Iron Mountain: Fiscal 4Q10 Financial Results

Iron Mountain Incorporated reported its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.

The Company reported revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, and Adjusted Earnings Per Share growth of 1%, 4% and 11%, respectively, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.

Adjusted OIBDA growth was supported by benefits from ongoing operational improvement initiatives that drove continued gross margin gains. Adjusted OIBDA gains and controlled capital expenditures drove $373 million of free cash flow before acquisitions and discretionary investments (FCF) for the full year. The Company increased its full-year 2011 outlook for FCF and Adjusted EPS and refined its revenue and Adjusted OIBDA outlook to reflect current service revenue growth trends. Reported EPS for the quarter was $0.16 per share, including an additional $29 million, or $0.14 per share, goodwill impairment charge reflecting the finalization of the valuation of the digital business as previously announced last quarter.

"Iron Mountain’s fourth quarter results were in line with expectations and capped a year of solid financial performance for the Company as we posted our 22nd consecutive year of storage revenue growth. We reached record high levels for Adjusted OIBDA margins and free cash flow, continued to strengthen our balance sheet and implemented our first shareholder payout program," said Bob Brennan, President and CEO. "Our business foundation is sound and we are well positioned to build on our long-term track record of strong performance as we move forward."

Key Financial Highlights – FY 2010
The Company delivered strong financial performance in 2010 with profitability and FCF reaching record high levels on solid revenue growth of 4% for the year. Revenue for 2010 was $3.1 billion supported by 2% internal growth and benefits from acquisitions and favorable foreign currency rate changes, which added another 2% to total growth. Storage revenue growth and strong performance in international expansion markets more than offset continued core service weakness and lower eDiscovery revenues. Gross profit increased 8% to $1.9 billion from $1.7 billion in 2009 supported by continued benefits from productivity initiatives, solid operating performance in international operations and higher recycled paper prices. These gains combined with controlled overhead spending resulted in $945 million of Adjusted OIBDA for 2010, a 9% increase over the prior year.

Adjusted EPS increased 17% in 2010 to $1.15 per share compared to 2009 supported by strong operating performance and lower interest expense. Reported net loss for the year was $54 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, including a $1.40 per share goodwill impairment charge related to the digital business as discussed more fully below. Strong operating profit gains and controlled capital spending drove an 11% increase in FCF from $336 million in 2009 to $373 million, or 12% of revenues, in 2010.

Key Financial Highlights – Q4 2010
Iron Mountain reported total consolidated revenues of $789 million for the fourth quarter, a 1% increase over the prior year period, supported by gains in storage internal revenue growth. At 1% for the fourth quarter, total core revenue internal growth trends were consistent with the prior quarter. Complementary revenue growth moderated in the quarter as strong hybrid revenue growth and narrowing gains from higher paper prices were partially offset by lower project revenues and eDiscovery sales.

Storage internal growth for the quarter was 2%, consistent with third quarter levels. Global records management net volumes increased modestly in the quarter as destructions remained at relatively higher levels, and increases from new sales were offset by modest declines in incoming volumes from existing customers. Core service revenue growth was (2)% as a result of continued softness in core service activity levels. Pressure on core services constrained core internal revenue growth and total internal revenue growth to 1% in the quarter.

The Company reported gross profits (excluding depreciation and amortization) of $480 million with its gross profit margin improving from 58.9% in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 60.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010. These gains were supported by higher storage gross margins, particularly in the North American segment. Continued benefits from productivity initiatives drove higher service margins, which were also a key contributor to our improved gross profit performance.

Adjusted operating income before depreciation, amortization and goodwill impairment (Adjusted OIBDA) for the quarter was $239 million, up 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Selling, general and administrative costs in the fourth quarter were up 5% compared to the prior year period driven by select investments in growth and operational initiatives.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $124 million compared to $147 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. Included in operating income in 2010 is an additional $29 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the Worldwide Digital Business segment based on the final valuation of the digital business completed during the quarter. The total goodwill impairment charge of $284 million, of which an estimate of $255 million was originally recorded in the third quarter of 2010, reflects the impact of a combination of factors including on-going economic pressures on the digital business and recent challenges specifically related to the eDiscovery business such as reduced average matter size and lower pricing. This non-cash charge does not impact revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted EPS or FCF. The Company has taken proactive steps to improve segment performance including changes in leadership, integrating sales and marketing efforts to drive higher growth and integrating certain support functions to drive cost efficiency.

