U.S. Cellular reports strong third quarter 2018 results
CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference November 2, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Listen to the live call via the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.
United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE: USM) reported total operating revenues of $1,001 million for the third quarter of 2018, versus $963 million for the same period one year ago. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $36 million and $0.41, respectively, for the third quarter of 2018. Excluding a $370 million ($309 million, net of tax) non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment recorded during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $10 million and $0.11, respectively. Including the goodwill impairment charge recorded during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, U.S. Cellular recorded a Net loss attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted loss per share of $299 million and $3.51, respectively.
"I'm pleased with our continued momentum this quarter," said Kenneth R. Meyers, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. "Through the efforts of our associates across the entire organization, we produced revenue growth and continued our cost management initiatives, which led to a 19% increase in Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter. These results gave us confidence to raise our 2018 guidance on profitability.
"Our subscriber results are strong evidence that customers value our Total Plans, as more subscribers switch to unlimited plans, driving an increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), which along with contributions from inbound roaming, increased device sales and device protection plans generated an increase in operating revenues. We have been successful in minimizing impacts of higher data usage through our ongoing cost management initiatives and making enhancements to our high-quality network."
2018 Estimated ResultsU.S. Cellular's current estimates of full-year 2018 results are shown below. Such estimates represent management's view as of November 2, 2018. Such forward‑looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.
2018 Estimated Results | ||
Current (1) | Previous | |
(Dollars in millions) | ||
Total operating revenues | $3,950-$4,000 | $3,925-$4,025 |
Adjusted OIBDA (2)(3) | $760-$810 | $700-$800 |
Adjusted EBITDA (2)(3) | $925-$1,000 | $850-$950 |
Capital expenditures | $500 | $500-$550 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 estimated results, actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and actual results for the year ended December 31, 2017. In providing 2018 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 | |||||||||
2018 EstimatedResults (1) | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (1) | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | |||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||
Net income (GAAP) | N/A | $ | 143 | $ | 15 | ||||
Add back or deduct: | |||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | N/A | 55 | (287) | ||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP) | $175-$250 | $ | 198 | $ | (272) | ||||
Add back: | |||||||||
Interest expense | 115 | 87 | 113 | ||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense | 645 | 478 | 615 | ||||||
EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (2) | $935-$1,010 | $ | 763 | $ | 456 | ||||
Add back or deduct: | |||||||||
Loss on impairment of goodwill | — | — | 370 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | 10 | 5 | 17 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | — | — | (1) | ||||||
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net | (20) | (18) | (22) | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (2) | $925-$1,000 | $ | 750 | $ | 820 | ||||
Deduct: | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 150-175 | 120 | 137 | ||||||
Interest and dividend income | 15 | 10 | 8 | ||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | ||||||
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) (2)(3) | $760-$810 | $ | 620 | $ | 675 | ||||
Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. | |
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
(2) | EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. EBITDA, 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 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income or Income (loss) before income taxes. |
(3) | Additional information and reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for September 30, 2018, can be found on U.S. Cellular's website at investors.uscellular.com. |
Conference Call InformationU.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on November 2, 2018 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/1145/28103
- Access the call by phone at 877-273-7192 (US/Canada), conference ID: 7739698.
