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Equinix Reports Third-Quarter 2024 Results

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —

Quarterly revenues increased 7% on both an as-reported and normalized and constant currency basis over the same quarter last year to $2.2 billionRobust pricing, strong deal conversion rates and meaningful billable cabinet improvement translated into strong performance against expectationsAccelerated pursuit of growing artificial intelligence (AI) demand in the U.S. with the signing of a greater than $15 billion joint venture, expected to nearly triple the capital invested in the company’s xScale® data center portfolio once completed

Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world’s digital infrastructure company®, today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Equinix uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, which are described further below and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measures after the presentation of our GAAP financial statements. All per-share results are presented on a fully diluted basis.

Third-Quarter 2024 Results Summary

Revenues$2.2 billion, a 2% increase over the previous quarterIncludes a minimal negative foreign currency impact when compared to prior guidance ratesOperating Income$425 million, lower than the previous quarter due to the Q2 gain on sale of the Silicon Valley 12 xScale (SV12x) assetNet Income attributable to Common Stockholders and Net Income per Share attributable to Common Stockholders$297 million, lower than the previous quarter due to the Q2 gain on sale of the SV12x asset$3.10 per share, lower than the previous quarterAdjusted EBITDA$1,048 million, a 1% increase over the previous quarter, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 48%Includes a minimal negative foreign currency impact when compared to prior guidance rates and $2 million of integration costsAFFO and AFFO per Share$866 million, lower than the previous quarter, due to seasonally higher recurring capital expenditures; partially offset by higher EBITDA flow-through$9.05 per share, lower than the previous quarter

2024 Annual Guidance Summary

Revenues$8.748$8.788 billion, an increase of approximately 7% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 7 – 8%, excluding the year-over-year impact of the power pass-throughAn increase of $36 million compared to prior guidanceAdjusted EBITDA$4.086$4.126 billion, a 47% adjusted EBITDA marginAn increase of $10 million compared to prior guidanceIncludes $15 million of integration costsAFFO and AFFO per Share$3.338$3.378 billion, an increase of 11 – 12% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 11 – 13%An increase of $18 million compared to prior guidance$34.81$35.22 per share, an increase of 8 – 10% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 9 – 10%

Equinix converted the presentation of results from thousands to millions in the first quarter of 2024. Certain rounding adjustments have been made to prior period disclosed amounts.

Equinix is not reasonably able to provide forward-looking guidance for certain financial data, such as depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation, net income (loss) from operations, cash generated from operating activities and cash used in investing activities, and as a result, is not able to provide a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for forward-looking data without unreasonable effort. The impact of such adjustments could be significant.

Equinix Quote

Adaire Fox-Martin, CEO and President, Equinix:

“Our 87th consecutive quarter of revenue growth was also a record-breaking one for gross bookings, with strong results across our three regions. This performance is a testament to the trust our customers place in Equinix and the value they realize partnering strategically with us. We see continued robust demand for AI-enabling digital infrastructure from a highly diverse set of customers of varying sizes, industries, and regions. This, coupled with significant expansion of our xScale capability, further strengthens our value proposition with customers and our leading position in the market.”

Business Highlights

Equinix remains dedicated to making extensive investments across its global operations to support the digital infrastructure needs of customers. The company currently has 57 major projects underway in 35 markets across 22 countries, including 13 xScale projects, representing more than 22,000 cabinets of retail capacity and more than 100 megawatts of xScale capacity to be delivered through the end of 2025.Earlier this month, Equinix announced plans to nearly triple the capital invested in its xScale data center portfolio with the agreement to form a greater than $15 billion joint venture, subject to closing conditions, with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and GIC, with whom Equinix has previously partnered on xScale projects in Asia, the Americas and Europe. Through this joint venture, Equinix expects to build new state-of-the-art xScale facilities on multiple campuses across the U.S., each with multi-hundred megawatts of capacity. As previously announced, Equinix recently acquired a greater-than-200-acre land parcel as it develops its first multi-hundred-megawatt xScale campus in the Atlanta metro area to support the pursuit of larger AI and hyperscale workloads.Equinix’s global xScale portfolio continues to see strong demand and leasing activity as the need for hyperscale infrastructure to support AI and cloud initiatives continues to grow. Since its Q2 earnings call, the company leased an incremental 20 megawatts of capacity into its Seoul 2 (SL2x) asset, bringing total xScale leasing to 385 megawatts globally with nearly 90% of its operational and under-construction capacity leased.In August, Equinix opened its first International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data center in Johannesburg, South Africa to support and enhance the growing digital infrastructure and connectivity needs of enterprises and service providers on the rapidly growing African continent. The company also opened the first phases of its New York 3 (NY3) and Tokyo 15 (TY15) assets, easing capacity constraints in two key markets.Digital infrastructure, serving as the backbone of today’s economy, encompasses connectivity that touches lives daily, enabling everything from online shopping to the lifesaving operations of hospitals, to supporting the data needs of AI training and inferencing. Equinix’s industry-leading global interconnection franchise continues to perform with 478,000 total interconnections deployed on its platform. In the third quarter of 2024, net interconnection adds improved to 5,700 due to strong hyperscaler cross connect additions and continued diversification of Equinix’s ecosystems.Equinix Fabric® saw continued solid growth with a roughly 40% global customer attach rate. Fabric growth was driven by solid 100-gigabyte port additions and higher bandwidth virtual connections.Internet Exchange experienced ongoing growth from existing customers as peak traffic surpassed 40 terabits per second for the first time.Equinix’s Channel program delivered another solid quarter, accounting for approximately 50% of company new logos. It continued to see growth from partners like Avant, Dell, Orange Business and WWT, with wins across a wide range of industry segments and use cases, including AI. Key wins this quarter include a data center modernization project with AT&T. Through this project, Equinix is helping a customer-experience technology company blend cloud and private infrastructure resources, enable multicloud networking and accelerate AI and automation enhancements for customer interactions.In September, Equinix announced that it issued more than $750 million in green bonds across two completed offerings. The green bonds align the company’s financing needs with its Future First sustainability strategy. With these latest issuances, Equinix will have issued a total of approximately $5.6 billion of green bonds, making it one of the top 10 largest U.S. corporate issuers in the investment-grade green bond market.

Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2024, the company expects revenues to range between $2.262 and $2.302 billion, an as-reported increase of 3 – 5% over the previous quarter, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 2 – 4% excluding the quarter-over-quarter impact of the power pass-through. This guidance includes a $26 million foreign currency benefit when compared to the average FX rates in Q3 2024. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $1.010 and $1.050 billion. This guidance includes a $12 million foreign currency benefit when compared to the average FX rates in Q3 2024, $8 million of integration costs related to acquisitions and higher seasonal spending. Recurring capital expenditures are expected to range between $94 and $114 million, consistent with our typical seasonal investments in Q4.

For the full year of 2024, total revenues are expected to range between $8.748 and $8.788 billion, an as-reported increase of approximately 7% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of approximately 7 – 8% excluding the year-over-year impact of the power pass-through. This $36 million increase from previously issued guidance is due to $12 million of better-than-expected operating performance and a $24 million positive foreign currency benefit when compared to the prior guidance rates. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $4.086 and $4.126 billion, an adjusted EBITDA margin of 47%. This $10 million increase over previously issued guidance is due to a positive foreign currency benefit when compared to prior guidance rates. AFFO is expected to range between $3.338 and $3.378 billion, an as-reported increase of 11 – 12% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 11 – 13%. This $18 million increase over the previously issued guidance is due to $15 million from better-than-expected operating performance and a $3 million positive foreign currency benefit when compared to prior guidance rates. AFFO per share is expected to range between $34.81 and $35.22, an as-reported increase of 8 – 10% over the previous year, or a normalized and constant currency increase of 9 – 10%. Total capital expenditures are expected to range between $2.850 and $3.100 billion. Non-recurring capital expenditures, including xScale-related capital expenditures, are expected to range between $2.620 and $2.850 billion, and recurring capital expenditures are expected to range between $230 and $250 million.

The U.S. dollar exchange rates used for 2024 guidance, taking into consideration the impact of our current foreign currency hedges, have been updated to $1.11 to the Euro, $1.28 to the Pound, S$1.29 to the U.S. Dollar, ¥144 to the U.S. Dollar, A$1.45 to the U.S. Dollar, HK$7.77 to the U.S. Dollar, R$5.46 to the U.S. Dollar and C$1.35 to the U.S. Dollar. The Q3 2024 global revenue breakdown by currency for the Euro, British Pound, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Brazilian Real and Canadian Dollar is 20%, 10%, 9%, 5%, 5%, 3%, 3% and 2%, respectively.

The adjusted EBITDA guidance is based on the revenue guidance less our expectations of cash cost of revenues and cash operating expenses. The AFFO guidance is based on the adjusted EBITDA guidance less our expectations of net interest expense, an installation revenue adjustment, a straight-line rent expense adjustment, a contract cost adjustment, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts and premiums, income tax expense, an income tax expense adjustment, recurring capital expenditures, other income (expense), (gains) losses on disposition of real estate property, and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures’ and non-controlling interests’ share of these items.

Q3 2024 Results Conference Call and Replay Information

Equinix will discuss its quarterly results for the period ended September 30, 2024, along with its future outlook, in its quarterly conference call on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 5:30 PM ET (2:30 PM PT). A simultaneous live webcast of the call will be available on the company’s Investor Relations website at www.equinix.com/investors. To hear the conference call live, please dial 1-517-308-9482 (domestic and international) and reference the passcode EQIX.

A replay of the call will be available one hour after the call through Tuesday, December 31, 2024, by dialing 1-888-296-6944 and referencing the passcode 2024. In addition, the webcast will be available at www.equinix.com/investors (no password required).

Investor Presentation and Supplemental Financial Information

Equinix has made available on its website a presentation designed to accompany the discussion of Equinix’s results and future outlook, along with certain supplemental financial information and other data. Interested parties may access this information through the Equinix Investor Relations website at www.equinix.com/investors.

Additional Resources

Equinix Investor Relations Resources

About Equinix

Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) is the world’s digital infrastructure company®. Digital leaders harness Equinix’s trusted platform to bring together and interconnect foundational infrastructure at software speed. Equinix enables organizations to access all the right places, partners and possibilities to scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value, while supporting their sustainability goals.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Equinix provides all information required in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but it believes that evaluating its ongoing operating results may be difficult if limited to reviewing only GAAP financial measures. Accordingly, Equinix uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its operations.

Equinix provides normalized and constant currency growth rates, which are calculated to adjust for acquisitions, dispositions, integration costs, changes in accounting principles and foreign currency.

Equinix presents adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income excluding income tax expense, interest income, interest expense, other income or expense, gain or loss on debt extinguishment, depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs and gain or loss on asset sales.

In presenting non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA, cash cost of revenues, cash gross margins, cash operating expenses (also known as cash selling, general and administrative expenses or cash SG&A), adjusted EBITDA margins, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow, Equinix excludes certain items that it believes are not good indicators of Equinix’s current or future operating performance. These items are depreciation, amortization, accretion of asset retirement obligations and accrued restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs and gain or loss on asset sales. Equinix excludes these items in order for its lenders, investors and the industry analysts who review and report on Equinix to better evaluate Equinix’s operating performance and cash spending levels relative to its industry sector and competitors.

