Equinix Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2012 Results

​Q4 Financials 2012 (PDF)

REDWOOD CITY, CA — February 13, 2013 — Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX),the global interconnection and data center company, today reported quarterly and year-end results for the period ended December 31, 2012. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, which are described further below and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measures after the presentation of our GAAP financial statements.

The quarterly and year-end results for the period ended December 31, 2012 include the results of Asia Tone Limited and ancotel GmbH from July 2012, the date that both of these data center providers were acquired by the Company.  Due to the Company’s sale of 16 International Business Exchange data centers located throughout the United States to an investment group consisting of 365 Main, Crosslink Capital and Housatonic Partners in a transaction for net proceeds of $76.5 million, the financial results derived from these 16 data centers are excluded from Equinix’s continuing operations and are reported as discontinued operations. As a result, the Company has retroactively adjusted its financial results for all applicable prior periods beginning April 30, 2010, the date the Company acquired these assets, through November 1, 2012, the date the sale was closed, to reflect them as discontinued operations as required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial results from these 16 data centers are presented on the last page of the attached financial statements associated with this earnings release.

Revenues from continuing operations were $506.5 million for the fourth quarter, a 4% increase over the previous quarter and a 20% increase over the same quarter last year.  This result included $18.4 million in revenues from the Company’s Asia Tone and ancotel acquisitions for the quarter and excluded $2.8 million of revenues from discontinued operations.  Revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2012, were $1,895.7 million, a 21% increase over 2011 revenues.  This result included $34.6 million in revenues from the Company’s Asia Tone and ancotel acquisitions and excluded $29.6 million of revenues from discontinued operations.  Recurring revenues, consisting primarily of colocation, interconnection and managed services, were $481.7 million for the fourth quarter, a 4% increase over the previous quarter and $1,799.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 21% increase over 2011.  Non-recurring revenues were $24.8 million in the quarter and $96.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.   

“2012 was a milestone year for Equinix.  We delivered half a billion dollars of revenue in the fourth quarter, underscoring the scale and reach of our business,” said Steve Smith, CEO of Equinix.  “With our entry into Mainland China, Jakarta and Dubai as well as our continued investment in existing markets, we now have over 7 million of gross square feet of capacity, making us the largest retail colocation provider in the world.  We believe the value of our global interconnection platform and the strength of our business ecosystems puts us in a strong position to deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Cost of revenues were $250.1 million for the fourth quarter, a 1% decrease from the previous quarter, and $944.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 13% increase over 2011.    Cost of revenues, excluding depreciation, amortization, accretion and stock-based compensation of $91.1 million for the fourth quarter and $348.6 million for the year, were $159.0 million for the fourth quarter, a 1% increase over the previous quarter, and $595.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 12% increase over 2011.  Gross margins for the quarter were 51%, up from 49% for the previous quarter and up from 48% for the same quarter last year.  Gross margins were 50% for the year ended December 31, 2012, up from 47% for the prior year.   Cash gross margins, defined as gross profit before depreciation, amortization, accretion and stock-based compensation, divided by revenues, for the quarter, were 69%, up from 68% for the previous quarter and up from 67% for the same quarter last year.  Cash gross margins were 69% for the year ended December 31, 2012, up from 66% for the prior year.   

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $142.6 million for the fourth quarter, a 4% increase over the previous quarter and $532.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 26% increase over 2011.  Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation of $34.3 million for the fourth quarter and $127.6 million for the year, were $108.3 million for the fourth quarter, a 6% increase over the previous quarter, and $404.7 million for 2012, a 27% increase over 2011.  

Impairment charges were $9.9 million for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2012, which were primarily related to the write-off of certain long-lived assets in the Los Angeles and Sydney metro areas.  Acquisition costs were $1.9 million for the fourth quarter and $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which were primarily related to the Asia Tone, ancotel and Dubai IBX data center acquisitions.    

Interest expense was $50.5 million for the fourth quarter, a 1% increase over the last quarter, and $200.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.    The Company recorded income tax expense of $17.3 million for the fourth quarter as compared to income tax expense of $13.5 million in the prior quarter and income tax expense of $61.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to income tax expense of $37.5 million in the prior year.

