U.S. Cellular Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

U.S. Cellular Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

U.S. Cellular to offer Apple products later this year; updates 2013 guidance

PR Newswire



CHICAGO, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference May 3, 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 $996.3 million for the first quarter of 2013, versus $1,023.8 million for the comparable period one year ago. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $4.9 million and $0.06 respectively, for the first quarter of 2013, compared to $62.5 million and $0.73, respectively, in the comparable period one year ago.

As previously announced on Nov. 7, 2012, U.S. Cellular reached a definitive agreement to sell its Chicago, St. Louis, central Illinois and three other markets (the “Divestiture Markets”) to subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation [NYSE:S] for $480 million (the “Divestiture Transaction”). The transaction has been approved by the FCC and the closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2013.

“We continued to expand our 4G LTE network and encourage customers to migrate, which has helped us further increase smartphone penetration and shift more customers to 4G LTE,” said Mary N. Dillon, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. “We added new prepaid customers through our Walmart distribution. In our core markets, postpaid gross additions were relatively flat and elevated churn resulted in a net customer loss.

“We have a number of strategies in progress to increase loyalty and attract more customers, including our announcement today that we will begin offering Apple products later this year. By further strengthening our device portfolio, we’ll give consumers another great reason to switch to U.S. Cellular, and enable our existing customers to choose from an even wider variety of iconic smartphones, and enjoy the outstanding U.S. Cellular customer experiences they deserve. Our smartphone penetration is currently 43 percent of core market customers and growing quickly. We believe there will be strong, ongoing demand for smartphones and data products and services from our customers, and we have significant room for growth in this area.

“We’re supporting this growth by bringing 4G LTE to 87 percent of our customers in 2013, and increasing our network capacity. In our core markets, 4G LTE smartphones were 76 percent of smartphones sold in the quarter, while smartphones overall were 62 percent of devices sold. We recently launched the 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy S 4, and we have more devices to come throughout the year. While profitability continues to be impacted by the higher subsidies for 4G LTE smartphones, our long-term strategy is to balance those costs with growth in ARPU and reduced capital expenditures for our legacy networks.

“We’re continuing to enhance and differentiate the U.S. Cellular customer experience and expand our distribution. We began offering U.S. Cellular service through select Sam’s Club locations in 14 states in April, to increase availability in new channels. To attract more small and medium business customers, we’re launching a marketing campaign this month that addresses their unique needs. We’re also focused across U.S. Cellular on simplifying our operations and processes to increase efficiency and reduce complexity and cost.”

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 of U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 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.

2013 Estimated Results (1)

Core Markets (2)

Divestiture Markets
(2)(3)

U.S. Cellular Consolidated
(2)(3)

Previous

Current

Previous

Current

Previous

Current

(Dollars in millions)

Service revenues

$3,600 – $3,700

$3,475 – $3,575

$165 – $185

$145 – $165

$3,765 – $3,885

$3,620 – $3,740

Adjusted income before income taxes (4) (5)

$765 – $865

$560 – $660

$15 – $35

$35 – $55

$780 – $900

$595 – $715

Capital expenditures

Approx. $600

Approx. $730

$5

Approx. $600

Approx. $735

(1)

These estimates are based on U.S. Cellular’s current plans, which include an expansion of the multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology which commenced in 2011; such expansion includes deployment 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. These estimates also reflect the estimated impacts of selling Apple products and the deconsolidation of certain partnerships that will be accounted for as equity method investments effective April 3, 2013. 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.

(2)

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.

(3)

These estimates assume the Divestiture Transaction closes in the second quarter of 2013. Actual effects could vary significantly from these estimates as a result of a change in the expected timing of the Divestiture Transaction or changes in other terms and conditions of the sale.

