STOCK TITAN

Margins rise as Cogent (NASDAQ: CCOI) posts Q1 2026 loss, softer revenue

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cogent Communications reported Q1 2026 service revenue of $239.2 million, down 0.6% from Q4 2025 and 3.2% year over year, or 4.6% lower on a constant-currency basis. Mix shifted toward higher-value products, with wavelength revenue up 90.8% year over year to $13.6 million, while off-net and non-core revenue continued to decline.

Profitability improved despite lower revenue. GAAP gross margin rose to 23.4% from 13.6% a year earlier, and non-GAAP gross margin was 46.1%. EBITDA was $45.2 million (18.9% margin), up from $43.8 million a year ago but down sequentially. Net loss narrowed to $39.5 million, or $(0.83) per share, compared to $(1.09) a year earlier.

Operating cash flow improved to $14.8 million from a $(6.0) million outflow in Q4 2025, though below $36.4 million a year earlier. Total customer connections fell 3.2% year over year to 116,809, with growth in on-net and wavelength connections offset by declines in off-net and enterprise. The board approved a $0.02 per-share quarterly dividend payable June 2, 2026.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Cogent shows improving margins and narrowing losses despite modest revenue decline and still-elevated leverage.

Q1 2026 service revenue slipped to $239.2 million, down 0.6% sequentially and 3.2% year over year, as off-net and enterprise revenue continued to contract. However, higher-value wavelength revenue grew 90.8% year over year to $13.6 million, supporting mix improvement.

GAAP gross margin expanded to 23.4% from 13.6% a year earlier, and non-GAAP gross margin reached 46.1%, reflecting lower network operations costs and depreciation. EBITDA of $45.2 million and an 18.9% margin improved year over year, while net loss narrowed to $39.5 million.

Leverage remains high, with net leverage ratio at 7.41 based on trailing 12-month EBITDA as adjusted for IP transit payments. The board approved a $0.02 quarterly dividend payable on June 2, 2026, indicating continued capital return even as the company balances investment, debt service and integration of the acquired wireline business.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Service revenue $239.2M Q1 2026; down 0.6% QoQ and 3.2% YoY
GAAP gross margin 23.4% Q1 2026; up from 13.6% in Q1 2025
Non-GAAP gross margin 46.1% Q1 2026; slightly below 46.8% in Q4 2025
EBITDA $45.2M Q1 2026; vs $43.8M in Q1 2025
EBITDA margin 18.9% Q1 2026; vs 17.7% in Q1 2025
Net loss $39.5M Q1 2026; improved from $52.0M in Q1 2025
Operating cash flow $14.8M Net cash provided by operating activities, Q1 2026
Quarterly dividend $0.02/share Approved May 1, 2026; payable June 2, 2026
Total customer connections 116,809 As of March 31, 2026; down 3.2% YoY
EBITDA financial
"Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), was $45.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026"
EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It measures a company's profitability by focusing on the money it makes from its core operations, ignoring expenses like taxes and accounting adjustments. Investors use EBITDA to compare how well different companies are performing financially, as it provides a clearer picture of operational success without the influence of financial structure or accounting choices.
IP Transit Services Agreement financial
"entered into an agreement for IP transit services (the “Transit Services Agreement”), pursuant to which TMUSA will pay Cogent an aggregate of $700.0 million"
An IP transit services agreement is a contract where one network operator agrees to carry another organization’s internet traffic and give it access to the wider internet, like paying a highway company to move your shipments between cities. For investors, it matters because the deal affects a company’s online performance, costs, and revenue predictability—poor terms can mean higher expenses or outages, while strong, long-term contracts support steady cash flow and customer retention.
non-GAAP gross margin financial
"Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2026"
Non-GAAP gross margin is a measure of a company's profitability that shows how much money it makes from sales after subtracting the direct costs of producing its products or services, but without applying certain accounting adjustments required by standard rules. It helps investors understand the company's core earning ability by excluding items like one-time expenses or accounting changes. This metric provides a clearer picture of ongoing business performance beyond official financial reports.
Gross Leverage Ratio financial
"Gross Leverage Ratio (3) | | | 6.69 | | | | 8.65 | | | | 8.24 | | | | 8.04 | | | | 8.02"
Gross leverage ratio measures how much debt a company carries compared with its size, using total debt before subtracting cash or other offsets; it is reported against a size metric such as assets, equity or earnings depending on context. Investors use it to gauge how heavily leveraged a business is and how vulnerable it might be to shocks—like comparing a household’s total mortgage and loans to its income or house value to see how comfortably it could pay bills or withstand a lost paycheck.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio financial
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Reference Period (2) | | | 2.80 | | | | 2.43 | | | | 2.62 | | | | 2.39 | | | | 2.29"
A fixed charge coverage ratio measures how well a company's operating income can cover its fixed, recurring obligations like interest payments and lease costs. Think of it as a safety margin — the higher the number, the more comfortably a business can pay steady bills from its normal earnings, which matters to investors because it signals financial stability, lower default risk, and greater ability to withstand revenue dips.
Service revenue $239.2M -0.6% QoQ, -3.2% YoY
GAAP gross margin 23.4% up from 13.6% in Q1 2025
Non-GAAP gross margin 46.1% vs 46.8% in Q4 2025 and 44.6% in Q1 2025
EBITDA $45.2M vs $51.7M in Q4 2025 and $43.8M in Q1 2025
EBITDA margin 18.9% vs 21.5% in Q4 2025 and 17.7% in Q1 2025
Net loss $39.5M vs $30.8M in Q4 2025 and $52.0M in Q1 2025
EPS (basic and diluted) $(0.83) vs $(0.64) in Q4 2025 and $(1.09) in Q1 2025
false 0001158324 DC 0001158324 2026-05-04 2026-05-04 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 4, 2026

 

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   000-51829   46-5706863
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

2450 N St NW,
Washington, D.C.
  20037
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    202-295-4200

 

                                Not Applicable                                

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share CCOI NASDAQ Global Select Market

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company   ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 4, 2026, Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. issued a press release summarizing its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. The Company will hold a conference call regarding its financial results at 8:30 a.m. ET on May 4, 2026, which will be simultaneously broadcast on a link available through the Company’s website at www.cogentco.com. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.

 

The information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 
Number
  Description
99.1   Press Release of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. dated May 4, 2026. (filed herewith).
104   Cover Page Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the iXBRL document).

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.
   
May 4, 2026 By: /s/ David Schaeffer
    Name: David Schaeffer
    Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  

Cogent Contacts:  
For Public Relations: For Investor Relations:
Jocelyn Johnson John Chang
+ 1 (202) 295-4299 + 1 (202) 295-4212
jajohnson@cogentco.com investor.relations@cogentco.com

 

Cogent Communications Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

 

Financial and Business Highlights

 

·Service revenue was $239.2 million for Q1 2026 and was $240.5 million for Q4 2025.

 

oWavelength revenue increased by 12.3% sequentially from Q4 2025 to $13.6 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 90.8% from Q1 2025.

 

§Wavelength customer connections increased by 9.6% sequentially from Q4 2025 to 2,263 connections for Q1 2026 and increased by 71.2% from Q1 2025.

 

oOn-net revenue increased by 1.0% sequentially from Q4 2025 to $135.6 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 4.6% from Q1 2025.

 

·Revenue from leasing IPv4 addresses increased by 3.9% sequentially from Q4 2025 to $18.0 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 24.8% from Q1 2025.

 

·EBITDA, as adjusted, was $70.2 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 2.1% from Q1 2025.

 

oEBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 29.3% for Q1 2026 and was 27.8% for Q1 2025.

 

·IP Network traffic for Q1 2026 increased by 4% from Q4 2025 and increased by 14% from Q1 2025.

 

·Cogent approved a quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share for Q2 2026.

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. May 4, 2026] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $239.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 0.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 and a decrease of 3.2% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Foreign exchange rates positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2025 to the three months ended March 31, 2026 by $0.3 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended March 31, 2025 to the three months ended March 31, 2026 by $3.4 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue decreased by 0.7% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 to the three months ended March 31, 2026 and decreased by 4.6% from the three months ended March 31, 2025 to the three months ended March 31, 2026.

 

 Page 1 of 19

 

  

On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent’s network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was $135.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 1.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 and an increase of 4.6% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $89.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 4.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 and a decrease of 17.0% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Wavelength revenue was $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 12.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 and an increase of 90.8% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell. Non-core revenue was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 4.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 to $55.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and increased by 66.5% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

GAAP gross margin was 23.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, 22.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

  

 Page 2 of 19

 

 

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 2.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2025 to $110.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and increased by 0.2% from the three months ended March 31, 2025.

  

Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, 46.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 44.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $(6.0) million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and $36.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

IP Transit Services Agreement

 

On May 1, 2023, the closing date of the Sprint acquisition, Cogent and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“TMUSA”), a Delaware corporation and direct subsidiary of T-Mobile US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“T-Mobile”), entered into an agreement for IP transit services (the “IP Transit Services Agreement”), pursuant to which TMUSA will pay Cogent an aggregate of $700.0 million, consisting of (i) $350.0 million paid in equal monthly installments during the first year after the closing date of the Sprint acquisition and (ii) $350.0 million paid in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 42 months. Amounts paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement were $25.0 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), was $45.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $51.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and $43.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

EBITDA margin, was 18.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, 21.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 17.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

 Page 3 of 19

 

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted, for cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement, was $70.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $76.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and $68.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

  

EBITDA margin, as adjusted for cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement, was 29.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, 31.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 27.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Basic and diluted net (loss) per share was $(0.83) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $(0.64) for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and was $(1.09) for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Total customer connections decreased by 3.2% from March 31, 2025 to 116,809 as of March 31, 2026 and decreased by 0.7% from December 31, 2025. On-net customer connections increased by 1.3% from March 31, 2025 to 87,899 as of March 31, 2026 and decreased by 0.1% from December 31, 2025. Off-net customer connections decreased by 12.7% from March 31, 2025 to 24,014 as of March 31, 2026 and decreased by 2.6% from December 31, 2025. Wavelength customer connections increased by 71.2% from March 31, 2025 to 2,263 as of March 31, 2026 and increased by 9.6% from December 31, 2025. Non-core customer connections were 2,633 as of March 31, 2026, 2,979 as of December 31, 2025 and 5,120 as of March 31, 2025.

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 105 on-net buildings from March 31, 2025 to 3,605 as of March 31, 2026 and increased by 26 on-net buildings from December 31, 2025.

 

Optical Wave Network

 

Acquiring the Sprint network has also allowed Cogent to construct a wavelength network using predominantly owned fiber. This enabled Cogent to expand its product offerings to include optical wavelength services. As of March 31, 2026, Cogent was offering optical wavelength services in 1,107 locations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

 

 Page 4 of 19

 

 

Quarterly Dividend Approved

 

On May 1, 2026, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share payable on June 2, 2026 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2026.

  

The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent’s financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent’s debt indentures and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on May 4, 2026 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the first quarter of 2026. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call. A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference call.

 

About Cogent Communications

 

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, optical wavelength, optical transport and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in 306 markets globally.

 

Cogent Communications is headquartered at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com. Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at info@cogentco.com.

 

# # #

 

 Page 5 of 19

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

  

Summary of Financial and Operational Results

 

   Q1 2025   Q2 2025   Q3 2025   Q4 2025   Q1 2026 
Metric ($ in 000’s, except share, per share, customer connections and network related data) – unaudited                    
On-Net revenue (13)  $129,628   $132,331   $135,267   $134,281   $135,568 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.7%   2.1%   2.2%   -0.7%   1.0%
Off-Net revenue  $107,274   $102,177   $95,111   $92,909   $89,023 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -5.2%   -4.8%   -6.9%   -2.3%   -4.2%
Wavelength revenue (1)  $7,119   $9,057   $10,179   $12,097   $13,585 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   2.2%   27.2%   12.4%   18.8%   12.3%
Non-Core revenue (2)  $3,027   $2,682   $1,392   $1,231   $1,011 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -10.3%   -11.4%   -48.1%   -11.6%   -17.9%
Service revenue – total (13)  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -2.1%   -0.3%   -1.7%   -0.6%   -0.6%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (3) (13)   -1.9%   -1.3%   -2.1%   -0.5%   -0.7%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (3) (13)   -6.7%   -6.0%   -6.6%   -5.7%   -4.6%
Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (3) (13)   -1.6%   -1.2%   -1.8%   -0.8%   -0.5%
Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (3) (13)   -6.6%   -6.3%   -6.4%   -5.3%   -4.3%
Excise Taxes included in service revenue (4)  $20,200   $19,998   $19,188   $19,786   $19,490 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -3.6%   -1.0%   -4.1%   3.1%   -1.5%
IPv4 Revenue, included in On-Net revenue  $14,413   $15,320   $17,475   $17,323   $17,992 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   14.8%   6.3%   14.1%   -0.9%   3.9%
IPv4 Addresses Billed   12,879,749    13,187,109    14,600,974    15,274,488    15,203,726 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -1.2%   2.4%   10.7%   4.6%   -0.5%
Corporate revenue (5)  $110,686   $109,047   $105,201   $102,817   $101,041 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -2.1%   -1.5%   -3.5%   -2.3%   -1.7%
Net-centric revenue (5) (13)  $92,615   $97,309   $100,288   $103,353   $105,756 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -1.1%   5.1%   3.1%   3.1%   2.3%

  

 Page 6 of 19

 

  

Enterprise revenue (5)  $43,747   $39,891   $36,460   $34,348   $32,390 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -4.1%   -8.8%   -8.6%   -5.8%   -5.7%
Network operations expenses (4)  $136,949   $136,986   $131,107   $128,035   $128,910 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -11.5%   0.0%   -4.3%   -2.3%   0.7%
GAAP gross profit (6)  $33,571   $33,465   $49,843   $53,742   $55,903 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   12.5%   -0.3%   48.9%   7.8%   4.0%
GAAP gross margin (6)   13.6%   13.6%   20.6%   22.3%   23.4%
Non-GAAP gross profit (3) (7)  $110,099   $109,261   $110,842   $112,483   $110,277 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   12.8%   -0.8%   1.4%   1.5%   -2.0%
Non-GAAP gross margin (3) (7)   44.6%   44.4%   45.8%   46.8%   46.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (8)  $66,340   $60,766   $62,061   $60,740   $65,094 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   19.0%   -8.4%   2.1%   -2.1%   7.2%
Depreciation and amortization expense  $76,038   $75,290   $60,429   $58,422   $54,055 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   13.0%   -1.0%   -19.7%   -3.3%   -7.5%
Equity-based compensation expense  $8,013   $4,664   $8,932   $4,808   $7,563 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   9.1%   -41.8%   91.5%   -46.2%   57.3%
Operating income (loss)  $(40,292)  $(31,459)  $(18,128)  $(11,329)  $(13,507)
  % Change from previous Qtr.   23.0%   21.9%   42.4%   37.5%   -19.2%
Interest expense (9)  $34,015   $48,688   $43,146   $54,135   $47,944 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -25.0%   43.1%   -11.4%   25.5%   -11.4%
Non-cash change in valuation – Swap Agreement (9)  $201   $(8,911)  $223   $(9,758)  $(4,069)
Net loss  $(52,042)  $(57,807)  $(41,544)  $(30,781)  $(39,542)
Basic net loss per common share  $(1.09)  $(1.21)  $(0.87)  $(0.64)  $(0.83)
Diluted net loss per common share  $(1.09)  $(1.21)  $(0.87)  $(0.64)  $(0.83)
Weighted average common shares – basic   47,676,735    47,592,836    47,603,287    47,724,101    47,774,617 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.3%   -0.2%   0.0%   0.3%   0.1%
Weighted average common shares – diluted   47,676,735    47,592,836    47,603,287    47,724,101    47,774,617 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.3%   -0.2%   0.0%   0.3%   0.1%
EBITDA (3)  $43,759   $48,495   $48,781   $51,743   $45,183 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   4.6%   10.8%   0.6%   6.1%   -12.7%

 

 Page 7 of 19

 

  

EBITDA margin (3)   17.7%   19.7%   20.2%   21.5%   18.9%
Cash payments under IP Transit Services Agreement (10)  $25,000   $25,000   $25,000   $25,000   $25,000 
EBITDA, as adjusted for payments under IP Transit Services Agreement (3) (10)  $68,759   $73,495   $73,781   $76,743   $70,183 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   2.9%   6.9%   0.4%   4.0%   -8.5%
EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under IP Transit Services Agreement, margin (3) (10)   27.8%   29.8%   30.5%   31.9%   29.3%
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $36,351   $(44,039)  $3,100   $(5,992)  $14,834 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   150.1%   -221.1%   107.0%   -293.3%   347.6%
Capital expenditures  $58,088   $56,200   $36,250   $37,031   $46,239 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   26.0%   -3.3%   -35.5%   2.2%   24.9%
Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations  $8,003   $8,520   $8,791   $8,528   $13,356 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -71.4%   6.5%   3.2%   -3.0%   56.6%
Dividends paid  $49,133   $49,560   $49,066   $2,304   $1,299 
Gross Leverage Ratio (3)   6.69    8.65    8.24    8.04    8.02 
Net Leverage Ratio (3)   6.08    7.52    7.44    7.34    7.41 
Gross Leverage Ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile (3) (14)   5.81    7.74    7.45    7.35    7.40 
Net Leverage Ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile (3) (14)   5.21    6.61    6.65    6.64    6.79 
Gross Leverage Ratio under the Company’s Indentures (3)   5.86    6.82    5.66    6.13    6.10 
Secured Leverage Ratio under the Company’s Indentures (3)   3.44    4.20    3.49    3.80    3.79 
Interest Coverage Ratio under the Company’s Indentures (3)   2.80    2.43    2.62    2.39    2.29 
Customer Connections – end of period (13)                         
On-Net customer connections   86,781    87,407    87,767    87,944    87,899 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -0.8%   0.7%   0.4%   0.2%   -0.1%
Off-Net customer connections   27,508    26,239    25,518    24,656    24,014 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -5.0%   -4.6%   -2.7%   -3.4%   -2.6%
Wavelength customer connections (1)   1,322    1,469    1,750    2,064    2,263 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   18.2%   11.1%   19.1%   17.9%   9.6%

 

 Page 8 of 19

 

  

Non-Core customer connections (2)   5,120    3,615    3,244    2,979    2,633 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -11.8%   -29.4%   -10.3%   -8.2%   -11.6%
Total customer connections (13)   120,731    118,730    118,279    117,643    116,809 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -2.1%   -1.7%   -0.4%   -0.5%   -0.7%
Corporate customer connections (5)   45,295    44,307    43,391    42,579    41,903 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -2.3%   -2.2%   -2.1%   -1.9%   -1.6%
Net-centric customer connections (5) (13)   61,795    62,659    63,875    64,551    65,098 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -0.7%   1.4%   1.9%   1.1%   0.8%
Enterprise customer connections (5)   13,641    11,764    11,013    10,513    9,808 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -7.7%   -13.8%   -6.4%   -4.5%   -6.7%
On-Net Buildings – end of period                         
Multi-Tenant office buildings   1,867    1,871    1,869    1,881    1,875 
Carrier neutral data center buildings   1,453    1,471    1,482    1,511    1,545 
Cogent data centers   101    101    100    100    99 
Cogent edge data centers   79    86    86    87    86 
Total on-net buildings   3,500    3,529    3,537    3,579    3,605 
Total carrier neutral data center nodes   1,668    1,675    1,686    1,715    1,744 
Wave enabled locations   883    938    996    1,068    1,107 
Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net   1,015,459,520    1,017,918,826    1,017,433,216    1,025,139,485    1,024,433,714 
Total Technical Buildings Owned (11)   482    482    482    482    482 
Square feet – Technical Buildings Owned (11)   1,603,569    1,603,569    1,603,569    1,603,569    1,603,569 
Network – end of period                         
Intercity route miles – Leased   79,867    73,075    72,955    73,218    73,769 
Metro route miles – Leased   30,788    31,297    31,388    32,634    33,036 
Metro fiber miles – Leased   90,696    92,631    93,338    96,663    97,916 
Intercity route miles – Owned   21,883    21,883    21,883    21,883    21,883 
Metro route miles – Owned   1,704    1,704    1,704    1,704    1,704 
Connected networks – AS’s   8,240    8,085    8,043    7,659    7,630 

 

 Page 9 of 19

 

 

Headcount – end of period (12)                         
Sales force – quota bearing (12)   629    628    617    590    568 
Sales force – total (12)   820    820    802    777    749 
Total employees (12)   1,899    1,889    1,882    1,833    1,795 
Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month   3.8    4.8    4.6    4.1    4.1 
FTE – sales reps   605    588    592    585    559 

  

(1) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent began to provide optical wavelength services and optical transport services over its fiber network.