Equinix excludes depreciation expense as these charges primarily relate to the initial construction costs of a data center, and do not reflect its current or future cash spending levels to support its business. Its data centers are long-lived assets, and have an economic life greater than 10 years. The construction costs of a data center do not recur with respect to such data center, although Equinix may incur initial construction costs in future periods with respect to additional data centers, and future capital expenditures remain minor relative to the initial investment. This is a trend it expects to continue. In addition, depreciation is also based on the estimated useful lives of the data centers. These estimates could vary from actual performance of the asset, are based on historic costs incurred to build out our data centers and are not indicative of current or expected future capital expenditures. Therefore, Equinix excludes depreciation from its operating results when evaluating its operations.

In addition, in presenting the non-GAAP financial measures, Equinix also excludes amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets. Amortization expense is significantly affected by the timing and magnitude of acquisitions, and these charges may vary in amount from period to period. We exclude amortization expense to facilitate a more meaningful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to our prior periods. Equinix excludes accretion expense, both as it relates to its asset retirement obligations as well as its accrued restructuring charges, as these expenses represent costs which Equinix also believes are not meaningful in evaluating Equinix’s current operations. Equinix excludes stock-based compensation expense, as it can vary significantly from period to period based on share price and the timing, size and nature of equity awards. As such, Equinix and many investors and analysts exclude stock-based compensation expense to compare its operating results with those of other companies. Equinix also excludes restructuring charges. Such charges include employee severance, facility closure costs, lease or other contract termination costs and advisory fees related to the realignment of our management structure, operations or products. Equinix also excludes impairment charges related to goodwill or long-lived assets. Equinix also excludes gain or loss on asset sales as it represents profit or loss that is not meaningful in evaluating the current or future operating performance. Finally, Equinix excludes transaction costs from its non-GAAP financial measures to allow more comparable comparisons of the financial results to the historical operations. The transaction costs relate to costs Equinix incurs in connection with business combinations and formation of joint ventures, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. Such charges generally are not relevant to assessing the long-term performance of Equinix. In addition, the frequency and amount of such charges vary significantly based on the size and timing of the transactions. Management believes items such as restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs and gain or loss on asset sales are non-core transactions; however, these types of costs may occur in future periods.

Equinix also presents funds from operations (“FFO”) and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”), both commonly used in the REIT industry, as supplemental performance measures. Additionally, Equinix presents AFFO per share, which is also commonly used in the REIT industry. AFFO per share offers investors and industry analysts a perspective of Equinix’s underlying operating performance when compared to other REIT companies. FFO is calculated in accordance with the definition established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). FFO represents net income or loss, excluding gain or loss from the disposition of real estate assets, depreciation and amortization on real estate assets and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures’ and non-controlling interests’ share of these items. AFFO represents FFO, excluding depreciation and amortization expense on non-real estate assets, accretion, stock-based compensation, stock-based charitable contributions, restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs, an installation revenue adjustment, a straight-line rent expense adjustment, a contract cost adjustment, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts and premiums, gain or loss on debt extinguishment, an income tax expense adjustment, recurring capital expenditures, net income or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax and adjustments from FFO to AFFO for unconsolidated joint ventures’ and non-controlling interests’ share of these items. Equinix excludes depreciation expense, amortization expense, accretion, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, impairment charges and transaction costs for the same reasons that they are excluded from the other non-GAAP financial measures mentioned above.

Equinix includes an adjustment for revenues from installation fees, since installation fees are deferred and recognized ratably over the period of contract term, although the fees are generally paid in a lump sum upon installation. Equinix includes an adjustment for straight-line rent expense on its operating leases, since the total minimum lease payments are recognized ratably over the lease term, although the lease payments generally increase over the lease term. Equinix also includes an adjustment to contract costs incurred to obtain contracts, since contract costs are capitalized and amortized over the estimated period of benefit on a straight-line basis, although costs of obtaining contracts are generally incurred and paid during the period of obtaining the contracts. The adjustments for installation revenues, straight-line rent expense and contract costs are intended to isolate the cash activity included within the straight-lined or amortized results in the consolidated statement of operations. Equinix excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts and premiums as these expenses relate to the initial costs incurred in connection with its debt financings that have no current or future cash obligations. Equinix excludes gain or loss on debt extinguishment since it represents a cost that is not a good indicator of Equinix’s current or future operating performance. Equinix includes an income tax expense adjustment, which represents the non-cash tax impact due to changes in valuation allowances and uncertain tax positions that do not relate to the current period’s operations. Equinix excludes recurring capital expenditures, which represent expenditures to extend the useful life of its IBX and xScale data centers or other assets that are required to support current revenues. Equinix also excludes net income or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, which represents results that are not a good indicator of our current or future operating performance.

Equinix presents constant currency results of operations, which is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to GAAP results of operations. However, Equinix has presented this non-GAAP financial measure to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate its operating results without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of Equinix’s business performance. To present this information, Equinix’s current and comparative period revenues and certain operating expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at a consistent exchange rate for purposes of each result being compared.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation, but should be considered together with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Equinix presents such non-GAAP financial measures to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate its operating results in a manner that focuses on what management believes to be its core, ongoing business operations. Management believes that the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures provides consistency and comparability with past reports and provides a better understanding of the overall performance of the business and its ability to perform in subsequent periods. Equinix believes that if it did not provide such non-GAAP financial information, investors would not have all the necessary data to analyze Equinix effectively.

