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Ameresco Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Highlights:

Revenue of $188.5 million, an increase of 5.1% year-over-year
Net income of $8.2 million, an increase of 7.1% year-over-year
Net income per diluted share of $0.18

Full Year 2011 Financial Highlights:

Revenue of $728.2 million, an increase of 17.8% year-over-year
Net income of $34.7 million, an increase of 20.9% year-over-year
Net income per diluted share of $0.78

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2012-- Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The Company has also furnished prepared remarks in conjunction with this press release in a Current Report on Form 8-K. These prepared remarks contain supplemental information, including non-GAAP financial metrics, and have been posted to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at www.ameresco.com.

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $188.5 million, compared to $179.3 million for the same period in 2010, an increase of 5.1% year-over-year. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $12.1 million, compared to $12.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of 3.2% year-over-year. Operating income for the fourth quarter reflects approximately $3.5 million in charges taken during the quarter related to Savannah River operations and maintenance (O&M) startup costs, an inventory write down, acquisition costs and restructuring. Fourth quarter 2011 adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP number, was $17.4 million, compared to $15.8 million for the same period in 2010, an increase of 10.1% year-over-year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $8.2 million, compared to $7.7 million for the same period of 2010, an increase of 7.1% year-over-year. Fourth quarter net income per diluted share was $0.18 in 2011, compared to $0.17 for 2010.

“Ameresco delivered strong full year financial results for our second year as a public company,” stated George P. Sakellaris, president and chief executive officer of Ameresco. “Our sharp focus on our customers’ needs for comprehensive energy efficiency services and budget-neutral solutions, particularly in today’s environment of aging infrastructure and budgetary constraints, helped drive our organic growth. We believe we are well positioned for the future as we continue targeting our goal of growing revenue and earnings by 15 to 20 percent per year on average over the long-term through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, Ameresco reported total revenue of $728.2 million, compared to $618.2 million for 2010, an increase of 17.8%. Full year 2011 operating income was $50.2 million, compared to $46.0 million for 2010, an increase of 9.1% year-over-year. Operating income for the full year reflects approximately $4.7 million in charges taken in the third and fourth quarters related to acquisition costs, customer payments, Savannah River O&M startup costs, and an inventory write down. Full year 2011 adjusted EBITDA was $67.0 million, compared to $59.9 million for 2010, an increase of 11.9% year-over-year. Net income for the full year 2011 was $34.7 million, compared to $28.7 million for 2010, an increase of 20.9% year-over-year. Net income per diluted share was $0.78 for the full year 2011, compared to $0.69 for 2010.

Additional Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Operating Highlights:

Revenue generated from backlog was $597.8 million for the full year 2011, an increase of 17.9% year-over-year. All other revenue was $130.4 million, an increase of 17.5% year-over-year.
Operating cash flows were $43.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $27.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 60.7% year-over-year. Full year 2011 operating cash flows were $32.0 million, compared to $20.8 million for full year 2010, an increase of 53.7% year-over-year.
Total construction backlog was $1.22 billion as of December 31, 2011 and consisted of:
- $478.2 million of fully-contracted backlog, which represents signed customer contracts for installation or construction of projects that are expected to convert into revenue over the next 12-24 months on average; and
- $741.2 million of awarded projects, which represents estimated future revenue for projects that are expected to be signed over the next 6-12 months on average.
The Company continues to expand organically as well as through acquisitions. In addition to opening six new offices in 2011, we also made three acquisitions. Applied Energy Group enhances our service offerings to utilities. APS Energy Services, now known as Ameresco Southwest, expands our footprint in the southwestern United States. The businesses we acquired from Energy and Power Solutions, Inc., xChangePoint® and energy projects, expand our service offerings for private sector commercial and industrial customers.
The Company continues to develop Ameresco owned and operated small scale renewable energy power plants, with two in construction and four in the design phase as of year-end 2011. The Company is also expanding its experience in developing small scale renewable energy power plants for customers, with four such projects currently in the design or construction phases.
In December 2011, our marquee project at the Savannah River Site Biomass Cogeneration Facility in Aiken, SC received its Final Acceptance Certificate from the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Operations Office for the completion of construction of the facility installed under the ESPC awarded to Ameresco in May 2009.

FY 2012 Guidance

Ameresco expects to earn total revenue in the range of $800 million to $825 million. The Company also expects net income for 2012 will be in the range of $39.5 million to $42.5 million.

We are now providing guidance metrics that are consistent with our long-term goal of achieving revenue and earnings growth of 15-20% per year on average.

