• Consolidated Revenue (Q4 2024): $427 million, a 2.6% increase.
• America Segment Revenue (Q4 2024): $311 million, up 4.1%.
• Airport Segment Revenue (Q4 2024): $116 million, up 4.3%.
• Adjusted EBITDA (Q4 2024): $145 million, up 2.5%.
• AFFO (Q4 2024): $37 million, a 1% increase.
• Digital Revenue (America Segment, Q4 2024): $123 million, up 7.6%.
• Local Sales (America Segment, Q4 2024): Up 6.9%.
• National Sales (America Segment, Q4 2024): Flat compared to the prior year.
• Direct Operating and SG&A Expenses (America Segment, Q4 2024): Up 6.5% to $174 million.
• Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin (America Segment, Q4 2024): 44.1%.
• Digital Revenue (Airport Segment, Q4 2024): $74 million, up 1.5%.
• National Sales (Airport Segment, Q4 2024): Up 10.2%.
• Local Sales (Airport Segment, Q4 2024): Down 4.7%.
• Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Airport Segment, Q4 2024): 28.2%.
• CapEx (Q4 2024): $35 million, flat with the prior year.
• Cash and Cash Equivalents (End of Q4 2024): $164 million.
• Debt (End of Q4 2024): $5.7 billion.
• First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (End of Q4 2024): 6.6 times.
• Full-Year 2025 Revenue Guidance: $1.562 billion to $1.607 billion, a 4% to 7% increase.
• Full-Year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $490 million to $505 million.
• Full-Year 2025 AFFO Guidance: $73 million to $83 million, a 25% to 42% increase.
• Full-Year 2025 CapEx Guidance: $75 million to $85 million.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with CCO.

Release Date: February 24, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (NYSE:CCO) reported record revenue of $311 million in the America segment, driven by strong digital and local sales.
• The company successfully closed deals amounting to approximately $120 million and agreed to sell its Europe-North segment for $625 million, marking significant progress in portfolio optimization.
• Airports segment revenue increased by 4.3% to a record $116 million, with strong national demand for premium assets.
• The company anticipates healthy revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO growth in 2025, supported by a diverse revenue profile and strategic investments.
• Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (NYSE:CCO) is focusing on expanding its digital footprint and enhancing data analytics capabilities to drive growth.

Negative Points

• The company experienced a loss from continuing operations of $1 million in the fourth quarter.
• National sales in the America segment were flat year-over-year, indicating challenges in that area.
• Direct operating and SG&A expenses increased by 6.5%, partly due to higher variable incentive compensation and site lease expenses.
• The company's first lien net leverage ratio was 6.6 times, close to the credit agreement's springing covenant threshold of 7.1 times.
• Local sales in the airports segment decreased by 4.7% on a comparable basis, indicating potential challenges in that area.

Q & A Highlights

Q: You provided a relatively wide guidance range for the first quarter. Is this conservatism or is there more uncertainty now? Also, how should margins trend this year after exiting a few territories? A: The guidance range is typical for the first quarter, but there are uncertainties, such as the situation in LA. We expect growth to pick up in the third and fourth quarters. Regarding margins, the MTA contract will impact America's margins, and airport margins will normalize as rent abatements from COVID end. We expect margins to build throughout the year.

Q: National ads were flat year-over-year in Q4. What are your expectations for national ads in 2025, and which categories are showing strength or weakness? A: National ads are choppy, particularly in the roadside business, while airports saw double-digit growth. We expect strength in California and the media entertainment sector. Pharmaceuticals are also ramping up, and telecom is showing positive signs. However, national spending remains varied, and we aim to stabilize it.

Q: Regarding the MTA Billboard contract, should we expect 2% growth for the American segment? How does this affect CapEx? A: Yes, the MTA contract will contribute a couple of points of growth for the America segment. CapEx related to the contract will be part of our normal digital upgrades and maintenance, without a significant spike in overall spending.

Q: What is the implied guide for corporate expenses in 2025, and is there potential upside as you focus on the US? A: Corporate expenses are currently in the mid-$30 million range. We expect savings as divestitures are completed, with more impact in 2026 as reporting requirements decrease.

Q: With a focus on the US, will you accelerate digital board installations? How has trade uncertainty impacted investment plans? A: We maintain a steady pace of digital sign additions. Acceleration depends on opportunities in underpenetrated cities. Trade uncertainty hasn't significantly impacted our plans, and we continue to expand digital offerings where feasible.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.