On May 27, 2015, we issued an updated research report on Windstream Holdings, Inc. WIN.
Windstream reported mixed financial results in the first quarter of 2015 with net income comparing favorably with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a net loss and revenues missing the mark. Windstream has strengthened its balance sheet by extending debt maturities and expects cash taxes to total approximately $20 million in 2015, thanks to its refinancing efforts. The company plans to direct the excess free cash flow toward debt reduction and to boost shareholders’ wealth through dividend payments.
In the month of April, Windstream completed the tax-free spin-off of select telecommunications network assets to become an independent publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT). The new company will be called Communications Sales & Leasing Inc. and will trade on Nasdaq under a ticker symbol of “CSAL”. In terms of infrastructural development, with the new spin-off, the company aims to offer faster broadband speeds. Meanwhile, the financial synergies arising from the divestiture will allow the company to expand the availability of 10 Mbps Internet service to more than 80% of its customers by 2018.
Of late, Windstream has adopted a number of steps to expand its business. The company has been adding a number of data centers, employing efficient sales executives to boost sales and focusing on providing better customer service.
Despite management’s efforts to modify its financial profile, we are concerned about Windstream’s highly leveraged balance sheet. The company’s ongoing collaborations and investment plans to expand its coverage markets and subscriber count will likely increase its expenditure and strain its balance sheet, as the company is predominantly funding most of these activities through debt. Total debt at the end of first-quarter 2015 was $8,820.6 million as against $8,651.7 million at 2014-end.
Wireless competition has resulted in reduced access lines and considerable pricing pressure in the industry. As wireless carriers continue to expand and improve their network coverage while lowering prices, a number of customers have chosen wireless service over the traditional wireline phone service. This trend is expected to persistent, thereby affecting the number of served access lines at Windstream.
Windstream currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider
Better-ranked stocks in this sector include Juniper Networks, Inc. JNPR, Polycom, Inc. PLCM and Zhone Technologies Inc. ZHNE. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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