Investors should note that the non-GAAP financial measures used by Equinix may not be the same non-GAAP financial measures, and may not be calculated in the same manner, as those of other companies. Investors should, therefore, exercise caution when comparing non-GAAP financial measures used by us to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures of other companies. Equinix does not provide forward-looking guidance for certain financial data, such as depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation, net income or loss from operations, cash generated from operating activities and cash used in investing activities, and as a result, is not able to provide a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for forward-looking data without unreasonable effort. The impact of such adjustments could be significant. Equinix intends to calculate the various non-GAAP financial measures in future periods consistent with how they were calculated for the periods presented within this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, risks to our business and operating results related to the current inflationary environment; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; stock price fluctuations; availability of power, increased costs to procure power and the general volatility in the global energy market; the challenges of acquiring, operating and constructing IBX and xScale data centers and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix products and solutions; delays related to the closing of any planned acquisitions subject to closing conditions; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; risks related to regulatory inquiries or litigation; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent and upcoming Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September
30, 2024

June 30, 2024

September
30, 2023

September
30, 2024

September
30, 2023

Recurring revenues

$       2,059

$    2,024

$       1,961

$       6,093

$       5,769

Non-recurring revenues

142

135

100

394

309

    Revenues

2,201

2,159

2,061

6,487

6,078

Cost of revenues

1,098

1,082

1,069

3,271

3,136

           Gross profit

1,103

1,077

992

3,216

2,942

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing

237

219

212

682

638

General and administrative

434

437

404

1,315

1,205

Transaction costs

7

3

(1)

12

7

Gain on asset sales

(18)

(4)

(18)

(5)

         Total operating expenses

678

641

611

1,991

1,845

Income from operations

425

436

381

1,225

1,097

Interest and other income (expense):

Interest income

35

29

23

88

66

Interest expense

(117)

(110)

(102)

(331)

(299)

Other income (expense)

7

(7)

(6)

(6)

(10)

Loss on debt extinguishment

(1)

         Total interest and other, net

(75)

(88)

(85)

(250)

(243)

Income before income taxes

350

348

296

975

854

Income tax expense

(54)

(47)

(20)

(147)

(112)

Net income

296

301

276

828

742

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

1

1

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$          297

$        301

$          276

$          829

$          742

Earnings per share (“EPS”)  attributable to common stockholders:

Basic EPS

$         3.11

$       3.17

$         2.94

$         8.73

$         7.94

Diluted EPS

$         3.10

$       3.16

$         2.93

$         8.69

$         7.91

Weighted-average shares for basic EPS (in thousands)

95,394

94,919

93,683

94,992

93,396

Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS (in thousands)

95,731

95,166

94,168

95,350

93,788

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September
30, 2024

June 30,
2024

September
30, 2023

September
30, 2024

September
30, 2023

Net income

$            296

$            301

$            276

$            828

$            742

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustment (“CTA”) gain (loss)

421

(78)

(413)

(15)

(230)

Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss)

(138)

24

149

16

85

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

(25)

11

26

6

8

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

258

(43)

(238)

7

(137)

Comprehensive income, net of tax

554

258

38

835

605

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

1

1

Comprehensive income attributable to Equinix

$            555

$            258

$              38

$            836

$            605

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except headcount)
(unaudited)

September 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$                         2,776

$                     2,096

Short-term investments

451

Accounts receivable, net

1,123

1,004

Other current assets

705

468

          Total current assets

5,055

3,568

Property, plant and equipment, net

19,665

18,601

Operating lease right-of-use assets

1,487

1,449

Goodwill

5,768

5,737

Intangible assets, net

1,544

1,705

Other assets

1,919

1,591

          Total assets

$                       35,438

$                   32,651

Liabilities, Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest and Stockholders’ Equity

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$                         1,125

$                     1,187

Accrued property, plant and equipment

394

398

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

149

131

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

202

138

Current portion of mortgage and loans payable

5

8

Current portion of senior notes

2,198

998

Other current liabilities

297

302

          Total current liabilities

4,370

3,162

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

1,366

1,331

Finance lease liabilities, less current portion

2,193

2,123

Mortgage and loans payable, less current portion

688

663

Senior notes, less current portion

12,387

12,062

Other liabilities

822

796

          Total liabilities

21,826

20,137

Redeemable non-controlling interest

25

25

Common stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

Additional paid-in capital

20,069

18,596

Treasury stock

(40)

(56)

Accumulated dividends

(9,921)

(8,695)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,283)

(1,290)

Retained earnings

4,763

3,934

          Total common stockholders’ equity

13,588

12,489

Non-controlling interests

(1)

          Total stockholders’ equity

13,587

12,489

Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and stockholders’ equity

$                       35,438

$                   32,651

Ending headcount by geographic region is as follows:

          Americas headcount

6,220

5,953

          EMEA headcount

4,315

4,267

          Asia-Pacific headcount

3,104

2,931

                    Total headcount

13,639

13,151

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Summary of Debt Principal Outstanding
(in millions)
(unaudited)

September 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

Finance lease liabilities

$                        2,395

$                        2,261

Term loans

669

642

Mortgage payable and other loans payable

24

29

Plus: debt issuance costs and debt discounts

1

1

           Total mortgage and loans payable principal

694

672

Senior notes

14,585

13,060

Plus: debt issuance costs and debt discounts

116

108

          Total senior notes principal

14,701

13,168

Total debt principal outstanding

$                      17,790

$                      16,101

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

September 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$            296

$            301

$            276

$            828

$            742

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

494

490

462

1,509

1,382

Stock-based compensation

122

125

98

348

301

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts

5

5

5

15

15

Loss on debt extinguishment

1

Gain on asset sales

(18)

(4)

(18)

(5)

Other items

23

25

18

54

43

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(12)

(56)

(47)

(153)

(200)

Income taxes, net

(17)

12

(15)

(14)

(7)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(102)

60

70

(98)

85

Operating lease right-of-use assets

41

38

40

117

117

Operating lease liabilities

(37)

(33)

(34)

(102)

(100)

Other assets and liabilities

(55)

(37)

(84)

(219)

(155)

Net cash provided by operating activities

758

912

785

2,268

2,218

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases, sales and maturities of investments, net

(29)

(33)

(27)

(65)

(82)

Purchases of short-term investments

(450)

(450)

Real estate acquisitions

(162)

(108)

(113)

(287)

(153)

Purchases of other property, plant and equipment

(724)

(648)

(617)

(2,079)

(1,785)

Proceeds from asset sales

247

5

247

77

Investment in loan receivable

(196)

(196)

