Telecommunications provider Atlantic Tele Network (Nasdaq: ATNI) posted a 17% jump in its second-quarter revenue, but its profit fell from a year ago, and shares have been under pressure ever since the report early last month. The company said it expects margins to improve in the next quarter. However, we need to keep in mind other factors that could affect the performance of the stock -- at least in the near term.
Into the numbers
Revenues for the quarter rose 18% to $193.8 million compared with last year's second quarter. But most of the sales gains came from the fact that last year's quarter reflected only two months of sales from the company's acquisition of Alltel on April 26, 2010. In addition, $15 million in acquisition-related costs attributed to this year's quarter had a profound impact on margins. But once the company deals with another $5 million to $6 million in acquisition costs this quarter, Atlantic's financials won't face that headwind any longer.
Key stats
Operating income declined by almost 20% to $6.3 million because of an increase in depreciation and acquisition costs. Depreciation costs rose probably because of an increase in company assets resulting from the Alltel acquisition, although I expect that this won't affect the company's operations for long.
Bright prospects
Now that Atlantic has brought Alltel customers under its own equipment and services umbrella, it won't have the overlapping expenses from the Transition Services Agreement it made with Verizon (NYSE: VZ). Under the agreement, Verizon was paid $200 million in exchange for towers and other network assets, as well as additional costs from Verizon providing certain services during the transition period.
Atlantic will now be free from the burden of expenses incurred under the agreement. Although there could be some aftereffects under the agreement that linger into the current quarter, revenues from wireless operations in the U.S. are expected to rise now that Alltel customers are completing their migration. In addition, the company has merged its business in Bermuda with M3 Wireless, and this merger is expected to generate positive returns before the end of the year.
Foolish thought
To see what the future holds, Atlantic will need to wait until the ghosts of acquisition-related costs are exorcised. The trend in the industry, though, is upbeat, as we saw peer Crown Castle (NYSE: CCI) post a major turnaround by reversing a year-ago loss in its most recent quarter. Atlantic may follow the trend going forward, but I would rather wait until it proves itself in the next quarter or two.
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