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. CellularUnited 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 5,700 full- and part-time associates as of September 30, 2018. At the end of the third quarter of 2018, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 82 percent of U.S. Cellular. For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company's plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: 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: https://www.uscellular.com/
United States Cellular Corporation | |||||||||||||||||||
Summary Operating Data (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
As of or for the Quarter Ended | 9/30/2018 (1) | 6/30/2018 (1) | 3/31/2018 (1) | 12/31/2017 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||||||||||
Retail Connections | |||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid | |||||||||||||||||||
Total at end of period | 4,466,000 | 4,468,000 | 4,481,000 | 4,518,000 | 4,513,000 | ||||||||||||||
Gross additions | 172,000 | 146,000 | 129,000 | 177,000 | 191,000 | ||||||||||||||
Feature phones | 3,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 | ||||||||||||||
Smartphones | 130,000 | 106,000 | 91,000 | 128,000 | 132,000 | ||||||||||||||
Connected devices | 39,000 | 35,000 | 33,000 | 44,000 | 52,000 | ||||||||||||||
Net additions (losses) | (1,000) | (13,000) | (37,000) | 5,000 | 35,000 | ||||||||||||||
Feature phones | (14,000) | (12,000) | (15,000) | (15,000) | (15,000) | ||||||||||||||
Smartphones | 29,000 | 17,000 | (1,000) | 33,000 | 44,000 | ||||||||||||||
Connected devices | (16,000) | (18,000) | (21,000) | (13,000) | 6,000 | ||||||||||||||
ARPU (2) | $ | 45.31 | $ | 44.74 | $ | 44.34 | $ | 44.12 | $ | 43.41 | |||||||||
ABPU (Non-GAAP) (3) | $ | 59.41 | $ | 57.75 | $ | 57.10 | $ | 56.69 | $ | 54.71 | |||||||||
ARPA (4) | $ | 119.42 | $ | 118.57 | $ | 118.22 | $ | 118.05 | $ | 116.36 | |||||||||
ABPA (Non-GAAP) (5) | $ | 156.57 | $ | 153.03 | $ | 152.26 | $ | 151.68 | $ | 146.65 | |||||||||
Churn rate (6) | 1.29% | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.27% | 1.16% | ||||||||||||||
Handsets | 1.02% | 0.92% | 0.97% | 1.00% | 0.96% | ||||||||||||||
Connected devices | 3.04% | 2.85% | 2.79% | 2.84% | 2.33% | ||||||||||||||
Prepaid | |||||||||||||||||||
Total at end of period | 528,000 | 527,000 | 525,000 | 519,000 | 515,000 | ||||||||||||||
Gross additions | 80,000 | 78,000 | 88,000 | 83,000 | 102,000 | ||||||||||||||
Net additions | 1,000 | 2,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 31,000 | ||||||||||||||
ARPU (2) | $ | 32.09 | $ | 32.32 | $ | 31.78 | $ | 32.42 | $ | 33.12 | |||||||||
Churn rate (6) | 4.98% | 4.83% | 5.27% | 5.09% | 4.75% | ||||||||||||||
Total connections at end of period (7) | 5,050,000 | 5,051,000 | 5,063,000 | 5,096,000 | 5,089,000 | ||||||||||||||
Market penetration at end of period | |||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated operating population | 31,469,000 | 31,469,000 | 31,469,000 | 31,834,000 | 31,834,000 | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated operating penetration (8) | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | ||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures (millions) | $ | 118 | $ | 86 | $ | 70 | $ | 213 | $ | 112 | |||||||||
Total cell sites in service | 6,506 | 6,478 | 6,473 | 6,460 | 6,436 | ||||||||||||||
Owned towers | 4,119 | 4,105 | 4,099 | 4,080 | 4,051 | ||||||||||||||
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
(2) | 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: |
| |
(3) | 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. |
(4) | 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. |
(5) | 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. |
(6) | 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. |
(7) | Includes reseller and other connections. |
(8) | 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 EndedSeptember 30, | Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2018 (1) | 2017 | 2018 vs.2017 | 2018 (1) | 2017 | 2018 vs. 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||
Service | $ | 759 | $ | 737 | 3% | $ | 2,224 | $ | 2,223 | – | |||||||||||
Equipment sales | 242 | 226 | 7% | 692 | 639 | 8% | |||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 1,001 | 963 | 4% | 2,916 | 2,862 | 2% | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) | 200 | 185 | 8% | 566 | 549 | 3% | |||||||||||||||
Cost of equipment sold | 258 | 261 | (1)% | 716 | 749 | (4)% | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 346 | 350 | (1)% | 1,014 | 1,041 | (2)% | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 160 | 153 | 4% | 478 | 460 | 4% | |||||||||||||||
Loss on impairment of goodwill | — | 370 | N/M | — | 370 | N/M | |||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | 3 | 5 | (36)% | 5 | 14 | (61)% | |||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | — | (1) | N/M | — | (1) | N/M | |||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net | — | — | N/M | (18) | (19) | 6% | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 967 | 1,323 | (27)% | 2,761 | 3,163 | (13)% | |||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 34 | (360) | N/M | 155 | (301) | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Investment and other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 42 | 35 | 19% | 120 | 101 | 18% | |||||||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | 4 | 2 | N/M | 10 | 6 | 61% | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (29) | (28) | (2)% | (87) | (85) | (3)% | |||||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | (7)% | — | 1 | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Total investment and other income | 17 | 9 | 93% | 43 | 23 | 88% | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 51 | (351) | N/M | 198 | (278) | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 14 | (53) | N/M | 55 | (19) | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 37 | (298) | N/M | 143 | (259) | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | 1 | 1 | 40% | 14 | 2 | N/M | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ | 36 | $ | (299) | N/M | $ | 129 | $ | (261) | N/M | |||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 86 | 85 | 1% | 85 | 85 | 1% | |||||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ | 0.42 | $ | (3.51) | N/M | $ | 1.51 | $ | (3.07) | N/M | |||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 87 | 85 | 2% | 86 | 85 | 2% | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ | 0.41 | $ | (3.51) | N/M | $ | 1.49 | $ | (3.07) | N/M | |||||||||||
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful | |
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
United States Cellular Corporation | |||||||
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, | |||||||
2018 (1) | 2017 | ||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 143 | $ | (259) | |||
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 478 | 460 | |||||
Bad debts expense | 67 | 64 | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 26 | 21 | |||||
Deferred income taxes, net | (4) | (73) | |||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (120) | (101) | |||||
Distributions from unconsolidated entities | 90 | 85 | |||||
Loss on impairment of goodwill | — | 370 | |||||
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | 5 | 14 | |||||
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | — | (1) | |||||
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net | (18) | (19) | |||||
Noncash interest | 2 | 1 | |||||
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations | |||||||
Accounts receivable | (1) | (16) | |||||
Equipment installment plans receivable | (88) | (164) | |||||
Inventory | 15 | 36 | |||||
Accounts payable | 21 | (58) | |||||
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | (5) | (13) | |||||
Accrued taxes | 1 | 31 | |||||
Accrued interest | 9 | 9 | |||||
Other assets and liabilities | (21) | 7 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 600 | 394 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment | (277) | (252) | |||||
Cash paid for licenses | (2) | (189) | |||||
Cash received for investments | 50 | — | |||||
Cash paid for investments | — | (50) | |||||
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges | 23 | 19 | |||||
Other investing activities | 3 | — | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (203) | (472) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (14) | (9) | |||||
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments | 7 | 1 | |||||
Payment of debt issuance costs | (1) | — | |||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (5) | (2) | |||||
Other financing activities | (4) | — | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (17) | (10) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 380 | (88) | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | |||||||
Beginning of period | 352 | 586 | |||||
End of period | $ | 732 | $ | 498 | |||
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
United States Cellular Corporation | |||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
September 30,2018 (1) | December 31, 2017 | ||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 730 | $ | 352 | |||
Short-term investments | — | 50 | |||||
Accounts receivable | 929 | 843 | |||||
Inventory, net | 123 | 138 | |||||
Prepaid expenses | 62 | 79 | |||||
Other current assets | 20 | 21 | |||||
Total current assets | 1,864 | 1,483 | |||||
Assets held for sale | 42 | 10 | |||||
Licenses | 2,189 | 2,223 | |||||
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 461 | 415 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,126 | 2,320 | |||||
Other assets and deferred charges | 546 | 390 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 7,228 | $ | 6,841 | |||
United States Cellular Corporation | |||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||
September 30,2018 (1) | December 31, 2017 | ||||||
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 19 | $ | 18 | |||
Accounts payable | 324 | 310 | |||||
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 145 | 185 | |||||
Accrued taxes | 52 | 56 | |||||
Accrued compensation | 66 | 74 | |||||
Other current liabilities | 83 | 90 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 689 | 733 | |||||
Deferred liabilities and credits | |||||||
Deferred income tax liability, net | 510 | 461 | |||||
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 386 | 337 | |||||
Long-term debt, net | 1,609 | 1,622 | |||||
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features | 11 | 1 | |||||
Equity | |||||||
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | |||||||
Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1 per share | 88 | 88 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,578 | 1,552 | |||||
Treasury shares | (84) | (120) | |||||
Retained earnings | 2,430 | 2,157 | |||||
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | 4,012 | 3,677 | |||||
Noncontrolling interests | 11 | 10 | |||||
Total equity | 4,023 | 3,687 | |||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 7,228 | $ | 6,841 | |||
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
United States Cellular Corporation | |||||||||||||||
Financial Measures and Reconciliations | |||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow | |||||||||||||||
Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, | ||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) | $ | 235 | $ | 174 | $ | 600 | $ | 394 | |||||||
Less: Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment | 103 | 96 | 277 | 252 | |||||||||||
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 132 | $ | 78 | $ | 323 | $ | 142 | |||||||
(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 EndedSeptember 30, | Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, | ||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (GAAP) | $ | 36 | $ | (299) | $ | 129 | $ | (261) | |||
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) | $ | 36 | $ | 10 | $ | 129 | $ | 48 | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (GAAP) | $ | 0.41 | $ | (3.51) | $ | 1.49 | $ | (3.07) | |||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||
Adjustment to weighted average diluted shares (2) | — | 0.03 | — | 0.03 | |||||||
Loss in 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) | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 1.49 | $ | 0.56 | |||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (GAAP) | 87 | 85 | 86 | 85 | |||||||
Adjustment to weighted average diluted shares (2) | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||
Adjusted diluted weighted average shares (Non-GAAP) | $ | 87 | $ | 86 | $ | 86 | $ | 86 | |||
(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 | 9/30/2018 (1) | 6/30/2018 (1) | 3/31/2018 (1) | 12/31/2017 | 9/30/2017 | |||||||||
(Dollars and connection counts in millions) | ||||||||||||||
Calculation of Postpaid ARPU | ||||||||||||||
Postpaid service revenues | $ | 607 | $ | 600 | $ | 598 | $ | 598 | $ | 586 | ||||
Average number of postpaid connections | 4.47 | 4.47 | 4.50 | 4.52 | 4.50 | |||||||||
Number of months in period | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Postpaid ARPU (GAAP metric) | $ | 45.31 | $ | 44.74 | $ | 44.34 | $ | 44.12 | $ | 43.41 | ||||
Calculation of Postpaid ABPU | ||||||||||||||
Postpaid service revenues | $ | 607 | $ | 600 | $ | 598 | $ | 598 | $ | 586 | ||||
Equipment installment plan billings | 189 | 174 | 172 | 170 | 152 | |||||||||
Total billings to postpaid connections | $ | 796 | $ | 774 | $ | 770 | $ | 768 | $ | 738 | ||||
Average number of postpaid connections | 4.47 | 4.47 | 4.50 | 4.52 | 4.50 | |||||||||
Number of months in period | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Postpaid ABPU (Non-GAAP metric) | $ | 59.41 | $ | 57.75 | $ | 57.10 | $ | 56.69 | $ | 54.71 | ||||
Calculation of Postpaid ARPA | ||||||||||||||
Postpaid service revenues | $ | 607 | $ | 600 | $ | 598 | $ | 598 | $ | 586 | ||||
Average number of postpaid accounts | 1.70 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.68 | |||||||||
Number of months in period | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Postpaid ARPA (GAAP metric) | $ | 119.42 | $ | 118.57 | $ | 118.22 | $ | 118.05 | $ | 116.36 | ||||
Calculation of Postpaid ABPA | ||||||||||||||
Postpaid service revenues | $ | 607 | $ | 600 | $ | 598 | $ | 598 | $ | 586 | ||||
Equipment installment plan billings | 189 | 174 | 172 | 170 | 152 | |||||||||
Total billings to postpaid accounts | $ | 796 | $ | 774 | $ | 770 | $ | 768 | $ | 738 | ||||
Average number of postpaid accounts | 1.70 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.68 | |||||||||
Number of months in period | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Postpaid ABPA (Non-GAAP metric) | $ | 156.57 | $ | 153.03 | $ | 152.26 | $ | 151.68 | $ | 146.65 | ||||
Numbers may not foot due to rounding. | |
(1) | As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. |
View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-cellular-reports-strong-third-quarter-2018-results-300743029.html
SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation