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Covanta Holding Corporation Reports 2019 Second Quarter Results And Revises 2019 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
Full-year outlook for underlying operating results on track, with revision solely related to recent volatility in commodity prices

MORRISTOWN, N.J., July 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA) ("Covanta" or the "Company"), a world leader in sustainable waste and energy solutions, reported financial results today for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.


Three Months Ended
June 30,


2019


2018






(Unaudited, $ in millions)

Revenue

$467


$454

Net loss

$(21)


$(31)

Adjusted EBITDA

$94


$103

Net cash provided by operating activities

$50


$60

Free Cash Flow

$21


$26

Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures can be found in the exhibits to this press release.

"During the second quarter, our team focused on executing our operating and strategic plans, with solid results," said Covanta's President and CEO Stephen J. Jones. "Our plants are on track for another year of record production, we capitalized on a strong waste market to drive tip fee prices over 5%, and we advanced towards our goal of having four new plants in construction in the UK. While recent volatility in commodity prices is causing us to revise our 2019 financial guidance, our longer term targets are unchanged as they are not predicated on short-term commodity price movements. Rather, these targets reflect our ability to continue driving underlying organic growth while expanding our business through project development in both new and existing markets."

More detail on our second quarter results can be found in the exhibits to this release and in our second quarter 2019 earnings presentation found in the Investor Relations section of the Covanta website at www.covanta.com .

Covanta Logo (PRNewsFoto/Covanta)

2019 Guidance

The Company revised 2019 Adjusted EBITDA guidance and reaffirmed 2019 Free Cash Flow guidance:

(In millions)


2019 Guidance Range


Metric

Current

Initial

2018
Actual

Adjusted EBITDA

$420 - $445

$440 - $465

$457

Free Cash Flow

$120 - $145

$120 - $145

$100

Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures can be found in the exhibits to this press release
Guidance as of July 25, 2019.

Conference Call Information
Covanta will host a conference call at 8:30 AM (Eastern) on Friday, July 26, 2019 to discuss its second quarter results.

The conference call will begin with prepared remarks, which will be followed by a question and answer session.  To participate, please dial 1-833-238-7947 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call.  If calling outside of the United States, please dial 1-647-689-4195. Please request the "Covanta Holding Corporation Earnings Conference Call" when prompted by the conference call operator. The conference call will also be webcast live from the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.  A presentation will be made available during the call and will be found in the Investor Relations section of the Covanta website at www.covanta.com .

An archived webcast will be available two hours after the end of the conference call and can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Covanta website at www.covanta.com .

About Covanta
Covanta is a world leader in providing sustainable waste and energy solutions.  Annually, Covanta's modern Energy-from-Waste ("EfW") facilities safely convert approximately 21 million tons of waste from municipalities and businesses into clean, renewable electricity to power one million homes and recycle over 600,000 tons of metal. Through a vast network of treatment and recycling facilities, Covanta also provides comprehensive industrial material management services to companies seeking solutions to some of today's most complex environmental challenges. For more information, visit www.covanta.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") or in releases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), all as may be amended from time to time. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Covanta Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Covanta") or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements.  For additional information see the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements at the end of the Exhibits.

 

Covanta Holding Corporation


Exhibit 1

Consolidated Statements of Operations










Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,



2019


2018


2019


2018












(Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share amounts)

OPERATING REVENUE:









Waste and service revenue


$

359



$

333



$

686



$

645


Energy revenue


72



76



166



176


Recycled metals revenue


21



25



42



49


Other operating revenue


15



20



26



42


Total operating revenue


467



454



920



912


OPERATING EXPENSE:









Plant operating expense


354



334



713



679


Other operating expense, net


16



19



33



27


General and administrative expense


31



27



61



58


Depreciation and amortization expense


55



55



110



109


Impairment charges (a)


1



37



1



37


Total operating expense


457



472



918



910


Operating income (loss)


10



(18)



2



2


OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:









Interest expense


(36)



(36)



(72)



