UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended | |
Or | |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to |
Commission file number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
New York Stock Exchange (“ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
þ | ◻ Accelerated | ◻ Non-accelerated |
|
|
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common shares:
As of October 11, 2024:
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 38 | ||
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66 |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and equivalents | $ | | $ | | ||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $ |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Restricted cash | | | ||||
Restricted investments |
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Property and equipment, net |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | ||||
Goodwill |
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Intangible assets, net |
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Other assets, net |
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Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Book overdraft |
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Deferred revenue |
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Accrued liabilities | |
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Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
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Current portion of contingent consideration |
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Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable |
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Total current liabilities |
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Long-term portion of debt and notes payable |
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Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | | | ||||
Long-term portion of contingent consideration |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Other long-term liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) |
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Equity: |
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Common shares: |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| ( |
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Treasury shares: |
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Retained earnings |
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Total Waste Connections’ equity |
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Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries |
| — |
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Total equity |
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Total liabilities and equity | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Revenues | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Operating expenses: |
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Cost of operations |
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Selling, general and administrative |
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Depreciation |
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Amortization of intangibles |
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Impairments and other operating items |
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Operating income |
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Interest expense |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Interest income |
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Other income, net |
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Income before income tax provision |
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Income tax provision |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Net income |
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Plus (less): Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| | ( | | ( | |||||||
Net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders: |
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Basic | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Diluted | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Shares used in the per share calculations: |
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Basic |
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Diluted |
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Cash dividends per common share | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
Net income | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: |
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Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps | ( | | | | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | ( | ( | | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax |
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| ( |
| ( |
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Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) |
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Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
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| ( |
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Comprehensive income |
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Plus (less): Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | ( | | ( | ||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
WASTE CONNECTIONS' EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACCUMULATED | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
ADDITIONAL | OTHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMON SHARES | PAID-IN | COMPREHENSIVE | TREASURY SHARES | RETAINED | NONCONTROLLING | ||||||||||||||||||||
SHARES | AMOUNT | CAPITAL | INCOME (LOSS) | SHARES | AMOUNT | EARNINGS | INTERESTS | TOTAL | |||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2023 |
| |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Sale of common shares held in trust | | | — | — | ( | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Vesting of restricted share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Vesting of performance-based restricted share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Restricted share units released from deferred compensation plan | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends on common shares | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ( | | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at March 31, 2024 | | | | ( | | — | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Vesting of restricted share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends on common shares | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Purchase of noncontrolling interests | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ( | | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2024 | |
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| ( |
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Sale of common shares held in trust | | | — |
| — | ( | — | — |
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Vesting of restricted share units | |
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Vesting of deferred share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation | ( |
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Equity-based compensation | — |
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Exercise of warrants | |
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Issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends on common shares | — |
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| — | — |
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| ( |
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Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes | — |
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Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes | — |
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| ( | — |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment | — |
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Net income | — |
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| — | — |
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Balances at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
WASTE CONNECTIONS' EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACCUMULATED | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
ADDITIONAL | OTHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMON SHARES | PAID-IN | COMPREHENSIVE | TREASURY SHARES | RETAINED | NONCONTROLLING | ||||||||||||||||||||
| SHARES |
| AMOUNT |
| CAPITAL |
| INCOME (LOSS) |
| SHARES |
| AMOUNT |
| EARNINGS |
| INTERESTS |
| TOTAL | ||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2022 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Sale of common shares held in trust | | | — | — | ( | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Vesting of restricted share units |
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Vesting of performance-based restricted share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Restricted share units released from deferred compensation plan |
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Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation |
| ( |
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| ( |
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Equity-based compensation |
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Exercise of warrants |
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Issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends on common shares |
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| ( |
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Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes |
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| ( |
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Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes |
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| ( |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Net income |
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Balances at March 31, 2023 | | | | ( |
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Vesting of restricted share units |
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Vesting of performance-based restricted share units | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation |
| ( |
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| ( |
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Equity-based compensation |
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Exercise of warrants |
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Cash dividends on common shares |
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Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes |
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Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
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Balances at June 30, 2023 |
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Vesting of restricted share units |
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Restricted share units released from deferred compensation plan |
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Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation |
| ( |
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Equity-based compensation |
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Exercise of warrants |
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Issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends on common shares |
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| ( |
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Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes |
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Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment |
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Net income |
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Balances at September 30, 2023 |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | ( |
| | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
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Net income | $ | | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Loss from disposal of assets, impairments and other |
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Depreciation |
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Amortization of intangibles |
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Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions |
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Current period provision for expected credit losses | | | ||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
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Share-based compensation |
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Interest accretion |
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Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings |
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Adjustments to contingent consideration |
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Other | ( | ( | ||||
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions | ( | | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
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Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
| ( | ( | |||
Capital expenditures for property and equipment |
| ( | ( | |||
Proceeds from disposal of assets |
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Proceeds from sale of investment in noncontrolling interests | | | ||||
Other |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
| ( |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
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Proceeds from long-term debt |
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Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt |
| ( | ( | |||
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date |
| ( | ( | |||
Change in book overdraft |
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Payments for cash dividends |
| ( | ( | |||
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation |
| ( | ( | |||
Debt issuance costs |
| ( | | |||
Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | ||||
Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust |
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Other |
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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| ( | ( | |||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Non-cash financing activities: | ||||||
Liabilities assumed and notes payable issued to sellers of businesses acquired | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements relate to Waste Connections, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of net income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Examples include accounting for landfills, self-insurance accruals, income taxes, allocation of acquisition purchase price, contingent consideration accruals and asset impairments. An additional area that involves estimation is when the Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to litigation, claims and assessments in accordance with the accounting guidance on contingencies. Actual results for all estimates could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
2.REPORTING CURRENCY
The functional currency of the Company, as the parent corporate entity, and its operating subsidiaries in the United States, is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The Company’s consolidated Canadian dollar financial position is translated to U.S. dollars by applying the foreign currency exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. The Company’s consolidated Canadian dollar results of operations and cash flows are translated to U.S. dollars by applying the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income or loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in earnings for the period.
3.NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Accounting Standards Pending Adoption
Disclosure of Significant Segment Expenses and Other Segment Items. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) amended its existing guidance for segment reporting to require a public entity to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. The amended guidance does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The guidance is applied retrospectively to all periods presented in financial statements, unless it is impracticable. The guidance applies to all public entities and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Additional Income Tax Disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued a final standard on improvements to income tax disclosures. The standard requires public business entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if the items meet a quantitative threshold. The guidance also requires all entities to disclose
7
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
annually income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state and foreign taxes and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. The standard applies to all entities subject to income taxes. For public business entities, the new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
4.REVENUE
The Company’s operations primarily consist of providing non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services, non-hazardous oil and natural gas exploration and production (“E&P”) waste treatment, recovery and disposal services and intermodal services. The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenues by service line for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
Commercial |
| $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
| |||
Residential | | | | | |||||||||
Industrial and construction roll off | | | | | |||||||||
Total collection | | | | | |||||||||
Landfill | | | | | |||||||||
Transfer | | | | | |||||||||
Recycling | | | | | |||||||||
E&P | | | | | |||||||||
Intermodal and other | | | | | |||||||||
Intercompany | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Total |
| $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
|
The factors that impact the timing and amount of revenue recognized for each service line may vary based on the nature of the service performed. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue at the time it performs a service. In the event that the Company bills for services in advance of performance, it recognizes deferred revenue for the amount billed and subsequently recognizes revenue at the time the service is provided. Substantially all of the deferred revenue recorded as of June 30, 2024 was recognized as revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2024 when the service was performed.
See Note 11 for additional information regarding revenue by reportable segment.
Contract Acquisition Costs
The incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist of sales incentives, are recognized as Other assets in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are amortized to Selling, general and administrative expense over the estimated life of the relevant customer relationship, which ranges from
8
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
5.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable are recorded when billed or accrued and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. The carrying value of the Company’s receivables, net of the allowance for credit losses, represents their estimated net realizable value.
The allowance for credit losses is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of assets pooled together with similar risk characteristics. The Company monitors the collectability of its trade receivables as one overall pool due to all trade receivables having similar risk characteristics. The Company estimates its allowance for credit losses based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding receivables, geographical location of the customer, existing economic conditions and reasonable forecasts. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due receivable balances are written off when the Company’s internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due.
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | ||
Current period provision for expected credit losses | | | ||||
Write-offs charged against the allowance | ( | ( | ||||
Recoveries collected | | | ||||
Impact of changes in foreign currency | ( | | ||||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
6.LANDFILL ACCOUNTING
At September 30, 2024, the Company’s landfills consisted of
The Company’s internal and third-party engineers perform surveys at least annually to estimate the remaining disposal capacity at its landfills. Many of the Company’s existing landfills have the potential for expanded disposal capacity beyond the amount currently permitted. The Company’s landfill depletion rates are based on the remaining disposal capacity, considering both permitted and probable expansion airspace, at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates, but does not own, under life-of-site agreements. The Company’s landfill depletion rate is based on the term of the operating agreement at its operated landfill that has capitalized expenditures. Expansion airspace consists of additional disposal capacity being pursued through means of an expansion that has not yet been permitted. Expansion airspace that meets certain criteria is included in the estimate of total landfill airspace.
9
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Based on remaining permitted capacity as of September 30, 2024, and projected annual disposal volumes, the average remaining landfill life for the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is estimated to be approximately
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company expensed $
The Company reserves for estimated final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements. The Company calculates the net present value of its final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities by estimating the total obligation in current dollars, inflating the obligation based upon the expected date of the expenditure and discounting the inflated total to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated undiscounted cash flows are treated as a new liability and are inflated and discounted at rates reflecting market conditions. Any changes in expectations that result in a downward revision (or no revision) to the estimated undiscounted cash flows result in a liability that is inflated and discounted at rates reflecting the market conditions at the time the cash flows were originally estimated. This policy results in the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities being recorded in “layers.” The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities is based on its long-term credit adjusted risk-free rate. The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing 2024 and 2023 “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was
The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024:
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2023 |
| $ | |
Liability adjustments |
| | |
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations |
| | |
Closure payments |
| ( | |
Assumption of closure liabilities from acquisitions | | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| ( | |
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at September 30, 2024 | $ | |
10
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Liability adjustments of $
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $
7.ACQUISITIONS
The Company acquired
The Company acquired
The results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from their respective acquisition dates. The Company expects these acquired businesses to contribute towards the achievement of the Company’s strategy to expand through acquisitions. Goodwill acquired is attributable to the synergies and ancillary growth opportunities expected to arise after the Company’s acquisition of these businesses.
11
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire these businesses and the preliminary amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates for the acquisitions consummated in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Acquisitions | Acquisitions | |||||
Fair value of consideration transferred: |
|
|
|
| ||
Cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Debt assumed |
| |
| | ||
| |
| | |||
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed associated with businesses acquired: |
|
| ||||
Accounts receivable |
| | | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| | | |||
Restricted investments | | | ||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | ||||
Property and equipment |
| | | |||
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts |
| | | |||
Customer lists |
| | | |||
Permits and other intangibles | | | ||||
Other assets |
| | | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| ( | ( | |||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | ( | ( | ||||
Deferred revenue |
| ( | ( | |||
Contingent consideration |
| ( | ( | |||
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | ( | ( | ||||
Other long-term liabilities |
| ( | ( | |||
Deferred income taxes |
| | ( | |||
Total identifiable net assets |
| |
| | ||
Goodwill | $ | | $ | |
Goodwill acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, totaling $
The gross amount of trade receivables due under contracts acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $
12
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
8.INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at September 30, 2024:
| Gross |
|
| Accumulated |
| Net | ||||||
Carrying | Accumulated | Impairment | Carrying | |||||||||
Amount | Amortization | Loss | Amount | |||||||||
Finite-lived intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts | $ | | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Customer lists |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| | ||||
Permits and other |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||||
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Solid waste collection and transportation permits |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | ||||
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |
The weighted-average amortization period of long-term franchise agreements and contracts acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2023:
| Gross |
|
| Accumulated |
| Net | ||||||
Carrying | Accumulated | Impairment | Carrying | |||||||||
Amount | Amortization | Loss | Amount | |||||||||
Finite-lived intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts | $ | | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Customer lists |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| | ||||
Permits and other |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||||
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Solid waste collection and transportation permits |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | ||||
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |
Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years relating to finite-lived intangible assets owned as of September 30, 2024 is as follows:
For the year ending December 31, 2024 |
| $ | |
For the year ending December 31, 2025 | $ | | |
For the year ending December 31, 2026 | $ | | |
For the year ending December 31, 2027 | $ | | |
For the year ending December 31, 2028 | $ | |
13
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
9.LEASES
The Company rents certain equipment and facilities under short-term agreements, non-cancelable operating lease agreements and finance leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date.
Key estimates and judgments include how the Company determines (1) the discount rate it uses to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value, (2) lease term and (3) lease payments.
The lease guidance requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease because it does not have access to the lessor’s estimated residual value or the amount of the lessor’s deferred initial direct costs. Therefore, the Company generally uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the lease. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a lease is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms.
The lease term for the Company’s leases includes the noncancelable period of the lease, plus any additional periods covered by either a Company option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, or an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease controlled by the lessor.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise fixed payments or variable lease payments. The variable lease payments take into account annual changes in the consumer price index and common area maintenance charges, if known.
ROU assets for operating and finance leases are periodically reviewed for impairment losses. The Company uses the long-lived asset impairment guidance in ASC Subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant, and Equipment – Overall, to determine whether an ROU asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. The Company did not recognize an impairment charge for any of its ROU assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company monitors for events or changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of one of its leases. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the corresponding ROU asset. The Company did not recognize any significant remeasurements during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less. The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease recognition and measurement exemption allowed for in the lease accounting standard. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with its short-term leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
14
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Lease cost for operating and finance leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 |
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
Operating lease cost | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Finance lease cost: | |||||||||||||
Amortization of leased assets | | | | | |||||||||
Interest on leased liabilities | | | | | |||||||||
Total lease cost | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company’s leases are as follows:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | | $ | | ||
Operating cash flows from finance leases | $ | | $ | | ||
Financing cash flows from finance leases | $ | | $ | | ||
Non-cash activity: | ||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities - operating leases | $ | | $ | | ||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities - finance leases | $ | | $ | |
Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company’s leases are as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases | years |
| years |
| |||
Weighted average remaining lease term - finance leases | years | years | |||||
Weighted average discount rate - operating leases | | % |
| | % |
| |
Weighted average discount rate - finance leases | | % | | % |
As of September 30, 2024, future minimum lease payments, reconciled to the respective lease liabilities, are as follows:
Operating Leases | Finance Leases | |||||
Last 3 months of 2024 |
| $ | | $ | | |
2025 |
| |
| | ||
2026 |
| |
| | ||
2027 |
| |
| | ||
2028 |
| |
| | ||
Thereafter |
| |
| | ||
Minimum lease payments |
| |
| | ||
Less: imputed interest |
| ( | ( | |||
| | |||||
( | ( | |||||
$ | | $ | |
15
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
10.LONG-TERM DEBT
The following table presents the Company’s long-term debt at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Revolving Credit Agreement, bearing interest ranging from | $ | | $ | | ||
Revolver under 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement, bearing interest ranging from | | | ||||
Term loan under 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement, bearing interest at |
| |
| | ||
Term loan under 2022 Term Loan Agreement, bearing interest at | | | ||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest ranging from |
| |
| | ||
Finance leases, bearing interest ranging from | | | ||||
| |
| | |||
Less – current portion |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Less – unamortized debt discount and issuance costs |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Long-term portion of debt and notes payable | $ | | $ | |
____________________
(a) | Interest rates represent the interest rates at September 30, 2024. |
(b) | Interest rates represent the interest rates at December 31, 2023. |
2021 Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement
On February 27, 2024, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined and described below) to (i) prepay the amounts outstanding under that certain Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as the global agent, the swing line lender and a letter of credit issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent and a letter of credit issuer, and the lenders and any other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and (ii) terminate the 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and the loan documents associated therewith.
16
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
2022 Term Loan Agreement
On February 27, 2024, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement to (i) prepay the amounts outstanding under that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2022 Term Loan Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and any other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and (ii) terminate the 2022 Term Loan Agreement and the loan documents associated therewith.
Revolving Credit Agreement
On February 27, 2024, the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as the global agent, the swing line lender, and a letter of credit issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent and a letter of credit issuer, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) entered into that certain Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lenders made loans and other credit extensions to the Company under a revolving credit facility.
Details of the Revolving Credit Agreement at September 30, 2024 and details of the 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement at December 31, 2023 are as follows:
September 30, | December 31, |
| |||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Revolver |
|
|
|
| |||
Available | $ | | $ | | |||
Letters of credit outstanding | $ | | $ | | |||
Total amount drawn, as follows: | $ | | $ | | |||
Amount drawn – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | | % | | % | |||
Amount drawn – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | | % | | % | |||
Amount drawn – U.S. base rate loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – U.S. base rate loan | | % | | % | |||
Amount drawn – Canadian Term CORRA loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable - Canadian term CORRA loan | | % | | % | |||
Amount drawn – Canadian Term CORRA loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable - Canadian term CORRA loan | | % | | % | |||
Amount drawn – Canadian prime rate loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable - Canadian prime rate loan |
| | % |
| | % | |
Amount drawn – Canadian bankers’ acceptance | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – Canadian bankers’ acceptance |
| | % |
| | % | |
Amount drawn – Canadian bankers’ acceptance | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – Canadian bankers’ acceptance |
| | % |
| | % | |
Commitment – rate applicable |
| | % |
| | % | |
Term loan |
|
| |||||
Amount drawn – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | $ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate applicable – U.S. Term SOFR rate loan | | % | | % |
17
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
In addition to the $
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Lenders committed to provide the revolving credit facility as set forth above. The Revolving Credit Agreement (i) has a scheduled maturity date of
Advances are available under the Revolving Credit Agreement in U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars. Interest accrues on revolving advances, at the Company’s option, (i) at a term rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator thereof) (“term SOFR”) or a base rate for U.S. dollar borrowings, plus an applicable margin, and (ii) at a term rate based on the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average as administered and published by the Bank of Canada (or a successor administrator thereof) (“term CORRA”) or at the Canadian prime rate for Canadian dollar borrowings, plus an applicable margin. Interest for term SOFR loans has a credit spread adjustment of
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement are unsecured and there are no subsidiary guarantors under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of default, including, among others, a change of control event of default and limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, new lines of business, mergers, transactions with affiliates and burdensome agreements. During the continuance of an event of default, the Lenders may take a number of actions, including, among others, declaring the entire amount then outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement to be due and payable.
The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a financial covenant limiting,
18
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Senior Notes
On February 21, 2024, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of $
The Company will pay interest on the 2034 Senior Notes on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2024, and the 2034 Senior Notes will mature on
The Company may, prior to
On June 13, 2024, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of CAD $
The Company will pay interest on the New 2029 Senior Notes on June 14 and December 14 of each year, beginning December 14, 2024, and the Notes will mature on
The Company may, prior to
19
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Under certain circumstances, the Company may become obligated to pay additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) with respect to the Senior Notes to ensure that the net amounts received by each holder of the Senior Notes will not be less than the amount such holder would have received if withholding taxes or deductions were not incurred on a payment under or with respect to the Senior Notes. If such payment of Additional Amounts is a result of a change in the laws or regulations, including a change in any official position, the introduction of an official position or a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction, of any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Senior Notes having power to tax, and the Company cannot avoid such payments of Additional Amounts through reasonable measures, then the Company may redeem the applicable series of the Senior Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to
If the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, each holder of the Senior Notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of the Senior Notes for cash at a price equal to
The covenants in the Indenture include limitations on liens, sale-leaseback transactions and mergers and sales of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Indenture also includes customary events of default with respect to the Senior Notes.
Upon an event of default, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Senior Notes may be declared to be due and payable by the Trustee or the holders of not less than
Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the “Agent”) will initially act as paying agent, transfer agent, authenticating agent and registrar for the New 2029 Senior Notes. The obligations of the Company, Trustee and Agent with respect to the New 2029 Senior Notes are governed under an Agency Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2024, between the Company, the Trustee and the Agent (the “Agency Agreement”). The Company may change the paying agent, transfer agent, authenticating agent and registrar in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Agency Agreement.
11.SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s revenues are generated primarily from the collection, transfer, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and the treatment, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous E&P waste.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company managed its operations through the following
20
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
overhead expense allocations may affect comparability of the segment information presented herein on a period-over-period basis.
The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment EBITDA. The Company defines segment EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairments and other operating items, and other income (expense). Segment EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company’s management uses segment EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments. A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included at the end of this Note 11.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, is shown in the following tables:
Three Months Ended |
|
| Intercompany |
| Reported |
| Segment | |||||
September 30, 2024 | Revenue | Revenue(b) | Revenue | EBITDA(c) | ||||||||
Western | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||
Southern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Eastern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Central |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Canada |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
MidSouth |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | ||||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
Three Months Ended |
|
| Intercompany |
| Reported |
| Segment | |||||
September 30, 2023 | Revenue | Revenue(b) | Revenue | EBITDA(c) | ||||||||
Western | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||
Southern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Eastern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Central |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Canada |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
MidSouth |
| | ( | | | |||||||
Corporate(a) |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | ||||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
Nine Months Ended | Intercompany | Reported | Segment | |||||||||
September 30, 2024 |
| Revenue |
| Revenue(b) |
| Revenue |
| EBITDA(c) | ||||
Western | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||
Southern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Eastern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Central |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Canada |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
MidSouth |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | ||||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
21
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Nine Months Ended | Intercompany | Reported | Segment | |||||||||
September 30, 2023 |
| Revenue |
| Revenue(b) |
| Revenue |
| EBITDA(c) | ||||
Western | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||
Southern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Eastern | | ( | | | ||||||||
Central |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
Canada |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||
MidSouth |
| |
| ( | | | ||||||
Corporate(a) |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | ||||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
____________________
(a) | The majority of Corporate expenses are allocated to the |
(b) |
(c) |
Total assets for each of the Company’s reportable segments at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, were as follows:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Western | $ | | $ | | ||
Southern |
| |
| | ||
Eastern | | | ||||
Central | | | ||||
Canada | | | ||||
MidSouth | | | ||||
Corporate | | | ||||
Total Assets |
| $ | |
| $ | |
The following tables show changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, by reportable segment:
| Western |
| Southern |
| Eastern |
| Central |
| Canada |
| MidSouth |
| Total | ||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Goodwill acquired |
| | | | | | |
| | ||||||||||||
Impact of changes in foreign currency |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2024 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
22
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
| Western |
| Southern |
| Eastern |
| Central |
| Canada |
| MidSouth |
| Total | ||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Goodwill acquired |
| | | | | |
| |
| | |||||||||||
Goodwill acquisition adjustments | | ( | | | ( | | ( | ||||||||||||||
Impact of changes in foreign currency |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| | ||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (segment EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income is as follows:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Western segment EBITDA | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Southern segment EBITDA | | | | | ||||||||
Eastern segment EBITDA | | | | | ||||||||
Central segment EBITDA |
| | | | | |||||||
Canada segment EBITDA |
| | | | | |||||||
MidSouth segment EBITDA |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
Subtotal reportable segments |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
Unallocated corporate overhead |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Depreciation |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Amortization of intangibles |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Impairments and other operating items |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Interest expense |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Interest income |
| | | | | |||||||
Other income, net |
| | | | | |||||||
Income before income tax provision | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
12.DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. All of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges; therefore, the gain or loss on the derivatives will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCIL”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
One of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the variable interest rates of certain borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves entering into interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps outstanding at September 30, 2024 were specifically designated to the Revolving Credit Agreement and accounted for as cash flow hedges.
23
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
At September 30, 2024, the Company’s derivative instruments included
|
| Fixed |
| Variable |
|
| |||||
Notional | Interest | Interest Rate | |||||||||
Date Entered | Amount | Rate Paid (a) | Received | Effective Date (b) | Expiration Date | ||||||
$ | |
| | % |
|
| |||||
$ | |
| | % |
|
| |||||
$ | |
| | % |
|
| |||||
$ | |
| | % |
|
|
____________________
The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges at September 30, 2024, were as follows:
Derivatives Designated as Cash | Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||
Flow Hedges |
| Balance Sheet Location |
| Fair Value |
| Balance Sheet Location |
| Fair Value | ||
Interest rate swaps |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets(a) | $ | |
| Accrued liabilities | $ | — | ||
| Other assets, net |
| |
| ||||||
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | $ | | $ | — |
____________________
The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2023, were as follows:
Derivatives Designated as Cash | Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||
Flow Hedges |
| Balance Sheet Location |
| Fair Value |
| Balance Sheet Location |
| Fair Value | ||
Interest rate swaps |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | |
| Accrued liabilities | $ | — | ||
| Other assets, net |
| |
|
| |||||
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | $ | | $ | — |
The following tables summarize the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and AOCIL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Derivatives | Statement of | Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified | ||||||||||||
Designated as Cash | Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized | Net Income | from AOCIL into Earnings, | |||||||||||
Flow Hedges | as AOCIL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (a) | Classification | Net of Tax (b) | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | ( | $ | | Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( |
24
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Derivatives | Statement of | Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified | ||||||||||||
Designated as Cash | Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized | Net Income | from AOCIL into Earnings, | |||||||||||
Flow Hedges |
| as AOCIL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (a) | Classification | Net of Tax (b) | ||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | | $ | | Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( |
____________________
See Note 16 for further discussion on the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting to its consolidated comprehensive income (loss) and AOCIL.
13.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted cash and investments, trade payables, debt instruments, contingent consideration obligations and interest rate swaps. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted cash and investments, trade payables and contingent consideration are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. The carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding certain notes as listed in the table below, approximate their fair values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, based on current borrowing rates, current remaining average life to maturity and borrower credit quality for similar types of borrowing arrangements, and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, are as follows:
Carrying Value at | Fair Value (a) at | |||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
____________________
(a) |
For details on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps, restricted cash and investments and contingent consideration, refer to Note 15.
25
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
14.NET INCOME PER SHARE INFORMATION
The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to the Company’s shareholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
Numerator: | |||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Basic shares outstanding | | | | | |||||||||
Dilutive effect of equity-based awards | | | | | |||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding |
| |
| |
| |
| |
15.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative instruments and restricted cash and investments. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s derivative instruments included pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps are recorded at their estimated fair values based on quotes received from financial institutions that trade these contracts. The Company verifies the reasonableness of these quotes using similar quotes from another financial institution as of each date for which financial statements are prepared. For the Company’s interest rate swaps, the Company also considers the Company’s creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net liability position and the counterparties’ creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net asset position. The Company’s restricted cash is valued at quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted cash measured at fair value is invested primarily in money market accounts and bank time deposits. The Company’s restricted investments are valued at quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted investments measured at fair value are invested primarily in U.S. government, agency securities and Canadian bankers’ acceptance notes.
26
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, were as follows:
Fair Value Measurement at September 30, 2024 Using | ||||||||||||
|
| Quoted Prices in |
| Significant |
| |||||||
Active Markets | Other | Significant | ||||||||||
for Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||
Assets | Inputs | Inputs | ||||||||||
Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net asset position | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||
Restricted cash | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Restricted investments | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||
Contingent consideration | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( |
Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2023 Using | ||||||||||||
|
| Quoted Prices in |
| Significant |
| |||||||
Active Markets | Other | Significant | ||||||||||
for Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||
Assets | Inputs | Inputs | ||||||||||
Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net asset position | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||
Restricted cash | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Restricted investments | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||
Contingent consideration | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( |
The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for Level 3 liabilities related to contingent consideration for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | |||
Contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date |
| |
| | |||
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date |
| ( |
| ( | |||
| ( |
| | ||||
Adjustments to contingent consideration | |
| | ||||
Interest accretion expense |
| |
| | |||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
16.OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps that qualify for hedge accounting. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||||||
| Gross |
| Tax Effect |
| Net of Tax | ||||
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps |
| ( | |
| ( | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| |
| |
| | |||
$ | | $ | | $ | |
27
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Gross |
| Tax Effect |
| Net of Tax | ||||
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |||
$ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||||||
| Gross |
| Tax Effect |
| Net of Tax | ||||
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |||
$ | ( | $ | | $ | ( |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||
| Gross |
| Tax Effect |
| Net of Tax | ||||
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| |
| |
| | |||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | |
A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCIL, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, is as follows:
|
| Foreign |
| Accumulated | |||||
Currency | Other | ||||||||
Interest | Translation | Comprehensive | |||||||
Rate Swaps | Adjustment | Income (Loss) | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
Amounts reclassified into earnings | ( | — | ( | ||||||
Changes in fair value | | — | | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | ( | ( | ||||||
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
|
| Foreign |
| Accumulated | |||||
Currency | Other | ||||||||
Interest | Translation | Comprehensive | |||||||
Rate Swaps | Adjustment | Income (Loss) | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
Amounts reclassified into earnings |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||
Changes in fair value |
| |
| — |
| | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| — |
| |
| | |||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
See Note 12 for further discussion on the Company’s derivative instruments.
28
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
17.SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share-Based Compensation
Restricted Share Units
A summary of activity related to restricted share units (“RSUs”) during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, is presented below:
| Unvested Shares | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
| |
Granted |
| |
Forfeited |
| ( |
Vested and issued |
| ( |
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 |
| |
The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the common shares underlying the RSUs granted during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 was $
Recipients of the Company’s RSUs who participate in the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan may have elected in years prior to 2015 to defer some or all of their RSUs as they vest until a specified date or dates they choose. At the end of the deferral periods, unless a qualified participant makes certain other elections, the Company issues to recipients who deferred their RSUs common shares of the Company underlying the deferred RSUs. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had
Performance-Based Restricted Share Units
A summary of activity related to performance-based restricted share units (“PSUs”) during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, is presented below:
| Unvested Shares | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
| |
Granted |
| |
Vested and issued |
| ( |
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 |
| |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted PSUs with
29
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Deferred Share Units
A summary of activity related to deferred share units (“DSUs”) during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, is presented below:
| Vested Shares | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
| |
Granted |
| |
Cash settled |
| ( |
Share settled |
| ( |
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 |
| |
The DSUs consist of a combination of DSU grants outstanding under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans that were continued by the Company following the Progressive Waste acquisition and DSUs granted by the Company since the Progressive Waste acquisition. The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the common shares underlying the DSUs granted during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 was $
Other Restricted Share Units
RSU grants outstanding under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans were continued by the Company following the Progressive Waste acquisition and allow for the issuance of shares or cash settlement to employees upon vesting or other distribution events. A summary of activity related to Progressive Waste RSUs during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, is presented below:
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
| |
Cash settled |
| ( |
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 |
| |
Employee Share Purchase Plan
On May 15, 2020, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2020 Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Under the ESPP, qualified employees may elect to have payroll deductions withheld from their eligible compensation on each payroll date in amounts equal to or greater than
30
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Normal Course Issuer Bid
On July 23, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, the annual renewal of the Company’s normal course issuer bid (the “NCIB”) to purchase up to
In accordance with TSX rules, any daily repurchases made through the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems is limited to a maximum of
The timing and amounts of any repurchases pursuant to the NCIB will depend on many factors, including the Company’s capital structure, the market price of the common shares, any share buyback taxes applicable and overall market conditions. All common shares purchased under the NCIB shall be immediately cancelled following their repurchase.
For each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not repurchase any common shares pursuant to the NCIB in effect during that period. As of September 30, 2024, the maximum number of shares available for repurchase under the current NCIB was
Cash Dividend
In October 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $
18.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of its business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste and E&P waste industries, the Company is subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving Canadian regulatory authorities as well as U.S. federal, state and local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may subpoena the Company for records, or seek to impose fines on the Company or revoke or deny renewal of an authorization held or sought by the Company, including an operating permit. From time to time, the Company may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills, transfer stations, and E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal operations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which the Company operates. The Company uses $
In addition, the Company is a party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the
31
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Company’s business. Except as noted in the matters described below, as of September 30, 2024, there is no current proceeding or litigation involving the Company or its property that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Landfill Litigation
Between June 2016 and December 31, 2020, one of the Company’s subsidiaries, Louisiana Regional Landfill Company (“LRLC”), conducted certain operations at a municipal solid waste landfill known as the Jefferson Parish Landfill (the “JP Landfill”), located in Avondale, Louisiana, near the City of New Orleans. LRLC’s operations were governed by an Operating Agreement entered into in May 2012 by LRLC under its previous name, IESI LA Landfill Corporation, and the owner of the JP Landfill, Jefferson Parish (the “Parish”). The Parish also holds the State of Louisiana permit for the operation of the JP Landfill. Aptim Corporation, and later River Birch, LLC, operated the landfill gas collection system at the JP Landfill under a separate contract with the Parish.
In July and August 2018, four separate lawsuits seeking class action status were filed against LRLC and certain other Company subsidiaries, the Parish, and Aptim Corporation in Louisiana state court, and subsequently removed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, before Judge Susie Morgan in New Orleans. The court later consolidated the claims of the putative class action plaintiffs (the “Ictech-Bendeck” action). Beginning in December 2018, a series of 11 substantively identical mass actions were filed in Louisiana state court against LRLC and certain other Company subsidiaries, the Parish, and Aptim Corporation. The claims of the mass action plaintiffs were removed to and consolidated in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana, also before Judge Susie Morgan (the “Addison” action). On August 10, 2024, the Company’s subsidiaries and the Addison plaintiffs reached an agreement in principle to settle the Addison plaintiffs’ claims against the Company; the Parish and Aptim Corporation also reached agreements in principle to settle the Addison action. On August 12, 2024, the court entered an order dismissing the Addison action without prejudice pending consummation of the settlement agreements.
The Ictech-Bendeck plaintiffs assert claims for damages from odors allegedly emanating from the JP Landfill. The consolidated putative class action complaint alleges that the JP Landfill released “noxious odors” into the plaintiffs’ properties and the surrounding community and asserts a range of liability theories—nuisance, negligence (since dismissed), and strict liability—against all defendants. The Ictech-Bendeck plaintiffs seek unspecified damages.
The court held an eight-day trial on general causation during January and February 2022. On November 29, 2022, the court issued a 45-page decision on the general causation trial. The court concluded that all putative class plaintiffs established general causation—specifically that emissions and gases from the JP Landfill were capable of causing certain damages alleged by the plaintiffs. The court held that it only needed to determine the level of exposure necessary to result in injuries and that the level existed somewhere offsite, and that it was not required to delineate this level of exposure within a geographic area. The court did, however, limit the time period for damages, to between July 2017 and December 2019, and the types of alleged injuries for which the plaintiffs are able to seek damages, to headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sleep disruption, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety and worry, a decrease in quality of life, and loss of enjoyment or use of property.
After the general causation decision, extensive discovery occurred in 2023 and 2024. On May 15, 2024, the Ictech-Bendeck plaintiffs filed an amended motion for class certification, which the defendants opposed. Plaintiffs currently describe the putative class as Jefferson Parish residents suffering an injury as a result of exposure to odors from the Landfill between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, in five proposed geographic sub-classes encompassing residents within a delineated area of Jefferson Parish that extends roughly five miles from the Landfill to the north and east. Counsel for the putative class asks the court to certify a class on liability and allocation issues and that specific causation be left for individual determinations after a class trial. Briefing on the class action plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was
32
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
completed on June 26, 2024. An evidentiary hearing on certain class certification issues is scheduled for December 9 and 10, 2024.
On August 8, 2024, Jefferson Parish and the Ictech-Bendeck plaintiffs notified the court and the other parties that they had reached an agreement in principle on settlement of the plaintiffs’ claims against the Parish. The court held a settlement conference on August 9, memorializing the terms of the plaintiffs’ settlement with the Parish, including a settlement amount of $
The Company believes it has defenses to certification of the putative class actions and is continuing to vigorously defend itself; however, at this time, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome regarding the underlying claims in the class action, including the allocation of any potential liability among the Company, the Parish, and Aptim Corporation.
Los Angeles County, California Landfill Expansion Litigation
A. | Chiquita Canyon, LLC Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County |
In October 2004, the Company’s subsidiary, Chiquita Canyon, LLC (“CCL”), then under prior ownership, filed an application (the “Application”) with the County of Los Angeles (the “County”) Department of Regional Planning (“DRP”) for a conditional use permit (the “CUP”) to authorize the continued operation and expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (the “CC Landfill”). The CC Landfill has operated since 1972, and as a regional landfill, accepted approximately
After many years of reviews and delays, upon the recommendation of County staff, the County’s Regional Planning Commission (the “Commission”) approved the Application on April 19, 2017, but imposed operating conditions, fees and exactions that substantially reduced the historical landfill operations and represented a large increase in aggregate taxes and fees. CCL objected to many of the requirements imposed by the Commission. Current estimates for new costs imposed on CCL under the CUP are in excess of $
CCL appealed the Commission’s decision to the County Board of Supervisors, but the appeal was not successful. At a subsequent hearing, on July 25, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the CUP. On October 20, 2017, CCL filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles a verified petition for writ of mandate and complaint against the County and the County Board of Supervisors captioned Chiquita Canyon, LLC v. County of Los Angeles (the “Complaint”). The Complaint challenges the terms of the CUP in 13 counts generally alleging that the County violated multiple California and federal statutes and California and federal constitutional protections. CCL seeks the following relief: (a) an injunction and writ of mandate against certain of the CUP’s operational restrictions, taxes and fees, (b) a declaration that the challenged conditions are unconstitutional and in violation of state and federal statutes, (c) reimbursement for any such illegal fees paid under protest, (d) damages, (e) an award of just compensation for a taking, (f) attorney fees, and (g) all other appropriate legal and equitable relief.
33
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Following extensive litigation in 2018 and 2019 on the permissible scope of CCL’s challenge, the Superior Court issued its decision on July 2, 2020, granting CCL’s petition for writ of mandate in part and denying it in part. CCL prevailed with respect to 12 of the challenged conditions, many of which imposed new fees and exactions on the CC Landfill. On October 11, 2022, CCL and the County entered into a settlement agreement that requires CCL to file a CUP modification application with the County embodying the terms of the settlement agreement. CCL filed the CUP modification application on November 10, 2022, an addendum to CCL’s environmental impact report in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act on January 12, 2024, and a revised addendum on September 30, 2024. The next steps contemplated by the settlement agreement include: completion of review by the County; scheduling the CUP modification application for a hearing before the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission; if appealed, a hearing before the County Board of Supervisors; and, upon approval by the County Board of Supervisors of the CUP modification application and satisfaction of certain other contingencies, CCL would dismiss this lawsuit.
At a meeting between the County and the Company on September 23, 2024, the County first stated that it would not be possible to complete the environmental review and present the CUP modification to the Regional Planning Commission in 2024. Absent approval of the modified CUP, beginning January 1, 2025, the CUP requires CCL to reduce its maximum annual solid waste tonnage capacity from approximately two million tons of solid waste per year to approximately one million tons of solid waste per year. CCL and the County are required under the settlement agreement to cooperate to take additional lawful and reasonable measures to effectuate the basic terms and goals of the settlement agreement, which include modifying this tonnage reduction to a gradual step-down in tonnage, and those efforts are underway. At this time, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.
B. | December 11, 2017 Notice of Violation Regarding Certain CUP Conditions. |
The County, through its DRP, issued a Notice of Violation, dated December 11, 2017 (the “NOV”), alleging that CCL violated certain conditions of the CUP, including Condition 79(B)(6) of the CUP by failing to pay an $
On January 12, 2018, CCL filed an appeal of the alleged violations in the NOV. Subsequently, CCL filed additional legal arguments and exhibits contesting the NOV. On March 6, 2018, a DRP employee designated as hearing officer sustained the NOV, including the $
Elevated Temperature Landfill Event
Beginning in May 2023, the Company’s subsidiary, Chiquita Canyon, LLC (“CCL”), began receiving notices of violation (“NOVs”) from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) for alleged violations of Section 41700 of the California Health & Safety Code and SCAQMD Rule 402 based on complaints from the public of odors,
34
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
which SCAQMD inspectors stated that they verified were from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (the “CC Landfill”). Each Rule 402 NOV alleges the CC Landfill is “discharging such quantities of air contaminants to cause injury, detriment, nuisance or annoyance to a considerable number of persons.” CCL’s retained expert consultants in Elevated Temperature Landfill (“ETLF”) events have attributed the odors and other impacts to an ETLF event that is occurring in a lined, non-active area of the CC Landfill.
Since May 2023, CCL has received approximately 275 NOVs for alleged violations of SCAQMD Rule 402. CCL has also received twelve additional NOVs from SCAQMD alleging violations of other SCAQMD rules and CCL’s Title V permit. Many of these additional NOVs appear related to the increase in liquids and landfill gas caused by the ETLF event.
On August 15, 2023, SCAQMD petitioned its Hearing Board for an Order for Abatement in Hearing Board Case No. 6177-4 to address the Rule 402 NOVs issued by SCAQMD inspectors as a result of the ETLF event. SCAQMD and CCL negotiated a Stipulated Order for Abatement (the “Stipulated Order”), which was issued by the Hearing Board on September 6, 2023. Modifications to the Stipulated Order were approved by the Hearing Board after hearings on January 16 and 17, 2024, March 21, 2024, April 24, 2024, and August 17, 20, and 27, 2024. The modified Stipulated Order contains 90 conditions. The continuation of the August 27, 2024 hearing is currently scheduled for November 13 and 14, 2024. For this continued hearing, SCAQMD is also considering pursuing additional mandates regarding the CC Landfill’s operations, including reductions in waste intake and curtailing hours of operation.
On November 22, 2023, CCL received an NOV from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (“Water Board”) for alleged violations of CCL’s Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. R4-2018-0172, including the Monitoring and Reporting Program. The allegations relate to increased leachate production and leachate seeps caused by the ETLF event. CCL has received three more NOVs from the Water Board regarding alleged discharges, reporting, and other compliance violations. CCL has submitted full responses to each of the November 22, 2023, and January 24, March 28, and April 9, 2024 NOVs from the Water Board.
On June 27, 2024, CCL received a fifth NOV from the Water Board for alleged non-compliance with a March 20, 2024 Investigative Order issued by the Water Board pursuant to California Water Code §§ 13267 and 13383. CCL has provided a full response to the alleged violations.
On February 15 and March 29, 2024, CCL received two Summaries of Violations (“SOV”) from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”). The SOVs allege violations of California’s hazardous waste control laws and their implementing regulations related to three incidents in which offsite shipments of leachate, which tested above a regulatory threshold, were shipped to non-hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities. CCL has submitted full responses to both SOVs from DTSC.
On June 4, 2024, CCL received a Finding of Violation (“FOV”) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging violations of the New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) for municipal solid waste landfills, the NSPS and NESHAP General Provisions, and certain conditions of CCL’s Title V permit. CCL has submitted a full response to the alleged violations.
At this time, CCL is not able to determine the likely penalties that the regulatory agencies will seek for these alleged violations, but they could be substantial. CCL also is incurring substantial costs in conjunction with efforts to address the ETLF event and any related impacts, including attendant air emissions, and to manage the increased production and changing composition of the liquids. At this time, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome of the resolution of these alleged violations, including the amount of penalties.
35
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
In addition to, and distinct from these alleged violations, CCL is seeking regulatory approvals to allow the use of new cells needed for waste disposal within the CC Landfill’s existing waste footprint permitted under the CUP. At this time, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of the outcome of these regulatory reviews.
Related Civil Litigation
Given the facts related to the ETLF event and the alleged violations described above, a number of civil lawsuits have been filed against CCL and other Company subsidiaries, including Chiquita Canyon, Inc., Waste Connections of California, Inc., Waste Connections Management Services Inc. and Waste Connections US, Inc. These began with Howse et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC, et al. (Los Angeles Co. Superior Court; filed September 5, 2023, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. October 4, 2023). That case included class action claims, but in May 2024, those claims were dropped and the case continues as a mass tort case in federal district court. The Company is working to consolidate the additional civil lawsuits brought by over fifteen law firms in federal and state courts with the Howse case in federal court.
There are approximately 3,300 total plaintiffs in these civil lawsuits as of October 23, 2024, which includes some from cases filed but not yet served, and the Company expects additional complaints and plaintiffs in the future.
The claims in the ongoing cases allege, among other things, nuisance odors, chemical exposures and other torts, including private nuisance (continuing and permanent), public nuisance (continuing and permanent), negligence, negligence per se, strict liability for ultrahazardous activities, and a violation of Health and Safety Code § 41700. Plaintiffs seek damages for physical injury, fear of future physical injury, increased risk of future injury, including the need for medical monitoring, emotional distress, harm to real and personal property, medical expenses, relocation expenses, and punitive damages. Plaintiffs seek all costs of suits and attorneys’ fees. Some of the cases allege that officers and directors and/or agents of the Company’s subsidiaries had advance knowledge that failure to properly maintain and operate the CC Landfill would result in the sorts of harms that the plaintiffs allegedly suffered. Some of the cases seek injunctive relief to prevent further harm to the plaintiffs or to close the CC Landfill.
The additional cases include: Suggs et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC, et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed February 2, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. March 25, 2024); Siryani et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC, et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed March 27, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on April 29, 2024); Adams Evans et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed April 15, 2014, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 5, 2024); Aleksanyan et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal.; filed May 20, 2024); Jolene Acosta et al., v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed May 29, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 12, 2024); Quaiden Fenstermaker et. al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed May 29, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 13, 2024); Briana Mejia et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed May 29, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 15, 2024); Araiza et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal.; filed June 3, 2024); Melineh Gasparians et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed June 10, 2024; removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on September 4, 2024); Claudia Rivera et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed June 14, 2024, removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 22, 2024); Alejandra Suarez et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed June 20, 2024; removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on July 29, 2024) ; Geon Hwang, et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal.; filed July 8, 2024); Anabel Austin, et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed July 9, 2024; removed to U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal. on August 16, 2024); Isabell Dolores Palomino et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (U.S.D.C. C.D. Cal.; filed July 12, 2024); Stephanie Audish et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed July 16, 2024); Scott Benjamin Siegal et. al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed July 16, 2024); Alina Hakopyan et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed August 6, 2024); Kaiden Alim et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court, filed September 27, 2024); and Nicholas Difatta et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court, filed October 5, 2024). One law firm has also filed 359
36
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS OR AS OTHERWISE NOTED)
individual cases in Los Angeles Superior Court, which the Company related and consolidated to that firm’s first filed case, Serieddine et al. v. Chiquita Canyon, LLC, et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court; filed January 8, 2024), so the cases can be collectively removed to federal court.
The Company is continuing to vigorously defend itself in these lawsuits; however, at this time, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome regarding the underlying claims.
19.SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On
37
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
We make statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are forward-looking in nature. These include:
● | Statements regarding our landfills, including capacity, duration, special projects, demand for and pricing of recyclables, estimated closure and post-closure liabilities, landfill alternatives and related capital expenditures, operating expenses, leachate and the ETLF event at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill; |
● | Discussion of competition, loss of contracts, price increases and additional exclusive and/or long-term collection service arrangements; |
● | Forecasts of cash flows necessary for operations and free cash flow to reduce leverage as well as our ability to draw on our credit facility and access the capital markets to refinance or expand; |
● | Statements regarding our ability to access capital resources or credit markets; |
● | Plans for, and the amounts of, certain capital expenditures for our existing and newly acquired properties and equipment; |
● | Statements regarding fuel, oil and natural gas demand, prices, and price volatility; |
● | Assessments of regulatory developments and potential changes in environmental, health, safety and tax laws and regulations; and |
● | Other statements on a variety of topics such as inflation, credit risk of customers, seasonality, labor/pension costs and labor union activity, employee retention costs, operational and safety risks, acquisitions, litigation developments and results, goodwill impairments, insurance costs and cybersecurity threats. |
These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “should” or “anticipates,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy.
Our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those projected by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada.
There may be additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial that could have an adverse impact on our business. We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may change, unless required under applicable securities laws.
OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS
We are an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation, in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 46 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oil and natural gas exploration and production (“E&P”) waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.
38
Environmental, organizational and financial sustainability initiatives have been key components of our success since we were founded in 1997. We continue to grow and expand these efforts and our disclosure regarding progress towards their achievement as our industry and technology continue to evolve. To that end, we have committed $500 million to the advancement of long-term, aspirational ESG targets, which have been incorporated into executive compensation metrics. Our investments primarily focus on reducing emissions and emissions intensity, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety through reduced incidents and enhancing employee engagement through improved voluntary turnover and Servant Leadership scores. Our latest sustainability report can be found at www.wasteconnections.com/sustainability but does not constitute a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
We generally seek to avoid highly competitive, large urban markets and instead target markets where we can attain high market share either through exclusive contracts, vertical integration or asset positioning. In markets where waste collection services are provided under exclusive arrangements, or where waste disposal is municipally owned or funded or available at multiple municipal sources, we believe that controlling the waste stream by providing collection services under exclusive arrangements is often more important to our growth and profitability than owning or operating landfills. We also target niche markets, like non-hazardous E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal services.
The solid waste industry is local and highly competitive in nature, requiring substantial labor and capital resources. We compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and, to a lesser extent, the quality of service, and compete for landfill business on the basis of tipping fees, geographic location and quality of operations. The solid waste industry has been consolidating and continues to consolidate as a result of a number of factors, including the increasing costs and complexity associated with waste management operations and regulatory compliance. Many small independent operators and municipalities lack the capital resources, management, operating skills and technical expertise necessary to operate effectively in such an environment. The consolidation trend has caused solid waste companies to operate larger landfills that have complementary collection routes that can use company-owned disposal capacity. Controlling the point of transfer from haulers to landfills has become increasingly important as landfills continue to close and disposal capacity moves farther from the collection markets it serves.
Generally, the most profitable operators within the solid waste industry are those companies that are vertically integrated or enter into long-term collection contracts. A vertically integrated operator will benefit from: (1) the internalization of waste, which is bringing waste to a company-owned landfill; (2) the ability to charge third-party haulers tipping fees either at landfills or at transfer stations; and (3) the efficiencies gained by being able to aggregate and process waste at a transfer station prior to landfilling.
All references to “dollars” or “$” used herein refer to U.S. dollars, and all references to “CAD $” used herein refer to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements. As described by the SEC, critical accounting estimates and assumptions are those that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on the financial condition or operating performance of a company. Such critical accounting estimates and assumptions are applicable to our reportable segments. Refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete description of our critical accounting estimates and assumptions.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a description of the new accounting standards that affect us, see Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
39
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023
The following table sets forth items in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income in thousands of U.S. dollars and as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 2,338,488 |
| 100.0 | % | $ | 2,064,744 |
| 100.0 | % | $ | 6,659,308 |
| 100.0 | % | $ | 5,986,342 |
| 100.0 | % | |||||
Cost of operations |
| 1,344,079 | 57.5 | 1,204,603 | 58.4 | 3,866,932 | 58.1 | 3,548,893 | 59.3 | ||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
| 222,526 | 9.5 | 196,316 | 9.5 | 672,110 | 10.1 | 606,367 | 10.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
| 248,473 | 10.7 | 214,966 | 10.4 | 712,392 | 10.7 | 632,347 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles |
| 45,170 | 1.9 | 39,405 | 1.9 | 129,584 | 2.0 | 117,740 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Impairments and other operating items |
| 2,897 | 0.1 | 56,477 | 2.7 | 11,441 | 0.1 | 69,201 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
| 475,343 |
| 20.3 |
| 352,977 |
| 17.1 |
| 1,266,849 |
| 19.0 |
| 1,011,794 |
| 16.9 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
| (83,520) | (3.6) | (69,016) | (3.3) | (244,385) | (3.6) | (204,914) | (3.4) | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
| 3,331 | 0.2 | 2,833 | 0.1 | 9,391 | 0.1 | 6,886 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| 4,904 | 0.2 | 5,372 | 0.3 | 12,727 | 0.2 | 8,346 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision |
| (92,012) | (3.9) | (62,975) | (3.1) | (232,008) | (3.5) | (185,915) | (3.1) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| 308,046 |
| 13.2 |
| 229,191 |
| 11.1 |
| 812,574 |
| 12.2 |
| 636,197 |
| 10.6 | |||||||||
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| — |
| — |
| (165) |
| (0.0) |
| 1,003 | 0.0 | (150) | (0.0) | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | 308,046 |
| 13.2 | % | $ | 229,026 |
| 11.1 | % | $ | 813,577 |
| 12.2 | % | $ | 636,047 |
| 10.6 | % |
Revenues. Total revenues increased $273.7 million, or 13.3%, to $2.338 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $2.065 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Total revenues increased $673.0 million, or 11.2%, to $6.659 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $5.986 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, increased revenues by $162.7 million and $366.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Operations that were divested during, or subsequent to, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, decreased revenues by $1.7 million and $7.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the net increase in prices charged to our customers at our existing operations was $127.7 million, consisting of $132.9 million of core price increases and decreases in surcharges of $5.2 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the net increase in prices charged to our customers at our existing operations was $387.4 million, consisting of $409.2 million of core price increases and decreases in surcharges of $21.8 million.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized volume losses totaling $37.7 million, resulting from lower residential collection volumes due primarily to the purposeful shedding of certain low-margin municipal contracts in our Canada and Southern segments, lower commercial revenues and a decrease in roll off volumes, partially offset by higher post collection volumes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized volume losses totaling $161.5 million, resulting from lower residential collection volumes due primarily to the purposeful shedding of certain low-margin municipal contracts in our Eastern, Canada and Southern segments, lower commercial revenues and a decrease in roll off volumes.
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E&P waste revenues at facilities owned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 increased $5.5 million and $23.1 million, respectively, due to increases in overall demand for our E&P waste services as a result of increases in drilling and production activity levels in certain basins.
Revenues from sales of recyclable commodities at facilities owned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 increased $19.2 million and $49.8 million, respectively. The increases are primarily attributable to higher average commodity pricing for old corrugated cardboard and other paper products as compared to the prior periods.
A decrease in the average Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar currency exchange rate resulted in a decrease in revenues of $4.3 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The average Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rates on our Canadian revenues were 0.7333 and 0.7455 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rates on our Canadian revenues were 0.7348 and 0.7435 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other revenues increased $2.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to a $4.7 million increase in landfill gas revenues on higher values for renewable energy credits and higher landfill gas volumes and a $0.1 million increase in other non-core revenue sources, partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in intermodal revenues. Other revenues increased $23.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to a $26.2 million increase in landfill gas revenues on higher values for renewable energy credits and higher landfill gas volumes and a $1.5 million increase in other non-core revenue sources, partially offset by a $4.7 million decrease in intermodal revenues.
Cost of Operations. Total cost of operations increased $139.5 million, or 11.6%, to $1.344 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.205 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily the result of $76.1 million of additional operating costs from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023 and an increase in operating costs at our existing operations of $66.4 million, assuming foreign currency parity, partially offset by a decrease in operating costs of $2.1 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period and a decrease of $0.9 million from operations divested during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The increase in operating costs of $66.4 million, assuming foreign currency parity, at our existing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024, consisted of higher labor and recurring incentive compensation expenses of $23.7 million, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $13.0 million, an increase in third-party trucking and transportation expenses of $9.7 million, an increase in disposal costs of $7.2 million, an increase in benefits costs of $6.0 million, an increase in risk management expenses of $4.7 million due to higher claim and premium costs, an increase in other landfill operating costs of $4.4 million, an increase in taxes on revenues of $3.8 million as a result of increased revenues and a net increase of other expenses of $3.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in fuel costs of $5.3 million primarily as a result of lower diesel and natural gas prices and a decrease in subcontract expense of $3.8 million.
Total cost of operations increased $318.0 million, or 9.0%, to $3.867 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $3.549 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily the result of $174.6 million of additional operating costs from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and an increase in operating costs at our existing operations of $150.5 million, assuming foreign currency parity, partially offset by a decrease in operating costs of $4.4 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period and a decrease of $2.7 million from operations divested during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
The increase in operating costs of $150.5 million, assuming foreign currency parity, at our existing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, consisted of higher labor and recurring incentive compensation expenses of $57.5 million, an increase in risk management expenses of $25.5 million due to higher claim and premium costs, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses of $19.8 million, an increase in disposal costs of $17.9 million, an increase in benefits costs of $12.9 million, an increase in trucking costs of $11.5 million, an increase in taxes on revenues of $9.0 million as a result of increased revenues, an increase in leachate costs of $8.2 million, an increase
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in facility and equipment rental and other recurring facility costs $7.3 million, an increase in post-closure liability interest accretion expense of $7.1 million and a net increase of other expenses of $4.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in subcontract expense of $12.6 million, a decrease in fuel expense of $11.4 million due to lower diesel and natural gas prices and a decrease in fees paid for the processing of recyclable materials of $6.8 million primarily as a result of higher commodity values.
Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues decreased 0.9 percentage points to 57.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from 58.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was primarily driven by the impact of price-led revenue growth, contributions from an increase in higher landfill gas sales, a 0.5 percentage point decrease in fuel costs due to lower diesel and natural gas prices, a 0.5 percentage point decrease due to the impact of acquisitions having lower operating costs as a percentage of revenue as compared to existing operations, a 0.2 percentage point decrease due to lower subcontract costs and a 0.1 percentage point decrease from all other net changes, partially offset by a 0.2 percentage point increase in risk management costs and a 0.2 percentage point increase in benefits expense.
Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues decreased 1.2 percentage points to 58.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from 59.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was primarily driven by the impact of price-led revenue growth, contributions from an increase in higher landfill gas sales, a 0.4 percentage point decrease in fuel costs due to lower diesel and natural gas prices, a 0.3 percentage point decrease due to the impact of acquisitions having lower operating costs as a percentage of revenue as compared to existing operations, a 0.2 percentage point decrease due to lower labor costs, a 0.2 percentage point decrease in disposal costs, a 0.2 percentage point decrease in subcontract costs, a 0.1 percentage point decrease in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses and a 0.1 percentage point decrease due to lower costs associated with the processing of recyclable material driven by higher recyclable commodity values, partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point increase in risk management expenses.
SG&A. SG&A expenses increased $26.2 million, or 13.4%, to $222.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $196.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was comprised of an increase of $16.1 million, assuming foreign currency parity, at our existing operations and an increase of $10.5 million from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period.
The increase in SG&A expenses at our existing operations of $16.1 million, assuming foreign currency parity, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was comprised of an increase in professional fees of $5.4 million, an increase in direct acquisition expenses of $4.9 million due to an increase in acquisition activity in the current period, an increase in administrative payroll expenses of $3.8 million, an increase in deferred compensation costs of $3.0 million, a collective increase in travel, meetings and training expenses of $1.4 million, an increase in benefits costs of $1.3 million and $2.5 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation expense of $3.2 million and a decrease in bad debt costs of $3.0 million.
SG&A expenses increased $65.7 million, or 10.8%, to $672.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $606.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was comprised of an increase of $42.5 million, assuming foreign currency parity, at our existing operations and $24.0 million from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $0.8 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period.
The increase in SG&A expenses at our existing operations of $42.5 million, assuming foreign currency parity, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was comprised of an increase in direct acquisition expenses of $18.0 million due to an increase in acquisition activity in the current period, an increase in administrative payroll expenses of $9.9 million, an increase in professional fees of $7.4 million, a collective increase in travel, meetings and training expenses of $6.9 million, an increase in incentive compensation expense of $3.4 million, an increase in benefits costs of $2.6 million, an increase in deferred compensation expense of $2.2 million, an increase in software license fees of $1.9 million and $5.3 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a decrease in executive separation costs of $15.1 million.
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SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues remained flat at 9.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended September 30, 2023. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues was impacted by a 0.3 percentage point decrease in incentive compensation costs and a 0.2 percentage point decrease due to the impact of acquisitions having lower SG&A costs as a percentage of revenue as compared to existing operations, partially offset by a 0.2 percentage point increase in direct acquisition expenses due to an increase in acquisition activity, a 0.2 percentage point increase in professional fees and a 0.1 percentage point increase from all other changes, net.
SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues remained flat at 10.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues was impacted by a 0.2 percentage point decrease in executive separation costs and a 0.2 percentage point decrease due to the impact of acquisitions having lower SG&A costs as a percentage of revenue as compared to existing operations, partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point increase in direct acquisition expenses due to an increase in acquisition activity and a 0.1 percentage point increase in professional fees.
Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $33.5 million, or 15.6%, to $248.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $215.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was comprised of an increase in depreciation and depletion expense of $21.2 million from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase in depreciation expense of $10.7 million from the impact of additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations and an increase of $2.1 million in depletion expense, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period.
Depreciation expense increased $80.0 million, or 12.7%, to $712.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $632.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was comprised of an increase in depreciation and depletion expense of $54.2 million from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase in depreciation expense of $25.0 million from the impact of additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations and an increase of $1.9 million in depletion expense, partially offset by a decrease of $0.9 million resulting from a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period and a decrease of $0.2 million from divestitures sold during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Depreciation expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.3 percentage points to 10.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from 10.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation expense as a percentage of revenues increased 0.1 percentage points to 10.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from 10.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. For both comparative periods, expenses as a percentage of revenues increased due to acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 having higher depreciation expense as a percentage of revenue than our company average, partially offset by the impact of price driven revenue increases in our solid waste services and decreased depletion expenses as a result of lower landfill volumes.
Amortization of Intangibles. Amortization of intangibles expense increased $5.8 million, or 14.6%, to $45.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $39.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was the result of $9.9 million from intangible assets acquired in acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $4.1 million from certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to September 30, 2023.
Amortization of intangibles expense increased $11.8 million, or 10.1%, to $129.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $117.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was the result of $24.4 million from intangible assets acquired in acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $12.4 million from certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to September 30, 2023 and a decrease of $0.2 million due to a lower average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the current period.
Amortization of intangibles expense as a percentage of revenues remained flat at 1.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended September 30, 2023. Amortization of intangibles expense as a percentage
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of revenues remained flat at 2.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Impairments and Other Operating Items. Impairments and other operating items decreased $53.6 million, to net losses totaling $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from net losses totaling $56.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The net losses of $2.9 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of $2.1 million of net losses on the disposal of property and equipment and $0.8 million of other net losses.
The net losses of $56.5 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2023 resulted from $31.3 million of charges to adjust the carrying value of contingent consideration liabilities associated with acquisitions closed in prior periods, $25.0 million of charges to adjust the carrying value of certain assets impaired as a result of an adjustment to fair market value and $3.0 million of charges related to the settlement of legal matters, partially offset by $2.8 million of other net gains.
Impairments and other operating items decreased $57.8 million, to net losses totaling $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from net losses totaling $69.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
The net losses of $11.4 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of $8.1 million of net losses on the disposal of property and equipment, $3.1 million due to increases associated with uninsured damages to an operating facility and $1.6 million of charges to write off the carrying cost of certain contracts that were not, or are not expected to be, renewed prior to the original estimated termination date, partially offset by $1.4 million of other net gains.
The net losses of $69.2 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted of $31.3 million of charges to adjust the carrying value of contingent consideration liabilities associated with acquisitions closed in prior periods, $25.0 million of charges to adjust the carrying value of certain assets impaired as a result of an adjustment to fair market value, $6.8 million of charges to write off the carrying cost of certain contracts that were not, or are not expected to be, renewed prior to the original estimated termination date, $5.8 million of losses on disposal of property and equipment and $0.3 million of other net adjustments.
Operating Income. Operating income increased $122.4 million, or 34.7%, to $475.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $353.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The increase in our operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to price increases for our solid waste services, operating income generated from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase in earnings at our E&P waste operations, operating income contributions from increased renewable energy credits associated with the generation of landfill gas, a decrease in impairments and other operating item costs and contributions from higher recyclable commodity pricing, partially offset by an increase in direct acquisition expenses associated with increased acquisition activity as compared to the prior year period.
Operating income increased $255.1 million, or 25.2%, to $1.267 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.012 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
The increase in our operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to price increases for our solid waste services, operating income generated from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase in earnings at our E&P waste operations, operating income contributions from increased renewable energy credits associated with the generation of landfill gas, a decrease in impairments and other operating item costs, contributions from higher recyclable commodity pricing and lower executive separation costs, partially offset by an increase in risk management costs and an increase in direct acquisition expenses associated with increased acquisition activity as compared to the prior year period.
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Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased 3.2 percentage points to 20.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from 17.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase as a percentage of revenues was comprised of a 2.6 percentage point decrease in impairments and other operating items and a 0.9 percentage point decrease in our costs of operations, partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point increase in depreciation expense.
Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased 2.1 percentage points to 19.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from 16.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase as a percentage of revenues was comprised of a 1.2 percentage point decrease in our costs of operations and a 1.0 percentage point decrease in impairments and other operating items, partially offset by a 0.1 percentage point increase in depreciation expense.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $14.5 million, or 21.0%, to $83.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $69.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $9.3 million from the issuance of $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes during the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $9.1 million due to an increase in the average borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $4.1 million from the issuance of CAD $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and $0.3 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a $7.4 million decrease attributable to a decrease in the average borrowings outstanding under our 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and 2022 Term Loan Agreement as a result of the early termination of these agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and a decrease of $0.9 million from lower interest rates on borrowings outstanding during the comparative periods.
Interest expense increased $39.5 million, or 19.3%, to $244.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $204.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $24.4 million due to an increase in the average borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $22.8 million from the issuance of $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $4.9 million from the issuance of CAD $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $2.8 million from higher interest rates on borrowings outstanding during the comparative periods and $3.9 million of other net expense increases, partially offset by a $19.3 million decrease attributable to a decrease in the average borrowings outstanding under our 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and 2022 Term Loan Agreement as a result of the early termination of these agreements during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $0.5 million to $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Interest income increased $2.5 million to $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases were primarily attributable to higher average investment rates in the current periods.
Other Income, Net. Other income, net decreased $0.5 million, to an income total of $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from an income total of $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Other income of $4.9 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of a $2.1 million increase in the value of investments purchased to fund our employee deferred compensation obligations and $2.8 million in other net income sources.
Other income of $5.4 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2023 consisted of a $4.2 million reduction to certain accrued liabilities acquired in an acquisition closed in a prior year period and $3.7 million in other net income sources, partially offset by $2.0 million from a decrease in the value of investments purchased to fund our employee deferred compensation obligations and $0.5 million from a decrease in the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the comparable reporting periods reducing the U.S. dollar consideration required to settle international liabilities.
Other income, net increased $4.4 million, to an income total of $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from an income total of $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
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Other income of $12.7 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of $12.0 million from a gain on sale of certain investments and $3.9 million from an increase in the value of investments purchased to fund our employee deferred compensation obligations, partially offset by $2.3 million from the write off of unamortized loan fees as a result of the early extinguishment of our 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and 2022 Term Loan Agreement and $0.9 million from a decrease in the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the comparable reporting period reducing the U.S. dollar consideration required to settle international liabilities.
Other income of $8.3 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted of a $4.2 million reduction to certain accrued liabilities acquired in an acquisition closed in a prior year period, $3.7 million in other net income sources and $0.6 million from an increase in the value of investments purchased to fund our employee deferred compensation obligations, partially offset by $0.2 million from a decrease in the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the comparable reporting periods reducing the U.S. dollar consideration required to settle international liabilities.
Income Tax Provision. Income taxes increased $29.0 million, to $92.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $63.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was 23.0%. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was 21.6%. Income taxes increased $46.1 million, to $232.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $185.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 22.2%. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 22.6%.
The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 included a benefit of $0.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, from share-based payment awards being recognized in the income statement when settled, as well as a portion of our internal financing being taxed at effective rates substantially lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate.
The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a benefit of $0.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, from share-based payment awards being recognized in the income statement when settled, as well as a portion of our internal financing being taxed at effective rates substantially lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate.
SEGMENT RESULTS
General
No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented. The following table disaggregates our revenue by service line for the periods indicated (in thousands of U.S. dollars).
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
Commercial |
| $ | 680,444 |
| $ | 630,641 | $ | 1,980,228 | $ | 1,848,723 | |||
Residential | 574,305 | 538,364 | 1,687,899 | 1,582,289 | |||||||||
Industrial and construction roll off | 367,559 | 343,740 | 1,052,339 | 1,002,085 | |||||||||
Total collection | 1,622,308 | 1,512,745 | 4,720,466 | 4,433,097 | |||||||||
Landfill | 418,508 | 390,330 | 1,177,899 | 1,116,707 | |||||||||
Transfer | 358,420 | 313,214 | 1,010,528 | 892,757 | |||||||||
Recycling | 69,748 | 36,103 | 182,071 | 105,724 | |||||||||
E&P | 154,202 | 62,066 | 375,176 | 172,431 | |||||||||
Intermodal and other | 47,341 | 44,984 | 145,979 | 122,655 | |||||||||
Intercompany | (332,039) | (294,698) | (952,811) | (857,029) | |||||||||
Total |
| $ | 2,338,488 |
| $ | 2,064,744 | $ | 6,659,308 | $ | 5,986,342 |
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we managed our operations through the following six geographic solid waste operating segments: Western, Southern, Eastern, Central, Canada and MidSouth. Our six geographic solid waste operating segments comprise our reportable segments. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts. Certain corporate or regional overhead expense allocations may affect comparability of the segment information presented herein on a period-over-period basis.
Our Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment EBITDA. We define segment EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairments and other operating items and other income (expense). Segment EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our management uses segment EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments.
Summarized financial information for our reportable segments are shown in the following tables in thousands of U.S. dollars and as a percentage of total segment revenue for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended | EBITDA | Depreciation and | ||||||||||
September 30, 2024 |
| Revenue | EBITDA (b) | Margin | Amortization | |||||||
Western | $ | 476,237 | $ | 147,490 | 31.0 | % | $ | 54,122 | ||||
Southern | 453,215 | 144,384 | 31.9 | % | 50,250 | |||||||
Eastern | 407,668 | 114,007 | 28.0 | % | 59,068 | |||||||
Central |
| 391,740 |
| 143,486 | 36.6 | % |
| 43,902 | ||||
Canada |
| 342,058 |
| 153,580 | 44.9 | % |
| 47,521 | ||||
MidSouth |
| 267,570 |
| 77,011 | 28.8 | % |
| 36,274 | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| — |
| (8,075) | — |
| 2,506 | |||||
$ | 2,338,488 | $ | 771,883 | 33.0 | % | $ | 293,643 |
Three Months Ended | EBITDA | Depreciation and | ||||||||||
September 30, 2023 |
| Revenue | EBITDA (b) | Margin | Amortization | |||||||
Western | $ | 432,462 | $ | 124,433 | 28.8 | % | $ | 50,262 | ||||
Southern | 413,578 | 133,072 | 32.2 | % | 44,630 | |||||||
Eastern | 353,109 | 100,779 | 28.5 | % | 53,088 | |||||||
Central |
| 372,862 |
| 137,823 | 37.0 | % |
| 43,156 | ||||
Canada |
| 263,095 |
| 108,524 | 41.2 | % |
| 31,361 | ||||
MidSouth |
| 229,638 |
| 61,923 | 27.0 | % |
| 29,920 | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| — |
| (2,729) | — |
| 1,954 | |||||
$ | 2,064,744 | $ | 663,825 | 32.2 | % | $ | 254,371 |
Nine Months Ended | EBITDA | Depreciation and | ||||||||||
September 30, 2024 |
| Revenue | EBITDA (b) | Margin | Amortization | |||||||
Western | $ | 1,352,449 | $ | 394,974 | 29.2 | % | $ | 158,606 | ||||
Southern | 1,311,437 | 411,320 | 31.4 | % | 143,805 | |||||||
Eastern | 1,153,835 | 312,101 | 27.0 | % | 169,585 | |||||||
Central |
| 1,138,708 |
| 408,217 | 35.8 | % |
| 127,739 | ||||
Canada |
| 941,629 |
| 411,089 | 43.7 | % |
| 133,715 | ||||
MidSouth |
| 761,250 |
| 209,251 | 27.5 | % |
| 101,948 | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| — |
| (26,686) | — |
| 6,578 | |||||
$ | 6,659,308 | $ | 2,120,266 | 31.8 | % | $ | 841,976 |
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Nine Months Ended | EBITDA | Depreciation and | ||||||||||
September 30, 2023 |
| Revenue | EBITDA (b) | Margin | Amortization | |||||||
Western | $ | 1,247,273 | $ | 354,682 | 28.4 | % | $ | 148,373 | ||||
Southern | 1,227,532 | 384,660 | 31.3 | % | 135,554 | |||||||
Eastern | 1,025,662 | 260,569 | 25.4 | % | 153,436 | |||||||
Central |
| 1,082,032 |
| 384,538 | 35.5 | % |
| 127,323 | ||||
Canada |
| 738,956 |
| 286,703 | 38.8 | % |
| 92,117 | ||||
MidSouth |
| 664,887 |
| 182,072 | 27.4 | % |
| 87,299 | ||||
Corporate(a) |
| — |
| (22,142) | — |
| 5,985 | |||||
$ | 5,986,342 | $ | 1,831,082 | 30.6 | % | $ | 750,087 |
____________________
(a) | The majority of Corporate expenses are allocated to the six operating segments. Direct acquisition expenses, expenses associated with common shares held in the deferred compensation plan exchanged for other investment options and share-based compensation expenses associated with Progressive Waste share-based grants outstanding at June 1, 2016 that were continued by the Company are not allocated to the six operating segments and comprise the net EBITDA for our Corporate segment for the periods presented. |
(b) | For those items included in the determination of segment EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included in Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this report.
Significant changes in revenue, EBITDA and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our reportable segments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023, are discussed below.
Western
Revenue increased $43.7 million to $476.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $432.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $105.2 million to $1.352 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.247 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to price increases, contributions from acquisitions, higher landfill volumes and increases in residential and roll off collection volumes, partially offset by decreased transfer and intermodal revenue.
EBITDA increased $23.1 million to $147.5 million, or a 31.0% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $124.4 million, or a 28.8% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. EBITDA increased $40.3 million to $395.0 million, or a 29.2% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $354.7 million, or a 28.4% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to a decrease in recycle processing fees, lower fuel costs due to lower diesel and natural gas prices, a decrease in landfill maintenance and leachate costs and lower legal expenses, partially offset by an increase in post-closure liability interest accretion expense and increased risk management costs. In addition, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, EBITDA margin increased due to the impact of acquisitions having higher EBITDA margins than our segment average.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $3.8 million, to $54.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $50.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $10.2 million, to $158.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $148.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to additions to our fleet and equipment, assets acquired in acquisitions and increased depletion associated with higher landfill volumes.
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Southern
Revenue increased $39.6 million to $453.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $413.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $83.9 million to $1.311 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.228 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to solid waste price increases, contributions from acquisitions, increased E&P waste revenues attributable to increases in the demand for our E&P waste services and an increase in recyclable commodity prices as compared to the prior year periods, partially offset by lower residential collection volumes due to the purposeful non-renewal of collection contracts, lower commercial collection volume and a decrease in post-collection volume.
EBITDA increased $11.3 million to $144.4 million, or a 31.9% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $133.1 million, or a 32.2% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due to increases in leachate costs, higher risk management expenses, increased allocated overhead and higher benefits costs, partially offset by the benefits of price led revenue growth, the impact of acquisitions having higher EBITDA margins than our segment average, decreases in fuel costs, lower bad debt expense as compared to the prior year period, a decrease in legal costs and the purposeful non-renewal of certain residential contracts having lower EBITDA margin than our segment average.
EBITDA increased $26.6 million to $411.3 million, or a 31.4% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $384.7 million, or a 31.3% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in our EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to price-led increases in solid waste revenue, increased earnings at our E&P waste operations, the purposeful non-renewal of certain residential contracts, decreases in fuel costs, lower disposal costs, the impact of acquisitions having higher EBITDA margins than our segment average and lower legal expenses, partially offset by an increase in leachate expenses, higher risk management costs, higher trucking costs, an increase in benefits expense and an increase in allocated overhead expense.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $5.6 million, to $50.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $44.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $8.2 million, to $143.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $135.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to higher depletion associated with increases in landfill volumes, assets acquired in acquisitions and additions to our fleet and equipment.
Eastern
Revenue increased $54.6 million to $407.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $353.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $128.2 million to $1.154 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.026 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to contributions from acquisitions, price increases, an increase in recyclable commodity prices as compared to the prior year period and higher landfill volumes, partially offset by decreased residential and commercial service revenues and lower roll off volumes.
EBITDA increased $13.2 million to $114.0 million, or a 28.0% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $100.8 million, or a 28.5% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to the impact of acquisitions having lower EBITDA margins than our segment average, an increase in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses, higher professional fees and an increase in benefits expense, partially offset by price-led increases in revenue, a decrease in trucking and disposal expenses as a result of purposefully lost volumes and increased internalization in certain markets, lower labor costs and a decrease in fuel costs.
EBITDA increased $51.5 million to $312.1 million, or a 27.0% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $260.6 million, or a 25.4% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in our EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to price-led increases in revenue,
49
lower labor and benefits costs, a decrease in trucking and disposal expenses as a result of purposeful volume shedding and increased internalization in certain markets, a decrease in landfill maintenance costs and lower subcontracting expenses, partially offset by the impact of acquisitions having lower EBITDA margins than our segment average and an increase in risk management expenses.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $6.0 million, to $59.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $53.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $16.2 million, to $169.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $153.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to assets acquired in acquisitions and additions to our fleet and equipment, partially offset by a reduction in amortization expense associated with the loss of certain residential service contracts.
Central
Revenue increased $18.8 million to $391.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $372.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $56.7 million to $1.139 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.082 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to price increases and an increase in recyclable commodity prices as compared to the prior year period, partially offset by lower post collection volumes and a decrease in residential and commercial collection.
EBITDA increased $5.7 million to $143.5 million, or a 36.6% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $137.8 million, or a 37.0% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in benefits expense, an increase in disposal costs and higher trucking expense, partially offset by the benefits of price-led increases in revenue, lower fuel costs and a decrease in bad debt expense as compared to the prior year period.
EBITDA increased $23.7 million to $408.2 million, or a 35.8% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $384.5 million, or a 35.5% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in our EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to the benefits from price-led increases in revenue, decreases in fuel costs, lower recycle processing costs due to an increase in recyclable commodity pricing and a decrease in bad debt expenses, partially offset by higher trucking costs, an increase in allocated corporate overhead and increased disposal costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $0.7 million, to $43.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $43.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $0.4 million, to $127.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $127.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to additions to our fleet and equipment as compared to the prior year periods, partially offset by a decrease in depletion as a result of lower landfill volumes and a reduction in amortization expense associated with certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to September 30, 2023.
Canada
Revenue increased $79.0 million to $342.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $263.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $202.6 million to $941.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $739.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to contributions from acquisitions, price increases, an increase in landfill gas revenues and higher prices for recyclable commodities as compared to the prior year periods, partially offset by a decrease in commercial and residential collection volumes.
EBITDA increased $45.1 million to $153.6 million, or a 44.9% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $108.5 million, or a 41.2% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. EBITDA increased $124.4 million to $411.1 million, or a 43.7% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended
50
September 30, 2024, from $286.7 million, or a 38.8% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to the impact of acquisitions having higher EBITDA margins than our segment average, price-led increases in revenue, an increase in earnings associated with landfill gas revenues from higher values for renewable energy credits and higher landfill gas volumes, decreases in diesel and natural gas costs due to a decline in average fuel prices and lower bad debt expense, partially offset by an increase in allocated corporate overhead expense as compared to the prior year periods.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $16.1 million, to $47.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $31.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $41.6 million, to $133.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $92.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were from assets acquired in acquisitions.
MidSouth
Revenue increased $38.0 million to $267.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $229.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue increased $96.3 million to $761.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $664.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to contributions from acquisitions and price increases, partially offset by a decrease in roll off and landfill volumes.
EBITDA increased $15.1 million to $77.0 million, or a 28.8% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $61.9 million, or a 27.0% EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023. EBITDA increased $27.2 million to $209.3 million, or a 27.5% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $182.1 million, or a 27.4% EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due primarily to the impact of acquisitions having higher EBITDA margins than our segment average, price-led revenue growth, an increase in recyclable commodity values and lower recycle processing costs, lower disposal and trucking costs due to increased internalization in certain markets, a decrease in truck, container, equipment and facility maintenance and repair expenses and lower fuel costs, partially offset by an increase in allocated corporate overhead and benefits expense, higher labor costs and an increase in risk management costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $6.4 million, to $36.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $29.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $14.6 million, to $101.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $87.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were due to assets acquired in acquisitions and additions to our fleet and equipment.
Corporate
EBITDA decreased $5.4 million, to a loss of $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from a loss of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in professional fees, an increase in direct acquisition expenses associated with an increase in acquisition activity, an increase in deferred compensation costs and increased administrative payroll costs, partially offset by increased allocation of costs to our operating segments and decreased incentive compensation costs.
EBITDA decreased $4.6 million, to a loss of $26.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from a loss of $22.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in direct acquisition expenses associated with an increase in acquisition activity, higher professional fees, increased incentive compensation costs, increased administrative payroll costs and an increase in deferred compensation costs, partially offset by increased allocation of costs to our operating segments and a decrease in executive separation costs incurred in the prior year periods.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
| Nine Months Ended | |||||
September 30, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,659,998 | $ | 1,570,876 | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (2,645,810) |
| (1,185,613) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| 1,040,357 |
| (366,536) | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| (75) |
| (1,060) | ||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| 54,470 |
| 17,667 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 184,038 | 181,364 | ||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 238,508 | $ | 199,031 |
Operating Activities Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $89.1 million to $1.660 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from net cash provided by operating activities of $1.571 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The significant components of the increase included the following:
1) | Increase in earnings — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by $171.4 million from an increase in net income, excluding depreciation, amortization of intangibles, share-based compensation, adjustments to closure and post-closure liabilities, adjustments to and payments of contingent consideration and loss on disposal of assets and impairments, due primarily to price increases, earnings from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the nine months ended September 30, 2023, contributions from higher recyclable commodity pricing, an increase in renewable energy credits associated with the generation of landfill gas and an increase in earnings at our E&P waste operations. |
2) | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by $58.0 million from accounts payable and accrued liabilities as changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted in an increase to operating cash flows of $85.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to an increase to operating cash flows of $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to an increase in accrued insurance costs, an increase in outstanding obligations to vendors as of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and an increase in accrued interest due to the timing of interest payments. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due primarily to an increase in accrued insurance costs, an increase in accrued interest due to the timing of interest payments and increased property taxes attributable to payment timing, partially offset by lower outstanding obligations to vendors. |
3) | Deferred income taxes — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by $52.2 million from deferred income taxes as changes in deferred income taxes resulted in an increase to operating cash flows of $81.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to an increase to operating cash flows of $29.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was attributable to capital expenditures providing tax benefits resulting from accelerated depreciation and tax benefits resulting from payments for closure and post-closure activities in the period. The increase in deferred taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to accelerated tax depreciation from capital expenditures. |
4) | Closure and post-closure expenditures — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by $130.3 million from an increase in payments for closure and post-closure activities as changes in expenditures for these items resulted in a decrease to operating cash flows of $145.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a decrease in operating cash flows of $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. |
5) | Prepaid expenses — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by $59.8 million from prepaid expenses as changes in prepaid expenses resulted in a decrease to operating cash flows of |
52
$34.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to an increase to operating cash flows of $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to an increase in prepaids related to higher insurance payments. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due primarily to decreased prepaid income tax payments. |
6) | Accounts receivable — Our increase in net cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by $25.9 million from accounts receivable as changes in accounts receivable resulted in a decrease to operating cash flows of $57.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a decrease to operating cash flows of $31.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to increases in revenue, which remained as outstanding receivables at September 30, 2024, partially offset by one additional collection day in the period. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due to increases in revenue, which remained as outstanding receivables at the end of the period. |
At September 30, 2024, we had a working capital deficit of $398.9 million, including cash and equivalents of $115.3 million. Our working capital deficit decreased $147.2 million from a working capital deficit of $546.1 million at December 31, 2023 including cash and equivalents of $78.4 million, due primarily to an increase in accounts receivables as a result of increases in revenue, an increase in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease in outstanding liabilities for contingent consideration and an increase in prepaid expenditures, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by an increase in accrued insurance costs and an increase in outstanding obligations to vendors and an increase in deferred revenue. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our cash and equivalents; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our cash and equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. Our strategy in managing our working capital is generally to apply the cash generated from our operations that remains after satisfying our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, along with share repurchase and dividend programs, to reduce the unhedged portion of our indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Agreement and to minimize our cash balances.
Investing Activities Cash Flows
Net cash used in investing activities increased $1.460 billion to $2.646 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $1.186 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The significant components of the increase included the following:
1) | An increase in cash paid for acquisitions of $1.437 billion; and |
2) | An increase in capital expenditures at operations acquired during the comparative periods of $35.4 million due to expenditures for landfill site costs, trucks and equipment; and |
3) | An increase in capital expenditures at operations owned in the comparable periods of $8.3 million due to increased truck purchases and facility expenditures, partially offset by decreases in landfill site costs and container purchases; less |
4) | An increase in cash received of $37.0 million from proceeds from the sale of investment in noncontrolling interests in the period. |
Financing Activities Cash Flows
Net cash provided by financing activities increased $1.407 billion to $1.040 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from net cash used in financing activities of $366.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The significant components of the increase included the following:
1) | An increase from the net change in long-term borrowings of $1.474 billion in which long-term borrowings increased $1.335 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and decreased $138.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023; less |
2) | A decrease from higher cash dividends paid of $24.4 million due primarily to an increase in our quarterly dividend rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 to $0.285 per share, from $0.255 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023; and |
53
3) | A decrease from higher payments of contingent consideration of $22.4 million not included in earnings that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024; and |
4) | A decrease from higher payments related to the issuance of debt of $13.4 million that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. |
On July 23, 2024, our Board of Directors approved, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, the annual renewal of our normal course issuer bid, or the NCIB, to purchase up to 12,901,981 of our common shares during the period of August 12, 2024 to August 11, 2025 or until such earlier time as the NCIB is completed or terminated at our option. Shareholders may obtain a copy of our TSX Form 12 – Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid, without charge, by request directed to our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at (832) 442-2200. The timing and amounts of any repurchases pursuant to the NCIB will depend on many factors, including our capital structure, the market price of our common shares, any share buyback taxes applicable and overall market conditions. All common shares purchased under the NCIB will be immediately cancelled following their repurchase. Information regarding our NCIB plan can be found under the section “Normal Course Issuer Bid” in Note 17 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.
Our Board of Directors authorized the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend in October 2010 and has increased it on an annual basis. In October 2024, we announced that our Board of Directors increased our regular quarterly cash dividend by $0.03, from $0.285 to $0.315 per share. Cash dividends of $221.3 million and $196.8 million were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We cannot assure as to the amounts or timing of future dividends.
Our business is capital intensive. Our capital requirements include acquisitions and capital expenditures, including for landfill cell construction, landfill development, landfill closure activities and intermodal facility construction in the future. We made $659.3 million in capital expenditures for property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and we expect to make total capital expenditures for property and equipment of approximately $1.150 billion in 2024. We have funded and intend to fund the balance of our planned 2024 capital expenditures principally through cash on hand, internally generated funds and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement. In addition, we may make substantial additional capital expenditures in acquiring land and solid waste businesses. If we acquire additional landfill disposal facilities, we may also have to make significant expenditures to bring them into compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, obtain permits or expand our available disposal capacity. We cannot currently determine the amount of these expenditures because they will depend on the number, nature, condition and permitted status of any acquired landfill disposal facilities. We believe that our cash and equivalents, Revolving Credit Agreement and the funds we expect to generate from operations will provide adequate cash to fund our working capital and other cash needs for the foreseeable future. However, disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our ability to draw on our Revolving Credit Agreement or raise other capital. Our access to funds under the Revolving Credit Agreement is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the agreement to meet their funding commitments. Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time.
On February 21, 2024, we completed an underwritten public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.00% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Senior Notes”). The 2034 Senior Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2018, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2024. See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the 2034 Senior Notes.
On February 27, 2024, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined and described below) to (i) prepay the amounts outstanding under that certain Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as the global agent, the swing line lender and a letter of credit issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent and a letter of credit issuer, and the lenders and any other
54
financial institutions from time to time party thereto and (ii) terminate the 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and the loan documents associated therewith.
On February 27, 2024, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement to (i) prepay the amounts outstanding under that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2022 Term Loan Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and any other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and (ii) terminate the 2022 Term Loan Agreement and the loan documents associated therewith.
On February 27, 2024, the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as the global agent, the swing line lender, and a letter of credit issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent and a letter of credit issuer, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) entered into that certain Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lenders made loans and other credit extensions to the Company under a revolving credit facility. The Company intends to use substantially all of the proceeds of the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement (i) to repay certain outstanding indebtedness under other credit facilities, (ii) to finance acquisitions, dividends or other equity distributions, in each case as permitted thereunder, (iii) for capital expenditures, working capital and payment of certain transaction fees, costs and expenses and (iv) other lawful corporate purposes. See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the new Revolving Credit Agreement.
On June 13, 2024, we completed an underwritten public offering of CAD $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.50% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “New 2029 Senior Notes”). The New 2029 Senior Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2018, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2024. See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the New 2029 Senior Notes.
At September 30, 2024, $2.234 billion under the revolving credit facility was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement, exclusive of outstanding standby letters of credit of $57.7 million. We also had $114.4 million of letters of credit issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 under a facility other than the Revolving Credit Agreement. Our Revolving Credit Agreement matures on February 27, 2029.
We are a well-known seasoned issuer planning to file a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and register an unspecified amount of debt securities, including debentures, notes or other types of debt. In the future, we may issue debt securities under such shelf registration statement or in private placements from time to time on an opportunistic basis, based on market conditions and available pricing. Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant offering documents, we expect to use the proceeds from any such offerings for general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing debt, acquiring additional assets or businesses, capital expenditures and increasing our working capital.
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At September 30, 2024, we had the following contractual obligations:
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||
(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||
|
| Less Than |
| 1 to 3 |
|
| Over 5 | ||||||||
Recorded Obligations | Total | 1 Year | Years | 3 to 5 Years | Years | ||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 8,241,115 | $ | 7,873 | $ | 13,933 | $ | 3,614,491 | $ | 4,604,818 | |||||
Cash interest payments | $ | 2,878,415 | $ | 329,218 | $ | 683,537 | $ | 608,536 | $ | 1,257,124 | |||||
Contingent consideration | $ | 98,468 | $ | 55,474 | $ | 3,795 | $ | 3,887 | $ | 35,312 | |||||
Operating leases | $ | 397,803 | $ | 13,388 | $ | 98,036 | $ | 82,884 | $ | 203,495 | |||||
Final capping, closure and post-closure | $ | 1,955,434 | $ | 34,808 | $ | 70,696 | $ | 51,896 | $ | 1,798,034 |
____________________
Long-term debt payments include:
1) | $2.234 billion in principal payments due February 27, 2029 related to our revolving credit facility under our Revolving Credit Agreement. We may elect to draw amounts on our Revolving Credit Agreement in U.S. dollar term SOFR rate loans, U.S. dollar base rate loans, Canadian dollar term CORRA rate loans, and Canadian dollar prime rate loans. At September 30, 2024, $1.430 billion of the outstanding borrowings drawn under the revolving credit facility were in U.S. term SOFR rate loans, which bear interest at the term SOFR rate plus the applicable margin (for a total rate ranging from 5.96% to 6.30% on such date). At September 30, 2024, $25.0 million of the outstanding borrowings drawn under the revolving credit facility were in U.S. base rate loans, which bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin (for a total rate of 8.00% on such date). At September 30, 2024, $774.1 million of the outstanding borrowings drawn under the revolving credit facility were in Canadian-based CORRA rate loans, which bear interest at the term CORRA rate plus the applicable margin (for a total rate ranging from 5.54% to 5.58% on such date). At September 30, 2024, $5.2 million of the outstanding borrowings drawn under the revolving credit facility were in Canadian-based prime rate loans, which bear interest at the Canadian prime rate plus the applicable prime rate margin (for a total rate of 6.45% on such date). |
2) | $500.0 million in principal payments due 2028 related to our 2028 Senior Notes. The 2028 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25%. |
3) | $500.0 million in principal payments due 2029 related to our 2029 Senior Notes. The 2029 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.50%. |
4) | $370.4 million in principal payments due 2029 related to our New 2029 Senior Notes. The New 2029 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50%. |
5) | $600.0 million in principal payments due 2030 related to our 2030 Senior Notes. The 2030 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.60%. |
6) | $650.0 million in principal payments due 2032 related to our 2032 Senior Notes. The 2032 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.20%. |
7) | $500.0 million in principal payments due 2032 related to our New 2032 Senior Notes. The New 2032 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.20%. |
8) | $750.0 million in principal payments due 2033 related to our 2033 Senior Notes. The 2033 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.20%. |
9) | $750.0 million in principal payments due 2034 related to our 2034 Senior Notes. The 2034 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.00%. |
10) | $500.0 million in principal payments due 2050 related to our 2050 Senior Notes. The 2050 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.05%. |
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11) | $850.0 million in principal payments due 2052 related to our 2052 Senior Notes. The 2052 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.95%. |
12) | $26.2 million in principal payments related to our notes payable to sellers and other third parties. Our notes payable to sellers and other third parties bear interest at rates between 2.42% and 10.35% at September 30, 2024, and have maturity dates ranging from 2028 to 2036. |
13) | $10.1 million in principal payments related to our financing leases. Our financing leases bear interest at rates between 1.89% and 5.07% at September 30, 2024, and have expiration dates ranging from 2026 to 2029. |
The following assumptions were made in calculating cash interest payments:
1) | We calculated cash interest payments on the Revolving Credit Agreement using the term SOFR rate plus the applicable term SOFR margin, the base rate plus the applicable base rate margin, the term CORRA rate plus the applicable margin and the Canadian prime rate plus the applicable prime rate margin at September 30, 2024. We assumed the Revolving Credit Agreement is paid off when it matures on February 27, 2029. |
2) | We calculated cash interest payments on our interest rate swaps using the stated interest rate in the swap agreement less the Term SOFR rate through the earlier expiration of the term of the swaps or the term of the credit facility. |
Contingent consideration payments include $82.6 million recorded as liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at September 30, 2024, and $15.9 million of future interest accretion on the recorded obligations.
We are party to operating lease agreements and finance leases. These lease agreements are established in the ordinary course of our business and are designed to provide us with access to facilities and equipment at competitive, market-driven prices.
The estimated final capping, closure and post-closure expenditures presented above are in current dollars.
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period | |||||||||||||||
(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||
Less Than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | Over 5 | ||||||||||||
Unrecorded Obligations(1) |
| Total |
| 1 Year |
| Years |
| Years |
| Years | |||||
Unconditional purchase obligations | $ | 191,641 | $ | 134,917 | $ | 55,482 | $ | 1,242 | $ | — |
____________________
(1) | We are party to unconditional purchase obligations. These purchase obligations are established in the ordinary course of our business and are designed to provide us with access to products at competitive, market-driven prices. At September 30, 2024, our unconditional purchase obligations consisted of multiple fixed-price fuel purchase contracts under which we have 62.9 million gallons remaining to be purchased for a total of $191.6 million. The current fuel purchase contracts expire on or before September 30, 2029. These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. |
We have obtained financial surety bonds, primarily to support our financial assurance needs and landfill and E&P waste operations. We provided customers and various regulatory authorities with surety bonds in the aggregate amounts of approximately $1.966 billion and $1.645 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
From time to time, we evaluate our existing operations and their strategic importance to us. If we determine that a given operating unit does not have future strategic importance, we may sell or otherwise dispose of those operations. Although we believe our reporting units would not be impaired by such dispositions, we could incur losses on them.
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The disposal tonnage that we received in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, at all of our landfills during the respective period, is shown below (tons in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Number |
| Total |
| Number |
| Total | |
of Sites | Tons | of Sites | Tons | |||||
Owned operational landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements |
| 107 |
| 39,418 |
| 96 |
| 37,631 |
Operated landfills |
| 7 |
| 538 |
| 7 |
| 512 |
| 114 |
| 39,956 |
| 103 |
| 38,143 |
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
We present adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a liquidity measure in the solid waste industry. We calculate adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, less capital expenditures for property and equipment. We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to evaluate the liquidity of our business operations. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently. Our adjusted free cash flow for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,659,998 | $ | 1,570,876 | |||
Plus (less): Change in book overdraft |
| (287) |
| 137 | |||
Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets |
| 5,633 |
| 8,678 | |||
Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment |
| (659,302) |
| (615,554) | |||
Adjustments: |
|
| |||||
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings (a) |
| 35,035 |
| — | |||
Transaction-related expenses (a) |
| 12,348 |
| 3,836 | |||
Executive separation costs (b) |
| 1,670 |
| 1,686 | |||
Pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based grants (c) |
| 1,170 |
| 841 | |||
Tax effect (d) |
| (12,556) |
| (1,221) | |||
Adjusted free cash flow | $ | 1,043,709 | $ | 969,279 |
____________________
(a) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related payments for contingent consideration that were recorded as expenses in earnings and as a component of cash flows from operating activities as the amounts paid exceeded the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded at the acquisition date. |
(b) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
(c) | Reflects the cash component of severance expense associated with an executive departure. |
(d) | Reflects the cash settlement of pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based awards during the period. |
(e) | The aggregate tax effect of footnotes (a) through (d) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods. |
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Adjusted EBITDA
We present adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Waste Connections, plus or minus net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, less interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments and other operating items, plus other expense, less other income. We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently. Our adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | 308,046 | $ | 229,026 | $ | 813,577 | $ | 636,047 | ||||
Plus (less): Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| — |
| 165 |
| (1,003) |
| 150 | ||||
Plus: Income tax provision |
| 92,012 |
| 62,975 |
| 232,008 |
| 185,915 | ||||
Plus: Interest expense |
| 83,520 |
| 69,016 |
| 244,385 |
| 204,914 | ||||
Less: Interest income |
| (3,331) |
| (2,833) |
| (9,391) |
| (6,886) | ||||
Plus: Depreciation and amortization |
| 293,643 |
| 254,371 |
| 841,976 |
| 750,087 | ||||
Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion |
| 7,387 |
| 4,609 |
| 22,879 |
| 13,696 | ||||
Plus: Impairments and other operating items |
| 2,897 |
| 56,477 |
| 11,441 |
| 69,201 | ||||
Less: Other income, net |
| (4,904) |
| (5,372) |
| (12,727) |
| (8,346) | ||||
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Plus: Transaction-related expenses (a) |
| 8,067 |
| 3,108 |
| 25,169 |
| 7,014 | ||||
Plus (less): Fair value changes to equity awards (b) |
| 99 |
| (379) | 1,602 |
| 65 | |||||
Plus: Executive separation costs (c) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 15,063 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 787,436 | $ | 671,163 | $ | 2,169,916 | $ | 1,866,920 |
____________________
(a) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
(b) | Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards. |
(c) | Reflects the cash and non-cash components of severance expense associated with an executive departure. |
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Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Waste Connections and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share Attributable to Waste Connections
We present adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections, both non-GAAP financial measures, supplementally because they are widely used by investors as valuation measures in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We provide adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently. Our adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | 308,046 | $ | 229,026 | $ | 813,577 | $ | 636,047 | |||||
Adjustments: |
| ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles (a) |
| 45,170 | 39,405 | 129,584 | 117,740 | ||||||||
Impairments and other operating items (b) |
| 2,897 | 56,477 | 11,441 | 69,201 | ||||||||
Transaction-related expenses (c) |
| 8,067 | 3,108 | 25,169 | 7,014 | ||||||||
Fair value changes to equity awards (d) |
| 99 | (379) | 1,602 | 65 | ||||||||
Executive separation costs (e) |
| — | — | — | 15,063 | ||||||||
Tax effect (f) |
| (14,275) | (24,586) | (42,655) | (49,356) | ||||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | 350,004 | $ | 303,051 | $ | 938,718 | $ | 795,774 | |||||
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Reported net income | $ | 1.19 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 3.15 | $ | 2.46 | |||||
Adjusted net income | $ | 1.35 | $ | 1.17 | $ | 3.63 | $ | 3.08 |
____________________
(a) | Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. |
(b) | Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating items. |
(c) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
(d) | Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards. |
(e) | Reflects the cash and non-cash components of severance expense associated with an executive departure. |
(f) | The aggregate tax effect of the adjustments in footnotes (a) through (e) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods. |
INFLATION
In the current environment, we have seen inflationary pressures resulting from higher fuel, materials and labor costs in certain markets and higher resulting third-party costs in areas such as brokerage, repairs and construction. Consistent with industry practice, many of our contracts allow us to pass through certain costs to our customers, including increases in landfill tipping fees and, in some cases, fuel costs. To the extent that there are decreases in fuel costs, in some cases, a portion of these reductions are passed through to customers in the form of lower fuel and material surcharges. Therefore, we believe that we should be able to increase prices to offset many cost increases that result from inflation in the ordinary course of business. However, competitive pressures or delays in the timing of rate increases under certain of our contracts may require us to absorb at least part of these cost increases, especially if cost increases exceed the average rate of inflation. Management’s estimates associated with inflation have an impact on our accounting for landfill liabilities.
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SEASONALITY
Based on historic trends, excluding any impact from an economic recession, we would expect our operating results to vary seasonally, with revenues typically lowest in the first quarter, higher in the second and third quarters and lower in the fourth quarter than in the second and third quarters. This seasonality reflects (a) the lower volume of solid waste generated during the late fall, winter and early spring because of decreased construction and demolition activities during winter months in Canada and the U.S. and (b) reduced E&P activity during harsh weather conditions, with expected fluctuation due to such seasonality between our highest and lowest quarters of approximately 10%. In addition, some of our operating costs may be higher in the winter months. Adverse winter weather conditions slow waste collection activities, resulting in higher labor and operational costs. Greater precipitation in the winter increases the weight of collected municipal solid waste, resulting in higher disposal costs, which are calculated on a per ton basis.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates, prices of certain commodities and foreign currency exchange rate risks. We use hedge agreements to manage a portion of our risks related to interest rates. While we are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to our hedge agreements, in all cases such counterparties are highly rated financial institutions and we do not anticipate non-performance under current market conditions. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We monitor our hedge positions by regularly evaluating the positions at market and by performing sensitivity analyses over the unhedged variable rate debt positions.
At September 30, 2024, our derivative instruments included four interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate on the applicable notional amounts of our variable rate debt as follows (dollars in thousands of U.S. dollars):
|
| Fixed |
| Variable |
|
| |||||
Notional | Interest | Interest Rate | Expiration | ||||||||
Date Entered | Amount | Rate Paid (a) | Received | Effective Date (b) | Date | ||||||
August 2017 | $ | 200,000 |
| 2.1230 | % | 1-month Term SOFR |
| November 2022 |
| October 2025 | |
June 2018 | $ | 200,000 | 2.8480 | % | 1-month Term SOFR | November 2022 | October 2025 | ||||
June 2018 | $ | 200,000 | 2.8284 | % | 1-month Term SOFR | November 2022 | October 2025 | ||||
December 2018 | $ | 200,000 | 2.7715 | % | 1-month Term SOFR | November 2022 | July 2027 |
____________________
(a) | Plus applicable margin. |
(b) | In October 2022, we amended the reference rate in all of our outstanding interest rate swap contracts to replace One-Month LIBOR with One-Month Term SOFR and certain credit spread adjustments. We did not record any gains or losses upon the conversion of the reference rates in these interest rate swap contracts, and we believe these amendments will not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
Under derivatives and hedging guidance, the interest rate swap agreements are considered cash flow hedges for a portion of our variable rate debt, and we apply hedge accounting to account for these instruments. The notional amounts and all other significant terms of the swap agreements are matched to the provisions and terms of the variable rate debt being hedged.
We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged floating rate debt. Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions. Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions. Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements. We are exposed to cash flow risk due to changes in interest rates with respect to the unhedged floating rate balances owed at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, of $1.434 billion and $1.099 billion, respectively, including floating rate debt under our Revolving Credit Agreement (or, as of December 31, 2023, the 2021 Revolving and Term Credit Agreement and the 2022 Term Loan Agreement). A one percentage point increase in interest rates on our variable-rate debt at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, would decrease our annual pre-tax income by approximately $14.3 million and $11.0 million, respectively. All of our remaining debt instruments are at fixed rates, or effectively fixed under the interest rate swap agreements described above; therefore, changes in market interest rates under these instruments would not significantly impact our cash flows or results of operations, subject to counterparty default risk.
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The market price of diesel fuel is unpredictable and can fluctuate significantly. Because of the volume of fuel we purchase each year, a significant increase in the price of fuel could adversely affect our business and reduce our operating margins. To manage a portion of this risk, we periodically enter into fuel hedge agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases, and we also enter into fixed price fuel purchase contracts. At September 30, 2024, we had no fuel hedge agreements in place; however, we have entered into fixed price diesel fuel purchase contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as described below.
For the year ending December 31, 2024, we expect to purchase approximately 91.4 million gallons of diesel fuel, of which 52.1 million gallons will be purchased at market prices and 39.3 million gallons will be purchased under our fixed price diesel fuel purchase contracts. We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged, market rate diesel fuel purchases. Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions. Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions. Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements. During the three month period of October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, we expect to purchase approximately 13.0 million gallons of diesel fuel at market prices; therefore, a $0.10 per gallon increase in the price of diesel fuel over the remaining three months in 2024 would decrease our pre-tax income during this period by approximately $1.3 million.
We market a variety of recyclable materials, including compost, cardboard, mixed paper, plastic containers, glass bottles and ferrous and aluminum metals. We own and operate recycling operations and market collected recyclable materials to third parties for processing before resale. Where possible, to reduce our exposure to commodity price risk with respect to recycled materials, we have adopted a pricing strategy of charging collection and processing fees for recycling volume collected from third parties. In the event of a decline in recycled commodity prices, a 10% decrease in average recycled commodity prices from the average prices that were in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, would have had a $17.5 million and $10.3 million impact on revenues, respectively.
We have operations in Canada and, where significant, we have quantified and described the impact of foreign currency translation on components of income, including operating revenue and operating costs. However, the impact of foreign currency has not materially affected our results of operations in 2024 or 2023. A $0.01 change in the Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rate would impact our annual revenue and EBITDA by approximately $18.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively.
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Item 4.Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of September 30, 2024, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level such that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports: (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (2) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 18 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6.Exhibits
Exhibit |
| Description of Exhibits |
3.1 | ||
3.2 | ||
3.3 | ||
3.4 | ||
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) | |
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) | |
32.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 | |
32.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 | |
101.INS | The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File – The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC. | ||
Date: October 24, 2024 | BY: | /s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt |
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: October 24, 2024 | BY: | /s/ Mary Anne Whitney |
Mary Anne Whitney | ||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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