ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) today reported first quarter 2025 results.
Headlines include(1):
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From February 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025, Liberty Broadband received $300 million of proceeds from sale of 830 thousand Charter shares to Charter
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Liberty Broadband issued a redemption notice for $860 million principal amount of its 3.125% exchangeable senior debentures due 2054 and expects to cash settle all exchanged debentures by May 2025
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Fair value of Charter investment was $16.4 billion as of March 31st
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Liberty Broadband on track to complete spin off of GCI business in the summer of 2025
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In the first quarter, GCI(2) increased revenue 9% to $266 million, generated operating income of $56 million and grew Adjusted OIBDA(3) 23% to $111 million
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GCI refinanced its credit facility, extending the maturity profile and raising a $450 million revolver and $300 million Term Loan A at attractive rates
Corporate Updates
On November 12, 2024, Liberty Broadband entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Charter. Holders of Liberty Broadband common stock will receive 0.236 of a share of Charter common stock per share of Liberty Broadband common stock held.
In each month until the completion of the proposed combination of Charter and Liberty Broadband, Charter will repurchase $100 million of its Class A common stock from Liberty Broadband, subject to certain conditions and timing adjustments, and, if necessary, will repurchase a greater amount or provide loans to Liberty Broadband, with such proceeds to be used by Liberty Broadband to satisfy certain of its debt obligations, provided that Charter’s share repurchases do not reduce Liberty Broadband’s ownership below 25.25%.
From February 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025, Liberty Broadband sold 830 thousand shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for total proceeds of $300 million. Such proceeds are to be used for debt service at Liberty Broadband within six months of receipt.
Balance Sheet
The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments, debt and public holdings of Liberty Broadband as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
| | | | | | | | |
| (amounts in millions) | | 12/31/2024 | | 3/31/2025 | |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents(a): | | | | | | | |
| GCI Holdings | | $ | 75 | | | $ | 149 | | |
| Corporate and Other | | | 154 | | | | 416 | | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Consolidated Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents | | $ | 229 | | | $ | 565 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value of Public Holdings in Charter(b) | | $ | 15,524 | | | $ | 16,386 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Debt: | | | | | | | |
| Senior Notes(c) | | $ | 600 | | | $ | 600 | | |
| Senior Credit Facility | | | 447 | | | | 454 | | |
| Tower Obligations and Other(d) | | | 80 | | | | 79 | | |
| Total GCI Holdings Debt | | $ | 1,127 | | | $ | 1,133 | | |
| GCI Leverage(e) | | | 3.1x | | | | 2.8x | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Charter Margin Loan | | $ | 790 | | | $ | 790 | | |
| 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2053(f) | | | 965 | | | | 965 | | |
| 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2054(f) | | | 860 | | | | 860 | | |
| Total Corporate Level Debt | | $ | 2,615 | | | $ | 2,615 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Debt | | $ | 3,742 | | | $ | 3,748 | | |
| Fair market value adjustment and deferred loan costs | | | 90 | | | | 140 | | |
| Tower obligations and finance leases (excluded from GAAP Debt) | | | (76 | ) | | | (75 | ) | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Debt (GAAP) | | $ | 3,756 | | | $ | 3,813 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Other Financial Obligations: | | | | | | | |
| Preferred Stock(g) | | | 180 | | | | 180 | | |
| a) | | Includes $1 million of restricted cash at GCI as of both December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025 and $65 million and $338 million of restricted cash at Liberty Broadband as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively. Liberty Broadband restricted cash consists of proceeds from Charter share sales to be used towards debt service. |
| b) | | Represents fair value of the investment in Charter as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025. |
| c) | | Principal amount of Senior Notes. |
| d) | | Includes the Wells Fargo Note Payable and current and long-term obligations under tower obligations and finance leases. |
| e) | | As defined in GCI's credit agreement. |
| f) | | Principal amount of Exchangeable Senior Debentures exclusive of fair market value adjustments. |
| g) | | Liquidation value of preferred stock. Preferred stock has a 7% coupon, $25 per share liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends and 1/3 vote per share. The redemption date is the first business day following March 8, 2039. The preferred stock is considered a liability for GAAP purposes. |
Liberty Broadband cash and restricted cash increased $336 million in the first quarter primarily due to proceeds from Charter share sales. GCI cash increased $74 million in the first quarter as cash from operations exceeded capital expenditures (net of grant proceeds).
Liberty Broadband debt increased modestly in the first quarter due to net borrowing in connection with GCI’s senior credit facility refinancing. In March 2025, GCI refinanced the existing $550 million revolving credit facility due October 2026 with a new $450 million revolving credit facility maturing in March 2030 and the existing $250 million Term Loan A due October 2027 with a new $300 million Term Loan A maturing in March 2031. As of March 31, 2025, GCI’s credit facility has undrawn capacity of $292 million (net of letters of credit), and GCI’s leverage as defined in its credit agreement is 2.8x. There is $1,150 million of available capacity under the Charter margin loan.
In March 2025, at the request of Charter, Liberty Broadband issued a redemption notice for all of its 3.125% exchangeable senior debentures due 2054 for cash. The 3.125% exchangeable senior debentures due 2054 were either redeemed in April 2025 or exchanged in March 2025 (with such exchanges expected to be settled in May 2025 using cash on hand and incremental borrowings under the Charter margin loan).
GCI Operating and Financial Results
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1Q24 | | | | 1Q25 | | | | % Change | |
| (amounts in millions, except operating metrics) | | | | | | | | | | |
| GCI Consolidated Financial Metrics | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer | | $ | 117 | | | $ | 121 | | | | 3 | % |
| Business | | | 128 | | | | 145 | | | | 13 | % |
| Total revenue | | $ | 245 | | | $ | 266 | | | | 9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income | | $ | 37 | | | $ | 56 | | | | 51 | % |
| Operating income margin (%) | | | 15.1 | % | | | 21.1 | % | | | 600 | bps |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted OIBDA(a) | | $ | 90 | | | $ | 111 | | | | 23 | % |
| Adjusted OIBDA margin(a) (%) | | | 36.7 | % | | | 41.7 | % | | | 500 | bps |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| GCI Consumer | | | | | | | | | | |
| Financial Metrics | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
| Data | | $ | 60 | | | $ | 61 | | | | 2 | % |
| Wireless | | | 47 | | | | 50 | | | | 6 | % |
| Other | | | 10 | | | | 10 | | | | — | % |
| Total revenue | | $ | 117 | | | $ | 121 | | | | 3 | % |
| Operating Metrics | | | | | | | | | | |
| Data: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable modem subscribers(b) | | | 159,800 | | | | 155,800 | | | | (3) | % |
| Wireless: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lines in service(c) | | | 199,000 | | | | 202,300 | | | | 2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| GCI Business | | | | | | | | | | |
| Financial Metrics | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
| Data | | $ | 108 | | | $ | 128 | | | | 19 | % |
| Wireless | | | 12 | | | | 10 | | | | (17) | % |
| Other | | | 8 | | | | 7 | | | | (13) | % |
| Total revenue | | $ | 128 | | | $ | 145 | | | | 13 | % |
| a) | | See reconciling schedule 1. |
| b) | | A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Data cable modem subscribers as of March 31, 2025 include 1,000 subscribers that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer subscribers in the first quarter of 2025 and are not new additions. |
| c) | | A wireless line in service is defined as a wireless device with a monthly fee for services. Wireless lines in service as of March 31, 2025 include 3,700 lines that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer lines in the first quarter of 2025 and are not new additions. |
Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion compares financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2025 to the same period in 2024.
GCI revenue increased 9% in the first quarter. Consumer revenue increased 3% driven primarily by growth in rural wireless, including subsidies that support high cost areas. Business revenue increased 13% driven by the continued strong upgrade cycle in schools and healthcare corporations in remote Alaska which began in the third quarter of 2024.
Operating income increased $19 million and Adjusted OIBDA increased $21 million in the first quarter in line with higher revenue and decreased operating expenses, partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses decreased primarily due to lower distribution costs for healthcare, education and consumer customers, some of which related to temporary cost savings from a fiber break on a third party network in which GCI uses capacity. Selling, general and administrative expenses grew due to increases in labor-related and software subscription costs.
In the first quarter, GCI spent $49 million, net, on capital expenditures. Capital expenditure spending was related primarily to improvements to the wireless and data networks in rural Alaska. GCI's net capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are expected to be approximately $250 million related to additional investments in middle and last mile connectivity, with continued network expansion in GCI’s most important markets in rural Alaska including the Bethel and AU-Aleutians fiber projects. A significant portion of the increased capital expenditures in 2025 are related to fulfilling the build-out requirements of the Alaska Plan.
