CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Nov. 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Listen to the live call via the Conference Calls page of teldta.com or uscellular.com.
United States Cellular Corporation [NYSE:USM] reported service revenues of $862.3 million for the third quarter of 2013, versus $1,036.4 million for the comparable period one year ago. Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share were $(9.9) million and $(0.12) respectively, for the third quarter of 2013, compared to $35.5 million and $0.42, respectively, in the comparable period one year ago.
"We have continued to execute on our strategies to improve U.S. Cellular's competitive position and financial foundation," said Kenneth R. Meyers, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. "We're close to bringing 4G LTE to nearly 90 percent of our customers, we have a new billing system in place, and we plan to expand our device portfolio with the launch of the Apple iPhone and iPad on November 8, supported by our recently introduced shared data plans for consumers and businesses. Regrettably, the billing system implementation impacted our ability to provide high-quality service to every customer for a period of time. However, we have made substantial progress in resolving the issues, and we expect the system to provide significant benefits over the long term.
"I believe we're positioned well to achieve improved customer growth in the future, with a fast 4G LTE network, a competitive selection of devices and plans, and effective distribution through our company- and agent-owned stores, uscellular.com, and our national retail partners.
"We have been successful in our sales of non-strategic spectrum, with deals signed or closed generating pre-tax cash proceeds of over $400 million."
2013 ESTIMATES
U.S. Cellular's estimates of full-year 2013 results are shown below. Such estimates represent U.S. Cellular's views as of the date of filing U.S. Cellular's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Such forward‑looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.
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2013 EstimatedResults (1)
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Core Markets (2)
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Divestiture Markets (2)(3)
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U.S. Cellular Consolidated (2)(3)
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Previous
|
Current
|
|
Previous
|
Current
|
|
Previous
|
Current
|
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(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$3,475 - $3,575
|
$3,450 - $3,500
|
|
$140
|
Unchanged
|
|
$3,615-$3,715
|
$3,590-$3,640
|
|
Adjusted income before
income taxes (4)
|
|
$560 - $660
|
Unchanged
|
|
$40
|
Unchanged
|
|
$600-$700
|
Unchanged
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$730
|
Unchanged
|
|
$5
|
Unchanged
|
|
$735
|
Unchanged
|
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(1)
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These estimates are based on U.S. Cellular's current plans, which include an expansion of the multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology; such expansion includes deployment on 700 MHz in additional markets as well as deployment on the 850 MHz band to provide additional capacity for future growth in data usage, enable potential future 4G LTE roaming, and support the sale of Apple products. The financial impacts of selling Apple products in 2013 consist of the following:
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- Increased Service revenues resulting from net incremental customers added and retained as a result of offering Apple products;
- Decreased Adjusted income before income taxes as a result of net increases in costs, primarily loss on equipment sales as a result of offering Apple products; and
- Increased Capital expenditures related to the deployment on the 850 MHz band to provide additional capacity for future growth in data usage, which includes capacity required to accommodate Apple products.
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These estimates also reflect the impacts of the deconsolidation of certain partnerships as of April 2013. These estimates do not include (i) the reported gain on sale of business and other exit costs, net (ii) the reported gain on investments, or (iii) the actual or expected gains from spectrum license divestitures. New developments or changing conditions (such as, but not limited to, regulatory developments, customer net growth, customer demand for data services or possible acquisitions, dispositions or exchanges) could affect U.S. Cellular's plans and, therefore, its 2013 estimated results.
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(2)
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The U.S. Cellular Consolidated amounts represent GAAP financial measures and include the results of both the Core Markets and the Divestiture Markets. The amounts for the Core Markets and Divestiture Markets represent non-GAAP financial measures. U.S. Cellular believes that the amounts for the Core Markets and Divestiture Markets may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the separate results for the Core Markets. Divestiture Markets are comprised of U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St.Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets. Core Markets are comprised of all other markets in which U.S. Cellular conducts business including Peoria, Rockford and certain other areas in Illinois, and in Columbia, Joplin, Jefferson City and certain other areas in Missouri. Core Markets as defined also includes any other income or expenses due to U.S. Cellular's direct or indirect ownership interests in other spectrum in the Divestiture Markets which was not included in the sale and other retained assets from the Divestiture Markets.
