10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2008

EQUINIX INC Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2008

Filed October 24, 2008For Securities:EQIX

Summary

Equinix Inc. (EQIX) reported its third-quarter 2008 financial results, showcasing robust revenue growth, particularly in its European operations, driven by strategic acquisitions and expansions. Total revenues increased significantly year-over-year, reflecting strong demand for colocation and interconnection services. The company continued to invest heavily in expanding its global footprint with substantial capital expenditures on new and existing IBX (Internet Business Exchange) centers across the U.S., Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Despite the overall positive revenue trend, the company experienced a notable increase in interest expense due to new financing activities. Additionally, Equinix faced some investment portfolio losses stemming from the broader financial crisis, particularly its exposure to The Reserve Primary Fund following Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy. Management emphasized their focus on expanding capacity and meeting growing customer demand for high-density power solutions, while also navigating market volatility and potential liquidity risks.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenue increased significantly year-over-year, with strong growth in all geographic segments, especially Europe, which saw substantial expansion.
  • 2Capital expenditures remain high, reflecting continued investment in building out and expanding IBX data centers globally.
  • 3Interest expense has increased substantially due to new financing arrangements to support growth and acquisitions.
  • 4The company reported a realized loss of $1.5 million from its investment in The Reserve Primary Fund due to its exposure to Lehman Brothers, impacting interest income.
  • 5While revenue is growing, the company's substantial debt levels and ongoing expansion investments present ongoing financial considerations.
  • 6Customer count increased by 17% year-over-year (excluding Virtu acquisition), indicating continued market penetration and demand.
  • 7The company is actively managing foreign currency exposure through hedging strategies, though a strengthening U.S. dollar has negatively impacted translation of foreign currency results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Equinix provides network-neutral colocation, interconnection, and managed infrastructure services. The company's business model is largely based on recurring revenue streams, with over 90% of its revenue coming from monthly recurring charges for colocation, interconnection, and managed services. Non-recurring revenues primarily come from installation and professional services.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Equinix reported significant revenue growth of 83% compared to the same period in 2007, reaching $513.9 million. Net income also saw a substantial increase, rising from $0.9 million in the prior year to $15.0 million. This growth was driven by increased revenues across all geographic segments and successful integration of recent acquisitions like IXEurope and Virtu.

Equinix faces several key risks, including substantial debt levels and associated interest expenses, potential integration challenges with acquired companies, the impact of the global financial crisis on its investment portfolio and customer collections, significant capital expenditure requirements for expansion, and exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. The company also highlighted potential power limitations in its data centers due to increasing customer demand for high-density power.

As of September 30, 2008, Equinix had approximately $1.2 billion in total indebtedness. The company believes it has sufficient cash and anticipated operating cash flow to meet its obligations and fund announced expansion projects for the next 12 months. It also has available liquidity under its Asia-Pacific and European financing facilities. However, management noted concerns about the potential impact of deteriorating market conditions on its lenders' ability to maintain debt commitments and on its ability to secure additional financing if needed.