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EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPusmexhibit992.htm
8-K - 8-K - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPusm8k.htm

 


Exhibit 99.1   NEWS RELEASE

 

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference November 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. CST.  Listen to the live call via the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Cellular reports third quarter 2017 results

U.S. Cellular continues to grow customer base and raises guidance

 

CHICAGO, (November 8, 2017) — United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM) reported total operating revenues of $963 million for the third quarter of 2017, versus $1,023 million for the same period one year ago. Net loss attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted loss per share were $299 million and $3.51, respectively, as a result of a $370 million ($309 million, net of tax) non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2017.  This compares to Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share of $17 million and $0.20, respectively, in the same period one year ago.  Excluding this goodwill impairment charge, Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $10 million and $0.11, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

“I am quite pleased with the operating results for the quarter as we continued to build on the momentum of the previous quarter, growing subscribers and increasing customer loyalty while tightly managing costs, said Kenneth R. Meyers, U.S. Cellular president and CEO.  “We added postpaid handset subscribers and experienced another quarter of exceptionally low handset churn driven by greater adoption of our Total Plans and attractive promotions. Overall, we are competing effectively in the marketplace.  Our subscriber results are strong evidence that customers value our Total Plans and love the quality of our award winning network.  We believe we have found a good balance of promotional offers to get new customers into our stores, and we treat all of our customers exceptionally well with our customer-focused service orientation.

“Thanks to disciplined cost management, operating expenses were down across all major categories including cost of equipment sold and selling, general and administrative expenses, helping to offset lower average revenue per user (ARPU) caused by industry-wide price competition.   Even as data traffic continues to grow, our engineers have worked hard to ensure our network efficiency is at the highest level and system operations expenses continue to decrease. These cost savings coupled with the growth in customers gave us reason to raise guidance on important metrics like Adjusted EBITDA.  We increased guidance despite industry-wide pricing pressure which was a key driver to both the year-over-year decline in revenue and our decision to write off goodwill.  In light of all the value the wireless industry is delivering to consumers and businesses every day, these pricing declines are unfathomable.”

 

 


 


2017 Estimated Results

U.S. Cellular’s current estimates of full-year 2017 results are shown below.  Such estimates represent management’s view as of November 8, 2017.  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.

 

 

2017 Estimated Results

 

 

Current

 

Previous

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

$3,850-$3,950

 

$3,800-$4,000

Adjusted OIBDA (1)(2)(3)

$600-$700

 

$550-$650

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$740-$840

 

$700-$800

Capital expenditures

Approx.

$500

 

Unchanged

 

 


 


The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 estimated results, actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and actual results for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In providing 2017 estimated results, U.S. Cellular has not completed the below reconciliation to net income because it does not provide guidance for income taxes.  Although potentially significant, U.S. Cellular believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, U.S. Cellular is unable to provide such guidance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual Results

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Estimated

Results

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2016

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) (GAAP)

 

 

N/A

 

$

(259)

 

$

49 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

N/A

 

 

(19)

 

 

33 

Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP)

 

$

(350)-(250)

 

$

(278)

 

$

82 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

110

 

 

85 

 

 

113 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

 

610

 

 

460 

 

 

618 

EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

 

$

370-470 

 

$

267 

 

$

813 

Add back (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

 

370 

 

 

370 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

 

(20)

 

 

(19)

 

 

(19)

 

(Gain) loss on assets disposals, net

 

 

20

 

 

14 

 

 

22 

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (2)

 

$

740-840 

 

$

631 

 

$

816 

Deduct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 

130

 

 

101 

 

 

140 

 

Interest and dividend income (1)

 

 

10

 

 

6 

 

 

6 

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

1 

 

 

1 

Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) (1)(2)(3)

 

$

600-700 

 

$

523 

 

$

669 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Equipment installment plan interest income is reflected as a component of Service revenues consistent with an accounting policy change effective January 1, 2017.  All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this accounting change. 

 

 

 

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above.  Adjusted OIBDA is defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above.  Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA 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 or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity.  U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation above are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future.  Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate.  Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of U.S. Cellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of U.S. Cellular’s financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance.  Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and gains and losses, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities.  The table above reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income (loss) or Income (loss) before income taxes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

A reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) to Operating income (GAAP) for September 30, 2017, actual results can be found on U.S. Cellular’s website at investors.uscellular.com.