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(3)
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These estimates reflect the Divestiture Transaction which closed on May 16, 2013.
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(4)
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Adjusted income before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Income before income taxes, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below. Adjusted income before income taxes excludes these items in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. In addition, U.S. Cellular may also exclude other items from adjusted income before income taxes if such items help reflect operating results on a more comparable basis. U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such amounts may occur in the future. Adjusted income before income taxes is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Income before income taxes as an indicator of the Company's operating performance or as an alternative to Cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows or as a measure of liquidity. U.S. Cellular believes Adjusted income before income taxes is a useful measure of U.S. Cellular's operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, discrete gains and losses and financing charges (Interest expense). The following tables provide a reconciliation of Income (loss) before income taxes to Adjusted income before income taxes for 2013 Estimated Results, nine months ended September 30, 2013 actual results, and 2012 actual results:
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2013 Estimated Results
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Core Markets (2)
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Divestiture Markets (2)(3)
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U.S. Cellular Consolidated (2)(3)
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(Dollars in millions)
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Income (loss) before income taxes
|
$315-$415
|
$35
|
$350-$450
|
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Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (5)
|
$540
|
$250
|
$790
|
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(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exitcosts, net
|
—
|
($245)
|
($245)
|
|
(Gain) loss from spectrum license divestitures
|
($325)
|
—
|
($325)
|
|
(Gain) loss on investments
|
($20)
|
—
|
($20)
|
|
Interest expense
|
$50
|
—
|
$50
|
|
Adjusted income before income taxes
|
$560-$660
|
$40
|
$600-$700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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U.S. Cellular Consolidated Actual Results
|
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Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
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Year Ended
December 31, 2012
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
$
|
266
|
$
|
205
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (5)
|
|
593
|
|
609
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
|
(244)
|
|
21
|
|
(Gain) loss from spectrum license divestitures
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(Gain) loss on investments
|
|
|
|
(18)
|
|
4
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
33
|
|
42
|
|
Adjusted income before income taxes
|
$
|
630
|
$
|
881
|
|
(5)
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The 2013 estimated amount for Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the Divestiture Markets includes approximately $171 million of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction. Actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 include $134 million and $20 million, respectively, of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction.
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Conference Call Information
U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on Nov. 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.
Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to the Conference Calls page of uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Conference Calls page of uscellular.com.
About U.S. Cellular®
United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to 4.9 million customers in 23 states. The Chicago-based company had 6,000 full- and part-time associates as of September 30, 2013. At the end of the third quarter of 2013, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 84 percent of U.S. Cellular. For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company's plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts of any pending acquisition and divestiture transactions, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, successfully complete the transaction and the financial impacts of such transaction; the ability of the company to successfully manage and grow its markets; the overall economy; competition; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms; the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment; the value of assets and investments; adverse changes in the ratings afforded TDS and U.S. Cellular debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; uncertainty of access to the capital markets; pending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings; acquisitions/divestitures of properties and/or licenses; changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per user, churn rates, roaming revenue and terms, the availability of handset devices, or the mix of products and services offered by U.S. Cellular. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K Current Report used by U.S. Cellular to furnish this press release to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are incorporated by reference herein.
For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.
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United States Cellular Corporation
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Total Markets Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
9/30/2013
|
|
6/30/2013
|
|
3/31/2013
|
|
12/31/2012
|
|
9/30/2012
|
|
Retail Customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
|
4,343,000
|
|
|
4,412,000
|
|
|
5,060,000
|
|
|
5,134,000
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
|
165,000
|
|
|
165,000
|
|
|
191,000
|
|
|
241,000
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
|
(60,000)
|
|
|
(120,000)
|
|
|
(74,000)
|
|
|
(41,000)
|
|
|
(38,000)
|
|
|
ARPU (1)
|
$
|
54.64
|
|
$
|
54.18
|
|
$
|
54.85
|
|
$
|
54.56
|
|
$
|
54.34
|
|
|
Churn rate (2)
|
|
1.7%
|
|
|
2.0%
|
|
|
1.7%
|
|
|
1.8%
|
|
|
1.7%
|
|
|
Smartphone penetration (3) (4)
|
|
47.1%
|
|
|
45.5%
|
|
|
43.5%
|
|
|
41.8%
|
|
|
38.6%
|
|
Prepaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
|
370,000
|
|
|
381,000
|
|
|
446,000
|
|
|
423,000
|
|
|
386,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
77,000
|
|
|
104,000
|
|
|
107,000
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
|
(11,000)
|
|
|
(7,000)
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
37,000
|
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
ARPU (1)
|
$
|
28.72
|
|
$
|
31.69
|
|
$
|
33.31
|
|
$
|
33.56
|
|
$
|
32.97
|
|
|
Churn rate (2)
|
|
6.8%
|
|
|
6.8%
|
|
|
6.2%
|
|
|
5.8%
|
|
|
5.9%
|
|
Total customers at end of period
|
|
4,875,000
|
|
|
4,968,000
|
|
|
5,736,000
|
|
|
5,798,000
|
|
|
5,808,000
|
|
Billed ARPU (1)
|
$
|
50.92
|
|
$
|
50.60
|
|
$
|
51.13
|
|
$
|
50.94
|
|
$
|
50.83
|
|
Service revenue ARPU (1)
|
$
|
58.36
|
|
$
|
57.45
|
|
$
|
57.63
|
|
$
|
58.00
|
|
$
|
59.57
|
|
Smartphones sold as a percent of total
devices sold
|
|
65.2%
|
|
|
66.0%
|
|
|
61.7%
|
|
|
62.9%
|
|
|
53.0%
|
|
Total population
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated markets (5)
|
|
84,025,000
|
|
|
84,025,000
|
|
|
93,943,000
|
|
|
93,244,000
|
|
|
92,996,000
|
|
|
Consolidated operating markets (5)
|
|
31,822,000
|
|
|
31,822,000
|
|
|
47,440,000
|
|
|
46,966,000
|
|
|
46,966,000
|
|
Market penetration at end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated markets (6)
|
|
5.8%
|
|
|
5.9%
|
|
|
6.1%
|
|
|
6.2%
|
|
|
6.2%
|
|
|
Consolidated operating markets (6)
|
|
15.3%
|
|
|
15.6%
|
|
|
12.1%
|
|
|
12.3%
|
|
|
12.4%
|
|
Capital expenditures (000s)
|
$
|
242,500
|
|
$
|
168,500
|
|
$
|
118,400
|
|
$
|
253,100
|
|
$
|
199,100
|
|
Total cell sites in service
|
|
7,687
|
|
|
7,748
|
|
|
8,027
|
|
|
8,028
|
|
|
7,984
|
|
Owned towers in service
|
|
4,422
|
|
|
4,411
|
|
|
4,411
|
|
|
4,408
|
|
|
4,377
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Core Markets Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)
|
|
Excludes NY1 & NY2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
9/30/2013
|
|
6/30/2013
|
|
3/31/2013
|
|
12/31/2012
|
|
9/30/2012
|
|
Retail Customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
|
4,343,000
|
|
|
4,412,000
|
|
|
4,463,000
|
|
|
4,496,000
|
|
|
4,515,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
|
165,000
|
|
|
165,000
|
|
|
176,000
|
|
|
208,000
|
|
|
196,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
|
(60,000)
|
|
|
(53,000)
|
|
|
(33,000)
|
|
|
(19,000)
|
|
|
(23,000)
|
|
|
ARPU (1)
|
$
|
54.64
|
|
$
|
54.44
|
|
$
|
54.21
|
|
$
|
53.91
|
|
$
|
53.67
|
|
|
Churn rate (2)
|
|
1.7%
|
|
|
1.6%
|
|
|
1.6%
|
|
|
1.7%
|
|
|
1.6%
|
|
|
Smartphone penetration (3) (4)
|
|
47.1%
|
|
|
45.5%
|
|
|
43.0%
|
|
|
41.1%
|
|
|
37.8%
|
|
Prepaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
|
370,000
|
|
|
381,000
|
|
|
373,000
|
|
|
342,000
|
|
|
305,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
76,000
|
|
|
91,000
|
|
|
87,000
|
|
|
99,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
|
(11,000)
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
37,000
|
|
|
59,000
|
|
|
ARPU (1)
|
$
|
28.72
|
|
$
|
31.65
|
|
$
|
32.92
|
|
$
|
33.21
|
|
$
|
32.97
|
|
|
Churn rate (2)
|
|
6.8%
|
|
|
6.0%
|
|
|
5.6%
|
|
|
5.1%
|
|
|
4.8%
|
|
Total customers at end of period
|
|
4,875,000
|
|
|
4,968,000
|
|
|
5,005,000
|
|
|
5,022,000
|
|
|
5,012,000
|
|
Billed ARPU (1)
|
$
|
50.92
|
|
$
|
50.98
|
|
$
|
50.93
|
|
$
|
50.71
|
|
$
|
50.59
|
|
Service revenue ARPU (1)
|
$
|
58.36
|
|
$
|
57.88
|
|
$
|
57.14
|
|
$
|
57.67
|
|
$
|
59.34
|
|
Smartphones sold as a percent of total
devices sold
|
|
65.2%
|
|
|
66.1%
|
|
|
62.1%
|
|
|
62.9%
|
|
|
53.0%
|
|
Total population
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated markets (5)
|
|
84,025,000
|
|
|
84,025,000
|
|
|
84,025,000
|
|
|
83,384,000
|
|
|
82,595,000
|
|
|
Consolidated operating markets (5)
|
|
31,822,000
|
|
|
31,822,000
|
|
|
31,822,000
|
|
|
31,445,000
|
|
|
31,110,000
|
|
Market penetration at end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated markets (6)
|
|
5.8%
|
|
|
5.9%
|
|
|
6.0%
|
|
|
6.0%
|
|
|
6.1%
|
|
|
Consolidated operating markets (6)
|
|
15.3%
|
|
|
15.6%
|
|
|
15.7%
|
|
|
16.0%
|
|
|
16.1%
|
|
Capital expenditures (000s)
|
$
|
239,300
|
|
$
|
171,200
|
|
$
|
113,300
|
|
$
|
241,400
|
|
$
|
184,100
|
|
Total cell sites in service
|
|
6,127
|
|
|
6,113
|
|
|
6,113
|
|
|
6,130
|
|
|
6,089
|
|
Owned towers in service
|
|
3,859
|
|
|
3,844
|
|
|
3,846
|
|
|
3,847
|
|
|
3,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
ARPU metrics are calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of customers by the number of months in the period. These revenue bases and customer populations are shown below:
|
|
a.
|
Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid customers.
|
|
b.
|
Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid customers.
|
|
c.
|
Billed ARPU consists of total postpaid, prepaid, and reseller service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.
|
|
d.
|
Service revenue ARPU consists of total retail service revenues, inbound roaming and other service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.
|
|
(2)
|
Churn metrics represent the percentage of the postpaid or prepaid customers that disconnect service each month. These metrics represent the average monthly postpaid or prepaid churn rate for each respective period.
|
|
(3)
|
Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an AndroidTM, BlackBerry® or Windows Mobile® operating system, excluding tablets.
|
|
(4)
|
Smartphone penetration is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone customers by total postpaid customers.
|
|
(5)
|
Used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated and core markets and consolidated and core operating markets, respectively. See footnote (6) below.
|
|
(6)
|
Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless customers at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated and core markets and consolidated and core operating markets, respectively, as estimated by Claritas®.
|
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
|
Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
$
|
862,330
|
|
$
|
1,036,370
|
|
$
|
(174,040)
|
|
(17%)
|
|
Equipment sales
|
|
76,906
|
|
|
103,987
|
|
|
(27,081)
|
|
(26%)
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
939,236
|
|
|
1,140,357
|
|
|
(201,121)
|
|
(18%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion
reported below)
|
|
177,431
|
|
|
249,245
|
|
|
(71,814)
|
|
(29%)
|
|
Cost of equipment sold
|
|
193,392
|
|
|
248,029
|
|
|
(54,637)
|
|
(22%)
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
410,468
|
|
|
438,526
|
|
|
(28,058)
|
|
(6%)
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
|
|
200,985
|
|
|
145,151
|
|
|
55,834
|
|
38%
|
|
Loss on asset disposals, net
|
|
1,701
|
|
|
11,262
|
|
|
(9,561)
|
|
(85%)
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
|
(1,534)
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
(1,599)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
982,443
|
|
|
1,092,278
|
|
|
(109,835)
|
|
(10%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
(43,207)
|
|
|
48,079
|
|
|
(91,286)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and other income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
|
37,360
|
|
|
24,816
|
|
|
12,544
|
|
51%
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
|
1,095
|
|
|
935
|
|
|
160
|
|
17%
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
(11,329)
|
|
|
(9,501)
|
|
|
(1,828)
|
|
(19%)
|
|
Other, net
|
|
47
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
(153)
|
|
(77%)
|
|
|
Total investment and other income (expense)
|
|
27,173
|
|
|
16,450
|
|
|
10,723
|
|
65%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
(16,034)
|
|
|
64,529
|
|
|
(80,563)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
(6,433)
|
|
|
22,389
|
|
|
(28,822)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
(9,601)
|
|
|
42,140
|
|
|
(51,741)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
|
|
258
|
|
|
6,689
|
|
|
(6,431)
|
|
(96%)
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
(9,859)
|
|
$
|
35,451
|
|
$
|
(45,310)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
84,005
|
|
|
84,737
|
|
|
(732)
|
|
(1%)
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
(0.12)
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
$
|
(0.54)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
84,005
|
|
|
85,348
|
|
|
(1,343)
|
|
(2%)
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
(0.12)
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
$
|
(0.54)
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
$
|
2,769,645
|
|
$
|
3,089,932
|
|
$
|
(320,287)
|
|
(10%)
|
|
Equipment sales
|
|
246,467
|
|
|
246,946
|
|
|
(479)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
3,016,112
|
|
|
3,336,878
|
|
|
(320,766)
|
|
(10%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion
reported below)
|
|
585,997
|
|
|
725,636
|
|
|
(139,639)
|
|
(19%)
|
|
Cost of equipment sold
|
|
652,153
|
|
|
626,765
|
|
|
25,388
|
|
4%
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
1,234,675
|
|
|
1,315,823
|
|
|
(81,148)
|
|
(6%)
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
|
|
593,410
|
|
|
439,391
|
|
|
154,019
|
|
35%
|
|
Loss on asset disposals, net
|
|
16,153
|
|
|
15,967
|
|
|
186
|
|
1%
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
|
(243,627)
|
|
|
(4,148)
|
|
|
(239,479)
|
|
>100%
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
2,838,761
|
|
|
3,119,434
|
|
|
(280,673)
|
|
(9%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
177,351
|
|
|
217,444
|
|
|
(40,093)
|
|
(18%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and other income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
|
99,797
|
|
|
71,584
|
|
|
28,213
|
|
39%
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
|
2,967
|
|
|
2,823
|
|
|
144
|
|
5%
|
|
Gain (loss) on investments
|
|
18,527
|
|
|
(3,728)
|
|
|
22,255
|
|
>(100%)
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
(32,393)
|
|
|
(35,272)
|
|
|
2,879
|
|
8%
|
|
Other, net
|
|
153
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
(20)
|
|
(12%)
|
|
|
Total investment and other income
|
|
89,051
|
|
|
35,580
|
|
|
53,471
|
|
>100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
266,402
|
|
|
253,024
|
|
|
13,378
|
|
5%
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
121,618
|
|
|
82,624
|
|
|
38,994
|
|
47%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
144,784
|
|
|
170,400
|
|
|
(25,616)
|
|
(15%)
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
|
|
6,338
|
|
|
19,772
|
|
|
(13,434)
|
|
(68%)
|
|
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
138,446
|
|
$
|
150,628
|
|
$
|
(12,182)
|
|
(8%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
83,897
|
|
|
84,671
|
|
|
(774)
|
|
(1%)
|
|
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
$
|
1.78
|
|
$
|
(0.13)
|
|
(7%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
84,676
|
|
|
85,261
|
|
|
(585)
|
|
(1%)
|
|
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
1.64
|
|
$
|
1.77
|
|
$
|
(0.13)
|
|
(7%)
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
183,101
|
|
$
|
378,358
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
45,162
|
|
|
100,676
|
|
Accounts receivable from customers and others
|
|
560,915
|
|
|
445,220
|
|
Inventory
|
|
142,560
|
|
|
155,886
|
|
Income taxes receivable
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,612
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
71,047
|
|
|
62,560
|
|
Net deferred income tax asset
|
|
54,475
|
|
|
35,419
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
19,051
|
|
|
16,745
|
|
|
|
1,076,311
|
|
|
1,196,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
|
78,413
|
|
|
216,763
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Licenses
|
|
1,397,888
|
|
|
1,456,794
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
387,360
|
|
|
421,743
|
|
Customer lists, net
|
|
—
|
|
|
102
|
|
Investments in unconsolidated entities
|
|
309,481
|
|
|
144,531
|
|
Long-term investments
|
|
40,099
|
|
|
50,305
|
|
|
|
2,134,828
|
|
|
2,073,475
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In service and under construction
|
|
7,571,429
|
|
|
7,478,428
|
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
4,696,836
|
|
|
4,455,840
|
|
|
|
2,874,593
|
|
|
3,022,588
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets and deferred charges
|
|
95,709
|
|
|
78,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
6,259,854
|
|
$
|
6,587,450
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
$
|
102
|
|
$
|
92
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliated
|
|
11,069
|
|
|
10,725
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
334,047
|
|
|
310,936
|
|
Customer deposits and deferred revenues
|
|
212,733
|
|
|
192,113
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
102,510
|
|
|
35,834
|
|
Accrued compensation
|
|
58,282
|
|
|
90,418
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
133,637
|
|
|
114,881
|
|
|
|
|
852,380
|
|
|
754,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities held for sale
|
|
471
|
|
|
19,594
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred liabilities and credits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax liability
|
|
829,247
|
|
|
849,818
|
|
Other deferred liabilities and credits
|
|
294,675
|
|
|
288,441
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
878,939
|
|
|
878,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features
|
|
540
|
|
|
493
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1 per share
|
|
88,074
|
|
|
88,074
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
1,421,261
|
|
|
1,412,453
|
|
Treasury shares
|
|
(168,454)
|
|
|
(165,724)
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
2,042,254
|
|
|
2,399,052
|
|
|
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
|
|
3,383,135
|
|
|
3,733,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interests
|
|
20,467
|
|
|
61,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity
|
|
3,403,602
|
|
|
3,795,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
$
|
6,259,854
|
|
$
|
6,587,450
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
The following table presents U.S. Cellular's cash and cash equivalents and investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
183,101
|
|
$
|
378,358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts included in short-term investments (1)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes
|
|
45,162
|
|
|
100,676
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts included in long-term investments (1)(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes
|
|
40,099
|
|
|
50,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash and cash equivalents and investments
|
$
|
268,362
|
|
$
|
529,339
|
|
|
(1) Designated as held-to-maturity investments and are recorded at amortized cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
|
|
(2)Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.