Loan receivable upfront fee

4

4

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,365)

(734)

(752)

(2,826)

(1,943)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from employee equity awards

44

42

92

87

Contribution from non-controlling interest

4

4

25

Payment of dividend distributions

(413)

(405)

(325)

(1,230)

(972)

Proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of offering costs

976

976

301

Proceeds from senior notes, net of debt discounts

780

744

338

1,524

902

Repayment of finance lease liabilities

(35)

(35)

(32)

(101)

(98)

Repayment of mortgage and loans payable

(2)

(2)

(2)

(6)

(5)

Debt issuance costs

(6)

(8)

(3)

(14)

(7)

Net cash provided by financing activities

1,348

294

18

1,245

233

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

39

(6)

(35)

(7)

(58)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

780

466

16

680

450

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

1,996

1,530

2,342

2,096

1,908

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$         2,776

$         1,996

$         2,358

$         2,776

$         2,358

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for taxes

$               63

$               37

$               42

$            164

$            126

Cash paid for interest

$            111

$             126

$               97

$            338

$            335

Free cash flow (negative free cash flow) (1)

$          (578)

$            211

$               60

$          (493)

$            357

Adjusted free cash flow (adjusted negative free cash flow) (2)

$          (416)

$            319

$            173

$          (206)

$            510

(1)

We define free cash flow (negative free cash flow) as net cash provided by operating activities plus net cash used in investing activities (excluding the net purchases, sales and maturities of investments) as presented below:

Net cash provided by operating activities as presented above

$            758

$            912

$            785

$         2,268

$         2,218

Net cash used in investing activities as presented above

(1,365)

(734)

(752)

(2,826)

(1,943)

Purchases, sales and maturities of investments, net

29

33

27

65

82

Free cash flow (negative free cash flow)

$          (578)

$            211

$               60

$          (493)

$            357

(2)

We define adjusted free cash flow (adjusted negative free cash flow) as free cash flow (negative free cash flow) as defined above, excluding any real estate and business acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired as presented below:

Free cash flow (negative free cash flow) as defined above

$          (578)

$            211

$               60

$          (493)

$            357

Less real estate acquisitions

162

108

113

287

153

Adjusted free cash flow (adjusted negative free cash flow)

$          (416)

$            319

$            173

$          (206)

$            510

 

 

EQUINIX, INC.
Non-GAAP Measures and Other Supplemental Data
(in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

September 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

Recurring revenues

$        2,059

$        2,024

$        1,961

$        6,093

$        5,769

Non-recurring revenues

142

135

100

394

309

Revenues (1)

2,201

2,159

2,061

6,487

6,078

Cash cost of revenues (2)

732

716

726

2,162

2,113

Cash gross profit (3)

1,469

1,443

1,335

4,325

3,965

Cash operating expenses (4)(7):

Cash sales and marketing expenses (5)

162

144

138

460

419

Cash general and administrative expenses (6)

259

263

261

789

764

Total cash operating expenses (4)(7)

421

407

399

1,249

1,183

Adjusted EBITDA (8)

$        1,048

$        1,036

$           936

$        3,076

$        2,782

Cash gross margins (9)

67 %

67 %

65 %

67 %

65 %

Adjusted EBITDA margins(10)

48 %

48 %

45 %

47 %

46 %

Adjusted EBITDA flow-through rate (11)

29 %

138 %

82 %

107 %

39 %

FFO (12)

$           609

$           597

$           562

$        1,759

$        1,605

AFFO (13)(14)

$           866

$           877

$           772

$        2,586

$        2,328

Basic FFO per share (15)

$          6.38

$          6.29

$          6.00

$        18.52

$        17.19

Diluted FFO per share (15)

$          6.36

$          6.27

$          5.97

$        18.45

$        17.12

Basic AFFO per share (15)

$          9.08

$          9.24

$          8.24

$        27.22

$        24.92

Diluted AFFO per share (15)

$          9.05

$          9.22

$          8.19

$        27.12

$        24.82

(1)

The geographic split of our revenues on a services basis is presented below:

Americas Revenues:

Colocation

$           617

$           624

$           597

$        1,848

$        1,754

Interconnection

224

219

207

658

610

Managed infrastructure

66

66

63

198

185

Other

7

7

5

20

15

Recurring revenues

914

916

872

2,724

2,564

Non-recurring revenues

44

50

41

139

121

Revenues

$           958

$           966

$           913

$        2,863

$        2,685

EMEA Revenues:

Colocation

$           566

$           543

$           538

$        1,658

$        1,571

Interconnection

86

84

79

253

229

Managed infrastructure

35

34

33

104

97

Other

26

24

23

74

74

Recurring revenues

713

685

673

2,089

1,971

Non-recurring revenues

30

36

36

102

116

Revenues

$           743

$           721

$           709

$        2,191

$        2,087

Asia-Pacific Revenues:

Colocation

$           337

$           333

$           329

$        1,004

$           971

Interconnection

74

71

67

215

198

Managed infrastructure

17

16

18

50

55

Other

4

3

2

11

10

Recurring revenues

432

423

416

1,280

1,234

Non-recurring revenues

68

49

23

153

72

Revenues

$           500

$           472

$           439

$        1,433

$        1,306

Worldwide Revenues:

Colocation

$        1,520

$        1,500

$        1,464

$        4,510

$        4,296

Interconnection

384

374

353

1,126

1,037

Managed infrastructure

118

116

114

352

337

Other

37

34

30

105

99

Recurring revenues

2,059

2,024

1,961

6,093

5,769

Non-recurring revenues

142

135

100

394

309

Revenues

$        2,201

$        2,159

$        2,061

$        6,487

$        6,078

(2)

We define cash cost of revenues as cost of revenues less depreciation, amortization, accretion and stock-based compensation as presented below:

Cost of revenues

$        1,098

$        1,082

$        1,069

$        3,271

$        3,136

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

(351)

(351)

(331)

(1,066)

(988)

Stock-based compensation expense

(15)

(15)

(12)

(43)

(35)

Cash cost of revenues

$           732

$           716

$           726

$        2,162

$        2,113

The geographic split of our cash cost of revenues is presented below:

Americas cash cost of revenues

$           289

$           273

$           270

$           832

$           784

EMEA cash cost of revenues

270

299

305

874

873

Asia-Pacific cash cost of revenues

173

144

151

456

456

Cash cost of revenues

$           732

$           716

$           726

$        2,162

$        2,113

(3)

We define cash gross profit as revenues less cash cost of revenues (as defined above).