 

(2) Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.

 

(3) See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.

 

(4) Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $490, $506, $570, $319 and $319 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 through March 31, 2026 respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, of $20,200, $19,998, $19,188, $19,786 and $19,490 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 through March 31, 2026, respectively.

 

(5) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent classified revenue and customer connections as follows:

 

·$12.9 million of the Wireline Business monthly recurring revenue and 17,823 customer connections as corporate revenue and corporate customer connections, respectively,

 

·$6.5 million of monthly recurring revenue and 5,711 customer connections as net-centric revenue and net-centric customer connections, respectively, and

 

·$20.1 million of monthly recurring revenue and 23,209 customer connections as enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively.

 

·Conversely, Cogent reclassified $0.3 million of monthly recurring revenue and 387 customer connections of legacy Cogent monthly recurring revenue to enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively.

 

(6) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.

 

(7) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures to provide investors. Management uses them to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s network.

 

(8) Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $7,523, $4,158, $8,362, $4,489 and $7,244 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 through March 31, 2026, respectively.

 

(9) Through February 5, 2026, Cogent was party to an interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap Agreement”) that has the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest rate obligation associated with its Senior Secured 2026 Notes to a variable interest rate obligation based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) so that the interest payable on Cogent’s 2026 Notes effectively became variable based on overnight SOFR. Interest expense includes payments of $9,880 and $4,078 for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively, related to the Swap Agreement. Under GAAP, changes in the valuation of the Swap Agreement are classified with interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

 

(10) Includes cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement, as discussed above, of

 

·$25.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and

 

·$25.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025,

 

·$25.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025,

 

·$25.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and

 

·$25.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

 

(11) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent acquired 482 technical buildings. Cogent converted 52 of those buildings to Cogent Data Centers and 87 into Cogent Edge Data Centers.

 

(12) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent hired 942 total employees, including 75 quota bearing sales employees and 114 sales employees.

 

·As of March 31, 2025, there were 618 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

 

·As of June 30, 2025, there were 603 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

 

 Page 10 of 19

 

 

·As of September 30, 2025, there were 588 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

  

·As of December 31, 2025, there were 569 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

 

·As of March 31, 2026, there were 559 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

 

(13) Net-centric revenue under the CSA (predominantly on-net revenue) was

 

·$0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025,

 

·$1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025,

 

·$0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025,

 

·$0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and

 

·$0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

 

Net-centric customer connections under the CSA were:

 

·1,478 as of March 31, 2025,

 

·1,595 as of June 30, 2025,

 

·1,666 as of September 30, 2025,

 

·1,676 as of December 31, 2025, and

 

·1,676 as of March 31, 2026.

 

(14) Amounts Due from T-Mobile include 1) Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, 1) Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, long-term portion and 3) Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, all amounts net of their applicable discounts. These amounts totaled $265,090, $244,821, $224,167, $203,120 and $181,670 as of March 31, 2025 to March 31, 2026, respectively.

 

NMNot meaningful

 

Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures

 

EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, margin

 

EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense. Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers. EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement with T-Mobile, represents EBITDA and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by total service revenue. EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement margin is defined as EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement, divided by total service revenue.

 

The Company believes that EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement margin are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and expand its business. The company believes its EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, is a useful measure because it includes recurring cash flows stemming from the IP Transit Services Agreement that are of the same type as contracted payments under commercial contracts. The measurements are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these measures are not intended to reflect the Company’s free cash flow, as they do not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company’s calculations of these measures may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, their utility as a comparative measure is limited.

 

 Page 11 of 19

 

 

EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, are reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities in the table below.

 

   Q1
2025
   Q2
2025
   Q3
2025
   Q4
2025
   Q1
2026
 
($ in 000’s) – unaudited                    
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $36,351   $(44,039)  $3,100   $(5,992)  $14,834 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities  $(26,614)  $42,244   $8,941   $7,795   $(13,375)
Cash interest expense and income tax expense   34,022    50,290    36,740    49,940    43,724 
EBITDA  $43,759   $48,495   $48,781   $51,743   $45,183 
PLUS: Cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement   25,000    25,000    25,000    25,000    25,000 
EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement  $68,759   $73,495   $73,781   $76,743   $70,183 
EBITDA margin   17.7%   19.7%   20.2%   21.5%   18.9%
EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement, margin   27.8%   29.8%   30.5%   31.9%   29.3%

 


Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.

 

Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequential periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited 

Q1

2025

  

Q2

2025

  

Q3

2025

  

Q4

2025

  

Q1

2026

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   542    (2,419)   (938)   191    (253)
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1)  $247,590   $243,828   $241,011   $240,709   $238,934 
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period  $252,291   $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518 
Constant currency revenue increase (decrease)  $(4,701)  $(3,220)  $(5,236)  $(1,240)  $(1,584)
Constant currency revenue percent increase (decrease)   -1.9%   -1.3%   -2.1%   -0.5%   -0.7%

 

(1)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior year periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited 

Q1

2025

  

Q2

2025

  

Q3

2025

  

Q4

2025

  

Q1

2026

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   1,258    (1,507)   (1,806)   (2,659)   (3,420)
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2)  $248,306   $244,740   $240,143   $237,859   $235,767 
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period  $266,168   $260,443   $257,202   $252,291   $247,048 
Constant currency revenue increase  $(17,862)  $(15,703)  $(17,059)  $(14,432)  $(11,281)
Constant currency percent revenue increase   -6.7%   -6.0%   -6.6%   -5.7%   -4.6%

 

(2)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

 Page 12 of 19

 

  

Revenue on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of excise taxes is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.

 

Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – sequential periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited 

Q1

2025

  

Q2

2025

  

Q3

2025

  

Q4

2025

  

Q1

2026

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   542    (2,419)   (938)   191    (253)
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue   760    202    832    (598)   296 
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (3)  $248,350   $244,030   $241,843   $240,111   $239,230 
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period  $252,291   $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518 
Constant currency and excise taxes revenue increase (decrease)  $(3,941)  $(3,018)  $(4,404)  $(1,838)  $(1,288)
Constant currency and excise tax revenue percent increase (decrease)   -1.6%   -1.2%   -1.8%   -0.8%   -0.5%

  

(3)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – prior year periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited 

Q1

2025

  

Q2

2025

  

Q3

2025

  

Q4

2025

  

Q1

2026

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   1,258    (1,507)   (1,806)   (2,659)   (3,420)
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue   349    (816)   586    1,174    710 
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (4)  $248,655   $243,924   $240,729   $239,033   $236,477 
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period  $266,168   $260,443   $257,202   $252,291   $247,048 
Constant currency and excise taxes revenue increase  $(17,513)  $(16,519)  $(16,473)  $(13,258)  $(10,571)
Constant currency and excise tax percent revenue increase   -6.6%   -6.3%   -6.4%   -5.3%   -4.3%

 

(4)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior year period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin

 

Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.

 

   Q1 2025   Q2 2025   Q3 2025   Q4 2025   Q1 2026 
($ in 000’s) – unaudited                    
Service revenue total  $247,048   $246,247   $241,949   $240,518   $239,187 
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and depreciation and amortization expense   213,477    212,782    192,106    186,776    183,284 
GAAP Gross Profit (5)  $33,571   $33,465   $49,843   $53,742   $55,903 
Plus - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense   490    506    570    319    319 
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense  $76,038   $75,290   $60,429   $58,422   $54,055 
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (6)  $110,099   $109,261   $110,842   $112,483   $110,277 
GAAP Gross Margin (5)   13.6%   13.6%   20.6%   22.3%   23.4%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (6)   44.6%   44.4%   45.8%   46.8%   46.1%

 

(5)GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.

 

(6)Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures for investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence, these are measures of the efficiency of the Company’s network.

 

 Page 13 of 19

 

  

Gross and Net Leverage Ratios

 

Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Gross leverage, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile, is defined as total debt minus amounts due from T-Mobile divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Net leverage, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile, is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) minus amounts due from T-Mobile divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement.

 

Cogent’s gross leverage ratios and net leverage ratios are shown below.

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  As of
March 31, 2025
   As of
June 30, 2025
   As of
September 30, 2025
   As of
December 31, 2025
   As of
March 31, 2026
 
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash  $183,970   $306,725   $226,294   $205,112   $179,265 
Debt                         
Capital (finance) leases – current portion   24,685    26,523    24,990    26,112    23,967 
Capital (finance) leases – long term   543,852    578,634    576,851    597,239    604,981 
Senior Secured 2032 Notes        600,000    600,000    600,000    600,000 
Senior Secured 2026 Notes   500,000                     
Secured IPv4 Notes   206,000    380,400    380,400    380,400    380,400 
Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes   750,000    750,000    750,000    750,000    750,000 
Total debt   2,024,537    2,335,557    2,332,241    2,353,751    2,359,348 
Total net debt   1,840,567    2,028,832    2,105,947    2,148,639    2,180,083 
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments from the IP Transit Services Agreement   302,636    269,968    282,888    292,785    294,202 
Gross leverage ratio   6.69    8.65    8.24    8.04    8.02 
Net leverage ratio   6.08    7.52    7.44    7.34    7.41 
Total amounts Due from T-Mobile  $265,090   $244,821   $224,167   $203,120   $181,670 
Total debt, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile   1,759,447    2,090,736    2,108,074    2,150,631    2,177,678 
Total net debt, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile   1,575,477    1,784,011    1,881,780    1,945,519    1,998,413 
Gross leverage ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile   5.81    7.74    7.45    7.35    7.40 
Net leverage ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile   5.21    6.61    6.65    6.64    6.79 

 

Ratios under the Company’s indentures

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio is defined in the Company’s Indentures as total debt divided by Consolidated Cash Flow (as defined in the Company’s Indentures) for the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company (the “Reference Period”), subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company’s Indentures. Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the Company’s Indentures as total secured debt divided by Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period, subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company’s Indentures. Net leverage ratio is presented as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the last 12 months Consolidated Cash Flow. Net leverage ratio is not a defined term in the Company’s Indentures. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is defined in the Company’s Indentures as Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period divided by Fixed Charges (as defined in the Company’s Indentures) for the Reference Period, which largely consist of interest expense, subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company’s Indentures. Cogent’s ratios are shown in the table below.

 

 Page 14 of 19

 

   

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  As of
March 31, 2025
   As of
June 30, 2025 (2)
   As of
September 30, 2025 (2)
   As of
December 31, 2025 (2)
   As of
March 31, 2026 (2)
 
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash  $165,676   $195,165   $136,513   $135,410   $127,334 
Debt                         
Capital (finance) leases – current portion   24,685    26,523    24,990    26,112    23,967 
Capital (finance) leases – long term   543,852    578,634    576,851    597,239    604,981 
Letters of credit   124    130    130    130    130 
Senior Secured 2026 Notes   500,000                     
Senior Secured 2032 Notes        600,000    600,000    600,000    600,000 
Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes   750,000    750,000    750,000    750,000    750,000 
Total debt   1,818,661    1,955,287    1,951,971    1,973,481    1,979,078 
Total net debt   1,652,985    1,760,122    1,815,458    1,838,071    1,851,744 
Total secured debt   1,068,661    1,205,287    1,201,971    1,223,481    1,229,078 
Consolidated Cash Flow (2)   310,345    286,881    344,739    322,154    324,405 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period   5.86    6.82    5.66    6.13    6.10 
Net leverage ratio (1)   5.33    6.14    5.27    5.71    5.71 
Secured Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period (2)   3.44    4.20    3.49    3.80    3.79 
Fixed Charges for the Reference Period (2)   110,704    118,290    131,688    134,836    141,394 
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Reference Period (2)   2.80    2.43    2.62    2.39    2.29 

 

(1)Net leverage ratio is not a defined term under the Company’s Indentures.

 

(2)Consolidated Cash Flow as defined in the Company’s $600.0 million Secured 2032 Notes issued in June 2025, includes cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement with TMUSA. Cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement with TMUSA for the for the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company were $100.0 million.

 

Ratios under the Company’s $600 million 2032 Secured Notes                
                 
   Q2 2025   Q3 2025   Q4 2025   Q1 2026 
Consolidated Cash Flow under the Indentures   286,881    344,739    322,154    324,405 
PLUS: Cash Payments under IP Transit Services Agreement with TMUSA   100,000    100,000    100,000    100,000 
Consolidated Cash Flow - $600.0 million Secured 2032 Notes   386,881    444,739    422,154    424,405 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period - $600.0 million Secured 2032 Notes   5.05    4.39    4.67    4.66 
Net leverage ratio - $600.0 million Secured 2032 Notes (1)   4.55    4.08    4.35    4.36 
Secured Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period - $600.0 million 2032 Notes   3.12    2.70    2.90    2.90 
Fixed Charges for the Reference Period   118,290    131,688    134,836    141,394 
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Reference Period - $600.0 million 2032 Notes   3.27    3.38    3.13    3.00 

 

Cogent’s SEC filings are available online via the Investor Relations section of www.cogentco.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 Page 15 of 19

 

  

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF MARCH 31, 2026 AND DECEMBER 31, 2025

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2026   2025 
   (Unaudited)      
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $140,265   $148,515 
Restricted cash   39,000    56,597 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $5,271 and $4,610, respectively   91,096    88,050 
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, net of discount of $8,695 and $10,401, respectively   91,305    89,599 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   68,610    67,820 
Total current assets   430,276    450,581 
Property and equipment:          
Property and equipment   3,696,974    3,642,906 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (1,964,092)   (1,921,832)
Total property and equipment, net   1,732,882    1,721,074 
Right-of-use leased assets   303,051    310,523 
IPv4 intangible assets   458,000    458,000 
Other intangible assets, net   10,813    11,251 
Deposits and other assets   31,179    34,834 
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, net of discount of $869 and $2,255, respectively   65,798    89,412 
Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, net of discount of $3,548 and $4,006, respectively   24,567    24,109 
Total assets  $3,056,566   $3,099,784 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $36,095   $30,571 
Accrued and other current liabilities   112,345    109,582 
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities   53,665    54,576 
Finance lease obligations, current maturities   23,967    26,112 
Total current liabilities   226,072    220,841 
Senior secured 2032 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,957 and $2,020, respectively   598,043    597,980 
Senior unsecured 2027 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,034 and $1,236, respectively, and discounts of $3,633 and $4,344, respectively   745,333    744,420 
Secured IPv4 notes, net of debt costs of $8,339 and $8,863, respectively   372,061    371,537 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities   263,698    269,753 
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities   604,981    597,239 
Deferred income tax liabilities   321,724    333,294 
Other long-term liabilities   28,816    28,568 
Total liabilities   3,160,728    3,163,632 
Commitments and contingencies:          
Stockholders’ deficit:          
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 50,077,663 and 50,062,158 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   50    50 
Additional paid-in capital   651,538    643,256 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (6,327)   1,428 
Accumulated deficit   (749,423)   (708,582)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (104,162)   (63,848)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $3,056,566   $3,099,784 

