Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPusm8k.htm
EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPusm8kex992.htm

 


Exhibit 99.1   NEWS RELEASE

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference October 30, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.  Listen to the live call via the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Cellular reports third quarter 2015 results

Increases guidance for operating cash flow and adjusted EBITDA

 

 

CHICAGO, (October 30, 2015) — United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM) reported total operating revenues of $1,068.9 million for the third quarter of 2015, versus $1,000.4 million for the same period one year ago. Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $63.6 million and $0.75, respectively, for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $(22.2) million and $(0.26), respectively, in the comparable period one year ago. 

Effective September 1, 2015, U.S. Cellular discontinued it loyalty rewards program.  All unredeemed rewards points expired and the deferred revenue related to the expired points was recognized as $58.2 million in service revenues in the quarter.  

This quarter we completed our 4G LTE network rollout.  This was one of our major priorities for the year.  It allows our customers, even in our very rural areas, to receive the benefits of our data services.  The results of this customer focus manifests itself in high customer loyalty and lower churn,” said Kenneth R. Meyers, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. “We also continued to manage our expense levels, which contributed to the growth in operating cash flow.

“As we move into the holiday sales season, we plan to grow our customer base and increase revenue through our competitive pricing and promotions, that showcase our high-quality 4G network.”

 


2015 Estimated Results

U.S. Cellular’s estimates of full-year 2015 results are shown below.  Such estimates represent management’s view as of October 30, 2015.  Such forwardlooking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date.  U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.

 

 

2015 Estimated Results

 

 

Current

 

Previous

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

Approx. $

4,000

 

$4,000-$4,100

Operating cash flow (1)

$540-$620

 

$440-$540

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$710-$790

 

$600-$700

Capital expenditures

Approx. $

600

 

Unchanged

 


The following tables provide a reconciliation to Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA for 2015 estimated results, actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 actual results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual Results

 

 

 

 

2015 Estimated

Results (2)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2014

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) (GAAP)

 

 

N/A

 

$

250 

 

$

(47)

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

N/A

 

 

161 

 

 

(12)

Income (loss) before income taxes

   (GAAP)

 

$

275-355 

 

$

411 

 

$

(59)

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

80

 

 

61 

 

 

57 

 

Depreciation, amortization and

   accretion expense

 

 

600

 

 

450 

 

 

606 

EBITDA

 

$

955-1,035 

 

$

922 

 

$

605 

Add back (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of business and

   other exit costs, net

 

 

(115)

 

 

(114)

 

 

(33)

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and

   exchanges, net

 

 

(145)

 

 

(147)

 

 

(113)

 

(Gain) loss on assets disposals, net

 

 

15

 

 

12 

 

 

21 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

710-790 

 

$

674 

 

$

480 

Deduct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated

   entities

 

 

(135)

 

 

(110)

 

 

(130)

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

(35)

 

 

(26)

 

 

(12)

Operating cash flow (3)

 

$

540-620 

 

$

538 

 

$

338 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences.

 

  1. Operating cash flow is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below.  Operating cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA exclude these items in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. From time to time, U.S. Cellular may exclude other items from Operating cash flow and/or Adjusted EBITDA if such items help reflect operating results on a more comparable basis. U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any such items that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future.  Operating cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and should not be considered as alternatives to net income as indicators of the company’s operating performance or as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. U.S. Cellular believes Operating cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures of U.S. Cellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as indicated above.
  2. In providing 2015 Estimated Results, U.S. Cellular has not completed the above reconciliation to net income because it does not provide guidance for income taxes. U.S. Cellular believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, the company is unable to provide such guidance. Accordingly, a reconciliation to net income is not available without unreasonable effort.
  3. A reconciliation of Operating cash flow (Non-GAAP) to Operating income (GAAP) for September 30, 2015 actual results can be found on the company's website at investors.uscellular.com.

 

 


Conference Call Information

U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on October 30, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time.

  • Access the live call on the Events & Presentation page of investors.uscellular.com or at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1145/11364.
  • Access the call by phone at 877/407-8029 (US/Canada), no pass code required.

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

About U.S. Cellular

United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to 4.8 million customers in 23 states. The Chicago-based company had 6,400 full- and part-time associates as of September 30, 2015. At the end of the third quarter of 2015, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 84 percent of U.S. Cellular. For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.

Contacts

Jane McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Corporate Secretary

312-592-5379

jane.mccahon@tdsinc.com

 

Julie Mathews, Investor Relations Director

312-592-5341

julie.mathews@tdsinc.com

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts of any pending acquisitions/divestitures/exchanges of properties and/or licenses,  including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, successfully complete the transactions and the financial impacts of such transactions; the ability of the company to successfully manage and grow its markets; the overall economy; competition; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms; the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment; the value of assets and investments; adverse changes in the ratings afforded U.S. Cellular debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; uncertainty of access to the capital markets;  pending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings; changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per user, churn rates, roaming revenue and terms, the availability of wireless devices, or the mix of products and services offered by U.S. Cellular. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K Current Report used by U.S. Cellular to furnish this press release to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are incorporated by reference herein.   

For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit:

U.S. Cellular: www.uscellular.com


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of or for the Quarter Ended

9/30/2015

 

6/30/2015

 

3/31/2015

 

12/31/2014

 

9/30/2014

Retail Customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

4,341,000 

 

 

4,324,000 

 

 

4,307,000 

 

 

4,298,000 

 

 

4,200,000 

 

 

Gross additions

 

200,000 

 

 

191,000 

 

 

200,000 

 

 

302,000 

 

 

251,000 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

17,000 

 

 

17,000 

 

 

9,000 

 

 

98,000 

 

 

52,000 

 

 

ARPU (1)

$

58.12 

 

$

53.62 

 

$

54.87 

 

$

56.51 

 

$

56.37 

 

 

ARPA (2)

$

147.00 

 

$

133.85 

 

$

134.94 

 

$

136.13 

 

$

132.99 

 

 

Churn rate (3)

 

1.4%

 

 

1.3%

 

 

1.5%

 

 

1.6%

 

 

1.6%

 

 

Smartphone penetration (4)

 

72%

 

 

69%

 

 

67%

 

 

65%

 

 

62%

 

Prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

380,000 

 

 

368,000 

 

 

360,000 

 

 

348,000 

 

 

350,000 

 

 

Gross additions

 

71,000 

 

 

65,000 

 

 

73,000 

 

 

60,000 

 

 

64,000 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

12,000 

 

 

8,000 

 

 

12,000 

 

 

(2,000)

 

 

(2,000)

 

 

ARPU (1)

$

35.64 

 

$

35.98 

 

$

35.72 

 

$

35.33 

 

$

34.40 

 

 

Churn rate (3)

 

5.2%

 

 

5.2%

 

 

5.8%

 

 

5.9%

 

 

6.3%

Total customers at end of period

 

4,807,000 

 

 

4,779,000 

 

 

4,775,000 

 

 

4,760,000 

 

 

4,674,000 

Billed ARPU (1)

$

55.42 

 

$

51.29 

 

$

52.29 

 

$

53.63 

 

$

53.24 

Service revenue ARPU (1)

$

62.31 

 

$

57.55 

 

$

58.01 

 

$

60.10 

 

$

60.92 

Smartphones sold as a percent of total

  handsets sold

 

87%

 

 

87%

 

 

86%

 

 

87%

 

 

81%

Total population

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets (5) (8)

 

50,313,000 

 

 

52,809,000 

 

 

52,822,000 

 

 

58,840,000 

 

 

60,136,000 

 

 

Consolidated operating markets (5)

 

31,814,000 

 

 

31,814,000 

 

 

31,814,000 

 

 

31,729,000 

 

 

31,729,000 

Market penetration at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets (6)

 

10%

 

 

9%

 

 

9%

 

 

8%

 

 

8%

 

 

Consolidated operating markets (6)

 

15%

 

 

15%

 

 

15%

 

 

15%

 

 

15%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

134,816 

 

$

133,666 

 

$

66,460 

 

$

181,655 

 

$

142,452 

Total cell sites in service

 

6,246 

 

 

6,223 

 

 

6,219 

 

 

6,220 

 

 

6,209 

Owned towers (7)

 

3,957 

 

 

3,940 

 

 

3,936 

 

 

4,280 

 

 

4,487 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) metrics are calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of customers by the number of months in the period.  These revenue bases and customer populations are shown below:

 

 

 

a.

Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid customers.

 

 

 

b.

Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid customers.

 

 

 

c.

Billed ARPU consists of total postpaid, prepaid and reseller service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.

 

 

 

d.

Service revenue ARPU consists of total postpaid, prepaid and reseller service revenues, inbound roaming and other service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.

(2)

Average Revenue Per Account (“ARPA”) metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts by the number of months in the period.

(3)

Churn metrics represent the percentage of the postpaid or prepaid customers that disconnect service each month. These metrics represent the average monthly postpaid or prepaid churn rate for each respective period.

(4)

Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an Android, Apple, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile operating system, excluding connected devices. Smartphone penetration is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone customers by total postpaid handset customers.

(5)

During the third quarter of 2015 U.S. Cellular reassessed population statistics with respect to markets which U.S. Cellular consolidates and revised its calculations to more accurately accumulate such population statistics.  As a result, prior period population data and corresponding market penetration ratios were revised for markets that U.S. Cellular currently consolidates, or previously consolidated in the periods presented.  The decrease in the population of Consolidated markets is due primarily to the license exchange transactions of certain non-operating licenses in North Carolina in December 2014 and Illinois and Indiana in March 2015. Total Population is used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively.  See footnote (6) below.

(6)

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

(7)

During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular sold 359 and 236 towers, respectively, in divested markets.

(8)

As licenses awarded in Auction 97 have not yet been granted, population statistics related to such licenses have not been included in population data.


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

Three Months Ended September 30,

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

 

 

 

 

 

      Change

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Amount

 

Percent

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

895,960 

 

$

851,063 

 

$

44,897 

 

5%

 

Equipment sales

 

172,946 

 

 

149,356 

 

 

23,590 

 

16%

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

1,068,906 

 

 

1,000,419 

 

 

68,487 

 

7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization

   and accretion reported below)

 

198,982 

 

 

199,750 

 

 

(768)

 

-

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

287,256 

 

 

307,862 

 

 

(20,606)

 

(7)%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

374,585 

 

 

397,545 

 

 

(22,960)

 

(6)%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

152,369 

 

 

148,952 

 

 

3,417 

 

2%

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

2,618 

 

 

7,947 

 

 

(5,329)

 

(67)%

 

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

 

(643)

 

 

(10,283)

 

 

9,640 

 

94%

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

(23,986)

 

 

 

 

 

(23,986)

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

991,181 

 

 

1,051,773 

 

 

(60,592)

 

(6)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

77,725 

 

 

(51,354)

 

 

129,079 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

39,674 

 

 

35,971 

 

 

3,703 

 

10%

 

Interest and dividend income

 

9,299 

 

 

3,572 

 

 

5,727 

 

>100%

 

Interest expense

 

(21,121)

 

 

(13,514)

 

 

(7,607)

 

(56)%

 

Other, net

 

78 

 

 

95 

 

 

(17)

 

(18)%

 

 

Total investment and other income

 

27,930 

 

 

26,124 

 

 

1,806 

 

7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

105,655 

 

 

(25,230)

 

 

130,885 

 

>100%

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

40,634 

 

 

(1,459)

 

 

42,093 

 

>100%

Net income (loss)

 

65,021 

 

 

(23,771)

 

 

88,792 

 

>100%

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests, net of tax

 

1,427 

 

 

(1,606)

 

 

3,033 

 

>100%

Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

63,594 

 

$

(22,165)

 

$

85,759 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

84,333 

 

 

84,233 

 

 

100 

 

-

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.75 

 

$

(0.26)

 

$

1.02 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

84,947 

 

 

84,233 

 

 

714 

 

1%

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.75 

 

$

(0.26)

 

$

1.01 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

Nine Months Ended September 30,

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

 

 

 

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Amount

 

Percent

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

2,548,544 

 

$

2,548,149 

 

$

395 

 

-

 

Equipment sales

 

461,274 

 

 

335,854 

 

 

125,420 

 

37%

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

3,009,818 

 

 

2,884,003 

 

 

125,815 

 

4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization

   and accretion reported below)

 

585,935 

 

 

567,488 

 

 

18,447 

 

3%

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

779,228 

 

 

850,314 

 

 

(71,086)

 

(8)%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,106,524 

 

 

1,197,361 

 

 

(90,837)

 

(8)%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

450,035 

 

 

465,042 

 

 

(15,007)

 

(3)%

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

12,268 

 

 

16,774 

 

 

(4,506)

 

(27)%

 

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

 

(113,825)

 

 

(27,694)

 

 

(86,131)

 

>(100)%

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

(146,884)

 

 

(91,446)

 

 

(55,438)

 

(61)%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

2,673,281 

 

 

2,977,839 

 

 

(304,558)

 

(10)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

336,537 

 

 

(93,836)

 

 

430,373 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

109,729 

 

 

106,166 

 

 

3,563 

 

3%

 

Interest and dividend income

 

25,834 

 

 

6,029 

 

 

19,805 

 

>100%

 

Interest expense

 

(61,239)

 

 

(42,712)

 

 

(18,527)

 

(43)%

 

Other, net

 

274 

 

 

281 

 

 

(7)

 

(2)%

 

 

Total investment and other income

 

74,598 

 

 

69,764 

 

 

4,834 

 

7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

411,135 

 

 

(24,072)

 

 

435,207 

 

>100%

 

Income tax expense

 

161,214 

 

 

746 

 

 

160,468 

 

>100%

Net income (loss)

 

249,921 

 

 

(24,818)

 

 

274,739 

 

>100%

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests, net of tax

 

6,911 

 

 

(3,346)

 

 

10,257 

 

>100%

Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

243,010 

 

$

(21,472)

 

$

264,482 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

84,224 

 

 

84,262 

 

 

(38)

 

-

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

2.89 

 

$

(0.25)

 

$

3.14 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

84,869 

 

 

84,262 

 

 

607 

 

1%

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

2.86 

 

$

(0.25)

 

$

3.11 

 

>100%

 

 

 

 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

596,766 

 

$

211,513 

 

Accounts receivable from customers and others, net

 

628,796 

 

 

556,958 

 

Inventory, net

 

176,259 

 

 

267,068 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

88,041 

 

 

59,744 

 

Net deferred income tax asset

 

82,719 

 

 

93,058 

 

Other current assets

 

18,730 

 

 

90,834 

 

 

 

1,591,311 

 

 

1,279,175 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

 

 

107,055 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

1,834,061 

 

 

1,443,438 

 

Goodwill

 

369,596 

 

 

370,151 

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

347,710 

 

 

283,014 

 

 

 

2,551,367 

 

 

2,096,603 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

7,511,997 

 

 

7,458,740 

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

4,903,559 

 

 

4,730,523 

 

 

 

2,608,438 

 

 

2,728,217 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets and deferred charges

 

187,268 

 

 

276,218 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

6,938,384 

 

$

6,487,268 

 

 

 

 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

$

8,501 

 

$

46 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliated

 

7,874 

 

 

9,774 

 

 

Trade

 

362,268 

 

 

306,845 

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

236,568 

 

 

287,562 

 

Accrued taxes

 

121,177 

 

 

36,652 

 

Accrued compensation

 

57,547 

 

 

66,162 

 

Other current liabilities

 

92,617 

 

 

149,853 

 

 

 

 

886,552 

 

 

856,894 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

 

 

 

20,934 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liabilities and credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

828,563 

 

 

859,867 

 

Other deferred liabilities and credits

 

287,873 

 

 

284,002 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

1,368,656 

 

 

1,151,819 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

 

910 

 

 

1,150 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1 per share

 

88,074 

 

 

88,074 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,490,651 

 

 

1,472,558 

 

Treasury shares

 

(159,705)

 

 

(169,139)

 

Retained earnings

 

2,135,145 

 

 

1,910,498 

 

 

Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity

 

3,554,165 

 

 

3,301,991 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

11,665 

 

 

10,611 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

3,565,830 

 

 

3,312,602 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,938,384 

 

$

6,487,268 

 

 

 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

249,921 

 

$ 

(24,818)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

450,035 

 

 

465,042 

 

 

 

Bad debts expense

 

78,370 

 

 

74,357 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

18,161 

 

 

16,502 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

(20,075)

 

 

(14,124)

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

(109,729)

 

 

(106,166)

 

 

 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

 

45,035 

 

 

74,853 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

12,268 

 

 

16,774 

 

 

 

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

 

(113,825)

 

 

(27,694)

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

(146,884)

 

 

(91,446)

 

 

 

Noncash interest expense

 

1,206 

 

 

845 

 

 

 

Other operating activities

 

(391)

 

 

66 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(54,437)

 

 

73,741 

 

 

 

Equipment installment plans receivable

 

(95,799)

 

 

(131,520)

 

 

 

Inventory

 

90,811 

 

 

53,367 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

116,740 

 

 

21,677 

 

 

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

(51,026)

 

 

28,486 

 

 

 

Accrued taxes

 

161,237 

 

 

(18,453)

 

 

 

Accrued interest

 

10,814 

 

 

9,140 

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

(86,977)

 

 

(89,998)

 

 

 

 

 

555,455 

 

 

330,631 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(406,596)

 

 

(424,774)

 

Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses

 

(285,656)

 

 

(37,978)

 

Cash received from divestitures and exchanges

 

314,352 

 

 

143,801 

 

Cash received for investments

 

 

 

 

10,000 

 

Other investing activities

 

990 

 

 

804 

 

 

 

 

 

(376,910)

 

 

(308,147)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

225,000 

 

 

 

 

Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

 

(868)

 

 

1,150 

 

Common shares repurchased

 

(4,070)

 

 

(14,698)

 

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

(3,080)

 

 

(448)

 

Acquisition of towers in common control transaction

 

(2,437)

 

 

(76,298)

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

(6,097)

 

 

(439)

 

Other financing activities

 

(1,740)

 

 

(18)

 

 

 

 

 

206,708 

 

 

(90,751)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

385,253 

 

 

(68,267)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

211,513 

 

 

342,065 

 

End of period

$

596,766 

 

$ 

273,798 

 


 

 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

$

131,486 

 

$

117,771 

 

$

555,455 

 

$

330,631 

Add: Sprint Cost Reimbursement

 

 

4,422 

 

 

17,896 

 

 

27,596 

 

 

52,012 

Less: Cash used for additions to property, plant

     and equipment

 

 

147,361 

 

 

162,377 

 

 

406,596 

 

 

424,774 

 

Adjusted free cash flow (1)

 

$

(11,453)

 

$

(26,710)

 

$

176,455 

 

$

(42,131)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Adjusted free cash flow is defined as Cash flows from operating activities (which includes cash outflows related to the Sprint decommissioning), as adjusted for cash proceeds from the Sprint Cost Reimbursement (which are included in Cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows), less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Sprint decommissioning and Sprint Cost Reimbursement are further defined and discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.  Adjusted free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which U.S. Cellular believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations (including cash proceeds from the Sprint Cost Reimbursement), after Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment.