MYR Group Inc. Announces First-Quarter 2021 Results

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HENDERSON, Colo., April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MYR Group Inc. (“MYR”) (NASDAQ: MYRG), a holding company of leading specialty contractors serving the electric utility infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction markets in the United States and western Canada, today announced its first-quarter 2021 financial results.

Highlights for First Quarter 2021

  • Strong quarterly revenues of $592.5 million
  • Record high quarterly net income of $19.9 million, or $1.17 per diluted share
  • Record high quarterly EBITDA of $39.3 million
  • Strong quarter net cash flow from operating activities of $59.4 million and quarter free cash flow of $52.4 million
  • Strong backlog of $1.64 billion

Management Comments
Rick Swartz, MYR’s President and CEO, said, “Our strong first-quarter 2021 financial results included record high quarterly net income, EBITDA, and EPS. Net Income of $19.9 million, doubled our first quarter 2020 net income, along with increases in revenues, gross profit, EBITDA and free cash flow as compared to the same period of 2020. Our backlog at the end the first quarter 2021 was $1.64 billion, reflecting the current stability in the markets we serve, as well as our competitive strength.” Mr. Swartz continued, “We believe current economic conditions, the shift toward clean energy, and the need to replace aging infrastructure to strengthen the grid, coupled with a healthy market will continue to drive near term opportunities. Our market may also benefit from the current political climate which supports the investment and implementation of new and upgraded electrical infrastructure to complement the United States environmental and economic goals. Our broad geographic reach, breadth of service offerings, operational improvements, and successful project delivery are further elevating our position in the markets we serve.”

First Quarter Results
MYR reported first-quarter 2021 revenues of $592.5 million, an increase of $74.0 million, or 14.3 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2020. Specifically, our Transmission and Distribution (“T&D”) segment reported revenues of $314.9 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $55.6 million, or 21.5 percent, from the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to an increase in revenue on large-sized projects. Our Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”) segment reported revenues of $277.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $18.4 million, or 7.1 percent, from the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to an increase in revenue on medium-sized projects. Additionally, revenues during the first-quarter 2020 were negatively impacted by a slight slowdown of C&I work in certain geographic areas related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consolidated gross profit increased to $77.0 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $15.4 million or 24.9 percent, from the first quarter of 2020. The increase in gross profit was due to higher revenues and margins. Gross margin was 13.0 percent for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 11.9 percent for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to better-than-anticipated productivity on certain projects and a favorable job close-out. These improvements were partially offset by inclement weather experienced on a project, unfavorable pending change order adjustments on certain projects and labor inefficiencies on certain projects. Changes in estimates of gross profit on certain projects resulted in a gross margin increase of 0.1 percent for each of the first quarters of 2021 and 2020.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $49.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $45.0 million for the first quarter of 2020. The period-over-period increase was primarily due to an increase in employee incentive compensation costs and an increase in contingent compensation expense related to a prior acquisition.

Income tax expense was $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2021, with an effective tax rate of 26.2 percent, compared to income tax expense of $4.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, with an effective tax rate of 29.1 percent. The period-over-period decrease in tax rate was primarily due to a favorable impact from stock compensation excess tax benefits.

For the first quarter of 2021, net income was $19.9 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, compared to $9.9 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the same period of 2020. First-quarter 2021 EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $39.3 million, compared to $27.4 million in the first quarter of 2020.

Backlog
As of March 31, 2021, MYR’s backlog was $1.64 billion, compared to $1.65 billion as of December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, T&D backlog was $694.5 million, and C&I backlog was $948.8 million. Total backlog at March 31, 2021 increased $100.0 million, or 6.7 percent, from the $1.54 billion reported at March 31, 2020.

Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2021, MYR had $362.7 million of borrowing availability under its $375 million revolving credit facility.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement MYR’s financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), MYR uses certain non-GAAP measures. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measures of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found at the end of this release. MYR’s definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. These non-GAAP measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

MYR believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they (i) provide both management and investors meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain expenses and benefits that may not be indicative of recurring core business operating results, (ii) permit investors to view MYR’s performance using the same tools that management uses to evaluate MYR’s past performance, reportable business segments and prospects for future performance, (iii) publicly disclose results that are relevant to financial covenants included in MYR’s credit facility and (iv) otherwise provide supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating MYR.

Conference Call
MYR will host a conference call to discuss its first-quarter 2021 results on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Mountain time. To participate in the conference call via telephone, please dial (877) 561-2750 (domestic) or (763) 416-8565 (international) and enter conference ID 3066739, at least five minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Mountain time, by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and entering conference ID 3066739. MYR will also broadcast the conference call live via the internet. Interested parties may access the webcast through the Investor Relations section of MYR’s website at www.myrgroup.com. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The webcast will be available until Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Mountain time.

About MYR
MYR is a holding company of leading specialty contractors serving the electric utility infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction markets throughout the United States and western Canada who have the experience and expertise to complete electrical installations of any type and size. Their comprehensive services on electric transmission and distribution networks and substation facilities include design, engineering, procurement, construction, upgrade, maintenance and repair services. Transmission and distribution customers include investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, private developers, government-funded utilities, independent power producers, independent transmission companies, industrial facility owners and other contractors. Commercial and industrial electrical contracting services are provided to general contractors, commercial and industrial facility owners, local governments and developers generally throughout the United States and western Canada. For more information, visit myrgroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Various statements in this announcement, including those that express a belief, expectation, or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenue, income, capital spending, segment improvements and investments. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should,” “unlikely,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only as of the date of this announcement. We disclaim any obligation to update these statements (unless required by securities laws), and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements in this announcement should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect MYR’s business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A. of MYR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in MYR’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.

MYR Group Inc. Contact:
Betty R. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, 847-290-1891, investorinfo@myrgroup.com

Investor Contact:
David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com

Financial tables follow…

MYR GROUP INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

(in thousands, except share and per share data) March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 73,069     $ 22,668  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,665 and $1,696, respectively 373,524     385,938  
Contract assets, net of allowances of $350 and $359, respectively 192,883     185,803  
Current portion of receivable for insurance claims in excess of deductibles 11,342     11,859  
Refundable income taxes     1,534  
Other current assets 14,548     28,882  
Total current assets 665,366     636,684  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $302,134 and $294,366, respectively 181,096     185,114  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 21,724     22,291  
Goodwill 66,067     66,065  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $15,045 and $14,467, respectively 50,793     51,365  
Receivable for insurance claims in excess of deductibles 26,758     27,043  
Investment in joint ventures 3,644     3,040  
Other assets 3,798     4,257  
Total assets $ 1,019,246     $ 995,859  
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of long-term debt $ 4,381     $ 4,381  
Current portion of operating lease obligations 6,986     6,612  
Current portion of finance lease obligations 53     318  
Accounts payable 192,241     162,580  
Contract liabilities 140,314     158,396  
Current portion of accrued self-insurance 24,447     24,395  
Other current liabilities 79,402     86,718  
Total current liabilities 447,824     443,400  
Deferred income tax liabilities 18,295     18,339  
Long-term debt 25,039     25,039  
Accrued self-insurance 45,095     45,428  
Operating lease obligations, net of current maturities 14,787     15,730  
Other liabilities 19,742     18,631  
Total liabilities 570,782     566,567  
Commitments and contingencies      
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock—$0.01 par value per share; 4,000,000 authorized shares; none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020      
Common stock—$0.01 par value per share; 100,000,000 authorized shares; 16,817,256 and 16,734,239 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively 168     167  
Additional paid-in capital 157,995     158,618  
Accumulated other comprehensive income 276     23  
Retained earnings 290,021     270,480  
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. 448,460     429,288  
Noncontrolling interest 4     4  
Total stockholders’ equity 448,464     429,292  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,019,246     $ 995,859  
               

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

  Three months ended
March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) 2021   2020
       
Contract revenues $ 592,486     $ 518,470  
Contract costs 515,533     456,838  
Gross profit 76,953     61,632  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 49,647     45,046  
Amortization of intangible assets 578     1,228  
Gain on sale of property and equipment (683 )   (1,050 )
Income from operations 27,411     16,408  
Other income (expense):      
Interest income 13     2  
Interest expense (475 )   (1,513 )
Other income (expense), net 41     (895 )
Income before provision for income taxes 26,990     14,002  
Income tax expense 7,062     4,070  
Net income $ 19,928     $ 9,932  
Income per common share:      
—Basic $ 1.19     $ 0.60  
—Diluted $ 1.17     $ 0.59  
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding:      
—Basic 16,760     16,627  
—Diluted 17,045     16,742  
           

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

  Three months ended
March 31,
(in thousands) 2021   2020
       
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $ 19,928     $ 9,932  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 11,293     10,641  
Amortization of intangible assets 578     1,228  
Stock-based compensation expense 1,487     1,080  
Deferred income taxes (47 )   236  
Gain on sale of property and equipment (683 )   (1,050 )
Other non-cash items 529     (305 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable, net 12,592     38,089  
Contract assets, net (6,991 )   (7,467 )
Receivable for insurance claims in excess of deductibles 802     (754 )
Other assets 15,314     5,195  
Accounts payable 29,198     (18,091 )
Contract liabilities (18,087 )   (4,697 )
Accrued self insurance (285 )   (77 )
Other liabilities (6,238 )   1,283  
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 59,390     35,243  
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 651     870  
Purchases of property and equipment (7,031 )   (9,138 )
Net cash flows used in investing activities (6,380 )   (8,268 )
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Net repayments under revolving lines of credit     (2,263 )
Payment of principal obligations under equipment notes     (2,177 )
Payment of principal obligations under finance leases (273 )   (312 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 110     82  
Repurchase of common shares (2,618 )   (425 )
Other financing activities 12     23  
Net cash flows used in financing activities (2,769 )   (5,072 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 160     (303 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 50,401     21,600  
Cash and cash equivalents:      
Beginning of period 22,668     12,397  
End of period $ 73,069     $ 33,997  
               