 

 Page 16 of 19

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2026 AND MARCH 31, 2025

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2026   March 31, 2025 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Service revenue  $239,187   $247,048 
Operating expenses:          
Network operations (including $319 and $490 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)   129,229    137,439 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $7,244 and $7,523 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   72,338    73,863 
Depreciation and amortization   54,055    76,038 
Total operating expenses   255,622    287,340 
Gains on lease terminations and other   2,928     
Operating loss   (13,507)   (40,292)
Interest expense, including change in valuation interest rate swap agreement   (43,875)   (34,216)
Interest income – IP Transit Services Agreement   3,093    4,686 
Interest income (loss) – Purchase Agreement   458    425 
Interest income (loss) and other, net   2,852    (865)
Loss before income taxes   (50,979)   (70,262)
Income tax benefit   11,437    18,220 
Net loss  $(39,542)  $(52,042)
           
Comprehensive loss:          
Net loss  $(39,542)  $(52,042)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (7,755)   11,752 
Comprehensive loss  $(47,297)  $(40,290)
           
Net loss per common share:          
Basic net loss per common share  $(0.83)  $(1.09)
Diluted net loss per common share  $(0.83)  $(1.09)
Dividends declared per common share  $0.02   $1.005 
           
Weighted-average common shares - basic   47,774,617    47,676,735 
           
Weighted-average common shares - diluted   47,774,617    47,676,735 

 

 Page 17 of 19

 

  

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2026 AND MARCH 31, 2025

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2026   March 31, 2025 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(39,542)  $(52,042)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   54,055    76,038 
Amortization of debt costs and discounts   1,501    1,192 
Amortization of discounts, due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services & Purchase Agreements   (3,551)   (5,111)
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)   7,563    8,013 
Gains on lease terminations and other   (2,928)    
Deferred income taxes   (11,570)   (18,554)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (3,046)   8,979 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (790)   2,261 
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities   9,501    17,903 
Deposits and other assets   3,641    (2,328)
Net cash provided by operating activities   14,834    36,351 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Cash receipts - IP Transit Services Agreement – T-Mobile   25,000    25,000 
Purchases of property and equipment   (46,239)   (58,088)
Net cash used in investing activities   (21,239)   (33,088)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Dividends paid   (1,299)   (49,133)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options       121 
Principal payments of finance lease obligations   (13,356)   (8,003)
Net cash used in financing activities   (14,655)   (57,015)
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash   (4,787)   9,806 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (25,847)   (43,946)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period   205,112    227,916 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period  $179,265   $183,970 

 

 Page 18 of 19

 

 

Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including the impact of our acquisition of the Wireline Business, including our difficulties integrating our business with the acquired Wireline Business, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively or efficiently as expected; transition services required to support the acquired Wireline Business and the related costs continuing for a longer period than expected; transition related costs associated with the acquisition; the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; delays in the delivery of network equipment or optical fiber; loss of key right-of-way agreements; future economic instability in the global economy, including the risk of economic recession, recent bank failures and liquidity concerns at certain other banks or a contraction of the capital markets, which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules  by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements and right-of-way agreements on favorable terms; our reliance on a few equipment vendors, and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber and right-of-way providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; our ability to make payments on our indebtedness as they become due and outcomes in litigation and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year December 31, 2025 and our Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025, September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

 

###

 

 Page 19 of 19

FAQ

How did Cogent Communications (CCOI) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Cogent generated Q1 2026 service revenue of $239.2 million, down slightly quarter over quarter and year over year. Despite lower revenue, GAAP gross margin improved to 23.4% and EBITDA rose year over year, while net loss narrowed to $39.5 million.

What were Cogent Communications (CCOI) margins and profitability in Q1 2026?

Cogent’s Q1 2026 GAAP gross margin was 23.4%, up sharply from 13.6% a year earlier. Non-GAAP gross margin reached 46.1%. EBITDA was $45.2 million with an 18.9% margin, and net loss improved to $39.5 million, or $(0.83) per share.

What was Cogent Communications’ (CCOI) cash flow in Q1 2026?

Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.8 million in Q1 2026, an improvement from a $6.0 million outflow in Q4 2025. However, it remained below the $36.4 million generated in the prior-year quarter as working capital and other items shifted.

How leveraged is Cogent Communications (CCOI) after Q1 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, Cogent reported total debt of about $2.36 billion and total net debt of $2.18 billion. The company’s net leverage ratio, using trailing 12‑month EBITDA as adjusted for IP transit payments, stood at 7.41 times.

Did Cogent Communications (CCOI) declare a dividend for Q1 2026?

Yes. Cogent’s board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on June 2, 2026 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2026. Future dividends will depend on financial performance, cash flow, capital needs and debt covenant considerations.

What happened to Cogent Communications’ (CCOI) customer connections in Q1 2026?

Total customer connections declined to 116,809 as of March 31, 2026, down 3.2% year over year. On-net and wavelength connections increased, while off-net and enterprise connections fell, reflecting ongoing shifts toward owned-network and wavelength services and away from legacy and off-net arrangements.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents