless tenant licenses on 699 utility transmission structures from the PG&E transaction) and 12 towers built since April 1, 2020 and (2) organic site leasing growth, primarily from monetary lease amendments for additional equipment added to our towers as well as new leases and contractual rent escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals.
International site leasing revenues increased $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing revenues increased $7.4 million. These changes were primarily due to (1) revenues from 109 towers acquired and 408 towers built since April 1, 2020 and (2) organic site leasing growth from new leases, amendments, and contractual escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals. Site leasing revenue in Brazil represented 11.1% of total site leasing revenue for the period. No other individual international market represented more than 4% of our total site leasing revenue.
Site development revenues increased $26.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity driven primarily by T-Mobile and DISH.
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing segment operating profit increased $31.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to additional profit generated by (1) towers acquired and built since April 1, 2020 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (2) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (3) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.
International site leasing segment operating profit increased $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing segment operating profit increased $4.6 million. These changes were primarily due to additional profit generated by (1) towers acquired and built since April 1, 2020 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (2) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (3) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.
Site development segment operating profit increased $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity driven primarily by T-Mobile and DISH.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
29,201
$
25,233
$
—
$
3,968
15.7%
International site leasing
9,521
9,035
406
80
0.9%
Total site leasing
$
38,722
$
34,268
$
406
$
4,048
11.8%
Site development
3,994
4,494
—
(500)
(11.1%)
Other
11,229
10,326
—
903
8.7%
Total
$
53,945
$
49,088
$
406
$
4,451
9.1%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $4.5 million. These changes were primarily as a result of an increase in personnel and other support related costs including noncash compensation as well as an increase in travel related expenses.
25
Table of Contents
Acquisition and New Business Initiatives Related Adjustments and Expenses:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
4,596
$
3,004
$
—
$
1,592
53.0%
International site leasing
2,198
1,630
731
(163)
(10.0%)
Total
$
6,794
$
4,634
$
731
$
1,429
30.8%
Acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses increased $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses increased $1.4 million. These changes were primarily as a result of an increase in third party acquisition and integration costs as well as incremental costs incurred in support of new business initiatives as compared to the prior year.
Asset Impairment and Decommission Costs:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
2,690
$
5,342
$
—
$
(2,652)
(49.6%)
International site leasing
961
900
58
3
0.3%
Total site leasing
$
3,651
$
6,242
$
58
$
(2,649)
(42.4%)
Other
146
—
—
146
—%
Total
$
3,797
$
6,242
$
58
$
(2,503)
(40.1%)
Asset impairment and decommission costs decreased $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. This change was primarily as a result of a $3.2 million decrease in impairment charges resulting from our regular analysis of whether the future cash flows from certain towers are adequate to recover the carrying value of the investment in those towers, partially offset by a $0.8 million increase related to sites decommissioned in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the prior year period.
Depreciation, Accretion, and Amortization Expense:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
128,034
$
134,569
$
—
$
(6,535)
(4.9%)
International site leasing
44,744
42,011
1,316
1,417
3.4%
Total site leasing
$
172,778
$
176,580
$
1,316
$
(5,118)
(2.9%)
Site development
1,017
597
—
420
70.4%
Other
1,674
1,529
—
145
9.5%
Total
$
175,469
$
178,706
$
1,316
$
(4,553)
(2.5%)
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense decreased $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense decreased $4.6 million. These changes were primarily due to the impact of assets that became fully depreciated since the prior year period, partially offset by an increase in the number of towers we acquired and built since April 1, 2020.
26
Table of Contents
Operating Income (Expense):
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
190,360
$
155,777
$
—
$
34,583
22.2%
International site leasing
16,440
13,304
(152)
3,288
24.7%
Total site leasing
$
206,800
$
169,081
$
(152)
$
37,871
22.4%
Site development
6,013
(172)
—
6,185
3,595.9%
Other
(13,049)
(11,855)
—
(1,194)
10.1%
Total
$
199,764
$
157,054
$
(152)
$
42,862
27.3%
Domestic site leasing operating income increased $34.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in depreciation, accretion, amortization expense and asset impairment and decommission costs, partially offset by increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses.
International site leasing operating income increased $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. This change was primarily due to higher segment operating profit, partially offset by an increase in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense.
Site development operating income increased $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit driven by more activity from T-Mobile and DISH and a decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses .
Other Income (Expense):
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Interest income
$
547
$
699
$
10
$
(162)
(23.2%)
Interest expense
(90,544)
(95,687)
12
5,131
(5.4%)
Non-cash interest expense
(11,812)
(2,337)
—
(9,475)
405.4%
Amortization of deferred financing fees
(4,865)
(5,188)
—
323
(6.2%)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net
(2,020)
—
—
(2,020)
—%
Other income (expense), net
108,849
(31,588)
143,176
(2,739)
842.8%
Total
$
155
$
(134,101)
$
143,198
$
(8,942)
8.7%
Interest expense decreased $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year primarily due to a lower weighted average interest rate due in part to the interest rate swap entered into during the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by a higher average principal amount of cash interest bearing debt outstanding.
Non-cash interest expense increased $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year primarily related to amortization of accumulated losses related to our interest rate swaps de-designated as cash flow hedges.
Loss from extinguishment of debt was $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 representing the write-off of unamortized financing fees related to the repayment of the 2017-1C Tower Securities in May 2021.
Other income (expense), net includes a $111.3 million gain on the remeasurement of U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries for the three months ended June 30, 2021, while the prior year period included a $31.2 million loss.
27
Table of Contents
( Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
$
(47,250)
$
165
$
(50,276)
$
2,861
(27.0%)
Provision for income taxes increased $47.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, provision for income taxes decreased $2.9 million. This change was primarily due to a decrease in foreign withholding taxes and deferred state taxes.
Net Income:
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Net income
$
152,669
$
23,118
$
92,770
$
36,781
84.8%
Net income increased $129.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net income increased $36.8 million. These changes were primarily due to an increase in operating income and decreases in cash interest expense related to the interest rate swaps and provision for income taxes. This was partially offset by increases in non-cash interest expense.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Revenues and Segment Operating Profit:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
Revenues
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
822,407
$
774,361
$
—
$
48,046
6.2%
International site leasing
206,790
200,397
(9,118)
15,511
7.7%
Site development
95,069
49,534
—
45,535
91.9%
Total
$
1,124,266
$
1,024,292
$
(9,118)
$
109,092
10.7%
Cost of Revenues
Domestic site leasing
$
129,069
$
127,997
$
—
$
1,072
0.8%
International site leasing
61,649
59,400
(3,149)
5,398
9.1%
Site development
74,815
39,620
—
35,195
88.8%
Total
$
265,533
$
227,017
$
(3,149)
$
41,665
18.4%
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing
$
693,338
$
646,364
$
—
$
46,974
7.3%
International site leasing
145,141
140,997
(5,969)
10,113
7.2%
Site development
20,254
9,914
—
10,340
104.3%
Revenues
Domestic site leasing revenues increased $48.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to (1) revenues from 906 towers acquired (including wireless tenant licenses on 699 utility transmission structures from the PG&E transaction) and 16 towers built since January 1, 2020 and (2) organic site leasing growth, primarily from monetary lease amendments for additional equipment added to our towers as well as new leases and contractual rent escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals.
International site leasing revenues increased $6.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing revenues increased $15.5 million. These changes were primarily due to (1) revenues from 115 towers acquired and 453 towers built since January 1, 2020 and (2) organic site leasing growth from new leases, amendments, and contractual escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals. Site leasing revenue in Brazil represented
28
Table of Contents
11.1% of total site leasing revenue for the period. No other individual international market represented more than 4% of our total site leasing revenue.
Site development revenues increased $45.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity driven primarily by T-Mobile and DISH.
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing segment operating profit increased $47.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to additional profit generated by (1) towers acquired and built since January 1, 2020 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (2) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (3) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.
International site leasing segment operating profit increased $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing segment operating profit increased $10.1 million. These changes were primarily due to additional profit generated by (1) towers acquired and built since January 1, 2020 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (2) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (3) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.
Site development segment operating profit increased $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity driven primarily by T-Mobile and DISH.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
57,257
$
52,555
$
—
$
4,702
8.9%
International site leasing
17,281
16,966
92
223
1.3%
Total site leasing
$
74,538
$
69,521
$
92
$
4,925
7.1%
Site development
9,783
8,950
—
833
9.3%
Other
21,225
20,233
—
992
4.9%
Total
$
105,546
$
98,704
$
92
$
6,750
6.8%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. This change was primarily as a result of an increase in personnel and other support related costs including noncash compensation.
Acquisition and New Business Initiatives Related Adjustments and Expenses:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
7,928
$
5,601
$
—
$
2,327
41.5%
International site leasing
3,867
2,832
812
223
7.9%
Total
$
11,795
$
8,433
$
812
$
2,550
30.2%
Acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses increased $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses increased $2.6 million. These changes were primarily as a result of an increase in third party acquisition and integration costs as well as incremental costs incurred in support of new business initiatives as compared to the prior year.
29
Table of Contents
Asset Impairment and Decommission Costs:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
6,561
$
16,168
$
—
$
(9,607)
(59.4%)
International site leasing
1,993
4,429
21
(2,457)
(55.5%)
Total site leasing
$
8,554
$
20,597
$
21
$
(12,064)
(58.6%)
Other
146
—
—
146
—%
Total
$
8,700
$
20,597
$
21
$
(11,918)
(57.9%)
Asset impairment and decommission costs decreased $11.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. This change was primarily as a result of a $11.1 million decrease in impairment charges resulting from our regular analysis of whether the future cash flows from certain towers are adequate to recover the carrying value of the investment in those towers and a $0.8 million decrease related to sites decommissioned in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the prior year period.
Depreciation, Accretion, and Amortization Expenses:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
267,025
$
268,375
$
—
$
(1,350)
(0.5%)
International site leasing
87,865
88,623
(3,981)
3,223
3.6%
Total site leasing
$
354,890
$
356,998
$
(3,981)
$
1,873
0.5%
Site development
1,162
1,213
—
(51)
(4.2%)
Other
3,298
3,074
—
224
7.3%
Total
$
359,350
$
361,285
$
(3,981)
$
2,046
0.6%
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense decreased $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense increased $2.0 million. This change was primarily due to an increase in the number of towers we acquired and built since January 1, 2020, partially offset by the impact of assets that became fully depreciated since the prior year period.
Operating Income (Expense):
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing
$
354,567
$
303,665
$
—
$
50,902
16.8%
International site leasing
34,135
28,147
(2,913)
8,901
31.6%
Total site leasing
$
388,702
$
331,812
$
(2,913)
$
59,803
18.0%
Site development
9,309
(249)
—
9,558
(3,838.6%)
Other
(24,669)
(23,307)
—
(1,362)
5.8%
Total
$
373,342
$
308,256
$
(2,913)
$
67,999
22.1%
Domestic site leasing operating income increased $50.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in asset impairment and decommission costs and depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense, partially offset by increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses.
International site leasing operating income increased $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing operating income increased $8.9 million. These changes were primarily due to higher segment operating profit and a decrease in asset impairment and decommission costs, partially offset by an increase in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense.
30
Table of Contents
Site development operating income increased $9.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit driven by more activity from T-Mobile and DISH , partially offset by an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses .
Other Income (Expense):
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Interest income
$
1,179
$
1,584
$
(91)
$
(314)
(19.8%)
Interest expense
(180,639)
(191,538)
9
10,890
(5.7%)
Non-cash interest expense
(23,615)
(4,743)
1
(18,873)
397.9%
Amortization of deferred financing fees
(9,755)
(10,328)
—
573
(5.5%)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net
(13,672)
(16,864)
—
3,192
(18.9%)
Other income (expense), net
20,410
(257,885)
286,764
(8,469)
(231.2%)
Total
$
(206,092)
$
(479,774)
$
286,683
$
(13,001)
6.0%
Interest expense decreased $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year primarily due to a lower weighted average interest rate due in part to the interest rate swap entered into during third quarter of 2020, partially offset by a higher average principal amount of cash interest bearing debt outstanding.
Non-cash interest expense increased $18.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year primarily related to amortization of accumulated losses related to our interest rate swaps de-designated as cash flow hedges.
Loss from extinguishment of debt was $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 representing the payment of a $7.5 million call premium and the write-off of $4.2 million of the unamortized financing fees related to the redemption of the 2017 Senior Notes in February 2021, as well as the write-off of $2.0 million of unamortized financing fees related to the repayment of the 2017-1C in May 2021. Loss from extinguishment of debt was $16.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 representing the payment of a $9.1 million call premium and the write-off of $7.7 million of the original issuance discount and unamortized financing fees related to the redemption of the 2014 Senior Notes.
Other income (expense), net includes a $25.0 million gain on the remeasurement of U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries for the six months ended June 30, 2021, while the prior year period included a $261.3 million loss.
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes:
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
$
(26,328)
$
66,702
$
(94,869)
$
1,839
(8.6%)
Net Income (Loss):
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
140,922
$
(104,816)
$
188,901
$
56,837
83.2%
Net income was $140.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to net loss of $104.8 million in the prior year period. This change was primarily due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates including changes recorded on the remeasurement of the U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries, an increase in operating income, and decreases in cash interest expense related to the interest rate swaps, loss from extinguishment of debt, and provision for income taxes. This was partially offset by increases in non-cash interest expense.
31
Table of Contents
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure. We have provided below a description of Adjusted EBITDA, a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure and an explanation as to why management utilizes this measure. This report also presents our financial results and other financial metrics after eliminating the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe that providing these financial results and metrics on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP measures, gives management and investors the ability to evaluate the performance of our business without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by dividing the current period’s financial results by the average monthly exchange rates of the prior year period, as well as by eliminating the impact of the remeasurement of our intercompany loans.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue, non-cash straight-line ground lease expense, non-cash compensation, net loss from extinguishment of debt, other income and expenses, acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses, asset impairment and decommission costs, interest income, interest expenses, depreciation, accretion, and amortization, and income taxes.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by management (1) to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations and (2) for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operations. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA helps investors or other interested parties to meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations (1) from period to period and (2) to our competitors, by excluding the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our financial results. Management also believes Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors or other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is similar to the measure of current financial performance generally used by our lenders to determine compliance with certain covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement and the indentures relating to the 2016 Senior Notes, 2020 Senior Notes, and 2021 Senior Notes. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.
For the three months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Net income
$
152,669
$
23,118
$
92,770
$
36,781
84.8%
Non-cash straight-line leasing revenue
(9,515)
(346)
—
(9,169)
2,650.0%
Non-cash straight-line ground lease expense
2,007
3,678
36
(1,707)
(46.4%)
Non-cash compensation
21,643
18,579
165
2,899
15.6%
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net
2,020
—
—
2,020
—%
Other (income) expense, net
(108,849)
31,588
(143,176)
2,739
842.8%
Acquisition and new business initiatives
related adjustments and expenses
6,794
4,634
731
1,429
30.8%
Asset impairment and decommission costs
3,797
6,242
58
(2,503)
(40.1%)
Interest income
(547)
(699)
(10)
162
(23.2%)
Total interest expense (1)
107,221
103,212
(12)
4,021
3.9%
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization
175,469
178,706
1,316
(4,553)
(2.5%)
Provision for income taxes (2)
47,485
55
50,277
(2,847)
(26.3%)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
400,194
$
368,767
$
2,155
$
29,272
7.9%
32
Table of Contents
For the six months ended
Constant
June 30,
Foreign
Constant
Currency
2021
2020
Currency Impact
Currency Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
140,922
$
(104,816)
$
188,901
$
56,837
83.2%
Non-cash straight-line leasing revenue
(10,091)
(2,687)
(98)
(7,306)
271.9%
Non-cash straight-line ground lease expense
4,648
7,527
46
(2,925)
(38.9%)
Non-cash compensation
42,066
34,857
112
7,097
20.4%
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net
13,672
16,864
—
(3,192)
(18.9%)
Other (income) expense, net
(20,410)
257,885
(286,764)
8,469
231.2%
Acquisition and new business initiatives
related adjustments and expenses
11,795
8,433
812
2,550
30.2%
Asset impairment and decommission costs
8,700
20,597
21
(11,918)
(57.9%)
Interest income
(1,179)
(1,584)
91
314
(19.8%)
Total interest expense (1)
214,009
206,609
(10)
7,410
3.6%
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization
359,350
361,285
(3,981)
2,046
0.6%
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (2)
26,783
(66,255)
94,869
(1,831)
(8.4%)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
790,265
$
738,715
$
(6,001)
$
57,551
7.8%
(1) Total interest expense includes interest expense, non-cash interest expense, and amortization of deferred financing fees.
(2) Provision (benefit) for taxes includes $235 and $220 of franchise taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $455 and $447 of franchise taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, reflected in selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $31.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased $29.3 million. These changes were primarily due to an increase in segment operating profit, partially offset by an increase in cash selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $51.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased $57.6 million. These changes were primarily due to an increase in segment operating profit.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
SBA Communications Corporation (“SBAC”) is a holding company with no business operations of its own. SBAC’s only significant asset is 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (“Telecommunications”), which is also a holding company that owns equity interests in entities that directly or indirectly own all of our domestic and international towers and assets. We conduct all of our business operations through Telecommunications’ subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries.
A summary of our cash flows is as follows:
For the six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities
$
638,282
$
592,418
Cash used in investing activities
(1,184,754)
(413,970)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
545,394
(52,121)
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(1,078)
126,327
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equiv., and restricted cash
(2,920)
(15,809)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
342,808
141,120
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
$
338,810
$
251,638
33
Table of Contents
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $638.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to $592.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in segment operating profit, the positive impact on cash from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and a decrease in net cash interest paid, partially offset by a decrease in cash inflows associated with working capital changes primarily from timing of customer payments.
Investing Activities
A detail of our cash capital expenditures is as follows:
For the six months ended June 30,
2021
2020
(in thousands)
Acquisitions of towers and related intangible assets
$
(168,885)
$
(99,424)
Acquisition of right-of-use assets (1)
(947,698)
—
Land buyouts and other assets (2)
(13,268)
(19,611)
Construction and related costs on new builds
(22,587)
(28,012)
Augmentation and tower upgrades
(14,437)
(21,423)
Tower maintenance
(16,292)
(15,180)
General corporate
(2,059)
(2,364)
Other investing activities
472
(227,956)
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(1,184,754)
$
(413,970)
(1) During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we acquired the exclusive right to lease and operate 699 utility transmission structures, which included existing wireless tenant licenses from PG&E.
(2) Excludes $6.4 million and $3.6 million spent to extend ground lease terms for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Subsequent to June 30, 2021, we purchased or agreed to purchase approximately 1,800 communication sites for an aggregate consideration of approximately $270.0 million in cash, including approximately 1,400 sites for approximately $175.0 million in cash relating to the previously announced deal to acquire towers from Airtel Tanzania.
For 2021, we expect to incur non-discretionary cash capital expenditures associated with tower maintenance and general corporate expenditures of $35.0 million to $45.0 million and discretionary cash capital expenditures, based on current or potential acquisition obligations, planned new tower construction, forecasted tower augmentations, and forecasted ground lease purchases, of $1,450.0 million to $1,470.0 million. We expect to fund these cash capital expenditures from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility or new financings. The exact amount of our future cash capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio, our new tower build and acquisition programs, and our ground lease purchase program.
34
Table of Contents
Financing Activities
A detail of our financing activities is as follows:
For the six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
(in thousands)
Net repayments under Revolving Credit Facility (1)
$
(295,000)
$
(490,000)
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes, net of fees (1)
1,485,512
1,480,206
Repayment of Senior Notes (1)
(757,500)
(759,143)
Proceeds from issuance of Tower Securities, net of fees (1)
1,152,631
—
Repayment of Tower Securities (1)
(760,000)
—
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(168,922)
(203,330)
Payment of dividends on common stock
(126,893)
(104,171)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans, net of taxes
27,140
37,316
Other financing activities
(11,574)
(12,999)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
545,394
$
(52,121)
(1) For additional information regarding our debt instruments and financings, refer to “Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements” below.
Dividends
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we paid the following cash dividends:
Payable to Shareholders
of Record at the Close
Cash Paid
Aggregate Amount
Date Declared
of Business on
Per Share
Paid
Date Paid
February 19, 2021
March 10, 2021
$0.58
$63.4 million
March 26, 2021
April 26, 2021
May 20, 2021
$0.58
$63.4 million
June 15, 2021
Dividends paid in 2021 and 2020 were ordinary dividends.
Subsequent to June 30, 2021, we declared the following cash dividends:
Payable to Shareholders
Cash to
of Record at the Close
be Paid
Date Declared
of Business on
Per Share
Date to be Paid
August 1, 2021
August 26, 2021
$0.58
September 23, 2021
The amount of future distributions will be determined, from time to time, by our Board of Directors to balance our goal of increasing long-term shareholder value and retaining sufficient cash to implement our current capital allocation policy, which prioritizes investment in quality assets that meet our return criteria, and then stock repurchases when we believe our stock price is below its intrinsic value. The actual amount, timing, and frequency of future dividends will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Registration Statements
We have on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 registering shares of Class A common stock that we may issue in connection with the acquisition of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies who own wireless communication towers, antenna sites, or related assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we did not issue any shares of Class A common stock under this registration statement. As of June 30, 2021, we had approximately 1.2 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this registration statement.
On February 26, 2021, we filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3, which enables us to issue shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. We will file a prospectus supplement containing the amount and
35
Table of Contents
type of securities each time we issue securities under our automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3. No securities were issued under this registration statement through the date of this filing.
Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements
Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement
On July 7, 2021, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, SBA Senior Finance II LLC, amended our Revolving Credit Facility to (1) increase the total commitments under the Facility from $1.25 billion to $1.5 billion, (2) extend the maturity date of the Facility to July 7, 2026, (3) lower the applicable interest rate margins and commitment fees under the Facility, (4) provide mechanics relating to a transition away from LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate and the replacement of LIBOR by an alternative benchmark rate, (5) incorporate sustainability-linked targets which will adjust the Facility’s applicable interest and commitment fee rates upward or downward based on how we perform against those targets, and (6) amend certain other terms and conditions under the Senior Credit Agreement. As amended, the Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, based upon specific financial ratios and subject to the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (1) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 112.5 basis points to 150.0 basis points or (2) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 12.5 basis points to 50.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Net Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.15% and 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of the period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period.
During the three months ended June 30, 2021, we borrowed $100.0 million and repaid $605.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we borrowed $810.0 million and repaid $1.1 billion of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2021, the balance outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility was $85.0 million accruing interest at 1.600% per annum. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II was required to pay a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the amount of the unused commitment. As of June 30, 2021, SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement.
Subsequent to June 30, 2021, we repaid $85.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of the date of this filing, no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Term Loan under the Senior Credit Agreement
2018 Term Loan
On April 11, 2018, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, SBA Senior Finance II LLC, obtained a term loan (the “2018 Term Loan”) under the amended and restated Senior Credit Agreement. The 2018 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $2.4 billion that matures on April 11, 2025. The 2018 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election at either the Base Rate plus 75 basis points (with a zero Base Rate floor) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 175 basis points (with a zero Eurodollar Rate floor). The 2018 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of June 30, 2021, the 2018 Term Loan was accruing interest at 1.860% per annum. Principal payments on the 2018 Term Loan are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $6.0 million.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we repaid an aggregate of $6.0 million and $12.0 million of principal on the 2018 Term Loan, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, the 2018 Term Loan had a principal balance of $2.3 billion.
On August 4, 2020, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, SBA Senior Finance II, entered into an interest rate swap for $1.95 billion of notional value accruing interest at one month LIBOR plus 175 basis points for a fixed rate of 1.874% per annum through the maturity date of the 2018 Term Loan.
Secured Tower Revenue Securities
On May 14, 2021 , we , through the Trust, issued $1.165 billion of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2021-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of November 9, 2026 and a final maturity date of May 9, 2051 (the “2021-1C Tower Securities ”). The fixed interest rate on the 2021-1C Tower Securities is 1.631% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were
36
Table of Contents
used to repay the entire aggregate principal amount of the 2017-1C Tower Securities ($760.0 million) and the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2017-1R ($40.0 million) and for general corporate purposes. We have incurred deferred financing fees of $12.4 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2021-1C Tower Securities.
Tower Revenue Securities Terms
As of June 30, 2021, we, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), had issued and outstanding an aggregate of $5.5 billion of Secured Tower Revenue Securities (“Tower Securities”). The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of certain of our subsidiaries that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (the “Borrowers”) under which there is a loan tranche for each Tower Security outstanding with the same interest rate and maturity date as the corresponding Tower Security. The mortgage loan will be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 9,929 tower sites owned by the Borrowers as of June 30, 2021. The mortgage loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust, and deeds to secure debt on a substantial portion of the tower sites, (2) a security interest in the tower sites and substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, (3) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, and (4) all of the proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management, Inc., an indirect subsidiary (“Network Management”), is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 4.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month.
The table below sets forth the material terms of our outstanding Tower Securities as of June 30, 2021:
Security
Issue Date
Amount Outstanding
Interest Rate
Anticipated Repayment Date
Final Maturity Date
2013-2C Tower Securities
Apr. 18, 2013
$575.0 million
3.722%
Apr. 11, 2023
Apr. 9, 2048
2014-2C Tower Securities
Oct. 15, 2014
$620.0 million
3.869%
Oct. 8, 2024
Oct. 8, 2049
2018-1C Tower Securities
Mar. 9, 2018
$640.0 million
3.448%
Mar. 9, 2023
Mar. 9, 2048
2019-1C Tower Securities
Sep. 13, 2019
$1.165 billion
2.836%
Jan. 12, 2025
Jan. 12, 2050
2020-1C Tower Securities
Jul. 14, 2020
$750.0 million
1.884%
Jan. 9, 2026
Jul. 11, 2050
2020-2C Tower Securities
Jul. 14, 2020
$600.0 million
2.328%
Jan. 11, 2028
Jul. 9, 2052
2021-1C Tower Securities
May 14, 2021
$1.165 billion
1.631%
Nov. 9, 2026
May 9, 2051
Risk Retention Tower Securities
In addition, to satisfy certain risk retention requirements of Regulation RR promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), SBA Guarantor, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased (1) $33.7 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2018-1R (the “2018-1R Tower Securities”) issued by the Trust with a fixed interest rate of 4.949% per annum, payable monthly, and with the same anticipated repayment date and final maturity date as the 2018-1C Tower Securities, (2) $61.4 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2019-1R (the “2019-1R Tower Securities”) issued by the Trust with a fixed interest rate of 4.213% per annum, payable monthly, and with the same anticipated repayment date and final maturity date as the 2019-1C Tower Securities, (3) $71.1 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2020-2R (the “2020-2R Tower Securities”) issued by the Trust with a fixed interest rate of 4.336% per annum, payable monthly, and with the same anticipated repayment date and final maturity date as the 2020-2C Tower Securities, and (4) $61.4 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2021-1R (the “2021-1R Tower Securities”) issued by the Trust with a fixed interest rate of 3.625% per annum, payable monthly, and with the same anticipated repayment date and final maturity date as the 2021-1C Tower Securities. Principal and interest payments made on the 2018-1R Tower Securities, 2019-1R Tower Securities, 2020-2R Tower Securities, and 2021-1R Tower Securities eliminate in consolidation.
As of June 30, 2021, the Borrowers met the debt service coverage ratio required by the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the agreement.
Senior Notes
On January 29, 2021, we issued $1.5 billion of unsecured senior notes due February 1, 2029 at par value (the “2021 Senior Notes”). The 2021 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 3.125% per annum. Interest on the 2021 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on August 1, 2021. We incurred financing fees of $14.5 million to date in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from this offering were used to redeem all of the outstanding principal amount of the 2017 Senior Notes, repay the amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, and for general corporate purposes.
37
Table of Contents
The 2021 Senior Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after February 1, 2024 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to February 1, 2024, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes originally issued at a redemption price of 103.125% of the principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. We may redeem the 2021 Senior Notes during the twelve-month period beginning on the following dates at the following redemption prices: February 1, 2024 at 101.563%, February 1, 2025 at 100.781%, or February 1, 2026 until maturity at 100.000%, of the principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The table below sets forth the material terms of our outstanding senior notes as of June 30, 2021:
Senior Notes
Issue Date
Amount Outstanding
Interest Rate Coupon
Maturity Date
Interest Due Dates
Optional Redemption Date
2016 Senior Notes
Aug. 15, 2016
$1.1 billion
4.875%
Sep. 1, 2024
Mar. 1 & Sep. 1
Sep. 1, 2019
2020 Senior Notes
Feb. 4, 2020
$1.5 billion
3.875%
Feb. 15, 2027
Feb. 15 & Aug. 15
Feb. 15, 2023
2021 Senior Notes
Jan. 29, 2021
$1.5 billion
3.125%
Feb. 1, 2029
Feb. 1 & Aug. 1
Feb. 1, 2024
The unsecured senior notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may redeem each of the senior notes during the time periods and at the redemption prices set forth in the indentures.
Debt Service
As of June 30, 2021, we believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Credit Facility, and cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months.
The following table illustrates our estimate of our debt service requirement over the next twelve months based on the amounts outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and the interest rates accruing on those amounts on such date (in thousands):
Revolving Credit Facility (1)
$
3,690
2018 Term Loan (2)
67,572
2013-2C Tower Securities
21,585
2014-2C Tower Securities
24,185
2018-1C Tower Securities
22,270
2019-1C Tower Securities
33,409
2020-1C Tower Securities
14,368
2020-2C Tower Securities
14,159
2021-1C Tower Securities
19,371
2016 Senior Notes
53,625
2020 Senior Notes
58,125
2021 Senior Notes
46,875
Total debt service for the next 12 months (2)
$
379,234
(1) Subsequent to June 30, 2021, we repaid $85.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of the date of this filing, no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
(2) Total debt service on the 2018 Term Loan includes the impact of the interest rate swap entered into on August 4, 2020, which swapped $1.95 billion of notional value accruing interest at one month LIBOR plus 175 basis points for a fixed rate of 1.874% per annum through the maturity date of the 2018 Term Loan.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.