Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, unaudited)
2019
2018
2017
Net income (loss)
$ (19,931)
$ (50,571)
$ 65,299
Add (subtract):
Interest expense, net of interest income
136,660
134,578
129,786
Income tax benefit
(3,714)
(24,127)
(124,927)
Depreciation and amortization
381,237
432,668
291,873
EBITDA
494,252
492,548
362,031
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Other, net (1)
(8,847)
549
19,314
Investment distributions (2)
35,809
39,078
29,993
Gain on extinguishment of debt
(4,510)
—
—
Non-cash, stock-based compensation
6,836
5,119
2,766
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 523,540
$ 537,294
$ 414,104

text: Non-GAAP Measures
text: In addition to the results reported in accordance with US GAAP, we also use certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends. These financial measures are not a measure of financial performance under US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income as a measure of performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity.
text: They are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below.
text: EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required under our credit facility as described in the reconciliations below. These measures are a common measure of operating performance in the telecommunications industry and are useful, with other data, as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash.
text: The following tables are a reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
text: (1) Other, net includes the equity earnings from our investments, dividend income, income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, acquisition and transaction related costs including integration and severance, non-cash pension and post-retirement benefits and certain other miscellaneous items. (2) Includes all cash dividends and other cash distributions received from our investments.

Questions:
question: Which non-GAAP measures are used?
answer: EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA
question: What is the purpose of using EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA?
answer: to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends.
question: Which Industry commonly uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for measuring operating performance?
answer: telecommunications industry
question: What is the increase/ (decrease) in Net income (loss) from 2018 to 2019?
answer: 30640
derivation: -19,931-(-50,571)
scale: thousand
question: What is the increase/ (decrease) in Interest expense, net of interest income from 2018 to 2019?
answer: 2082
derivation: 136,660-134,578
scale: thousand
question: What is the increase/ (decrease) in Income tax expense (benefit) from 2018 to 2019?
answer: 20413
derivation: -3,714-(-24,127)
scale: thousand