Student Transportation announces fiscal 2010 first quarter results
BARRIE, ON,
"Our results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 were in line with our internal expectations and indicative of the growth we have secured for the full fiscal year. As usual, the first quarter results reflect the seasonality of the school bus industry," said Denis J. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As previously discussed, we have already secured a 15 percent increase in annualized school bus transportation revenue for the current fiscal year in connection with the new organic growth from contract bid-wins, school district conversions and the acquisition of
ST's reported net loss for the first quarter improved to (
While schools are not in session during the summer months, the company still incurs operating expenses during these offseason summer months in anticipation of the start up of the school year in early to mid September. In addition, the company funds a significant portion of its replacement capital expenditures during this same time period. Thus the company historically incurs operating losses and negative cash flows during the first quarter of the fiscal year based on these factors.
Gallagher continued, "We anticipate being in our steady, predictable revenue and cash flow position as the school year progresses. The
The 2010 first quarter includes higher offseason costs compared to the prior year due to the necessary start up costs for the new contracts. In addition, year over year school transportation revenue reflects three to four fewer school days in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 due to the timing of the Labour Day holidays in each period, which evens out over the full school year.
The Company's cash available for distributions* for the quarter was a negative
Subsequent Events -----------------
On
Reconciliation of Net Income and EBITDAR (in 000's of US$) Year over Year - Q1 ------------------- Three Months Ended ----------------------- 9/30/09 9/30/08 Net loss $ (3,003) $ (6,059) Add back: Recovery of income taxes (1,740) (3,972) Loss on extinguishment of debt - 1,316 Other loss (income), net 537 (811) Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts (4,820) 3,614 Non-cash stock compensation 500 914 Interest expense 2,468 2,907 Amortization expense 671 707 Depreciation and depletion expense 3,252 3,120 Operating lease expense 536 354 --------- --------- EBITDAR $ (1,599) $ 2,090 --------- --------- --------- --------- Reconciliation of Cash Flow Provided by Operations and Cash Available for Distributions (in 000's of US$) Three Months Three Months Ended Ended 9/30/09 9/30/08 ------- ------- Cash flows used in operating activities $(10,728) $ (5,178) Adjustments: Changes in non-cash working capital items 5,838 5,075 Changes in non-cash other assets and liabilities (11) 34 Non-operating cash flows 677 18 Cash interest expense 2,270 2,730 --------- --------- Subtotal (1,954) 2,679 Less: Interest expense (other than noncash and IPS Subordinated Notes) (1,033) (1,367) Dividends on Class B-Series Two common shares (154) (146) Repurchase of Class B-Series Two common shares - - Cash taxes paid (525) (438) Maintenance capital expenditures, net (6,225) (3,978) --------- --------- Cash Available for Distributions US$ $ (9,891) $ (3,250) ---- --------- --------- ---- --------- --------- Cash Available for Distributions $Cdn $(11,567) $ (3,773) ---- --------- --------- ---- --------- --------- Total Distributions - US$ Interest on IPS Subordinated Notes US$ $ 1,105 $ 1,154 Dividends on IPS common shares US$ $ 1,163 $ 1,206 Dividends on common shares US$ $ 4,510 $ 3,920 ---- --------- --------- Total Distributions US$ $ 6,778 $ 6,280 ---- --------- --------- ---- --------- --------- Total Distributions $Cdn $ 7,927 $ 7,290 ---- --------- --------- ---- --------- ---------
Student Transportation's interim financial statements, notes to financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available at www.sedar.com or at the Company's website at www.rideSTA.com.
Profile
Founded in 1997, Student Transportation Inc. (ST) is North America's third-largest and fastest-growing provider of school bus transportation services, operating more than 6,300 vehicles. ST's family of local companies delivers safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation solutions to school districts throughout the U.S. and
* Non-GAAP Measures
EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure, but management believes it is useful in measuring STA's performance. Readers are cautioned that this measure should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss or other comparable measures determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of the Company's performance or as a measure of its liquidity and cash flow. The Company's method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from the methods used by other issuers and accordingly, the Company's non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other issuers.
Cash available for distributions is a non-GAAP measure, and is not intended to be representative of cash flow or results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP. Investors are cautioned that cash available for distribution, as calculated by the Company, is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflect the expectations of management regarding, among other matters, ST's revenues, expense levels, cost of capital, financial leverage, seasonality, liquidity, profitability of new businesses acquired or secured through bids, borrowing availability, ability to renew or refinance various loan facilities as they become due, ability to execute ST's growth strategy and cash distributions, as well as their future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plans" or "continue" or similar expressions, and the negative forms thereof, suggesting future outcomes or events.
These forward-looking statements reflect ST's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not, or the times at or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the inability of ST to control its operating expenses, its significant capital expenditures, its reliance on certain key personnel, the possibility that a greater number of its employees will join unions, its acquisition strategy, its inability to achieve our business objectives, significant competition in its industry, rising insurance costs, new governmental laws and regulations, its lack of insurance coverage for certain losses, environmental requirements, seasonality of its industry, its inability to maintain letters of credit and performance bonds and the termination of certain of its contracts for reasons beyond its control. Material factors and assumptions that were relied upon in making the forward-looking statements include contract and customer retention, current and future expense levels, availability of quality acquisition, bid and conversion opportunities, current borrowing availability and financial ratios, as well as current and historical results of operations and performance. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what ST believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and ST assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, other than as required by applicable law.
For further information: INVESTOR CONTACTS: Student Transportation Inc., Denis J. Gallagher, Chairman and CEO, Patrick J. Walker, Executive VP and CFO, Keith P. Engelbert, Director of Investor Relations, (732) 280-4200, (732) 280-4213 (FAX), Email: [email protected], Website: www.rideSTA.com
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