(Source: Business Wire)

Lamar Advertising Company (Nasdaq: LAMR), a leading owner and operator
of outdoor advertising and logo sign displays, announces the Company's
operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Three Months Results
Lamar reported net revenues of $271.8 million for the third quarter of
2009 versus $312.5 million for the third quarter of 2008, a 13.0%
decrease. Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 was $39.3
million as compared to $53.2 million for the same period in 2008. There
was a net loss of $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to
net income of $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.
Adjusted EBITDA, which we refer to herein as EBITDA (defined as
operating income before non-cash compensation, depreciation and
amortization and gain on disposition of assets - see reconciliation to
net (loss) income at the end of this release) for the third quarter of
2009 was $122.5 million versus $134.5 million for the third quarter of
2008, an 8.9% decrease.
Free cash flow (defined as EBITDA less interest, net of interest income
and amortization of financing costs, current taxes, preferred stock
dividends and total capital expenditures - see reconciliation to cash
flows provided by operating activities at the end of this release) for
the third quarter of 2009 was $83.0 million as compared to $42.9 million
for the same period in 2008, a 93.4% increase.
Pro forma net revenue for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 12.9% and
pro forma EBITDA decreased 8.7% as compared to the third quarter of
2008. Pro forma net revenue and EBITDA include adjustments to the 2008
period for acquisitions and divestitures for the same time frame as
actually owned in the 2009 period. Tables that reconcile reported
results to pro forma results and operating income to outdoor operating
income are included at the end of this release.
Nine Months Results
Lamar reported net revenues of $793.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 versus $919.1 million for the same period in 2008, a
13.6% decrease. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 was $77.2 million as compared to $155.0 million for the same period
in 2008. EBITDA decreased to $334.6 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 versus $397.7 million for the same period in 2008.
There was a net loss of $38.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 as compared to net income of $10.8 million for the
same period in 2008.
Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased
60.1% to $190.7 million as compared to $119.1 million for the same
period in 2008.
Liquidity
As of September 30, 2009, Lamar had $235.8 million in total liquidity
that consists of $188.1 million available for borrowing under its
revolving senior credit facility and $47.7 million in cash.
Guidance
For the fourth quarter of 2009 the Company expects net revenue to be
approximately $257.0 million. On a pro forma basis this represents a
decrease of approximately 7.0%.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including the
statements regarding guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in these
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among
others; (1) our significant indebtedness; (2) the length and severity of
the current recession and the effect that it has on the demand for
advertising; (3) the continued popularity of outdoor advertising as an
advertising medium; (4) our need for and ability to obtain additional
funding for operations, debt refinancing or acquisitions; (5) the
regulation of the outdoor advertising industry; (6) the integration of
companies that we acquire and our ability to recognize cost savings or
operating efficiencies as a result of these acquisitions; (7) the market
for our Class A common stock and (8) other factors described in the
reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and the registration statements that we
file from time to time with the SEC. We caution 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 we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements,
except as may be required by law.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
EBITDA, free cash flow, pro forma results and outdoor operating income
are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be
considered alternatives to operating income, net loss, cash flows from
operating activities, or other GAAP figures as indicators of the
Company's financial performance or liquidity. The Company's management
believes that EBITDA, free cash flow, pro forma results and outdoor
operating income are useful in evaluating the Company's performance and
provide investors and financial analysts a better understanding of the
Company's core operating results. The pro forma acquisition adjustments
are intended to provide information that may be useful for investors
when assessing period to period results. Our presentations of these
measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by
other companies. Reconciliations of these measures to GAAP are included
at the end of this release.
Conference Call Information
A conference call will be held to discuss the Company's operating
results on November 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. central time. Instructions for
the conference call and Webcast are provided below:
Conference Call
All Callers: 1-334-323-0520 or 1-334-323-9871
Passcode: Lamar
Replay: 1-334-323-7226
Passcode: 59104842
Available through November 9, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.