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Selected Data,
Unaudited Performance Measure and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure
For the Three and Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and
As of March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019

  Three months ended
March 31,
  Last twelve months ended
March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) 2021   2020   2021   2020  
                         
Summary Statement of Operations Data:                        
Contract revenues $ 592,486     $ 518,470     $ 2,321,408     $ 2,121,535    
Gross profit $ 76,953     $ 61,632     $ 291,174     $ 232,914    
Income from operations $ 27,411     $ 16,408     $ 97,548     $ 63,960    
Income before provision for income taxes $ 26,990     $ 14,002     $ 94,373     $ 55,277    
Income tax expense $ 7,062     $ 4,070     $ 25,618     $ 15,751    
Net income $ 19,928     $ 9,932     $ 68,755     $ 40,269    
Tax rate 26.2 %   29.1 %   27.1 %   28.5 %  
                 
Per Share Data:                
Income per common share:                
– Basic $ 1.19     $ 0.60     $ 4.12   (1)   $ 2.42   (1)
– Diluted $ 1.17     $ 0.59     $ 4.06   (1)   $ 2.40   (1)
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding:                
– Basic 16,760     16,627     16,717   (2)   16,615   (2)
– Diluted 17,045     16,742     16,928   (2)   16,727   (2)
                           
(in thousands) March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
  March 31,
2020
  March 31,
2019
               
Summary Balance Sheet Data:              
Total assets $ 1,019,246     $ 995,859     $ 993,246     $ 795,218  
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. $ 448,460     $ 429,288     $ 374,982     $ 330,727  
Goodwill and intangible assets $ 116,860     $ 117,430     $ 119,713     $ 89,134  
Total funded debt (3) $ 29,420     $ 29,420     $ 161,384     $ 109,946  
                               
(in thousands) Last twelve months ended
March 31,
  2021   2020
Financial Performance Measure (4):      
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measure:      
Net income $ 68,755     $ 40,269  
Interest expense, net 3,505     6,527  
Tax impact of interest (950 )   (1,860 )
EBI, net of taxes (5) $ 71,310     $ 44,936  
               

See notes at the end of this earnings release

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Performance Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Three and Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

  Three months ended
March 31,
  Last twelve months ended
March 31,
(in thousands, except share, per share data, ratios and percentages) 2021   2020   2021   2020
               
Financial Performance Measures (4):              
EBITDA (6) $ 39,323     $ 27,382     $ 144,333     $ 107,640  
EBITDA per Diluted Share (7) $ 2.31     $ 1.64     $ 8.52     $ 6.44  
Free Cash Flow (8) $ 52,359     $ 26,105     $ 157,066     $ 51,292  
Book Value per Period End Share (9) $ 26.22     $ 22.32          
Tangible Book Value (10) $ 331,600     $ 255,269          
Tangible Book Value per Period End Share (11) $ 19.39     $ 15.19          
Funded Debt to Equity Ratio (12) 0.07     0.43          
Asset Turnover (13)         2.34     2.67  
Return on Assets (14)         6.9 %   5.1 %
Return on Equity (15)         18.3 %   12.2 %
Return on Invested Capital (18)         14.2 %   10.2 %
               
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:              
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA:              
Net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. $ 19,928     $ 9,932     $ 68,755     $ 40,269  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest             (743 )
Net income 19,928     9,932     68,755     39,526  
Interest expense, net 462     1,511     3,505     6,527  
Income tax expense 7,062     4,070     25,618     15,751  
Depreciation and amortization 11,871     11,869     46,455     45,836  
EBITDA (6) $ 39,323     $ 27,382     $ 144,333     $ 107,640  
               
Reconciliation of Net Income per Diluted Share to EBITDA per Diluted Share:              
Net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. per share $ 1.17     $ 0.59     $ 4.06     $ 2.40  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest per share             (0.04 )
Net income per share 1.17     0.59     4.06     2.36  
Interest expense, net, per share 0.03     0.09     0.21     0.39  
Income tax expense per share 0.41     0.24     1.51     0.94  
Depreciation and amortization per share 0.70     0.72     2.74     2.75  
EBITDA per Diluted Share (7) $ 2.31     $ 1.64     $ 8.52     $ 6.44  
               
Calculation of Free Cash Flow:              
Net cash flow from operating activities $ 59,390     $ 35,243     $ 199,314     $ 108,347  
Less: cash used in purchasing property and equipment (7,031 )   (9,138 )   (42,248 )   (57,055 )
Free Cash Flow (8) $ 52,359     $ 26,105     $ 157,066     $ 51,292  
               

See notes at the end of this earnings release.

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Performance Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
As of March 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(in thousands) March 31, 2021   March 31, 2020
       
Reconciliation of Book Value to Tangible Book Value:      
Book value (total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc.) $ 448,460     $ 374,982  
Goodwill and intangible assets (116,860 )   (119,713 )
Tangible Book Value (10) $ 331,600     $ 255,269  
       
Reconciliation of Book Value per Period End Share to Tangible Book Value per Period End Share:      
Book value per period end share $ 26.22     $ 22.32  
Goodwill and intangible assets per period end share (6.83 )   (7.13 )
Tangible Book Value per Period End Share (11) $ 19.39     $ 15.19  
       
Calculation of Period End Shares:      
Shares outstanding 16,817     16,685  
Plus: common equivalents 285     115  
Period End Shares (16) 17,102     16,800  
           
(in thousands) March 31, 2021   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019
           
Reconciliation of Invested Capital to Stockholders Equity:          
Book value (total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc.) $ 448,460     $ 374,982     $ 330,727  
Plus: total funded debt 29,420     161,384     109,946  
Less: cash and cash equivalents (73,069 )   (33,997 )   (1,338 )
Invested Capital (17) $ 404,811     $ 502,369     $ 439,335  
                       

See notes at the end of this earnings release.

(1) Last-twelve-months earnings per share is the sum of earnings per share reported in the last four quarters.
(2) Last-twelve-months weighted average basic and diluted shares were determined by adding the weighted average shares reported for the last four quarters and dividing by four.
(3) Funded debt includes outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our outstanding equipment notes.
(4) These financial performance measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial statements. These measures are used by management to evaluate our past performance, our prospects for future performance and our ability to comply with certain material covenants as defined within our credit agreement, and to compare our results with those of our peers. In addition, we believe that certain of the measures, such as book value, tangible book value, free cash flow, asset turnover, return on equity, and debt leverage are measures that are monitored by sureties, lenders, lessors, suppliers and certain investors. Our calculation of each measure is described in the following notes; our calculation may not be the same as the calculations made by other companies.
(5) EBI, net of taxes is defined as net income plus net interest, less the tax impact of net interest. The tax impact of net interest is computed by multiplying net interest by the effective tax rate. Management uses EBI, net of taxes, to measure our results exclusive of the impact of financing costs.
(6) EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to net cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Certain material covenants contained within our credit agreement are based on EBITDA with certain additional adjustments, including our interest coverage ratio and leverage ratio, which we must comply with to avoid potential immediate repayment of amounts borrowed or additional fees to seek relief from our lenders. In addition, management considers EBITDA a useful measure because it provides MYR Group Inc. and its investors with an additional tool to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes to not directly reflect the company’s core operations.  Management further believes that EBITDA is useful to investors and other external users of our financial statements in evaluating the company’s operating performance and cash flow because EBITDA is widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items such as interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, useful lives placed on assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired.
(7) EBITDA per diluted share is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding for the period. EBITDA per diluted share is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to income per diluted share.
(8) Free cash flow, which is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities minus cash flow used in purchasing property and equipment, is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to net income, cash flow from operations or the change in cash on the balance sheet. Management views free cash flow as a measure of operational performance, liquidity and financial health.  
(9) Book value per period end share is calculated by dividing total stockholders’ equity at the end of the period by the period end shares outstanding.
(10) Tangible book value is calculated by subtracting goodwill and intangible assets outstanding at the end of the period from stockholders’ equity. Tangible book value is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to book value or stockholders’ equity.
(11) Tangible book value per period end share is calculated by dividing tangible book value at the end of the period by the period end number of shares outstanding. Tangible book value per period end share is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to income per diluted share.
(12) The funded debt to equity ratio is calculated by dividing total funded debt at the end of the period by total stockholders’ equity at the end of the period.
(13) Asset turnover is calculated by dividing the current period revenue by total assets at the beginning of the period.
(14) Return on assets is calculated by dividing net income for the period by total assets at the beginning of the period.
(15) Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income for the period by total stockholders’ equity at the beginning of the period.
(16) Period end shares is calculated by adding average common stock equivalents for the quarter to the period end balance of common stock outstanding. Period end shares is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to diluted shares. Management views period end shares as a better measure of shares outstanding as of the end of the period.
(17) Invested capital is calculated by adding net funded debt (total funded debt less cash and marketable securities) to total stockholders’ equity.
(18) Return on invested capital is calculated by dividing EBI, net of taxes, less any dividends, by invested capital at the beginning of the period. Return on invested capital is not recognized under GAAP, and is a key metric used by management to determine our executive compensation.

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