(4)

We define cash operating expense as selling, general, and administrative expense less depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation. We also refer to cash operating expense as cash selling, general and administrative expense or “cash SG&A”.

Selling, general, and administrative expense

$           671

$           656

$           616

$        1,997

$        1,843

Depreciation and amortization expense

(143)

(139)

(131)

(443)

(394)

Stock-based compensation expense

(107)

(110)

(86)

(305)

(266)

Cash operating expense

$           421

$           407

$           399

$        1,249

$        1,183

(5)

We define cash sales and marketing expense as sales and marketing expense less depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as presented below:

Sales and marketing expense

$           237

$           219

$           212

$           682

$           638

Depreciation and amortization expense

(50)

(50)

(51)

(151)

(153)

Stock-based compensation expense

(25)

(25)

(23)

(71)

(66)

Cash sales and marketing expense

$           162

$           144

$           138

$           460

$           419

(6)

We define cash general and administrative expense as general and administrative expense less depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as presented below:

General and administrative expense

$           434

$           437

$           404

$        1,315

$        1,205

Depreciation and amortization expense

(93)

(89)

(80)

(292)

(241)

Stock-based compensation expense

(82)

(85)

(63)

(234)

(200)

Cash general and administrative expenses

$           259

$           263

$           261

$           789

$           764

(7)

The geographic split of our cash operating expense, or cash SG&A, as defined above, is presented below:

Americas cash SG&A

$           242

$           242

$           238

$           743

$           697

EMEA cash SG&A

101

98

94

294

283

Asia-Pacific cash SG&A

78

67

67

212

203

Cash SG&A

$           421

$           407

$           399

$        1,249

$        1,183

(8)

We define adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding income tax expense, interest income, interest expense, other income or expense, loss on debt extinguishment , depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs, and gain on asset sales as presented below:

Net income

$           296

$           301

$           276

$           828

$           742

Income tax expense

54

47

20

147

112

Interest income

(35)

(29)

(23)

(88)

(66)

Interest expense

117

110

102

331

299

Other expense (income)

(7)

7

6

6

10

Loss on debt extinguishment

1

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

494

490

462

1,509

1,382

Stock-based compensation expense

122

125

98

348

301

Transaction costs

7

3

(1)

12

7

Gain on asset sales

(18)

(4)

(18)

(5)

Adjusted EBITDA

$        1,048

$        1,036

$           936

$        3,076

$        2,782

The geographic split of our adjusted EBITDA is presented below:

Americas net income (loss)

$        (126)

$             —

$             38

$        (172)

$          (44)

Americas income tax expense

55

46

20

147

112

Americas interest income

(28)

(19)

(18)

(62)

(52)

Americas interest expense

89

91

87

269

255

Americas other expense (income)

77

(5)

(39)

35

(27)

Americas depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

273

269

252

847

749

Americas stock-based compensation expense

82

84

64

232

201

Americas transaction costs

5

3

1

9

5

Americas (gain) loss on asset sales

(18)

(18)

4

Americas adjusted EBITDA

$           427

$           451

$           405

$        1,287

$        1,203

EMEA net income

$           288

$           156

$           126

$           579

$           477

EMEA income tax expense (benefit)

(1)

1

EMEA interest income

(4)

(6)

(3)

(15)

(9)

EMEA interest expense

17

9

4

30

13

EMEA other expense (income)

(81)

7

42

(35)

23

EMEA depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

128

133

126

394

374

EMEA stock-based compensation expense

23

24

21

68

62

EMEA transaction costs

2

(2)

3

1

EMEA gain on asset sales

(4)

(9)

EMEA adjusted EBITDA

$           372

$           324

$           310

$        1,024

$           932

Asia-Pacific net income

$           134

$           145

$           112

$           421

$           309

Asia-Pacific income tax expense

Asia-Pacific interest income

(3)

(4)

(2)

(11)

(5)

Asia-Pacific interest expense

11

10

11

32

31

Asia-Pacific other expense (income)

(3)

5

3

6

14

Asia-Pacific loss on debt extinguishment

1

Asia-Pacific depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

93

88

84

268

259

Asia-Pacific stock-based compensation expense

17

17

13

48

38

Asia-Pacific transaction costs

1

Asia-Pacific adjusted EBITDA

$           249

$           261

$           221

$           765

$           647

(9)

We define cash gross margins as cash gross profit divided by revenues.

Our cash gross margins by geographic region are presented below:

Americas cash gross margins

70 %

72 %

70 %

71 %

71 %

EMEA cash gross margins

64 %

59 %

57 %

60 %

58 %

Asia-Pacific cash gross margins

65 %

69 %

66 %

68 %

65 %

(10)

We define adjusted EBITDA margins as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues.