 

 

 


 


Conference Call Information

U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on November 8, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time.

 

  • Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com or at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1145/23219.
  • 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 customers with 5.1 million connections in 22 states. The Chicago-based company had 6,000 full- and part-time associates as of September 30, 2017. At the end of the third quarter of 2017, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 83 percent of U.S. Cellular. For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.

Contacts

Jane McCahon, Senior Vice President - Corporate Relations and Corporate Secretary of TDS

312-592-5379

jane.mccahon@tdsinc.com

 

Julie Mathews, IRC, Director - Investor Relations of TDS

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: intense competition; the ability to execute U.S. Cellular’s business strategy; uncertainties in U.S. Cellular’s future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on U.S. Cellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; 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 access to and pricing of unbundled network elements; 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 of U.S. Cellular debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; 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 services and products 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, 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

9/30/2017

 

6/30/2017

 

3/31/2017

 

 

12/31/2016

 

9/30/2016

Retail Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

4,513,000 

 

 

4,478,000 

 

 

4,455,000 

 

 

4,482,000 

 

 

4,484,000 

 

 

Gross additions

 

191,000 

 

 

174,000 

 

 

146,000 

 

 

187,000 

 

 

174,000 

 

 

 

Feature phones

 

7,000 

 

 

7,000 

 

 

7,000 

 

 

7,000 

 

 

10,000 

 

 

 

Smartphones

 

132,000 

 

 

116,000 

 

 

88,000 

 

 

109,000 

 

 

105,000 

 

 

 

Connected devices

 

52,000 

 

 

51,000 

 

 

51,000 

 

 

71,000 

 

 

59,000 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

35,000 

 

 

23,000 

 

 

(27,000)

 

 

(2,000)

 

 

(6,000)

 

 

 

Feature phones

 

(15,000)

 

 

(15,000)

 

 

(19,000)

 

 

(21,000)

 

 

(20,000)

 

 

 

Smartphones

 

44,000 

 

 

34,000 

 

 

(9,000)

 

 

(4,000)

 

 

(7,000)

 

 

 

Connected devices

 

6,000 

 

 

4,000 

 

 

1,000 

 

 

23,000 

 

 

21,000 

 

 

ARPU (1)

$

43.41 

 

$

44.60 

 

$

45.42 

 

$

45.19 

 

$

47.08 

 

 

ABPU (Non-GAAP)(2)

$

54.71 

 

$

55.19 

 

$

55.82 

 

$

55.43 

 

$

56.79 

 

 

ARPA (3)

$

116.36 

 

$

119.73 

 

$

121.88 

 

$

120.67 

 

$

125.31 

 

 

ABPA (Non-GAAP)(4)

$

146.65 

 

$

148.15 

 

$

149.78 

 

$

148.02 

 

$

151.16 

 

 

Churn rate (5)

 

1.16%

 

 

1.13%

 

 

1.29%

 

 

1.41%

 

 

1.34%

 

 

 

Handsets

 

0.96%

 

 

0.91%

 

 

1.08%

 

 

1.23%

 

 

1.22%

 

 

 

Connected devices

 

2.33%

 

 

2.35%

 

 

2.55%

 

 

2.49%

 

 

2.04%

 

Prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

515,000 

 

 

484,000 

 

 

480,000 

 

 

484,000 

 

 

480,000 

 

 

Gross additions

 

102,000 

 

 

73,000 

 

 

78,000 

 

 

83,000 

 

 

132,000 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

31,000 

 

 

3,000 

 

 

(4,000)

 

 

4,000 

 

 

67,000 

 

 

ARPU (1)

$

33.12 

 

$

33.52 

 

$

33.66 

 

$

33.25 

 

$

34.39 

 

 

Churn rate (5)

 

4.75%

 

 

4.93%

 

 

5.69%

 

 

5.44%

 

 

4.84%

Total connections at end of period (6)

 

5,089,000 

 

 

5,023,000 

 

 

4,996,000 

 

 

5,031,000 

 

 

5,030,000 

Market penetration at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating population

 

31,834,000 

 

 

32,089,000 

 

 

32,089,000 

 

 

31,994,000 

 

 

31,994,000 

 

Consolidated operating penetration (7)

 

16%

 

 

16%

 

 

16%

 

 

16%

 

 

16%

Capital expenditures (millions)

$

112 

 

$

84 

 

$

61 

 

$

171 

 

$

103 

Total cell sites in service

 

6,436 

 

 

6,421 

 

 

6,417 

 

 

6,415 

 

 

6,374 

Owned towers

 

4,051 

 

 

4,044 

 

 

4,041 

 

 

4,040 

 

 

4,015 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) - metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of months in the period.  These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

(2)

Average Billings Per User (ABPU) - non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.  Refer to the end of this release for a reconciliation of this metric to its most comparable GAAP metric.

(3)

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

(4)

Average Billings Per Account (ABPA) - non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.  Refer to the end of this release for a reconciliation of this metric to its most comparable GAAP metric.

(5)

Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month.  These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period.

(6)

Includes reseller and other connections.

(7)

Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated operating markets as estimated by Nielsen.

 

 



 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service(1) 

$

737 

 

$

784 

 

$

(47)

 

(6)%

 

Equipment sales

 

226 

 

 

239 

 

 

(13)

 

(5)%

 

 

Total operating revenues(1)

 

963 

 

 

1,023 

 

 

(60)

 

(6)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization

   and accretion reported below)

 

185 

 

 

196 

 

 

(11)

 

(6)%

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

261 

 

 

280 

 

 

(19)

 

(7)%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

350 

 

 

370 

 

 

(20)

 

(5)%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

153 

 

 

155 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)%

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

370 

 

 

 

 

 

370 

 

N/M

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

5 

 

 

7 

 

 

(2)

 

(26)%

 

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

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

N/M

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

 

7 

 

100%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,323 

 

 

1,001 

 

 

322 

 

32%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)(1)

 

(360)

 

 

22 

 

 

(382)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

35 

 

 

38 

 

 

(3)

 

(7)%

 

Interest and dividend income(1)

 

2 

 

 

1 

 

 

1 

 

68%

 

Interest expense

 

(28)

 

 

(28)

 

 

 

 

(2)%

 

 

Total investment and other income(1)

 

9 

 

 

11 

 

 

(2)

 

(21)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(351)

 

 

33 

 

 

(384)

 

>(100)%

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(53)

 

 

15 

 

 

(68)

 

>(100)%

Net income (loss) 

 

(298)

 

 

18 

 

 

(316)

 

>(100)%

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests, net of tax

 

1 

 

 

1 

 

 

 

 

(9)%

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

$

(299)

 

$

17 

 

$

(316)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

 

 

-

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

(3.51)

 

$

0.20 

 

$

(3.71)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

 

 

-

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to

   U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

(3.51)

 

$

0.20 

 

$

(3.71)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Equipment installment plan interest income is reflected as a component of Service revenues consistent with an accounting policy change effective January 1, 2017.  All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this accounting change.

 


 

 


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service(1)

$

2,223 

 

$

2,330 

 

$

(107)

 

(5)%

 

Equipment sales

 

639 

 

 

655 

 

 

(16)

 

(3)%

 

 

Total operating revenues(1)

 

2,862 

 

 

2,985 

 

 

(123)

 

(4)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and accretion reported below)

 

549 

 

 

572 

 

 

(23)

 

(4)%

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

749 

 

 

799 

 

 

(50)

 

(6)%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,041 

 

 

1,089 

 

 

(48)

 

(4)%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

460 

 

 

462 

 

 

(2)

 

-

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

370 

 

 

 

 

 

370 

 

N/M

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

14 

 

 

16 

 

 

(2)

 

(17)%

 

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

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

>(100)%

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

(19)

 

 

(16)

 

 

(3)

 

(16)%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

3,163 

 

 

2,922 

 

 

241 

 

8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)(1)

 

(301)

 

 

63 

 

 

(364)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

101 

 

 

110 

 

 

(9)

 

(8)%

 

Interest and dividend income(1)

 

6 

 

 

4 

 

 

2 

 

45%

 

Interest expense

 

(85)

 

 

(84)

 

 

(1)

 

(1)%

 

Other, net

 

1 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

 

(9)%

 

 

Total investment and other income(1)

 

23 

 

 

30 

 

 

(7)

 

(25)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(278)

 

 

93 

 

 

(371)

 

>(100)%

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(19)

 

 

39 

 

 

(58)

 

>(100)%

Net income (loss)

 

(259)

 

 

54 

 

 

(313)

 

>(100)%

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests, net of tax

 

2 

 

 

1 

 

 

1 

 

>100%

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

$

(261)

 

$

53 

 

$

(314)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

 

 

-

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

(3.07)

 

$

0.63 

 

$

(3.70)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

 

 

-

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

(3.07)

 

$

0.63 

 

$

(3.70)

 

>(100)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Equipment installment plan interest income is reflected as a component of Service revenues consistent with an accounting policy change effective January 1, 2017.  All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this accounting change.

 

 


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

2017

 

2016

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(259)

 

$

54 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

460 

 

 

462 

 

 

 

Bad debts expense

 

64 

 

 

69 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

21 

 

 

19 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

(73)

 

 

11 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

(101)

 

 

(110)

 

 

 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

 

85 

 

 

55 

 

 

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

370 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

 

14 

 

 

16 

 

 

 

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

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

 

(19)

 

 

(16)

 

 

 

Noncash interest

 

1 

 

 

1 

 

 

 

Other operating activities

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(16)

 

 

1 

 

 

 

Equipment installment plans receivable

 

(164)

 

 

(160)

 

 

 

Inventory

 

36 

 

 

2 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

(58)

 

 

45 

 

 

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

(13)

 

 

(41)

 

 

 

Accrued taxes

 

31 

 

 

38 

 

 

 

Accrued interest

 

9 

 

 

7 

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

7 

 

 

(36)

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

394 

 

 

415 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(252)

 

 

(280)

 

Cash paid for licenses

 

(189)

 

 

(46)

 

Cash paid for investments

 

(50)

 

 

 

 

Cash received from divestitures and exchanges

 

19 

 

 

20 

 

Federal Communications Commission deposit

 

 

 

 

(143)

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(472)

 

 

(449)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(9)

 

 

(8)

 

Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

 

1 

 

 

4 

 

Common shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

(2)

 

 

(1)

 

Other financing activities

 

 

 

 

2 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(10)

 

 

(7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(88)

 

 

(41)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

586 

 

 

715 

 

End of period

$

498 

 

$

674 

 


 

 


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

498 

 

$

586 

 

Short-term investments

 

50 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from customers and others, net

 

757 

 

 

727 

 

Inventory, net

 

102 

 

 

138 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

76 

 

 

84 

 

Other current assets

 

21 

 

 

23 

 

 

Total current assets

 

1,504 

 

 

1,558 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

 

5 

 

 

8 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

2,225 

 

 

1,886 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

370 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

429 

 

 

413 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

7,576 

 

 

7,712 

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

5,313 

 

 

5,242 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2,263 

 

 

2,470 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets and deferred charges

 

354 

 

 

405 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

6,780 

 

$

7,110 

 


 

 


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

$

18 

 

$

11 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliated

 

11 

 

 

12 

 

 

Trade

 

259 

 

 

309 

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

176 

 

 

190 

 

Accrued taxes

 

65 

 

 

39 

 

Accrued compensation

 

68 

 

 

73 

 

Other current liabilities

 

76 

 

 

84 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

673 

 

 

718 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liabilities and credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liability, net

 

753 

 

 

826 

 

Other deferred liabilities and credits

 

321 

 

 

302 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

 

1,626 

 

 

1,618 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

 

1 

 

 

1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

88 

 

 

88 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,543 

 

 

1,522 

 

Treasury shares

 

(120)

 

 

(136)

 

Retained earnings

 

1,884 

 

 

2,160 

 

 

Total U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity

 

3,395 

 

 

3,634 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

11 

 

 

11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

3,406 

 

 

3,645 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,780 

 

$

7,110 


 

 


 


United States Cellular Corporation

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)

 

$

174 

 

$

155 

 

$

394 

 

$

415 

Less: Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

96 

 

 

102 

 

 

252 

 

 

280 

 

 

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) (1)

 

$

78 

 

$

53 

 

$

142 

 

$

135 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Management uses Free cash flow as a liquidity measure and it is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment.  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 liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment.

Net income (loss) excluding goodwill impairment charge

The following non-GAAP financial measures present certain information in the table below excluding the effect of the goodwill impairment charge and related tax effects.  The goodwill impairment charge, which occurred in the third quarter of 2017, is being excluded in this presentation, as it is not related to the current operations of U.S. Cellular.  U.S. Cellular believes these measures may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information when comparing the current period financial results with periods that were not impacted by such a charge.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

2017

 

2016

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

$

(299)

 

$

17 

 

$

(261)

 

$

53 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

370 

 

 

 

 

 

370 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit on impairment of goodwill(1)

 

(61)

 

 

 

 

 

(61)

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments (Non-GAAP)

 

309 

 

 

 

 

 

309 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders excluding goodwill impairment charge (Non-GAAP)

$

10 

 

$

17 

 

$

48 

 

$

53 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (GAAP)

$

(3.51)

 

$

0.20 

 

$

(3.07)

 

$

0.63 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to weighted average diluted shares(2)

 

0.03 

 

 

 

 

 

0.03 

 

 

 

 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

 

4.30 

 

 

 

 

 

4.31 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit on impairment of goodwill(1)

 

(0.71)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.71)

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders excluding goodwill impairment charge (Non-GAAP)

$

0.11 

 

$

0.20 

 

$

0.56 

 

$

0.63 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (GAAP)

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

 

85 

 

Adjustment to weighted average diluted shares(2)

 

1 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted weighted average shares (Non-GAAP)

 

86 

 

 

85 

 

 

86 

 

 

85 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Tax benefit represents the amount associated with the tax-deductible portion of the loss on goodwill impairment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Adjustment to reflect the incremental shares deemed anti-dilutive for GAAP diluted earnings per share.

 

 


 


Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA

U.S. Cellular presents Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA to reflect the revenue shift from Service revenues to Equipment sales resulting from the increased adoption of equipment installment plans.  Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA, as previously defined herein, are non-GAAP financial measures which U.S. Cellular believes are useful to investors and other users of its financial information in showing trends in both service and equipment sales revenues received from customers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended

 

9/30/2017

 

 

6/30/2017

 

 

3/31/2017

 

 

12/31/2016

 

 

9/30/2016

(Dollars and connection counts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Postpaid ARPU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid service revenues

$

586 

 

$

597 

 

$

608 

 

$

607 

 

$

635 

Average number of postpaid connections

 

4.50 

 

 

4.47 

 

 

4.46 

 

 

4.48 

 

 

4.49 

Number of months in period

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

Postpaid ARPU (GAAP metric)

$

43.41 

 

$

44.60 

 

$

45.42 

 

$

45.19 

 

$

47.08 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Postpaid ABPU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid service revenues

$

586 

 

$

597 

 

$

608 

 

$

607 

 

$

635 

Equipment installment plan billings

 

152 

 

 

142 

 

 

139 

 

 

138 

 

 

131 

 

Total billings to postpaid connections

$

738 

 

$

739 

 

$

747 

 

$

745 

 

$

766 

Average number of postpaid connections

 

4.50 

 

 

4.47 

 

 

4.46 

 

 

4.48 

 

 

4.49 

Number of months in period

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

Postpaid ABPU (Non-GAAP metric)

$

54.71 

 

$

55.19 

 

$

55.82 

 

$

55.43 

 

$

56.79 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Postpaid ARPA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid service revenues

$

586 

 

$

597 

 

$

608 

 

$

607 

 

$

635 

Average number of postpaid accounts

 

1.68 

 

 

1.66 

 

 

1.66 

 

 

1.68 

 

 

1.69 

Number of months in period

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

Postpaid ARPA (GAAP metric)

$

116.36 

 

$

119.73 

 

$

121.88 

 

$

120.67 

 

$

125.31 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Postpaid ABPA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid service revenues

$

586 

 

$

597 

 

$

608 

 

$

607 

 

$

635 

Equipment installment plan billings

 

152 

 

 

142 

 

 

139 

 

 

138 

 

 

131 

 

Total billings to postpaid accounts

$

738 

 

$

739 

 

$

747 

 

$

745 

 

$

766 

Average number of postpaid accounts

 

1.68 

 

 

1.66 

 

 

1.66 

 

 

1.68 

 

 

1.69 

Number of months in period

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

 

3 

 

Postpaid ABPA (Non-GAAP metric)

$

146.65 

 

$

148.15 

 

$

149.78 

 

$

148.02 

 

$

151.16