Atento Reports Fiscal 2022 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results

Revenue flat YoY, with sales record in 2Q compensating for current macroeconomic challenges

Total Contract Value of Sales up 10.3%, with strong pipeline, particularly in hard currencies, supporting revenue growth in Q4

EBITDA margin increased 3.3p.p. from previous quarter, reaching 11.1% in 3Q22 coming from 7.8% in 2Q22

Cost efficiency efforts accelerated, mainly encompassing indirect costs and as well as operational improvements, increasing EBITDA by $10m million.  Expecting to keep on generating further efficiencies

Strong Operating Cash Flow of $8mm, building on the positive trend in 2Q22. Free Cash Flow of negative $38 million, mainly due to $19.6 million bond coupon payment, $22.5 million cross currency swap expenses and $4.0 million in other interest expenses

Ending cash balance of $66 million, with no other significant payments expected for remainder of 2022 and cash position forecasted to increase in Q4

  Successfully renewed all revolving credit facilities in Brazil

Reached lock-up extension with major shareholders committed to growing the Company

Due to challenging macroeconomic conditions, management revising 2022 EBITDA margin guidance range to 10.5% to 11.0% from 11.5% to 12.5% and Leverage Ratio range to 4.0x to 4.5x from 3.0x to 3.5x

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO) ("Atento" or the "Company"), the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America and among the top providers globally, announced today its third quarter operating and financial results for the period ending September 30, 2022. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year (YoY) and in constant-currency (CCY), unless otherwise noted.   

On track for another great year in TCV sales

• Total Contract Value of sales (TCV) increased 10.3% YoY to $86.8 million
• Revenue decreased 0.4% to $346.8 million, mainly due to lower-than-expected volumes related to deteriorating economic conditions in Brazil and Telefónica's (TEF) cost-cutting program in these challenging macro-economic conditions; all partially offset by inflation pass-through
• Multisector revenue decreased 1.4%, mainly due to a 6.0% decrease in Brazil on volumes below internal forecasts and corporate decision of terminating low margin contracts, partially offset by strong Multisector growth in EMEA
• TEF revenue increased 1.7% on 11.9% and 7.6% increases in the Americas and EMEA, respectively, while decreasing 13.6% in Brazil

EBITDA margin increased 3.3 p.p. sequentially on improved operational efficiency

• On a sequential basis, EBITDA increased 42.1% to $38.4 million in constant currency, mainly due to higher operating efficiencies related to Atento's cost reduction program as well as to lower severance and ramp-up costs. Year-over-year (YoY), EBITDA decreased 22.7%, mainly due to aforementioned factors in Brazil, partially offset by Multisector growth in EMEA
• EBITDA margin increased 3.3 p.p. sequentially to 11.1%, while contracting 2.8% YoY
• Net profit improved $13.2 million YoY to $1.5 million, or EPS of $0.10, on operating profit of $7.9 million, a $32.4 million improvement in net financial expenses resulting from the appreciation of the US dollar against the Euro, and a $2.7 million change in fair value of currency hedges
• Cash financial costs were $46.1 million, $19.6 million of which was a bond interest payment, $22.5 million in payments related to currency hedges and $4.0 million in other interest expenses
• Operating cash flow was $8.1 million, up sequentially from $7.7 million on lower operating costs and down from $25.9 million in 3Q21
• Free cash flow was negative $38.0 million, down from $6.7 million in 3Q21, mostly due to aforementioned financial costs related to bond and currency hedges

Renewed all revolving credit facilities and active cross currency management

• Quarter-end cash position of $66 million that includes $76 million drawn from existing credit facilities
• At the end of 3Q22, LTM net debt-to-EBITDA was 6.1x, or 4.3x when excluding one-time impact of cyber costs on EBITDA. LTM leverage ration
• Shareholders' equity was negative $164.1 million at September 30, 2022, mainly due to $47.4 million in financial items consisting of $20.5 million in balance sheet and P&L conversion, $7.1 million in net financial costs, partially offset by a positive $2.7 million change in the fair value of currency hedges and $1.2 million related to accounting treatment of hedges
• On July 27, 2022, Atento Luxco 1 S.A. unwound the full PEN/USD cross-currency swap entered with Morgan Stanley on March 10, 2021. The proceeds were used to decrease the % CDI with Morgan Stanley BRL swap. The floating leg was reduced from 142.25% to 133.45% CDI (Brazilian Interbank Market Rate).

Planned annualized cost savings increased to $45 million from $25 million under expanded cost reduction program

• Year-to-date, achieved approximately $10 million of $15 million in targeted 2022 cost reductions, resulting from consolidation of service delivery centers, lower headcount, rationalization of third-party services and improved procurement efficiency
• Targeting an additional $20 million in annualized cost savings by reducing additional corporate overhead and further increasing operational efficiency of service delivery
• Inflation pass-through (IPT) at 88% year-to-date

Opening new call center in Philippines

• Major contract won with a global fintech and payments company, following opening of new call center in Philippines

Summarized Consolidated Financials

Message from Management

In the face of a more challenging economic environment across the Americas, we have accelerated and expanded the scope of our revenue and cost initiatives to hasten the transformation of Atento's operational core beyond what we had  considered under our growth plan. In addition to another $20 million in annual cost savings that we are targeting, our new sales strategy continues gaining traction, driving high TCV growth in the third quarter that will support Atento's top line going into 2023 as new clients are onboarded and volumes begin kicking in. And as revenues with existing clients pick up in the seasonally strong fourth quarter, we expect to see a strong sequential quarterly improvement in EBITDA and cash flow.

Besides adopting a global account model that has greatly enhanced our ability to sell across markets and more of Atento's expanding portfolio of solutions, we have become even more aggressive commercially in key growth sectors such as Tech, E-commerce, Healthcare and Travel.  These businesses tend to grow faster than many of our traditional Blue-Chip clients, as they need to begin outsourcing many of their CX and back-office functions. Notably, 63% of 2022 sales through September came from new logos.

Our challenges are rooted in the LATAM markets that we serve, with some of these more in our control than others. We are mitigating the impact of inflation through significantly better IPT management, and price competition through a retooled offering. Even adverse political developments can be managed by creating a more agile organization. In the long-term, focusing on our developed market growth objective and particularly US Nearshore will be key to our success.  Today, we are truly selling more, selling better and selling what we want. At the same time, we are further reducing Atento's cost structure. 2022 has been a transformational year during which we have been evolving into a stronger and more resilient company, enabling us to resume our profitable growth trajectory next year as well as establishing a solid foundation for longer-term growth.

Third Quarter Segment Reporting

Brazil

Third quarter Brazil revenue decreased 8.0% to $139.6 million, with Multisector and TEF revenues decreasing 6.0% and 13.6%, respectively. Multisector revenues declined on terminated low margin client contracts as well as volumes that were lower than internal projections and related to weakening economic conditions in this market. At the end of the quarter, Multisector revenue accounted for 74.7% of total revenue in Brazil, up 0.9 p.p. compared to the same nine-month period in 2021. The decrease in TEF revenues was mainly due to this client's cost-cutting program in Brazil, which included renegotiated prices. The decrease in Brazil's total revenue in the third quarter was partially offset by inflation pass-through.

The Company's EBITDA in Brazil decreased 33.4% to $15.1 million, with the corresponding margin contracting 4.1 p.p. to 10.8%. The decrease was mainly due to i) lower volumes and pricing; and ii) terminated low margin client contracts.  

Americas Region

In the Americas region, third quarter revenue increased 3.4% to $151.7 million, driven by an 11.9% increase in TEF revenues. The increase in TEF revenues was mainly due to strong volumes in Colombia and Peru, and reflects hyperinflation in Argentina. Despite challenging economic conditions in the region, Multisector revenues decreased only slightly, as reductions in client volumes were limited.  Multisector revenues accounted for 68.4% of the region's total revenue, 0.3 p.p. higher compared to the first nine months of 2021.

Americas EBITDA decreased 3.8% to $14.7 million, with the corresponding margin declining 0.4 p.p. to 9.7%. Although TEF accounted for a higher proportion of revenue in the third quarter, the effect of hyperinflation in Argentina would not translate into higher EBITDA. However, the EBITDA margin in the Argentina business became positive in the third quarter, due to improved operational efficiency.

