--2009 Revenue Increased 18% --2009 EBITDA Increased 39% --2009 Cash Flow from Operations Doubled --Fourth Quarter Revenue Increased 20% --Fourth Quarter EBITDA Increased 55%
CORAL GABLES, fla., Feb 24, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: MTZ) today announced record fourth quarter and 2009 revenue and net income. "We had an excellent fourth quarter and an excellent year despite a very difficult economy. We set new records in revenue and earnings while improving margins and increasing cash flow, all evidence of the benefits of our diversified business model," declared MasTec's CEO, Jose Mas.

Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $496 million and net income was $18.2 million compared with revenue of $414 million and net income of $18.2 million for the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter EBITDA increased 55% to $50 million, compared with $33 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. GAAP fully diluted earnings per share were $0.22 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with $0.26 per diluted share for the prior year quarter.

It should be noted that net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was burdened by a 29% book tax rate compared to a 2% book tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2008. The quarter-over-quarter increase in mostly non-cash book tax expense was $7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. The Company has $121 million in Federal tax net operating losses, or NOLs, to utilize against most cash tax obligations. Also, the fourth quarter of 2009 included an increase in amortization of acquisition intangibles which had a $5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, negative impact on earnings compared to the same quarter a year ago.

For 2009, revenue was up 18% to $1.6 billion and net income was up 8% to $70.7 million, both record results. EBITDA was up 39% to $153 million. For the year, GAAP fully diluted earnings per share were $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $0.96 per diluted share in 2008.

Again, it should be noted that net income for 2009 was burdened by an 11% book tax rate compared to a 1% book tax rate for 2008. The year-over-year increase in mostly non-cash book tax expense was $7.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. Also, 2009 included an increase in amortization of acquisition intangibles which had a $9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, negative impact on earnings compared to 2008.

Mr. Mas concluded, "In addition to achieving strong financial results in 2009, through the acquisition of Precision Pipeline and our continued growth, we solidified MasTec's position in the markets we serve. Spending for domestic energy, in both natural gas and renewables, is expected to increase as is wireless infrastructure spending by our communications customers. MasTec has never been in a better position to exploit these growth opportunities."

Bob Campbell, MasTec's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer noted, "We have maintained a strong financial position and thus are able to take full advantage of the growth opportunities in our markets. Cash flow and liquidity are in excellent shape. 2009 Net cash provided by operating activities of $124 million was more than double the prior year. Liquidity, defined as unrestricted cash and availability under the Company's credit facility, was $160 million at December 31, 2009, compared with $111 million at the end of last year. With no significant debt maturities until 2013 and beyond, we have a solid balance sheet and capital structure and we are well positioned to expand service to our customers in our growth markets."

Today, the Company is issuing both first quarter and annual 2010 guidance. Even though we expect to pay only modest cash taxes for 2010 because of our NOLs, our guidance for 2010 GAAP earnings will include an estimated 40.6% book tax rate compared to only 10.6% for 2009. Additionally, MasTec will have increased amortization of intangibles and a higher share count due to two convertible debt issuances. Since these changes make GAAP earnings comparisons difficult, we are also providing supplemental non-GAAP EBITDA guidance. All non-GAAP numbers are reconciled on the attached tables.

The Company currently expects 2010 revenue of approximately $2.1 billion compared to $1.6 billion for 2009 and we expect 2010 EBITDA of $218 million to $223 million compared to $153 million for 2009. We expect 2010 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share of $0.92 to $0.95 compared to $0.90 for 2009. The 2010 guidance includes an increase in the year-over-year book tax rate, resulting in a 43-45 cent reduction in GAAP earnings per share.

Our business remains seasonal, and with the acquisition of additional northern-based businesses, our first quarter seasonality should be more pronounced going forward. Furthermore, recent harsh weather across the entire country, including areas typically not impacted by winter storms, has reduced productivity and increased costs for the first quarter of 2010. Finally, combined with our increased seasonality, we now have higher costs for depreciation, amortization and interest and a higher share count which will have a disproportionately negative earnings impact in lower revenue quarters.

As a result of these factors, for the first quarter of 2010, the Company expects revenue of approximately $420 million compared to $342 million a year ago. We expect first quarter EBITDA of $30 million to $32 million and GAAP fully diluted earnings per share of $0.07 to $0.08. The Q1 2010 negative impact of the change in year-over-year book tax rate is a 6 cent reduction in earnings per share.

The following tables set forth the financial results for the periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:



                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                  Year Ended           Three Months Ended
                                  December 31,            December 31,
                                2009        2008        2009        2008
                                ----        ----        ----        ----

    Revenue                  $1,623,502  $1,378,663    $496,281    $413,883
    Costs of revenue          1,376,125   1,179,190     421,911     354,725
    Depreciation and
     amortization                49,539      28,465      17,392       9,020
    General and
     administrative expenses     96,932      89,705      25,313      26,610
    Interest expense, net
     of interest income          24,690      14,758       7,379       4,644
    Other (income) expense,
     net                         (2,917)       (927)     (1,281)          7
                                 ------        ----      ------         ---
       Income from continuing
        operations before
        income taxes             79,133      67,472      25,567      18,877
    Provision for Income
     taxes                       (8,385)       (870)     (7,384)       (328)
                                 ------        ----      ------        ----
       Income from continuing
        operations               70,748      66,602      18,183      18,549
    Loss from discontinued
     operations, net                  -        (814)          -        (392)
                                    ---        ----      ------        ----
       Net Income               $70,748     $65,788     $18,183     $18,157
                                =======     =======     =======     =======
    Basic net income per
     share:
      Continuing operations       $0.93       $0.98       $0.24       $0.27
      Discontinued operations         -       (0.01)          -       (0.01)
                                    ---       -----         ---       -----
         Total basic net income
          per share               $0.93       $0.97       $0.24       $0.26
                                  =====       =====       =====       =====
    Basic weighted average
     common shares outstanding   75,701      67,983      75,869      69,154
                                 ======      ======      ======      ======
    Diluted net income per
     share:
      Continuing operations       $0.90       $0.97       $0.22       $0.27
      Discontinued operations         -       (0.01)          -       (0.01)
                                    ---       -----         ---       -----
         Total diluted net
          income per share        $0.90       $0.96       $0.22       $0.26
                                  =====       =====       =====       =====
      Diluted weighted
       average common shares
       outstanding               81,762      68,916      87,712      70,517
                                 ======      ======      ======      ======






                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (In thousands)

                                                       December 31
                                                 -----------------------
                                                 2009               2008
                                                 ----               ----
                      Assets
    Current assets                             $525,807           $439,365
    Property and equipment, net                 198,812            158,013
    Goodwill and other intangibles,
     net                                        579,544            420,604
    Deferred taxes, net                               -             25,165
    Securities available for sale                24,511             20,580
    Other assets                                 34,775             27,170

            Total assets                     $1,363,449         $1,090,897
                                             ==========         ==========

      Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Current liabilities                        $322,784           $334,048
    Deferred tax liability                       49,275                  -
    Long-term debt                              409,923            287,454
    Other liabilities                            53,305             26,305
    Shareholders' equity                        528,162            443,090
                                                -------            -------
            Total liabilities and
             shareholders' equity            $1,363,449         $1,090,897
                                             ==========         ==========





                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                  (In thousands)

                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                  ------------------------
                                                    2009             2008
                                                    ----             ----
    Net cash provided by operating activities     $124,139          $58,182
    Net cash used in investing activities         (176,024)        (141,987)
    Net cash provided by financing activities       93,277           56,988
                                                    ------           ------
       Net increase in cash and cash equivalents    41,392          (26,817)
    Net effect of translation on cash                 (134)            (208)
    Cash and cash equivalents--beginning of period  47,263           74,288
                                                    ------           ------
       Cash and cash equivalents--end of period    $88,521          $47,263
                                                   =======          =======




                    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Disclosures-Unaudited
                          (In thousands, except for percentages)

                               Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended
                               December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008
                             --------------------- ---------------------
                                       Percent of             Percent of
    EBITDA Reconciliation    Total      Revenue     Total       Revenue
                             -----     ---------    -----     -----------


    GAAP Net income          $18,183      3.7%      $18,157        4.4%
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                    -        -           392        0.1%
    Interest, net              7,379      1.5%        4,644        1.1%
    Income taxes               7,384      1.5%          328        0.1%
    Depreciation and
     amortization             17,392      3.5%        9,020        2.2%
                              ------      ---         -----        ---
    Earnings before
     interest, taxes,
     depreciation and
     amortization (EBITDA)   $50,338     10.1%      $32,541        7.9%
                             =======     ====        ======        ===



                                  Year Ended            Year Ended
                               December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008
                             --------------------- ---------------------
                                      Percent of              Percent of
    EBITDA Reconciliation    Total      Revenue     Total       Revenue
                             -----     ---------    -----     -----------

    GAAP Net income          $70,748      4.4%      $65,788        4.8%
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                    -        -           814        0.1%
    Interest, net             24,690      1.5%       14,758        1.1%
    Income taxes               8,385      0.5%          870        0.1%
    Depreciation and
     amortization             49,539      3.1%       28,465        2.1%
                              ------      ---        ------        ---
    Earnings before
     interest, taxes,
     depreciation and
     amortization (EBITDA)  $153,362      9.4%     $110,695        8.0%
                            ========      ===      ========        ===






                               Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended
                                 March 31, 2010E       March 31, 2009
                             --------------------- ---------------------
                                      Percent of              Percent of
    EBITDA Reconciliation    Total      Revenue     Total       Revenue
                             -----     ---------    -----     -----------


    GAAP Net income     $5,200-6,400  1.2-1.5%      $11,929        3.5%
    Interest, net              7,400      1.8%        5,762        1.7%
    Income taxes         3,500-4,300  0.8-1.0%          101        0.0%
    Depreciation
     and
     amortization             13,900      3.3%       10,643        3.1%
                              ------      ---        ------        ---
    Earnings before
     interest, taxes,
     depreciation and
     amortization
     (EBITDA)         $30,000-32,000  7.1-7.6%      $28,435        8.3%
                      ==============  ========      =======        ===





                                                     Years Ended
                                         ---------------------------------
    EBITDA Reconciliation                    2010E         2009     2008
                                             -----         ----     ----
    GAAP Net Income                      $78,400-81,400   $70,748  $65,788
    Loss from discontinued operations,
     net of taxes                                     -         -      814
    Interest, net                                29,000    24,690   14,758
    Income taxes                          53,600-55,600     8,385      870
    Amortization                                 13,000    12,940    3,658
    Depreciation                                 44,000    36,599   24,807
                                                 ------    ------   ------
    Earnings from continuing operations
     before interest, taxes,
     amortization and depreciation
     (EBITDA)                          $218,000-223,000  $153,362 $110,695
                                       ----------------  -------- --------
    EBITDA margin                            10.4-10.6%      9.4%     8.0%
                                       ================  ======== ========



Tables may contain differences due to rounding.

The Company's senior management will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. The call-in number for the conference call is (913) 312-0824 and the replay number is (719) 457-0820, with a pass code of 5695847. The replay will run for 30 days. Additionally, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed and replayed through the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.mastec.com.

MasTec is a leading specialty contractor operating mainly throughout the United States across a range of industries. The Company's core activities are the building, installation, maintenance and upgrade of utility and communications infrastructure, including electrical utility transmission and distribution, wind farms, solar farms, other renewable energy and natural gas infrastructure, wireless, wireline, satellite communication and water and sewer systems. The Company's corporate website is located at www.mastec.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including further or continued economic downturns, reduced capital expenditures, reduced financing availability, customer consolidation and technological and regulatory changes in the industries we serve; market conditions, technical and regulatory changes that affect us or our customers' industries; our ability to accurately estimate the costs associated with our fixed-price and other contracts and performance on such projects; our ability to replace non-recurring projects with new projects; our ability to retain qualified personnel and key management, including from acquired businesses, enforce any noncompetition agreements, integrate acquired businesses within the expected timeframes and achieve the revenue, cost savings and earnings levels from such acquisitions at or above the levels projected; the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and any similar local or state regulations affecting renewable energy, electrical transmission, broadband and related projects and expenditures; the effect of state and federal regulatory initiatives, including costs of compliance with existing and future environmental requirements; our ability to attract and retain qualified managers and skilled employees; trends in oil and natural gas prices; increases in fuel, maintenance, materials, labor and other costs; the timing and extent of fluctuations in geographic, weather, equipment and operational factors affecting the industries in which we operate; any material changes in estimates for legal costs or case settlements or adverse determinations on any claim, lawsuit or proceeding; the highly competitive nature of our industry; our dependence on a limited number of customers; the ability of our customers, including our largest customers, to terminate or reduce the amount of work, or in some cases prices paid for services on short or no notice under our contracts; the impact of any unionized workforce on our operations, including labor availability and relations; liabilities associated with multiemployer union pension plans, including underfunding liabilities, for our operations that employ unionized workers; any liquidity issues related to our securities held for sale; the adequacy of our insurance, legal and other reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts; any exposure related to our divested state Department of Transportation projects and assets; restrictions imposed by our credit facility, senior notes, convertible notes and any future loans or securities; the outcome of our plans for future operations, growth and services, including business development efforts, backlog and acquisitions; any dilution or stock price volatility which shareholders may experience in connection with shares we may issue as consideration for earn-out obligations in connection with past or future acquisitions, or as a result of conversions of convertible notes or other stock issuances; as well as other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ significantly from results expressed or implied in these statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

SOURCE MasTec, Inc.

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