CommScope Reports Strong Second Quarter 2018 Results

Q2 Results Release

Financial Tables

• Second Quarter 2018 Performance
  • Sales of $1.24 billion, up 6 percent year over year
  • GAAP operating income of $165 million
  • Non-GAAP adjusted operating income (excluding special items) of $251 million
  • GAAP net income of $0.34 per diluted share
  • Non-GAAP adjusted net income (excluding special items) of $0.68 per diluted share, up 13 percent year over year and at high end of guidance range

CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: COMM), a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

The company reported sales of $1.24 billion for the second quarter, compared with $1.17 billion during the same period in the prior year. During the second quarter of 2018, CommScope achieved net income of $66 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, which was an increase from the prior year period's net income of $55 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2018 was $133 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, versus $119 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017. A reconciliation of reported GAAP results to non-GAAP results is attached.

“We are pleased to deliver solid second quarter results, which reflect our team's focus on capitalizing on growth opportunities in our core markets while managing costs effectively,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Eddie Edwards. “The strong year-over-year growth in North America in our Mobility segment and Outdoor Network Solutions business reflects our industry-leading technology, scale and customer relationships.

“We remain committed to identifying and pursuing opportunities to drive solid growth in core and adjacent markets through innovation and accretive acquisitions. We are confident that the continued prudent investment in our business, strategic allocation of capital toward accretive M&A and a focus on operational efficiency will enable us to deliver continued growth and value to shareholders. Our platform of world-class, differentiated solutions and services continues to set CommScope apart.”

CLICK TO TWEET: CommScope Reports Strong Second Quarter 2018 Results.

Second Quarter 2018 Overview

Sales were in line with expectations and increased 6 percent year over year as growth in the North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions more than offset lower sales in the Asia-Pacific region. Foreign exchange rate changes favorably impacted net sales by less than 1 percent.

GAAP operating income in the second quarter of 2018 increased 21 percent year over year to $165 million. Non-GAAP adjusted operating income, which excludes amortization of purchased intangibles, restructuring costs and other special items, increased 4 percent year over year to $251 million, or 20 percent of net sales. The increases in GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted operating income were primarily driven by higher North American sales volumes and cost reduction initiatives. These were partially offset by lower selling prices, higher input costs and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rate changes. In addition, GAAP operating income benefited from lower integration and restructuring costs.

Second Quarter 2018 Segment Overview

Second quarter Connectivity Solutions segment sales increased 2 percent year over year to $740 million driven primarily by strength in the EMEA region. Foreign exchange rate changes positively benefited net sales by less than 1 percent.

Connectivity Solutions GAAP operating income increased 15 percent year over year to $85 million largely due to lower integration and restructuring costs. Non-GAAP adjusted operating income decreased 2 percent year over year to $143 million, or 19 percent of segment net sales. Non-GAAP adjusted operating income decreased primarily due to higher input costs, lower selling prices and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rate changes. These declines were partially offset by the benefits from cost reduction initiatives and higher sales volumes.

Second quarter Mobility Solutions segment sales increased 11 percent year over year to $499 million driven by double-digit growth in North America coupled with less pronounced increases in Latin America and EMEA. This growth was offset by lower sales in the Asia-Pacific region. Foreign exchange rate changes favorably impacted net sales by approximately 1 percent.

Mobility Solutions GAAP operating income increased 27 percent year over year to $79 million, and non-GAAP adjusted operating income increased 13 percent year over year to $108 million, or 22 percent of segment net sales. Both GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted operating income benefited from higher North American sales volumes partially offset by lower selling prices and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rate changes.

Debt Repayment

CommScope has made solid progress identifying new opportunities to accelerate its long-term growth prospects. The company believes that enhancing strategic balance sheet flexibility will provide the best way to support long-term value creation.

As a result, the company will repay $400 million of its term loan on July 31, 2018 by utilizing $250 million of cash on hand and borrowing $150 million under its asset-backed revolving credit facility.

Outlook

CommScope management issued third quarter 2018 guidance and reaffirmed its guidance range for the full year 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Guidance:

• Revenue of $1.19 billion – $1.24 billion
• Operating income of $145 million – $169 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $225 million – $250 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 29 percent – 30 percent
• Earnings per diluted share of $0.41 – $0.45, based on 195 million weighted average diluted shares
• Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.63 – $0.68

Full Year 2018 Guidance:

• Revenue of $4.675 billion – $4.825 billion
• Operating income of $540 million – $585 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $870 million – $920 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted effective tax rate of 29 percent – 30 percent
• Earnings per diluted share of $1.18 – $1.30, based on 196 million weighted average diluted shares
• Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.33 – $2.48
• Cash flow from operations > $550 million

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP outlook is attached.

Conference Call, Webcast and Investor Presentation

As previously announced, CommScope will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET in which management will discuss second quarter 2018 results and third quarter and full year 2018 guidance. The conference call will also be webcast.

To participate in the conference call, dial +1 844-397-6169 (US and Canada only) or +1 478-219-0508. The conference identification number is 4825208. Please plan to dial in 15 minutes before the start of the call to facilitate a timely connection. The live, listen-only audio of the call and corresponding presentation will be available through a link on CommScope's Investor Relations page.

A webcast replay will be archived on CommScope’s website for a limited period of time following the conference call.

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About CommScope

CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) helps design, build and manage wired and wireless networks around the world. As a communications infrastructure leader, we shape the always-on networks of tomorrow. For more than 40 years, our global team of more than 20,000 employees, innovators and technologists have empowered customers in all regions of the world to anticipate what’s next and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Discover more at http://www.commscope.com/

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

CommScope management believes that presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor’s understanding of our financial performance. CommScope management further believes that these financial measures are useful in assessing CommScope’s operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business. CommScope management also uses certain of these financial measures for business planning purposes and in measuring CommScope’s performance relative to that of its competitors. CommScope management believes these financial measures are commonly used by investors to evaluate CommScope’s performance and that of its competitors. However, CommScope’s use of the terms non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP adjusted net income and non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share may vary from that of others in its industry. These financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to operating income (loss), net income (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP as measures of operating performance, operating cash flows or liquidity.

Forward Looking Statements

These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including, without limitation, our dependence on customers’ capital spending on data and communication systems; concentration of sales among a limited number of customers and channel partners; changes in technology; industry competition and the ability to retain customers through product innovation, introduction and marketing; risks associated with our sales through channel partners; changes to the regulatory environment in which our customers operate; product quality or performance issues and associated warranty claims; our ability to maintain effective management information systems and to successfully implement major systems initiatives; cyber-security incidents, including data security breaches, ransomware or computer viruses; the risk our global manufacturing operations suffer production or shipping delays, causing difficulty in meeting customer demands; the risk that internal production capacity or that of contract manufacturers may be insufficient to meet customer demand or quality standards; changes in cost and availability of key raw materials, components and commodities and the potential effect on customer pricing; risks associated with our dependence on a limited number of key suppliers for certain raw material and components; the risk that contract manufacturers we rely on encounter production, quality, financial or other difficulties; our ability to integrate and fully realize anticipated benefits from prior or future acquisitions or equity investments; potential difficulties in realigning global manufacturing capacity and capabilities among our global manufacturing facilities that may affect our ability to meet customer demands for products; possible future restructuring actions; substantial indebtedness and maintaining compliance with debt covenants; our ability to incur additional indebtedness; our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness; possible future impairment charges for fixed or intangible assets, including goodwill; income tax rate variability and ability to recover amounts recorded as deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain qualified key employees; labor unrest; obligations under our defined benefit employee benefit plans may require plan contributions in excess of current estimates; significant international operations exposing us to economic, political and other risks, including the impact of variability in foreign exchange rates; our ability to comply with governmental anti-corruption laws and regulations and export and import controls worldwide; our ability to compete in international markets due to export and import controls to which we may be subject; changes in the laws and policies in the United States affecting trade, including the risk and uncertainty related to tariffs or a potential global trade war that may impact our products; costs of protecting or defending intellectual property; costs and challenges of compliance with domestic and foreign environmental laws; risks associated with stockholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of our business strategy and impact the trading value of our securities; and other factors beyond our control. These and other factors are discussed in greater detail in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q represents our best judgment as of the date of this report based on information currently available and reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Given these uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We are not undertaking any duty or obligation to update this information to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this report, except as otherwise may be required by law.

Investor Contact:

Jennifer Crawford, CommScope

+1 828-323-4970

jennifer.crawford@commscope.com

News Media Contact:

Rick Aspan, CommScope

+1 708-236-6568

publicrelations@commscope.com