UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

For the transition period from          to          

Commission File Number 1-36756

 

Lamar Advertising Company

 

Commission File Number 1-12407

 

Lamar Media Corp.

(Exact names of registrants as specified in their charters)

 

 

 

 

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (225) 926-1000

SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

None

SECURITIES OF LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

None

SECURITIES OF LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if Lamar Advertising Company is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if Lamar Advertising Company is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if Lamar Media Corp. is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if Lamar Media Corp. is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether each 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.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Date File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Lamar Advertising Company’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether Lamar Advertising Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if Lamar Advertising Company 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 Lamar Media Corp. is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if Lamar Media Corp. 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 if either registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Lamar Advertising Company was $5,734,846,576  based on $68.31 per share as reported at the close of trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 29, 2018, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

As of June 29, 2018, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Lamar Media Corp. was $0.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers’ classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by (i) Lamar Advertising Company and (ii) Lamar Media Corp. (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company). Lamar Media Corp. meets the conditions set forth in general instruction I(1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is, therefore, filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by such instruction.

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information included in this report is forward-looking in nature within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This report uses terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this report include statements about: (i) our future financial performance and condition; (ii) our business plans, objectives, prospects, growth and operating strategies; (iii) our future capital expenditures and level of acquisition activity; (iv) our ability to integrate acquired assets and realize operating efficiency from acquisitions; (v) market opportunities and competitive positions; (vi) our future cash flows and expected cash requirements; (vii) expected timing and amount of distributions to our stockholders; (viii) estimated risks; (ix) our ability to maintain compliance with applicable covenants and restrictions included in Lamar Media Corp’s (“Lamar Media”) senior credit facility and the indentures relating to its outstanding notes; (x) stock price; and (xi) our ability to remain qualified as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”).

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including but not limited to the following, any of which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: (i) the state of the economy and financial markets generally and their effects on the markets in which we operate and the broader demand for advertising; (ii) the levels of expenditures on advertising in general and outdoor advertising in particular; (iii) risks and uncertainties relating to our significant indebtedness; (iv) the demand for outdoor advertising and its continued popularity as an advertising medium; (v) our need for, and ability to obtain, additional funding for acquisitions, operations and debt refinancing; (vi) increased competition within the outdoor advertising industry; (vii) the regulation of the outdoor advertising industry by federal, state and local governments; (viii) our ability to renew expiring contracts at favorable rates; (ix) the integration of businesses that we acquire and our ability to recognize cost savings and operating efficiencies as a result of these acquisitions; (x) our ability to successfully implement our digital deployment strategy; (xi) the market for our Class A common stock; (xii) changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; (xiii) our ability to effectively mitigate the threat of and damages caused by hurricanes and other kinds of severe weather; (xiv) our ability to maintain our status as a REIT; and (xv) changes in tax laws applicable to REITs or in the interpretation of those laws.

The forward-looking statements in this report are based on our current good faith beliefs; however, actual results may differ due to inaccurate assumptions, the factors listed above or other foreseeable or unforeseeable factors. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date of this report, and Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp. expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this report, except as required by law.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

The industry and market data presented throughout this report are based on the experience and estimates of our management and the data in reports issued by third-parties, including the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). In each case, we believe this industry and market data is reasonable. We have not, however, independently verified the industry and market data derived from third-party sources, and no independent source has verified the industry and market data derived from management’s experience and estimates.

PART I

GENERAL

Lamar Advertising Company is one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the United States based on number of displays and has operated under the Lamar name since 1902. We operate in a single operating and reporting segment, advertising. We lease space for advertising on billboards, buses, shelters, benches, logo plates and in airport terminals. We offer our customers a fully integrated service, satisfying all aspects of their billboard display requirements from ad copy production to placement and maintenance.

We operate three types of outdoor advertising displays: billboards, logo signs and transit advertising displays.

 

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Billboards. As of December 31, 2018, we owned and operated approximately 156,900 billboard advertising displays in 45 states and Canada. We lease most of our advertising space on two types of billboards: bulletins and posters.

In addition to traditional billboards, we also lease space on digital billboards, which are generally located on major traffic arteries and city streets. As of December 31, 2018, we owned and operated over 3,100 digital billboard advertising displays in 43 states and Canada.

Logo signs. We lease advertising space on logo signs located near highway exits.

We are the largest provider of logo signs in the United States, operating 23 of the 25 privatized state logo sign contracts. As of December 31, 2018, we operated approximately 149,000 logo sign advertising displays in 23 states and Canada.

Transit advertising displays. We also lease advertising space on the exterior and interior of public transportation vehicles, in airport terminals, and on transit shelters and benches in over 80 markets. As of December 31, 2018, we operated over 53,300 transit advertising displays in 22 states and Canada.

CORPORATE HISTORY

We have operated under the Lamar name since our founding in 1902 and have been publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “LAMR” since 1996. We completed a reorganization on July 20, 1999 that created a holding company structure. At that time, the operating company (then called Lamar Advertising Company) was renamed Lamar Media Corp., and all of the operating company’s stockholders became stockholders of a new holding company. The new holding company then took the Lamar Advertising Company name, and Lamar Media Corp. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company.

During 2014, we completed a reorganization in order to qualify as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. As part of the plan to reorganize our business operations so that we could elect to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year ended December 31, 2014, we completed a merger with our predecessor that was approved by our stockholders on November 17, 2014. At the time of the merger each outstanding share of our predecessor’s Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series AA preferred stock was converted into the right to receive an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series AA preferred stock of the surviving corporation, respectively. Accordingly, references herein to our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series AA preferred stock refer to our capital stock and the capital stock of our predecessor, as applicable. We hold and operate certain assets through one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). The non-REIT qualified businesses that we hold through TRSs include most of our transit and foreign operations.

We may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs to be treated as qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities (“QRSs”), and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from our TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs.

In this Annual Report, unless the context otherwise requires, we refer to Lamar Advertising Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (and its predecessor and its consolidated subsidiaries), as applicable, as the “Company”, “Lamar Advertising” or “we”, we refer to Lamar Advertising’s wholly owned subsidiary Lamar Media Corp. as “Lamar Media.”

OPERATING STRATEGIES

We strive to be a leading provider of outdoor advertising services in each of the markets that we serve, and our operating strategies for achieving that goal include:

Continuing to provide high quality local sales and service. We seek to identify and closely monitor the needs of our tenants and to provide them with a full complement of high quality advertising services. Local advertising constituted approximately 76% of our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, which management believes is higher than the industry average. We believe that the experience of our regional, territory and local managers has contributed greatly to our success. For example, our regional managers have been with us for an average of 33 years. In an effort to provide high quality

 

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sales and service at the local level, we employed over 1,050 local account executives as of December 31, 2018. Local account executives are typically supported by additional local staff and have the ability to draw upon the resources of our central office, as well as our offices in other markets, in the event business opportunities or customers’ needs support such an allocation of resources.

Continuing a centralized control and decentralized management structure. Our management believes that, for our particular business, centralized control and a decentralized organization provide for greater economies of scale and are more responsive to local market demands. Therefore, we maintain centralized accounting and financial control over our local operations, but our local managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations in each local market and are compensated according to that market’s financial performance.

Continuing to focus on internal growth. Within our existing markets we seek to increase our revenue and improve cash flow by employing highly-targeted local marketing efforts to improve our display occupancy rates and by increasing advertising rates where and when demand can absorb rate increases. Our local offices spearhead this effort and respond to local customer demands quickly.

In addition, we routinely invest in upgrading our existing displays and constructing new displays. Since January 1, 2008, we invested approximately $1.2 billion in capitalized expenditures, which include improvements to our existing real estate portfolio and the construction of new locations. Our regular improvement and expansion of our advertising display inventory allows us to provide high quality service to our current tenants and to attract new tenants.

Continuing to pursue other outdoor advertising opportunities. We plan to renew existing logo sign contracts and pursue additional logo sign contracts. Logo sign opportunities arise periodically, both from states initiating new logo sign programs and states converting from government-owned and operated programs to privately-owned and operated programs. Furthermore, we plan to pursue additional tourist oriented directional sign programs in both the United States and Canada and also other motorist information signing programs as opportunities present themselves. In addition, in an effort to maintain market share, we continue to pursue attractive transit advertising opportunities as they become available.

Reinvesting in capital expenditures including digital technology. We have a history of investing in capital expenditures, particularly in our digital platform. We spent approximately $117.6 million in total capital expenditures in fiscal 2018, of which approximately $45.9 million was spent on digital technology. We expect our 2019 capitalized expenditures to closely approximate our spending in 2018.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION STRATEGY

The objective of our capital allocation strategy is to simultaneously increase adjusted funds from operations and our return on invested capital. To maintain our REIT status we are required to distribute to our stockholders annually an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. After complying with our REIT distribution requirements, we plan to continue to allocate our available capital among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria. During 2018, we generated $564.8 million of cash from operating activities, which was used to fund capital expenditures, dividends to our shareholders and partially fund acquisitions.

COMPANY OPERATIONS

Billboard Advertising

We lease most of our advertising space on two types of billboard advertising displays: bulletins and posters. As of December 31, 2018, we owned and operated approximately 156,900 billboard advertising displays in 45 states and Canada.  In 2018, we derived approximately 75% of our billboard advertising net revenues from bulletin rentals and 25% from poster rentals.

Bulletins are large, advertising structures (the most common size is fourteen feet high by forty-eight feet wide, or 672 square feet) consisting of panels on which advertising copy is displayed. We wrap advertising copy printed with computer-generated graphics

 

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on a single sheet of vinyl around the structure. To attract more attention, some of the panels may extend beyond the linear edges of the display face and may include three-dimensional embellishments. Because of their greater impact and higher cost, bulletins are usually located on major highways and target vehicular traffic. At December 31, 2018, we operated approximately 75,180 bulletin displays.

We generally lease individually-selected bulletin space to advertisers for the duration of the contract (ranging from 4 to 52 weeks). We also lease bulletins as part of a rotary plan under which we rotate the advertising copy from one bulletin location to another within a particular market at stated intervals (usually every sixty to ninety days) to achieve greater reach within that market.

Posters are smaller advertising structures (the most common size is eleven feet high by twenty-three feet wide, or 250 square feet; we also operate junior posters, which are five feet high by eleven feet wide, or 55 square feet). Poster panels utilize a single flexible sheet of polyethylene material that inserts onto the face of the panel. Posters are concentrated on major traffic arteries and target vehicular traffic, and junior posters are concentrated on city streets and target hard-to-reach pedestrian traffic and nearby residents. At December 31, 2018, we operated approximately 81,720 poster displays.

We generally lease poster space for 4 to 26 weeks; determined by the advertiser’s campaign needs.  Posters are sold in packages of Target Rating Point (“TRP”) levels, which determine the percentage of a target audience an advertiser needs to reach.  A package may include a combination of poster locations in order to meet reach and frequency campaign goals.

In addition to the traditional static displays, we also rent digital billboards. Digital billboards are large electronic light emitting diode (“LED”) displays (the most common sizes are fourteen feet high by forty-eight feet wide, or 672 square feet; ten and a half feet high by thirty six feet wide, or 378 square feet; and ten feet high by twenty-one feet wide, or 210 square feet) that are generally located on major traffic arteries and city streets. Digital billboards are capable of generating over one billion colors and vary in brightness based on ambient conditions. They display completely digital advertising copy from various advertisers in a slide show fashion, rotating each advertisement approximately every 6 to 8 seconds.  At December 31, 2018, our inventory included over 3,100 digital display billboards in various markets.  These 3,100 digital billboards generated approximately 24% of billboard advertising net revenue.

We own the physical structures on which the advertising copy is displayed. We build the structures on locations we either own or lease. In each local office, one employee typically performs site leasing activities for the markets served by that office. See Item 2. — “Properties.”

In the majority of our markets, our local production staffs perform the full range of activities required to create and install billboard advertising displays. Production work includes creating the advertising copy design and layout, coordinating its printing and installing the designs on the displays. Our talented design staff uses state-of-the-art technology to prepare creative, eye-catching displays for our tenants. We can also help with the strategic placement of advertisements throughout an advertiser’s market by using software that allows us to analyze the target audience and its demographics. Our artists also assist in developing marketing presentations, demonstrations and strategies to attract new tenant advertisers.

In marketing billboard displays to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers, which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.

Logo Sign Advertising

We entered the logo sign advertising business in 1988 and have become the largest provider of logo sign services in the United States, operating 23 of the 25 privatized state logo contracts. We erect logo signs, which generally advertise nearby gas, food, camping, lodging and other attractions, and directional signs, which direct vehicle traffic to nearby services and tourist attractions, near highway exits. As of December 31, 2018, we operated approximately 45,360 logo sign structures containing approximately 149,000 logo advertising displays in the United States and Canada.

We operate the logo sign contracts in the province of Ontario, Canada and in the following states:

 

 

 

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We also operate the tourist oriented directional signing (“TODS”) programs for the states of Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and the province of Ontario, Canada.

Our logo and TODS operations are decentralized. Generally, each office is staffed with an experienced local general manager, local sales and office staff and a local signing sub-contractor. This decentralization allows the management staff of Interstate Logos, L.L.C. (the subsidiary that operates all of the logo and directional sign-related businesses) to travel extensively to the various operations and serve in a technical and management advisory capacity and monitor regulatory and contract compliance. We also run a silk screening operation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a display construction company in Atlanta, Georgia.

State logo sign contracts represent the exclusive right to erect and operate logo signs within a state for a period of time. The terms of the contracts vary, but generally range from five to ten years, with additional renewal terms. Each logo sign contract generally allows the state to terminate the contract prior to its expiration and, in most cases, with compensation for the termination to be paid to the Company. When a logo sign contract expires, we transfer ownership of the advertising structures to the state. Depending on the contract, we may or may not be entitled to compensation at that time. Of our 24 logo sign contracts in place, in the United States and Canada, at December 31, 2018, six are subject to renewal or expiration in 2019.

States usually award new logo sign contracts and renew expiring logo sign contracts through an open proposal process. In bidding for new and renewal contracts, we compete against other logo sign providers, as well as local companies based in the state soliciting proposals.

In marketing logo signs to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.

Transit Advertising

We entered into the transit advertising business in 1993 as a way to complement our existing business and maintain market share in certain markets. Transit contracts are generally with the local municipalities and airport authorities and allow us the exclusive right to rent advertising space to customers, in airports and on buses, benches or shelters. The terms of the contracts vary but generally range between 3-15 years, many with renewable options for contract extension. We rent transit advertising displays in airport terminals and on bus shelters, benches and buses in over 80 transit markets, and our production staff provides a full range of creative and installation services to our transit advertising tenants. As of December 31, 2018, we operated over 53,300 transit advertising displays in 22 states and Canada.

Municipalities usually award new transit advertising contracts and renew expiring transit advertising contracts through an open bidding process. In bidding for new and renewal contracts, we compete against national outdoor advertising providers and local, on-premise sign providers and sign construction companies. Transit advertising operators incur significant start-up costs to build and install the advertising structures (such as transit shelters) upon being awarded contracts.

In marketing transit advertising displays to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.

COMPETITION

Although the outdoor advertising industry has encountered a wave of consolidation, the industry remains fragmented. The industry is comprised of several large outdoor advertising and media companies with operations in multiple markets, as well as smaller, local companies operating a limited number of structures in one or a few local markets.

Although we primarily focus on small to mid-size markets where we can attain a strong market share, in each of our markets, we compete against other providers of outdoor advertising and other types of media, including:

 

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In selecting the form of media through which to advertise, advertisers evaluate their ability to target audiences having a specific demographic profile, lifestyle, brand or media consumption or purchasing behavior or audiences located in, or traveling through, a particular geography. Advertisers also compare the relative costs of available media, evaluating the number of impressions (potential viewings), exposure (the opportunity for advertising to be seen) and circulation (traffic volume in a market), as well as potential effectiveness, quality of related services (such as advertising copy design and layout) and customer service. In competing with other media, we believe that outdoor advertising is relatively more cost-efficient than other media, allowing advertisers to reach broader audiences and target specific geographic areas or demographic groups within markets.

We believe that our strong emphasis on sales and customer service and our position as a major provider of advertising services in each of our primary markets enables us to compete effectively with the other outdoor advertising companies, as well as with other media, within those markets.

 

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GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSIFICATION

Our advertising displays are geographically diversified across the United States and Canada. The following table sets forth information regarding the geographic diversification of our advertising displays, which are listed in order of contributions to total revenue. Markets with less than 1% of total displays are grouped in the category “all other United States and Puerto Rico”.

 

 

TAXABLE REIT SUBSIDIARIES

We hold and operate certain of our assets that cannot be held and operated directly by a REIT through taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that pays corporate taxes on its taxable income. The assets held in our TRSs primarily consist of our transit advertising business, advertising services business and our foreign operations. Our TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. Furthermore, our assets and operations outside the United States will continue to be subject to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those assets and operations are located. Net income from our TRSs will either be retained by our TRSs and used to fund their operations, or distributed to us, where it will be reinvested in our business or be available for distribution to Lamar Advertising’s stockholders. As of December 31, 2018, the annual revenue generated by our TRSs in the aggregate was approximately $288 million.

 

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ADVERTISING TENANTS

Our tenant base is diverse. The table below sets forth the ten industries from which we derived most of our billboard advertising revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as the percentage of billboard advertising revenues attributable to the advertisers in those industries. The individual advertisers in these industries accounted for approximately 75% of our billboard advertising net revenues in the year ended December 31, 2018. No individual tenant accounted for more than 2.0% of our billboard advertising net revenues in that period.

 

REGULATION

Outdoor advertising is subject to governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Regulations generally restrict the size, spacing, lighting and other aspects of advertising structures and pose a significant barrier to entry and expansion in many markets.  Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (the “HBA”), regulates outdoor advertising on Federal — Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads. The HBA requires states, through the adoption of individual Federal/State agreements, to “effectively control” outdoor advertising along these roads, and mandates a state compliance program and state standards regarding size, spacing and lighting. These state standards, or their local and municipal equivalents, may be modified over time in response to legal challenges or otherwise, which may have an adverse effect on our business. The HBA requires any state or political subdivision that compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a Federal — Aid Primary or Interstate highway to pay just compensation to the billboard owner.

All states have passed billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including laws requiring the removal of illegal signs at the owner’s expense (and without compensation from the state). Although we believe that the number of our billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial, and no state in which we operate has banned billboards entirely, from time to time governments have required us to remove signs and billboards legally erected in accordance with federal, state and local permit requirements and laws. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws and building codes. We contest laws and regulations that we believe unlawfully restrict our constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of our outdoor advertising business.

Using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, state governments have purchased and removed billboards for beautification, and may do so again in the future. Under the power of eminent domain, state or municipal governments have laid claim to property and forced the removal of billboards. Under a concept called amortization by which a governmental body asserts that a billboard operator has earned compensation by continued operation over time, local governments have attempted to force removal of legal but nonconforming billboards (i.e., billboards that conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations). Although the legality of amortization is questionable, it has been upheld in some instances. Often, municipal and county governments also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws, with some local governments prohibiting construction of new billboards or allowing new construction only to replace existing structures. Although we have generally been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for those of our billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.

We have also introduced and intend to continue to expand the deployment of digital billboards that display static digital advertising copy from various advertisers that change every 6 to 8 seconds. We have encountered some existing regulations that restrict or prohibit these types of digital displays but it has not yet materially impacted our digital deployment. Since digital billboards have been developed and introduced relatively recently into the market on a large scale, existing regulations that currently do not

 

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apply to them by their terms could be revised or new regulations could be enacted to impose greater restrictions. These regulations may impose greater restrictions on digital billboards due to alleged concerns over aesthetics or driver safety.

Relatively few large scale studies have been conducted to date regarding driver safety issues, if any, related to digital billboards. On December 30, 2013, the results of a study conducted by U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration that looked at the effect of digital billboards and conventional billboards on driver visual behavior were issued. The conclusions of the report indicated that the presence of digital billboards did not appear to be related to a decrease in looking toward the road ahead and were generally within acceptable thresholds. The report cautioned, however, that it adds to the knowledge base but does not present definitive answers to the research questions investigated. Accordingly, the results of this or other studies may result in regulations at the federal or state level that impose greater restrictions on digital billboards. Any new restrictions on digital billboards could have a material adverse effect on both our existing inventory of digital billboards and our plans to expand our digital deployment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, including disputes involving advertising contracts, site leases, employment claims and construction matters. We are also involved in routine administrative and judicial proceedings regarding billboard permits, fees and compensation for condemnations. We are not a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO

Our management headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We also own 128 local operating facilities with front office administration and sales office space connected to back-shop poster and bulletin production space. In addition, we lease an additional 134 operating facilities at an aggregate lease expense for 2018 of approximately $7.7 million.

We own over 7,600 parcels of property beneath our advertising displays. As of December 31, 2018, we leased over 73,300 outdoor sites, accounting for an annualized lease expense of approximately $267.4 million. This amount represented approximately 19% of billboard advertising net revenues for that period. These leases are for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to a term of over ten years, and many provide us with renewal options. Our lease agreements generally permit us to use the land for the construction, repair and relocation of outdoor advertising displays, including all rights necessary to access and maintain the site. Approximately 67% of our leases will expire or be subject to renewal in the next 5 years, 20% will expire or be subject to renewal in 6 to 10 years and 13% thereafter. There is no significant concentration of displays under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord. An important part of our management activity is to manage our lease portfolio and negotiate suitable lease renewals and extensions.

 

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The following table illustrates the number of leased and owned sites by state as of December 31, 2018, which is sorted from greatest to least in number and percentage of leased sites. States in which we lease less than 2% of our portfolio are grouped in the category “All Other States”.

 

CONTRACT EXPIRATIONS

We derive revenues primarily from renting advertising space to customers on our advertising displays. Our contracts with customers generally cover periods ranging from one week to one year and are generally billed every four weeks. Since contract terms are short-term in nature, we do not consider revenues by year of contract expiration to be meaningful.

EMPLOYEES

We employed approximately 3,600 people as of December 31, 2018. Approximately 260 employees were engaged in overall management and general administration at our management headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the remainder, including over 1,050 local account executives were employed in our operating offices.

Fifteen of our local offices employ billposters and construction personnel who are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relationship with our employees, including our 115 unionized employees, is good, and we have never experienced a strike or work stoppage.

INFLATION

In the last three years, inflation has not had a significant impact on us.

SEASONALITY

Our revenues and operating results are subject to seasonality. Typically, we experience our strongest financial performance in the summer and fall, and our weakest financial performance in the first quarter of the calendar year, partly because retailers cut back their advertising spending immediately following the holiday shopping season. We expect this trend to continue in the future. Because a significant portion of our expenses is fixed, a reduction in revenues in any quarter is likely to result in a period-to-period decline in operating performance and net earnings.

 

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports available free of charge through our website, www.lamar.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing them with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained on the website is not part of this Annual Report.

The Company’s substantial debt may adversely affect its business, financial condition and financial results.

The Company has borrowed substantially in the past and will continue to borrow in the future. At December 31, 2018, Lamar Advertising Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media, had approximately $2.889 billion of total debt outstanding, net of deferred financing costs, consisting of approximately $1.280 billion in bank debt outstanding under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility, $531.0 million in senior subordinated notes, $901.0 million in various series of senior notes, $173.8 million under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program and $3.5 million in other seller notes. Despite the level of debt presently outstanding, the terms of the indentures governing Lamar Media’s notes and the terms of the senior credit facility allow Lamar Media to incur substantially more debt, including approximately $156.8 million available for borrowing as of December 31, 2018 under the revolving senior credit facility.

The Company’s substantial debt and its use of cash flow from operations to make principal and interest payments on its debt may, among other things:

Any of these problems could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.

Restrictions in the Company’s and Lamar Media’s debt agreements reduce operating flexibility and contain covenants and restrictions that create the potential for defaults, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.

The terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict the ability of the Company and Lamar Media to, among other things:

 

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At December 31, 2018, the terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and of our Accounts Receivable Securitization Program also restrict the Company from exceeding a specified secured debt ratio.  Lamar Media is also subject to certain other financial covenants relating to the incurrence of additional debt. Please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a description of the specific financial ratio requirements under the senior credit facility.

The Company’s ability to comply with the financial covenants in the senior credit facility, Accounts Receivable Securitization Program and the indentures governing Lamar Media’s outstanding notes (and to comply with similar covenants in any future agreements) depends on its operating performance, which in turn depends significantly on prevailing economic, financial and business conditions and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Therefore, despite its best efforts and execution of its strategic plan, the Company may be unable to comply with these financial covenants in the future.

The Company is currently in compliance with all financial covenants. However, if in the future there are economic declines the Company can make no assurance that these declines will not negatively impact the Company’s financial results and, in turn, its ability to meet these financial covenant requirements. If Lamar Media fails to comply with its financial covenants, the lenders under the senior credit facility and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program could accelerate all of the debt outstanding, which would create serious financial problems and could lead to a default under the indentures governing Lamar Media’s outstanding notes. Any of these events could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.

In addition, these restrictions reduce the Company’s operating flexibility and could prevent the Company from exploiting investment, acquisition, marketing, or other time-sensitive business opportunities.

The Company’s revenues are sensitive to the state of the economy and the financial markets generally and other external events beyond the Company’s control.

The Company rents advertising space on outdoor structures to generate revenues. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions.

Additionally, the occurrence of any of the following external events could further depress the Company’s revenues:

The Company’s growth through acquisitions may be difficult, which could adversely affect our future financial performance. In addition, if we are unable to successfully integrate any completed acquisitions, our financial performance would also be adversely affected.

The Company has historically grown through acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we completed acquisitions for a total cash purchase price of approximately $477.4 million. We intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities as they arise.

The future success of our acquisition strategy could be adversely affected by many factors, including the following:

 

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These obstacles to our opportunistic acquisition strategy may have an adverse effect on our future financial results.

The Company could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Company tested goodwill for impairment on December 31, 2018. Based on the Company’s review at December 31, 2018, no impairment charge was required. The Company continues to assess whether factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim impairment test between our annual impairment test dates. For instance, if our market capitalization is below our equity book value for a period of time without recovery, we believe there is a strong presumption that would indicate a triggering event has occurred and it is more likely than not that the fair value of one or both of our reporting units are below their carrying amount. This would require us to test the reporting units for impairment of goodwill. If this presumption cannot be overcome a reporting unit could be impaired under ASC 350 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and a non-cash charge would be required. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net earnings.

The Company faces competition from larger and more diversified outdoor advertisers and other forms of advertising that could hurt its performance.

While the Company enjoys a significant market share in many of its small and medium-sized markets, the Company faces competition from other outdoor advertisers and other media in all of its markets. Although the Company is one of the largest companies focusing exclusively on outdoor advertising in a relatively fragmented industry, it competes against larger companies with diversified operations, such as television, radio and other broadcast media. These diversified competitors have the advantage of cross-selling complementary advertising products to advertisers.

The Company also competes against an increasing variety of out-of-home advertising media, such as advertising displays in shopping centers, malls, airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets, and on taxis, trains and buses. To a lesser extent, the Company also faces competition from other forms of media, including radio, newspapers, direct mail advertising, telephone directories and the Internet. The industry competes for advertising revenue along the following dimensions: exposure (the number of “impressions” an advertisement makes), advertising rates (generally measured in cost-per-thousand impressions), ability to target specific demographic groups or geographies, effectiveness, quality of related services (such as advertising copy design and layout) and customer service. The Company may be unable to compete successfully along these dimensions in the future, and the competitive pressures that the Company faces could adversely affect its profitability or financial performance.

Federal, state and local regulation impact the Company’s operations, financial condition and financial results.

Outdoor advertising is subject to governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Regulations generally restrict the size, spacing, lighting and other aspects of advertising structures and pose a significant barrier to entry and expansion in many markets.  Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, or the HBA, regulates outdoor advertising on Federal — Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads. The HBA requires states, through the adoption of individual Federal/State Agreements, to “effectively control” outdoor advertising along these roads, and mandates a state compliance program and state standards regarding size, spacing and lighting. These state standards, or their local and municipal equivalents, may be modified over time in response to legal challenges or otherwise, which may have an adverse effect on our business.  The HBA requires any state or political subdivision that compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a Federal — Aid Primary or Interstate highway to pay just compensation to the billboard owner.

All states have passed billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including laws requiring the removal of illegal signs at the owner’s expense (and without compensation from the state). Although the Company believes that the number of our billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial, and no state in which we operate has banned billboards entirely, from time to time governments have required us to remove signs and billboards legally erected in accordance with federal, state and local permit requirements and laws. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws and building codes. We contest laws and regulations that we believe unlawfully restrict our constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of our outdoor advertising business.

Using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, state governments have purchased and removed billboards for beautification, and may do so again in the future. Under the power of eminent domain, state or municipal governments have laid claim to property and forced the removal of billboards. Under a concept called amortization by which a governmental body asserts that a billboard operator has earned compensation by continued operation over time, local governments have attempted to force removal of

 

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legal but nonconforming billboards (i.e., billboards that conformed to applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations). Although the legality of amortization is questionable, it has been upheld in some instances. Often, municipal and county governments also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws, with some local governments prohibiting construction of new billboards or allowing new construction only to replace existing structures. Although we have generally been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for those of our billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.

We have also introduced and intend to expand the deployment of digital billboards that display static digital advertising copy from various advertisers that change every 6 to 8 seconds. We have encountered some existing regulations that restrict or prohibit these types of digital displays but it has not yet materially impacted our digital deployment. Since digital billboards have been developed and introduced relatively recently into the market on a large scale, however, existing regulations that currently do not apply to them by their terms could be revised or new regulations could be enacted to impose greater restrictions. These regulations may impose greater restrictions on digital billboards due to alleged concerns over aesthetics or driver safety.

Relatively few large scale studies have been conducted to date regarding driver safety issues, if any, related to digital billboards. On December 30, 2013, the results of a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration that looked at the effect of digital billboards and conventional billboards on driver visual behavior were issued. The conclusions of the report indicated that the presence of digital billboards did not appear to be related to a decrease in looking toward the road ahead and were generally within acceptable thresholds. The report cautioned, however, that it adds to the knowledge base but does not present definitive answers to the research questions investigated. Accordingly, the results of this or other studies may result in regulations at the federal or state level that impose greater restrictions on digital billboards. Any new restrictions on digital billboards could have a material adverse effect on both our existing inventory of digital billboards and our plans to expand our digital deployment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s logo sign contracts are subject to state award and renewal.

In 2018, the Company generated approximately 5% of its revenues from state-awarded logo sign contracts. In bidding for these contracts, the Company competes against other national logo sign providers as well as numerous smaller local logo sign providers. A logo sign provider incurs significant start-up costs upon being awarded a new contract. These contracts generally have a term of five to ten years, with additional renewal periods. Some states reserve the right to terminate a contract early, and most contracts require the state to pay compensation to the logo sign provider for early termination. At the end of the contract term, the logo sign provider transfers ownership of the logo sign structures to the state. Depending on the contract, the logo provider may or may not be entitled to compensation for the structures at the end of the contract term.

Of the Company’s 24 logo sign contracts in place at December 31, 2018, six are subject to renewal or expiration in 2019. The Company may be unable to renew its expiring contracts. The Company may also lose the bidding on new contracts.

The Company is controlled by significant stockholders who have the power to determine the outcome of all matters submitted to the stockholders for approval and whose interest in the Company may be different than yours.

As of December 31, 2018, members of the Reilly family, including Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., the Company’s Chairman and President, and Sean Reilly, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and their affiliates, owned in the aggregate approximately 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, assuming the conversion of all Class B common stock to Class A common stock. As of that date, their combined holdings represented approximately 63% of the voting power of Lamar Advertising’s outstanding capital stock, which would give the Reilly family and their affiliates the power to:

The Reilly family may have interests that are different than yours in making these decisions.

If the Company’s contingency plans relating to hurricanes and other natural disasters fail, the resulting losses could hurt the Company’s business.

The Company has determined that it is uneconomical to insure against losses resulting from hurricanes and other natural disasters. Although the Company has developed contingency plans designed to mitigate the threat posed by hurricanes and other forms

 

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of inclement weather to its real estate portfolio (e.g., removing advertising faces at the onset of a storm, when possible, which better permits the structures to withstand high winds during the storm), these plans could fail and significant losses could result.

If Lamar Advertising fails to remain qualified as a REIT, both Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media would be taxed as regular C corporations and would not be able to deduct distributions to the stockholders of Lamar Advertising when computing their taxable income.

Lamar Advertising elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes starting with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014 and for each subsequent taxable year thereafter.  REIT qualification involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) to Lamar Advertising’s assets and operations as well as various factual determinations concerning matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. There are limited judicial or administrative interpretations of these provisions. Although Lamar Advertising plans to operate in a manner consistent with the REIT qualification rules, the Company cannot assure you that it will so qualify or remain so qualified. Lamar Media is treated as a qualified REIT subsidiary of Lamar Advertising that is disregarded as separate from its parent REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If, in any taxable year, Lamar Advertising fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT, and is not entitled to relief under the Code:

Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for required distributions to Lamar Advertising’s stockholders, may require it to borrow funds (under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility or otherwise) or liquidate some investments to pay any such additional tax liability. This adverse impact could last for five or more years because, unless it is entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, it will be taxable as a corporation, beginning in the year in which the failure occurs, and it will not be allowed to re-elect to be taxed as a REIT for the following four years.

Even if it qualifies as a REIT, certain of Lamar Advertising’s and its subsidiaries’ business activities will be subject to U.S. and foreign taxes which will continue to reduce its cash flows, and it will have potential deferred and contingent tax liabilities.

Even if it qualifies as a REIT, Lamar Advertising may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including any applicable state-level alternative minimum taxes, taxes on any undistributed income, and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. In addition, the Company could in certain circumstances be required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Code to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT.

In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company holds certain of its non-qualifying REIT assets and receives certain non-qualifying items of income through one or more TRSs. These non-qualifying REIT assets consist principally of the Company’s advertising services business and its transit advertising business. Those TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. Furthermore, the Company’s assets and operations outside the United States are subject to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those assets and operations are located. In addition, the Company may incur a 100% excise tax on transactions with a TRS if they are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. Any of these taxes would decrease the Company’s earnings and its cash available for distributions to stockholders.

The Company was subject to a U.S. federal income tax at the highest regular corporate rate (currently 21%) on all or a portion of the gain recognized from a sale of assets occurring within five years after the effective date of our REIT conversion, to the extent of the built-in gain based on the fair market value of those assets held by the Company on the effective date of REIT conversion in excess of the Company’s then tax basis in those assets. Such five-year period has expired with respect to the Company but certain tax years for which this rule applied remain open such that additional taxes could be assessed with respect to sales in those tax years. The same rules apply to any assets we acquire from a “C” corporation in a carry-over basis transaction with built-in gain at the time of the acquisition by us. Gain from a sale of an asset occurring after the specified period ends will not be subject to this corporate level tax.

In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and any state or local tax authority may successfully assert liabilities against the Company for corporate income taxes for taxable years of Lamar Advertising prior to the effective time of the REIT election, in which case the Company will owe these taxes (the federal corporate tax rate for tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2018 was 35%)

 

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plus applicable interest and penalties, if any. Moreover, any increase in taxable income for these pre-REIT periods will likely result in an increase in non-REIT accumulated earnings and profits which could cause the Company to pay taxable distributions to its stockholders after the relevant determination.

Failure to make sufficient distributions would jeopardize Lamar Advertising’s qualification as a REIT and/or would subject it to U.S. federal income and excise taxes.

As a REIT, Lamar Advertising is required to distribute to its stockholders with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding capital gains and net of any available net operating loss carry forwards) in order to qualify as a REIT, and 100% of its REIT taxable income (excluding capital gains and net of any available net operating loss carry forwards) in order to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. For these purposes, Lamar Advertising’s subsidiaries that are not TRSs, including Lamar Media, will be treated as part of the REIT and therefore Lamar Advertising also will be required to distribute out their taxable income.

Because the REIT distribution requirements will prevent us from retaining earnings, we may be required to refinance debt at maturity with additional debt or equity, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.

Covenants specified in our existing and future debt instruments may limit Lamar Advertising’s ability to make required REIT distributions.

Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes contain certain covenants that could limit Lamar Advertising’s distributions to its stockholders. If these limits prevent Lamar Advertising from satisfying its REIT distribution requirements, it could fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT. If these limits do not jeopardize its qualification for taxation as a REIT but do nevertheless prevent it from distributing 100% of its REIT taxable income, it will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and potentially a nondeductible excise tax, on the retained amounts.

Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries may be required to borrow funds, sell assets, or raise equity to satisfy its REIT distribution requirements or maintain the asset tests.

In order to meet the REIT distribution requirements and maintain its qualification and taxation as a REIT and avoid corporate income taxes, Lamar Advertising and/or its subsidiaries, including Lamar Media, may need to borrow funds, sell assets or raise equity, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings, sales or offerings. Any insufficiency of its cash flows to cover Lamar Advertising’s REIT distribution requirements could adversely impact its ability to raise short- and long-term debt, to sell assets, or to offer equity securities in order to fund distributions required to maintain its qualification and taxation as a REIT and avoid corporate income taxes. Furthermore, the REIT distribution requirements may increase the financing Lamar Advertising needs to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives. This would increase its total leverage.

In addition, if Lamar Advertising fails to comply with certain asset tests at the end of any calendar quarter, it must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing its REIT qualification. As a result, it may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments. These actions may reduce its income and amounts available for distribution to its stockholders.

Our cash distributions are not guaranteed and may fluctuate.

A REIT generally is required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. The Company may have available NOLs that could reduce or substantially eliminate its REIT taxable income, and thus it may not be required to distribute material amounts of cash to qualify for taxation as a REIT. The Company expects that, for the foreseeable future, it may utilize available NOLs to reduce its REIT taxable income.

The board of directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, will determine on a quarterly basis the amount of cash to be distributed to its stockholders based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the Company’s results of operations, cash flow and capital requirements, economic conditions, tax considerations, borrowing capacity and other factors, including debt covenant restrictions that may impose limitations on cash payments, future acquisitions and divestitures, any stock repurchase program, and general market demand for its advertising space available for lease. Consequently, the Company’s distribution levels may fluctuate.

 

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Complying with REIT requirements may cause Lamar Advertising, its subsidiaries (other than TRSs) to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.

To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Lamar Advertising must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of its income, the nature and diversification of its assets, the amounts it distributes to its stockholders and the ownership of Lamar Advertising common stock. For these purposes, Lamar Advertising is treated as owning the assets of and receiving or accruing the income of its subsidiaries (other than TRSs). Thus, compliance with these tests will require Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries to refrain from certain activities and may hinder their ability to make certain attractive investments, including investments in the businesses to be conducted by TRSs, and to that extent limit their opportunities. Furthermore, acquisition opportunities in domestic and international markets may be adversely affected if Lamar Advertising needs or requires the target company to comply with some REIT requirements prior to closing.

Ownership limitations contained in the Lamar Advertising charter may restrict stockholders from acquiring or transferring certain amounts of shares.

In order for Lamar Advertising to remain qualified as a REIT, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of its stock may be owned, directly or indirectly or through application of certain attribution rules, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). To preserve its REIT qualification, the Lamar Advertising charter generally prohibits any person or entity from owning actually and by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Lamar Advertising common stock. These ownership limitations could restrict stockholders from acquiring or transferring certain amounts of shares of its stock. The Lamar Advertising charter also provides a separate share ownership limitation for certain members of the Reilly family and their affiliates that allows them to own actually and by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions no more than 19% of the outstanding shares of Lamar Advertising common stock and, during the second half of any taxable year other than its first taxable year as a REIT, no more than 33% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of its stock, in each case excluding any shares of its stock that are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes.

The Lamar Advertising charter, the Lamar Advertising bylaws and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover that stockholders consider favorable and could also limit the market price of Lamar Advertising stock.

Provisions of the Lamar Advertising charter, the Lamar Advertising bylaws and applicable provisions of Delaware law may make it more difficult for or prevent a third party from acquiring control of Lamar Advertising without the approval of the board of directors. These provisions:

In addition, Section 203 of the DGCL generally limits the Company’s ability to engage in any business combination with certain persons who own 15% or more of its outstanding voting stock or any of its associates or affiliates who at any time in the past three years have owned 15% or more of its outstanding voting stock.

These provisions may have the effect of entrenching the Company’s management team and may deprive you of the opportunity to sell your shares to potential acquirers at a premium over prevailing prices. This potential inability to obtain a control premium could reduce the price of Lamar Advertising common stock.

Changes to the Code, such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, could have a negative effect on Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries including Lamar’s ability to deduct the full amount of its significant interest expense.

 

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”). The TCJA makes major changes to the Code, including a number of provisions of the Code that affect the taxation of REITs and their

 

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stockholders. Among the changes made by the TCJA are permanently reducing the generally applicable corporate tax rate, generally reducing the tax rate applicable to individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, eliminating or modifying certain previously allowed deductions (including substantially limiting interest deductibility and, for individuals, the deduction for non-business state and local taxes). The TCJA also imposes new limitations on the deduction of net operating losses, which may result in Lamar Advertising having to make additional distributions in order to comply with REIT distribution requirements or avoid taxes on retained income and gains. The effect of the significant changes made by the TCJA is highly uncertain, and administrative guidance will be required in order to fully evaluate the effect of many provisions. The effect of any technical corrections with respect to the TCJA could have an adverse effect on us, Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries and shareholders.

 

Additionally, the TCJA may potentially limit Lamar Advertising’s ability to deduct the full amount of its interest expense.  For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, interest deductions for businesses with average annual gross receipts of over $25 million are capped at 30% of the business’ “adjusted taxable income” plus business interest income pursuant to the TCJA. In calculating “adjusted taxable income” for these purposes, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2022, this is computed without regard to deductions allowable for depreciation, amortization, or depletion (EBITDA). For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, “adjusted taxable income” is calculated by taking deductions allowable for depreciation, amortization, or depletion into account (EBIT). This limitation, however, does not apply to an “electing real property trade or business.” As a REIT, Lamar Advertising would generally constitute a real property trade or businesses, and thus would retain the ability to fully deduct interest expenses if it makes such an election. However, an entity making such an election must use a longer depreciation cost recovery period for its property. Lamar Advertising has not made such an election at this time but may do so in the future.

Further legislative changes or other actions affecting REITs could have a negative effect on Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries.

At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative and judicial interpretations of those laws may be amended or interpreted in a different manner. Federal and state tax laws are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and state taxing authorities. Additional changes to the tax laws, regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, which may have retroactive application, could adversely affect Lamar Advertising and its subsidiaries. The Company cannot predict with certainty whether, when, in what forms, or with what effective dates, the tax laws, regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations applicable to Lamar Advertising may be changed. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you that any such change will not significantly affect Lamar Advertising’s ability to qualify for taxation as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences to it of such qualification.

The ability of the board of directors of Lamar Advertising to revoke its REIT election, without stockholder approval, may cause adverse consequences to its stockholders.

The Lamar Advertising charter provides that the board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the REIT election, without the approval of its stockholders, if the board determines that it is no longer in the Company’s best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. If the Company ceases to be a REIT, it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and state and local corporate taxes, which may have adverse consequences on its total return to its stockholders.

None.

Our management headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We also own 128 local operating facilities with front office administration and sales office space connected to back-shop poster and bulletin production space. In addition, the Company leases an additional 134 operating facilities at an aggregate lease expense for 2018 of approximately $7.7 million.

We own over 7,600 parcels of property beneath our outdoor advertising structures. As of December 31, 2018, we leased over 73,300 active outdoor sites, accounting for a total annual lease expense of approximately $267.4 million. This amount represented approximately 19% of billboard advertising net revenues for that period. These leases are for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to a term of over ten years, and many provide the Company with renewal options. There is no significant concentration of displays under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord. An important part of our management activity is to manage our lease portfolio and negotiate suitable lease renewals and extensions.

 

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The Company from time to time is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, including disputes involving advertising contracts, site leases, employment claims and construction matters. The Company is also involved in routine administrative and judicial proceedings regarding billboard permits, fees and compensation for condemnations. The Company is not a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

The Company’s Class A common stock has been publicly traded since August 2, 1996 and is currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “LAMR.” As of December 31, 2018, the Class A common stock was held by 101 shareholders of record. The Company believes, however, that the actual number of beneficial holders of the Class A common stock may be substantially greater than the stated number of holders of record because a substantial portion of the Class A common stock is held in street name.

 

The Company’s Class B common stock is not publicly traded and is held of record by members of the Reilly family and the Reilly Family Limited Partnership (the “RFLP”). Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., our President and Chairman of the Board, is the managing general partner of the RFLP and Sean E. Reilly, our Chief Executive Officer, and Wendell Reilly and Anna Reilly, each of whom is a member of our board of directors are also general partners in the RFLP.

The Company’s Series AA preferred stock is entitled to preferential dividends, in an annual aggregate amount of $364,904, before any dividends may be paid on the common stock. All dividends related to the Company’s preferred stock are paid on a quarterly basis. In addition, the Company’s senior credit facility and other indebtedness have terms restricting the payment of dividends.

Dividends

As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our common stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we expect to distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income to avoid being subject to income tax or excise tax on undistributed REIT taxable income. The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt instruments, our ability to utilize net operating losses (“NOLs”) to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

 

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Lamar Advertising Company

The selected consolidated statement of income, statement of cash flows and balance sheet data presented below are derived from the year ended December 31 audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included herein.

 

 

 

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This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including those described in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this Annual Report, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes.

OVERVIEW

The Company’s net revenues are derived primarily from the rental of advertising space on outdoor advertising displays owned and operated by the Company. Revenue growth is based on many factors that include the Company’s ability to increase occupancy of its existing advertising displays; raise advertising rates; and acquire new advertising displays and its operating results are therefore affected by general economic conditions, as well as trends in the advertising industry. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, which affect the rates the Company is able to charge for advertising on its displays and its ability to maximize advertising sales or occupancy on its displays.

Historically, the Company has made strategic acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets to increase the number of outdoor advertising displays it operates in existing and new markets. The Company continues to evaluate and pursue strategic acquisition opportunities as they arise. The Company has financed its historical acquisitions and intends to finance any future acquisition activity from available cash, borrowings under its senior credit facility or the issuance of debt or equity securities. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources-Sources of Cash,” for more information. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company completed acquisitions for a total cash purchase price of approximately $477.4 million.  See “Uses of Cash-Acquisitions,” for more information.

The Company’s business requires expenditures for maintenance and capitalized costs associated with the construction of new billboard displays, the entrance into and renewal of logo sign and transit contracts, and the purchase of real estate and operating equipment. The following table presents a breakdown of capitalized expenditures for the past three years:

 

 

We expect our 2019 capital expenditures to approximate our 2018 spending.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Our management reviews our performance by focusing on several key performance indicators not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We believe these non-GAAP performance indicators are meaningful supplemental measures of our operating performance and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Included in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations (“FFO”), as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) and acquisition-adjusted net revenue.

 

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We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before income tax expense (benefit), interest expense (income), gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and investments, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization and gain or loss on disposition of assets and investments.

FFO is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate assets and investments and real estate related depreciation and amortization and including adjustments to eliminate non-controlling interest.

We define AFFO as FFO before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) non-cash tax expense (benefit); (iv) non-real estate related depreciation and amortization; (v) amortization of deferred financing and debt issuance costs, (vi) loss on extinguishment of debt; (vii) non-recurring infrequent or unusual losses (gains); (viii) less maintenance capital expenditures; and (ix) an adjustment for non-controlling interest.

Acquisition-adjusted net revenue adjusts our net revenue for the prior period by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets before our acquisition of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the current period. In calculating acquisition-adjusted revenue, therefore, we include revenue generated by assets that we did not own in the period but acquired in the current period. We refer to the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the prior period that corresponds with the current period in which we owned the assets (to the extent within the period to which this report relates) as “acquisition net revenue”. In addition, we also adjust the prior period to subtract revenue generated by the assets that have been divested since the prior period and, therefore, no revenue derived from those assets is reflected in the current period.

Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Neither FFO nor AFFO represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for purposes of decision making and for evaluating our core operating results; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the industry to measure operating performance as depreciation and amortization may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (3) acquisition-adjusted net revenue is a supplement to net revenue to enable investors to compare period over period results on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions and divestures, which reflects our core performance and organic growth (if any) during the period in which the assets were owned and managed by us; (4) Adjusted EBITDA, FFO and AFFO each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (5) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies.

Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, AFFO and acquisition-adjusted net revenue to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included herein.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

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Year ended December 31, 2018 compared to Year ended December 31, 2017

Net revenues increased $86.0 million or 5.6% to $1.627 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $1.541 billion for the same period in 2017. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in billboard net revenues of $72.6 million or 5.4% over the prior period, which is primarily related to the integration of outdoor assets acquired during 2017 and 2018, and the addition of over 250 digital displays during the year ended December 31, 2018.  In addition, logo sign revenue increased $1.5 million, which represents an increase of 1.8% over the prior period.  Transit revenue increased $11.9 million, which represents an increase of 10.1% over the prior period, primarily due to several new transit and airport markets acquired in 2017 and 2018.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2017, increased $53.1 million, or 3.4%. The $53.1 million increase in revenue primarily consisted of a $45.1 million increase in billboard revenue primarily due to increases in digital and political revenue, a $1.1 million increase in logo revenue and a $6.8 million increase in transit revenue over the acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the comparable period in 2017. See “Reconciliations” below.

Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and loss (gain) on disposition of assets, increased $54.7 million, or 6.2% to $934.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $879.5 million in the same period in 2017. The $54.7 million increase over the prior year is comprised of a $19.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a $34.9 million increase in total direct, general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) primarily related to the operations of our outdoor advertising assets.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.2 million to $225.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $211.1 million for the same period in 2017, primarily related to the addition of approximately $774.7 million of assets acquired through acquisitions during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a loss on disposition of assets of $7.2 million primarily related to the $7.8 million loss recognized on the sale of our Puerto Rico assets which closed on April 16, 2018.

Due primarily to the above factors, operating income increased $5.2 million to $460.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $455.4 million for the same period in 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a $15.4 million loss on debt extinguishment related to Lamar Media’s prepayment of its 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022.  The $15.4 million loss is comprised of a cash redemption premium of $9.8 million and a non-cash write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of approximately $5.6 million.  See “Uses of Cash” for more information.

Interest expense increased $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $129.7 million as compared to $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The increase in interest expense is primarily related to the increased debt outstanding as compared to the same period in 2017.

The increase in operating income offset by the increases in loss on extinguishment of debt and interest expense over the comparable period in 2017, resulted in a $11.0 million decrease in net income before income taxes. The Company recognized $10.7 million in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 is approximately 3.4%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $305.2 million, as compared to net income of $317.7 million for the same period in 2017.

Reconciliations:

Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2016 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2017 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 by adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2018.

Reconciliations of 2017 reported net revenue to 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as a comparison of 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2018 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018, are provided below:

 

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Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue

 

Key Performance Indicators

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 7.6% to $722.5 million. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of $65.0 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $13.9 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/FFO/AFFO

(in thousands)

 

 

 

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FFO for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $527.0 million as compared to FFO of $513.0 million for the same period in 2017. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 9.7% to $544.5 million as compared to $496.3 million for the same period in 2017. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization), offset by increases in general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock based compensation expense).

Year ended December 31, 2017 compared to Year ended December 31, 2016

Net revenues increased $41.0 million or 2.7% to $1.541 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $1.500 billion for the same period in 2016. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in billboard net revenues of $28.6 million or 2.2% over the prior period, which is primarily related to the integration of outdoor assets acquired during 2016 and 2017, and the addition of approximately 275 digital displays during the year ended December 31, 2017.  In addition, logo sign revenue increased $2.4 million, which represents an increase of 3.0% over the prior period.  Transit revenue increased $10.0 million, which represents an increase of 9.3% over the prior period, primarily due to several new transit and airport markets acquired in 2017.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2016, increased $15.5 million, or 1.0%. The $15.5 million increase in revenue primarily consisted of an $8.3 million increase in billboard revenue, a $3.1 million increase in logo revenue and a $4.1 million increase in transit revenue over the acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the comparable period in 2016. See “Reconciliations” below.

Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $8.1 million or 0.9% to $879.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The $8.1 million increase over the prior year is comprised of a $22.1 million increase in operating expenses related to the operations of our outdoor advertising assets, partially offset by a decrease in corporate expenses of $14.0 million primarily due to a reduction in stock-based compensation of $15.1 million over the same period in 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to depreciation and amortization on the assets acquired during 2016 and 2017.

Gain on disposition of assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased $10.4 million over the same period in 2016.  The $10.4 million decrease is comprised of a $6.2 million decrease in non-cash gains recognized for acquisition swap transactions in 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016, approximately $1.0 million of losses in Puerto Rico related to hurricane Maria in the fourth quarter of 2017 and a $2.8 million decrease in gains related to various transactions of inventory sold during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.

Due primarily to the above factors, operating income increased $16.3 million to $455.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $439.0 million for the same period in 2016.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a $0.1 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to the amendment of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility as compared to a $3.2 million loss on debt extinguishment recognized in 2016 related to the prepayment of Lamar Media’s Term A-1 loan under its senior credit facility.

Interest expense increased approximately $4.7 million from $123.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of increased debt outstanding due to the refinancing of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility in 2017. See —“Uses of Cash “for more information.

The increase in operating income and decrease in loss on extinguishment of debt, offset by the increase in interest expense over the comparable period in 2016, resulted in a $14.7 million increase in net income before income taxes. The Company recognized $9.2 million in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 is approximately 2.8%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $317.7 million, as compared to net income of $298.8 million for the same period in 2016.

Reconciliations:

Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2015 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2016 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 by

 

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adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Reconciliations of 2016 reported net revenue to 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 as well as a comparison of 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2017 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, are provided below:

Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 2.1% to $671.4 million. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of $25.7 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $11.7 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

 

 

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Net Income/FFO/AFFO

(in thousands)

 

 

FFO for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $513.0 million as compared to FFO of $475.6 million for the same period in 2016. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 1.5% to $496.3 million as compared to $488.9 million for the same period in 2016. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization), offset by increases in general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock based compensation expense) and maintenance capitalized expenditures.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

The Company has historically satisfied its working capital requirements with cash from operations and borrowings under its senior credit facility. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., is the principal borrower under the senior credit facility and maintains all corporate operating cash balances. Any cash requirements of the Company, therefore, must be funded by distributions from Lamar Media.

Sources of Cash

Total Liquidity at December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018 we had approximately $178.3 million of total liquidity, which is comprised of approximately $21.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $156.8 million of availability under the revolving portion of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility. We are currently in compliance with the maintenance covenant included in the senior credit facility, and we would remain in compliance after giving effect to borrowing the full amount available to us under the revolving portion of the senior credit facility.

Cash Generated by Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 our cash provided by operating activities was $ 564.8 million, $507.0 million and $521.8 million, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 over the same period in 2017 relates to an increase in revenues offset by increases in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) and a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities. We generated cash flows from operations during 2018 in excess of our cash needs for operations and capital expenditures as described herein. We used the excess cash generated principally to pay dividends and fund our acquisitions. See — “Cash Flows” for more information.

 

Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.  On December 18, 2018, we entered into the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. The Accounts Receivable Securitization Program provides up to $175.0 million in borrowing capacity, plus an accordion

feature that would permit the borrowing capacity to be increased by up to $125.0 million. Borrowing capacity under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program is limited to the availability of eligible accounts receivable collateralizing the borrowings under the

 

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agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. In connection with the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, Lamar Media and certain of its subsidiaries (such subsidiaries, the “Subsidiary Originators”) sell and/ or contribute their existing and future accounts receivable and certain related assets to one of two special purpose subsidiaries, Lamar QRS Receivables, LLC (the “QRS SPV”) and Lamar TRS Receivables, LLC (the “TRS SPV” and together with the QRS SPV the “Special Purpose Subsidiaries”), each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lamar Media. Existing and future accounts receivable relating to Lamar Media and its qualified REIT subsidiaries will be sold and/ or contributed to the QRS SPV and existing and future accounts receivable relating to Lamar Media’s taxable REIT subsidiaries will be sold and/ or contributed to the TRS SPV.  Each of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries has granted the lenders party to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program a security interest in all of its assets, which consist of the accounts receivable and related assets sold or contributed to them, as described above, in order to secure the obligations of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries under the agreements governing the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.  Pursuant to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, Lamar Media has agreed to service the accounts receivable on behalf of the two Special Purpose Subsidiaries for a fee. Lamar Media has also agreed to guaranty its performance in its capacity as servicer and originator, as well as the performance of the Subsidiary Originators, of their obligations under the agreements governing the Account Receivable Securitization Program. None of Lamar Media, the Subsidiary Originators or the Special Purpose Subsidiaries guarantees the collectability of the receivables under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program. In addition, each of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled to access the assets of such Special Purpose Subsidiary before the assets become available to Lamar Media.  Accordingly, the assets of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries are not available to pay creditors of Lamar Media or any of its subsidiaries, although collections from receivables in excess of the amounts required to repay the lenders and the other creditors of the Special Purpose Subsidiaries may be remitted to Lamar Media.  

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, there were $175.0 million of outstanding aggregate borrowings under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program at a borrowing rate of approximately 3.4%.

 

“At-the-Market” Offering Program. On May 1, 2018, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as our sales agents (each a “Sales Agent”, and collectively, the “Sales Agents”).  Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $400.0 million through the Sales Agents as either agents or principals.  Sales of the Class A Common Stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Global Select Market and any other existing trading market for the Class A Common Stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.  The Company has no obligation to sell any of the Class A Common Stock under the Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Sales Agreement.  The Company intends to use the net proceeds, if any, from the sale of the Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment, refinancing, redemption or repurchase of existing indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures, acquisition of outdoor advertising assets and businesses and other related investments.   During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $27.5 million and $42.8 million, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $27.0 million and $42.1 million, in exchange for ‎issuing 362,726 and 576,002 shares of its Class A common stock under this program, respectively. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, the aggregate ‎commissions paid to the sales agent was approximately $0.4 and $0.6 million, respectively. ‎

 

Shelf Registration Statement. On August 6, 2018, we filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement (No. 333-226614) that registered the offer and sale of an indeterminate amount of additional shares of our Class A common stock.  On August 23, 2018, we filed a prospectus supplement to the shelf registration statement relating to the offer and resale of 163,137 shares of Class A common stock previously issued in connection with an acquisition.  We may issue additional shares under the shelf registration statement in the future in connection with future acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes.

 

Sale of Puerto Rico Operations. On April 16, 2018, the Company sold substantially all of its operating assets in Puerto Rico to B-Billboard BB LLC and B-Billboard BG LLC which resulted in a loss on disposition of assets of approximately $7.8 million.

 

Credit Facilities. On May 15, 2017, Lamar Media entered into a Third Restatement Agreement (“Restatement Agreement”) with the Company, certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto, under which the parties agreed to amend and restate Lamar Media’s existing senior credit facility. The Restatement Agreement amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 3, 2014, as amended, which consisted of a $400.0 million revolving credit facility and a $300.0 million Term A loan facility. ‎

 

Lamar Media’s Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 15, 2017 (as amended, the “senior credit facility”) originally consisted of (i) a new $450.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility which will mature on May 15, 2022

 

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(the “revolving credit facility”), (ii) a new $450.0 million Term A loan facility (the “Term A loans”)  which will mature on May 15, 2022, and (iii) an incremental facility (the “Incremental Facility”) pursuant to which Lamar Media may incur additional term loan tranches or increase its revolving credit facility subject to pro forma compliance with the secured debt ratio financial maintenance covenant described under “Restrictions under Senior Credit Facility.” Lamar Media borrowed all $450.0 million in Term A loans on May 15, 2017.  The Term A loans began amortizing on September 30, 2017 in quarterly installments, as set forth therein, with the remainder payable at maturity. The net proceeds from the Term A loans, together with borrowing under the revolving portion of senior credit facility and cash on hand, were used to repay all outstanding amounts under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and all revolving commitments under that facility were terminated.

 

On March 16, 2018, Lamar Media entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 15, 2017, with Lamar Advertising, certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and the lenders named therein, under which the parties agreed to amend the existing senior credit facility to establish a new $600.0 million Term B Loan Facility, which will mature on March 16, 2025.  The Term B loan began amortizing on June 30, 2018 in equal quarterly installments of $1.5 million with the remainder payable at maturity.  Lamar Media borrowed the full amount of the Term B loan on March 16, 2018.  The proceeds from the Term B loan, together with available cash on hand were used to redeem in full Lamar Media’s 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022.  See Uses of Cash for more information.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the senior credit facility consisted of (i) the revolving credit facility, (ii) the Term A loans, (iii) the Term B loans and (iv) the Incremental Facility.  As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate balance outstanding under the senior credit facility was $1.28 billion, consisting of $413.7 million outstanding in Term A loans, $589.2 million in Term B loans and $276.7 million of revolving credit loans under the revolving credit facility.  In addition, at December 31, 2018, Lamar Media had approximately $156.8 million of unused capacity under the revolving credit facility.

 

On January 17, 2019, Lamar Media entered into an incremental amendment to the senior credit facility to include $100.0 million in additional revolving commitments, thereby increasing the total borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility to $550.0 million.  

Note Offerings. On February 1, 2019, Lamar Media issued $250 million in aggregate principle amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 through an institutional private placement (the “New Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes to the existing $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 that Lamar issued on January 28, 2016 (the “Existing Notes”).  Other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price and CUSIP number, the New Notes have the same terms as the Existing Notes.  Once the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act and exchanged for exchange notes or become freely tradable under Rule 144, Lamar Media expects that the New Notes and the Existing Notes will share a single CUSIP number and thereafter be fungible.  The net proceeds after underwriting fees and expenses, was approximately $251.5 million and were used to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

On January 28, 2016, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026. The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media, after payment of fees and expenses of approximately $394.5 million. Lamar Media used the proceeds of this offering to repay the $300.0 million Term A-1 loan, which it borrowed on January 7, 2016 in order to fund the acquisition of certain assets of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., and a portion of the borrowing outstanding under its revolving credit facility.  On September 1, 2016, Lamar Media completed an exchange offer for all of its then outstanding 5 3/4% Senior Notes, which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 5 3/4% Senior Notes that were so registered.  Lamar Media did not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity

Internally Generated Funds. The key factors affecting internally generated cash flow are general economic conditions, specific economic conditions in the markets where the Company conducts its business and overall spending on advertising by advertisers.

Credit Facilities and Other Debt Securities. The Company and Lamar Media must comply with certain covenants and restrictions related to the senior credit facility, its outstanding debt securities and its Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.

 

Restrictions under Debt Securities. The Company and Lamar Media must comply with certain covenants and restrictions related to its outstanding debt securities. As of December 31, 2018, Lamar Media had outstanding $535 million 5% Senior Subordinated Notes issued in October 2012 (the “5% Senior Subordinated Notes”), $510 million 5 3/8% Senior Notes issued in January 2014 (the “5 3/8% Senior Notes”) and the $400 million 5 3/4% Senior Notes issued in January 2016 (the “5 3/4% Senior Notes”).   Lamar Media issued an additional $250 million of 5 3/4% Senior Notes on February 1, 2019.

 

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The indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict its ability to incur additional indebtedness but permit the incurrence of indebtedness (including indebtedness under the senior credit facility), (i) if no default or event of default would result from such incurrence and (ii) if after giving effect to any such incurrence, the leverage ratio (defined as the sum of (x) total consolidated debt plus (y) the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred stock of Lamar Media’s restricted subsidiaries to trailing four fiscal quarter EBITDA (as defined in the indentures)) would be less than 7.0 to 1. Currently, Lamar Media is not in default under the indentures of any of its outstanding notes and, therefore, would be permitted to incur additional indebtedness subject to the foregoing provision.

In addition to debt incurred under the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes permit Lamar Media to incur indebtedness pursuant to the following baskets:

Restrictions under Senior Credit Facility. Lamar Media is required to comply with certain covenants and restrictions under the senior credit facility. If the Company or Lamar Media fails to comply with these tests, the lenders under the senior credit facility will be entitled to exercise certain remedies, including the termination of the lending commitments and the acceleration of the debt payments under the senior credit facility. At December 31, 2018, and currently, we were in compliance with all such tests under the senior credit facility.

Lamar Media must maintain a secured debt ratio, defined as total consolidated secured debt of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries, minus the lesser of (x) $150 million and (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Subsidiaries (as defined above under “Sources of Cash-Accounts Receivable Securitization Program)) to EBITDA, as defined below, for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, of less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0.

Lamar Media is restricted from incurring additional indebtedness subject to exceptions, one of which is that it may incur additional indebtedness not exceeding the greater of $250.0 million and 6% of its total assets.

Lamar Media is also restricted from incurring additional unsecured senior indebtedness under certain circumstances unless, after giving effect to the incurrence of such indebtedness, it is in compliance with the secured debt ratio covenant and its senior debt ratio, defined as (a) total consolidated debt (excluding subordinated debt) of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries as of any date minus the lesser of (i) $150 million and (ii) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Subsidiaries (as defined above under “Sources of Cash-Accounts Receivable Securitization Program)) to (b) EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters then ended is less than 4.5 to 1.0.

Lamar Media is also restricted from incurring additional subordinated indebtedness under certain circumstances unless, after giving effect to the incurrence of such indebtedness, it is in compliance with the secured debt ratio covenant and its total debt ratio, defined as (a) total consolidated debt (including subordinated debt) of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries as of any date minus the lesser of (i) $150 million and (ii) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Subsidiaries) to (b) EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters then ended, is less than 6.5 to 1.0.

Under the senior credit facility, “EBITDA” means, for any period, operating income for Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) for such period (calculated (A) before (i) taxes, (ii) interest expense, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) any other non-cash income or charges accrued for such period, (vi) charges and expenses in connection with the senior credit facility, any actual or proposed acquisition, disposition or investment (excluding, in each case, purchases and sales of advertising space and operating assets in the ordinary course of business) and any actual or proposed offering of securities, incurrence or repayment of indebtedness (or amendment to any agreement relating to indebtedness), including any refinancing thereof, or recapitalization and (vii) any loss or gain relating to amounts paid or earned in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any swap agreement that has been reflected in operating income for such period) and (B) after giving effect to the amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating

 

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improvements or synergies projected by Lamar Media in good faith to be realized as a result of any acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition within 18 months of any such acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such action; provided, (a) the aggregate amount for all such cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies will not exceed an amount equal to 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four quarter period and (b) any such adjustment to EBITDA may only take into account cost savings, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies that are (I) directly attributable to such acquisition, investment, merger, amalgamation or disposition, (II) expected to have a continuing impact on Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries and (III) factually supportable, in each case all as certified by the chief financial officer of Lamar Media) on behalf of Lamar Media, and excluding (except to the extent received or paid in cash by Lamar Advertising, Lamar Media or any of its restricted subsidiaries income or loss attributable to equity in affiliates for such period), excluding any extraordinary and unusual gains or losses during such period, and excluding the proceeds of any casualty events and dispositions. For purposes hereof, the effect thereon of any adjustments required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R shall be excluded.  If during any period for which EBITDA is being determined, Lamar Media has consummated any acquisition or disposition, EBITDA will be determined on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition or disposition had been made or consummated on the first day of such period.

The Company believes that its current level of cash on hand, availability under the senior credit facility and future cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet its operating needs through fiscal 2019. All debt obligations are reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

Restrictions under Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.  The agreements governing the Account Receivable Securitization Program contain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and termination event provisions, including but not limited to those providing for the acceleration of amounts owed under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program if, among other things, the Special Purpose Subsidiaries fail to make payments when due, Lamar Media, the Subsidiary Originators or the Special Purpose Subsidiaries become insolvent or subject to bankruptcy proceedings or certain judicial judgments, breach certain representations and warranties or covenants or default under other material indebtedness, a change of control occurs, or if Lamar Media fails to maintain the maximum secured debt ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 required under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility.

Uses of Cash

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures excluding acquisitions were approximately $117.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. We anticipate our 2019 total capital expenditures will closely approximate our 2018 spending.

Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company completed over 30 acquisitions for a total purchase price of approximately $489.7 million, which included the acquisition of more than 9,300 billboard displays across various markets.  The acquisitions occurring during the year ended December 31, 2018 were financed using available cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, borrowings under its Accounts Receivable Securitization Program and the issuance of 163,137 share of Class A Common Stock.

Note Redemption. On March 19, 2018, the Company used proceeds from the Term B loan, together with cash on hand, to redeem in full all $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Lamar Media’s 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 and repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under Lamar Media’s revolving credit facility.  The notes were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 101.958% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date.  The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $15.4 million related to this redemption which is comprised of a $9.8 million prepayment penalty and a $5.6 million non-cash write off of unamortized deferred financing costs.  See Sources of Cash-Credit Facility for more information.

Term Loans. The Term A loans mature on May 15, 2022 and the Term B loans mature on March 16, 2025.  The remaining quarterly installments scheduled to be paid on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 are as follows:

 

 

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The Term Loans bear interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar term loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate term loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.75%; (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.50% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1 for Term A loans only). Base Rate  term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.75% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.50% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1 for Term A loans only). The revolving credit facility bears interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar revolving loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate revolving loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar revolving loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.25% (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.00% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1; or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). Base Rate revolving loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.25% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.0% at any time the total debt ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1, or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). The guarantees, covenants, events of default and other terms of the senior credit facility apply to the Term A and B loans and revolving credit facility.

Dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company declared distributions of $361.1 million or $3.65 per share of common stock.  The Company paid distributions of $442.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, which includes the January 2, 2018 distribution declared in November 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company declared distributions of $325.5 million or $3.32 per share of common stock, including paid distributions of $243.9 million or $2.49 per share of common stock. On January 2, 2018, the Company paid its quarterly distribution declared on November 28, 2017 of $0.83 per share to its stockholders of record of its Class A common stock and Class B common stock on December 18, 2017, for approximately $81.5 million.

The Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses to offset, in whole or in part, the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Debt Service and Contractual Obligations. As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding debt of approximately $2.889 billion. In the future, Lamar Media has principal reduction obligations and revolver commitment reductions under the senior credit facility. In addition, it has fixed commercial commitments. These commitments are detailed on a contractual basis as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

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Cash Flows

The Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $57.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily resulting from an increase in revenues of approximately $86.0 million and a decrease in operating net assets of $7.3 million,  offset by increases in operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) of approximately $34.9 million, as compared to the comparable period in 2017.

Cash flows used in investing activities increased $184.0 million from $400.1 million in 2017 to $584.1 million in 2018 primarily due to an increase in acquisition activity of $180.1 million, as compared to the same period in 2017.

The Company’s cash flows used in financing activities was $73.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared $28.6 million in 2017.  This increase in cash used in financing activities of $45.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 is primarily due to increases in proceeds from financing transactions during the year, offset by increases in cash paid for dividends and distributions over the comparable period in 2017.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to intangible assets, goodwill impairment and asset retirement obligations. We base our estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events and, where applicable, established valuation techniques. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from our estimates. We believe that the following significant accounting policies and assumptions may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than others.

Intangible Assets. The Company has significant intangible assets recorded on its balance sheet. Intangible assets primarily represent site locations of $806.0 million and customer relationships of $95.4 million associated with the Company’s acquisitions. The fair values of intangible assets recorded are determined using discounted cash flow models that require management to make assumptions related to future operating results, including projecting net revenue growth discounted using current cost of capital rates, of each acquisition and the anticipated future economic environment. If actual results differ from management’s assumptions, an impairment of these intangibles may exist and a charge to income would be made in the period such impairment is determined. Historically no impairment charge has been required with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.

Goodwill Impairment. The Company has a significant amount of goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet and must perform an impairment test of goodwill annually or on a more frequent basis if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We have identified two reporting units (Logo operations and Billboard operations) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 and no changes have been made to our reporting units from the prior period.

 

In our annual or interim measurement for impairment of goodwill, the Company conducts a qualitative assessment by examining relevant events and circumstances that could have a negative impact on the Company’s goodwill, which include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, reporting unit dispositions and acquisitions, the market capitalization of the Company and other relevant events specific to the Company. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances described above, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of either of the Company's reporting units is less than its carrying amount, the Company will perform a quantitative impairment test. If impairment is indicated as a result of the quantitative impairment test, a goodwill impairment charge would be recorded to write the goodwill down to its implied fair value.  Based on the goodwill impairment analysis performed on December 31, 2018, we determined that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the carrying value and no impairment charge was recorded.

Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company had an asset retirement obligation of $223.0 million as of December 31, 2018. This liability relates to the Company’s obligation upon the termination or non-renewal of a lease to dismantle and remove its billboard structures from the leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition. The Company records the present value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred. The liability is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset’s carrying amount. Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the expected useful life of the related asset. In calculating the liability, the Company calculates the present value of the estimated cost to dismantle using an average cost to dismantle, adjusted for inflation and market risk.

 

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This calculation includes 100% of the Company’s billboard structures on leased land (which currently consist of approximately 74,500 structures). The Company uses a 15-year retirement period based on historical operating experience in its core markets, including the actual time that billboard structures have been located on leased land in such markets and the actual length of the leases in the core markets, which includes the initial term of the lease, plus consideration of any renewal period. Historical third-party cost information is used to estimate the cost of dismantling of the structures and the reclamation of the site. The interest rate used to calculate the present value of such costs over the retirement period is based on the Company’s historical credit-adjusted risk free rate.

 

Acquisitions. The Company accounts for transactions that meet the definition of a business and group asset purchases as acquisitions.  For transactions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company allocates the purchase price, including any contingent consideration, to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition with any excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. For transactions that meet the definition of asset group purchases, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition.  If a transaction is determined to be a group of assets, any direct acquisition costs are capitalized. Transaction costs for transactions determined to be a business combination are expensed as incurred.

 

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset, adjusted for an estimated reduction in fair value due to age of the asset, and the economic useful life. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future cash flows. The determination of the final purchase price and the acquisition-date fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed may extend over more than one period and result in adjustments to the preliminary estimate recognized in the prior period financial statements.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND REGULATORY UPDATE

Revenue. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (Codified as ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it became effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the cumulative effect transition method. The Company did not have an adjustment to its opening balance of retained earnings for the adoption of this update.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

The new standard was effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We also expect to elect the use of hindsight and the practical expedient pertaining to land easements. We expect to elect all of the new standard’s available transition practical expedients.

We expect that this standard will have a material effect on our financial statements. While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the most significant effects relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for our billboard, logo, building and vehicle operating leases; (2) reclassification within our balance

 

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sheet of current asset prepaid operating lease balances to be a reduction of our lease liabilities and; (3) providing significant new disclosures about our leasing activities.

On adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional operating liabilities exceeding $1.1 billion, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for our existing operating leases.

 

The new standard also provides practical expedients for a company’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for our vehicle leases. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities.  This includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition.

 

Other recently released pronouncements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The update is designed to simplify accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  The update clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted.  The Company adopted the update for the period ended December 31, 2016.  The update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the definition of a business.  The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods.  Early adoption is allowed for transactions in which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendment, but only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company adopted the update for transactions that occurred on or after October 1, 2016. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how a company completes its goodwill impairment test by eliminating the two-step process, which requires determining the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. The update requires completing the goodwill impairment test by comparing the difference between the reporting unit’s carrying value and fair value.  Goodwill charges, if any, would be determined by reducing the goodwill balance by the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value.  The update is effective for annual and interim fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on or after January 1, 2017.  The Company adopted this update beginning with its December 31, 2017 goodwill impairment test.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). The update is to clarify when certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606 and when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account. The update also adds unit-of-account guidance in Topic 808 and requires that a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to a third party, and is presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under Topic 606 is precluded if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The update is effective for annual and interim fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted.  The Company does not believe this update will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Lamar Media for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media and the related notes.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2018 compared to Year ended December 31, 2017

Net revenues increased $86.0 million or 5.6% to $1.627 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $1.541 billion for the same period in 2017. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in billboard net revenues of $72.6 million or 5.4% over the prior period, which is primarily related to the integration of outdoor assets acquired during 2017 and 2018, and the addition of over 250 digital displays during the year ended December 31, 2018.  In addition, logo sign revenue increased $1.5 million, which represents an increase of 1.8% over the prior period.  Transit revenue increased $11.9 million, which represents an increase of 10.1% over the prior period, primarily due to several new transit and airport markets acquired in 2017 and 2018.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2017, increased $53.1 million, or 3.4%. The $53.1 million increase in revenue primarily consisted of a $45.1 million increase in billboard revenue primarily due to increases in digital and political revenue, a $1.1 million increase in logo revenue and a $6.8 million increase in transit revenue over the acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the comparable period in 2017. See “Reconciliations” below.

Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and loss (gain) on disposition of assets, increased $54.7 million, or 6.2% to $933.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $879.1 million in the same period in 2017. The $54.7 million increase over the prior year is comprised of a $19.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a $34.9 million increase in total direct, general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) primarily related to the operations of our outdoor advertising assets.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.2 million to $225.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $211.1 million for the same period in 2017, primarily related to the addition of approximately $774.7 million of assets acquired through acquisitions during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, Lamar Media recognized a loss on disposition of assets of $7.2 million primarily related to the $7.8 million loss recognized on the sale of its Puerto Rico assets which closed on April 16, 2018.

Due primarily to the above factors, operating income increased $5.2 million to $461.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $455.7 million for the same period in 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, Lamar Media recorded a $15.4 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the prepayment of its 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022.  The $15.4 million loss is comprised of a cash redemption premium of

 

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$9.8 million and a non-cash write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of approximately $5.6 million.  See “Uses of Cash” for more information.

Interest expense increased $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $129.7 million as compared to $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The increase in interest expense is primarily related to the increased debt outstanding as compared to the same period in 2017.

The increase in operating income offset by the increases in loss on extinguishment of debt and interest expense over the comparable period in 2017, resulted in a $11.0 million decrease in net income before income taxes. Lamar Media recognized $10.7 million in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 is approximately 3.4%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $305.6 million, as compared to net income of $318.1 million for the same period in 2017.

Reconciliations:

Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2016 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2017 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 by adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2018.

Reconciliations of 2017 reported net revenue to 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as a comparison of 2017 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2018 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018, are provided below:

Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 7.6% to $722.9 million. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of $65.0 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $13.9 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

 

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Net Income/FFO/AFFO

(in thousands)

 

 

FFO for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $527.4 million as compared to FFO of $513.3 million for the same period in 2017. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 9.7% to $544.9 million as compared to $496.7 million for the same period in 2017. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization), offset by increases in general and administrative and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock based compensation expense).

Year ended December 31, 2017 compared to Year ended December 31, 2016

Net revenues increased $41.0 million or 2.7% to $1.541 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $1.500 billion for the same period in 2016. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in billboard net revenues of $28.6 million or 2.2% over the prior period, which is primarily related to the integration of outdoor assets acquired during 2016 and 2017, and the addition of approximately 275 digital displays during the year ended December 31, 2017.  In addition, logo sign revenue increased $2.4 million, which represents an increase of 3.0% over the prior period.  Transit revenue increased $10.0 million, which represents an increase of 9.3% over the prior period, primarily due to several new transit and airport markets acquired in 2017.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenues for the comparable period in 2016, increased $15.5 million, or 1.0%. The $15.5 million increase in revenue primarily consisted of an $8.3 million increase in billboard revenue, a $3.1 million increase in logo revenue and a $4.1 million increase in transit revenue over the acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the comparable period in 2016. See “Reconciliations” below.

Total operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $8.1 million or 0.9% to $879.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The $8.1 million increase over the prior year is comprised of a $22.1 million increase in operating expenses related to the operations of our outdoor advertising assets, partially offset by a decrease in corporate expenses of $14.0 million primarily due to a reduction in stock-based compensation of $15.1 million over the same period in 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to depreciation and amortization on the assets acquired during 2016 and 2017.

Gain on disposition of assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased $10.4 million over the same period in 2016.  The $10.4 million decrease is comprised of a $6.6 million decrease in non-cash gains recognized for acquisition swap transactions in 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016, approximately $1.0 million of losses in Puerto Rico related to hurricane Maria in the fourth quarter of 2017 and a $2.8 million decrease in gains related to various transactions of inventory sold during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.

 

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Due primarily to the above factors, operating income increased $16.3 million to $455.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $439.4 million for the same period in 2016.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Lamar Media recognized a $0.1 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to the amendment of its senior credit facility as compared to a $3.2 million loss on debt extinguishment recognized in 2016 related to the prepayment of its Term A-1 loan under the senior credit facility.

Interest expense increased approximately $4.7 million from $123.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily resulting from an increase in debt outstanding due to the refinancing of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility in 2017. See —“Uses of Cash “for more information.

The increase in operating income and decrease in loss on extinguishment of debt, offset by the increase in interest expense over the comparable period in 2016, resulted in a $14.8 million increase in net income before income taxes. Lamar Media recognized $9.2 million in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 is approximately 2.8%, which differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $318.1 million, as compared to net income of $299.2 million for the same period in 2016.

Reconciliations:

Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2015 have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2016 net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 by adding to or subtracting from it the net revenue generated by the acquired or divested assets prior to our acquisition or divestiture of these assets for the same time frame that those assets were owned in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Reconciliations of 2016 reported net revenue to 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 as well as a comparison of 2016 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2017 reported net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, are provided below:

Reconciliation and Comparison of Reported Net Revenue to Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

 

 

 

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Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 2.1% to $671.8 million. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of $25.7 million, and was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative and corporate expenses of $11.7 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/FFO/AFFO

(in thousands)

 

 

FFO for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $513.3 million as compared to FFO of $476.0 million for the same period in 2016. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 1.5% to $496.7 million as compared to $489.3 million for the same period in 2016. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin (net revenue less direct advertising expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization), offset by increases in general and administrative expenses and corporate expenses (excluding the effect of stock-based compensation expense) and capitalized expenditures related to maintenance.

 

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Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp.

Lamar Advertising Company is exposed to interest rate risk in connection with variable rate debt instruments issued by its wholly owned subsidiary Lamar Media Corp. The information below summarizes the Company’s interest rate risk associated with its principal variable rate debt instruments outstanding at December 31, 2018, and should be read in conjunction with Note 9 of the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Lamar Media Corp. has variable-rate debt outstanding under its senior credit facility and its Accounts Receivable Securitization Program.  Because interest rates may increase or decrease at any time, the Company is exposed to market risk as a result of the impact that changes in interest rates may have on the applicable borrowings outstanding.  Increases in the interest rates applicable to these borrowings would result in increased interest expense and a reduction in the Company’s net income.

At December 31, 2018 there was approximately $1.45 billion of indebtedness outstanding under the senior credit facility and Accounts Receivable Securitization Program, or approximately 54.1% of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt on that date, bearing interest at variable rates. The aggregate interest expense for 2018 with respect to borrowings under the senior credit facility and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Program was $40.9 million, and the weighted average interest rate applicable to these borrowings during 2018 was 3.8%. Assuming that the weighted average interest rate was 200 basis points higher (that is 5.8% rather than 3.8%), then the Company’s 2018 interest expense would have increased by approximately $20.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018.

The Company attempted to mitigate the interest rate risk resulting from its variable interest rate long-term debt instruments by issuing fixed rate long-term debt instruments and maintaining a balance over time between the amount of the Company’s variable rate and fixed rate indebtedness. In addition, the Company has the capability under the senior credit facility to fix the interest rates applicable to its borrowings at an amount equal to Adjusted LIBO Rate or Adjusted Base Rate plus the applicable margin for periods of up to twelve months (in certain cases with the consent of the lenders), which would allow the Company to mitigate the impact of short-term fluctuations in market interest rates. In the event of an increase in interest rates, the Company may take further actions to mitigate its exposure. The Company cannot guarantee, however, that the actions that it may take to mitigate this risk will be feasible or that, if these actions are taken, that they will be effective.

 

 

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ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Lamar Advertising Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

Lamar Advertising’s management assessed the effectiveness of Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, Lamar Advertising’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. The effectiveness of Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 to this Annual Report.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Lamar Advertising Company:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules II to III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 25, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

The Company completed a business combination with Fairway Outdoor Advertising during 2018, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, Fairway Outdoor Advertising’s internal controls over financial reporting associated with Fairway Outdoor Advertising’s total assets of $459.6 million and total revenues of $1.9 million included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our audit of internal controls over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal controls over financial reporting of Fairway Outdoor Advertising.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 25, 2019

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Lamar Advertising Company:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules II to III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 25, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for business combinations effective October 1, 2016, due to the adoption of FASB ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business.

As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for revenue recognition effective January 1, 2018, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1999.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 25, 2019

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2018 and 2017

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(1) Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Nature of Business

Lamar Advertising Company (the Company) is engaged in the outdoor advertising business, operating approximately 156,900 billboard advertising displays in 45 states and Canada. The Company’s operating strategy is to be the leading provider of outdoor advertising services in the markets it serves.

In addition, the Company operates a logo sign business in 23 states throughout the United States and the province of Ontario, Canada and operates approximately 53,300 transit advertising displays in 22 states and Canada. Logo signs are erected pursuant to state-awarded service contracts on public rights-of-way near highway exits and deliver brand name information on available gas, food, lodging and camping services. Included in the Company’s logo sign business are tourism signing contracts. The Company provides transit advertising in airport terminals, on bus shelters, benches and buses in the markets it serves.

The Company operates as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on its income and gains that the Company distributes to its stockholders, including the income derived from advertising rental revenue. However, even as a REIT, the Company will remain obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from the assets of its taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s foreign assets and operations continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Lamar Advertising Company, its wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp. (Lamar Media), and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

An operating segment is a component of an enterprise:

We define the term ‘chief operating decision maker’ to be our executive management group, which consist of our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer. Currently, all operations are reviewed on a consolidated basis for budget and business plan performance by our executive management group. Additionally, operational performance at the end of each reporting period is viewed in the aggregate by our management group. Any decisions related to changes in invested capital, personnel, operational improvement or training, or to allocate other company resources are made based on the combined results.

We operate in a single operating and reporting segment, advertising. We rent advertising space on billboards, buses, shelters, benches, logo plates and in airport terminals.

(c) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

 

 

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(d) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test. The Company designated December 31 as the date of its annual goodwill impairment test. The Company is required to identify its reporting units and determine the carrying value of each reporting unit. The Company has identified two reporting units, Billboard operations and Logo operations, by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units. The Company is required to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company would be required to book an impairment loss.

 

The Company conducts a qualitative assessment by examining relevant events and circumstances which could have a negative impact on the Company’s goodwill, which includes macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, reporting unit dispositions and acquisitions, the market capitalization of the Company and other relevant events specific to the Company. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances described above, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of either of the Company's reporting units is less than its carrying amount, the Company will perform a quantitative impairment test.  If industry and economic conditions deteriorate, the Company may be required to assess goodwill impairment before the next annual test, which could result in impairment charges.

 

The Company performed its annual measurement for impairment of the goodwill of its reporting units and concluded the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount at its annual impairment test date on December 31, 2018 and 2017; therefore, the Company was not required to recognize an impairment loss.

Intangible assets, consisting primarily of site locations, customer lists and contracts, and non-competition agreements are amortized using the straight-line method over the assets estimated useful lives, generally from 2 to 15 years.

(e) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group before interest expense. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.

(f) Acquisitions

The Company accounts for transactions that meet the definition of a business and group asset purchases as acquisitions.  For transactions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company allocates the purchase price, including any contingent consideration, to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition with any excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. For transactions that meet the definition of asset group purchases, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition.  If a transaction is determined to be a group of assets, any direct acquisition costs are capitalized. Transaction costs for transactions determined to be a business combination are expensed as incurred.

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset, adjusted for an estimated reduction in fair value due to age of the asset, and the economic useful life. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future cash flows. The determination of the final purchase price and the acquisition-date fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed may extend over more than one period and result in adjustments to the preliminary estimate recognized in the prior period financial statements.

Effective October 1, 2016, the Company changed its accounting for business combinations, as further discussed in note 21 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(g) Deferred Income

Deferred income consists principally of advertising revenue invoiced in advance. Deferred advertising revenue is recognized in income over the term of the contract.

(h) Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes outdoor advertising revenue on an accrual basis ratably over the term of the contracts. Production revenue and the related expense for the advertising copy are recognized upon satisfaction of its performance obligation.

The Company engages in barter transactions where the Company trades advertising space for goods and services. The Company recognizes revenues and expenses from barter transactions at fair value, which is determined based on the Company’s own historical practice of receiving cash for similar advertising space from buyers unrelated to the party in the barter transaction. The amount of revenue and expense recognized for advertising barter transactions is as follows:

 

 

(i) Income Taxes

As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to the Company’s stockholders. However, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from domestic TRSs. In addition, the Company’s foreign assets and operations continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or where those operations are conducted, including those designated as Qualified REIT Subsidiaries, or QRSs, for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

(j) Dividends/Distributions

As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid cash distributions of its REIT taxable income in an aggregate amount of $442,632 or $4.48 per share. The distributions paid during 2018 include distributions declared and accrued as of December 31, 2017 of $81,534 or $0.83 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company declared distributions of $325,462 or $3.32 per share, including paid distributions of $243,928 or $2.49 per share. During the year ended 2016, the Company declared and paid distributions of its REIT taxable income of an aggregate of $293,600 or $3.02 per share. The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including the financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in its existing and future debt instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses (“NOLs”) to offset, in whole or in part, the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid cash dividend distributions to holders of its Series AA Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount of $456 or $79.75 per share, including $91, or $15.95 per share, related to distributions declared in 2017. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company accrued or paid cash dividend distributions to holders of its Series AA Preferred Stock of $365 or $63.80 per share.

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(k) Earnings Per Share

The calculation of basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effect of stock options, while diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 there were no dilutive shares excluded from the calculation.

(l) Stock Based Compensation

Compensation expense for share-based awards is recognized based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis, which is generally commensurate with the vesting term. Non-cash compensation expense recognized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $29,443, $9,599 and $28,560, respectively. The $29,443 expensed during the year ended December 31, 2018 consists of (i) $3,644 related to stock options, (ii) $25,427 related to stock grants made under the Company’s performance-based stock incentive program in 2018 and (iii) $372 related to stock awards to directors. See Note 15 for information on the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation.

(m) Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

(n) Foreign Currency Translation

Local currencies generally are considered the functional currencies outside the United States. Assets and liabilities for operations in local-currency environments are translated at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and as a component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

(o) Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company is required to record the fair value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which it is incurred. The liability is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset’s carrying amount. Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the expected useful life of the related asset. The Company’s asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities of its leased properties.

(p) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(q) Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and the components of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Comprehensive income (loss) is composed of foreign currency translation effects.

(r) Fair Value Measurements

The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments using the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(s) Subsequent Events

The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date on which the financial statements are issued.

(t) Reclassification of prior amounts

Certain amounts in the prior years’ consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(2) Revenue

 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (Codified as ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers using the cumulative effect transition method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018 and are not accounted for under ASC 840, Leases.  Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606 or 840, while comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605.

 

A majority of our billboard, logo, and transit space contracts are accounted for under ASC 840 and will continue to be accounted for under the topic until January 1, 2019, our adoption date of ASU No. 2016-02 (Codified as ASC 842), Leases. Contracts which begin prior to January 1, 2019 and are accounted for under ASC 840 will continue to be accounted for as a lease until the contract ends or is modified. Contracts beginning or modified on or after January 1, 2019 which do not meet the criteria of a lease under ASC 842 will be accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue. The majority of our advertising space contracts will not meet the definition of a lease under ASC 842.

 

Revenue Recognition

Advertising revenues:  The majority of our revenues are derived from contracts for advertising space on billboard, logo and transit displays and are currently accounted for under ASC 840, Leases.  Upon the Company’s adoption of ASC 842, Leases the majority of our contracts for advertising space will transition to being accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue. The contract revenues, under ASC 840, Leases and ASC 606, Revenue, are recognized ratably over their contract life.

Other revenues:  Our other component of revenue primarily consists of production services which includes creating and printing the advertising copy.  As of January 1, 2018 revenue for production contracts is recognized under ASC 606. Contract revenues for production services are recognized upon satisfaction of the contract which is typically less than one week.

Arrangements with multiple performance obligations:  Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations.  For such arrangements, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price.  We determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers using expected cost plus margin.

Deferred revenues:  We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance obligation. The term between invoicing and when a payment is due is not significant.  For certain services we require payment before the product or services are delivered to the customer.  The balance of deferred income is considered short-term and will be recognized in revenue within twelve months.

Practical expedients and exemptions: Upon our transition to ASC 606 from ASC 840, the Company plans to utilize the following practical expedients and exemptions from ASC 606.  We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less. These costs are recorded within direct advertising expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization).  We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations as the majority of our contracts with customers have an original expected length of less than one year. For contracts with customers which exceed one year, the future amount to be invoiced to the customer corresponds directly with the value to be received by the customer.

 

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The following table presents our disaggregated revenue by source including both revenues accounted for under ASC 840 and ASC 606 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

(3) Acquisitions

Year Ended December 31, 2018

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of $489,671, net of acquired cash of $8,554. The total purchase price consisted of the issuance of 163,137 shares of its Class A common stock for $12,282 and cash of $477,389. The purchases included the acquisition of assets in five U.S markets from Fairway Outdoor Advertising (“Fairway”) on December 21, 2018 for an aggregate purchase price of $418,500.

As of December 31, 2018, our fair value allocation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Fairway is considered preliminary and is subject to revision, which may result in adjustments to this allocation. We expect to finalize these amounts as soon as possible but not later than the end of 2019. In order to develop our preliminary fair values, the Company utilized asset information received from Fairway and fair value allocation benchmarks from similar completed transactions. Our preliminary allocation of Fairway includes property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill of $91,173, $156,319 and $182,117, respectively.

Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair market value at the dates of acquisition.

The following is a summary of the allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions, excluding the preliminary allocation of Fairway.

 

 

Total acquired intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $402,740, of which $182,117 was assigned to goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized for financial statement purposes, and no goodwill related to 2018 acquisitions is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The remaining $220,623 of acquired intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14 years. The intangible assets include customer lists and contracts of $33,310 (7 year weighted average useful life) and site locations of $186,635 (15 year weighted average useful life). The aggregate amortization expense related to the 2018 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $2,681.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Company gives effect to the 2018 and 2017 acquisitions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2017. These pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on such date or to project the Company’s results of operations for any future period.

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of $300,185, of which $297,305 was in cash and $2,880 in non-cash consideration consisting principally of exchanges of outdoor advertising assets. As a result of the acquisitions, a gain of $2,389 was recorded for transactions which involved the exchanges of outdoor advertising assets during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair market value at the dates of acquisition. The following is a summary of the allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.

 

 

Total acquired intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $258,187, of which $13,925 was assigned to goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized for financial statement purposes, and no goodwill related to 2017 acquisitions is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The remaining $244,262 of acquired intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14 years. The intangible assets include customer lists and contracts of $26,397 (7 year weighted average useful life) and site locations of $216,510 (15 year weighted average useful life). The aggregate amortization expense related to the 2017 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $6,106.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Company gives effect to the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2016. These pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on such date or to project the Company’s results of operations for any future period.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

(4) Non-cash Financing and Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had non-cash investing activities for the issuance of 163,137 shares of its Class A common stock related to acquisition purchases. The issuance had an approximate value of $12,282. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $2,879 and $9,000 non-cash investing activities related to capital expenditures and acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had non-cash financing activity related to declared distributions of $81,625 which were paid to shareholders in January 2018. There were no significant non-cash financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016.

(5) Property, Plant and Equipment

Major categories of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

 

 

(6) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

The changes in the gross carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $95,010, $85,257 and $80,864, respectively. The following is a summary of the estimated amortization expense for future years:

 

 

(7) Leases

The Company is party to various operating leases for production facilities, vehicles and sites upon which advertising structures are built. The leases expire at various dates, and have varying options to renew and to cancel and may contain escalation provisions. The following is a summary of minimum annual rental payments required under those operating leases that have original or remaining lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018:

 

 

Rental expense related to the Company’s operating leases was $381,890, $366,892 and $350,135 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(8) Accrued Expenses

The following is a summary of accrued expenses at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(9) Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

Long-term debt contractual maturities are as follows:

 

Senior Credit Facility

Lamar Media’s Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 15, 2017 (as amended, the “senior credit facility”) originally consisted of (i) a $450,000 senior secured revolving credit facility which will mature on May 15, 2022 (the “revolving credit facility”), (ii) a $450,000 Term A loan facility (the “Term A loans”)  which will mature on May 15, 2022, and (iii) an incremental facility pursuant to which Lamar Media may incur additional term loan tranches or increase its revolving credit facility subject to pro forma compliance with the secured debt ratio financial maintenance covenant (the “Incremental Facility”). Lamar Media borrowed all $450,000 in Term A loans on May 15, 2017.  The net proceeds of the Term A loans, together with borrowing under the

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

revolving portion of senior credit facility and cash on hand, were used to repay all outstanding amounts under the existing senior credit facility, and all revolving commitments under that facility were terminated.

On March 16, 2018, Lamar Media entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 15, 2017, which amended the existing senior credit facility to establish a new $600,000 Term B Loan Facility (the “Term B loan”), which will mature on March 16, 2025.  Lamar Media borrowed the full amount of the Term B loan on March 16, 2018.  The proceeds from the Term B loan, together with available cash on hand were used to redeem in full Lamar Media’s 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022.   

As of December 31, 2018, the senior credit facility consisted of (i) the revolving credit facility, (ii) the Term A loans, (iii) the Term B loans and (iv) the Incremental Facility.  

The Term A loans mature on May 15, 2022 and the Term B loans mature on March 16, 2025.  The remaining quarterly installments are scheduled to be paid on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 as follows:

 

 

The Term loans bear interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar term loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate term loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.75%; (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.50% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1 for Term A loans only). Base Rate term loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.75% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.50% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1 for Term A loans only). The revolving credit facility bears interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar revolving loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate revolving loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar revolving loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.25% (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.00% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1; or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). Base Rate revolving Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.25% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.0% at any time the total debt ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1, or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). The guarantees, covenants, events of default and other terms of the senior credit facility apply to the Term A and B loans and revolving credit facility.

As of December 31, 2018, there was $280,000 outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Availability under the revolving facility is reduced by the amount of any letters of credit outstanding. Lamar Media had $13,183 letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2018 resulting in $156,817 of availability under its revolving facility. Revolving credit loans may be requested under the revolving credit facility at any time prior to its maturity on May 15, 2022.

The terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict, among other things, the ability of Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media to:

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The senior credit facility contains provisions that would allow Lamar Media to conduct its affairs in a manner that would allow Lamar Advertising to qualify and remain qualified as a REIT, including by allowing Lamar Media to make distributions to Lamar Advertising required for the Company to qualify and remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, subject to certain restrictions.

Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is also restricted under the terms of these agreements. Under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility the Company must maintain a specified senior debt ratio at all times and in addition, must satisfy a total debt ratio in order to incur debt, make distributions or make certain investments.

Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media were in compliance with all of the terms of their indentures and the applicable senior credit agreement provisions during the periods presented.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

On December 18, 2018 Lamar Media entered into a $175,000 Receivable Financing Agreement (the “AR Program”) with its wholly-owned special purpose entities, Lamar QRS Receivables, LLC and Lamar TRS Receivables, LLC (the “Special Purpose Subsidiaries”) maturing on December 17, 2021.  The AR Program is limited to the availability of eligible accounts receivable collateralizing the borrowings under the agreements governing the AR Program.

Pursuant to two separate Purchase and Sale Agreements dated December 18, 2018, each of which is among Lamar Media as initial Servicer, certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries and a Special Purpose Subsidiary, the subsidiaries sold substantially all of their existing and future accounts receivable balances to the Special Purpose Subsidiaries. The Special Purpose Subsidiaries use the accounts receivable balances to collateralize loans pursuant to the AR Program. Lamar Media retains the responsibility of servicing the accounts receivable balances pledged as collateral under the AR Program and provides a performance guaranty.

As of December 31, 2018 there was $175,000 outstanding on the AR Program bearing interest at approximately 3.4%. Proceeds from the AR Program were used primarily to repay outstanding amounts under our revolving credit facility. The commitment fee based on the amount of unused commitments under the AR Program was immaterial in 2018.

The AR Program is accounted for as a collateralized financing activity, rather than a sale of assets, and therefore: (i) accounts receivable balances pledged as collateral are presented as assets and the borrowings are presented as liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income reflect the associated charges for bad debt expense (a component of general and administrative expenses) related to the pledged accounts receivable and interest expense associated with the collateralized borrowings and (iii) receipts from customers related to the underlying accounts receivable are reflected as operating cash flows and borrowings and repayments under the collateralized loans are reflected as financing cash flows within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes

On February 9, 2012, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2022 (the “5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $489,000. The Company used the proceeds from the Term B loans to redeem all of the 5 7/8% Notes on March 19, 2018 at a redemption price of 101.958% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5 7/8% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the redemption date. In conjunction with the redemption the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $15,429, of which $9,790 was cash, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

5% Senior Subordinated Notes

On October 30, 2012, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $535,000 aggregate principal amount of 5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “5% Senior Subordinated Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $527,100.

Lamar Media may redeem the 5% Senior Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5% Senior Subordinated Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5% Senior Subordinated Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5% Senior Subordinated Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

5 3/8% Senior Notes

On January 10, 2014, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $510,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 3/8% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “5 3/8% Senior Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $502,300.

    At any time prior to January 15, 2019, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and a make-whole premium. On or after January 15, 2019, Lamar Media may redeem the 5 3/8% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5 3/8% Senior Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5 3/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.

5 3/4% Senior Notes

On January 28, 2016, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $400,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “5 3/4 % Senior Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $394,500.

Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5 3/4% Senior Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 105.750% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before February 1, 2019, provided that following the redemption, at least 65% of the 5 3/4%  Senior Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding and any such redemption occurs within 120 days following the closing of any such public equity offering. At any time prior to February 1, 2021, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5 3/4% Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon plus a make-whole premium. On or after February 1, 2021, Lamar Media may redeem the 5 3/4% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5 3/4% Senior Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5 3/4% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5 3/4% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.

(10) Asset Retirement Obligation

The Company’s asset retirement obligation includes the costs associated with the removal of its structures, resurfacing of the land and retirement cost, if applicable, related to the Company’s outdoor advertising portfolio. The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(11) Depreciation and Amortization

The Company includes all categories of depreciation and amortization on a separate line in its Statements of Income. The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statements of Income are:

 

 

(12) Income Taxes

Commencing January 1, 2014, the Company began operating as a REIT for U.S. income tax purposes. Since operating as a REIT, the Company filed, and intends to continue to file, as a REIT, and its TRSs filed, and intend to continue to file, as C corporations. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company’s state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company’s subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state. The following information pertains to the Company’s income taxes on a consolidated basis.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) was signed into law, making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code.  As a result of the TCJA, a tax benefit of $3,372 and $466 was recorded to current tax expense and deferred tax expense, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had income taxes (payable) receivable of $(458) and $3,106, respectively.

 

The U.S. and foreign components of earnings before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

A reconciliation of significant differences between the reported amount of income tax expense and the expected amount of income tax expense that would result from applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21 percent to income before taxes for the 2018 tax year and 35 percent for the 2017 and 2016 tax years, is as follows:

 

 

 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and (liabilities) are presented below:

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, we have approximately $285,126 of U.S. net operating loss carry forwards to offset future taxable income. Of this amount, $63,716 is subject to Internal Revenue Code §382 limitation but will be available to be fully utilized by no later than 2032. These carry forwards expire between 2029 through 2032. In addition, we have $4,799 of various credits available to offset future U.S. federal income tax. Under the TCJA, the corporate alternative minimum tax was repealed and any minimum tax credit carryforwards not utilized become fully refundable in 2021. We do not expect to utilize our minimum tax credit of $4,108 before 2021.

As of December 31, 2018 we have approximately $724,635 of state net operating loss carry forwards before valuation allowances. These state net operating losses are available to reduce future taxable income and expire at various times and amounts. In addition, we have $190 of various credits available to offset future state income tax. There was no valuation allowance related to state net operating loss carry forwards as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no net changes in the total state valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.   

During 2018, we generated $7,377 of Puerto Rico net operating losses. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $51,642 of Puerto Rico net operating loss carry forwards before valuation allowances. These Puerto Rico net operating losses are available to offset future taxable income. These carry forwards expire between 2019 and 2028. In addition, we have $153 of alternative minimum tax credits available to offset future Puerto Rico income tax.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. In order to fully realize the deferred tax assets, the Company will need to generate future taxable income before the expiration of the carry forwards governed by the tax code. Based on the current level of pretax earnings, the Company will not generate the minimum amount of future taxable income to support the realization of the deferred tax assets. As a result, management has determined that a valuation allowance related to Puerto Rico net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets is necessary. The valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $23,934 and $20,120, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was an increase of $3,814 and $3,953, respectively. The amount of the deferred tax asset

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

considered realizable, however, could be adjusted in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period increase.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $22,528. Management does not designate these earnings as permanently reinvested and has recognized a deferred tax liability of approximately $882 related to foreign withholding taxes on these earnings. We have recognized a current year tax expense of $234 related to 2018 earnings and a tax benefit of $(635) related to prior year earnings repatriated in 2018.

Under ASC 740 Income Taxes, we provide for uncertain tax positions, and the related interest, and adjust recognized tax benefits and accrued interest accordingly. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Included in the balance of unrecognized benefits at December 31, 2018 is $3,207 of tax benefits that, if recognized in future periods, would impact our effective tax rate. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized interest and penalties of $411 and $213, respectively, as a component of income tax expense in connection with our liabilities related to uncertain tax positions.

Within the next twelve months, we expect to decrease our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $112 as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and nearly all states. In addition, the Company is subject to income taxes in Canada and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We are no longer subject to U.S federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2013, or for any U.S. state income tax audit prior to 2010. The Internal Revenue Service has completed a review of the 2013 income tax return. With respect to Canada and Puerto Rico, we are no longer subject to income tax audits for years before 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(13) Related Party Transactions

Affiliates, as used within these statements, are persons or entities that are affiliated with Lamar Advertising Company or its subsidiaries through common ownership and directorate control.  

The Company had receivables from employees of $80 at December 31, 2018. There were no receivables from employees at December 31, 2017. These receivables are primarily relocation loans for employees. The Company does not have any receivables from its current executive officers.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

(14) Stockholders’ Equity

On July 16, 1999, the Board of Directors designated 5,720 shares of the 1,000,000 shares of previously undesignated preferred stock, par value $.001, as Series AA preferred stock, which shares were subsequently exchanged on a one for one basis in the REIT conversion. The Series AA preferred stock ranks senior to the Class A common stock and Class B common stock with respect to dividends and upon liquidation. Holders of Series AA preferred stock are entitled to receive, on a pari passu basis, dividends at the rate of $15.95 per share per quarter when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors. The Series AA preferred stock is entitled to receive, on a pari passu basis, $638 plus a further amount equal to any dividend accrued and unpaid to the date of distribution before any payments are made or assets distributed to the Class A common stock or Class B stock upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. The liquidation value of the outstanding Series AA preferred stock at December 31, 2018 was $3,649. The Series AA preferred stock is entitled to one vote per share.

All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, following any required distribution to the holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata in any balance of the corporate assets available for distribution to them. The Company may pay dividends if, when and as declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefore, subject to the restrictions set forth in the Company’s existing indentures and the senior credit facility. Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Company’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. No dividend may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of either class of common stock unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other class of common stock, provided that, in the event of stock dividends, holders of a specific class of common stock shall be entitled to receive only additional shares of such class.

The rights of the Class A and Class B common stock are equal in all respects, except holders of Class B common stock have ten votes per share on all matters in which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote and holders of Class A common stock have one vote per share on such matters. The Class B common stock will convert automatically into Class A common stock upon the sale or transfer to persons other than permitted transferees (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended).

On December 11, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250,000 of the Company’s Class A common stock (the “repurchase program”). There were no repurchases under the repurchase program which expired on June 30, 2016.

On May 1, 2018, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities LLC, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as its sales agents (each a “Sales Agent”, and collectively, the “Sales Agents”). Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $400,000, through the Sales Agents as either agents or principals. As of December 31, 2018, 576,002 shares of our Class A Common Stock have been sold under the Sales Agreement and accordingly $357,885 remains available to be sold under the Sales Agreement.

Sales of the Class A Common Stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Global Select Market and any other existing trading market for the Class A Common Stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the Class A Common Stock under the Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Sales Agreement.

On August 6, 2018, the Company filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement that registered the offer and sale of an indeterminate amount of additional shares of our Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2018, the Company issued 163,137 shares of its Class A common stock in connection with acquisitions occurring during the period. The Company filed a prospectus supplement to the shelf registration statement relating to the offer and resale of such shares of Class A common stock.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(15) Stock Compensation Plans

Equity Incentive Plan. Lamar’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “1996 Plan”) has reserved 15.5 million shares of common stock for issuance to directors and employees, including options granted and common stock reserved for issuance under its performance-based incentive program. Options granted under the 1996 Plan expire ten years from the grant date with vesting terms ranging from three to five years which primarily includes 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. All grants are made at fair market value based on the closing price of our Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant.

In February 2013, the 1996 Plan was amended to eliminate the provision that limited the amount of Class A common stock, including shares retained from an award, that could be withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations to the minimum tax obligations required by law (except with respect to option awards). In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the Company is required to classify the awards affected by the amendment as liability-classified awards at fair value each period prior to their settlement. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded a liability, in accrued expenses, of $19,211 and $4,793, respectively, related to its equity incentive awards affected by this amendment.

We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility. We have reviewed our historical pattern of option exercises and have determined that meaningful differences in option exercise activity existed among vesting schedules. Therefore, for all stock options granted after January 1, 2006, we have categorized these awards into two groups of vesting 1) 5-year cliff vest and 2) 4-year graded vest, for valuation purposes. We have determined there were no meaningful differences in employee activity under our ESPP due to the nature of the plan.

We estimate the expected term of options granted using an implied life derived from the results of a hypothetical mid-point settlement scenario, which incorporates our historical exercise, expiration and post-vesting employment termination patterns, while accommodating for partial life cycle effects. We believe these estimates will approximate future behavior.

We estimate the expected volatility of our Class A common stock at the grant date using a blend of 90% historical volatility of our Class A common stock and 10% implied volatility of publicly traded options with maturities greater than six months on our Class A common stock as of the option grant date. Our decision to use a blend of historical and implied volatility was based upon the volume of actively traded options on our common stock and our belief that historical volatility alone may not be completely representative of future stock price trends.

Our risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the Federal Reserve nominal rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. We assumed an expected dividend yield of 5%.

We estimate option forfeitures at the time of grant and periodically revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on our historical forfeiture data.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Information regarding the 1996 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

 

At December 31, 2018 there was $2,837 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.77 years.

Shares available for future stock option and restricted share grants to employees and directors under existing plans were 975,215 at December 31, 2018. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was $16,821, and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was $16,143. Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $12,378 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Stock Purchase Plan. In 2009 our Board of Directors adopted a new employee stock purchase plan, the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2009 ESPP”), which was approved by our shareholders on May 28, 2009. The 2009 ESPP reserved 588,154 shares of Class A common stock for issuance to our employees, which included 88,154 shares of Class A common stock that had been available for issuance under our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ 2000 ESPP”). The 2000 ESPP was terminated following the issuance of all shares that were subject to the offer that commenced under the 2000 ESPP on January 1, 2009 and ended June 30, 2009. The terms of the 2009 ESPP are substantially the same as the 2000 ESPP.

The number of shares of Class A common stock available under the 2009 ESPP was automatically increased by 83,838 shares on January 1, 2018 pursuant to the automatic increase provisions of the 2009 ESPP. The following is a summary of 2009 ESPP share activity for the year ended December 31, 2018:

 

 

Performance-based compensation. Unrestricted shares of our Class A common stock may be awarded to key officers and employees under our 1996 Plan based on certain Company performance measures for fiscal 2018. The number of shares to be issued, if any, are dependent on the level of achievement of these performance measures as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee based on our 2018 results and were issued in the first quarter of 2019. The shares subject to these awards can range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 100% of the target number of shares depending on the level at which the goals are attained. Based on the Company’s performance measures achieved through December 31, 2018, the Company has accrued $18,929 as compensation expense related to these agreements.

(16) Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors a partially self-insured group health insurance program. The Company is obligated to pay all claims under the program, which are in excess of premiums, up to program limits. The Company is also self-insured with respect to its income disability benefits and against casualty losses on advertising structures. Amounts for expected losses, including a provision for losses incurred but not reported, is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

December 31, 2018, the Company maintained $8,091 in letters of credit with a bank to meet requirements of the Company’s worker’s compensation and general liability insurance carrier.

Savings and Profit Sharing Plan

The Company sponsors The Lamar Corporation Savings and Profit Sharing Plan covering eligible employees who have completed one year of service and are at least 21 years of age. The Company has the option to match 50% of employees’ contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation. Employees can contribute up to 100% of compensation. Full vesting on the Company’s matched contributions occurs after three years for contributions made after January 1, 2002. Annually, at the Company’s discretion, an additional profit sharing contribution may be made on behalf of each eligible employee. The Company matched contributions of $4,966, $4,715 and $4,545 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company sponsors a Deferred Compensation Plan for the benefit of certain of its board-elected officers who meet specific age and years of service and other criteria. Officers that have attained the age of 30 and have a minimum of 10 years of service to the Company and satisfy additional eligibility guidelines are eligible for annual contributions to the plan generally ranging from $3 to $8, depending on the employee’s length of service. The Company’s contributions to the plan are maintained in a rabbi trust and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the plan are reflected in the balance sheet of the Company in other assets and other liabilities. Upon termination, death or disability, participating employees are eligible to receive an amount equal to the fair market value of the assets in the employee’s deferred compensation account. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company contributed $1,585, $1,526 and $1,487, respectively.

On December 8, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Lamar Deferred Compensation Plan in order to (1) to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”) applicable to deferred compensation and (2) to reflect changes in the administration of the plan. The Company’s Board of Directors also approved the adoption of a grantor trust pursuant to which amounts may be set aside, but remain subject to claims of the Company’s creditors, for payments of liabilities under the new plan, including amounts contributed under the old plan. The plan was further amended in August 2007 to make certain amendments to reflect Section 409A regulations issued on April 10, 2007. An additional clarifying amendment was made to the plan in December 2013.

(17) Commitment and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

(18) Distribution Restrictions

Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is restricted under both the terms of the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes and by the terms of its senior credit facility. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Lamar Media was permitted under the terms of its outstanding senior subordinated and senior notes to make transfers to Lamar Advertising in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances in amounts up to $3,156,061 and $2,975,593, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, Lamar Media’s senior credit facility allows it to make transfers to Lamar Advertising in any taxable year up to the amount of Lamar Advertising’s taxable income (without any deduction for dividends paid). In addition, as of December 31, 2018, transfers to Lamar Advertising are permitted under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and as defined therein up to the available cumulative credit, as long as no default has occurred and is continuing and, after giving effect to such distributions, (i) the total debt ratio is less than 6.5 to 1 and (ii) the secured debt ratio does not exceed 3.5 to 1. As of December 31, 2018, the total debt ratio was less than 6.5 to 1 and Lamar Media’s secured debt ratio was less than 3.5 to 1, and the available cumulative credit was $1,906,541.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable and borrowings. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments and initial recognition of asset retirement obligations are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long term debt (including current maturities) was $2,904,851, which is less than both the gross and carrying amount of $2,914,552 as of December 31, 2018. The majority of the fair value is determined using observed prices of publicly traded debt (level 1 in the fair value hierarchy) and the remaining is valued based on quoted prices for similar debt (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).

(20) Information about Geographic Areas

Revenues from external customers attributable to foreign countries totaled $35,146, $33,424 and $32,669 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net carrying value of long lived assets located in foreign countries totaled $2,387 and $3,571 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. All other revenues from external customers and long lived assets relate to domestic operations.

(21) New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (Codified as ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it became effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the cumulative effect transition method. The Company did not have an adjustment to its opening balance of retained earnings for the adoption of this update.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. We expect to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019 and use the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We also expect to elect the use of hindsight and the practical expedient pertaining to land easements. We expect to elect all of the new standard’s available transition practical expedients.

We expect that this standard will have a material effect on our financial statements. While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the most significant effects relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

liabilities on our balance sheet for our billboard, logo, building and vehicle operating leases; (2) reclassification within our balance sheet of current asset prepaid operating lease balances to be a reduction of our lease liabilities and; (3) providing significant new disclosures about our leasing activities.

On adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional operating liabilities exceeding $1.1 billion, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for our existing operating leases.

 

The new standard also provides practical expedients for a company’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for our vehicle leases. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities. This includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition.

 

Other recently released pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The update is designed to simplify accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  The update clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted.  The Company adopted the update for the period ended December 31, 2016.  The update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the definition of a business.  The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods.  Early adoption is allowed for transactions in which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendment, but only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company adopted the update for transactions that occurred on or after October 1, 2016. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how a company completes its goodwill impairment test by eliminating the two-step process, which requires determining the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. The update requires completing the goodwill impairment test by comparing the difference between the reporting unit’s carrying value and fair value.  Goodwill charges, if any, would be determined by reducing the goodwill balance by the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value.  The update is effective for annual and interim fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on or after January 1, 2017.  The Company adopted this update beginning with its December 31, 2017 goodwill impairment test.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). The update is to clarify when certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606 and when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account. The update also adds unit-of-account guidance in Topic 808 and requires that a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to a third party, presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under Topic 606 is precluded if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The update is effective for annual and interim fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted.  The Company does not believe this update will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(22) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The tables below represent the balances for the selected quarterly financial data of the Company for each reporting period in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

 

 

 

(23) Divestiture of Assets

 

On April 16, 2018 the Company sold its assets in Puerto Rico for $3,000 in cash and non-cash consideration consisting of a note receivable for $9,250 due April 2024. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of $7,809 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

(24) Subsequent Events

 

On January 17, 2019, Lamar Media entered into an incremental amendment to the senior credit facility to include $100,000 in additional revolving commitments, thereby increasing the total borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility to $550,000.

 

On February 1, 2019, Lamar Media issued $250,000 in aggregate principle amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 through an institutional private placement (the “New Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes to the existing $400,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 that Lamar issued on January 28, 2016 (the “Existing Notes”).  Other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price and CUSIP number, the New Notes have the same terms as the Existing Notes.  Once the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act and exchanged for exchange notes or become freely tradable under Rule 144, Lamar Media expects that the New Notes and the Existing Notes will share a single CUSIP number and thereafter be fungible.  The net proceeds after underwriting fees and expenses, was approximately $251,500 and were used to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE II

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE III

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

The following table summarizes activity for the Company’s real estate assets, which consists of advertising displays and the related accumulated depreciation.

 

 

 

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Lamar Media Corp. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

Lamar Media Corp.’s management assessed the effectiveness of Lamar Media Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, Lamar Media Corp.’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, Lamar Media Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. The effectiveness of Lamar Media Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 to this Annual Report.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Lamar Media Corp.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Lamar Media Corp. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules II to III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 25, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

The Company completed a business combination with Fairway Outdoor Advertising during 2018, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, Fairway Outdoor Advertising’s internal controls over financial reporting associated with Fairway Outdoor Advertising’s total assets of $459.6 million and total revenues of $1.9 million included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our audit of internal controls over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal controls over financial reporting of Fairway Outdoor Advertising.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 25, 2019

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Lamar Media Corp.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Media Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules II to III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 25, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for business combinations effective October 1, 2016, due to the adoption of FASB ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business.

As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for revenue recognition effective January 1, 2018, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1992.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 25, 2019

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2018 and 2017

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(1) Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Nature of Business

Lamar Media Corp. (“Lamar Media”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company. Lamar Media is engaged in the outdoor advertising business operating approximately 156,900 outdoor advertising displays in 45 states and Canada. Lamar Media’s operating strategy is to be the leading provider of outdoor advertising services in the markets it serves.

In addition, Lamar Media operates a logo sign business in 23 states throughout the United States as well as the province of Ontario, Canada. Logo signs are erected pursuant to state-awarded service contracts on public rights-of-way near highway exits and deliver brand name information on available gas, food, lodging and camping services. Included in the Company’s logo sign business are tourism signing contracts. The Company provides transit advertising in airport terminals, on bus shelters, benches and buses in the markets it serves.

Certain footnotes are not provided for the accompanying financial statements as the information in notes 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 and portions of note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Advertising Company included elsewhere in this filing are substantially equivalent to that required for the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media Corp. Earnings per share data is not provided for the operating results of Lamar Media Corp. as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company.

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Lamar Media, its wholly owned subsidiaries, The Lamar Company, L.L.C., Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC, Lamar TRS Holdings, LLC, Lamar Advertising Southwest, Inc., Interstate Logos, L.L.C., Lamar Obie Company, LLC, Lamar Canadian Outdoor Company, Lamar Advertising of Puerto Rico, Inc. and their majority-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Non-cash Financing and Investing Activities

There were no significant non-cash investing activities for Lamar Media during the year ended December 31, 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had non-cash investing activities of $2,879 and $9,000 related to capital expenditures and acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets. During the year ended December 31, 2017, Lamar Media had non-cash financing activities related to dividends to Lamar Advertising Company of $81,534 which were paid in January 2018. There were no significant non-cash financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016.

(3) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The changes in the gross carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

(4) Accrued Expenses

The following is a summary of accrued expenses at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(5) Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

Long-term debt contractual maturities are as follows:

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(6) Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) was signed into law, making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. As a result of the TCJA, a tax benefit of $3,372 and $466 was recorded to current tax expense and deferred tax expense, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

 

 

 As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had income taxes (payable) receivable of $(458) and $3,106, respectively, included in accrued expenses.

The U.S. and foreign components of earnings before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

A reconciliation of significant differences between the reported amount of income tax expense and the expected amount of income tax expense that would result from applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21 percent to income before taxes for the 2018 tax year and 35 percent for the 2017 and 2016 tax years, is as follows:

 

 

 

93

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and (liabilities) are presented below:

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, we have approximately $148,993 of U.S. net operating loss carry forwards to offset future taxable income. Of this amount, $63,716 is subject to an Internal Revenue Code §382 limitation but will be available to be fully utilized by no later than 2032. These carry forwards expire between 2029 and 2032. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has $14,771 of various tax credits available to offset future U.S. federal taxable income. Also, the Company recognized a $4,108 tax benefit related to its minimum tax credit carryforwards which we do not expect to utilize before 2021.

As of December 31, 2018, we have approximately $686,914 state net operating loss carry forwards before valuation allowances. These state net operating losses are available to reduce future taxable income and expire at various times and amounts. In addition, we have $190 of various credits available to offset future state income tax. There was no valuation allowance related to state net operating

 

94

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

loss carry forwards as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  There were no net changes in the total state valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

During 2018 we generated $7,377 of Puerto Rico net operating losses. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $51,642 of Puerto Rico net operating loss carry forwards before valuation allowances. These Puerto Rico net operating losses are available to offset future taxable income. These carry forwards expire between 2019 and 2028. In addition, we have $153 of alternative minimum tax credits available to offset future Puerto Rico income tax.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. In order to fully realize the deferred tax assets, the Company will need to generate future taxable income before the expiration of the carry forwards governed by the tax code. Based on the current level of pretax earnings, the Company will not generate the minimum amount of future taxable income to support the realization of the deferred tax assets. As a result, management has determined that a valuation allowance related to Puerto Rico net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets is necessary. The valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $23,934 and $20,120, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was an increase of $3,814 and $3,953, respectively. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period increase.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $22,528. Management does not designate these earnings as permanently reinvested. We have recognized a deferred tax liability of approximately $882 related to foreign withholding taxes on these earnings. We have recognized a current year tax expense of $234 related to 2018 earnings and a tax benefit of $(635) related to prior year earnings repatriated in 2018.

Under ASC 740 Income Taxes, we provide for uncertain tax positions, and the related interest, and adjust recognized tax benefits and accrued interest accordingly. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

Included in the balance of unrecognized benefits at December 31, 2018 is $3,207 of tax benefits that, if recognized in future periods, would impact our effective tax rate. During the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized interest and penalties of $411 and $213 , respectively, as a component of income tax expense in connection with our liabilities related to uncertain tax positions.

 

95

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Within the next twelve months, we expect to decrease our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $112 as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and nearly all states. In addition, the Company is subject to income taxes in Canada and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We are no longer subject to U.S federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2013, or for any U.S. state income tax audit prior to 2010. The IRS has completed a review of the 2013 income tax return. With respect to Canada and Puerto Rico, we are no longer subject to income tax audits for years before 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(7) Related Party Transactions

Affiliates, as used within these statements, are persons or entities that are affiliated with Lamar Media Corp. or its subsidiaries through common ownership and directorate control.

As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there was a payable to Lamar Advertising Company, its parent, in the amount of $5,571 and $6,731, respectively.

Effective December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Lamar Advertising Company contributed $89,967 and $49,187, respectively, to Lamar Media which resulted in an increase in Lamar Media’s additional paid-in capital.

(8) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The tables below represent the balances for the selected quarterly financial data of the Company for each reporting period in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

 

 

 

96

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(9) Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries

Separate condensed consolidating financial information for Lamar Media, subsidiary guarantors and non-guarantor subsidiaries are presented below. Lamar Media and its subsidiary guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed Lamar Media’s obligations with respect to its publicly issued notes. All guarantees are joint and several. As a result of these guarantee arrangements, we are required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information. The following condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. The condensed consolidating financial information is provided as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for guarantor subsidiaries. Separate financial statements of Lamar Media’s subsidiary guarantors are not included because the guarantees are full and unconditional and the subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned and jointly and severally liable for Lamar Media’s outstanding publicly issued notes. The accounts for all companies reflected herein are presented using the equity method of accounting for investments in subsidiaries.

 

 

97

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

98

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

99

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

100

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

101

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

102

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

103

---

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

104

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SCHEDULE II

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

 

105

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SCHEDULE III

LAMAR MEDIA CORP.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

 

 

The following table summarizes activity for the Company’s real estate assets, which consists of advertising displays and the related accumulated depreciation.

 

 

 

 

106

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Lamar Advertising Company

None.

Lamar Media Corp.

None.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s and Lamar Media’s management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company and Lamar Media, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s and Lamar Media’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company and Lamar Media concluded, as of December 31, 2018, that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the Company’s and Lamar Media’s reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods. In management’s evaluation during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has excluded an assessment of the effectiveness of the design and operation of controls and procedures related to the operation of Fairway Outdoor Advertising (“Fairway”) assets which were purchased by the Company on December 21, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the net revenue of the Fairway assets was $1.9 million which was 0.1% of our total net revenues. As of December 31, 2018, the total assets of Fairway acquired by the Company amounted to $459.6 million (including $182.1 million of goodwill) which was 10.1% of the Company’s total assets.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Lamar Advertising Company

The Company’s Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is set forth on page 47 of this combined Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Lamar Media Corp.

Lamar Media’s Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is set forth on page 82 of this combined Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s or Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of the Company’s and Lamar Media’s internal controls performed during the fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s or Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

107

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Lamar Advertising Company

None.

Lamar Media Corp.

None.

PART III

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “code of ethics”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The code of ethics is filed as an exhibit that is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. In addition, if we make any substantive amendments to the code of ethics or grant any wavier, including any implicit wavier, from a provision of the code to any of our executive officers or directors, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

PART IV

(A) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements are listed under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The financial statement schedules are included under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

 

108

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3. EXHIBITS

The exhibits filed as part of this report are listed on the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

(B) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed on the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto.

 

None.

 

109

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

110

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111

---

 

 

112

---

 

 

113

---

 

 

114

---

 

 

115

---

 

 

116

---

 

 

117

---

 

 

118

---

 

 

119

---

 

 

 

 

 

120

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

121

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

122