Income from continuing operations was $102.0 million for the fourth quarter, a 6% increase over the previous quarter and $400.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 31% increase over 2011.  Adjusted EBITDA, defined as income or loss from continuing operations before depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, impairment charges and acquisition costs, for the fourth quarter was $239.3 million, an increase of 5% over the previous quarter and $895.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 24% increase over 2011.  These results included adjusted EBITDA from the Company’s Asia Tone and ancotel acquisitions of $7.8 million and $14.5 million, respectively, and excluded adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2012 of $1.3 million and $14.7 million, respectively.   

Net income attributable to Equinix for the fourth quarter was $44.9 million.  This represents a basic net income per share attributable to Equinix of $0.92 and diluted net income per share attributable to Equinix of $0.88 based on a weighted average share count of 48.7 million and 52.9 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2012.  Net income attributable to Equinix for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $144.7 million.  This represents a basic net income per share attributable to Equinix of $3.01 and diluted net income per share attributable to Equinix of $2.92 based on a weighted share count of 48.0 million and 51.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012. 

Capital expenditures, defined as gross capital expenditures less the net change in accrued property, plant and equipment in the fourth quarter were $210.4 million, of which $166.9 million was attributed to expansion capital expenditures and $43.5 million was attributed to ongoing capital expenditures.  Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $764.5 million, of which $607.4 million was attributed to expansion capital expenditures and $157.1 million was attributed to ongoing capital expenditures.  In addition, the Company purchased real estate for cash in the year ended December 31, 2012 totaling $24.7 million primarily located in the Washington, D.C. metro area. 

The Company generated cash from operating activities of $209.1 million for the fourth quarter as compared to $102.2 million in the previous quarter.  Cash generated from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $632.0 million as compared to $587.6 million in the previous year.  Cash used in investing activities was $209.3 million in the fourth quarter as compared to cash used in investing activities of $596.9 million in the previous quarter, primarily attributed to cash consideration paid for the acquisitions of Asia Tone and ancotel during the previous quarter.  Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $442.9 million as compared to cash used in investing activities of $1,499.4 million in the previous year, primarily attributed to net purchases of investments in marketable securities during the previous year.  Cash provided by financing activities was $12.2 million for the fourth quarter, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $73.7 million in the previous quarter, primarily attributed to the net proceeds from drawdowns of loans payable during the previous quarter.  Cash used in financing activities was $222.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily attributed to the settlement on the 2.50% convertible subordinated notes upon maturity during the year, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $748.7 million in the previous year, primarily attributed to the issuance of the 7.00% senior notes during the previous year.     

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments were $546.5 million, as compared to $1,076.3 million as of December 31, 2011. 

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2013, the Company expects revenues to be in the range of $518.0 to $522.0 million.  Cash gross profit margin is expected to range between 68% and 69%.  Cash selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to range between $116.0 and $120.0 million.  Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $236.0 and $240.0 million.  Capital expenditures are expected to range between $140.0 to $160.0 million, comprised of approximately $40.0 million of ongoing capital expenditures and $100.0 to $120.0 million of expansion capital expenditures.

For the full year of 2013, total revenues are expected to be greater than $2,200.0 million.  Total year cash gross margins are expected to range between 68% and 69%.  Cash selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to range between $490.0 and $510.0 million.  Adjusted EBITDA for the year is expected to be greater than $1,010.0 million including approximately $3.0 million in net costs attributed to our Dubai IBX data center acquisition.  Capital expenditures for 2013 are expected to be in the range of $550.0 to $650.0 million, comprised of approximately $165.0 million of ongoing capital expenditures and $385.0 to $485.0 million for expansion capital expenditures. 

The U.S. dollar exchange rates used for 2013 guidance have been updated to $1.34 to the Euro, $1.59 to the Pound, S$1.23 to the U.S. dollar and $R2.03 to the U.S. dollar.  Updated global revenue breakdown by currency for the Euro, Pound, Singapore dollar and Brazilian Real is 14%, 8%, 6% and 4%, respectively. 

Company Metrics and Q4 Results Presentation

The Company will discuss its results and guidance on its quarterly conference call on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT).  A presentation to accompany the call will be available on the Company’s website at www.equinix.com/investors.  To hear the conference call live, please dial 210-234-8004 (domestic and international) and reference the passcode (EQIX).  A simultaneous live Webcast of the call will also be available atwww.equinix.com/investors. 

A replay of the call will be available beginning on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) through March 14, 2013 by dialing 203-369-0250 and referencing the passcode (2013).  In addition, the webcast will be available on the Company's web site at www.equinix.com/investors.  No password is required for the webcast.

About Equinix

Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), connects more than 4,000 companies directly to their customers and partners inside the world’s most networked data centers. Today, businesses leverage the Equinix interconnection platform in 31 strategic markets across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. www.equinix.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Equinix provides all information required in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), but it believes that evaluating its ongoing operating results may be difficult if limited to reviewing only GAAP financial measures.  Accordingly, Equinix uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA, cash cost of revenues, cash gross margins, cash operating expenses (also known as cash selling, general and administrative expenses or cash SG&A), adjusted EBITDA margins, free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow, discretionary free cash flow and adjusted  discretionary free cash flow to evaluate its operations.  In presenting these non-GAAP financial measures, Equinix excludes certain items that it believes are not good indicators of the Company's current or future operating performance.  These items are depreciation, amortization, accretion of asset retirement obligations and accrued restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, impairment charges, acquisition costs and excess tax benefits from employee equity awards. Legislative and regulatory requirements encourage use of and emphasis on GAAP financial metrics and require companies to explain why non-GAAP financial metrics are relevant to management and investors.  Equinix excludes these items in order for Equinix's lenders, investors, and industry analysts who review and report on the Company, to better evaluate the Company's operating performance and cash spending levels relative to its industry sector and competitors.

Equinix excludes depreciation expense as these charges primarily relate to the initial construction costs of our IBX centers and do not reflect our current or future cash spending levels to support our business.  Our IBX centers are long-lived assets, and have an economic life greater than 10 years. The construction costs of our IBX centers do not recur and future capital expenditures remain minor relative to our initial investment.  This is a trend we expect to continue.  In addition, depreciation is also based on the estimated useful lives of our IBX centers.  These estimates could vary from actual performance of the asset, are based on historic costs incurred to build out our IBX centers, and are not indicative of current or expected future capital expenditures.  Therefore, Equinix excludes depreciation from its operating results when evaluating its operations.

In addition, in presenting the non-GAAP financial measures, Equinix excludes amortization expense related to certain intangible assets, as it represents a cost that may not recur and is not a good indicator of the Company's current or future operating performance.  Equinix excludes accretion expense, both as it relates to its asset retirement obligations as well as its accrued restructuring charges, as these expenses represent costs which Equinix believes are not meaningful in evaluating the Company's current operations.  Equinix excludes stock-based compensation expense as it primarily represents expense attributed to equity awards that have no current or future cash obligations.  As such, we, and many investors and analysts, exclude this stock-based compensation expense when assessing the cash generating performance of our operations.  Equinix excludes restructuring charges from its non-GAAP financial measures.  The restructuring charges relate to the Company's decision to exit leases for excess space adjacent to several of our IBX centers, which we did not intend to build out, or our decision to reverse such restructuring charges or severance charges related to the Switch and Data acquisition.  Equinix excludes impairment charges related to certain long-lived assets.  The impairment charges relate to expense recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets are not recoverable.  Equinix excludes acquisition costs from its non-GAAP financial measures.  The acquisition costs relate to costs the Company incurs in connection with business combinations.  Management believes such items as restructuring charges, impairment charges and acquisition costs are non-core transactions; however, these types of costs will or may occur in future periods.

Equinix excludes excess tax benefits from employee equity awards from adjusted discretionary free cash flow as they are required to appear as an operating cash outflow with an offsetting financing cash inflow in the statement of cash flows and, as a result, do not actually reflect a true cash outflow to the Company.  However, this type of cash flow activity will or may occur in future periods.

Our management does not itself, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  However, we have presented such non-GAAP financial measures to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate our operating results in a manner that focuses on what management believes to be our core, ongoing business operations.  Management believes that the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures provides consistency and comparability with past reports and provides a better understanding of the overall performance of the business and its ability to perform in subsequent periods. Equinix believes that if it did not provide such non-GAAP financial information, investors would not have all the necessary data to analyze Equinix effectively.

Investors should note, however, that the non-GAAP financial measures used by Equinix may not be the same non-GAAP financial measures, and may not be calculated in the same manner, as that of other companies.  In addition, whenever Equinix uses such non-GAAP financial measures, it provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measure.  Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Equinix does not provide forward-looking guidance for certain financial data, such as depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation, net income (loss) from operations, cash generated from operating activities and cash used in investing activities, and as a result, is not able to provide a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for forward-looking data.  Equinix intends to calculate the various non-GAAP financial measures in future periods consistent with how they were calculated for the periods presented within this press release.