EMEA Region

Revenue in EMEA increased 14.1% to $57.9 million on a 19.8% increase in Multisector revenues and a 7.6% rise in TEF revenues. Volumes related to new clients in the insurance and energy sectors primarily drove Multisector revenues. TEF volumes were higher, as Atento continued to benefit from this client's consolidation of service providers earlier in the year. On a nine-month basis, Multisector revenue accounted for 52.0% of total revenue, an increase of 0.5 p.p.  compared to the comparable nine-month period in 2021.

EMEA EBITDA increased 4.2% to $5.0 million, while the corresponding margin decreased 0.8 p.p. to 8.6% as a greater mix of onshore volumes in the TEF business, as compared to more profitable offshore business, remained during the quarter. The forecast for 4Q22 projects a greater mix of offshore revenue, which should increase EMEA's margin.

Cash Flow

Third quarter operating cash flow was $8.1 million, up sequentially from $7.7 million and reflecting capex expenditures during this period. Free cash flow was negative $38.0 million, down from $4.5 million in 2Q22, mostly due to a $19.5 million bond interest payment, $22.5 million in payments related to currency hedges, $3.5 million in other interest expenses primarily related to bank credit facilities.

Indebtedness & Capital Structure

At September 30, 2022, Gross debt totaled $715.6 million, or $583.9 million when excluding lease obligations reported under IFRS 16. With cash and cash equivalents of $66.3 million, net debt was $649.3 million at the end of the quarter.

At the end of the third quarter, LTM net debt-to-EBITDA was 6.1x, or 4.3x when excluding the one-time impact of cyber costs on EBITDA in 4Q21, which will not be reflected in 4Q22 LTM EBITDA.  

Management regularly assesses the Company's level of indebtedness and evaluates its liquidity profile as well as various financing, refinancing and other alternatives to enhance its capital structure and address maturities under existing debt arrangements. In addition, from time to time, management has explored opportunities to obtain financing from third parties, including through a receivables financing facility or other debt facilities permitted to be incurred under the terms of the documents governing Atento's existing debt arrangements.

Earnings /(Loss) Per Share

As of September 30, 2022, the Company's shares outstanding represented a total amount of 15,451,667 shares. On September 30, 2022, Atento S.A. held a total of 951,957 own shares.

Basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to equity owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2021 are as below:

Fiscal 2022 Guidance 

Conference Call

Atento will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 8:30 am ET to discuss the Company's fiscal third quarter 2022 operating and financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing: USA: +1 (866) 807-9684; UK: (+44) 20 3514 3188; Brazil: (+55) 11 4933-0682; Spain: (+34) 91 414-9260; or International: (+1) 412 317 5415.  No passcode is required. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on Atento's Investor Relations website at investors.atento.com (Click Here). A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the website.

About Atento

Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America and among the top providers globally. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 14 countries with a workforce of 131,000 employees. Atento has over 400 clients for which it provides a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Its clients are leading multinational companies in the technology, digital, telecommunications, finance, health, consumer and public administration sectors, amongst others. Atento trades under ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2019, Atento was recognized by Great Place to Work® as one of the 25 World's Best Multinational Workplaces and as one of the Best Places to Work in Latin America. In 2021, Everest named Atento a Star Performer, while in 2022 Gartner named the Company a leader fin the Gartner Magic Quadrant for the second consecutive year.  For more information www.atento.com 

Media Relations

[email protected]

Investor and analyst inquiries

Hernan van Waveren
+1 979-633-9539 
[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "continue" or similar terminology. These statements reflect only Atento's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments' extraordinary measures to limit the spread of the virus, are disrupting the global economy and Atento's industry, and consequently adversely affecting the Company's business, results of operation and cash flows and, as conditions are recent, uncertain and changing rapidly, it is difficult to predict the full extent of the impact that the pandemic will have. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento's highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento's ability to keep pace with its clients' needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento's clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento's client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento's businesses; Atento's ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento's data and operation centers; Atento's ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento's ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; and Atento's ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients. In addition, Atento is subject to risks related to its level of indebtedness. Such risks include Atento's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and fund its other liquidity needs; Atento's ability to comply with covenants contained in its debt instruments; the ability to obtain additional financing; the incurrence of significant additional indebtedness by Atento and its subsidiaries; and the ability of Atento's lenders to fulfill their lending commitments. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by the comp any with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Atento S.A.