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8-K - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORP8K.htm
EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT 99.2 - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPEx992.htm

 

Exhibit 99.l   NEWS RELEASE

   

 

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference November 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.  Listen to the live call via the Conference Calls page of teldta.com  or uscellular.com

 

Contact:    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 

 

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

 

U.S. cellular Reports third QUARTER 2013 RESULTS

 

CHICAGO – November 1, 2013 – 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.

 

  

  

  

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

  

$3,475 - $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

 

 

1

 


 

 

 

(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; 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:

 

·         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.

 

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.

 

(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 reflect the Divestiture Transaction which closed on May 16, 2013.

 

(4)     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:

 

  

2013 Estimated Results

  

  

Core Markets (2)

Divestiture Markets (2)(3)

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

(Dollars in millions)

  

  

  

Income (loss) before income taxes

$315-$415

$35 

$350-$450

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (5)

$540 

$250 

$790 

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit

   costs, 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

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

U.S. Cellular Consolidated Actual Results

  

  

  

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2013

Year Ended

December 31, 2012

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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 

 

 

2

 


 

 

 

(5)     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.

 

Conference Call Information

U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on November 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

§  Access the live call on the Conference Calls page of uscellular.com  or at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=96657.

§  Access the call by phone at 877-407-8029 (US/Canada), no pass code required.

 

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

 

 

3

 


 

 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Total Markets Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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 

 

 

4

 


 

 

 

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®.

 

   

 

 

5

 


 

 

  

  

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%)

 

 

6

 


 

 

 

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%)

 

 

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 

 

 

8

 


 

 

 

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 

 

 

9

 


 

 

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.

 

 

10

 


 

 

 

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 

 

 

11

 


 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

12