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8-K

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (CCOI)

8-K 2021-08-05 For: 2021-08-05
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Added on April 08, 2026

UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORTPursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):     August 5, 2021

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 000-51829 46-5706863
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer<br> Identification No.)
2450 N St NW,<br>Washington, D.C. 20037
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

202-295-4200

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share CCOI NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company   ¨

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. ¨

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.


On August 5, 2021, Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. issued a press release summarizing its financial results for the second quarter of 2021. The Company will hold a conference call regarding its financial results at 8:30 a.m. ET on August 5, 2021, which will be simultaneously broadcast on a link available through the Company’s website at www.cogentco.com. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press Release of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. dated August 5, 2021. (filed herewith).
104 Cover Page Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the iXBRL document).

This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.
August 5, 2021 By: /s/ David Schaeffer
Name: David Schaeffer
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cogent<br> Contacts:
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For<br> Public Relations: For<br> Investor Relations:
Jocelyn<br> Johnson Sean Wallace
+ 1 (202) 295-4299 + 1 (202) 295-4202
jajohnson@cogentco.com investor.relations@cogentco.com

Cogent CommunicationsReports Second Quarter Results and Increases its Regular Quarterly Dividend on its Common Stock by $0.025


Financial and Business Highlights

· Cogent approved an increase of $0.025 per share to its regular quarterly dividend for a total of $0.805 per share for Q3 2021 as compared<br>to $0.780 per share for Q2 2021 – Cogent’s thirty-sixth consecutive quarterly dividend increase.
o The Q3 2021 $0.805 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 14.2% from the dividend per share of $0.705 for Q3 2020.
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· Service revenue increased by 0.8% from Q1 2021 to Q2 2021 and increased from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021 by 4.9%.
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· GAAP gross profit increased by 3.6% from Q2 2020 to $69.6 million for Q2 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 5.1% from Q2 2020<br>to $91.8 million for Q2 2021.
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o GAAP gross margin decreased by 60 basis points from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021 to 47.1%. Non-GAAP gross margin increased by 10 basis points<br>from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021 to 62.1%.
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· Net cash provided by operating activities was $39.7 million for Q2 2021, $47.1 million for Q1 2021 and $41.3 million for Q2 2020.
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· Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep per month - increased from 4.3 for Q1 2021 to 4.5 for Q2 2021.
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· EBITDA margin increased by 90 basis points from Q1 2021 to 38.7% for Q2 2021 and increased by 90 basis points from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021.
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· EBITDA increased by 2.9% from Q1 2021 to $57.2 million for Q2 2021 and increased by 7.2% from Q2 2020.
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· Cogent issued $500.0 million of Senior Secured Notes due in 2026 in May for<br>net proceeds of $496.9 million.  The net proceeds were used to redeem and extinguish its remaining $329.1 million of its Senior Secured<br>Notes due in 2022 and to provide cash for general corporate purposes including to dividend cash from its operating companies to Cogent<br>Holdings, Inc.
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[WASHINGTON, D.C. August 5, 2021] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $147.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of 0.8% from the three months ended March 31, 2021 and an increase of 4.9% from the three months ended June 30, 2020. Foreign exchange positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2021 by $0.2 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to the three months ended June 30, 2021 by $3.0 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue increased by 0.8% from the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2021 and grew by 2.8% from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent’s network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was $111.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021; an increase of 1.0% from the three months ended March 31, 2021 and an increase of 7.0% over the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $36.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021; a decrease of 0.1% from the three months ended March 31, 2021 and a decrease of 0.9% from the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell.

GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 3.6% from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $69.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased by 2.8% from the three months ended March 31, 2021. GAAP gross margin was 47.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, 47.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 46.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 5.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $91.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased by 0.1% from the three months ended March 31, 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 62.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, 62.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 62.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by 3.8% from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $39.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and decreased by 15.6% from the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 7.2% from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $57.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased by 2.9% from the three months ended March 31, 2021. EBITDA margin was 38.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, 37.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 37.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share was $(0.05) for the three months ended June 30, 2021, $0.19 and $0.18 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $0.41 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Unrealized and realized foreign exchange (losses) gains on Cogent’s 2024 Senior Euro Unsecured Notes were $(5.3) million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, $(0.9) million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Total customer connections increased by 4.3% from June 30, 2020 to 91,868 as of June 30, 2021 and increased by 1.0% from March 31, 2021. On-net customer connections increased by 4.2% from June 30, 2020 to 79,146 as of June 30, 2021 and increased by 1.0% from March 31, 2021. Off-net customer connections increased by 4.6% from June 30, 2020 to 12,386 as of June 30, 2021 and increased by 1.4% from March 31, 2021.

The number of on-net buildings increased by 121 from June 30, 2020 to 2,975 as of June 30, 2021 and increased by 36 from March 31, 2021.

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

On August 4, 2021, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.805 per common share payable on September 3, 2021 to shareholders of record on August 20, 2021. This third quarter 2021 regular dividend represents a 3.2% increase of $0.025 per share from the second quarter 2021 regular dividend of $0.780 per share and an annual increase of 14.2% from the Q3 2020 dividend of $0.705 per share.

The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent’s financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent’s debt indenture agreements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

Impact of COVID-19

Cogent continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying responses by governments around the world. The majority of Cogent’s workforce continues to work remotely with dedication.

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government restrictions on Cogent’s business is unknown as a significant amount of uncertainty and volatility remains. Cogent does not know the ultimate scope and duration of the pandemic, the availability and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic treatments, government actions that have been taken, or may be taken in the future in response to the pandemic and global economic conditions during and after the pandemic. While Cogent’s workforce is working remotely, Cogent provides no assurance that this will be sufficient to protect its workforce or its key employees. Moreover, Cogent’s results of operations may be adversely affected in the future as the pandemic and the related government restrictions continue. Cogent may also experience slowdowns in new customer orders, find it difficult to collect from customers who are experiencing financial distress, undergo an increase in customer churn, encounter difficulties accessing the buildings and locations where Cogent installs new services and serves existing customers, or have difficulties procuring, shipping or installing necessary equipment on its network. Cogent may also find that its largest customer base, which is served primarily in its multi-tenant office buildings, may be adversely affected by falling demand for commercial office space in central business districts as companies located in these buildings elect not to return to their office space either on a temporary or even permanent basis or slow the pace of opening new offices. In addition, Cogent’s corporate customer base may reduce their overall number of locations due to adverse economic conditions or new working configurations which may adversely affect Cogent’s number of corporate connections and service revenues. As a result, the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have prolonged effects that impact Cogent’s business well into the future. These and other risks are described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.

Conference Call and Website Information

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on August 5, 2021 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the second quarter of 2021 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2021. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call. A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference call.

About Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in 210 markets globally.

Cogent Communications is headquartered at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com. Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at info@cogentco.com.

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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

Summary of Financial and Operational Results

Q2<br> 2020 Q3<br> 2020 Q4<br> 2020 Q1<br> 2021 Q2<br> 2021
Metric<br> ( in 000’s, except share and per share data) – unaudited
On-Net<br> revenue 103,457 $ 103,800 $ 105,091 $ 107,109 $ 109,947 $ 111,041
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.8 % 0.3 % 1.2 % 1.9 % 2.6 % 1.0 %
Off-Net<br> revenue 37,321 $ 37,044 $ 37,092 $ 36,672 $ 36,723 $ 36,699
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -0.4 % -0.7 % 0.1 % -1.1 % 0.1 % -0.1 %
Non-Core<br> revenue (1) 137 $ 146 $ 119 $ 120 $ 107 $ 139
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 5.4 % 6.6 % -18.5 % 0.8 % -10.8 % 29.9 %
Service<br> revenue – total 140,915 $ 140,990 $ 142,302 $ 143,901 $ 146,777 $ 147,879
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.4 % 0.1 % 0.9 % 1.1 % 2.0 % 0.8 %
Constant<br> currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6) 0.6 % 0.2 % -0.2 % 0.7 % 1.7 % 0.6 %
Constant<br> currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6) 5.6 % 5.1 % 3.1 % 1.2 % 2.3 % 2.8 %
Excise<br> Taxes included in service revenue 3,743 $ 3,298 $ 3,902 $ 4,144 $ 4,528 $ 4,811
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -13.6 % -11.9 % 18.3 % 6.2 % 9.3 % 6.3 %
Network<br> operations expenses (2) 55,669 $ 53,581 $ 54,173 $ 54,513 $ 55,016 $ 56,044
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -% -3.8 % 1.1 % 0.6 % 0.9 % 1.9 %
GAAP<br> gross profit (3) 65,486 $ 67,208 $ 66,164 $ 66,617 $ 67,715 $ 69,603
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 1.8 % 2.6 % -1.6 % 0.7 % 1.6 % 2.8 %
GAAP<br> gross margin (3) 46.5 % 47.7 % 46.5 % 46.3 % 46.1 % 47.1 %
Non-GAAP<br> gross profit (4) (6) 85,246 $ 87,409 $ 88,129 $ 89,388 $ 91,761 $ 91,835
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.8 % 2.5 % 0.8 % 1.4 % 2.7 % 0.1 %
Non-GAAP<br> gross margin (4) (6) 60.5 % 62.0 % 61.9 % 62.1 % 62.5 % 62.1 %
Selling,<br> general and administrative expenses (5) 34,852 $ 34,061 $ 33,546 $ 33,713 $ 36,211 $ 34,654
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 9.3 % -2.3 % -1.5 % 0.5 % 7.4 % -4.3 %
Depreciation<br> and amortization expense 19,508 $ 19,896 $ 21,619 $ 22,455 $ 21,970 $ 22,096
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -2.5 % 2.0 % 8.7 % 3.9 % -2.2 % 0.6 %
Equity-based<br> compensation expense 5,075 $ 6,083 $ 6,522 $ 5,846 $ 7,307 $ 6,874
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 2.7 % 19.9 % 7.2 % -10.4 % 25.0 % -5.9 %
Operating<br> income 25,850 $ 27,574 $ 26,036 $ 27,384 $ 26,291 $ 28,211
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -7.8 % 6.7 % -5.6 % 5.2 % -4.0 % 7.3 %
Interest<br> expense 15,220 $ 15,499 $ 15,760 $ 16,007 $ 15,836 $ 14,236
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.1 % 1.8 % 1.7 % 1.6 % -1.1 % -10.1 %
Net<br> income (loss) 9,227 $ 8,564 $ (4,955 ) $ (6,620 ) $ 18,851 $ (2,493 )
Realized<br> and unrealized gains (losses) on 2024 Euro Notes 2,908 $ (873 ) $ (17,315 ) $ (19,170 ) $ 18,870 $ (5,280 )
Basic<br> net income (loss) per common share 0.20 $ 0.19 $ (0.11 ) $ (0.14 ) $ 0.41 $ (0.05 )
Diluted<br> net income (loss) per common share 0.20 $ 0.18 $ (0.11 ) $ (0.14 ) $ 0.41 $ (0.05 )
Weighted<br> average common shares – basic 45,658,565 45,754,880 45,815,718 45,904,943 46,067,096 46,229,603
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.1 % 0.2 % 0.4 % 0.4 %
Weighted<br> average common shares – diluted 46,391,066 46,686,665 45,815,718 45,904,943 46,507,258 46,229,603
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.5 % 0.6 % -1.9 % 0.2 % 1.3 % -0.6 %
EBITDA<br> (6) 50,394 $ 53,348 $ 54,583 $ 55,675 $ 55,550 $ 57,181
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -4.4 % 5.9 % 2.3 % 2.0 % -0.2 % 2.9 %
EBITDA<br> margin 35.8 % 37.8 % 38.4 % 38.7 % 37.8 % 38.7 %
Gains<br> on asset related transactions 39 $ 205 $ 99 $ 10 $ 18 $ -
EBITDA,<br> as adjusted (6) 50,433 $ 53,553 $ 54,682 $ 55,685 $ 55,568 $ 57,181
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -4.8 % 6.2 % 2.1 % 1.8 % -0.2 % 2.9 %
EBITDA,<br> as adjusted, margin 35.8 % 38.0 % 38.4 % 38.7 % 37.9 % 38.7 %
Net<br> cash provided by operating activities 28,458 $ 41,311 $ 32,980 $ 37,571 $ 47,106 $ 39,749
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. -38.3 % 45.2 % -20.2 % 13.9 % 25.4 % -15.6 %
Capital<br> expenditures 12,866 $ 13,930 $ 13,296 $ 15,860 $ 15,444 $ 17,217
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 30.0 % 8.3 % -4.6 % 19.3 % -2.6 % 11.5 %
Principal<br> payments of capital (finance) lease obligations 6,167 $ 3,716 $ 9,509 $ 4,598 $ 5,744 $ 6,192
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 200.0 % -39.7 % 155.9 % -51.6 % 24.9 % 7.8 %
Dividends<br> paid 30,557 $ 31,738 $ 32,657 $ 34,460 $ 36,081 $ 37,001
Purchases<br> of common stock - $ - $ 270 $ 4,225 $ - $ -
Gross<br> Leverage Ratio 4.78 5.08 5.10 5.14 4.39 5.13
Net<br> Leverage Ratio 2.92 3.07 3.24 3.40 3.31 3.45
Customer<br> Connections – end of period
On-Net 75,163 75,927 76,338 77,305 78,389 79,146
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.8 % 1.0 % 0.5 % 1.3 % 1.4 % 1.0 %
Off-Net 11,721 11,846 11,849 11,970 12,216 12,386
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.5 % 1.1 % 0.0 % 1.0 % 2.1 % 1.4 %
Non-Core<br> (1) 329 339 322 325 320 336
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 1.2 % 3.0 % -5.0 % 0.9 % -1.5 % 5.0 %
Total<br> customer connections 87,213 88,112 88,509 89,600 90,925 91,868
%<br> Change from previous Qtr. 0.8 % 1.0 % 0.5 % 1.2 % 1.5 % 1.0 %
On-Net<br> Buildings – end of period
Multi-Tenant<br> office buildings 1,769 1,771 1,783 1,792 1,796 1,802
Carrier<br> neutral data center buildings 1,000 1,029 1,047 1,068 1,089 1,119
Cogent<br> data centers 54 54 54 54 54 54
Total<br> on-net buildings 2,823 2,854 2,884 2,914 2,939 2,975
Total<br> carrier neutral data center nodes 1,175 1,203 1,225 1,252 1,274 1,309
Square<br> feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net 961,154,384 962,049,183 968,355,695 976,813,678 978,095,164 979,876,141
Network  –<br> end of period
Intercity<br> route miles 58,009 58,009 58,142 58,285 58,761 59,741
Metro<br> fiber miles 36,079 36,438 36,725 37,567 38,058 38,351
Connected<br> networks – AS’s 7,042 7,133 7,222 7,338 7,471 7,530
Headcount<br> – end of period
Sales<br> force – quota bearing 542 572 597 569 547 565
Sales<br> force - total 684 716 740 712 693 710
Total<br> employees 1,052 1,083 1,110 1,083 1,066 1,087
Sales<br> rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month 4.5 4.0 3.7 4.2 4.3 4.5
FTE<br> – sales reps 522 533 563 542 522 511