(4)

Adjusted income before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Income before income taxes, adjusted for: Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net Gain or loss on sale of business and other exit costs (if any), and Interest expense. 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 meaningful measure of U.S. Cellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses and financing charges (Interest expense) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such amounts may occur in the future. The following tables provide a reconciliation of Income before income taxes to Adjusted income before income taxes for 2013 Estimated Results and 2012 actual results:

2013 Estimated Results

Core Markets (2)

Divestiture Markets (2)(3)

U.S. Cellular Consolidated (2)(3)

(Dollars in millions)

Income (loss) before income taxes (5)

($30)-$70

($215)-($195)

($245)-($125)

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (6)

Approx. $540

Approx. $250

Approx. $790

Interest expense

Approx. $50

Approx. $50

Adjusted income before income taxes

$560-$660

$35-$55

$595-$715

U.S. Cellular Consolidated Actual Results

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2013

Year Ended

December 31, 2012

Income before income taxes

$

18

$

205

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (6)

190

609

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

7

21

Interest expense

11

42

Adjusted income before income taxes

$

226

$

877

(5)

This amount does not include any estimate for (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net, as the timing of such amount is not readily estimable.

(6)

The 2013 estimated amounts for depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the Divestiture Markets include approximately $185 million of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction. Actual results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 include $38 million and $20 million, respectively, of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction.

Conference Call Information

U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on May 3, 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 5.7 million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company had 8,000 full- and part-time associates as of March 31, 2013. At the end of the year, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 85 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 the Divestiture Transaction 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 our 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; and 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 the company. 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.

United States Cellular Corporation

Total Markets Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

Quarter Ended

3/31/2013

12/31/2012

9/30/2012

6/30/2012

3/31/2012

Retail Customers

Postpaid

Total at end of period (1)

5,060,000

5,134,000

5,175,000

5,213,000

5,261,000

Gross additions

191,000

241,000

230,000

199,000

210,000

Net additions (losses)

(74,000)

(41,000)

(38,000)

(48,000)

(38,000)

ARPU (2)

$

54.85

$

54.56

$

54.34

$

54.42

$

54.00

Churn rate (3)

1.7%

1.8%

1.7%

1.6%

1.6%

Smartphone penetration
(4) (5)

43.5%

41.8%

38.6%

36.8%

34.4%

Prepaid

Total at end of period

446,000

423,000

386,000

329,000

309,000

Gross additions

104,000

107,000

120,000

78,000

63,000

Net additions (losses)

23,000

37,000

57,000

20,000

4,000

ARPU (2)

$

33.31

$

33.56

$

32.97

$

33.59

$

33.17

Churn rate (3)

6.2%

5.8%

5.9%

6.2%

6.4%

Total customers at end of period (1)

5,736,000

5,798,000

5,808,000

5,799,000

5,837,000

Billed ARPU (2)

$

51.13

$

50.94

$

50.83

$

50.99

$

50.52

Service revenue ARPU (2)

$

57.63

$

58.00

$

59.57

$

59.05

$

58.21

Smartphones sold as a percent of total

devices sold

61.7%

62.9%

53.0%

51.9%

54.1%

Total population

Consolidated markets (6)

93,943,000

93,244,000

92,996,000

92,684,000

92,684,000

Consolidated operating markets (6)

47,440,000

46,966,000

46,966,000

46,966,000

46,966,000

Market penetration at end of period

Consolidated markets (7)

6.1%

6.2%

6.2%

6.3%

6.3%

Consolidated operating markets (7)

12.1%

12.3%

12.4%

12.3%

12.4%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

118,400

$

253,100

$

199,100

$

183,200

$

201,300

Total cell sites in service

8,027

8,028

7,984

7,932

7,875

Owned towers in service

4,411

4,408

4,377

4,346

4,318

United States Cellular Corporation

Core Markets Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

Quarter Ended

3/31/2013

12/31/2012

9/30/2012

6/30/2012

3/31/2012

Retail Customers

Postpaid

Total at end of period (1)

4,639,000

4,672,000

4,688,000

4,708,000

4,736,000

Gross additions

184,000

218,000

204,000

176,000

182,000

Net additions (losses)

(32,000)

(16,000)

(20,000)

(28,000)

(21,000)

ARPU (2)

$

54.23

$

53.92

$

53.68

$

53.70

$

53.25

Churn rate (3)

1.5%

1.7%

1.6%

1.4%

1.4%

Smartphone penetration
(4) (5)

43.0%

41.1%

37.8%

36.0%

34.3%

Prepaid

Total at end of period

373,000

342,000

305,000

246,000

223,000

Gross additions

92,000

86,000

100,000

59,000

42,000

Net additions (losses)

31,000

38,000

59,000

23,000

5,000

ARPU (2)

$

32.92

$

33.21

$

33.09

$

33.37

$

32.69

Churn rate (3)

5.7%

5.0%

5.0%

5.2%

5.6%

Total customers at end of period (1)

5,225,000

5,238,000

5,223,000

5,196,000

5,210,000

Billed ARPU (2)

$

50.65

$

50.43

$

50.34

$

50.43

$

49.91

Service revenue ARPU (2)

$

57.37

$

57.90

$

59.66

$

59.03

$

58.20

Smartphones sold as a percent of total

devices sold

62.1%

62.9%

53.0%

52.0%

54.1%

Total population

Consolidated markets (6)

84,625,000

83,864,000

83,075,000

82,763,000

82,763,000

Consolidated operating markets (6)

32,422,000

31,925,000

31,590,000

31,590,000

31,590,000

Market penetration at end of period

Consolidated markets (7)

6.2%

6.2%

6.3%

6.3%

6.3%

Consolidated operating markets (7)

16.1%

16.4%

16.5%

16.4%

16.5%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

113,300

$

241,400

$

184,100

$

163,600

$

179,700

Total cell sites in service

6,277

6,292

6,251

6,199

6,146

Owned towers in service

3,846

3,847

3,818

3,787

3,761

(1)

Includes 176,000 and 168,000 postpaid customers at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to the St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2” and, together with NY1, the “Partnerships”).

(2)

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 retail 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.

(3)

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.

(4)

Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an AndroidTM, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile operating system, excluding tablets.

(5)

Smartphone penetration is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone customers by total postpaid customers.

(6)

Used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively. See footnote (7) below.

(7)

Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless customers at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively, as estimated by Claritas.

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Unaudited, dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

Increase (Decrease)

2013

2012

Amount

Percent

Operating revenues

Service

$

996,349

$

1,023,820

$

(27,471)

(3%)

Equipment sales

85,397

68,301

17,096

25%

Total operating revenues

1,081,746

1,092,121

(10,375)

(1%)

Operating expenses

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion

reported below)

216,299

233,164

(16,865)

(7%)

Cost of equipment sold

241,691

187,036

54,655

29%

Selling, general and administrative

420,080

442,244

(22,164)

(5%)

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

189,845

146,685

43,160

29%

Loss on asset disposals, net

5,434

2,003

3,431

>100%

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

6,931

(4,213)

11,144

>(100%)

Total operating expenses

1,080,280

1,006,919

73,361

7%

Operating income

1,466

85,202

(83,736)

(98%)

Investment and other income (expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

26,835

21,614

5,221

24%

Interest and dividend income

903

1,043

(140)

(13%)

Interest expense

(10,910)

(13,411)

2,501

19%

Other, net

(215)

202

(417)

>(100%)

Total investment and other income

16,613

9,448

7,165

76%

Income before income taxes

18,079

94,650

(76,571)

(81%)

Income tax expense

7,369

25,638

(18,269)

(71%)

Net income

10,710

69,012

(58,302)

(84%)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

(5,796)

(6,520)

724

11%

Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

4,914

$

62,492

$

(57,578)

(92%)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

83,838

84,570

(732)

(1%)

Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.06

$

0.74

$

(0.68)

(92%)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

84,403

85,133

(730)

(1%)

Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.06

$

0.73

$

(0.67)

(92%)

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

March 31,

December 31,

2013

2012

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

419,696

$

378,358

Short-term investments

110,585

100,676

Accounts receivable from customers and others

394,701

445,220

Inventory

139,136

155,886

Income taxes receivable

2,776

1,612

Prepaid expenses

64,365

62,560

Net deferred income tax asset

36,302

35,419

Other current assets

17,111

16,745

1,184,672

1,196,476

Assets held for sale

213,593

216,763

Investments

Licenses

1,470,944

1,456,794

Goodwill

421,743

421,743

Customer lists, net

68

102

Investments in unconsolidated entities

165,529

144,531

Long-term investments

40,142

50,305

2,098,426

2,073,475

Property, plant and equipment

In service and under construction

7,562,931

7,478,428

Less: Accumulated depreciation

4,614,423

4,455,840

2,948,508

3,022,588

Other assets and deferred charges

78,436

78,148

Total assets

$

6,523,635

$

6,587,450

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

March 31,

December 31,

2013

2012

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

$

93

$

92

Accounts payable

Affiliated

8,792

10,725

Trade

281,762

310,936

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

202,209

192,113

Accrued taxes

43,357

35,834

Accrued compensation

50,698

90,418

Other current liabilities

98,657

114,881

685,568

754,999

Liabilities held for sale

18,360

19,594

Deferred liabilities and credits

Net deferred income tax liability

857,439

849,818

Other deferred liabilities and credits

292,687

288,441

Long-term debt

878,975

878,858

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

466

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

1,417,308

1,412,453

Treasury shares

(183,385)

(165,724)

Retained earnings

2,403,325

2,399,052

Total U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity

3,725,322

3,733,855

Noncontrolling interests

64,818

61,392

Total equity

3,790,140

3,795,247

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,523,635

$

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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

March 31,

December 31,

2013

2012

Cash and cash equivalents

$

419,696

$

378,358

Amounts included in short-term investments (1)(2)

Government-backed securities (3)

110,585

100,676

Amounts included in long-term investments (1)(4)

Government-backed securities (3)

40,142

50,305

Total cash and cash equivalents and investments

$

570,423

$

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)

Includes U.S. treasury securities and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

(4)

Maturities are 20 months from the balance sheet date.

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

2013

2012

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$

10,710

$

69,012

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from

operating activities

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

189,845

146,685

Bad debts expense

16,910

13,850

Stock-based compensation expense

5,036

5,391

Deferred income taxes, net

7,048

6,283

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

(26,835)

(21,614)

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

5,836

2,822

Loss on asset disposals, net

5,434

2,003

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

6,931

(4,213)

Noncash interest expense

262

451

Other operating activities

250

449

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

Accounts receivable

33,611

36,621

Inventory

16,750

(4,410)

Accounts payable – trade

4,644

(17,689)

Accounts payable – affiliate

(1,933)

2,989

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

8,862

9,512

Accrued taxes

6,175

79,765

Accrued interest

9,201

9,167

Other assets and liabilities

(75,122)

(80,107)

223,615

256,967

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

(151,024)

(209,160)

Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses

(14,150)

(11,096)

Cash received from divestitures

49,786

Cash paid for investments

(10,000)

Cash received for investments

10,000

Other investing activities

3,654

296

(161,520)

(170,174)

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of long-term debt

(61)

(12)

Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

123

357

Common shares repurchased

(18,425)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(2,396)

(218)

Other financing activities

2

3

(20,757)

130

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

41,338

86,923

Cash and cash equivalents

Beginning of period

378,358

424,155

End of period

$

419,696

$

511,078

United States Cellular Corporation

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

Three months ended March 31,

2013

2012

Cash flows from operating activities

$

223,615

$

256,967

Deduct:

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

151,024

209,160

Free cash flow (1)

$

72,591

$

47,807

(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

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