Net income attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated for the quarter was $33 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to Iron Mountain of $61 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease in reported earnings was driven primarily by the $29 million goodwill impairment charge discussed above and a higher effective tax rate. The goodwill impairment charge was partially offset by higher Adjusted OIBDA and lower interest expense due to the $200 million partial redemption of the Company’s 7-3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2015 completed in the third quarter.

The structural tax rate for the fourth quarter was 39%, in line with expectations. Including the impact of discrete tax items, primarily related to the goodwill impairment charge, the effective tax rate for the quarter was 54%. There was minimal tax benefit associated with the goodwill impairment charge as the majority of the goodwill associated with the Worldwide Digital business is non-deductible. Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.30 per diluted share, an increase of 11% compared to the same prior year period.

Capital expenditures, excluding real estate, incurred in 2010 totaled $253 million, or 8.1% of revenues. The Company is sustaining capital efficiency gains reflecting ongoing control over spending levels and reductions due to moderated growth rates.

The Company’s FCF for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $373 million, an 11% increase compared to $336 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Higher Adjusted OIBDA and lower capital expenditures in 2010 compared to the same prior year period drove the increase in FCF. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had more than $1 billion of liquidity, including cash of $259 million and availability under its revolving credit facility of $763 million.

The Company’s consolidated leverage ratio of net debt to EBITDA (as defined by its senior credit facility) was 2.9 times at December 31, 2010. This ratio is well below the covenant limitation of 5.5 times included in its senior credit facility. In January 2011, the Company used cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to redeem the remaining $231 million of its 7-3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2015. This transaction will save the Company approximately $15 million annually in interest expense.

Dividends and Share Repurchases
On December 13, 2010, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1875 per share for shareholders of record as of December 27, 2010, which was paid on January 14, 2011. This represents an increase of 200% over the quarterly dividend previously paid. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares of its common stock for a total aggregate purchase price of approximately $17 million under its existing share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 4.8 million shares for a total cost of approximately $111 million. As of December 31, 2010, there was approximately $239 million remaining under the existing authorization for future share repurchases.

Acquisitions & Divestitures
Since the third quarter of 2010, the Company has acquired two information management businesses in its North American Physical segment. Two new markets were added to the International Physical segment with acquisitions in Hungary and Serbia, and the company acquired the remaining 80% equity in its Polish joint venture. These European acquisitions are important additions to the International segment and fit well with Iron Mountain’s acquisition strategy, which focuses on acquiring attractive businesses that provide a strong platform for future growth by expanding the Company’s geographic footprint and service offerings while enhancing its existing operations.

Financial Performance Outlook
The Company is maintaining a measured outlook on revenue growth while calling for continued solid Adjusted EPS growth and FCF performance. Our outlook is for reported revenue growth in 2011 to be in the 2% to 4% range for the full year supported by internal growth in the range of 0% to 2%. The Company refined its full year guidance to reflect current service activity trends, current recycled paper price levels and lower expectations for revenues in eDiscovery. We expect growth to be supported by progress in the area of new sales and continued solid gains in international markets. For 2011, we are expecting acquisitions and foreign currency rate changes to add 1% to 2% to total revenue growth based on recent exchange rates. We are also targeting solid underlying gains in Adjusted OIBDA supported by continued focus on productivity improvement in our North American field and support operations and progress in strengthening international returns. These gains will enable us to pursue targeted investments in sales and marketing capabilities in support of accelerated new sales growth. On a reported basis, our outlook is for Adjusted OIBDA growth in 2011 to be in the 0% to 3% range. This outlook assumes a return to normal incentive compensation levels in 2011, following lower than normal payouts in 2010. Adjusted EPS will further benefit from lower interest expense and reduced shares outstanding as a result of our share repurchase activity. The Company now expects Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $1.21 to $1.30 per diluted share, yielding 5% to 13% growth compared to 2010. The Company expects capital expenditures for the year to be approximately $245 million. Our 2011 outlook is for FCF to be in the range of $375 million to $410 million supported by lower expected interest expense and capital expenditures. The calculation of Adjusted EPS assumes a 39% structural tax rate and 200 million shares outstanding.

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