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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Level 3 Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2013 Results

 

Full Year 2013 Highlights

 

·                  For the full year 2013, grew CNS revenue by 2.9 percent and Enterprise CNS revenue by 6.8 percent year-over-year, on a constant currency basis

·                  Grew Adjusted EBITDA 11 percent for the full year 2013 compared to the full year 2012

·                  Free Cash Flow for full year 2013 was positive $29 million, excluding interest rate swap payments of $46 million and accelerated cash interest expense payments of $30 million

 

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 5, 2014 — Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) reported total revenue of $1.602 billion for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to $1.614 billion for the fourth quarter 2012. For the full year 2013, total revenue was $6.313 billion, compared to $6.376 billion for the full year 2012.

 

The company generated net income of $14 million and $0.06 per share for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to a net loss of $56 million and ($0.26) for the fourth quarter 2012.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $466 million in the fourth quarter 2013, which included a $10 million non-recurring, legacy Latin America non-income tax benefit.

 

“We had a strong finish to 2013 as our fourth quarter revenue benefited from both underlying growth and seasonal strength,” said Jeff Storey, president and CEO of Level 3. “Level 3’s global network and differentiated customer experience continue to resonate with enterprises, leading to solid CNS enterprise growth of 6.8 percent for the full year 2013.  We are well-positioned for improved growth in 2014.”

 



 

Financial Results

 

Metric
($ in millions)

 

Fourth
Quarter
2013

 

Fourth
Quarter
2012, Pro
Forma(3)

 

Third
Quarter
2013

 

Full Year
2013

 

Full Year
2012, Pro
Forma(3)

 

Core Network Services Revenue

 

$

1,443

 

$

1,391

 

$

1,397

 

$

5,591

 

$

5,463

 

Wholesale Voice Services and Other Revenue

 

$

159

 

$

223

 

$

172

 

$

722

 

$

913

 

Total Revenue

 

$

1,602

 

$

1,614

 

$

1,569

 

$

6,313

 

$

6,376

 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)(2)

 

$

466

 

$

407

 

$

385

 

$

1,624

 

$

1,459

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

189

 

$

198

 

$

194

 

$

760

 

$

743

 

Unlevered Cash Flow(1)

 

$

358

 

$

325

 

$

88

 

$

627

 

$

528

 

Free Cash Flow(1) 

 

$

197

 

$

202

 

$

(90

)

$

(47

)

$

(165

)

Gross Margin(1)

 

61.4

%

59.4

%

61.2

%

60.9

%

59.2

%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1)(2)

 

29.1

%

25.2

%

24.5

%

25.7

%

22.9

%

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

14

 

$

(56

)

$

(21

)

$

(109

)

$

(422

)

Net Income/(Loss) per Share

 

$

0.06

 

$

(0.26

)

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(1.96

)

 


(1)         See schedule of non-GAAP metrics for definition and reconciliation to GAAP measures

(2)         Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter 2013 includes a $10 million non-recurring Latin American tax benefit. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter 2012 includes a $27 million net benefit from a non-cash reduction in asset retirement obligations (ARO) of $47 million, partially offset by severance and related charges of $20 million. Adjusted EBITDA for 3Q13 includes $30 million of severance charges

(3)         References to “pro forma” figures reference revenue that was reallocated in the fourth quarter 2012 to more accurately reflect the revenue attribution by region and customer channels.

 

Revenue

 

Core Network Services
(CNS)
Revenue
($ in millions)

 

Fourth
Quarter
2013

 

Fourth
Quarter
2012,
Pro
Forma(2)

 

Percent
Change,
Constant
Currency

 

Third
Quarter
2013

 

Percent
Change,
Constant
Currency

 

Full
Year
2013

 

Full
Year
2012,
Pro
Forma(2)

 

Percent
Change,
Constant
Currency

 

North America

 

$

1,025

 

$

979

 

5

%

$

987

 

4

%

$

3,949

 

$

3,840

 

3

%

Wholesale

 

$

374

 

$

392

 

(5

)%

$

365

 

2

%

$

1,478

 

$

1,541

 

(4

)%

Enterprise

 

$

651

 

$

587

 

11

%

$

622

 

5

%

$

2,471

 

$

2,299

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMEA

 

$

223

 

$

228

 

(4

)%

$

222

 

(2

)%

$

888

 

$

911

 

(3

)%

Wholesale

 

$

89

 

$

87

 

 

$

88

 

(1

)%

$

354

 

$

364

 

(4

)%

Enterprise

 

$

105

 

$

99

 

4

%

$

102

 

 

$

403

 

$

372

 

8

%

UK Government

 

$

29

 

$

42

 

(31

)%

$

32

 

(13

)%

$

131

 

$

175

 

(23

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America

 

$

195

 

$

184

 

11

%

$

188

 

5

%

$

754

 

$

712

 

11

%

Wholesale

 

$

41

 

$

41

 

4

%

$

39

 

6

%

$

160

 

$

156

 

5

%

Enterprise

 

$

154

 

$

143

 

14

%

$

149

 

4

%

$

594

 

$

556

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total CNS Revenue

 

$

1,443

 

$

1,391

 

4

%

$

1,397

 

3

%

$

5,591

 

$

5,463

 

3

%

Wholesale

 

$

504

 

$

520

 

(4

)%

$

492

 

2

%

$

1,992

 

$

2,061

 

(3

)%

Enterprise(1)

 

$

939

 

$

871

 

9

%

$

905

 

3

%

$

3,599

 

$

3,402

 

7

%

 


(1)         Includes EMEA UK Government

(2)         References to “pro forma” figures reference revenue that was reallocated in the fourth quarter 2012 to more accurately reflect the revenue attribution by region and customer channels.

 

2



 

Core Network Services Revenue

 

CNS revenue was $1.443 billion in the fourth quarter 2013, increasing 4.1 percent year-over-year on a constant currency basis.

 

For the full year 2013, CNS revenue grew 2.9 percent to $5.591 billion, driven by Enterprise CNS revenue growth of 6.8 percent, both on a constant currency basis. CNS revenue for the full year 2012 was $5.463 billion.

 

Deferred Revenue

 

The deferred revenue balance was $1.159 billion at the end of the fourth quarter 2013, compared to $1.138 billion at the end of the fourth quarter 2012.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue for the fourth quarter 2013 was $618 million, compared to $655 million in the fourth quarter 2012. For the full year 2013, cost of revenue decreased to $2.471 billion, compared to $2.602 billion for the full year 2012.

 

For the fourth quarter 2013, gross margin increased to 61.4 percent, compared to 59.4 percent for the fourth quarter 2012.

 

Gross margin increased to 60.9 percent for the full year 2013, compared to 59.2 percent for the full year 2012.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

 

Excluding non-cash compensation expense, SG&A expenses were $518 million for the fourth quarter 2013, benefitting from cost savings actions taken in the third quarter 2013. SG&A expenses were $552 million in the fourth quarter 2012.

 

For the fourth quarter 2013, non-cash compensation expense was $36 million. Non-cash compensation expense was $33 million for the fourth quarter 2012.

 

For the full year 2013, excluding non-cash compensation expense, SG&A was $2.218 billion, compared to $2.315 billion for the full year 2012.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

For the fourth quarter 2013, Adjusted EBITDA increased to $466 million, or $456 million excluding a $10 million non-recurring, legacy Latin America non-income tax benefit. This compared to $407 million for the fourth quarter 2012.

 

For the full year 2013, Adjusted EBITDA grew approximately 11 percent to $1.624 billion compared to $1.459 billion for the full year 2012.

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin was 29.1 percent in the fourth quarter 2013 or 28.5 percent, excluding the non-income tax benefit. This compared to 25.2 percent in the fourth quarter 2012.

 

3



 

For the full year 2013, Adjusted EBITDA margin was 25.7 percent, compared to 22.9 percent for the full year 2012.

 

Cash Flow and Capital Markets Transactions

 

During the fourth quarter 2013, Unlevered Cash Flow was $358 million, compared to $325 million for the fourth quarter 2012.

 

Free Cash Flow was positive $197 million for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to $202 million in the fourth quarter 2012.

 

For the full year 2013, Unlevered Cash Flow was $627 million, compared to $528 million in 2012.

 

Free Cash Flow was positive $29 million for the full year 2013, excluding cash interest expense payments of $30 million that were accelerated into 2013 from 2014 and payments of approximately $46 million for interest rate swap obligations. Free Cash Flow was negative $165 million for the full year 2012.

 

Capital expenditures were $189 million for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to $198 million for the fourth quarter 2012. For the full year 2013, capital expenditures were $760 million, 12 percent of total revenue, compared to $743 million for the full year 2012.

 

In the fourth quarter 2013, the company completed the refinancing of approximately $2.1 billion in capital markets transactions. In addition, in December 2013 the holders of the company’s 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 converted approximately $200 million outstanding principal amount of those notes into equity and the company redeemed the remaining approximately $1 million outstanding principal amount of those notes.

 

As of Dec. 31, 2013, the company had cash of approximately $631 million.

 

2014 Reporting Changes

 

Historically, the company has paid 60 percent of employee annual bonuses in stock compensation and 40 percent in cash. Beginning in 2014, the company will accrue the entire bonus compensation within SG&A as cash compensation. Had the company made this change in 2013, there would have been an increase in cash compensation expense within SG&A of $59 million, offset by an equal decrease in non-cash compensation expense, and Adjusted EBITDA would have been $1.565 billion, pro forma for the change.

 

The company expects this change will reduce the number of shares of common stock issued going forward.

 

The following table reports 2013 Adjusted EBITDA both without these changes and assuming these changes were in effect for all of 2013:

 

4



 

Metric
($ in millions)

 

Full Year
2013

 

Fourth
Quarter
2013

 

Third
Quarter
2013

 

Second
Quarter
2013

 

First
Quarter
2013

 

Reported Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,624

 

$

466

 

$

385

 

$

387

 

$

386

 

Bonus-related Non-Cash Compensation

 

$

59

 

$

18

 

$

11

 

$

15

 

$

15

 

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted for bonus-related Non-Cash Compensation

 

$

1,565

 

$

448

 

$

374

 

$

372

 

$

371

 

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Margin, adjusted for bonus-related Non-Cash Compensation

 

24.8

%

28.0

%

23.8

%

23.8

%

23.6

%

 

Beginning in 2014, the company will discontinue the separate reporting of UK Government CNS revenue. This change provides consistency with the company’s reporting of its other operating regions and its overall wholesale and enterprise channels. Going forward, UK Government CNS revenue will be included in EMEA Enterprise CNS revenue.

 

Pro forma for these changes for 2013, EMEA CNS revenue was:

 

CNS Revenue
($ in millions)

 

Full Year
2013

 

Fourth
Quarter
2013

 

Third
Quarter
2013

 

Second
Quarter
2013

 

First
Quarter
2013

 

EMEA

 

$

888

 

$

223

 

$

222

 

$

220

 

$

223

 

Wholesale

 

$

354

 

$

89

 

$

88

 

$

88

 

$

89

 

Enterprise

 

$

534

 

$

134

 

$

134

 

$

132

 

$

134

 

 

The pro forma reporting for these changes for the full year 2013 by quarter is provided in the supplemental schedules on the Investor Relations section of the Level 3 website.

 

2014 Business Outlook

 

“In 2014, we look forward to building on the strong foundation for growth in revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow that we laid in 2013,” said Sunit Patel, executive vice president and CFO of Level 3. “Overall for the full year 2014, we expect CNS revenue growth to be higher than the 2.9 percent growth we saw for the full year 2013, on a constant currency basis.

 

“From the starting point of $1.565 billion, pro forma for the change in cash bonus compensation, we expect Adjusted EBITDA to grow 11 to 14 percent for the full year 2014 compared to the full year 2013. We expect to generate Free Cash Flow of $225-$275 million for the full year 2014.”

 

For the full year 2014, the company also expects:

 

·                  GAAP interest expense of approximately $600 million

·                  Net cash interest expense of approximately $560 million

·                  Capital expenditures of approximately 12 to 13 percent of total revenue

 

5



 

·                  Depreciation and Amortization of approximately $750 million

·                  GAAP income tax expense of approximately $70 million

 

“For the first quarter 2014, we expect CNS revenue to be roughly flat on a sequential basis, due to the typical reversal in seasonally strong fourth quarter revenue offset by continued underlying growth,” continued Patel. “Our fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $438 adjusting for the $10 million Latin America tax benefit and the $18 million of bonus-related Non-Cash Compensation. With that in mind, we expect Adjusted EBITDA to be roughly flat for the first quarter 2014 compared to the $438 million in the fourth quarter 2013.”

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

The fourth quarter 2013 results conference call will be broadcast live on Level 3’s Investor Relations website at http://investors.level3.com/investor-relations/presentations-and-events/default.aspx. Additional information regarding the fourth quarter 2013 results, including the presentation that management will review on the conference call, will be available on Level 3’s Investor Relations website. If you are unable to join the call via the Web, the call can be accessed live at 1 877-283-5643 (U.S. Domestic) or 1 312-281-1201 (International). Questions can also be sent to Investor.Relations@level3.com.

 

The call will be archived and available on Level 3’s Investor Relations website or can be accessed as an audio replay starting at 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 5 until midnight ET on May 5. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1 800-633-8284 (U.S. Domestic) or 1 402-977-9140 (International), conference code 21703003.

 

For additional information, please call 1 720-888-2518.

 

About Level 3 Communications

 

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3’s comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 500 markets in over 60 countries over a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. For more information, please visit www.level3.com or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.  Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

 

Website Access to Company Information

 

Level 3 maintains a corporate website at www.level3.com, and you can find additional information about the company through the Investors pages on that website at http://investors.level3.com/investor-relations/default.aspx.  Level 3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of important information about the company. Level 3 routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the company and its business, financial condition and operations on the Investor Relations web pages.

 

6



 

Visitors to the Investors Relations web pages can view and print copies of Level 3’s SEC filings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with the SEC.

 

Copies of the charters for each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees of Level 3’s Board of Directors, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, press releases and analysts and investor conference presentations are all available through the Investor Relations web pages.

 

Please note that the information contained on any of Level 3’s web sites is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document unless expressly incorporated by reference in that document.

 

Forward-Looking Statement

 

Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the company’s ability to: successfully integrate the Global Crossing acquisition or otherwise realize the anticipated benefits thereof; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; maintain and increase traffic on its network; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Contact Information

 

Media:

Investors:

Kimmie Greene

Mark Stoutenberg

+1 720-888-7877

+1 720-888-2518

Kimmie.Greene@Level3.com

Mark.Stoutenberg@Level3.com

 

7



 

Level 3 Communications:

 

Non-GAAP Metrics

 

Pursuant to Regulation G, the company is hereby providing definitions of non-GAAP financial metrics and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

 

The following describes and reconciles those financial measures as reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) with those financial measures as adjusted by the items detailed below and presented in the accompanying news release. These calculations are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP. In keeping with its historical financial reporting practices, the company believes that the supplemental presentation of these calculations provides meaningful non-GAAP financial measures to help investors understand and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis.

 

In addition, measures referred to in the accompanying news release as being calculated “on a constant currency basis” or “in constant currency terms” are non-GAAP metrics intended to present the relevant information assuming a constant exchange rate between the two periods being compared. Such metrics are calculated by applying the currency exchange rates used in the preparation of the prior period financial results to the subsequent period results.

 

Consolidated Revenue is defined as total revenue from the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Core Network Services Revenue includes revenue from colocation and datacenter services, transport and fiber, IP and data services, and voice services (local and enterprise).

 

Gross Margin ($) is defined as total revenue less cost of revenue from the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Gross Margin (%) is defined as gross margin ($) divided by total revenue. Management believes that gross margin is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is a metric that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after it pays third party network services costs; in essence, a measure of the efficiency of the company’s network.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from the Consolidated Statements of Operations before income taxes, total other income (expense), non-cash impairment charges, depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock compensation expense.

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue.

 

8



 

Adjusted EBITDA Metric

Q4 2013

(in millions)

 

Net Income

 

$

14

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

(1

)

Total Other Expense

 

206

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

204

 

Non-Cash Stock Compensation

 

36

 

Non-Cash Impairment

 

7

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

466

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

29.1

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA Metric

Q3 2013

(in millions)

 

Net Loss

 

$

(21

)

Income Tax Expense

 

14

 

Total Other Expense

 

159

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

203

 

Non-Cash Stock Compensation

 

30

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

385

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

24.5

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA Metric

Q4 2012

(in millions)

 

Net Loss

 

$

(56

)

Income Tax Expense

 

13

 

Total Other Expense

 

231

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

186

 

Non-Cash Stock Compensation

 

33

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

407

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

25.2

%

 

9



 

Adjusted EBITDA Metric

Year Ended December 31, 2013

(in millions)

 

Net Loss

 

$

(109

)

Income Tax Expense

 

38

 

Total Other Expense

 

737

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

800

 

Non-Cash Stock Compensation

 

151

 

Non-Cash Impairment

 

7

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,624

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

25.7

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA Metric

Year Ended December 31, 2012

(in millions)

 

Net Loss

 

$

(422

)

Income Tax Expense

 

48

 

Total Other Expense

 

949

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

749

 

Non-Cash Stock Compensation

 

135

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,459

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

22.9

%

 

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are relevant and useful metrics to provide to investors, as they are an important part of the company’s internal reporting and are key measures used by Management to evaluate profitability and operating performance of the company and to make resource allocation decisions.  Management believes such measures are especially important in a capital-intensive industry such as telecommunications.  Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to compare the company’s performance to that of its competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure from period to period its ability to fund capital expenditures, fund growth, service debt and determine bonuses.  Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash impairment charges and non-cash stock compensation expense because of the non-cash nature of these items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes interest income, interest expense and income taxes because these items are associated with the company’s capitalization and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures.  Adjusted EBITDA excludes the gain (or loss) on extinguishment of debt and other, net because these items are not related to the primary operations of the company.

 

10



 

There are limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from the company’s calculations. Additionally, this financial measure does not include certain significant items such as interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash impairment charges, non-cash stock compensation expense, the gain (or loss) on extinguishment of debt and net other income (expense). Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

 

Unlevered Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures, plus cash interest paid and less interest income all as disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows or the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Management believes that Unlevered Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is an indicator of the operational strength and performance of the company and, measured over time, provides management and investors with a sense of the underlying business’ growth pattern and ability to generate cash.  Unlevered Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions and debt service and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.

 

There are material limitations to using Unlevered Cash Flow to measure the company’s cash performance as it excludes certain material items such as payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, interest income, cash interest expense and cash used to fund acquisitions. Comparisons of Level 3’s Unlevered Cash Flow to that of some of its competitors may be of limited usefulness since Level 3 does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating losses, and therefore, generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures. Unlevered Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures as disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is an indicator of the company’s ability to generate cash to service its debt. Free Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions, principal repayments and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.

 

There are material limitations to using Free Cash Flow to measure the company’s performance as it excludes certain material items such as principal payments on and repurchases of long-term debt and cash used to fund acquisitions. Comparisons of Level 3’s Free Cash Flow to that of some of its competitors may be of limited usefulness since Level 3 does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating losses, and therefore, generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to interest expense, accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

11



 

Unlevered Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

 

Unlevered

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash Flow

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

386

 

$

386

 

Capital Expenditures

 

(189

)

(189

)

Cash Interest Paid

 

161

 

N/A

 

Interest Income

 

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

358

 

$

197

 

 

Unlevered Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Unlevered

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash Flow

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

104

 

$

104

 

Capital Expenditures

 

(194

)

(194

)

Cash Interest Paid

 

178

 

N/A

 

Interest Income

 

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

88

 

$

(90

)

 

Unlevered Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2012

 

Unlevered

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash Flow

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

400

 

$

400

 

Capital Expenditures

 

(198

)

(198

)

Cash Interest Paid

 

123

 

N/A

 

Interest Income

 

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

325

 

$

202

 

 

Unlevered Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

Unlevered

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash Flow

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

713

 

$

713

 

Capital Expenditures

 

(760

)

(760

)

Cash Interest Paid

 

674

 

N/A

 

Interest Income

 

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

627

 

$

(47

)

 

12



 

Unlevered Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Unlevered

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash Flow

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

578

 

$

578

 

Capital Expenditures

 

(743

)

(743

)

Cash Interest Paid

 

695

 

N/A

 

Interest Income

 

(2

)

N/A

 

Total

 

$

528

 

$

(165

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4Q13/

 

 

 

4Q13/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4Q12%

 

 

 

3Q13%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4Q13/

 

Change

 

4Q13/

 

Change

 

4Q13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Revenue by Channel

 

4Q12%

 

Constant

 

3Q13%

 

Constant

 

%

 

FY

 

FY

 

 

 

4Q12

 

1Q13

 

2Q13

 

3Q13

 

4Q13

 

Change

 

Currency

 

Change

 

Currency

 

CNS

 

2012

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CNS Revenue ($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

979

 

$

967

 

$

970

 

$

987

 

$

1,025

 

4.7

%

4.6

%

3.9

%

3.7

%

71

%

$

3,840

 

$

3,949

 

Wholesale

 

$

392

 

$

372

 

$

367

 

$

365

 

$

374

 

(4.6

)%

(5.1

)%

2.5

%

2.1

%

26

%

$

1,541

 

$

1,478

 

Enterprise

 

$

587

 

$

595

 

$

603

 

$

622

 

$

651

 

10.9

%

11.2

%

4.7

%

4.7

%

45

%

$

2,299

 

$

2,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMEA

 

$

228

 

$

223

 

$

220

 

$

222

 

$

223

 

(2.2

)%

(3.9

)%

0.5

%

(2.4

)%

15

%

$

911

 

$

888

 

Wholesale

 

$

87

 

$

89

 

$

88

 

$

88

 

$

89

 

2.3

%

0.2

%

1.1

%

(0.8

)%

6

%

$

364

 

$

354

 

Enterprise

 

$

99

 

$

97

 

$

99

 

$

102

 

$

105

 

6.1

%

4.2

%

2.9

%

(0.3

)%

7

%

$

372

 

$

403

 

UK Government

 

$

42

 

$

37

 

$

33

 

$

32

 

$

29

 

(31.0

)%

(31.2

)%

(9.4

)%

(13.3

)%

2

%

$

175

 

$

131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America

 

$

184

 

$

182

 

$

189

 

$

188

 

$

195

 

6.0

%

11.3

%

3.7

%

4.7

%

14

%

$

712

 

$

754

 

Wholesale

 

$

41

 

$

40

 

$

40

 

$

39

 

$

41

 

%

3.6

%

5.1

%

6.2

%

3

%

$

156

 

$

160

 

Enterprise

 

$

143

 

$

142

 

$

149

 

$

149

 

$

154

 

7.7

%

13.5

%

3.4

%

4.3

%

11

%

$

556

 

$

594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,391

 

$

1,372

 

$

1,379

 

$

1,397

 

$

1,443

 

3.7

%

4.1

%

3.3

%

2.9

%

100

%

$

5,463

 

$

5,591

 

Wholesale

 

$

520

 

$

501

 

$

495

 

$

492

 

$

504

 

(3.1

)%

(3.5

)%

2.4

%

1.9

%

35

%

$

2,061

 

$

1,992

 

Enterprise(1)

 

$

871

 

$

871

 

$

884

 

$

905

 

$

939

 

7.8

%

8.7

%

3.8

%

3.4

%

65

%

$

3,402

 

$

3,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total CNS

 

$

1,391

 

$

1,372

 

$

1,379

 

$

1,397

 

$

1,443

 

3.7

%

4.1

%

3.3

%

2.9

%

 

 

$

5,463

 

$

5,591

 

Wholesale Voice Services and Other Revenue

 

223

 

205

 

186

 

172

 

159

 

(28.7

)%

(28.4

)%

(7.6

)%

(7.6

)%

 

 

913

 

722

 

Total Revenue

 

$

1,614

 

$

1,577

 

$

1,565

 

$

1,569

 

$

1,602

 

(0.7

)%

(0.4

)%

2.1

%

1.7

%

 

 

$

6,376

 

$

6,313

 

 


(1) Includes EMEA UK Government Revenue

 

13



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4Q13/

 

4Q13/

 

4Q13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services Revenue

 

4Q12%

 

3Q13%

 

%

 

FY

 

FY

 

 

 

4Q12

 

1Q13

 

2Q13

 

3Q13

 

4Q13

 

Change

 

Change

 

CNS

 

2012

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Network Services Revenue ($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colocation and Datacenter Services

 

$

145

 

$

142

 

$

145

 

$

144

 

$

154

 

6.2

%

6.9

%

11

%

$

561

 

$

585

 

Transport and Fiber

 

$

494

 

$

484

 

$

488

 

$

491

 

$

499

 

1.0

%

1.6

%

35

%

$

1,950

 

$

1,962

 

IP and Data Services

 

$

512

 

$

510

 

$

514

 

$

528

 

$

554

 

8.2

%

4.9

%

38

%

$

2,002

 

$

2,106

 

Voice Services (Local and Enterprise)

 

$

240

 

$

236

 

$

232

 

$

234

 

$

236

 

(1.7

)%

0.9

%

16

%

$

950

 

$

938

 

Total Core Network Services

 

$

1,391

 

$

1,372

 

$

1,379

 

$

1,397

 

$

1,443

 

3.7

%

3.3

%

100

%

$

5,463

 

$

5,591

 

Wholesale Voice Services and Other

 

$

223

 

$

205

 

$

186

 

$

172

 

$

159

 

(28.7

)%

(7.6

)%

 

 

$

913

 

$

722

 

Total Revenue

 

$

1,614

 

$

1,577

 

$

1,565

 

$

1,569

 

$

1,602

 

(0.7

)%

2.1

%

 

 

$

6,376

 

$

6,313

 

 

Debt is defined as total gross debt, including capital leases from the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Net Debt to Last Twelve Months (LTM) Adjusted EBITDA Ratio is defined as debt, reduced by cash and cash equivalents and divided by LTM Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA Ratio as of December 31, 2013

($ in millions)

 

Debt

 

$

8,392

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(631

)

Net Debt

 

$

7,761

 

LTM Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,624

 

Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

 

4.8

 

 

14



 

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

December 31, 2013

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,602

 

$

1,569

 

$

1,614

 

$

6,313

 

$

6,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue

 

618

 

608

 

655

 

2,471

 

2,602

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

204

 

203

 

186

 

800

 

749

 

Selling, General and Administrative

 

561

 

606

 

585

 

2,376

 

2,450

 

Total Costs and Expenses

 

1,383

 

1,417

 

1,426

 

5,647

 

5,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

219

 

152

 

188

 

666

 

575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Interest expense

 

(148

)

(165

)

(175

)

(649

)

(733

)

Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt, net

 

(67

)

(17

)

(50

)

(84

)

(160

)

Other, net

 

9

 

23

 

(6

)

(4

)

(58

)

Total Other Expense

 

(206

)

(159

)

(231

)

(737

)

(949

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

13

 

(7

)

(43

)

(71

)

(374

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit

 

1

 

(14

)

(13

)

(38

)

(48

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

14

 

$

(21

)

$

(56

)

$

(109

)

$

(422

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

$

0.06

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.26

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(1.96

)

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands) used to calculate Basic Earnings per Common Share

 

225,840

 

222,679

 

217,924

 

222,368

 

215,356

 

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands) used to calculate Diluted Earnings per Common Share

 

228,827

 

222,679

 

217,924

 

222,368

 

215,356

 

 



 

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

(dollars in millions)

 

December 31, 2013

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

631

 

$

507

 

$

979

 

Restricted cash and securities

 

7

 

7

 

8

 

Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts

 

673

 

738

 

714

 

Other

 

143

 

187

 

141

 

Total Current Assets

 

1,454

 

1,439

 

1,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

8,240

 

8,230

 

8,199

 

Restricted Cash and Securities

 

23

 

23

 

35

 

Goodwill

 

2,577

 

2,567

 

2,565

 

Other Intangibles, net

 

205

 

223

 

268

 

Other Assets

 

375

 

370

 

398

 

Total Assets

 

$

12,874

 

$

12,852

 

$

13,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

625

 

$

633

 

$

779

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

31

 

21

 

216

 

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

209

 

212

 

211

 

Accrued interest

 

160

 

170

 

209

 

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

253

 

219

 

251

 

Other

 

168

 

175

 

136

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

1,446

 

1,430

 

1,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, less current portion

 

8,331

 

8,537

 

8,516

 

Deferred Revenue, less current portion

 

906

 

896

 

887

 

Other Liabilities

 

780

 

842

 

931

 

Total Liabilities

 

11,463

 

11,705

 

12,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

1,411

 

1,147

 

1,171

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

12,874

 

$

12,852

 

$

13,307

 

 



 

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

(dollars in millions)

 

December 31, 2013

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

14

 

$

(21

)

$

(56

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

204

 

203

 

186

 

Asset retirement obligation adjustment

 

 

 

(47

)

Loss on impairment

 

7

 

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense attributable to stock awards

 

36

 

30

 

33

 

Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt, net

 

67

 

17

 

50

 

Accretion of debt discount and amortization of debt issuance costs

 

9

 

9

 

11

 

Accrued interest on long-term debt

 

(10

)

(22

)

42

 

Non-cash tax adjustments

 

(37

)

(3

)

(5

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(34

)

10

 

(4

)

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Other, net

 

(7

)

(32

)

(7

)

Changes in working capital items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

64

 

(9

)

34

 

Other current assets

 

37

 

(1

)

23

 

Payables

 

(10

)

(59

)

60

 

Deferred revenue

 

46

 

(22

)

35

 

Other current liabilities

 

1

 

4

 

46

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

386

 

104

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(189

)

(194

)

(198

)

Changes in restricted cash and securities, net

 

(1

)

5

 

5

 

Other

 

1

 

16

 

6

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(189

)

(173

)

(187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs

 

912

 

590

 

1,187

 

Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt and capital leases

 

(986

)

(611

)

(1,214

)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

(74

)

(21

)

(27

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

124

 

(89

)

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

507

 

596

 

793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

631

 

$

507

 

$

979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash interest paid

 

$

161

 

$

178

 

$

123