Webcast Reminder

Ameresco will hold its earnings conference call today, February 29th, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time with President and Chief Executive Officer, George Sakellaris, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Spence, to discuss details regarding the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2011 results as well as business outlook and strategy. Participants may access it by dialing domestically 888.680.0893 or internationally 617.213.4859. The passcode is 37818893. Participants are advised to dial-in at least ten minutes prior to the call to register. Those who wish to listen only to the conference call webcast may visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.ameresco.com.

Pre-Registration for the call is also available at:https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PBA8Q4GUH. Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing into the live call which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator upon connection.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables include references to adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a description of this non-GAAP financial measure, including the reasons management uses this measure, please see the section following the accompanying tables titled "Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures". For a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP, please see Other Non-GAAP Disclosure in the accompanying tables.

About Ameresco, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco’s services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 62 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 900 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Ameresco, Inc., including statements about pipeline and backlog, as well as estimated future revenues and net income per share, and other statements containing the words “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including demand for Ameresco’s energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions; the Company’s ability to arrange financing for its projects; changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; the timing of work Ameresco does on projects where it recognizes revenue on a percentage of completion basis; the ability of customers to cancel or defer contracts included in our backlog; an ability to enter into a contract for an awarded project on the terms proposed; the effects of our recent acquisitions; seasonality in construction and in demand for its products and services; a customer’s decision to delay the Company’s work on, or other risks involved with, a particular project; availability and costs of labor and equipment; the addition of new customers or the loss of existing customers; and other factors discussed in Ameresco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2011. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Ameresco’s views as of the date of this press release. Ameresco anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Ameresco may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Ameresco’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.


AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31,
	2010		2011
			(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,691,021	$	18,980,244
Restricted cash		9,197,447		12,372,356
Accounts receivable, net		68,584,304		109,296,773
Accounts receivable retainage		18,452,777		26,089,216
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		35,556,425		69,251,022
Inventory, net		6,780,092		8,635,633
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		8,471,628		8,992,963
Income tax receivable		2,511,542		7,771,055
Deferred income taxes		9,908,240		6,456,671
Project development costs		7,556,345		6,027,689
Total current assets		211,709,821		273,873,622
Federal ESPC receivable		193,551,495		110,212,186
Property and equipment, net		5,406,387		7,086,164
Project assets, net		145,147,475		177,854,734
Deferred financing fees, net		3,412,186		2,994,692
Goodwill		20,580,995		47,881,346
Intangible assets, net		-		12,727,528
Other assets		4,598,980		3,778,357
		372,697,518		362,535,007
	$	584,407,339	$	636,408,629

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	4,722,118	$	11,563,983
Accounts payable		95,302,897		93,506,089
Accrued expenses		12,517,671		8,917,723
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings		27,555,894		26,982,858
Income taxes payable		2,488,672		-
Total current liabilities		142,587,252		140,970,653
Long-term debt, less current portion		202,409,484		196,401,588
Deferred income taxes		12,013,799		29,953,103
Deferred grant income, net		4,200,929		6,024,099
Other liabilities		28,144,144		28,529,867
		246,768,356		260,908,657
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2011		-		-
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 27,925,649 shares issued and 23,092,365 outstanding at December 31, 2010; 30,713,837 shares issued and 25,880,553 outstanding at December 31, 2011		2,793		3,071
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 144,000,000 shares authorized, 18,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and, 2011		1,800		1,800
Additional paid-in capital		74,069,087		84,176,136
Retained earnings		126,609,101		161,335,621
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		3,551,521		(1,868,352)
Minority interest in foreign subsidiary		-		63,614
Less – treasury stock, at cost, 4,833,284 shares		(9,182,571)		(9,182,571)
Total stockholders’ equity		195,051,731		234,529,319
	$	584,407,339	$	636,408,629


AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2010		2011
	(Unaudited)
Revenue:
Energy efficiency revenue	$	131,751,118	$	132,626,090
Renewable energy revenue		47,591,019		55,868,948
		179,342,137		188,495,038
Direct expenses:
Energy efficiency expenses		110,589,160		102,463,531
Renewable energy expenses		37,484,158		50,975,158
		148,073,318		153,438,689
Gross profit		31,268,819		35,056,349
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits		8,827,730		11,513,950
Project development costs		5,783,237		3,442,006
General, administrative and other		4,155,289		7,999,039
		18,766,256		22,954,995
Operating income		12,502,563		12,101,354
Other expenses, net		(998,129)		(1,428,385)
Income before provision for income taxes		11,504,434		10,672,969
Income tax provision		(3,804,551)		(2,425,442)
Net income		7,699,883		8,247,527
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) from interest rate hedge, net of tax		1,363,788		(2,457,112)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		963,633		406,579
Comprehensive income	$	10,027,304	$	6,196,994
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic	$	0.19	$	0.19
Diluted	$	0.17	$	0.18
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		41,086,998		43,514,982
Diluted		46,147,728		46,038,358


OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

Gross margins:
Energy efficiency revenue		16.1%		22.7%
Renewable energy revenue		21.2%		8.8%
Total		17.4%		18.6%

Operating expenses as a percent of revenue		10.5%		12.2%

Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA):
Operating income	$	12,502,563	$	12,101,354
Depreciation, amortization and impairment		2,560,922		4,453,451
Stock-based compensation		740,157		838,506
Adjusted EBITDA	$	15,803,642	$	17,393,311
Adjusted EBITDA margin		8.8%		9.2%

Construction backlog:
Awarded	$	482,878,178	$	741,219,444
Fully-contracted		651,232,855		478,165,860
Total construction backlog	$	1,134,111,033	$	1,219,385,304

Note: Awarded represents estimated future revenues from projects that have been awarded, though the contracts have not yet been signed.


AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Years Ended December 31,
	2010		2011
			(Unaudited)
Revenue:
Energy efficiency revenue	$	455,329,696	$	551,323,840
Renewable energy revenue		162,896,963		176,876,478
		618,226,659		728,200,318
Direct expenses:
Energy efficiency expenses		378,084,610		446,962,891
Renewable energy expenses		129,439,629		146,191,280
		507,524,239		593,154,171
Gross profit		110,702,420		135,046,147
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits		30,721,486		40,746,280
Project development costs		13,676,795		18,281,729
General, administrative and other		20,311,842		25,847,142
		64,710,123		84,875,151
Operating income		45,992,297		50,170,996
Other expenses, net		(5,080,546)		(4,677,304)
Income before provision for income taxes		40,911,751		45,493,692
Income tax provision		(12,185,635)		(10,767,172)
Net income		28,726,116		34,726,520
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net of tax		(933,879)		(4,448,989)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,653,430		(970,884)
Comprehensive income	$	29,445,667	$	29,306,647
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic	$	1.12	$	0.82
Diluted	$	0.69	$	0.78
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		25,728,314		42,587,818
Diluted		41,513,482		44,770,880


OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

Gross margins:
Energy efficiency revenue		17.0%		18.9%
Renewable energy revenue		20.5%		17.3%
Total		17.9%		18.5%

Operating expenses as a percent of revenue		10.5%		11.7%

Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA):
Operating income	$	45,992,297	$	50,170,996
Depreciation, amortization and impairment		11,419,186		14,008,737
Stock-based compensation		2,498,660		2,865,706
Adjusted EBITDA	$	59,910,143	$	67,045,439
Adjusted EBITDA margin		9.7%		9.2%


AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2010		2011
	(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	7,699,883	$	8,247,527
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by investing activities:
Depreciation of project assets		2,011,041		2,574,782
Depreciation of property and equipment		549,880		627,197
Amortization of deferred financing fees		92,369		749,351
Amortization of intangible assets		-		1,251,472
Provision for bad debts		126,219		-
Gains on asset sales		-		(514,828)
Stock-based compensation expense		740,157		838,506
Deferred income taxes		(253,975)		12,599,213
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements		(2,010,221)		4,887,568
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in:
Restricted cash draws		42,086,566		39,802,985
Accounts receivable		23,731,488		34,977,928
Accounts receivable retainage		(827,561)		(7,206,397)
Federal ESPC receivable financing		(49,933,020)		(4,231,126)
Inventory		(1,470,915)		(265,060)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		(2,651,040)		(13,851,665)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,197,329		1,270,265
Project development costs		1,716,435		2,440,432
Other assets		(606,409)		2,328,774
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(2,824,187)		(30,477,986)
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings		(3,569,795)		(4,641,993)
Other liabilities		6,774,884		(3,635,189)
Income taxes payable		666,161		(3,975,523)
Net cash provided by operating activities		27,245,289		43,796,233
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,251,391)		(780,161)
Purchase of project assets		(12,230,199)		(16,899,490)
Proceeds from sales of assets held for sale		-		7,800,000
Acquisitions, net of cash received		(164,065)		(5,279,260)
Net cash used in investing activities		(13,645,655)		(15,158,911)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements		2,010,221		(4,887,568)
Payments of financing fees		(73,113)		(21,075)
Proceeds from exercises of options		10,380		1,500,159
Payments of senior secured credit facility		-		(39,428,571)
(Payments) proceeds from long-term debt financing		(65,036)		7,481,602
Minority interest in foreign subsidiary		-		63,614
Restricted cash		(342,555)		(5,011,484)
Payments on long-term debt		(422,058)		(1,075,784)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,117,839		(41,379,107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		707,547		( 12,720)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		15,425,020		(12,754,505)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		29,266,001		31,734,749
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	44,691,021	$	18,980,244


AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Years Ended December 31,
	2010		2011
			(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	28,726,116	$	34,726,520
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by investing activities:
Depreciation of project assets		9,634,891		9,701,399
Depreciation of property and equipment		1,784,295		2,554,866
Amortization of deferred financing fees		566,772		1,061,782
Amortization of intangible assets		-		1,752,472
Provision for bad debts		126,219		24,374
Write-down of long-term receivable		2,111,000		-
Gains on asset sales		-		(514,828)
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		133,591		-
Stock-based compensation expense		2,498,660		2,865,706
Deferred income taxes		(253,975)		19,842,638
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements		(2,010,221)		(833,817)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in:
Restricted cash draws		151,022,923		138,485,364
Accounts receivable		(305,665)		(22,861,989)
Accounts receivable retainage		(8,319,286)		(7,786,995)
Federal ESPC receivable financing		(160,455,751)		(99,781,156)
Inventory		(2,542,183)		(1,808,348)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		(19,311,505)		(22,452,016)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(321,074)		(542,485)
Project development costs		925,531		1,816,884
Other assets		5,975,610		569,954
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,925,716		(13,480,285)
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings		(1,258,620)		(452,802)
Other liabilities		8,476,965		(3,537,261)
Income taxes payable		(280,200)		(7,311,938)
Net cash provided by operating activities		20,849,809		32,038,039
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(2,613,267)		(3,449,940)
Purchases of project assets		(37,825,750)		(48,457,910)
Grant awards received on project assets		812,489		6,695,711
Additional purchase price paid on 2010 acquisition		-		(1,956,366)
Proceeds from sales of assets held for sale		-		7,800,000
Acquisitions, net of cash received		(6,303,006)		(66,232,848)
Net cash used in investing activities		(45,929,534)		(105,601,353)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements		2,010,221		833,817
Payments of financing fees		(1,373,171)		(644,288)
Proceeds from exercises of options		60,073,139		6,407,804
Repurchase of stock		(768,970)		-
Proceeds from senior secured credit facility		(19,915,218)		42,142,858
Proceeds from long-term debt financing		747,362		12,981,691
Minority interest in foreign subsidiary		-		63,614
Restricted cash		(6,298,988)		(7,823,912)
Repayment of subordinated debt		(2,998,750)		-
Payments on long-term debt		(10,970,656)		(5,074,411)
Net cash provided by financing activities		20,504,969		48,887,173
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		1,338,237		(1,034,636)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(3,236,519)		(25,710,777)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		47,927,540		44,691,021
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	44,691,021	$	18,980,244

Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Ameresco defines adjusted EBITDA as operating income before depreciation and impairment expense and share-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating its operating performance for the following reasons: adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financing and accounting methods, book values of assets, capital structures and the methods by which assets were acquired; securities analysts often use adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies; and by comparing Ameresco’s adjusted EBITDA in different historical periods, investors can evaluate its operating results without the additional variations of depreciation and amortization expense, and share-based compensation expense.

Ameresco’s management uses adjusted EBITDA as a measure of operating performance, because it does not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of our core operating performance; for planning purposes, including the preparation of the annual operating budget; to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of the business; to evaluate the effectiveness of Ameresco’s business strategies; and in communications with the board of directors and investors concerning Ameresco’s financial performance.

The Company understands that, although measures similar to adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP operating income or an analysis of Ameresco’s results of operations as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company’s cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or other contractual commitments; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, Ameresco’s working capital needs; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation expense; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for income taxes; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect net interest income (expense); although depreciation, amortization and impairment are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, amortized or impaired will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements; and other companies in Ameresco’s industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently than it does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

To properly and prudently evaluate Ameresco’s business, the Company encourages investors to review its GAAP financial statements included above, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the business. Please refer to the above reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.