Americas adjusted EBITDA margins

45 %

47 %

44 %

45 %

45 %

EMEA adjusted EBITDA margins

50 %

45 %

44 %

47 %

45 %

Asia-Pacific adjusted EBITDA margins

50 %

55 %

50 %

53 %

50 %

(11)

We define adjusted EBITDA flow-through rate as incremental adjusted EBITDA growth divided by incremental revenue growth as follow:

Adjusted EBITDA – current period

$        1,048

$        1,036

$           936

$        3,076

$        2,782

Less adjusted EBITDA – prior period

(1,036)

(992)

(901)

(2,757)

(2,570)

Adjusted EBITDA growth

$             12

$             44

$             35

$           319

$           212

Revenues – current period

$        2,201

$        2,159

$        2,061

$        6,487

$        6,078

Less revenues – prior period

(2,159)

(2,127)

(2,019)

(6,190)

(5,529)

        Revenue growth

$             42

$             32

$             42

$           297

$           549

Adjusted EBITDA flow-through rate

29 %

138 %

82 %

107 %

39 %

(12)

FFO is defined as net income or loss, excluding gain or loss from the disposition of real estate assets, depreciation and amortization on real estate assets and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures’ and non-controlling interests’ share of these items.

Net income

$           296

$           301

$           276

$           828

$           742

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

1

1

Net income attributable to common stockholders

297

301

276

829

742

Adjustments:

Real estate depreciation

308

306

285

930

853

Gain on disposition of real estate property

(3)

(16)

(4)

(19)

(1)

Adjustments for FFO from unconsolidated joint ventures

7

6

5

19

11

FFO attributable to common stockholders

$           609

$           597

$           562

$        1,759

$        1,605

(13)

AFFO is defined as FFO, excluding depreciation and amortization expense on non-real estate assets, accretion, stock-based compensation, stock-based charitable contributions, restructuring charges, impairment charges, transaction costs, an installation revenue adjustment, a straight-line rent expense adjustment, a contract cost adjustment, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts and premiums, gain or loss on debt extinguishment, an income tax expense adjustment, net income or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, recurring capital expenditures and adjustments from FFO to AFFO for unconsolidated joint ventures’ and non-controlling interests’ share of these items.

FFO attributable to common stockholders

$           609

$           597

$           562

$        1,759

$        1,605

Adjustments:

Installation revenue adjustment

(1)

(1)

(3)

3

Straight-line rent expense adjustment

4

5

6

15

18

Contract cost adjustment

(6)

(2)

(10)

(16)

(31)

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts

5

5

5

15

15

Stock-based compensation expense

122

125

98

348

301

Stock-based charitable contributions

3

3

3

Non-real estate depreciation expense

136

132

126

426

373

Amortization expense

52

51

52

155

156

Accretion expense adjustment

(2)

1

(1)

(2)

Recurring capital expenditures

(69)

(45)

(51)

(135)

(114)

Loss on debt extinguishment

1

Transaction costs

7

3

(1)

12

7

     Impairment charges

2

2

Income tax expense adjustment

10

4

(16)

14

(13)

Adjustments for AFFO from unconsolidated joint ventures

(1)

(2)

1

(6)

3

AFFO attributable to common stockholders

$           866

$           877

$           772

$        2,586

$        2,328

(14)

 Following is how we reconcile from adjusted EBITDA to AFFO:

Adjusted EBITDA

$        1,048

$        1,036

$           936

$        3,076

$        2,782

Adjustments:

Interest expense, net of interest income

(82)

(81)

(79)

(243)

(233)

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts

5

5

5

15

15

Income tax expense

(54)

(47)

(20)

(147)

(112)

Income tax expense adjustment

10

4

(16)

14

(13)

Straight-line rent expense adjustment

4

5

6

15

18

Stock-based charitable contributions

3

3

3

Contract cost adjustment

(6)

(2)

(10)

(16)

(31)

Installation revenue adjustment

(1)

(1)

(3)

3

Recurring capital expenditures

(69)

(45)

(51)

(135)

(114)

Other income (expense)

7

(7)

(6)

(6)

(10)

Gain on disposition of real estate property

(3)

(16)

(4)

(19)

(1)

Adjustments for unconsolidated JVs’ and non-controlling interests

7

4

6

14

14

Adjustments for impairment charges

2

2

Adjustment for gain on asset sales

18

4

18

5

AFFO attributable to common stockholders

$           866

$           877

$           772

$        2,586

$        2,328

(15)

The shares used in the computation of basic and diluted FFO and AFFO per share attributable to common stockholders is presented below:

Shares used in computing basic net income per share, FFO per share and AFFO per share (in thousands)

95,394

94,919

93,683

94,992

93,396

Effect of dilutive securities:

Employee equity awards (in thousands)

337

247

485

358

392

Shares used in computing diluted net income per share, FFO per share and AFFO per share (in thousands)

95,731

95,166

94,168

95,350

93,788

Basic FFO per share

$          6.38

$          6.29

$          6.00

$        18.52

$        17.19

Diluted FFO per share

$          6.36

$          6.27

$          5.97

$        18.45

$        17.12

Basic AFFO per share

$          9.08

$          9.24

$          8.24

$        27.22

$        24.92

Diluted AFFO per share

$          9.05

$          9.22

$          8.19

$        27.12

$        24.82

 

 

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Technology

Charles IT Launches Business-Focused Podcast, One Pour Problems, Tackling Real Business Challenges Over a Drink

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Charles IT, known for providing cutting-edge IT solutions and compliance expertise, is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast, One Pour Problems. Unlike their traditional tech-focused content, this podcast shifts the spotlight to business, offering a fresh perspective on the most pressing issues businesses face today—all while enjoying the guest’s favorite drink.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Charles IT, known for providing cutting-edge IT solutions and compliance expertise, is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast, One Pour Problems. Unlike their traditional tech-focused content, this podcast shifts the spotlight to business, offering a fresh perspective on the most pressing issues businesses face today—all while enjoying the guest’s favorite drink.

“We have leaned on a lot of smart and influential leaders throughout our journey at Charles IT. I am excited to be able to create a space to bring those leaders together to share their insight and memorialize it for others to lean on and what better way to do it than over a great drink!”

The podcast, hosted by Sal Marino, Director of Finance and Operations at Charles IT, aims to bring together the area’s top business leaders to discuss the real-world challenges they encounter. In the pilot episode, released on October 24, Marino sits down with Charles IT’s founder and CEO, Foster Charles, to give listeners a sneak peek of what’s to come in Season 1.