|
|
(3) At September 30, 2013, maturities range between 14 and 15 months.
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
144,784
|
|
$
|
170,400
|
|
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from
operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
|
|
593,410
|
|
|
439,391
|
|
|
|
Bad debts expense
|
|
52,184
|
|
|
51,293
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
11,143
|
|
|
15,924
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
|
(38,515)
|
|
|
52,865
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
|
(99,797)
|
|
|
(71,584)
|
|
|
|
Distributions from unconsolidated entities
|
|
49,612
|
|
|
45,211
|
|
|
|
Loss on asset disposals, net
|
|
16,153
|
|
|
15,967
|
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
|
(243,627)
|
|
|
(4,148)
|
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on investments
|
|
(18,527)
|
|
|
3,728
|
|
|
|
Noncash interest expense
|
|
792
|
|
|
1,331
|
|
|
|
Other operating activities
|
|
590
|
|
|
863
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
(214,114)
|
|
|
(67,302)
|
|
|
|
Inventory
|
|
13,236
|
|
|
(69,423)
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable - trade
|
|
32,202
|
|
|
(28,902)
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable - affiliate
|
|
345
|
|
|
(4,785)
|
|
|
|
Customer deposits and deferred revenues
|
|
22,538
|
|
|
26,687
|
|
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
45,780
|
|
|
99,556
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
9,385
|
|
|
9,508
|
|
|
|
Other assets and liabilities
|
|
(81,341)
|
|
|
(77,821)
|
|
|
|
|
|
296,233
|
|
|
608,759
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment
|
|
(522,180)
|
|
|
(611,431)
|
|
Cash paid for licenses
|
|
(16,540)
|
|
|
(57,957)
|
|
Cash received from divestitures
|
|
484,300
|
|
|
49,932
|
|
Cash paid for investments
|
|
—
|
|
|
(45,000)
|
|
Cash received for investments
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
Other investing activities
|
|
583
|
|
|
(5,030)
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,163
|
|
|
(619,486)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
(393)
|
|
|
(343)
|
|
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments
|
|
2,840
|
|
|
(2,299)
|
|
Common shares repurchased
|
|
(18,544)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Dividends paid
|
|
(482,270)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
|
|
(3,447)
|
|
|
(1,491)
|
|
Other financing activities
|
|
(839)
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
|
|
(502,653)
|
|
|
(3,849)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(195,257)
|
|
|
(14,576)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
378,358
|
|
|
424,155
|
|
End of period
|
$
|
183,101
|
|
$
|
409,579
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Financial Measures and Reconciliations
|
|
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
$
|
(152,352)
|
|
$
|
196,522
|
|
$
|
296,233
|
|
$
|
608,759
|
|
Deduct:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used for additions to property, plant
and equipment
|
|
|
199,023
|
|
|
181,206
|
|
|
522,180
|
|
|
611,431
|
|
|
Free cash flow (1)
|
|
$
|
(351,375)
|
|
$
|
15,316
|
|
$
|
(225,947)
|
|
$
|
(2,672)
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Free cash flow is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. U.S. Cellular believes that free cash flow as reported by U.S. Cellular may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after consideration of capital expenditures.
|
SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation
Jane W. McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Corporate Secretary, (312) 592-5379, jane.mccahon@teldta.com; Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations, (312) 592-5341, julie.mathews@teldta.com