(74)


Net (loss) gain on sale of business and investments (a)


(2)





48



210


Other income (expense), net


1



(1)



2



(1)


Total other (expense) income


(37)



(37)



(22)



135


(Loss) income before income tax benefit and equity in net income
    from unconsolidated investments


(27)



(55)



(20)



137


Income tax benefit


3



22



1



31


Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments


3



2



3



2


Net (loss) income


$

(21)



$

(31)



$

(16)



$

170











Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:









Basic


131



130



131



130


Diluted


131



130



131



132











(Loss) Earnings Per Share:









Basic


$

(0.16)



$

(0.24)



$

(0.12)



$

1.31


Diluted


$

(0.16)



$

(0.24)



$

(0.12)



$

1.29











Cash Dividend Declared Per Share


$

0.25



$

0.25



$

0.50



$

0.50











(a) For additional information, see Exhibit 4 of this Press Release.

 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation

Exhibit 2

Consolidated Balance Sheets





As of


June 30,
 2019


December 31,
 2018






(Unaudited)



ASSETS

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Current:




Cash and cash equivalents

$

102



$

58


Restricted funds held in trust

22



39


Receivables (less allowances of $8 and $8, respectively)

318



338


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

84



64


Total Current Assets

526



499


Property, plant and equipment, net

2,492



2,514


Restricted funds held in trust

8



8


Intangible assets, net

269



279


Goodwill

321



321


Other assets

286



222


Total Assets

$

3,902



$

3,843


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY




Current:




Current portion of long-term debt

$

16



$

15


Current portion of project debt

10



19


Accounts payable

61



76


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

318



333


Total Current Liabilities

405



443


Long-term debt

2,446



2,327


Project debt

128



133


Deferred income taxes

378



378


Other liabilities

129



75


Total Liabilities

3,486



3,356


Equity:




Preferred stock ($0.10 par value; authorized 10 shares; none issued and outstanding)




Common stock ($0.10 par value; authorized 250 shares; issued 136 shares, outstanding 131 shares)

14



14


Additional paid-in capital

848



841


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(27)



(33)


Accumulated deficit

(419)



(334)


Treasury stock, at par



(1)


Total Equity

416



487


Total Liabilities and Equity

$

3,902



$

3,843



 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation

Exhibit 3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow





Six Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018






(Unaudited, in millions)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:




Net (loss) income

$

(16)



$

170


Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization expense

110



109


Amortization of deferred debt financing costs

2



3


Net gain on sale of business and investments (a)

(48)



(210)


Impairment charges (a)

1



37


Stock-based compensation expense

15



14


Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments

(3)



(2)


Deferred income taxes

(4)



(28)


Dividends from unconsolidated investments

5



1


Other, net

5



(8)


Change in working capital, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions

18



(21)


Changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities, net

2



(2)


Net cash provided by operating activities

87



63


INVESTING ACTIVITIES:




Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(93)



(130)


Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

2



(4)


Proceeds from the sale of assets, net of restricted cash

26



112


Property insurance proceeds



7


Payment of indemnification claim related to sale of asset



(7)


Investment in equity affiliate

(8)




Other, net

(1)



(1)


Net cash used in investing activities

(74)



(23)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES:




Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt

14



30


Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility

359



317


Payments on long-term debt

(8)



(6)


Payments on revolving credit facility

(248)



(387)


Payments on project debt

(13)



(13)


Cash dividends paid to stockholders

(68)



(66)


Payment of insurance premium financing

(14)



(13)


Other, net

(8)



2


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

14



(136)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash



2


Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

27



(94)


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

105



194


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

132



$

100






(a) For additional information, see Exhibit 4 of this Press Release.




 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation




Exhibit 4

Consolidated Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

    to Adjusted EBITDA










Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,



2019


2018


2019


2018












(Unaudited, in millions)

Net (loss) income


$

(21)



$

(31)



$

(16)



$

170


Depreciation and amortization expense


55



55



110



109


Interest expense


36



36



72



74


Income tax benefit


(3)



(22)



(1)



(31)


Impairment charges (a)


1



37



1



37


Net loss (gain) on sale of businesses and investments (b)


2





(48)



(210)


Property insurance recoveries, net








(7)


Capital type expenditures at client owned facilities (c)


7



11



20



23


Debt service billings in excess of revenue recognized








1


Business development and transaction costs


1



1



1



3


Severance and reorganization costs


1



2



4



4


Stock-based compensation expense


7



5



15



14


Adjustments to reflect Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated
   investments


6



7



12



11


Other (d)


2



2



8



5


Adjusted EBITDA


$

94



$

103



$

178



$

203


Capital type expenditures at client owned facilities (c)


(7)



(11)



(20)



(23)


Cash paid for interest


(12)



(40)



(59)



(73)


Cash paid for taxes, net


(3)



(2)



(4)



(2)


Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments


(3)



(2)



(3)



(2)


Adjustments to reflect Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated
   investments


(6)



(7)



(12)



(11)


Dividends from unconsolidated investments


5



1



5



1


Adjustment for working capital and other


(18)



18



2



(30)


Net cash provided by operating activities


$

50



$

60



$

87



$

63






(a)

During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we identified an indicator of impairment associated with certain of our EfW facilities and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $37 million to reduce the carrying value of the facilities to their estimated fair value.

(b) 

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we recorded a $57 million gain related to the Rookery South Energy Recovery Facility development project and a $12 million loss related to the divestiture of our Springfield and Pittsfield EfW facilities.


During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded a $204 million gain on the sale of 50% of our Dublin project to our joint venture with Green Investment Group and $6 million gain on the sale of our remaining interests in China.

(c)

Adjustment for impact of adoption of FASB ASC 853 - Service Concession Arrangements. These types of capital equipment related expenditures at our service fee operated facilities were historically capitalized prior to adoption of this new accounting standard effective January 1, 2015 and are capitalized at facilities that we own.

(d) 

Includes certain other items that are added back under the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in Covanta Energy, LLC's credit agreement.

 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation



Exhibit 5

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow










Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


Full Year
Estimated 2019


2019


2018


2019


2018













(Unaudited, in millions)



Net cash provided by operating activities

$

50



$

60



$

87



$

63



$230 - $260

Add: Changes in restricted funds - operating (a)

5



(1)



5



(11)



10

Less: Maintenance capital expenditures (b)

(34)



(33)



(65)



(78)



(130 - 120)

Free Cash Flow

$

21



$

26



$

27



$

(26)



$120 - $145




(a) Adjustment for the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 effective January 1, 2018. As a result of 
     adoption, the statement of cash flows explains the change during the period in the total of cash, cash 
     equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, 
     changes in restricted funds are eliminated in arriving at net cash, cash equivalents and restricted funds 
     provided by operating activities.













(b) Purchases of property, plant and equipment are also referred to as capital expenditures. Capital 
     expenditures that primarily maintain existing facilities are classified as maintenance capital 
     expenditures. The following table provides the components of total purchases of property, plant and equipment:










Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,




2019


2018


2019


2018



Maintenance capital expenditures

$

(34)



$

(33)



$

(65)



$

(78)




Net maintenance capital expenditures paid but 
     incurred in prior periods



(5)



(6)



(12)




Capital expenditures associated with construction 
      of Dublin EfW facility



(4)





(21)




Capital expenditures associated with the New York 
     City MTS contract

(6)





(17)






Capital expenditures associated with organic 
     growth initiatives

(1)



(7)



(5)



(15)




Total capital expenditures associated with 
     growth investments (c)

(7)



(11)



(22)



(36)




Capital expenditures associated with property 
     insurance events







(4)




Total purchases of property, plant and equipment

$

(41)



$

(49)



$

(93)



$

(130)














(c)  Total growth investments represents investments in growth opportunities, including organic growth 
      initiatives, technology, business development, and other similar expenditures.



Capital expenditures associated with growth 
     investments

$

(7)



$

(11)



$

(22)



$

(36)




UK business development projects





(1)






Investment in equity affiliate

(5)





(8)






Asset and business acquisitions, net of cash acquired





2



(5)




Total growth investments

$

(12)



$

(11)



$

(29)



$

(41)





 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation




Exhibit 6

Supplemental Information





(Unaudited, $ in millions)







Three Months Ended
June 30,



2019


2018

REVENUE:





Waste and service revenue:





EfW tip fees


$

162



$

156


EfW service fees


116



100


Environmental services (a)


37



37


Municipal services (b)


62



54


Other (c)


10



12


Intercompany (d)


(28)



(27)


Total waste and service


359



333


Energy revenue:





Energy sales


58



64


Capacity


12



13


Other (e)


2




Total energy


72



76


Recycled metals revenue:





Ferrous


13



15


Non-ferrous


8



10


Total recycled metals


21



25


Other revenue (f)


15



20


Total revenue


$

467



$

454







OPERATING EXPENSE:





Plant operating expense:





Plant maintenance


$

83



$

79


Other plant operating expense


272



255


Total plant operating expense


354



334


Other operating expense


16



19


General and administrative


31



27


Depreciation and amortization


55



55


Impairment charges


1



37


Total operating expense


$

457



$

472







Operating income (loss)


$

10



$

(18)







Plus: impairment charges


1



37


Operating income excluding impairment charges


$

11



$

19







(a) Includes the operation of material processing facilities and related services provided by our Covanta Environmental Solutions business.

(b) Consists of transfer stations and the transportation component of our NYC Marine Transfer Station contract.

(c) Includes waste brokerage, debt service and other revenue not directly related to EfW waste processing activities.

(d) Consists of elimination of intercompany transactions primarily relating to transfer stations.

(e) Primarily components of wholesale load serving revenue not included in Energy sales line, such as transmission and ancillaries.

(f) Consists primarily of construction revenue.

Note: Certain amounts may not total due to rounding.

 

 

Covanta Holding Corporation









Exhibit 7

Revenue and Operating Income Changes - Q2 2018 to Q2 2019







(Unaudited, $ in millions)




























Contract Transitions (b)








Q2 2018


Organic
Growth (a)


%


Waste


Transactions (c)


Total
Changes


Q2 2019

REVENUE:














Waste and service:














EfW tip fees

$

156



$

5



3.5

%


$

5



$

(5)



$

5



$

162


EfW service fees

100



7



6.6

%


(5)



14



16



116


Environmental services

37





%








37


Municipal services

54



3



5.6

%




5



8



62


Other revenue

12



(2)



(12.5)

%


(1)





(3)



10


Intercompany

(27)



1







(1)



(1)



(28)


Total waste and service

333



14



4.3

%


(1)



13



27



359


Energy:














Energy sales

64



(7)



(10.6)

%


2



(1)



(6)



58


Capacity

13



(1)



(6.6)

%






(1)



12


Other



2



%






2



2


Total energy

76



(5)



(7.1)

%


2



(1)



(4)



72


Recycled metals:














Ferrous

15



(3)



(18.2)

%






(2)



13


Non-ferrous

10



(2)



(19.9)

%






(2)



8


Total recycled metals

25



(5)



(18.9)

%




1



(4)



21


Other revenue

20



(5)



(25.7)

%






(5)



15


Total revenue

$

454



$

(1)



(0.2)

%


$

1



$

13



$

13



$

467
















OPERATING EXPENSE:














Plant operating expense:














Plant maintenance

$

79



$

3



3.2

%


$



$

2



$

4



$

83


Other plant operating expense

255



8



2.9

%


1



8



17



272


Total plant operating expense

334



10



3.0

%


1



10



21



354


Other operating expense

19



(3)









(3)



16


General and administrative

27



3









3



31


Depreciation and amortization

55



(1)







1





55


Total operating expense

$

435



$

8





$

1



$

11



$

21



$

456


Operating income (loss) excluding impairment charges

$

19



$

(10)





$



$

2



$

(8)



$

11
















(a) Reflects performance on a comparable period-over-period basis, excluding the impacts of transitions and transactions.

(b) Includes the impact of the expiration of: (1) long-term major waste and service contracts, most typically representing the transition to a new contract structure, and (2) long-term energy contracts.

(c) Includes the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, new projects and the addition or loss of operating contracts.













Note: Certain amounts may not total due to rounding.


 

 

Operating Metrics



Exhibit 8

(Unaudited)





Three Months Ended
June 30,


2019


2018

EfW Waste




Tons: (in millions)




Tip fee- contracted

2.29



2.32


Tip fee- uncontracted

0.43



0.44


Service fee

2.70



2.31


Total tons

5.41



5.07


Tip Fee revenue per ton:




Tip fee- contracted

$

54.16



$

51.52


Tip fee- uncontracted

$

89.06



$

84.05


Average tip fee

$

59.66



$

56.68


EfW Energy




Energy sales: (MWh in millions)




Contracted

0.47



0.52


Hedged

0.73



0.81


Market

0.37



0.30


Total energy

1.57



1.62


Market sales by geography: (MWh in millions)




PJM East

0.2



0.1


NEPOOL

0.1



0.1


NYISO




Other

0.1



0.1


Revenue per MWh (excludes capacity and other energy revenue):




Contracted

$

66.00



$

64.81


Hedged

$

26.42



$

25.99


Market

$

21.69



$

30.86


Average revenue per MWh

$

37.19



$

39.28


Metals




Tons Recovered: (in thousands)




Ferrous

110.8



106.6


Non-ferrous

12.5



11.7


Tons Sold: (in thousands)




Ferrous

94.9



81.4


Non-ferrous

6.7



7.0


Revenue per ton:




Ferrous

$

132



$

182


Non-ferrous

$

1,255



$

1,432


EfW plant operating expense: ($ in millions)




Plant operating expense - gross

$

279



$

264


Less: Client pass-through costs

(12)



(12)


Less: REC sales - contra-expense

(2)



(3)


Plant operating expense, net

$

265



$

250






Note: Waste volume includes solid tons only. Metals and energy volume are presented net of client revenue sharing. Steam sales are converted to MWh equivalent at an assumed average rate of 11 klbs of steam / MWh.  Hedged  energy sales includes the energy component of wholesale load serving. Uncontracted energy sales include sales under PPAs that are based on market prices.

Note: Certain amounts may not total due to rounding.




 

Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use a number of different financial measures, both United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and non-GAAP, in assessing the overall performance of our business.  To supplement our assessment of results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use the measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as described below, and used in the tables above, are not intended as a substitute or as an alternative to net income, cash flow provided by operating activities or diluted earnings per share as indicators of our performance or liquidity or any other measures of performance or liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.

The presentations of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are intended to enhance the usefulness of our financial information by providing measures which management internally use to assess and evaluate the overall performance of its business and those of possible acquisition candidates, and highlight trends in the overall business.

Adjusted EBITDA

We use Adjusted EBITDA to provide additional ways of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with the GAAP results provide a more complete understanding of our core business. As we define it, Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for additional items subtracted from or added to net income including the effects of impairment losses, gains or losses on sales, dispositions or retirements of assets, adjustments to reflect the Adjusted EBITDA from our unconsolidated investments, adjustments to exclude significant unusual or non-recurring items that are not directly related to our operating performance plus adjustments to capital type expenses for our service fee facilities in line with our credit agreements. We adjust for these items in our Adjusted EBITDA as our management believes that these items would distort their ability to efficiently view and assess our core operating trends. As larger parts of our business are conducted through unconsolidated investments that we do not control, we adjust EBITDA for our proportionate share of the entities depreciation and amortization, interest expense and taxes in order to improve comparability to the Adjusted EBITDA of our wholly owned entities.

In order to provide a meaningful basis for comparison, we are providing information with respect to our Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, reconciled for each such period to net income and cash flow provided by operating activities, which are believed to be the most directly comparable measures under GAAP.

Our projections of the proportional contribution of our interests in joint ventures to our Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are not based on GAAP net income/loss or Cash flow provided by operating activities, respectively, and are anticipated to be adjusted to exclude the effects of events or circumstances in 2019 that are not representative or indicative of our results of operations and that are not currently determinable. Due to the uncertainty of the likelihood, amount and timing of any such adjusting items, we do not have information available to provide a quantitative reconciliation of projected net income/loss to an Adjusted EBITDA projection.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities, plus changes in operating restricted funds, less maintenance capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures primarily to maintain our existing facilities.

We use the non-GAAP measure of Free Cash Flow as a criterion of liquidity and performance-based components of employee compensation.  We use Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity to determine amounts we can reinvest in our core businesses, such as amounts available to make acquisitions, invest in construction of new projects, make principal payments on debt, or amounts we can return to our stockholders through dividends and/or stock repurchases.

In order to provide a meaningful basis for comparison, we are providing information with respect to our Free Cash Flow for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, reconciled for each such period to cash flow provided by operating activities, which we believe to be the most directly comparable measure under GAAP.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") or in releases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), all as may be amended from time to time.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Covanta Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Covanta") or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as the words "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," or "scheduled to," or other similar words, or the negative of these terms or other variations of these terms or comparable language, or by discussion of strategy or intentions.  These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such laws.  Covanta cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by Covanta are not guarantees or indicative of future performance.  Important factors, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results of Covanta and our joint ventures to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

  • seasonal or long-term fluctuations in the prices of energy, waste disposal, scrap metal and commodities, and Covanta's ability to renew or replace expiring contracts at comparable prices and with other acceptable terms;
  • adoption of new laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, including energy laws, tax laws, environmental laws, labor laws and healthcare laws;
  • advances in technology;
  • difficulties in the operation of our facilities, including fuel supply and energy delivery interruptions, failure to obtain regulatory approvals, equipment failures, labor disputes and work stoppages, and weather interference and catastrophic events;
  • failure to maintain historical performance levels at Covanta's facilities and Covanta's ability to retain the rights to operate facilities Covanta does not own;
  • Covanta's and the joint ventures ability to avoid adverse publicity or reputational damage relating to its business;
  • difficulties in the financing, development and construction of new projects and expansions, including increased construction costs and delays;
  • Covanta's ability to realize the benefits of long-term business development and bear the costs of business development over time;
  • Covanta's ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards;
  • limits of insurance coverage;
  • Covanta's ability to avoid defaults under its long-term contracts;
  • performance of third parties under its contracts and such third parties' observance of laws and regulations;
  • concentration of suppliers and customers;
  • geographic concentration of facilities;
  • increased competitiveness in the energy and waste industries;
  • changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
  • limitations imposed by Covanta's existing indebtedness and its ability to perform its financial obligations and guarantees and to refinance its existing indebtedness;
  • exposure to counterparty credit risk and instability of financial institutions in connection with financing transactions;
  • the scalability of its business;
  • restrictions in its certificate of incorporation and debt documents regarding strategic alternatives;
  • failures of disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting;
  • Covanta's and the joint ventures ability to attract and retain talented people;
  • general economic conditions in the United States and abroad, including the availability of credit and debt financing; and
  • other risks and uncertainties affecting Covanta's businesses described periodic securities filings by Covanta with the SEC.

Although Covanta believes that its plans, cost estimates, returns on investments, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from a projection or assumption in any forward-looking statements. Covanta's and the joint ventures future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and Covanta does not have, or undertake, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

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SOURCE Covanta Holding Corporation

For further information: Investor Contact: Dan Mannes, 1-862-345-5456, IR@covanta.com; Media Contact: James Regan, 1-862-345-5216