All values are in US Dollars.

(1) Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.
(2) Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $252, $305, $346, $316, $2,076 and $136 in the three month<br>periods ended March 31, 2020 through June 30, 2021, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal<br>Service Fund fees of $3,743, $3,298, $3,902, $4,144, $4,528 and $4,811 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through June 30,<br>2021, respectively.
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(3) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based<br>compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.
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(4) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts<br>shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service<br>revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross profit margin are relevant metrics to provide investors, as<br>they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure<br>of the efficiency of the Company’s network.
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(5) Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $4,823, $5,778, $6,176, $5,530, $5,231 and $6,738 in the three month periods ended March<br>31, 2020 through June 30, 2021, respectively.
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(6) See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.
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Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA and EBITDA, as adjusted

EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense. Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers. EBITDA, as adjusted, represents EBITDA plus net gains (losses) on asset related transactions.

The Company believes that EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these metrics are not intended to reflect the Company’s free cash flow, as it does not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company’s calculations of these metrics may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, its utility as a comparative measure is limited.


EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are reconciled to net cash providedby operating activities in the table below.

Q2 <br> 2020 Q3 <br> 2020 Q4 <br> 2020 Q1 <br> 2021 Q2 <br> 2021
( in 000’s) – unaudited
Net cash provided by operating activities 28,458 $ 41,311 $ 32,980 $ 37,571 $ 47,106 $ 39,749
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 5,325 $ (3,232 ) $ 6,255 $ 1,920 $ (9,060 ) $ 2,352
Cash interest expense and income tax expense 16,611 15,269 15,348 16,184 17,504 15,080
EBITDA 50,394 $ 53,348 $ 54,583 $ 55,675 $ 55,550 $ 57,181
PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions 39 205 99 10 18 -
EBITDA, as adjusted 50,433 $ 53,553 $ 54,682 $ 55,685 $ 55,568 $ 57,181
EBITDA margin 35.8 % 37.8 % 38.4 % 38.7 % 37.8 % 38.7 %
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin 35.8 % 38.0 % 38.4 % 38.7 % 37.9 % 38.7 %

All values are in US Dollars.

Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reportedin the tables below.

Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequentialperiods

($ in 000’s) – unaudited Q1 <br> 2020 Q2 <br> 2020 Q3 <br> 2020 Q4 <br> 2020 Q1 <br> 2021 Q2 <br> 2021
Service revenue, as reported – current period $ 140,915 $ 140,990 $ 142,302 $ 143,901 $ 146,777 $ 147,879
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue 184 202 (1,616 ) (621 ) (447 ) (150 )
Service revenue - as adjusted  for currency impact (1) $ 141,099 $ 141,192 $ 140,686 $ 143,280 $ 146,330 $ 147,729
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period $ 140,292 $ 140,915 $ 140,990 $ 142,302 $ 143,901 $ 146,777
Constant currency (decrease) increase $ 807 $ 277 $ (304 ) $ 978 $ 2,429 $ 952
Constant currency percent (decrease) increase 0.6 % 0.2 % (0.2 )% 0.7 % 1.7 % 0.6 %
(1) Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average<br>foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth<br>without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted<br>for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial<br>information.
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Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior yearperiods

($ in 000’s) – unaudited Q1 <br> 2020 Q2 <br> 2020 Q3 <br> 2020 Q4 <br> 2020 Q1 <br> 2021 Q2 <br> 2021
Service revenue, as reported – current period $ 140,915 $ 140,990 $ 142,302 $ 143,901 $ 146,777 $ 147,879
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue 746 674 (1,141 ) (1,891 ) (2,608 ) (2,965 )
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact  (2) $ 141,661 $ 141,664 $ 141,161 $ 142,010 $ 144,169 $ 144,914
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period $ 134,137 $ 134,789 $ 136,942 $ 140,292 $ 140,915 $ 140,990
Constant currency increase $ 7,524 $ 6,875 $ 4,219 $ 1,718 $ 3,254 $ 3,924
Percent increase 5.6 % 5.1 % 3.1 % 1.2 % 2.3 % 2.8 %
(2) Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average<br>foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth<br>without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency<br>impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.
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Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin


Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled toGAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.

Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2021
( in 000’s) – unaudited
Service revenue total 140,915 $ 140,990 $ 142,302 $ 143,901 $ 146,777 $ 147,879
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense 75,429 73,782 76,138 77,284 79,062 78,276
GAAP Gross Profit (1) 65,486 $ 67,208 $ 66,164 $ 66,617 $ 67,715 $ 69,603
Plus  - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense 252 305 346 316 2,076 136
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense 19,508 19,896 21,619 22,455 21,970 22,096
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2) 85,246 $ 87,409 $ 88,129 $ 89,388 $ 91,761 $ 91,835
GAAP Gross Margin (1) 46.5 % 47.7 % 46.5 % 46.3 % 46.1 % 47.1 %
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2) 60.5 % 62.0 % 61.9 % 62.1 % 62.5 % 62.1 %

All values are in US Dollars.

(1) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based<br>compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.
(2) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts<br>shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service<br>revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant metrics to provide to investors, as they<br>are metrics that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence these<br>are measures of the efficiency of the Company’s network.
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Gross and Net Leverage Ratios


Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Cogent’s gross leverage ratio and net leverage ratio are shown below.


($ in 000’s) – unaudited As of March 31, 2021 As of June 30, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents $ 237,980 $ 373,963
Debt
Capital (finance) leases – current portion 15,996 16,004
Capital (finance) leases – long term 202,514 208,588
Senior Secured 2022 Notes 329,080 -
Senior Secured 2026 Notes - 500,000
Senior Unsecured Euro 2024 Notes 410,471 415,751
Note payable 5,334 3,365
Total debt 963,395 1,143,708
Total net debt 725,415 769,745
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted 219,488 223,116
Gross leverage ratio 4.39 5.13
Net leverage ratio 3.31 3.45

Cogent’s SEC filings are available online via the Investor Relations section of www.cogentco.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

December 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 373,963 $ 371,301
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of 1,673 and 1,921, respectively 43,751 44,185
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 36,841 40,851
Total current assets 454,555 456,337
Property and equipment, net 435,996 430,335
Right-of-use leased assets 105,072 99,666
Deposits and other assets 15,124 14,139
Total assets 1,010,747 $ 1,000,477
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable 14,601 $ 9,775
Accrued and other current liabilities 48,014 51,029
Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discounts of 41 and 136, respectively 3,324 6,786
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities 11,783 11,151
Current maturities, finance lease obligations 16,004 15,702
Total current liabilities 93,726 94,443
Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of 1,052 and including premiums of 544 444,492
Senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes, net of unamortized debt costs of 2,538 and<br>           2,961, respectively and net of discounts of 959 and 1,142, respectively 412,254 425,160
Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of 1,277 and discount of 1,698 497,025
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities 115,949 111,318
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities 208,588 203,438
Other long-term liabilities 19,346 14,792
Total liabilities 1,346,888 1,293,643
Commitments and contingencies:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, 0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 47,655,131 and 47,214,077 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 48 47
Additional paid-in capital 533,049 515,867
Accumulated other comprehensive income — foreign currency translation (4,740 ) (1,306 )
Accumulated deficit (864,498 ) (807,774 )
Total stockholders’ deficit (336,141 ) (293,166 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit 1,010,747 $ 1,000,477

All values are in US Dollars.

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS,INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSOF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE30, 2021 AND JUNE 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHAREAND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2020
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Service revenue 147,879 $ 140,990
Operating expenses:
Network operations (including 136 and 305 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) 56,180 53,886
Selling, general, and administrative (including 6,738 and 5,778 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively) 41,392 39,839
Depreciation and amortization 22,096 19,896
Total operating expenses 119,668 113,621
Gains on equipment transactions 205
Operating income 28,211 27,574
Interest expense (14,236 ) (15,499 )
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance on 2024 Euro Notes 2,547
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on 2024 Euro Notes (5,280 ) (3,420 )
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes (638 )
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes (10,830 )
Interest income and other, net 64 735
(Loss) income before income taxes (2,071 ) 11,299
Income tax provision (422 ) (2,735 )
Net (loss) income (2,493 ) $ 8,564
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income (2,493 ) $ 8,564
Foreign currency translation adjustment 1,776 2,913
Comprehensive (loss) income (717 ) $ 11,477
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic net (loss) income per common share (0.05 ) $ 0.19
Diluted net (loss) income per common share (0.05 ) $ 0.18
Dividends declared per common share 0.78 $ 0.68
Weighted-average common shares - basic 46,229,603 45,754,880
Weighted-average common shares - diluted 46,229,603 46,686,665

All values are in US Dollars.

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. ANDSUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVEINCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021AND JUNE 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHAREAMOUNTS)

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
Service revenue 294,656 $ 281,904
Operating expenses:
Network operations (including 2,212 and 557 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) 113,272 109,806
Selling, general, and administrative (including 11,969 and 10,600 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively) 82,834 79,513
Depreciation and amortization 44,065 39,402
Total operating expenses 240,171 228,721
Gains on equipment transactions 18 244
Operating income 54,503 53,427
Interest expense (30,071 ) (30,720 )
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Euro Notes 2,547
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange on 2024 Euro Notes 13,590 (512 )
Interest income and other, net 807 28
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption- 2021 Notes (638 )
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption- 2022 Notes (14,698 )
Income before income taxes 24,131 24,132
Income tax provision (7,773 ) (6,341 )
Net income 16,358 $ 17,791
Comprehensive income:
Net income 16,358 $ 17,791
Foreign currency translation adjustment (3,434 ) (580 )
Comprehensive income 12,924 $ 17,211
Net income per common share:
Basic net income per common share 0.35 $ 0.39
Diluted net income per common share 0.35 $ 0.38
Dividends declared per common share 1.535 $ 1.340
Weighted-average common shares - basic 46,227,528 45,760,302
Weighted-average common shares - diluted 46,744,070 46,592,445

All values are in US Dollars.

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. ANDSUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021AND JUNE 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)

Three months
Ended
June 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income (2,493 ) $ 8,564
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 22,096 19,896
Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premiums 453 453
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) 6,874 6,083
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes 638
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes 10,830
Unrealized losses on foreign exchange – 2024 Notes 5,280 3,383
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Notes (2,547 )
Gains - equipment transactions and other, net (129 ) (448 )
Deferred income taxes (939 ) 1,814
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (2,330 ) 2,697
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (130 ) 628
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities 852 453
Deposits and other assets (615 ) (303 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 39,749 41,311
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (17,217 ) (13,930 )
Net cash used in investing activities (17,217 ) (13,930 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid (37,001 ) (31,738 )
Redemption and extinguishment of 2021 Notes (189,225 )
Redemption and extinguishment of 2022 Notes (339,638 )
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2024 Euro Notes - net of debt costs of    2,137 240,285
Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2026 Notes - net of debt costs of 1,317 496,933
Principal payments on installment payment agreement (1,969 ) (2,562 )
Principal payments of finance lease obligations (6,192 ) (3,716 )
Proceeds from exercises of stock options 660 271
Net cash provided by financing activities 112,793 13,315
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash 658 1,214
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 135,983 41,910
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 237,980 375,116
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 373,963 $ 417,026

All values are in US Dollars.


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. ANDSUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021AND JUNE 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)

Six months
Ended
June 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income 16,358 $ 17,791
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 44,065 39,402
Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premiums 894 930
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) 14,181 11,157
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes 638
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes 14,698
Unrealized (gains) losses on foreign exchange – 2024 Notes (13,590 ) 512
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Notes (2,547 )
Gains - equipment transactions and other, net 242 (935 )
Deferred income taxes 3,558 4,253
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 90 (93 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,696 (2,465 )
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities 3,804 1,523
Deposits and other assets (141 ) (397 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 86,855 69,769
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (32,661 ) (26,796 )
Net cash used in investing activities (32,661 ) (26,796 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid (73,082 ) (62,295 )
Redemption and extinguishment of 2021 Notes (189,225 )
Redemption and extinguishment of 2022 Notes (459,317 )
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2024 Euro Notes - net of debt costs of    2,137 240,285
Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2026 Notes - net of debt costs of 1,317 496,933
Principal payments on installment payment agreement (4,347 ) (5,128 )
Principal payments of finance lease obligations (11,936 ) (9,883 )
Proceeds from exercises of stock options 875 989
Net cash used in financing activities (50,874 ) (25,257 )
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash (658 ) (112 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2,662 17,604
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 371,301 399,422
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 373,963 $ 417,026

All values are in US Dollars.



Except forhistorical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements withinthe meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identifiedby words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based uponthe current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual resultsmay differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, includingthe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; future economic instability in the global economy or a contractionof the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impactof changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of ournon-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of arequirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/orregulation, including net neutrality rules by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection;cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attractnew customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangementson favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associatedwith such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retaincertain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; andoutcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quartersended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information containedin this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.