In each episode, Marino invites a special guest to join him for an engaging conversation, covering topics like post-pandemic workplace dynamics and company culture. The first two episodes feature Bryn Tindall, CEO and Founder of Rebellion Group and Michael O’Rourke, Nasdaq’s Head of AI & Emerging Technology.

“We have leaned on a lot of smart and influential leaders throughout our journey at Charles IT. I am excited to be able to create a space to bring those leaders together to share their insight and memorialize it for others to lean on and what better way to do it than over a great drink!” said Marino.

Listeners can look forward to more than just inspirational stories too. That’s because each guest will also share their favorite drink along with the fun, personal story behind it. Plus, every episode wraps up with a friendly competition – a unique typing test challenge where guests try to out-type their predecessors in a lighthearted showdown!

“It is so exciting bringing the One Pour Problems podcast to life,” said One Pour Problems Producer, Caitlyn Raftery. “Sal has been a wonderful interviewer, and our guests have been outstanding. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us,” she added.

The pilot episode of One Pour Problems is available to stream now on the Charles IT website, YouTube page, and Spotify. The first episode drops Monday, November 4.

To learn more about One Pour Problems and stay up to date on future episodes, visit www.charlesit.com/one-pour-problems-podcast/.

About Charles IT

Charles IT is a Connecticut-based Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the Northeast’s compliance expert, specializing in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. Their proactive approach ensures that businesses remain secure, compliant, and resilient against cyber threats. For further updates and information, visit CharlesIT.com.

Media Contact

Charles IT, Charles IT, 1 (860) 344-9628, hello@charlesit.com, Charles IT

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SOURCE Charles IT

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Dot Inc. and WEBTOON Entertainment Release World’s First Tactile Digital Comics

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Hit WEBTOON series “Yumi’s Cells” and “Hooky” will be made available for free in braille on Dot Inc.’s Dot Pad technology, expanding access to more fans around the world

Key supporting assets available HERE

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — WEBTOON Entertainment, a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms, today announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration with social venture company Dot Inc. to create tactile digital comics. Through the partnership, popular WEBTOON series will be converted into braille on Dot Inc.’s innovative Dot Pad.

Dot Inc. provides barrier-free products and services to build inclusive public infrastructure for the visually impaired. Its tactile display, the Dot Pad, is the first smart tactile graphics display for the visually impaired, converting any input from a connected device into a tactile graphic.

Hit WEBTOON series “Yumi’s Cells,” by creator Donggeon Lee, and “Hooky,” by Míriam Bonastre Tur, will be the first two series to launch on the Dot Pad. Tactile digital comic versions of both titles will be available globally on the Dot Pad.

“The popularity of webcomics is at an all-time high and we thought it would be great if visually impaired individuals could enjoy them too. This is my first time exploring webcomics, listening to audio descriptions, and reading dialogue. It brought the imagined scenes vividly to life in my mind, and made the content even more engaging,” said Misook Go, the community manager at Dot, who is visually impaired herself. “I was especially curious about how the individual cells in ‘Yumi’s Cells’ looked, and being able to feel their shapes brought a new level of excitement.”

“Part of our mission at WEBTOON is to make webcomics more accessible for fans around the world,” said David S. Lee, Head of US WEBTOON. “Dot Inc. shares WEBTOON’s commitment to innovating for inclusivity. After making comics more accessible to people all over the world in a mobile digital format, we’re thrilled to work with Dot Inc. to create a new content experience for the visually impaired.”

“The new experience of engaging with webcomics through touch was very impressive. Even if you did not know Braille, the process of understanding through illustrations was fascinating, and I hope to help many people visiting the library experience the world through the new tactile opportunities provided by the Dot Pad,” said Monique E. Mariani, Braille instructor at the Braille Institute of America.

The Dot Pad is a real-time tactile graphic and multi-line braille display for the visually impaired and the blind. The Dot Pad is compatible with mobile devices and laptops via Bluetooth. It displays charts, graphs, images and visual data with 320 refreshable braille cells. Users can run their fingers over the display and perceive the image with their fingertips.

About WEBTOON Entertainment 
WEBTOON Entertainment is a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms. As the global leader and pioneer of the mobile web-comic format, WEBTOON Entertainment has transformed comics and visual storytelling for fans and creators.

With its CANVAS UGC platform empowering anyone to become a creator, and a growing roster of superstar WEBTOON Originals creators and series, WEBTOON Entertainment’s passionate fandoms are the new face of pop culture. WEBTOON adaptations are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and other screens around the world, and the company’s content partners include Discord, HYBE and DC Comics, among many others.

With approximately 170 million monthly active users (as of the quarter ended June 30, 2024), WEBTOON Entertainment’s IP & Creator Ecosystem of aligned companies include WEBTOON, Wattpad–the world’s leading web-novel platform–Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Studio N, Studio LICO, WEBTOON Unscrolled, LINE MANGA, and eBookJapan, among others.

About Dot Inc.
Dot Inc., a leader in solutions for the visually impaired, has introduced groundbreaking products like the Dot Watch, Dot Pad, and Dot Kiosk since 2015. Recognized as a CES Innovation Award honoree in 2023 and 2024, Dot is expanding partnerships across North and South America. Through collaborations with Google, Microsoft, and Apple, Dot drives global accessibility. With a strong focus on the Social aspect of ESG, Dot strives to address social challenges through technological advancements for people with disabilities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dot-inc-and-webtoon-entertainment-release-worlds-first-tactile-digital-comics-302291075.html

SOURCE Dot Inc.

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Kia Returns to SEMA with the Unexpected

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IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — All Trails lead to SEMA1

1 Concept shown not for sale.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2545265/Kia_All_Trails_lead_to_SEMA.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442697/Kia_New_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia America

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