FOOTNOTES
| 1) | | Unless otherwise noted, highlights compare financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2025 to the same period in 2024. Liberty Broadband will discuss these highlights and other matters on Liberty Broadband's earnings conference call that will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.T.) on May 7, 2025. For information regarding how to access the call, please see "Important Notice" later in this document. |
| 2) | | Liberty Broadband’s principal operating asset is GCI Holdings, LLC ("GCI" or "GCI Holdings"), Alaska's largest communications provider. Liberty Broadband also holds an interest in Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter"). |
| 3) | | For a definition of Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin and applicable reconciliations, see the accompanying schedules. |
NOTES
LIBERTY BROADBAND FINANCIAL METRICS
| | | | | | | | |
| (amounts in millions) | | 1Q24 | | | 1Q25 | | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | |
| GCI Holdings | | $ | 245 | | | $ | 266 | | |
| Corporate and other | | | — | | | | — | | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Revenue | | $ | 245 | | | $ | 266 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Operating Income | | | | | | | |
| GCI Holdings | | $ | 37 | | | $ | 56 | | |
| Corporate and other | | | (9 | ) | | | (13 | ) | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Operating Income | | $ | 28 | | | $ | 43 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted OIBDA | | | | | | | |
| GCI Holdings | | $ | 90 | | | $ | 111 | | |
| Corporate and other | | | (5 | ) | | | (12 | ) | |
| Total Liberty Broadband Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 85 | | | $ | 99 | | |
Important Notice: Liberty Broadband (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) will discuss Liberty Broadband’s earnings release on a conference call which will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.T.) on May 7, 2025. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-3944 or (412) 902-0038, passcode 13749437, at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to https://www.libertybroadband.com/investors/news-events/ir-calendar. Links to this press release and replays of the call will also be available on Liberty Broadband’s website.
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, future financial prospects, capital expenditures, matters relating to Liberty Broadband’s equity interest in Charter and Charter’s buyback of common stock, Liberty Broadband’s participation in Charter’s buyback of common stock, expectations regarding Liberty Broadband’s combination with Charter and divesture of its GCI business and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of new products or services, competitive issues, regulatory matters affecting our businesses, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Liberty Broadband, changes in law and government regulations, the availability of investment opportunities, general market conditions (including as a result of inflationary pressures) and the satisfaction of all conditions to the combination with Charter. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty Broadband expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Broadband's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Broadband, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional information about Liberty Broadband and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Broadband which may affect the statements made in this press release.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes a presentation of Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty Broadband (and certain of its subsidiaries) and GCI Holdings together with a reconciliation to that entity or such businesses’ operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring and impairment charges. Further, this press release includes Adjusted OIBDA margin which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA margin as Adjusted OIBDA divided by revenue.
Liberty Broadband believes Adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business' performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Because Adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, Liberty Broadband views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that Liberty Broadband’s management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the tables below for applicable reconciliations.
SCHEDULE 1
The following table provides a reconciliation of GCI’s operating income to its Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
GCI HOLDINGS ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
| | | | | | | |
| (amounts in millions) | | 1Q24 | | 1Q25 |
| GCI Holdings Operating Income | | $ | 37 | | $ | 56 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 50 | | | 53 |
| Stock-based compensation | | | 3 | | | 2 |
| GCI Holdings Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 90 | | $ | 111 |
SCHEDULE 2
The following table provides a reconciliation of operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted OIBDA for Liberty Broadband for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
LIBERTY BROADBAND ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
| | | | | | | |
| (amounts in millions) | | 1Q24 | | 1Q25 |
| Liberty Broadband Operating Income | | $ | 28 | | $ | 43 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 50 | | | 53 |
| Stock-based compensation | | | 7 | | | 3 |
| Liberty Broadband Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 85 | | $ | 99 |
| GCI Holdings | | $ | 90 | | $ | 111 |
| Corporate and other | | | (5) | | | (12) |
| LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (unaudited) |
| | | | | | | |
| | | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | |
| | | amounts in millions, | |
| | | except share amounts | |
| Assets | | | | | | |
| Current assets: | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 226 | | 163 | |
| Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $4 and $4, respectively | | | 174 | | 195 | |
| Prepaid and other current assets | | | 397 | | 65 | |
| Total current assets | | | 797 | | 423 | |
| Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method | | | 13,060 | | 13,057 | |
| Property and equipment, net | | | 1,164 | | 1,150 | |
| Intangible assets not subject to amortization | | | | | | |
| Goodwill | | | 755 | | 755 | |
| Cable certificates | | | 550 | | 550 | |
| Other | | | 41 | | 41 | |
| Intangible assets subject to amortization, net | | | 401 | | 411 | |
| Other assets, net | | | 227 | | 300 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 16,995 | | 16,687 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | |
| Current liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 105 | | 112 | |
| Deferred revenue | | | 21 | | 21 | |
| Current portion of debt, including $366 and zero measured at fair value, respectively | | | 370 | | 3 | |
| Other current liabilities | | | 77 | | 64 | |
| Total current liabilities | | | 573 | | 200 | |
| Long-term debt, net, including $1,584 and $1,897 measured at fair value, respectively | | | 3,443 | | 3,753 | |
| Obligations under tower obligations and finance leases, excluding current portion | | | 71 | | 72 | |
| Long-term deferred revenue | | | 130 | | 113 | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities | | | 2,367 | | 2,388 | |
| Preferred stock | | | 200 | | 201 | |
| Other liabilities | | | 144 | | 152 | |
| Total liabilities | | | 6,928 | | 6,879 | |
| Equity | | | | | | |
| Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,252,413 and 18,251,013 at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | | | — | | — | |
| Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,006,305 and 2,007,705 at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | | | — | | — | |
| Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 123,071,777 and 123,022,488 at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | | | 1 | | 1 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | | 3,011 | | 3,007 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | | | 60 | | 73 | |
| Retained earnings | | | 6,980 | | 6,712 | |
| Total stockholders' equity | | | 10,052 | | 9,793 | |
| Non-controlling interests | | | 15 | | 15 | |
| Total equity | | | 10,067 | | 9,808 | |
| Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | |
| Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 16,995 | | 16,687 | |
| LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION (unaudited) |
| | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended | |
| | | March 31, | |
| | | 2025 | | | 2024 | | |
| | | amounts in millions, | |
| | | except per share amounts | |
| Revenue | | $ | 266 | | | 245 | | |
| Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | |
| Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) | | | 58 | | | 62 | | |
| Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation | | | 112 | | | 105 | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 53 | | | 50 | | |
| | | | 223 | | | 217 | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | | 43 | | | 28 | | |
| Other income (expense): | | | | | | |
| Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees) | | | (40 | ) | | (51 | ) | |
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate | | | 318 | | | 280 | | |
| Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate | | | (18 | ) | | (28 | ) | |
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net | | | (37 | ) | | 76 | | |
| Other, net | | | (2 | ) | | 4 | | |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | | 264 | | | 309 | | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | | 4 | | | (68 | ) | |
| Net earnings (loss) | | | 268 | | | 241 | | |
| Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests | | | — | | | — | | |
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders | | $ | 268 | | | 241 | | |
| Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share | | $ | 1.87 | | | 1.69 | | |
| Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share | | $ | 1.87 | | | 1.69 | | |
| LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION (unaudited) |
| | | | |
| | | Three months ended | |
| | | March 31, | |
| | | 2025 | | | 2024 | | |
| | | amounts in millions | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 268 | | | 241 | | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash from operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 53 | | | 50 | | |
| Stock-based compensation | | | 3 | | | 7 | | |
| Share of (earnings) losses of affiliate, net | | | (318 | ) | | (280 | ) | |
| (Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate | | | 18 | | | 28 | | |
| Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net | | | 37 | | | (76 | ) | |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | | | (18 | ) | | 44 | | |
| Other, net | | | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | |
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Current and other assets | | | 37 | | | 39 | | |
| Payables and other liabilities | | | (1 | ) | | — | | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 78 | | | 52 | | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | | (65 | ) | | (61 | ) | |
| Grant proceeds received for capital expenditures | | | 16 | | | 15 | | |
| Cash received for Charter shares repurchased by Charter | | | 300 | | | 81 | | |
| Other investing activities, net | | | 6 | | | (17 | ) | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | 257 | | | 18 | | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | |
| Borrowings of debt | | | 451 | | | 20 | | |
| Repayments of debt, tower obligations and finance leases | | | (449 | ) | | (62 | ) | |
| Repurchases of Liberty Broadband common stock | | | — | | | (89 | ) | |
| Other financing activities, net | | | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 1 | | | (132 | ) | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | | | 336 | | | (62 | ) | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 229 | | | 176 | | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 565 | | | 114 | | |
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Contacts
Shane Kleinstein (720) 875-5432
