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FORM 10-Q
United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
|X| |
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003
or
|_| |
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-8610
SBC
COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 43-1301883
175 E. Houston, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Telephone Number: (210) 821-4105
Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days. Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes X No
At October 31, 2003, common
shares outstanding were 3,310,669,504.
PART I -
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
Operating Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voice
|
$
|
5,487
|
$
|
6,169
|
$
|
16,857
|
$
|
18,805
|
Data
|
|
2,576
|
|
2,441
|
|
7,546
|
|
7,257
|
Long-distance
voice
|
|
668
|
|
594
|
|
1,858
|
|
1,773
|
Directory advertising
|
|
1,077
|
|
868
|
|
3,233
|
|
2,640
|
Other
|
|
431
|
|
484
|
|
1,282
|
|
1,446
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
10,239
|
|
10,556
|
|
30,776
|
|
31,921
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization
shown separately below) |
|
4,244
|
|
4,136
|
|
12,320
|
|
12,142
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
2,433
|
|
2,243
|
|
7,274
|
|
6,964
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
1,952
|
|
2,148
|
|
5,925
|
|
6,440
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
8,629
|
|
8,527
|
|
25,519
|
|
25,546
|
Operating Income
|
|
1,610
|
|
2,029
|
|
5,257
|
|
6,375
|
Other Income (Expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
(280)
|
|
(356)
|
|
(972)
|
|
(1,046)
|
Interest income
|
|
126
|
|
137
|
|
405
|
|
427
|
Equity in net income of affiliates
|
|
337
|
|
729
|
|
1,173
|
|
1,616
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
22
|
|
2
|
|
1,687
|
|
227
|
Total other income (expense)
|
|
205
|
|
512
|
|
2,293
|
|
1,224
|
Income Before Income Taxes
|
|
1,815
|
|
2,541
|
|
7,550
|
|
7,599
|
Income taxes
|
|
599
|
|
832
|
|
2,491
|
|
2,481
|
Income Before Cumulative Effect
of Accounting Changes |
|
1,216
|
|
1,709
|
|
5,059
|
|
5,118
|
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,548
|
|
(1,820)
|
Net Income
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
3,298
|
Earnings Per Common Share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Before Cumulative Effect
of Accounting Changes |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.54
|
Net Income
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.29
|
$
|
0.99
|
Earnings Per Common Share-Assuming Dilution:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Before Cumulative Effect
of Accounting Changes |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.53
|
Net Income
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.28
|
$
|
0.99
|
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding (in millions) |
|
3,331
|
|
3,336
|
|
3,333
|
|
3,353
|
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
|
$
|
0.3825
|
$
|
0.27
|
$
|
1.0975
|
$
|
0.81
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
|
|
|
September 30, 2003
|
|
December 31, 2002
|
Assets
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Current Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
4,940
|
$
|
3,567
|
Accounts receivable - net of allowances for
uncollectibles of $1,056 and $1,427 |
|
6,140
|
|
8,540
|
Short-term investments
|
|
261
|
|
1
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
1,002
|
|
687
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
1,511
|
|
704
|
Other current assets
|
|
1,036
|
|
590
|
Total current assets
|
|
14,890
|
|
14,089
|
Property, plant and equipment - at cost |
|
132,637
|
|
131,755
|
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
80,654
|
|
83,265
|
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
|
|
51,983
|
|
48,490
|
Goodwill - Net
|
|
1,622
|
|
1,643
|
Investments in Equity Affiliates
|
|
11,800
|
|
10,470
|
Notes Receivable from Cingular Wireless
|
|
5,885
|
|
5,885
|
Other Assets
|
|
15,128
|
|
14,480
|
Total Assets
|
$
|
101,308
|
$
|
95,057
|
Liabilities and Shareowners Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Debt maturing within one year
|
$
|
1,900
|
$
|
3,505
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
9,339
|
|
9,413
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
3,213
|
|
870
|
Dividends payable
|
|
1,267
|
|
895
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
15,719
|
|
14,683
|
Long-Term Debt
|
|
16,357
|
|
18,536
|
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
13,186
|
|
10,726
|
Postemployment benefit obligation
|
|
14,340
|
|
14,094
|
Unamortized investment tax credits
|
|
216
|
|
244
|
Other noncurrent liabilities
|
|
3,598
|
|
3,575
|
Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities
|
|
31,340
|
|
28,639
|
Shareowners Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares issued ($1 par value)
|
|
3,433
|
|
3,433
|
Capital in excess of par value
|
|
13,015
|
|
12,999
|
Retained earnings
|
|
27,769
|
|
23,802
|
Treasury shares (at cost)
|
|
(4,596)
|
|
(4,584)
|
Additional minimum pension liability adjustment
|
|
(1,473)
|
|
(1,473)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
(256)
|
|
(978)
|
Total shareowners equity
|
|
37,892
|
|
33,199
|
Total Liabilities and Shareowners Equity
|
$
|
101,308
|
$
|
95,057
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
Dollars in millions, increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
3,298
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
5,925
|
|
6,440
|
Undistributed earnings from investments in
equity affiliates
|
|
(913)
|
|
(1,400)
|
Provision for uncollectible accounts
|
|
718
|
|
1,071
|
Amortization of investment tax credits
|
|
(28)
|
|
(26)
|
Deferred income tax expense
|
|
1,117
|
|
829
|
Gain on sales of investments
|
|
(1,678)
|
|
(316)
|
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax
|
|
(2,548)
|
|
1,820
|
Retirement benefit funding
|
|
(945)
|
|
-
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
35
|
|
(43)
|
Other current assets
|
|
(290)
|
|
250
|
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
|
|
1,723
|
|
(1,474)
|
Other - net
|
|
(640)
|
|
293
|
Total adjustments
|
|
2,476
|
|
7,444
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
|
|
10,083
|
|
10,742
|
Investing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
Construction and capital expenditures
|
|
(3,235)
|
|
(4,998)
|
Investments in affiliates
|
|
-
|
|
(138)
|
Purchase of marketable securities
|
|
(578)
|
|
-
|
Maturities of marketable securities
|
|
164
|
|
-
|
Purchase of other investments
|
|
(436)
|
|
-
|
Dispositions
|
|
2,855
|
|
1,166
|
Acquisitions
|
|
-
|
|
(571)
|
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
|
|
(1,230)
|
|
(4,541)
|
Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in short-term borrowings with original
maturities of three months or less
|
|
(77)
|
|
(415)
|
Issuance of other short-term borrowings
|
|
-
|
|
4,565
|
Repayment of other short-term borrowings
|
|
(1,070)
|
|
(7,357)
|
Issuance of long-term debt
|
|
-
|
|
1,966
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
(2,826)
|
|
(865)
|
Purchase of treasury shares
|
|
(299)
|
|
(1,398)
|
Issuance of treasury shares
|
|
63
|
|
126
|
Dividends paid
|
|
(3,271)
|
|
(2,660)
|
Other
|
|
-
|
|
7
|
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
|
|
(7,480)
|
|
(6,031)
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
1,373
|
|
170
|
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year
|
|
3,567
|
|
703
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period
|
$
|
4,940
|
$
|
873
|
Cash paid during the nine months ended September 30 for:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
$
|
1,180
|
$
|
1,186
|
Income taxes, net of refunds
|
$
|
446
|
$
|
1,256
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREOWNERS EQUITY
|
Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, 2003
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
3,433
|
$
|
3,433
|
Balance at end of period
|
3,433
|
$
|
3,433
|
Capital in Excess of Par Value
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
12,999
|
Issuance of treasury shares
|
|
|
(137)
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
146
|
Other
|
|
|
7
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
13,015
|
Retained Earnings
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
23,802
|
Net income ($2.28 per share)
|
|
|
7,607
|
Dividends to shareowners
($1.10 per share)
|
|
|
(3,641)
|
Other
|
|
|
1
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
27,769
|
Treasury Shares
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
(115)
|
$
|
(4,584)
|
Purchase of shares
|
(13)
|
|
(299)
|
Issuance of shares
|
6
|
|
287
|
Balance at end of period
|
(122)
|
$
|
(4,596)
|
Additional Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
(1,473)
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
(1,473)
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
(978)
|
Other comprehensive income (see Note 2)
|
|
|
722
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
(256)
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SBC
COMMUNICATIONS INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
Basis
of Presentation Throughout this document, SBC Communications Inc. is
referred to as we or SBC. The consolidated financial
statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that permit reduced disclosure for
interim periods. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include
all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to
present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. The results for the
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. You
should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes included in our 2002 Annual Report to
Shareowners. |
|
Our
subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both
domestically and worldwide providing wireline and wireless telecommunications
services and equipment as well as directory advertising and publishing services. |
|
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SBC and our
majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are
eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships, joint
ventures, including Cingular Wireless (Cingular), and less than majority-owned
subsidiaries where we have significant influence are accounted for under the
equity method. We account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular under the
equity method since we share control equally (i.e., 50/50) with our 40% economic
partner in the joint venture. We have equal voting rights and representation on
the board of directors that controls Cingular. Earnings from certain foreign
investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended
within up to three months of the date of our Consolidated Statements of Income. |
|
In
January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 46 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an
Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51 (FIN 46). FIN
46 provides guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest
entity (VIE), and which equity investor of that VIE, if any, should include the
VIE in its consolidated financial statements. In October 2003, the FASB staff
issued a statement delaying the effective date of FIN 46 until periods ending
after December 15, 2003 for interests held by public companies in VIEs or
potential VIEs created before February 1, 2003. We are currently reviewing the
provisions of FIN 46 for any potential VIEs created before February 1, 2003. We
have not acquired any interests in VIEs during the nine months ended September
30, 2003. We do not expect adoption of this interpretation to have a material
effect on our consolidated financial statements. |
|
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and
expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified
certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current
periods presentation. |
|
Cash
Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less, and the carrying
amounts approximate fair value. In addition to cash, our cash equivalents
include municipal securities, money market funds and variable-rate securities
(auction rate and/or preferred securities issued by domestic or foreign
corporations, municipalities or closed-end management investment companies). At
September 30, 2003, we held $318 in cash, $260 in municipal securities, $3,043
in money market funds, $1,266 in variable-rate securities and $53 in other cash
equivalents. |
|
Investment
Securities Investments in securities principally consist of
held-to-maturity or available-for-sale instruments. Short-term and long-term
investments in money market securities and other auction-type securities are
carried as held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities consist of
various debt and equity securities that are long-term in nature. Unrealized
gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, are recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income. |
|
Revenue
Recognition Revenues and associated expenses related to
nonrefundable, up-front wireline service activation fees are deferred and
recognized over the average customer life of five years. Expenses, though
exceeding revenue, are only deferred to the extent of revenue. |
|
Certain
revenues derived from local telephone and long-distance services (principally
fixed fees) are billed monthly in advance and are recognized the following month
when services are provided. Other revenues derived from telecommunications
services, principally long-distance usage (in excess or in lieu of fixed fees)
and network access, are recognized monthly as services are provided. |
|
Prior
to 2003, we recognized revenues and expenses related to publishing directories
on the issue basis method of accounting, which recognizes the
revenues and expenses at the time the initial delivery of the related directory
is completed. See the discussion of our 2003 change in directory accounting in
the Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes section below. |
|
The
Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), a task force established to assist the FASB
on significant emerging accounting issues, has issued EITF 00-21,
Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (EITF
00-21). EITF 00-21 addresses certain aspects of accounting for sales that
involve multiple revenue-generating products and/or services sold under a single
contractual agreement. For us, this rule is effective for sales agreements
entered into beginning July 1, 2003 but it does not have a material effect on
our consolidated financial statements. |
|
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over net
assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized, but is
tested at least annually for impairment. We have completed our annual impairment
testing for 2003 and determined that no impairment exists. As of September 30,
2003, the carrying amount of our goodwill decreased $21 as compared to December
31, 2002 primarily due to the third quarter 2003 sale of a division of Sterling
Commerce Inc. |
|
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes |
|
Directory accounting Effective
January 1, 2003, we changed our method of recognizing revenues and expenses
related to publishing directories from the issue basis method to the
amortization method. The issue basis method recognizes revenues and
expenses at the time the initial delivery of the related directory is completed.
Consequently, quarterly income tends to vary with the number of directory titles
published during a quarter. The amortization method recognizes revenues and
expenses ratably over the life of the directory, which is typically 12 months.
Consequently, quarterly income tends to be more consistent over the course of a
year. We decided to change methods because the amortization method has now
become the more prevalent method used among significant directory publishers.
This change will allow a more meaningful comparison between our directory
segment and other publishing companies (or publishing segments of larger
companies). |
|
Our
directory accounting change resulted in a noncash charge of $1,136, net of an
income tax benefit of $714, recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change
on the Consolidated Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003. The effect of
this change was to decrease consolidated pre-tax income and our directory
segment income in the third quarter of 2003 by approximately $43 ($27 net of
tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) and for the first nine months of 2003 to
increase consolidated pre-tax income and our directory segment income by $594
($364 net of tax, or $0.11 per diluted share). As the number of directory titles
published in each quarter varies, with the largest number of titles published in
the fourth quarter of the year, we expect the effect of this accounting change
will be to lower our directory segment income in the fourth quarter of 2003 as
compared with the prior method. We included the deferred revenue balance in the
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities line item on our balance
sheet. |
|
On
January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (FAS 143). FAS 143 sets
forth how companies must account for the costs of removal of long-lived assets
when those assets are no longer used in a companys business, but only if a
company is legally required to remove such assets. FAS 143 requires that
companies record the fair value of the costs of removal in the period in which
the obligations are incurred and capitalize that amount as part of the book
value of the long-lived asset. To determine whether we have a legal obligation
to remove our long-lived assets, we reviewed state and federal law and
regulatory decisions applicable to our subsidiaries, primarily our wireline
subsidiaries, which have long-lived assets. Based on this review, we concluded
that we are not legally required to remove any of our long-lived assets, except
in a few minor instances. |
|
However,
in November 2002, we were informed that the SEC staff concluded that certain
provisions of FAS 143 require that we exclude costs of removal from depreciation
rates and accumulated depreciation balances in certain circumstances upon
adoption, even where no legal removal obligations exist. In our case, this means
that for plant accounts where our estimated costs of removal exceed the
estimated salvage value, we are prohibited from accruing removal costs in those
depreciation rates and accumulated depreciation balances in excess of the
salvage value. For our other long-lived assets, where our estimated costs of
removal are less than the estimated salvage value, we will continue to accrue
the costs of removal in those depreciation rates and accumulated depreciation
balances. |
|
Therefore,
in connection with the adoption of FAS 143 on January 1, 2003, we reversed all
existing accrued costs of removal for those plant accounts where our estimated
costs of removal exceeded the estimated salvage value. The noncash gain
resulting from this reversal was $3,684, net of deferred taxes of $2,249,
recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change on the Consolidated
Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003. |
|
Beginning
in 2003, for those plant accounts where our estimated costs of removal
previously exceeded the estimated salvage value, we will now expense all costs
of removal as we incur them (previously those costs had been recorded in our
depreciation rates). As a result, our depreciation expense will decrease
immediately and our operations and support expense will increase as these assets
are removed from service. The effect of this change was to increase consolidated
pre-tax income and our wireline segment income in the third quarter of 2003 by
approximately $70 ($43 net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) and for the first
nine months of 2003 by $210 ($129 net of tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). We
expect the effects on the fourth quarter in 2003 to be approximately the same as
the impact on the first, second and third quarters of 2003. However, over the
life of the assets, total operating expenses recognized under this new
accounting method will be approximately the same as under the previous method
(assuming the cost of removal would be the same under both methods). |
|
Goodwill and other intangible assets accounting |
|
On
January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (FAS 142). Adoption of FAS 142
means that we stopped amortizing goodwill, and at least annually we will test
the remaining book value of goodwill for impairment. Any impairments subsequent
to adoption will be recorded in operating expenses. We also stopped amortizing
goodwill recorded on our equity investments. This embedded goodwill will
continue to be tested for impairment under the accounting rules for equity
investments, which are based on comparisons between fair value and carrying
value. Our total cumulative effect of accounting change from adopting FAS 142
was a noncash charge of $1,820, net of an income tax benefit of $5, recorded as
of January 1, 2002. |
|
Adjusted results
The amounts shown below have been adjusted assuming that we had retroactively applied the new directory and depreciation
accounting methods discussed above. (FAS 142 did not allow retroactive application of the new impairment accounting method, and
did not allow these adjusted results to exclude the cumulative effect of accounting change from adopting FAS 142.)
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
changes - as reported |
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
5,059
|
$
|
5,118
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
83
|
|
-
|
|
259
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
43
|
|
-
|
|
129
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
changes - as adjusted |
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,835
|
$
|
5,059
|
$
|
5,506
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of
accounting changes - as reported |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.54
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.03
|
|
-
|
|
0.07
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.01
|
|
-
|
|
0.04
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
changes - as adjusted |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.65
|
Diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect
of accounting changes - as reported
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.53
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.03
|
|
-
|
|
0.07
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.01
|
|
-
|
|
0.04
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
changes - as adjusted |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.64
|
Net income (loss) - as reported
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
3,298
|
Remove cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,548)
|
|
-
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
83
|
|
-
|
|
259
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
43
|
|
-
|
|
129
|
Net income (loss) - as adjusted
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,835
|
$
|
5,059
|
$
|
3,686
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) - as reported
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.29
|
$
|
0.99
|
Remove cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(0.77)
|
|
-
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.03
|
|
-
|
|
0.07
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.01
|
|
-
|
|
0.04
|
Net income (loss) - as adjusted
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.10
|
Diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) - as reported
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.28
|
$
|
0.99
|
Remove cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(0.76)
|
|
-
|
Directory change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.03
|
|
-
|
|
0.07
|
Depreciation change, net of tax
|
|
-
|
|
0.01
|
|
-
|
|
0.04
|
Net income (loss) - as adjusted
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.10
|
2.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
The components of our comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended
September
30, 2003 and 2002 include net income, adjustments to shareowners equity
for the foreign currency translation adjustment, and net unrealized gain (loss)
on available-for-sale securities. The foreign currency translation adjustment is
due to exchange rate changes in our foreign affiliates local currencies,
primarily Denmark in 2003 and 2002. |
|
The
2002 reclassification adjustment for loss included in deferred revenue reflects
the other-than-temporary decline of approximately $23 ($14 net of tax) in the
value of shares we received as payment of future rents. We determined that the
other-than-temporary decline in the value of these marketable securities should
reduce the amount of deferred revenue for these payments that was recorded when
the marketable securities were originally received. Future rent revenues will
also be reduced. |
|
Following is our comprehensive income: |
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
Net income
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
3,298
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
61
|
|
(10)
|
|
351
|
|
378
|
|
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
|
|
(57)
|
|
(58)
|
|
420
|
|
(119)
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss included
in net income |
|
(20)
|
|
-
|
|
(49)
|
|
7
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in
deferred revenue |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
14
|
|
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
|
|
(77)
|
|
(58)
|
|
371
|
|
(98)
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
(16)
|
|
(68)
|
|
722
|
|
280
|
Total comprehensive income
|
$
|
1,200
|
$
|
1,641
|
$
|
8,329
|
$
|
3,578
|
3. EARNINGS PER
SHARE
|
A
reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic earnings per share
and diluted earnings per share for income before cumulative effect of accounting
changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 is shown
in the table below. |
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
Numerators
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
5,059
|
$
|
5,118
|
Dilutive potential common shares:
Other stock-based compensation |
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
6
|
|
5
|
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
|
$
|
1,218
|
$
|
1,711
|
$
|
5,065
|
$
|
5,123
|
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
|
3,319
|
|
3,322
|
|
3,321
|
|
3,334
|
Dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options |
|
2
|
|
4
|
|
2
|
|
9
|
Other stock-based compensation
|
|
10
|
|
10
|
|
10
|
|
10
|
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
|
|
3,331
|
|
3,336
|
|
3,333
|
|
3,353
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect
of accounting changes |
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.54
|
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
0.77
|
|
(0.55)
|
Net income
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.29
|
$
|
0.99
|
Diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect
of accounting changes
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
1.52
|
$
|
1.53
|
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
0.76
|
|
(0.54)
|
Net income
|
$
|
0.37
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
2.28
|
$
|
0.99
|
|
At
September 30, 2003, there were issued options to purchase approximately 236
million shares of SBC common stock. Of these total options outstanding, the
exercise prices of options to purchase 215 million shares in the third quarter
and 213 million shares for the first nine months exceeded the average market
price of SBC stock. Accordingly, we did not include these amounts in determining
the dilutive potential common shares for the specified periods. At September 30,
2002, we had issued options to purchase approximately 233 million SBC shares, of
which 199 million shares in the third quarter and 174 million shares for the
first nine months were not used to determine the dilutive potential common
shares as the exercise price of these options was greater than the average
market price of SBC common stock during the specified periods. |
4. SEGMENT
INFORMATION
|
Our
segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services
and are managed accordingly. Under GAAP segment reporting rules, we analyze our
various operating segments based on segment income. Interest expense, interest
income, other income (expense) net and income tax expense are managed
only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in
consolidated results. Therefore, these items are not included in the calculation
of each segments percentage of our consolidated results. We have five
reportable segments that reflect the current management of our business: (1)
wireline; (2) Cingular; (3) directory; (4) international; and (5) other. |
|
The
wireline segment provides landline telecommunications services, including local
and long-distance voice, switched access, data and messaging services. |
|
The
Cingular segment reflects 100% of the results reported by Cingular, our wireless
joint venture. This segment replaces our previously titled wireless
segment, which included 60% of Cingulars revenues and expenses. In our
consolidated financial statements, we report our 60% proportionate share of
Cingulars results as equity in net income (loss) of affiliates. For
segment reporting, we report this equity in net income (loss) of affiliates in
our other segment. |
|
The
directory segment includes all directory operations, including Yellow and White
Pages advertising and electronic publishing. In the first quarter of 2003 we
changed our method of accounting for revenues and expenses in our directory
segment. Results for 2003, and going forward, will be shown under the
amortization method. This means that revenues and direct expenses are recognized
ratably over the life of the directory, typically 12 months. This accounting
change will affect only the timing of the recognition of revenues and direct
expenses. It will not affect the total amounts recognized. |
|
Our
international segment includes all investments with primarily international
operations. The other segment includes all corporate and other operations as
well as the Cingular equity income (loss), as discussed above. Although we
analyze Cingulars revenues and expenses under the Cingular segment, we
eliminate the Cingular segment in our consolidated financial statements. |
|
In
the following tables, we show how our segment results are reconciled to our
consolidated results reported in accordance with GAAP. The Wireline, Cingular,
Directory, International and Other columns represent the segment results of each
such operating segment. The Consolidation and Elimination column adds in those
line items that we manage on a consolidated basis only: interest expense,
interest income and other income (expense) - net. This column also eliminates
any intercompany transactions included in each segments results. Since our
60% share of the results from Cingular is already included in the Other column,
the Cingular Elimination column removes the results of Cingular shown in the
Cingular segment. In the balance sheet section of the tables below, our
investment in Cingular is included in the Investment in equity method
investees line item in the Other column ($5,112 in 2003 and $4,426 in
2002). |
For the three months ended September 30, 2003 |
|
|
|
Wireline
|
|
Cingular
|
|
Directory
|
|
International
|
|
Other
|
|
Consolidation and Elimination
|
|
Cingular Elimination
|
|
Consolidated Results
|
Revenues from external customers
|
$
|
9,118
|
$
|
3,954
|
$
|
1,043
|
$
|
9
|
$
|
69
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(3,954)
|
$
|
10,239
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
8
|
|
-
|
|
13
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
(22)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total segment operating revenues
|
|
9,126
|
|
3,954
|
|
1,056
|
|
9
|
|
70
|
|
(22)
|
|
(3,954)
|
|
10,239
|
Operations and support expenses
|
|
6,168
|
|
2,945
|
|
477
|
|
10
|
|
44
|
|
(22)
|
|
(2,945)
|
|
6,677
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses
|
|
1,928
|
|
521
|
|
5
|
|
-
|
|
19
|
|
-
|
|
(521)
|
|
1,952
|
Total segment operating expenses
|
|
8,096
|
|
3,466
|
|
482
|
|
10
|
|
63
|
|
(22)
|
|
(3,466)
|
|
8,629
|
Segment operating income
|
|
1,030
|
|
488
|
|
574
|
|
(1)
|
|
7
|
|
-
|
|
(488)
|
|
1,610
|
Interest expense
|
|
-
|
|
197
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
280
|
|
(197)
|
|
280
|
Interest income
|
|
-
|
|
4
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
126
|
|
(4)
|
|
126
|
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates
|
|
-
|
|
(87)
|
|
-
|
|
227
|
|
110
|
|
-
|
|
87
|
|
337
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
-
|
|
(25)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
22
|
|
25
|
|
22
|
Segment income before income taxes
|
|
1,030
|
|
183
|
|
574
|
|
226
|
|
117
|
|
(132)
|
|
(183)
|
|
1,815
|
At September 30, 2003 or for the nine months ended |
|
|
|
Wireline
|
|
Cingular
|
|
Directory
|
|
International
|
|
Other
|
|
Consolidation and Elimination
|
|
Cingular Elimination
|
|
Consolidated Results
|
Revenues from external customers
|
$
|
27,431
|
$
|
11,330
|
$
|
3,128
|
$
|
23
|
$
|
194
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(11,330)
|
$
|
30,776
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
24
|
|
-
|
|
56
|
|
-
|
|
4
|
|
(84)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total segment operating revenues
|
|
27,445
|
|
11,330
|
|
3,184
|
|
23
|
|
198
|
|
(84)
|
|
(11,330)
|
|
30,776
|
Operations and support expenses
|
|
18,169
|
|
7,853
|
|
1,433
|
|
42
|
|
34
|
|
(84)
|
|
(7,853)
|
|
19,594
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses
|
|
5,850
|
|
1,517
|
|
16
|
|
-
|
|
59
|
|
-
|
|
(1,517)
|
|
5,925
|
Total segment operating expenses
|
|
24,019
|
|
9,370
|
|
1,449
|
|
42
|
|
93
|
|
(84)
|
|
(9,370)
|
|
25,519
|
Segment operating income
|
|
3,436
|
|
1,960
|
|
1,735
|
|
(19)
|
|
105
|
|
-
|
|
(1,960)
|
|
5,257
|
Interest expense
|
|
-
|
|
652
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
972
|
|
(652)
|
|
972
|
Interest income
|
|
-
|
|
11
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
405
|
|
(11)
|
|
405
|
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates
|
|
-
|
|
(235)
|
|
-
|
|
555
|
|
618
|
|
-
|
|
235
|
|
1,173
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
-
|
|
(58)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,687
|
|
58
|
|
1,687
|
Segment income before income taxes
|
|
3,436
|
|
1,026
|
|
1,735
|
|
536
|
|
723
|
|
1,120
|
|
(1,026)
|
|
7,550
|
Segment assets
|
|
69,854
|
|
25,267
|
|
1,298
|
|
8,293
|
|
61,190
|
|
(39,327)
|
|
(25,267)
|
|
101,308
|
Investment in equity method investees
|
|
-
|
|
2,231
|
|
26
|
|
6,472
|
|
5,302
|
|
-
|
|
(2,231)
|
|
11,800
|
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
|
|
3,180
|
|
1,768
|
|
1
|
|
-
|
|
54
|
|
-
|
|
(1,768)
|
|
3,235
|
For the three months ended September 30, 2002 |
|
|
|
Wireline
|
|
Cingular
|
|
Directory
|
|
International
|
|
Other
|
|
Consolidation and Elimination
|
|
Cingular Elimination
|
|
Consolidated Results
|
Revenues from external customers
|
$
|
9,641
|
$
|
3,779
|
$
|
833
|
$
|
9
|
$
|
73
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(3,779)
|
$
|
10,556
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
8
|
|
-
|
|
14
|
|
-
|
|
3
|
|
(25)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total segment operating revenues
|
|
9,649
|
|
3,779
|
|
847
|
|
9
|
|
76
|
|
(25)
|
|
(3,779)
|
|
10,556
|
Operations and support expenses
|
|
6,024
|
|
2,685
|
|
414
|
|
17
|
|
(50)
|
|
(26)
|
|
(2,685)
|
|
6,379
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses
|
|
2,117
|
|
478
|
|
7
|
|
-
|
|
24
|
|
-
|
|
(478)
|
|
2,148
|
Total segment operating expenses
|
|
8,141
|
|
3,163
|
|
421
|
|
17
|
|
(26)
|
|
(26)
|
|
(3,163)
|
|
8,527
|
Segment operating income
|
|
1,508
|
|
616
|
|
426
|
|
(8)
|
|
102
|
|
1
|
|
(616)
|
|
2,029
|
Interest expense
|
|
-
|
|
233
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
356
|
|
(233)
|
|
356
|
Interest income
|
|
-
|
|
5
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
137
|
|
(5)
|
|
137
|
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates
|
|
-
|
|
(64)
|
|
-
|
|
547
|
|
182
|
|
-
|
|
64
|
|
729
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
-
|
|
(28)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
28
|
|
2
|
Segment income before income taxes
|
|
1,508
|
|
296
|
|
426
|
|
539
|
|
284
|
|
(216)
|
|
(296)
|
|
2,541
|
At September 30, 2002 or for the nine months ended |
|
|
|
Wireline
|
|
Cingular
|
|
Directory
|
|
International
|
|
Other
|
|
Consolidation and Elimination
|
|
Cingular Elimination
|
|
Consolidated Results
|
Revenues from external customers
|
$
|
29,144
|
$
|
11,070
|
$
|
2,539
|
$
|
26
|
$
|
212
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(11,070)
|
$
|
31,921
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
23
|
|
-
|
|
63
|
|
-
|
|
16
|
|
(102)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total segment operating revenues
|
|
29,167
|
|
11,070
|
|
2,602
|
|
26
|
|
228
|
|
(102)
|
|
(11,070)
|
|
31,921
|
Operations and support expenses
|
|
17,875
|
|
7,682
|
|
1,229
|
|
58
|
|
46
|
|
(102)
|
|
(7,682)
|
|
19,106
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses
|
|
6,335
|
|
1,383
|
|
23
|
|
-
|
|
82
|
|
-
|
|
(1,383)
|
|
6,440
|
Total segment operating expenses
|
|
24,210
|
|
9,065
|
|
1,252
|
|
58
|
|
128
|
|
(102)
|
|
(9,065)
|
|
25,546
|
Segment operating income
|
|
4,957
|
|
2,005
|
|
1,350
|
|
(32)
|
|
100
|
|
-
|
|
(2,005)
|
|
6,375
|
Interest expense
|
|
-
|
|
679
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,046
|
|
(679)
|
|
1,046
|
Interest income
|
|
-
|
|
24
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
427
|
|
(24)
|
|
427
|
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates
|
|
-
|
|
(189)
|
|
-
|
|
962
|
|
654
|
|
-
|
|
189
|
|
1,616
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
-
|
|
(94)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
227
|
|
94
|
|
227
|
Segment income before income taxes
|
|
4,957
|
|
1,067
|
|
1,350
|
|
930
|
|
754
|
|
(392)
|
|
(1,067)
|
|
7,599
|
Segment assets
|
|
67,684
|
|
23,327
|
|
2,233
|
|
9,889
|
|
54,039
|
|
(39,998)
|
|
(23,327)
|
|
93,847
|
Investment in equity method investees
|
|
121
|
|
2,387
|
|
20
|
|
5,907
|
|
4,498
|
|
-
|
|
(2,387)
|
|
10,546
|
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
|
|
4,959
|
|
1,842
|
|
7
|
|
-
|
|
32
|
|
-
|
|
(1,842)
|
|
4,998
|
5. SUBSIDIARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
We
have fully and unconditionally guaranteed certain outstanding debt securities of
Pacific Bell Telephone Company (PacBell) and Southwestern Bell Telephone, L.P.
(SBLP), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Bell Texas Holdings,
Inc. (SWBell). On December 30, 2001, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company merged
with and into Southwestern Bell Texas, Inc. and the survivor converted to SBLP.
SWBell holds a 99% limited partner interest in SBLP and a 100% interest in SWBT
Texas LLC, the 1% owner and general partner of SBLP. |
|
In
accordance with SEC rules, we are providing the following condensed
consolidating financial information. The Parent column presents investments in
all subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. We have listed PacBell
and SWBell separately because we have guaranteed securities that are legal
obligations of PacBell and SWBell that would otherwise require SEC periodic
reporting. All other wholly owned subsidiaries are presented in the Other
column. Reported amounts include allocations of intercompany transactions and are
subject to true-up based on ongoing review of allocation factors. The consolidating
adjustments column (Adjs.) eliminates the intercompany
balances and transactions between our subsidiaries. |
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Total operating revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,314
|
$
|
2,658
|
$
|
6,109
|
$
|
(842)
|
$
|
10,239
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
(6)
|
|
1,791
|
|
2,028
|
|
5,658
|
|
(842)
|
|
8,629
|
Operating Income
|
|
6
|
|
523
|
|
630
|
|
451
|
|
-
|
|
1,610
|
Interest expense
|
|
95
|
|
58
|
|
53
|
|
180
|
|
(106)
|
|
280
|
Equity in net income of affiliates
|
|
1,063
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
343
|
|
(1,069)
|
|
337
|
Royalty income (expense)
|
|
-
|
|
(100)
|
|
(112)
|
|
212
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
182
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
64
|
|
(100)
|
|
148
|
Income Before Income Taxes
|
|
1,156
|
|
366
|
|
466
|
|
890
|
|
(1,063)
|
|
1,815
|
Income taxes
|
|
(60)
|
|
147
|
|
167
|
|
345
|
|
-
|
|
599
|
Net Income
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
219
|
$
|
299
|
$
|
545
|
$
|
(1,063)
|
$
|
1,216
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Total operating revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,548
|
$
|
2,814
|
$
|
5,860
|
$
|
(666)
|
$
|
10,556
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
(55)
|
|
1,898
|
|
2,171
|
|
5,179
|
|
(666)
|
|
8,527
|
Operating Income
|
|
55
|
|
650
|
|
643
|
|
681
|
|
-
|
|
2,029
|
Interest expense
|
|
116
|
|
73
|
|
65
|
|
188
|
|
(86)
|
|
356
|
Equity in net income of affiliates
|
|
1,615
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
736
|
|
(1,622)
|
|
729
|
Royalty income (expense)
|
|
-
|
|
(103)
|
|
(117)
|
|
220
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
144
|
|
1
|
|
-
|
|
73
|
|
(79)
|
|
139
|
Income Before Income Taxes
|
|
1,698
|
|
475
|
|
461
|
|
1,522
|
|
(1,615)
|
|
2,541
|
Income taxes
|
|
(11)
|
|
192
|
|
166
|
|
485
|
|
-
|
|
832
|
Net Income
|
$
|
1,709
|
$
|
283
|
$
|
295
|
$
|
1,037
|
$
|
(1,615)
|
$
|
1,709
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Total operating revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
7,047
|
$
|
8,043
|
$
|
18,054
|
$
|
(2,368)
|
$
|
30,776
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
(89)
|
|
5,387
|
|
6,248
|
|
16,341
|
|
(2,368)
|
|
25,519
|
Operating Income
|
|
89
|
|
1,660
|
|
1,795
|
|
1,713
|
|
-
|
|
5,257
|
Interest expense
|
|
297
|
|
223
|
|
179
|
|
588
|
|
(315)
|
|
972
|
Equity in net income of affiliates
|
|
7,183
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,244
|
|
(7,254)
|
|
1,173
|
Royalty income (expense)
|
|
-
|
|
(300)
|
|
(337)
|
|
637
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
567
|
|
3
|
|
10
|
|
1,756
|
|
(244)
|
|
2,092
|
Income Before Income Taxes
|
|
7,542
|
|
1,140
|
|
1,289
|
|
4,762
|
|
(7,183)
|
|
7,550
|
Income taxes
|
|
(65)
|
|
460
|
|
460
|
|
1,636
|
|
-
|
|
2,491
|
Income Before Cumulative Effect of
Accounting Change |
|
7,607
|
|
680
|
|
829
|
|
3,126
|
|
(7,183)
|
|
5,059
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of tax |
|
-
|
|
844
|
|
1,502
|
|
202
|
|
-
|
|
2,548
|
Net Income
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
1,524
|
$
|
2,331
|
$
|
3,328
|
$
|
(7,183)
|
$
|
7,607
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Total operating revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
7,732
|
$
|
8,492
|
$
|
17,511
|
$
|
(1,814)
|
$
|
31,921
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
(31)
|
|
5,717
|
|
6,541
|
|
15,133
|
|
(1,814)
|
|
25,546
|
Operating Income
|
|
31
|
|
2,015
|
|
1,951
|
|
2,378
|
|
-
|
|
6,375
|
Interest expense
|
|
321
|
|
229
|
|
203
|
|
572
|
|
(279)
|
|
1,046
|
Equity in net income of affiliates
|
|
2,921
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,632
|
|
(2,937)
|
|
1,616
|
Royalty income (expense)
|
|
118
|
|
(310)
|
|
(353)
|
|
545
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other income (expense) - net
|
|
402
|
|
1
|
|
15
|
|
499
|
|
(263)
|
|
654
|
Income Before Income Taxes
|
|
3,151
|
|
1,477
|
|
1,410
|
|
4,482
|
|
(2,921)
|
|
7,599
|
Income taxes
|
|
(147)
|
|
602
|
|
510
|
|
1,516
|
|
-
|
|
2,481
|
Income Before Cumulative Effect of
Accounting Change |
|
3,298
|
|
875
|
|
900
|
|
2,966
|
|
(2,921)
|
|
5,118
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of tax |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,820)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,820)
|
Net Income
|
$
|
3,298
|
$
|
875
|
$
|
900
|
$
|
1,146
|
$
|
(2,921)
|
$
|
3,298
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
September 30, 2003 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
4,689
|
$
|
1
|
$
|
32
|
$
|
218
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
4,940
|
Accounts receivable - net
|
|
1,023
|
|
1,644
|
|
1,920
|
|
14,264
|
|
(12,711)
|
|
6,140
|
Other current assets
|
|
633
|
|
358
|
|
450
|
|
2,369
|
|
-
|
|
3,810
|
Total current assets
|
|
6,345
|
|
2,003
|
|
2,402
|
|
16,851
|
|
(12,711)
|
|
14,890
|
Property, plant and equipment - net
|
|
124
|
|
13,591
|
|
16,378
|
|
21,890
|
|
-
|
|
51,983
|
Goodwill - net
|
|
349
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,273
|
|
-
|
|
1,622
|
Investments in equity affiliates
|
|
34,633
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
10,104
|
|
(32,937)
|
|
11,800
|
Other assets
|
|
10,677
|
|
2,137
|
|
475
|
|
8,486
|
|
(762)
|
|
21,013
|
Total Assets
|
$
|
52,128
|
$
|
17,731
|
$
|
19,255
|
$
|
58,604
|
$
|
(46,410)
|
$
|
101,308
|
Debt maturing within one year
|
$
|
20
|
$
|
1,520
|
$
|
3,568
|
$
|
6,498
|
$
|
(9,706)
|
$
|
1,900
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
494
|
|
3,246
|
|
3,187
|
|
9,897
|
|
(3,005)
|
|
13,819
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
514
|
|
4,766
|
|
6,755
|
|
16,395
|
|
(12,711)
|
|
15,719
|
Long-term debt
|
|
7,631
|
|
2,804
|
|
1,987
|
|
4,659
|
|
(724)
|
|
16,357
|
Postemployment benefit obligation
|
|
3,621
|
|
3,278
|
|
3,234
|
|
4,207
|
|
-
|
|
14,340
|
Other noncurrent liabilities
|
|
2,470
|
|
3,255
|
|
2,902
|
|
8,411
|
|
(38)
|
|
17,000
|
Total shareowners equity
|
|
37,892
|
|
3,628
|
|
4,377
|
|
24,932
|
|
(32,937)
|
|
37,892
|
Total Liabilities and Shareowners Equity
|
$
|
52,128
|
$
|
17,731
|
$
|
19,255
|
$
|
58,604
|
$
|
(46,410)
|
$
|
101,308
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2002 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
3,406
|
$
|
3
|
$
|
10
|
$
|
148
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
3,567
|
Accounts receivable - net
|
|
1,257
|
|
2,060
|
|
1,928
|
|
18,155
|
|
(14,860)
|
|
8,540
|
Other current assets
|
|
319
|
|
309
|
|
451
|
|
903
|
|
-
|
|
1,982
|
Total current assets
|
|
4,982
|
|
2,372
|
|
2,389
|
|
19,206
|
|
(14,860)
|
|
14,089
|
Property, plant and equipment - net
|
|
126
|
|
12,915
|
|
14,846
|
|
20,603
|
|
-
|
|
48,490
|
Goodwill - net
|
|
349
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,294
|
|
-
|
|
1,643
|
Investments in equity affiliates
|
|
33,953
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8,150
|
|
(31,633)
|
|
10,470
|
Other assets
|
|
10,166
|
|
2,054
|
|
332
|
|
8,589
|
|
(776)
|
|
20,365
|
Total Assets
|
$
|
49,576
|
$
|
17,341
|
$
|
17,567
|
$
|
57,842
|
$
|
(47,269)
|
$
|
95,057
|
Debt maturing within one year
|
$
|
1,052
|
$
|
1,287
|
$
|
2,686
|
$
|
8,341
|
$
|
(9,861)
|
$
|
3,505
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
798
|
|
3,073
|
|
3,199
|
|
9,107
|
|
(4,999)
|
|
11,178
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
1,850
|
|
4,360
|
|
5,885
|
|
17,448
|
|
(14,860)
|
|
14,683
|
Long-term debt
|
|
7,513
|
|
3,676
|
|
2,608
|
|
5,471
|
|
(732)
|
|
18,536
|
Postemployment benefit obligation
|
|
3,534
|
|
3,064
|
|
3,331
|
|
4,165
|
|
-
|
|
14,094
|
Other noncurrent liabilities
|
|
3,480
|
|
2,474
|
|
1,722
|
|
6,913
|
|
(44)
|
|
14,545
|
Total shareowners equity
|
|
33,199
|
|
3,767
|
|
4,021
|
|
23,845
|
|
(31,633)
|
|
33,199
|
Total Liabilities and Shareowners Equity
|
$
|
49,576
|
$
|
17,341
|
$
|
17,567
|
$
|
57,842
|
$
|
(47,269)
|
$
|
95,057
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Net cash from operating activities
|
$
|
6,698
|
$
|
2,886
|
$
|
2,572
|
$
|
(1,755)
|
$
|
(318)
|
$
|
10,083
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
|
(854)
|
|
(569)
|
|
(824)
|
|
1,016
|
|
1
|
|
(1,230)
|
Net cash from financing activities
|
|
(4,561)
|
|
(2,319)
|
|
(1,726)
|
|
809
|
|
317
|
|
(7,480)
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash
|
$
|
1,283
|
$
|
(2)
|
$
|
22
|
$
|
70
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
1,373
|
|
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 |
|
|
Parent
|
|
PacBell
|
|
SWBell
|
|
Other
|
|
Adjs.
|
|
Total
|
Net cash from operating activities
|
$
|
7,774
|
$
|
2,725
|
$
|
2,972
|
$
|
3,047
|
$
|
(5,776)
|
$
|
10,742
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
|
16
|
|
(1,029)
|
|
(1,241)
|
|
(2,286)
|
|
(1)
|
|
(4,541)
|
Net cash from financing activities
|
|
(7,526)
|
|
(1,697)
|
|
(1,819)
|
|
(766)
|
|
5,777
|
|
(6,031)
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash
|
$
|
264
|
$
|
(1)
|
$
|
(88)
|
$
|
(5)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
170
|
6. RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
|
We
have made advances to Cingular that totaled $5,885 at September 30, 2003 and
December 31, 2002. We earned $89 in the third quarter and $308 for the first
nine months of 2003, and $111 in the third quarter and $330 for the first nine
months of 2002 in interest income on these advances. In July 2003, we
renegotiated the terms of these advances with Cingular to reduce the interest
rate from 7.5% to 6.0% and extend the maturity date of the loan from March 2005
to June 2008. In addition, for access and long-distance services sold to
Cingular on a wholesale basis, we generated revenue of $152 in the third quarter
and $363 for the first nine months of 2003, and $97 in the third quarter and
$258 for the first nine months of 2002. Also, under a wireless agency agreement
with Cingular relating to Cingular customers added through SBC sales channels,
we generated commissions revenue of $22 in the third quarter and $50 for the
first nine months of 2003 and $1 in the third quarter and $2 for the first nine
months of 2002. The offsetting expense amounts are recorded by Cingular, of
which 60% flows back to us through Equity in Net Income of Affiliates. |
7. PENSION AND
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
|
Substantially
all of our employees are covered by one of various noncontributory pension and
death benefit plans. We also provide certain medical, dental and life insurance
benefits to substantially all retired employees under various plans and accrue
actuarially determined postretirement benefit costs as active employees earn
these benefits. Our objective in funding these plans, in combination with the
standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(ERISA), is to accumulate assets sufficient to meet the plans obligations
to provide benefits to employees upon their retirement. In the aggregate, as of
September 30, 2003, our total plan assets were invested between 65% and 80% in
equities, between 20% and 35% in fixed income instruments and between 0% and 10%
in cash and real estate. Although no significant cash contributions are required
under ERISA regulations during 2003, nor are they anticipated for 2004, we
contributed $500 to the pension trust for the benefit of plan participants in
July 2003. Also, while not required, we contributed $445 to a Voluntary Employee
Beneficiary Association trust to partially fund postretirement benefits in the
first quarter of 2003. |
|
The
following details pension and postretirement benefit costs included in operating
expenses (in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses) in
the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. We account for these costs
in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87,
Employers Accounting for Pensions and Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. In the following table, gains
are denoted with brackets and losses are not. |
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
|
$
|
183
|
$
|
161
|
$
|
548
|
$
|
484
|
|
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
|
|
417
|
|
445
|
|
1,250
|
|
1,335
|
|
Expected return on assets
|
|
(623)
|
|
(857)
|
|
(1,842)
|
|
(2,571)
|
|
Amortization of prior service cost and transition asset
|
|
23
|
|
25
|
|
71
|
|
75
|
|
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss
|
|
13
|
|
(58)
|
|
40
|
|
(176)
|
|
Net pension (benefit) cost
|
$
|
13
|
$
|
(284)
|
$
|
67
|
$
|
(853)
|
Postretirement benefit cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost - benefits earned during the period
|
$
|
96
|
$
|
73
|
$
|
285
|
$
|
220
|
|
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation |
|
402
|
|
358
|
|
1,208
|
|
1,073
|
|
Expected return on assets
|
|
(145)
|
|
(172)
|
|
(393)
|
|
(517)
|
|
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)
|
|
(28)
|
|
-
|
|
(83)
|
|
1
|
|
Recognized actuarial loss
|
|
103
|
|
12
|
|
310
|
|
36
|
|
Postretirement benefit cost
|
$
|
428
|
$
|
271
|
$
|
1,327
|
$
|
813
|
|
Combined net pension and postretirement
(benefit) cost |
$
|
441
|
$
|
(13)
|
$
|
1,394
|
$
|
(40)
|
|
Our
combined net pension and postretirement cost increased $454 in the third quarter
and $1,434 for the first nine months of 2003. This cost increase primarily
resulted from net investment losses and pension settlement gains recognized in
2002 and previous years, which reduced the amount of unrealized gains recognized
in 2003. (Under GAAP, if lump sum benefits paid from a plan to employees upon
termination or retirement exceed required thresholds, we recognize a portion of
previously unrecognized pension gains or losses attributable to that plans
assets and liabilities. Until 2002, we had unrecognized net gains, primarily
because our actual investment returns exceeded our expected investment returns.
During 2002, we made lump sum benefit payments in excess of the GAAP thresholds,
resulting in the recognition of net gains, referred to as pension
settlement gains.) |
|
The following four other factors also increased our combined net pension and postretirement cost:
|
|
-
Our decision to lower our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets from
9.5% to 8.5% for 2003, based on our long-term view of future market returns,
increased costs approximately $86 in the third quarter and $257 for the first
nine months of 2003.
-
The reduction of the discount rates used to calculate service and interest cost
from 7.5% to 6.75%, in response to lower corporate bond interest rates,
increased this cost approximately $41 in the third quarter and $122 for the
first nine months of 2003.
-
Medical and prescription drug claims increased expense approximately $38 in the
third quarter and $114 for the first nine months of 2003.
-
We increased the assumed medical cost trend rate in 2003 from 8.0% to 9.0% for
retirees 64 and under and from 9.0% to 10.0% for retirees 65 and over, trending
to an expected increase of 5.0% in 2009 for all retirees, prior to adjustment
for cost-sharing provisions of the medical and dental plans for certain retired
employees, in response to rising claim costs. This increase in the medical cost
trend rate increased our combined net pension and postretirement cost
approximately $47 in the third quarter and $140 for the first nine months of
2003.
|
|
As
a result of this increase in our combined net pension and postretirement cost,
we have taken steps to implement additional cost controls. To offset some of the
increases in medical costs mentioned above, in mid-2002, we implemented
cost-saving design changes in our management medical and dental plans including
increased participant contributions for medical and dental coverage and
increased prescription drug co-payments which began in January 2003. These
changes reduced our postretirement cost approximately $57 in the third quarter
and $171 for the first nine months of 2003. |
|
While
we will continue our cost-cutting efforts discussed above, certain factors, such
as investment returns, depend largely on trends in the U.S. securities market
and the general U.S. economy. Our ability to improve the performance of those
factors is limited. In particular, uncertainty in the securities markets and
U.S. economy could result in investment losses and a decline in plan assets,
which under GAAP we will recognize over the next several years. As a result of
these economic impacts and assumption changes discussed above, we expect a
combined net pension and postretirement cost of between $1,800 and $2,000 ($0.36
to $0.40 per share) in 2003. Approximately 10% of these costs will be
capitalized as part of construction labor, providing a small reduction in the
net expense recorded. Should the securities markets decline and medical and
prescription drug costs continue to increase significantly, we would expect
increasing annual combined net pension and postretirement cost for the next
several years. Additionally, should actual experience differ from actuarial
assumptions, combined net pension and postretirement cost would be affected in
future years. |
SBC
COMMUNICATIONS INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Throughout this document,
SBC Communications Inc. is referred to as we or SBC. A
reference to a Note in this section refers to the accompanying Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Results
Our financial results in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2003
and 2002 are summarized as follows:
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Operating revenues
|
$
|
10,239
|
$
|
10,556
|
(3.0)
|
%
|
$
|
30,776
|
$
|
31,921
|
(3.6)
|
%
|
Operating expenses
|
|
8,629
|
|
8,527
|
1.2
|
|
|
25,519
|
|
25,546
|
(0.1)
|
|
Operating income
|
|
1,610
|
|
2,029
|
(20.7)
|
|
|
5,257
|
|
6,375
|
(17.5)
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
1,815
|
|
2,541
|
(28.6)
|
|
|
7,550
|
|
7,599
|
(0.6)
|
|
Income before cumulative effect
of accounting changes |
|
1,216
|
|
1,709
|
(28.8)
|
|
|
5,059
|
|
5,118
|
(1.2)
|
|
Cumulative effect of accounting
changes, net of tax 1
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
2,548
|
|
(1,820)
|
-
|
|
Net Income
|
$
|
1,216
|
$
|
1,709
|
(28.8)
|
%
|
$
|
7,607
|
$
|
3,298
|
-
|
|
1 |
The first nine months of 2003 includes cumulative effect of accounting changes
of $2,548: a $3,684 benefit related to the adoption of a new accounting
standard, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations (FAS 143); and a $1,136 charge related to
the January 1, 2003 change in the method in which we recognize revenues and
expenses related to publishing directories from the issue basis
method to the amortization method. The first nine months of 2002
includes a cumulative effect of accounting change related to a charge for the
adoption of a new accounting standard, Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (FAS 142). |
Overview Our
operating income declined $419, or 20.7%, in the third quarter and $1,118, or
17.5%, for the first nine months of 2003 due primarily to the continued loss of
revenues from retail access lines caused by providing below-cost Unbundled
Network Element-Platform (UNE-P) wholesale lines, which was greater than the
expense reductions in response to UNE-P. (UNE-P rules require us to sell our
lines and the end-to-end services provided over those lines to competitors at
below cost while still absorbing the costs of deploying, provisioning,
maintaining and repairing those lines. See our Competitive and Regulatory
Environment for further discussion of UNE-P.) Additional factors contributing to
the decline were the uncertain U.S. economy, and increased competition,
including technology substitution such as wireless and cable. Although retail
access line losses have continued, the trend has slowed recently in our West and
Southwest regions, reflecting our ability in those regions to now offer retail
interLATA (traditional) long-distance as well as the introduction of offerings
combining multiple services for one fixed price (bundles).
An increase in our combined
net pension and postretirement cost of $454 in the third quarter and $1,434 for
the first nine months contributed to the decline in operating income. In
addition, the change in our method of accounting for publishing directories from
the issue basis method to the amortization method (see
Note 1 and our Directory segment) decreased operating income approximately $43
in the third quarter and increased operating income $594 for the first nine
months of 2003. Absent that accounting change, operating income would have
declined 18.5% in the third quarter and 26.9% for the first nine months.
Operating revenues
Our operating revenues decreased $317, or 3.0%, in the third quarter and $1,145,
or 3.6%, for the first nine months of 2003, primarily due to lower voice
revenues resulting from the continued loss of retail access lines to UNE-P
wholesale lines, as well as the uncertain U.S. economy and increased
competition. The change in directory accounting mentioned above also decreased
revenue approximately $54. However, for the first nine months of 2003 the
directory accounting change still increased revenues by approximately $769 since
under the former method of accounting, directory revenues were not earned evenly
within each calendar year (see Note 1).
Operating expenses
Our operating expenses increased $102, or 1.2%, in the third quarter and
decreased $27, or 0.1%, for the first nine months of 2003. Our third quarter and
year-to-date operating expenses reflect increasing costs related to our pension
and postretirement benefit plans as well as increased expenses to enhance
customer growth, including sales and advertising support for DSL and
long-distance marketing initiatives. Our combined net pension and postretirement
cost increased operating expenses approximately $454 in the third quarter and
$1,434 for the first nine months of 2003 (see further discussion below).
Additionally, the change in directory accounting mentioned above, increased
year-to-date operating expenses approximately $175. However, the change in
directory accounting decreased third-quarter expenses approximately $11.
Expense growth was
partially offset in the third quarter and more than offset for the first nine
months by several factors. Costs were reduced primarily due to the decline in
our work force (down approximately 9,900 employees compared to the third quarter
of 2002). Second, we recorded charges in 2002, which favorably affected
comparisons with 2003. Specifically, these 2002 charges included $185 in the
third quarter and $413 for the first nine months for enhanced pension benefits
and severance costs related to a workforce-reduction program and additional bad
debt reserves of $125 for the first nine months as a result of the WorldCom Inc.
(WorldCom) bankruptcy filing. Third, the impact of the adoption of FAS 143
decreased our operating expenses approximately $70 in the third quarter and $210
for the first nine months of 2003 (see Note 1).
Combined Net Pension
and Postretirement Benefit Our combined net pension and
postretirement cost increased $454 in the third quarter and $1,434 for the first
nine months of 2003. This cost increase primarily resulted from net investment
losses and pension settlement gains recognized in 2002 and previous years, which
reduced the amount of unrealized gains recognized in 2003. (See Note 7 for a
discussion of pension settlement gains.)
Four other factors also
increased our combined net pension and postretirement cost in the third quarter
and first nine months of 2003. First, this cost increased approximately $86 in
the third quarter and $257 for the first nine months due to our decision to
lower our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets from 9.5% to 8.5% for
2003, based on our long-term view of future market returns. Second, the
reduction of the discount rate used to calculate service and interest cost from
7.5% to 6.75%, in response to lower corporate bond interest rates, increased
this cost approximately $41 in the third quarter and $122 for the first nine
months. Third, medical and prescription drug claims increased expense
approximately $38 in the third quarter and $114 for the first nine months.
Fourth, in response to rising claim costs, we increased the assumed medical cost
trend rate in 2003 from 8.0% to 9.0% for retirees 64 and under and from 9.0% to
10.0% for retirees 65 and over, trending to an expected increase of 5.0% in 2009
for all retirees, prior to adjustment for cost-sharing provisions of the medical
and dental plans for certain retired employees. This increase in the medical
cost trend rate increased our combined net pension and postretirement cost
approximately $47 in the third quarter and $140 for the first nine months of
2003.
As a result of this
increase in our combined net pension and postretirement cost, we have taken
steps to implement additional cost controls. To offset some of the increases in
medical costs mentioned above, in mid-2002, we implemented cost-saving design
changes in our management medical and dental plans including increased
participant contributions for medical and dental coverage and increased
prescription drug co-payments which began in January 2003. These changes reduced
our postretirement cost approximately $57 in the third quarter and $171 for the
first nine months of 2003.
While we will continue our
cost-cutting efforts discussed above, certain factors, such as investment
returns, depend largely on trends in the U.S. securities market and the general
U.S. economy. Our ability to improve the performance of those factors is
limited. In particular, uncertainty in the securities markets and U.S. economy
could result in investment losses and a decline in plan assets, which under
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) we will
recognize over the next several years. As a result of these economic impacts and
assumption changes discussed below, we expect a combined net pension and
postretirement cost of between $1,800 and $2,000 ($0.36 to $0.40 per share) in
2003. Approximately 10% of these costs will be capitalized as part of
construction labor, providing a small reduction in the net expense recorded.
Should the securities markets decline and medical and prescription drug costs
continue to increase significantly, we would expect increasing annual combined
net pension and postretirement cost for the next several years. Additionally,
should actual experience differ from actuarial assumptions, combined net pension
and postretirement cost would be affected in future years (see Note 7).
Interest expense
decreased $76, or 21.3%, in the third quarter and $74, or 7.1%, for the
first nine months of 2003. This decrease in interest expense was due to a
decrease of approximately $6,000 in outstanding debt compared to the third
quarter of 2002.
Interest income
decreased $11, or 8.0%, in the third quarter and $22, or 5.2%, for the first
nine months of 2003 primarily due to a decrease in the interest rate charged to
Cingular (see Note 6).
Equity in net income of
affiliates decreased $392, or 53.8%, in the third quarter and $443, or
27.4%, for the first nine months of 2003. The decreases were due to lower
results from our international holdings primarily due to gains which occurred in
2002 and forgone equity income from the disposition of investments. The
decreases were also due to lower results from Cingular Wireless (Cingular).
Income from our international holdings decreased approximately $320 in the third
quarter and $407 for the first nine months. Our proportionate share of
Cingulars results decreased approximately $74 in the third quarter and $42
for the first nine months. We account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular
under the equity method of accounting and therefore include our proportionate
share of Cingulars results in our equity in net income of affiliates line
item in our consolidated financial statements. Results from our international
holdings are discussed in detail in International Segment Results
and Cingulars operating results are discussed in detail in the
Cingular Segment Results section.
Other income (expense) -
net increased $20 in the third quarter and $1,460 for the first nine months
of 2003. The increase in the third quarter of 2003 was primarily due to larger
net gains on dispositions in the third quarter of 2003, specifically a gain of
approximately $31 on the sale of shares of BCE, Inc. (BCE) which was partially
offset by a $10 loss on the sale of a building. Results in the third quarter of
2002 included a $19 gain on the sale of shares of Amdocs Limited (Amdocs) and
income of $28 related to market adjustments on Canadian dollar foreign-currency
contracts. These third quarter 2002 gains were offset by charges of
approximately $32 for the reduction in the value of wireless properties that may
be received as a settlement of a receivable and $10 for adjustments to the
market value of certain investments.
The increase for the first
nine months of 2003 was primarily due to larger gains on 2003 dispositions
compared to 2002. The 2003 gains included approximately $1,574 on the sale of
our interest in Cegetel and gains of $104 on the sales of Yahoo! Inc. (Yahoo!)
and BCE shares. These 2003 gains were partially offset by a $10 loss on the
building sale, mentioned above, during the first nine months of 2003. Results
for the first nine months of 2002 included gains of approximately $148 related
to the redemption of a portion of our interest in Bell Canada, $109 on the sale
of our investment of Amdocs shares mentioned above, and $59 on the sale of
shares of our investments in Teléfonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Telmex) and
América Móvil S.A. de C.V. (América Móvil). In addition, the
first nine months of 2002 included income of $28 mentioned above, related to
market adjustments on Canadian dollar foreign-currency contracts. These gains
were partially offset by 2002 charges of approximately $60 related to the
decline in value of our investment in Williams Communications Group Inc., $32
for the reduction in the value of wireless properties that may be received as a
settlement of a receivable mentioned above, and $16 for market value adjustments
mentioned in the third quarter 2002 discussion.
Income taxes
decreased $233, or 28.0%, in the third quarter and increased $10, or 0.4%, for
the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in the third quarter was primarily
due to lower income before income taxes. Year over year income taxes remained
relatively steady. Our effective tax rate was 33% for the third quarter and for
the first nine months of 2003, as compared to 32.7% for the third quarter and
32.6% for the first nine months of 2002.
Cumulative Effect of
Accounting Changes Effective January 1, 2003, we changed our method of
recognizing revenues and expenses related to publishing directories from the
issue basis method to the amortization method. See Note
1 for further details. Our directory accounting change resulted in a noncash
charge of $1,136, net of an income tax benefit of $714, recorded as a cumulative
effect of accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of Income as of
January 1, 2003.
On January 1, 2003, we
adopted FAS 143, which changed the way we depreciate certain types of our
property, plant and equipment. See Note 1 for further details. The noncash gain
resulting from adoption was $3,684, net of deferred taxes of $2,249, recorded as
a cumulative effect of accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of Income
as of January 1, 2003.
On January 1, 2002, we
adopted FAS 142. Adoption of FAS 142 means that we stopped amortizing goodwill,
and at least annually we will test the remaining book value of goodwill for
impairment. See Note 1 for further details. Our total cumulative effect of
accounting change from adopting FAS 142 was a noncash charge of $1,820, net of
an income tax benefit of $5, recorded as of January 1, 2002.
Selected Financial And Operating Data
At September 30, or for the nine months then ended:
|
2003
|
2002
|
Network access lines in service (000)
|
55,260
|
57,628
|
Wholesale lines (000) |
6,997
|
5,098
|
Long-distance lines in service (000)
|
11,507
|
5,890
|
DSL lines in service (000)
|
3,138
|
1,954
|
Access minutes of use (000,000)
|
193,547
|
202,958
|
Number of SBC employees
|
172,540
|
182,440
|
Cingular Wireless customers 2 (000)
|
23,385
|
22,076
|
1 |
See our Liquidity and Capital Resources section for discussion. |
2 |
Amounts represent 100% of the cellular/PCS customers of Cingular. |
Segment Results
Our segments represent
strategic business units that offer different products and services and are
managed accordingly. As required by GAAP, our operating segment results
presented in Note 4 and discussed below for each segment follow our internal
management reporting. Under GAAP segment reporting rules, we analyze our various
operating segments based on segment income. Interest expense, interest income,
other income (expense) net and income tax expense are managed only on a
total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated
results. Therefore, these items are not included in the calculation of each
segments percentage of our total segment income. We have five reportable
segments that reflect the current management of our business: (1) wireline; (2)
Cingular; (3) directory; (4) international; and (5) other.
The wireline segment
provides landline telecommunications services, including local and long-distance
voice, switched access, data and messaging services.
The Cingular segment
reflects 100% of the results reported by Cingular, our wireless joint venture.
This segment replaces our previously titled wireless segment, which
included 60% of Cingulars revenues and expenses. In our consolidated
financial statements, we report our 60% proportionate share of Cingulars
results as equity in net income of affiliates.
The directory segment
includes all directory operations, including Yellow and White Pages advertising
and electronic publishing. In the first quarter of 2003 we changed our method of
accounting for revenues and expenses in our directory segment. Results for 2003,
and going forward, will be shown under the amortization method. This means that
revenues and direct expenses are recognized ratably over the life of the
directory, typically 12 months. This accounting change will affect only the
timing of the recognition of revenues and direct expenses. It will not affect
the total amounts recognized.
Our international segment
includes all investments with primarily international operations. The other
segment includes all corporate and other operations as well as the equity income
from our investment in Cingular. Although we analyze Cingulars revenues
and expenses under the Cingular segment, we record equity in net income of
affiliates (from non-international investments) in the other segment.
The following tables show
components of results of operations by segment. A discussion of significant
segment results is also presented following each table. Capital expenditures for
each segment are discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Wireline
Segment
Results
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Segment operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voice
|
$
|
5,472
|
$
|
6,158
|
(11.1)
|
%
|
$
|
16,817
|
$
|
18,780
|
(10.5)
|
%
|
Data
|
|
2,576
|
|
2,441
|
5.5
|
|
|
7.546
|
|
7,257
|
4.0
|
|
Long-distance voice
|
|
668
|
|
594
|
12.5
|
|
|
1,858
|
|
1,773
|
4.8
|
|
Other
|
|
410
|
|
456
|
(10.1)
|
|
|
1,234
|
|
1,357
|
(9.1)
|
|
Total Segment Operating Revenues
|
|
9,126
|
|
9,649
|
(5.4)
|
|
|
27,455
|
|
29,167
|
(5.9)
|
|
Segment operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
4,024
|
|
3,958
|
1.7
|
|
|
11,691
|
|
11,623
|
0.6
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
2,144
|
|
2,066
|
3.8
|
|
|
6,478
|
|
6,252
|
3.6
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
1,928
|
|
2,117
|
(8.9)
|
|
|
5,850
|
|
6,335
|
(7.7)
|
|
Total Segment Operating Expenses
|
|
8,096
|
|
8,141
|
(0.6)
|
|
|
24,019
|
|
24,210
|
(0.8)
|
|
Segment Income
|
$
|
1,030
|
$
|
1,508
|
(31.7)
|
%
|
$
|
3,436
|
$
|
4,957
|
(30.7)
|
%
|
Our wireline segment
operating income margin was 11.3% in the third quarter of 2003, compared to
15.6% in the third quarter of 2002, and 12.5% for the first nine months of 2003,
compared to 17.0% for the first nine months of 2002. The decline in our wireline
segment operating income margin was due primarily to the loss of revenue from a
decline from September 2002 to September 2003 in retail access lines of
4,238,000, or 8.1%, primarily caused by below-cost UNE-P. This decline was
greater than the expense reductions in response to UNE-P. Additional factors
contributing to the margin decrease were loss of revenues from the uncertain
U.S. economy, increased competition, and an increase in our combined net pension
and postretirement cost.
Total switched access lines
in service at September 30, 2003 of 55,260,000 reflect a decline of 2,368,000,
or 4.1%, from September 30, 2002 levels. Of this total, retail access lines of
47,780,000 represent 86.5% of total access lines, while at September 30, 2002,
retail access lines accounted for 90.3% of total access lines. During this same
period, wholesale lines (which include UNE-P and resale) increased by 1,899,000,
or 37.2%, to 6,997,000. Wholesale lines represent 12.7% of total access lines at
September 30, 2003, compared to 8.8% of total lines a year earlier. As our ratio
of wholesale lines to total access lines continues to grow, additional pressure
will be applied to our wireline segment operating margin, since the wholesale
revenue we receive is limited by (generally below-cost) various state UNE-P
rates but our cost to service and maintain wholesale lines is essentially the
same as for retail lines.
While retail access lines
have continued to decline during the third quarter, the trend has slowed
recently in our West and Southwest regions reflecting our ability to now offer
retail interLATA service in those regions and the introduction of bundled
offerings in those regions (see Long-distance voice below). We also
have now received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to
offer retail interLATA service in our Midwest region (see our Competitive and
Regulatory Environment). Retail access lines for the Midwest region have
decreased 10.7% since September 30, 2002, compared with declines of 5.6% in the
Southwest region and 8.1% in the West region, for the same period. As we begin
to offer interLATA long-distance service in the Midwest region, we expect that
access line losses in this region will begin to moderate somewhat in the fourth
quarter based on the experience of our other regions. However
the expected favorable impact from offering interLATA long-distance service in
the Midwest may be mitigated by the UNE-P rates in effect in those states, which
are generally lower than in our other states. See further discussion of the
details of our wireline segment revenue and expense fluctuations below.
|
Voice
revenues decreased $686, or 11.1%, in the third quarter and $1,963, or 10.5%,
for the first nine months of 2003 due primarily to the continued loss of retail
access lines caused by providing below-cost UNE-P. The uncertain U.S. economy
and increased competition, including technology substitution such as wireless
and cable, also contributed to the decline in revenues. Our retail consumer and
business access lines decreased by 9.4% and 6.1% respectively, and our total
access lines declined by 4.1%. The continued access-line declines decreased
revenues approximately $385 in the third quarter and $1,086 for the first nine
months. |
|
Pricing
responses to competitors offerings and regulatory changes reduced revenue
approximately $137 in the third quarter and $223 for the first nine months of
2003. Settlements and billing adjustments with our wholesale customers also
decreased revenues approximately $88 in the third quarter and $192 for the first
nine months. Revenues from calling features (e.g., Caller ID and voice mail)
decreased approximately $63 in the third quarter and $292 for the first nine
months, due to the uncertain economy and access-line declines. Reduced demand
for inside wire service agreements decreased revenues approximately $35 in the
third quarter and $105 for the first nine months. Revenue also decreased
approximately $33 in the third quarter and $146 for the first nine months due to
a California regulatory order that affected UNE-P pricing. Lower demand for
local plus plans (expanded local calling area) decreased revenues
approximately $31 in the third quarter and $57 for the first nine months.
Payphone revenues decreased approximately $24 in the third quarter and $73 for
the first nine months. Reduced demand for voice customer-provided equipment
decreased revenues approximately $10 in the third quarter and $41 for the first
nine months. |
|
Partially
offsetting these revenue declines, demand for wholesale services, primarily
UNE-P lines provided to competitors, increased revenues approximately $109 in
the third quarter and $391 for the first nine months of 2003. |
|
Revenue
also increased approximately $10 in the third quarter due to an additional
accrual related to the 2002 approval by the Texas Public Utility Commission
(TPUC) that allows us to collect higher local rates than we had previously
billed in 32 telephone exchanges (retroactive to 1999). In the second quarter of
2002, we accrued revenue of $46 in connection with this issue. (These accruals
represent previously earned revenue which we expect to collect in future
periods.) The larger 2002 accrual resulted in a decrease in revenue of $36 for
the first nine months of 2003 when compared to 2002. In addition to these
accruals for previously earned revenue, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2002,
we began charging the higher local rates approved by the TPUC on a going-forward
basis. As a result of these higher rates, revenue increased approximately $5 in
the third quarter and $15 for the first nine months of 2003. The net effect of
the TPUCs 2002 decision was to increase revenue approximately $15 in the
third quarter and decrease revenue approximately $21 for the first nine months
of 2003. |
|
Data
revenues increased $135 or 5.5%, in the third quarter and $289, or 4.0%, for the
first nine months of 2003. The increases are primarily due to continued growth
in DSL, our broadband internet-access service, which increased data transport
revenues approximately $125 in the third quarter and $348 for the first nine
months of 2003. The number of DSL lines in service grew to approximately
3,138,000 as compared to 1,954,000 at September 30, 2002 and increased
approximately 365,000 as compared to June 30, 2003. Revenue from our
high-capacity data transport services was essentially flat in the third quarter
and for the first nine months as increased demand was mostly offset by price
decreases and volume discounts to respond to competition. These price decreases
also included the impact of the continued implementation of the 2000 federal
Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service order of approximately
$21 in the third quarter and $63 for the first nine months. |
|
Data
revenues increased approximately $45 in the third quarter and for the first nine
months as a result of a settlement with WorldCom. This increase was partially
offset for the first nine months by approximately $26 related to a prior-year
WorldCom settlement which increased 2002 revenue. |
|
Long-distance
voice revenues increased $74, or 12.5%, in the third quarter and $85, or
4.8%, for the first nine months of 2003. This increase was primarily driven by
increased sales of combined long-distance and local calling fixed-fee offerings
(referred to as bundling) in our West and Southwest regions. Also contributing
to the increase was continuing growth in our international calling bundles.
Retail interLATA revenues increased approximately $114 in the third quarter and
$223 for the first nine months of 2003. This increase reflects our April 2003
entry into the Nevada long-distance market and our late December 2002 entry into
the California long-distance market in addition to our previous entries into the
Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas long-distance
markets. In September 2003, we received approval to provide long-distance in
Michigan and launched our long-distance service in that state on September 26,
2003. Additionally, we received approval on October 15, 2003 to offer
long-distance services in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin and launched our
long-distance service in these four states on October 24, 2003. We are now
authorized to offer interLATA long-distance services nationwide. In addition,
retail international long-distance revenue increased approximately $33 in the
third quarter and $61 for the first nine months of 2003 due to higher call
volumes that originate or terminate internationally. |
|
Partially
offsetting these increases was a decline in retail intraLATA long-distance
(local toll) revenues of approximately $77 during the third quarter and $202 for
the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in intraLATA revenues is
attributable to market-driven price decreases related to increased competition
and our fixed-fee bundling packages, access line losses and a decline in minutes
of use. IntraLATA revenues declined due to access line losses by approximately
$26 in the third quarter and $84 for the first nine months. The market-driven
price reductions decreased intraLATA revenues approximately $15 in the third
quarter and $35 for the first nine months of 2003. Decreases in intraLATA
minutes of use also contributed to the decline in the third quarter and for the
first nine months of 2003 primarily related to the increase in sales of our
fixed fee bundles. We expect these declining intraLATA revenue trends to
continue. |
|
Revenue
from wholesale long-distance services provided to Cingular, under a 2002
related-party agreement, was essentially flat in the third quarter and increased
approximately $19 for the first nine months of 2003. However, this did not have
a material impact on our net income as the long-distance revenue was mostly
offset when we recorded our share of equity income in Cingular. Excluding the
revenues generated from our agreement with Cingular, long-distance voice
revenues increased approximately $66, or 3.7%, for the first nine months of
2003. |
|
Other
operating revenues decreased $46, or 10.1%, in the third quarter and $123, or
9.1%, for the first nine months of 2003. Demand for directory and operator
assistance, carrier billing and collection, and other miscellaneous products and
services decreased approximately $35 for the third quarter and $112 for the
first nine months of 2003. Wholesale billing adjustments and deferred activation
fees also decreased revenues approximately $12 in the third quarter and $39 for
the first nine months. Various one-time adjustments decreased revenue by
approximately $24 in the third quarter and for the first nine months. Partially
offsetting these decreases, marketing commissions paid by Cingular for each
customer acquired through an SBC sales channel increased revenue approximately
$21 in the third quarter and $48 for the first nine months of 2003. |
|
Cost
of sales expenses increased $66, or 1.7%, in the third quarter and $68, or
0.6%, for the first nine months of 2003. Cost of sales consists of costs we
incur to provide our products and services, including costs of operating and
maintaining our networks. Costs in this category include our repair technicians
and repair services, network planning and engineering, operator services,
information technology, property taxes related to elements of our network, and
payphone operations. Pension and postretirement costs are also included to the
extent that they are allocated to our network labor force and other employees
who perform the functions listed in this paragraph. |
|
Our
combined net pension and postretirement cost (which includes certain
employee-related benefits) increased approximately $240 in the third quarter and
$724 for the first nine months, due to net investment losses, previous
recognition of pension settlement gains reducing the amount of unrealized gains
recognized in the current year, a lower assumed long-term rate of return on plan
assets and a reduction in the discount rate. See Note 7 for further details.
Salary and wage merit increases and other bonus accrual adjustments increased
expense approximately $154 for the third quarter and $402 for the first nine
months of 2003. Reciprocal compensation expense (fees paid to connect calls
outside our network) for our long-distance lines increased approximately $60 in
the third quarter and $119 for the first nine months due to a significant
increase in minutes used from additional long-distance customers since we began
service in California and to the increased sales of fixed fee plans with
unlimited usage. |
|
Partially
offsetting the increases, expenses decreased approximately $120 in the third
quarter and $256 for the first nine months of 2003 due to lower severance
accruals. Lower employee levels decreased expenses, primarily salary and wages,
approximately $41 in the third quarter and $266 for the first nine months. Other
employee-related expenses including travel, training and conferences decreased
approximately $4 in the third quarter and $44 for the first nine months of 2003. |
|
Other
non-employee related expenses such as contract services, agent commissions and
materials and supplies costs also decreased approximately $232 in the third
quarter and $460 for the first nine months of 2003. Reciprocal compensation
expense related to our wholesale lines decreased approximately $41 in the third
quarter and $90 for the first nine months of 2003 as the lower rates that we
have negotiated with other carriers have more than offset the growth in minutes
that our customers have used outside of our network. |
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $78, or 3.8%, in the third
quarter and $226, or 3.6%, for the first nine months of 2003. Selling, general
and administrative expenses consist of our provision for uncollectible accounts,
advertising costs, sales and marketing functions, including our retail and
wholesale customer service centers, centrally managed real estate costs,
including maintenance and utilities on all owned and leased buildings, credit
and collection functions and corporate overhead costs, such as finance, legal,
human resources and external affairs. Pension and postretirement costs are also
included to the extent they relate to employees who perform the functions listed
in this paragraph. |
|
Salary
and wage merit increases and other bonus accrual adjustments increased expenses
approximately $134 in the third quarter and $272 for the first nine months of
2003. Our combined net pension and postretirement cost (which includes certain
employee-related benefits) increased approximately $118 in the third quarter and
$355 for the first nine months, due to net investment losses, previous
recognition of pension settlement gains reducing the amount of unrealized gains
recognized in the current year, a lower assumed long-term rate of return on plan
assets and a reduction in the discount rate. See Note 7 for further details.
Advertising expense increased approximately $66 in the third quarter and $244
for the first nine months, primarily driven by our launch of long-distance
service in California and bundling initiatives. We expect advertising to
increase in future quarters as we begin offering interLATA long-distance service
in all five Midwest states in the fourth quarter. |
|
Our
provision for uncollectible accounts decreased approximately $135 in the third
quarter and $383 for the first nine months, as we continued to experience fewer
losses from our retail customers and a decrease in bankruptcy filings by our
wholesale customers. Lower severance accruals decreased expenses approximately
$59 in the third quarter and $134 for the first nine months. Additionally, lower
employee levels decreased expenses approximately $24 in the third quarter and
$108 for the first nine months. Other non-employee related expenses such as
contract services, agent commissions and materials and supplies costs also
decreased approximately $22 in the third quarter and increased $8 for the first
nine months. |
|
Depreciation
and amortization expenses decreased $189, or 8.9%, in the third quarter and
$485, or 7.7%, for the first nine months of 2003. The change in our depreciation
rates when we adopted FAS 143 (see Note 1), decreased expenses approximately $85
in the third quarter and $255 for the first nine months. Reduced capital
expenditures accounted for the remainder of the decrease. |
Cingular
Segment
Results
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Segment operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
$
|
3,571
|
$
|
3,525
|
1.3
|
%
|
$
|
10,448
|
$
|
10,333
|
1.1
|
%
|
Equipment
|
|
383
|
|
254
|
50.8
|
|
|
882
|
|
737
|
19.7
|
|
Total Segment Operating Revenues
|
|
3,954
|
|
3,779
|
4.6
|
|
|
11,330
|
|
11,070
|
2.3
|
|
Segment operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services and equipment sales
|
|
1,504
|
|
1,249
|
20.4
|
|
|
3,926
|
|
3,572
|
9.9
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
1,441
|
|
1,436
|
0.3
|
|
|
3,927
|
|
4,110
|
(4.5)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
521
|
|
478
|
9.0
|
|
|
1,517
|
|
1,383
|
9.7
|
|
Total Segment Operating Expenses
|
|
3,466
|
|
3,163
|
9.6
|
|
|
9,370
|
|
9,065
|
3.4
|
|
Segment Operating Income
|
|
488
|
|
616
|
(20.8)
|
|
|
1,960
|
|
2,005
|
(2.2)
|
|
Interest Expense
|
|
197
|
|
233
|
(15.5)
|
|
|
652
|
|
679
|
(4.0)
|
|
Equity in net income (loss) of
affiliates, net |
|
(87)
|
|
(64)
|
(35.9)
|
|
|
(235)
|
|
(189)
|
(24.3)
|
|
Other, net
|
|
(21)
|
|
(23)
|
8.7
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
(70)
|
32.9
|
|
Segment Income
|
$
|
183
|
$
|
296
|
(38.2)
|
%
|
$
|
1,026
|
$
|
1,067
|
(3.8)
|
%
|
We account for our 60%
economic interest in Cingular under the equity method of accounting in our
consolidated financial statements since we share control equally (i.e. 50/50)
with our 40% economic partner in the joint venture. We have equal voting rights
and representation on the board of directors that controls Cingular. This means
that our reported results include Cingulars results in the Equity in
Net Income of Affiliates line. However, when analyzing our segment
results, we evaluate Cingulars results on a stand-alone basis.
Accordingly, in the segment table above, we present 100% of Cingulars
revenues and expenses under Segment operating revenues and
Segment operating expenses. Including 100% of Cingulars
results in our segment operations (rather than 60% in equity in net income of
affiliates) affects the presentation of this segments revenues, expenses,
operating income, nonoperating items and segment income, but does not affect our
consolidated reported net income.
The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has adopted rules requiring companies to allow their customers
to keep their wireless number when switching to another company (generally
referred to as number portability). The FCC rules require number
portability to be available to customers by November 24, 2003. These rules could
increase Cingulars customer turnover (churn) rate and thereby
increase Cingulars costs to retain or add new customers. Cingular has
already incurred costs directed toward implementing these rules and minimizing
customer churn and expects these costs, consisting primarily of handset
subsidies, selling costs and greater staffing of customer care centers, to be
higher during the year following the effectiveness of these new rules. To the
extent industry churn remains higher than in the past, Cingular expects those
costs to continue increasing.
Cingulars wireless
networks use equipment with digital transmission technologies known as Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology and Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) technology. Cingular is currently in the process of
upgrading its existing TDMA markets to use GSM technology in order to provide a
common voice standard. Cingulars GSM network upgrade is substantially
complete and currently covers over 90% of Cingulars population of
potential customers (referred to in the media as POPs).
Additionally, through roaming agreements with other carriers, Cingular customers
will have GSM coverage in 90% of the U.S. at the end of 2003. Also, Cingular is
adding high-speed technologies for data services known as General Packet Radio
Services (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE).
In August 2003, Cingular
executed an agreement with NextWave Telecom, Inc. (NextWave) and certain of its
affiliates pursuant to which Cingular would purchase FCC licenses for wireless
spectrum in 34 markets from NextWave and its affiliates for $1,400 in cash. On
September 25, 2003, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New
York approved the sale. In addition, the transaction is subject to various other
closing conditions, many of which are outside of Cingulars control,
including approval from the FCC. The transaction is expected to close in the
first half of 2004.
Our Cingular segment
operating income margin was 12.3% in the third quarter and 17.3% for the first
nine months of 2003, compared to 16.3% in the third quarter and 18.1% for the
first nine months of 2002. The margins in the third quarter of 2003 were lower
than recent quarters as a result of a number of factors. Cingulars
operating expenses increased primarily due to acquisition costs related to
higher gross customer additions, and extensive customer retention and customer
service initiatives in anticipation of number portability. Network operating
costs also increased due to ongoing growth in customer usage and incremental
costs related to Cingulars GSM network upgrade. Partially offsetting these
expense increases were modest revenue growth and decreased costs in other areas,
including prior and ongoing system and process consolidations. At September 30,
2003, Cingular had approximately 23,385,000 customers, with net customer
additions of approximately 745,000 in the third quarter. Net customer additions
when compared to the same period in the prior year, increased in the third
quarter of 2003 approximately 852,000 and increased for the first nine months of
2003 by approximately 980,000. Gross customer additions increased approximately
818,000 in the third quarter and 647,000 for the first nine months of 2003 when
compared to the same periods in 2002. See further discussion of the details of
the Cingular segment revenue and expense fluctuations below.
|
Service
revenues increased $46, or 1.3%, in the third quarter and $115, or 1.1%, for
the first nine months of 2003. Increases in 2003 customer additions, local
minutes of use and data services as compared to 2002 increased local service
revenues approximately $60 in the third quarter and $256 for the first nine
months of 2003. Roaming and long-distance revenues from Cingular customers
increased approximately $25 in the third quarter and decreased $47 for the first
nine months. The $25 increase during the third quarter was driven by higher
usage in the summer months partially offset by lower rates. The $47 decline for
the first nine months was driven by customers continuing to migrate to
all-inclusive regional and national rate plans that include roaming and long
distance. Roaming revenues from other wireless carriers for use of
Cingulars network decreased approximately $29 in the third quarter and $85
for the first nine months of 2003, primarily due to lower negotiated roaming
rates, which offset the impact of increasing volumes. In addition, direct sales
channel activation revenues of approximately $18 were reclassified from local
service revenues to equipment sales as a result of the July 2003 adoption of
Emerging Issues Task Force Interpretation No. 00-21 (EITF 00-21), (see Note 1). |
|
Equipment
revenues increased $129, or 50.8%, in the third quarter and increased $145,
or 19.7%, for the first nine months of 2003. For the quarter and first nine
months of 2003, the increases in equipment sales were driven by increased
handset revenues primarily as a result of higher gross customer additions
partially offset by lower accessory revenues. The third quarter also included
increased upgrade unit sales as a result of the GSM upgrade and Cingulars
efforts to increase the number of customers under contract. In addition,
equipment revenues also increased due to the reclassification of $18 in direct
sales channel activation revenues from local service revenues to equipment sales
as a result of the July 2003 adoption of EITF 00-21 mentioned above, (see
Note 1). |
|
Cost
of services and equipment sales increased $255, or 20.4%, in the third
quarter and $354, or 9.9%, for the first nine months of 2003, primarily due to
increased equipment costs of $244 in the third quarter and $279 for the nine
months of 2003 as well as higher network costs. The higher equipment costs were
driven primarily by higher handset unit sales associated with the large increase
in gross customer additions and existing customers upgrading their units. Higher
equipment costs also resulted from higher per unit handset costs due to a shift
to higher-end handsets such as the dual-system TDMA/GSM handsets in use during
Cingulars GSM system conversion and newly introduced GSM-only handsets.
Network costs increased due to higher minutes of use of 19.1% in the third
quarter and 16.9% for the first nine months of 2003. Local network costs also
increased due to system expansion and increased costs of redundant TDMA networks
during the current GSM system upgrade. |
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $5, or 0.3%, in the third
quarter and decreased $183, or 4.5%, for the first nine months of 2003. Selling
expenses increased approximately $93 in the third quarter and decreased $15 for
the first nine months of 2003. The increase in the third-quarter 2003 selling
expenses was driven primarily by higher advertising costs and commissions
expense partially offset by lower sales and billing expenses. The higher
commissions expense reflects the nearly 35% increase in total postpaid and
prepaid gross customer additions compared with 2002. The lower billing expenses
reflect efficiencies gained from system conversions and related consolidations
in 2002. In addition, Cingular reduced its bad debt expense by approximately
$126 in the third quarter, of which nearly half was related to the net impact of
WorldCom bad debt write-offs in 2002 and a $20 WorldCom bad debt expense
recovery in 2003. |
|
For
the first nine months of 2003, the decrease can be attributed to reduced
employee-related costs as a result of a sales operation reorganization in 2002
mentioned above, lower billing expenses, lower customer services cost, and
reduced bad debt expense partially offset by higher commissions and advertising
expenses in 2003. |
|
Depreciation
and amortization expenses increased $43, or 9.0%, in the third quarter and
$134, or 9.7%, for the first nine months of 2003. The increase was primarily
related to higher capital expenditures for network upgrades including the GSM
overlay and increased depreciation on certain network assets resulting from
Cingulars decision in 2003 to shorten the estimated remaining useful life
of TDMA assets. Cingular determined that a reduction in the useful lives of TDMA
assets was warranted based on the projected transition of network traffic to GSM
technology. Useful lives were shortened to fully depreciate all TDMA equipment
by the end of 2008. As a result of the change in estimate, depreciation expense
increased by $23 in the third quarter and $65 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2003. |
Directory
Segment
Results
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Total Segment Operating Revenues
|
$
|
1,056
|
$
|
847
|
24.7
|
%
|
$
|
3,184
|
$
|
2,602
|
22.4
|
%
|
Segment operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
228
|
|
196
|
16.3
|
|
|
668
|
|
585
|
14.2
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
249
|
|
218
|
14.2
|
|
|
765
|
|
644
|
18.8
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
5
|
|
7
|
(28.6)
|
|
|
16
|
|
23
|
(30.4)
|
|
Total Segment Operating Expenses
|
|
482
|
|
421
|
14.5
|
|
|
1,449
|
|
1,252
|
15.7
|
|
Segment Income
|
$
|
574
|
$
|
426
|
34.7
|
%
|
$
|
1,735
|
$
|
1,350
|
28.5
|
%
|
Effective January 1, 2003,
we changed our method of recognizing revenues and expenses related to publishing
directories from the issue basis method to the
amortization method. The issue basis method recognizes revenues and
expenses at the time the initial delivery of the related directory is completed.
The amortization method recognizes revenues and expenses ratably over the life
of the directory, which is typically 12 months (see Note 1 for additional
detail). We made this change prospectively; therefore, in the table above,
results in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2003 are shown on
the amortization basis, while the third quarter and first nine months of 2002
are shown on the issue basis.
Our directory segment
income was $574 with an operating margin of 54.4% in the third quarter and
$1,735 with an operating margin of 54.5% for the first nine months of 2003. In
2002, our directory segment income was $426 with an operating margin of 50.3% in
the third quarter and $1,350 with a segment operating income margin of 51.9% for
the first nine months. If we had been using the amortization method in 2002, our
directory segment income would have been $560 with an operating margin of 52.4%
in the third quarter of 2002 and $1,772 with an operating margin of 54.8% for the
first nine months of 2002.
If we were to eliminate the
effects of the accounting change and shifts in the schedule of directory titles
published, our directory segment income would have been $617 and the operating
margin would have been 55.6% in the third quarter and $1,141, with an operating
margin of 47.3%, for the first nine months of 2003, compared to $644, with an
operating margin of 56.9%, in the third quarter and $1,223, with an operating
margin of 49.9%, for the first nine months of 2002. The decrease in segment
income of $26 in the third quarter and $82 for the first nine months as well as
the decreased operating margin was due primarily to increased employee related
costs combined with pressure on revenues from increased competition and lower
demand from advertisers. See further discussion of the details of our directory
segment revenue and expense fluctuations below.
|
Operating
revenues increased $209, or 24.7%, in the third quarter and $582, or 22.4%,
for the first nine months of 2003. The accounting change decreased revenues
approximately $54 in the third quarter and increased revenues approximately $769
for the first nine months of 2003, reflecting that the former method of
accounting resulted in unevenly earned revenues within a calendar year (see Note
1). Shifts in directory title publication dates increased revenues approximately
$284 in the third quarter and decreased revenues $150 for the first nine months.
Specifically, revenues increased approximately $330 in the third quarter and
decreased $14 for the first nine months primarily related to a shift in
publication dates from the second quarter in 2002 to the third quarter of 2003,
and decreased $46 in the third quarter and $136 for the first nine months from
extensions of directory title publication dates in 2002. Demand for directory
advertising decreased approximately $21 in the third quarter and $38 for the
first nine months of 2003, reflecting increased competition from other
publishers, other advertising media and continuing economic pressures on
advertising customers. If we had been using the amortization method in 2002,
operating revenues would have been $1,068 in the third quarter and $3,236 for
the first nine months. |
|
Cost
of sales increased $32, or 16.3%, in the third quarter and $83, or 14.2%,
for the first nine months of 2003. The accounting change decreased expenses
approximately $21 in the third quarter and increased expenses $55 for the first
nine months of 2003, while the shifts in the schedule of directory title
publications increased cost of sales approximately $35 in the third quarter and
decreased cost of sales $13 for the first nine months. Employee related costs
increased cost of sales approximately $24 in the third quarter and $67 for the
first nine months of 2003. |
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $31, or 14.2%, in the third
quarter and $121, or 18.8%, for the first nine months of 2003. The accounting
change increased expenses approximately $10 in the third quarter and $120 for
the first nine months, while the shifts in the schedule of directory title
publications increased selling expenses by approximately $30 in the third
quarter and reduced selling expenses approximately $11 for the first nine
months. Employee related costs increased selling, general and administrative
expenses approximately $2 in the third quarter and $25 for the first nine months
of 2003. The increased costs were partially offset by decreases in professional
and contracted services expense and other business expenses. |
International
Segment
Results
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Total Segment Operating Revenues
|
$
|
9
|
$
|
9
|
-
|
|
$
|
23
|
$
|
26
|
(11.5)
|
%
|
Total Segment Operating Expenses
|
|
10
|
|
17
|
(41.2)
|
|
|
42
|
|
58
|
(27.6)
|
|
Segment Operating Income (Loss)
|
|
(1)
|
|
(8)
|
87.5
|
|
|
(19)
|
|
(32)
|
40.6
|
|
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates
|
|
227
|
|
547
|
(58.5)
|
|
|
555
|
|
962
|
(42.3)
|
|
Segment Income
|
$
|
226
|
$
|
539
|
(58.1)
|
%
|
$
|
536
|
$
|
930
|
(42.4)
|
%
|
Our international segment
consists almost entirely of equity investments in international companies, the
income from which we report as equity in net income of affiliates. Revenues from
direct international operations are less than 1% of our consolidated revenues.
We discuss our quarterly results first and then summarize in a table the
individual results for our significant equity holdings.
Our earnings from foreign
affiliates are sensitive to exchange-rate changes in the value of the respective
local currencies. Our foreign investments are recorded under GAAP, which include
adjustments for the purchase method of accounting and exclude certain
adjustments required for local reporting in specific countries.
|
Segment
operating revenues were flat in the third quarter and decreased $3, or
11.5%, for the first nine months of 2003 primarily due to lower management fee
revenues. |
|
Segment
operating expenses decreased $7, or 41.2%, in the third quarter and $16, or
27.6%, for the first nine months of 2003 primarily due to a decrease in
corporate-allocated charges. |
|
Equity
in net income of affiliates decreased $320, or 58.5%, in the third quarter
and $407, or 42.3%, for the first nine months of 2003. The decreases were
primarily due to gains on a sale by Belgacom S.A. (Belgacom) and TDC A/S (TDC)
which occurred in 2002 (see Other Business Matters for a discussion
of our equity interests in Belgacom and TDC). Specifically, these 2002 gains
included approximately $75 in the third quarter and $180 for the first nine
months from Belgacom, related to a sale of a portion of its Netherlands wireless
operations and TDCs gain of approximately $296 in the third quarter and
$336 for the first nine months associated with that same sale. |
|
Additional
decreases in the third quarter were due to forgone equity income of
approximately $31 from the sale of Cegetel in the first quarter of 2003, a
decrease of $24 in equity income from Telmex due primarily to 2002 deferred tax
adjustments and unfavorable exchange rates and a decrease of $9 in equity income
from América Móvil primarily resulting from deferred tax adjustments,
partially offset by improved operating results. The decreases in the third
quarter were partially offset by increased equity income of approximately $27
from Telkom S.A. Limited (Telkom), primarily due to a favorable exchange rate
impact, and increased equity income of $17 from Belgacom due to improved
wireline and wireless operations and a favorable exchange rate impact. The
third-quarter 2003 decreases were also offset by the favorable comparison with a
TDC 2002 impairment charge of approximately $58. |
|
Comparisons
for the first nine months of 2003 were affected by 2002 gains of $17 from
Belgacom, related to a merger involving one of its subsidiaries and TDCs
gain of approximately $7 associated with that same transaction. Equity income
for the first nine months of 2003 also decreased due to restructuring charges of
$39 at TDC, and forgone equity income of approximately $57 and $53 from the
sales of Cegetel and Bell Canada respectively. Equity income from Telmex
decreased approximately $43 for the first nine months of 2003 due to a decline
in operating results, deferred tax adjustments, and unfavorable exchange rate
impacts partially offset by lower financing costs. |
|
The
decreases for the first nine months of 2003 were partially offset by the
favorable impact of $101 from a Belgacom 2002 restructuring charge, as well as
favorable exchange rate impacts at Belgacom and TDC of $20 and $27 for the first
nine months respectively. Also offsetting the decreases for the first nine
months of 2003 were improved operating results from Belgacoms wireline and
wireless operations and improved TDC Switzerland operations of approximately $43
and $32 for the first nine months respectively. Additionally, equity income from
América Móvil for the first nine months increased approximately $25
resulting from improved operating results and lower financing, partially offset
by tax adjustments. Equity income from Telkom for the first nine months
increased approximately $49 resulting primarily from a favorable exchange rate
impact. |
|
We
expect the foregone equity income from the dispositions of our Bell Canada and
Cegetel investments, as well as gains on indirect asset sales which occurred in
2002, to continue to adversely impact 2003 equity in net income of affiliates.
Additionally, we expect lower equity in net income of affiliates related to a
Belgacom agreement, which was announced in October 2003 (see Other
Business Matters). |
Our equity in net income of affiliates by major investment is listed below:
|
Third Quarter
|
|
Nine-Month Period
|
América Móvil
|
$
|
14
|
$
|
23
|
$
|
66
|
$
|
41
|
Telkom South Africa
|
|
40
|
|
13
|
|
79
|
|
30
|
International Equity in Net
Income of Affiliates
|
$
|
227
|
$
|
547
|
$
|
555
|
$
|
962
|
Other
Segment
Results
|
Third Quarter
|
Nine-Month Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
Change
|
|
Total Segment Operating Revenues
|
$
|
70
|
$
|
76
|
(7.9)
|
%
|
$
|
198
|
$
|
228
|
(13.2)
|
%
|
Total Segment Operating Expenses
|
|
63
|
|
(26)
|
-
|
|
|
93
|
|
128
|
(27.3)
|
|
Segment Operating Income
|
|
7
|
|
102
|
(93.1)
|
|
|
105
|
|
100
|
5.0
|
|
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates
|
|
110
|
|
182
|
(39.6)
|
|
|
618
|
|
654
|
(5.5)
|
|
Segment Income
|
$
|
117
|
$
|
284
|
(58.8)
|
%
|
$
|
723
|
$
|
754
|
(4.1)
|
%
|
Our other segment results
in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002 primarily
consist of corporate and other operations. Expenses increased in the third
quarter of 2003 primarily due to favorable employee-benefit related
mark-to-market and other adjustments that occurred in the third quarter of 2002.
Substantially all of the Equity in Net Income of Affiliates represents the
equity income from our investment in Cingular.
COMPETITIVE
AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Overview The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act) was intended to promote competition
and reduce regulation in U.S. telecommunications markets. Despite passage of the
Telecom Act, the telecommunications industry, particularly incumbent local
exchange carriers such as our wireline subsidiaries, continues to be subject to
significant regulation. The expected transition from an industry extensively
regulated by multiple regulatory bodies to a market-driven industry monitored by
state and federal agencies has not occurred as anticipated.
Our wireline subsidiaries
remain subject to extensive regulation by state regulatory commissions for
intrastate services and by the FCC for interstate services. For example, certain
state commissions, including those in California, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Ohio and Indiana, have significantly lowered the wholesale rates we are allowed
to charge competitors, including AT&T and MCI (formerly known as WorldCom),
for leasing parts of our network (unbundled network elements, or UNEs). These
mandated rates, which are generally below our cost, are significantly
contributing to continuing declines in our access-line revenues and
profitability. When UNEs are combined by incumbent local exchange carriers and
offered as a product to competitors as required by various state and federal
regulations, that complete set capable of providing total local service to a
customer is referred to as a UNE-P. Under UNE-P, our competitors market the
lines and collect revenues from customers, and from inter-exchange carriers for
originating and terminating long-distance traffic, but we still incur the
network costs, which generally exceed the rates we are permitted to charge
competitors for UNE-P. At the end of the third quarter of 2003, we had 401,000
more UNE-P lines than at the end of the second quarter. For the first nine
months of 2003 we lost 1.7 million retail customer lines to competitors who
obtained UNE-P lines from us.
Should this difficult and
uncertain regulatory environment stabilize, we expect that additional business
opportunities, especially in the broadband area, would be created. At the same
time, the continued uncertainty in the U.S. economy and increasing local
competition from multiple wireline and wireless providers in various markets
presents significant challenges for our business.
Triennial Review Order
On August 21, 2003, the FCC released its Triennial Review Order (TRO),
establishing new rules, which became effective October 2, 2003, concerning the
obligations of incumbent local exchange carriers, such as our wireline
subsidiaries, to make UNEs available. See our Overview section for a discussion
of UNEs. These rules are intended to replace the FCCs previous UNE rules,
which were vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit). With limited exceptions, the new rules are
consistent with the FCCs February 2003 press release summarizing its
review.
The TRO, rather than
establishing a uniform national structure for UNEs as we believe was mandated by
the D.C. Circuit, delegates key decisions on UNEs to the states, including rules
for below-cost UNE-P. In addition, the TRO revised rules regarding combinations
of unbundled local service (loop) and dedicated transport elements
(see discussion of enhanced extended links below) which could allow
competitors to access our wireline subsidiaries high-capacity lines
without paying access charges. Numerous legal challenges to the TRO have been
filed by SBC and others with the D.C. Circuit.
Set forth below is a
summary of the most significant aspects of the new rules. While these rules
apply only to our wireline subsidiaries, the words we or
our are used to simplify the discussion. In addition, the following
discussion is intended as a condensed summary of issues in the TRO rather than a
precise legal description of all of those specific issues.
- UNE-P As described above, UNE-P is a combination of all of the
network elements necessary to provide complete local service to a customer. The
new rules state that if we are not required to provide any one of those network
elements then we will not be required to provide the below-cost UNE-P itself.
From a practical perspective, the switching network element is the
most relevant component of the UNE-P, i.e., the element that routes a telephone
call or data to its destination. In its TRO, the FCC declined to rule whether we
must provide the switching element to competitors, instead leaving this issue to
each state commission to decide.
Although
the state commissions must decide this switching issue, the FCC did establish
two presumptions and a timetable for states to use in reaching their decision.
Specifically, the FCC presumed that if we do not provide switching, that
competitors in a particular market (1) would not face economic or operational
barrier(s) to providing service to larger business customers that are served by
high-capacity facilities and (2) would face such barriers in their ability to
serve other customers. Although the TRO appears to adopt objective measures for
states to apply in analyzing whether these barriers exist, it leaves the states
broad discretion in defining the relevant markets.
The
state commissions have 90 days from October 2, 2003 to challenge the FCCs
presumption that barriers do not exist for providing service to larger business
customers. For other customers, the states have nine months to complete their
analysis. If a state commission concludes that operational or economic barriers
do not exist in a market, we can stop providing below-cost UNE-P to competitors
in that market after a three-year transition period.
- Enhanced Extended Links We must provide combinations of unbundled high
capacity loops (an element of UNE-P) and transport elements (often referred to
as enhanced extended links or EELs) to competitors in certain
circumstances. The TRO revises the test for determining when EELs must be made
available. As a result of this change, long-distance carriers and wireless
companies may be able to purchase EELs at below-cost rates in place of special
access services, which is a component of our wireline revenues. We expect that
this aspect of the TRO could decrease our wireline revenues as much as $500
through the end of 2005.
-
Dedicated Transport The TRO redefines dedicated transport (interoffice
lines used by only a single customer) to include only those transmission
facilities connecting our switches or central offices, thus eliminating
unbundling of connections between our and competitor networks. The TRO concludes
that we must continue to provide access to dark fiber (unused fiber that must be
equipped with electronics before it can transmit a communications signal) and
DS3 and DS1 (line classifications) capacity transport as UNEs, except where
alternative wholesale facilities are available. State commissions are to perform
route-specific analyses to determine if such alternative wholesale facilities
exist for each of these services. Dark fiber and DS3 transports are also each
subject to review by the state commissions to identify whether competitors are
able to provide their own facilities. If state analysis determines that there
are no barriers, we will not be required to provide below-cost transport
services.
-
Broadband The TRO eliminates unbundling of certain telecommunications
technology that is primarily used for transmitting data and high-speed internet
access across telephone lines. For example, it eliminates unbundling of the
packet-switching capabilities (a highly efficient method of transmitting data)
of our local loops and eliminates unbundling of certain fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)
loops. FTTH loops are fiber-optic loops that connect directly from our network
to customers premises. Traditional telephone lines are copper; fiber-optic
lines are made of glass and can carry more information over far longer distances
than copper. Under the new rules, packet-switching and FTTH loops are not
subject to unbundling requirements; therefore, we will not be required to sell
them to competitors at below-cost UNE prices. However, we must continue to
provide unbundled access to copper-loop and sub-loop lines. In areas where
fiber-optic lines are installed in place of copper-loop lines, we will be
required to provide our competitors access either to the existing copper loop or
a non-packetized transmission path capable of providing voice-grade service over
the fiber-optic lines.
Under
another FCC order, we were required to share, on an unbundled basis, the
high-frequency portion of the local telephone lines with competitors so that
competitors could offer DSL services on a national basis. Under the TRO, this
high-frequency portion of the telephone line is no longer considered a UNE.
Current line sharing arrangements are to be maintained until the FCCs next
biennial review, which will commence in 2004. Competitors may purchase new line
sharing arrangements for up to one year after the TRO and will be required to
pay increasing amounts for such new line-sharing arrangements over the next
three years, at the end of which customers must be transitioned to new
arrangements. The California State Regulatory Commission has stated in a
decision that it has independent authority to decide whether the high-frequency
portion of the local telephone line is a UNE in disregard of this order, and we
are challenging that decision in federal court.
Although
the TROs broadband and line sharing provisions apparently provide some
regulatory relief, we are currently in the process of evaluating them;
therefore, the effects on our financial position and results of operations
cannot be quantified at this time.
-
UNE Pricing Rules The TRO clarifies two components of the FCC UNE-pricing
rules that govern the rates we charge competitors for interconnection and
leasing portions of our network. First, it recommends that the cost of capital
used in calculating UNE prices should reflect the risks associated with a
competitive market; and second, it states that the use of accelerated
depreciation may present a more accurate measure of calculating economic
depreciation. This portion of the TRO consists of suggestions rather than
mandates and, though helpful in theory, it is not clear the extent to which the
states will adhere to these guidelines; therefore, the effects of this portion
of the TRO on our financial position and results of operations are uncertain at
this time.
In September 2003, the FCC opened a proceeding to review how the cost structure
underlying the UNE-pricing rules is determined. These rules determine the
amounts we can charge for providing UNEs and have been based on
forward-looking costs. The FCC tentatively concluded that these
forward-looking costs need to more closely account for the real world
attributes of the routing and topography of the incumbents network
rather than using hypothetical networks that may be more cost-efficient. The FCC
will also review certain assumptions used in determining these costs, including
network capacity factors. We expect that this review will redefine
forward-looking costs in a manner positive for SBC, but we are not certain as to
the timing and magnitude.
-
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) The TRO opens a FNPRM to
seek comment on whether the FCC should modify its pick-and-choose
rule that permits requesting competitors to opt into individual portions of
interconnection agreements without accepting all the terms and conditions of the
agreements.
As the TRO is quite complex
and we are still in the process of evaluating it completely, we cannot fully
quantify the effects on our financial position or results of operations at this
time. However, the new unbundling rules will most likely create an even more
uncertain and more complex regulatory environment for our wireline subsidiaries,
possibly resulting in further reductions in revenues, capital expenditures and
employment levels. As the new rules give each state commission the authority to
determine which network elements are to be unbundled and to set UNE-P rules, the
rules will likely vary by state as well as be subject to implementation and
federal appeal on a state-by-state basis rather than uniform implementation and
review at the federal level. Although some relief appears to have been provided
by the broadband provisions of the TRO, the new rules may create increased
uncertainty and we expect that the TRO may have an overall unfavorable effect on
our results of operations and financial position.
We have filed two legal
challenges to these new rules with the D.C. Circuit. In August 2003, we, along
with the United States Telecom Association (USTA), Qwest Communications Inc.
(Qwest), and BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth), filed a Petition for a Writ of
Mandamus with the Court. We asked that the Court vacate the rules governing the
unbundling of switching serving non-large businesses and high-capacity
facilities and issue such an order within 45 days. The Court has directed the
FCC to respond. In September 2003, we, along with the USTA, Qwest, BellSouth,
and Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon), filed a notice of appeal and a motion
for a stay of certain portions of the TRO, including those concerning UNE-P and
EELs, with the D.C. Circuit, asking the court to reject the new rules. The D.C.
Circuit has recently issued two orders relative to the TRO. The Court has
consolidated all pending petitions for mandamus, petitions for review and
requests for expedition into one proceeding. The Court has established an
expedited schedule and has stated that it wants to be able to hear the cases as
early as mid-December 2003 (the TRO became effective on October 2).
Long-Distance
Applications The FCC approved our application to provide wireline interLATA
(traditional) long-distance for Michigan customers effective September 17, 2003,
and we launched service in Michigan under the SBC brand on September 26, 2003.
Additionally, the FCC approved our applications to offer interLATA long-distance
services in Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana effective October 15, 2003,
and we began offering long-distance service in these states on October 24, 2003.
We now have approval to offer interLATA long-distance nationwide and will begin
offering a full bundle of telecommunications services to all of our customers.
We expect increased
competition for our wireline subsidiaries in these five states, in particular,
as they enter into the long-distance markets. However, ultimately we expect that
providing long-distance service in these states will improve trends in access
line losses, customer winback and retention, similar to those experienced in
other states in our 13-state area where we previously obtained approval to offer
wireline interLATA long-distance.
California Audit In
August 2003, two alternate sets of proposed findings on the 1997-1999 audit of
our California wireline subsidiary were presented to the California Public
Utility Commission (CPUC). The two proposed sets of findings differed in many
respects but both concluded that our subsidiary should issue refunds, i.e.,
service credits, in amounts ranging from $162 to $661. We believe that both sets
of findings contain errors and that the refunds should be eliminated. These two
alternative findings will be presented to the CPUC for consideration as early as
November 2003. The CPUC may completely or partially accept or reject any of
these proposed findings. We are not certain that the CPUC will make a final
decision by the end of 2003.
Illinois Legislation In May 2003, the Illinois legislature passed legislation concerning wholesale prices our Illinois wireline
subsidiary can charge local service competitors, such as AT&T and MCI, for leasing its local telephone network (UNE rates). The new
law directed the ICC to set wholesale rates based on actual data, including our subsidiarys actual network capacity and actual
depreciation rates shown on our financial statements. In June 2003, the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois Eastern Division issued a temporary order blocking implementation of this law. The order was made
permanent in July 2003. In November 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Seventh Circuit) affirmed that the law
was invalid as it only addressed two of the factors required by the federal standards that instruct the states how to set the UNE
rates. However, the Seventh Circuit also stated that the current UNE rates in effect must be updated to comply with federal law as
of 2003. The Seventh Circuit instructed the ICC to quickly address these out-of-date rates and to reinstate the UNE rate
proceeding that had been previously terminated by the laws passage.
OTHER BUSINESS
MATTERS
WorldCom Bankruptcy In
July 2002, WorldCom and more than 170 related entities filed petitions for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy
Code). Our claims against WorldCom total approximately $661 and include
receivables, issues that are the subject of litigation, and a variety of
contingent and unliquidated items. At September 30, 2003, we had approximately
$320 in receivables and reserves of which approximately $112 related to the
WorldCom bankruptcy filing.
In addition to the
reserves, we are withholding payments on amounts we owed WorldCom as of its
bankruptcy filing date that equal or exceed our remaining net receivable. These
withholdings relate primarily to amounts collected from WorldComs
long-distance customers in our role as billing agent and other general payables.
We estimate our post-petition billing to WorldCom to be approximately $160 per
month. To date, WorldCom generally has paid its post-petition obligations to us
on a timely basis.
On July 25, 2003, WorldCom
agreed to pay us approximately $107 to settle many, but not all, of the issues
that arose prior to WorldComs bankruptcy. As of September 30, 2003,
WorldCom had paid us $39 and escrowed the remaining $68 of our $107 settlement
sum. This settlement was approved by the bankruptcy court on August 5, 2003;
however, most of the provisions are also contingent upon WorldCom obtaining
approval of its Plan of Reorganization (POR). This settlement does not include
issues related primarily to reciprocal compensation we paid to WorldCom for
internet service provider traffic and certain pre-bankruptcy switched access
charges not billed to WorldCom based on usage information provided by WorldCom.
On October 31, 2003 the bankruptcy court approved WorldComs proposed POR.
This approval will become final ten days following its entry on the courts
docket unless appealed. Even after approval, the POR remains contingent upon the
FCCs approval of various license transfers from the debtors to the
reorganized WorldCom.
On July 26, 2003, the
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced an
investigation with respect to recently disclosed information alleging that
WorldCom is committing access fraud in the manner in which it routes and
classifies long-distance calls. The impact of this investigation on
WorldComs proposed reorganization is not yet clear.
Belgacom Agreement
In October 2003, ADSB Telecommunications B.V. (ADSB), of which we directly own
35%, announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Belgian government
and Belgacom to proceed with the preparations for a potential Initial Public
Offering (IPO) of Belgacom. ADSB owns one share less than 50% of Belgacom and is
a consortium of SBC, TDC (of which we own 41.6%), Singapore Telecommunications
and a group of Belgian financial investors. Through our 35% ownership of ADSB
and our 41.6% ownership of TDC, we have a 24.4% economic ownership of Belgacom.
Absent an IPO, ADSB will continue to be significantly involved in the operations
of Belgacom.
As part of the agreement,
ADSB will have the exclusive right from January 1, 2004 until July 31, 2005,
subject to certain restrictions, to sell shares in an initial public equity
offering of Belgacom. As a condition to the IPO and related transactions,
Belgacom will transfer to the Belgian government the liabilities related to the
statutory pension plan, proceeds from the sale of pension assets and cash
sufficient to fully fund the obligations. This transfer is valued at Euro 5
billion and is expected to occur prior to December 31, 2003. The transfer, along
with certain other transactions contemplated as part of the IPO, are expected to
result in a one-time charge to the equity income of ADSB of between Euro 275
million and Euro 375 million, determined on a GAAP basis. Including our direct
and indirect ownership, this charge is expected to reduce our fourth-quarter
2003 diluted earnings per share by $0.03 to $0.04.
Additionally, Belgacom has
agreed to offer to buy back from ADSB, before year-end 2003, approximately 6% of
the Belgacom shares ADSB holds (representing approximately 3% of the Belgacom
shares outstanding) and to make a second buyback offer in the event of an IPO.
Should the IPO occur, the price per share of both buybacks would be adjusted to
the IPO price. If no IPO occurs before July 31, 2005, there will be no
adjustment to the proceeds from the first buyback.
EchoStar Agreement
In July 2003, we announced an agreement with EchoStar Communications
Corporation (EchoStar) that will allow us to provide multichannel satellite
television service as part of our bundled services (local phone service,
long-distance, broadband, wireless and video together) throughout our 13-state
traditional service area. As part of the multi-year agreement, we will help fund
development of the co-branded bundled video services. We expect to receive
timely regulatory approval and to launch the new SBC DISH Network
entertainment service in early 2004. In a separate transaction, we also made a
$500 investment in EchoStar in the form of debt convertible into EchoStar
shares.
Antitrust Litigation
Eight consumer antitrust class actions were filed last year against SBC in
the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The primary
claim in these suits is that SBC companies have, in violation of federal and
state law, maintained monopoly power over local telephone service in all 13
states in which SBC subsidiaries are incumbent local exchange companies.
These cases have been
consolidated under the first filed case Twombly v. SBC Communications
Inc. and are now stayed by agreement of the parties pending the United
States Supreme Courts (Supreme Court) decision in a similar case against
another incumbent local exchange company (Law Offices of Curtis V. Trinko v.
Bell Atlantic Corp., 294 F.3d 307 (2d Cir. N.Y. 2002), argued October 14,
2003). That Courts decision in Trinko may determine whether these
actions will proceed and, if so, on what theories. If the consolidated
Twombly cases do go forward after the Supreme Court rules in
Trinko, SBC expects to move for dismissal or summary disposition of the
complaints and oppose class certification.
In addition to the
Connecticut class actions described above, two consumer antitrust class actions
were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
against SBC, Verizon, Bell South and Qwest alleging that they have violated
federal and state antitrust laws by agreeing not to compete with one another and
acting together to impede competition for local telephone services (Twombly
v. Bell Atlantic Corp., et. al). In October 2003, the Court granted the
joint defendants motion to dismiss on the ground that the plaintiffs
complaint failed to state a claim under the antitrust laws. Plaintiffs may
appeal.
We believe that an adverse
outcome having a material effect on our financial statements in any of these
cases is unlikely. We will continue to evaluate the potential impact of these
suits on our financial results in light of Supreme Court and other appellate
decisions that may impact the outcome of these cases and rulings by the courts
in which these suits are pending on motions to dismiss or summary disposition
and for class certification.
Number Portability
The FCC has adopted rules requiring companies to allow their customers to
keep their wireline or wireless number when switching to another company
(generally referred to as number portability). While customers have
been able for several years to retain their numbers when switching their local
service between wireline companies, the rules now require wireless companies to
offer number portability to their customers, beginning November 24, 2003.
Lawsuits challenging these rules are pending before the FCC and the U.S. Court
of Appeals.
In October 2003, the FCC released an order addressing some of the wireless-wireless number portability implementation issues. This
order states that wireless companies cannot delay switching a customer to collect early termination fees or other amounts owed by
that customer. On November 10, 2003, the FCC issued a subsequent order addressing wireline-wireless number switching issues. At the
time of this report, it is too soon to determine the impact of this order.
NextWave In
September 2003, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
approved the sale of certain cellular licenses held by NextWave to Cingular. The
approval clears the way for Cingular to seek the regulatory approvals needed to
complete the license transfers. The licenses cover approximately 83 million
potential customers primarily in markets where Cingular currently has voice and
data operations. Cingular expects this transaction to close during the first
half of 2004.
Southern California
Wildfires During October and November 2003 numerous wildfires caused
damage throughout southern California. We have made preliminary estimates
as to the extent of the damage and, at this time, do not expect it to be
material.
Disposition In
September 2003, we sold our remaining shares of BCE for $191 in cash and
recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $31. In October 2003, we sold an
additional 3.9 million shares of Yahoo!, recording a fourth-quarter 2003 gain of
approximately $97.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES
We had $4,940 in cash and
cash equivalents available at September 30, 2003. Cash and cash equivalents
included cash of approximately $318, municipal securities of $260, variable-rate
securities of $1,266, money market funds of $3,043 and other cash equivalents of
$53.
In addition, at September
30, 2003 we had other short-term held-to-maturity securities of $261 and
long-term held-to-maturity securities of $154.
During the first nine
months of 2003 our primary source of funds was cash from operating activities
supplemented by cash from our disposition of Cegetel. Our primary source of
funds for 2002 was cash provided by operating activities.
In October 2003, we renewed
our 364-day credit agreement totaling $4,250 with a syndicate of banks replacing
our credit agreement of $4,250 that expired on October 21, 2003. The expiration
date of the current credit agreement is October 19, 2004. Advances under this
agreement may be used for general corporate purposes, including support of
commercial paper borrowings and other short-term borrowings. Under the terms of
the agreement, repayment of advances up to $1,000 may be extended two years from
the termination date of the agreement. Repayment of advances up to $3,250 may be
extended to one year from the termination date of the agreement. There is no
material adverse change provision governing the drawdown of advances under this
credit agreement. We had no borrowings outstanding under committed lines of
credit as of September 30, 2003.
Our commercial paper
borrowings decreased $148 during the first nine months of 2003, and at September
30, 2003, totaled $1,000, all of which was due within 90 days and issued under a
program initiated by a wholly owned subsidiary, SBC International, Inc., in the
first quarter of 2002. This program was initiated in order to simplify
intercompany borrowing arrangements.
Our investing activities
during the first nine months of 2003 consisted of $3,235 in construction and
capital expenditures. Capital expenditures in the wireline segment, which
represented substantially all of our total capital expenditures, decreased by
approximately 35.9% for the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the same
period in the prior year. We currently expect our capital spending for 2003 to
be at or below $5,000, excluding Cingular, substantially all of which we expect
to relate to our wireline segment. We expect to continue to fund these
expenditures using cash from operations, and depending on interest rate levels
and overall market conditions, incremental borrowings. The Cingular and
international segments should be self-funding as they are substantially equity
investments and not direct SBC operations. We expect to fund any directory
segment capital expenditures using cash from operations. As discussed in our
2002 Annual Report to Shareowners, our capital spending plans described above
reflect continued pressure from the U.S. economic and regulatory environments
and our resulting lower revenue expectations.
Investing activities during
the first nine months of 2003 also include proceeds of $2,270 relating to the
sale of our interest in Cegetel, $177 from the sale of a portion of our interest
in Yahoo! and $364 from the sale of the remaining portion of our investment in
BCE. In October 2003 we sold approximately 3.9 million shares of Yahoo! for
proceeds of $164. At October 31, 2003 we held approximately 7 million shares of
Yahoo!. We did not make any acquisitions during the first nine months of 2003.
For the first nine months
of 2003 investing activities included the purchase of other held-to-maturity
securities, with maturities greater than 90 days, of approximately $578.
Cash paid for dividends for
the first nine months of 2003 was $3,271, or 23.0%, higher than for the first
nine months of 2002, due to a 4.6% increase in quarterly dividends declared per
share in 2003 and our additional dividends. For the first three quarters of
2003, we declared an additional dividend above our regular quarterly payout.
These additional dividends declared for the first nine months totaled $0.25 per
share. The third quarter regular dividend of $0.2825 and additional dividend of
$0.10 per share will be paid on November 3, 2003. Our Board of Directors expects
to evaluate the dividend policy in December 2003.
In July 2003, we announced
our intention to resume our previously announced stock repurchase program.
During the third quarter of 2003 we repurchased approximately 13 million shares
at a cost of $299. As of September 30, 2003 we have repurchased 153 million
shares of the 200 million shares previously authorized by our Board of
Directors.
Also in July 2003, we
entered into a co-branded service agreement with EchoStar to offer satellite
television service to our in-region customers. On July 21, 2003, we invested
$500 in debt that is convertible into EchoStar shares.
During the first nine
months of 2003 we called, prior to maturity, approximately $1,743 of debt
obligations with maturities ranging between February 2007 and March 2048, and
interest rates ranging between 6.5% and 7.9%. Of the $1,743 called debt,
approximately $264, with an average yield of 7.2% was called in July; $1,462,
with an average yield of 7.4% was called in June; and $17, with an average yield
of 6.9% was called in March. Funds from operations and dispositions were used to
pay off these notes.
During the first nine
months of 2003, approximately $997 of long-term debt obligations, and $1,000 of
one-year floating rate securities matured. The long-term obligations carried
interest rates ranging from 5.9% to 9.5%, with an average yield of 6.0%. The
short-term notes paid quarterly interest based on the London Interbank Offer
Rate (LIBOR). Funds from operations and dispositions were used to pay off these
notes.
At September 30, 2003, our
debt ratio was 32.5% compared to 42.3% at September 30, 2002. The decline was
primarily due to lower debt levels and our 2003 cumulative effect of accounting
changes. These accounting changes increased equity $2,548, which decreased our
debt ratio approximately 160 basis points (1.6%).
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In August 2003 we entered
into $1,000 in variable interest rate swap contracts on our 5.875% fixed rate
debt which matures in August 2012. At September 30, 2003 we had interest rate
swaps with a notional value of $2,000 and a fair value of approximately $132.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains
disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commissions rules and forms. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as
of September 30, 2003. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls
and procedures were effective in all material respects as of September 30, 2003.
CAUTIONARY
LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information set forth in
this report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The following factors could
cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements:
- Adverse economic changes
in the markets served by SBC or in countries in which SBC has significant
investments.
- Changes in available technology and the effects of such changes
including product substitutions and deployment costs.
- Uncertainty in the U.S.
securities market and adverse medical cost trends.
-
The final outcome of Federal Communications Commission proceedings and
re-openings of such proceedings, including the Triennial Review and other
rulemakings, and judicial review, if any, of such proceedings, including issues
relating to jurisdiction, unbundled network elements and platforms (UNE-Ps) and
unbundled loop and transport elements (EELs).
-
The final outcome of state regulatory proceedings in SBCs 13-state area
and re-openings of such proceedings, and judicial review, if any, of such
proceedings, including proceedings relating to interconnection terms, access
charges, universal service, UNE-Ps and resale and wholesale rates, SBCs
broadband initiative known as Project Pronto, performance measurement plans,
service standards and reciprocal compensation.
-
Enactment of additional state, federal and/or foreign regulatory laws and
regulations pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments.
- Our ability to absorb
revenue losses caused by UNE-P requirements and maintain capital expenditures.
-
The extent of competition in the local and intraLATA toll markets in SBCs
13-state area and the resulting pressure on access line totals and operating
margins.
-
Our ability to develop attractive and profitable product/service offerings to
offset increasing competition in our wireline and wireless markets.
-
The ability of our competitors to offer product/service offerings at lower
prices due to adverse regulatory decisions, including state regulatory
proceedings relating to UNE-Ps.
-
The issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting
oversight bodies of new accounting standards or changes to existing standards.
-
The impact of the Ameritech transaction, including performance with respect to
regulatory requirements, and merger integration efforts.
-
The timing, extent and cost of deployment of Project Pronto, its effect on the
carrying value of the existing wireline network and the level of consumer demand
for offered services.
-
The impact of the wireless joint venture with BellSouth, known as Cingular,
including marketing and product-development efforts, customer acquisition and
retention costs, access to additional spectrum, technological advancements,
industry consolidation and availability and cost of capital.
- Decisions by federal and
state regulators and courts relating to bankruptcies of industry participants.
Readers are cautioned that other
factors discussed in this report, although not enumerated here, also could
materially impact our future earnings.
PART II -
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2.
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the third quarter of
2003, non-employee directors acquired from the Company shares of common stock
pursuant to the Companys Non-Employee Director Stock and Deferral Plan.
Under the plan, a director may make an annual election to receive all or part of
his or her annual retainer or fees in the form of SBC shares or deferred stock
units (DSUs) that are convertible into SBC shares. Each director also receives
an annual grant of DSUs. During this period, an aggregate of 16,343 SBC shares
and DSUs were acquired by non-employee directors at prices ranging from $21.82
to $26.03, in each case the fair market value of the shares on the date of
acquisition. The issuances of shares and DSUs were exempt from registration
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Item 6.
Exhibits
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12 |
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
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31 |
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
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31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
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31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
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32 |
Section 1350 Certifications |
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On
October 21, 2003, we furnished a Form 8-K, reporting on Item 12. Results of
Operations and Financial Condition. In the report we disclosed our third-quarter
2003 earnings release. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
November 12, 2003
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/s/ Randall Stephenson
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Senior Executive Vice President
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and Chief Financial Officer
|