Business News

EMBARQ Reports Solid Second Quarter Income and Cash Flow

2008-07-29 15:05:00

EMBARQ Reports Solid Second Quarter Income and Cash Flow

  Full-Year 2008 Cash Flow Before Dividends Expected to Exceed $1 Billion

 Company Repurchases Over 7% of Shares Outstanding Since Beginning of Year



    OVERLAND PARK, Kan., July 29 /EMWNews/ -- EMBARQ (NYSE:

EQ) today announced results for the second quarter of 2008, highlighted by

year-over-year improvement in income and cash flow. The company reported

second quarter revenue of $1.55 billion, operating income of $428 million,

diluted earnings per share of $1.38 and cash flow before dividends of $274

million.



    "Despite pressure on the top line, improved efficiency again enabled us

to deliver solid bottom-line results," said Tom Gerke, EMBARQ Chief

Executive Officer. "In addition, the economic environment continues to have

a net positive impact on cash flow as the slowdown in new home construction

reduces our capital expenditures. As a result, we have increased our 2008

cash flow outlook to more than $1 billion. We are also taking steps to

maintain a strong cash flow profile over the long term."




Second Quarter Highlights -- Operating income increased 7.0% year-over-year to $428 million in the second quarter. -- Diluted earnings per share increased 20.0% year-over-year to $1.38 in the second quarter, matching the first quarter of 2008 when the company reported the highest EPS level since spin-off. -- Second quarter cash flow before dividends was $274 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $560 million, an increase of 11.1% compared to the first half of 2007. -- As of July 25th, the company had repurchased approximately 11.33 million shares for a total of $479 million, which represents 96% of its current $500 million share repurchase authorization. -- Second quarter high-speed Internet and data revenues grew 13.2% and 5.9%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. -- Second quarter average revenue per household increased 4.8% over the prior year period. -- Video subscribers increased by 22,000 during the period, the highest level of additions in two years. -- EMBARQ(TM) Business recently announced EMBARQ Smart IP Enterprise(SM), which delivers an EMBARQ-hosted communications system with dedicated Internet access, local and long distance voice service, and IP-enabled calling features. -- EMBARQ(TM) Business also introduced IPsmartSuite, which utilizes an IP phone based touch screen for applications that facilitate process automation in small to mid-sized businesses in several industries, including the healthcare, legal and retail fields. Financial Results EMBARQ reported consolidated operating revenue of $1.55 billion for the second quarter, a decline of 3.5% from the prior year period. Revenue in the company's Logistics segment declined 10.6% year-over-year to $110 million. Revenue in the Telecommunications segment declined 2.9% from the prior year period to $1.44 billion. The decline in Telecommunications revenue was driven by a 7.8% decline in access lines, leading to a 7.2% decline in voice revenue, which was partially offset by high-speed Internet revenue growth of 13.2% and 5.9% growth in data revenue. Consolidated operating income increased 7.0% year-over-year to $428 million in the second quarter as a result of improved operating efficiency, lower wireless dilution, the absence of spin-off expenses and lower depreciation expense. In current and prior periods, operating income was impacted by the following items:
Increase (Decrease) 2Q-08 1Q-08 2Q-07 (in millions) Spin-off related expenses $0 $0 ($8) Net wireless dilution ($3) ($14) ($20) Gain from sale of real estate $9 $0 $0 Diluted earnings per share increased 20.0% over the prior year period to $1.38 for the quarter, which also reflects the after tax impact of the items above. Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow EMBARQ reported net capital expenditures during the period of $179 million. In the year ago period net capital expenditures were $186 million. Cash flow before dividends increased 7.9% over the prior year period to $274 million. Year-to-date cash flow before dividends totaled $560 million, compared to $504 million in the first half of 2007. The company paid a dividend of $0.6875 per share in the quarter. The company repurchased approximately 6.22 million shares during the second quarter at a cost of $265 million. Including repurchases of 3.35 million shares in the first quarter and 1.76 million shares in the first few weeks of the third quarter, the company has repurchased a total of 11.33 million shares through July 25th. The total cost of these shares was approximately $479 million, an average of $42.31 per share. Subscriber Results The company ended the period with 6.02 million access lines, which represents a sequential decline of 170,000 lines. Meanwhile, the year-over-year rate of access line loss increased to 7.8% in the second quarter. EMBARQ added 24,000 high-speed Internet subscribers during the period, bringing its subscriber base to over 1.36 million -- an increase of 18% over the prior year period. Video net additions increased by 22,000 during the quarter, and the company ended the quarter with 239,000 of its customers subscribing to video services. 2008 Outlook The company revised its outlook for 2008, which was previously provided on April 29th, 2008. Current expectations for the year are as follows:
-- Absolute access line losses over the remainder of 2008 are expected to be closer to prior year levels than in the first quarter, unchanged from the company's previous expectation. -- The range for telecommunications revenue is $5.72 to $5.80 billion, unchanged from the previous range. -- Wireless dilution is expected to be approximately $20 million, unchanged from the previous outlook. -- Net capital spending is expected to be less than $740 million, which is an improvement from the previous outlook of approximately $780 million. -- Cash flow before dividends is expected to be between $1.00 and $1.04 billion, an increase of $40 million from the previous range of $0.96 to $1.00 billion. Conference Call Today EMBARQ will hold a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Dial-in numbers for the conference call are (866) 245-2310 (U.S. and Canada) and (816) 650-2838 (International). The code required to access the call is 50031705. Please plan to dial-in at least five minutes before the scheduled start time. A simultaneous audio webcast of the call and a downloadable presentation will be available at http://www.embarq.com/investors. For those unable to participate live, a replay of the call will be available until August 12, 2008 by dialing (800) 642-1687 (U.S. and Canada) or (706) 645-9291 (International) as well as at http://www.embarq.com/investors. The accompanying presentation will also be archived and available for download at this website. Cautionary Statement This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws, including statements relating to EMBARQ's outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, depreciation and amortization, asset quality, access line declines, cash flow measures, customer growth, wireless dilution, or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. The words "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's judgment based on currently available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. With respect to these forward-looking statements, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things, customer and network usage, customer retention, pricing, operating costs, technology, and the economic and regulatory environment. Future performance cannot be ensured. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate, including access line loss to cable operators and wireless providers; the impact of new, emerging and competing technologies on our business; the effect of changes in the legal and regulatory environment and the impact of compliance with regulatory mandates; potential fluctuations in our financial performance, including revenues, capital expenditures and operating expenses; the impact of any adverse change in the ratings assigned to our debt by ratings agencies on the cost of financing or the ability to raise additional financing if needed; the effects of mergers, consolidations or other unexpected developments in the industries relevant to our operations; the failure to realize expected improvement in operating efficiencies; the costs and business risks with the development of new products and services; the uncertainties related to our investments in networks, systems and other businesses; the uncertainties related to the implementation of our business strategies; the inability of third parties to perform to our requirements under agreements related to our business operations; our ownership of or ability to license technology that may be necessary to expand our business offerings; restrictions in our patent agreement with Sprint Nextel; unexpected adverse results of legal proceedings involving our company; the impact of equipment failure or other breaches of network or information technology security; potential work stoppages; a determination by the IRS that the spin-off from Sprint Nextel should be treated as a taxable transaction; the volatility in the equity market; the effects of changes in both general and local economic conditions on the markets we serve, which can impact demand for our products and services; customer purchasing decisions; collectability of revenue; and, required levels of capital expenditures related to new construction of residences and businesses; the possible impact of adverse changes in political or other external factors over which we have no control, including hurricanes and other severe weather; and other risks referenced in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", and from time to time in other filings of ours with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and EMBARQ undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. EMBARQ is not obligated to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this news release.
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited) - Current Period Results Compared to Prior
Year ($ in millions, except per share amounts) Consolidated 2Q-08 2Q-07 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues Voice $994 $1,071 ($77) -7.2% Data 199 188 11 5.9% High-speed Internet 137 121 16 13.2% Wireless 17 11 6 54.5% Other services 60 63 (3) -4.8% Service revenues 1,407 1,454 (47) -3.2% EMBARQ Logistics 110 123 (13) -10.6% Other product 32 28 4 14.3% Product revenues 142 151 (9) -6.0% Total Net Operating Revenues 1,549 1,605 (56) -3.5% Operating Expenses Cost of services 381 404 23 5.7% Cost of products 132 142 10 7.0% Selling, general and administrative 361 395 34 8.6% Depreciation 247 264 17 6.4% Total Operating Expenses 1,121 1,205 84 7.0% Operating Income $428 $400 $28 7.0% Interest expense 100 111 11 9.9% Other expense (income), net (1) 0 1 n/a Income Before Taxes $329 $289 $40 13.8% Income tax expense 123 113 (10) -8.8% Net Income $206 $176 $30 17.0% Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.38 $1.15 $0.23 20.0% Telecom 2Q-08 2Q-07 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues Voice $994 $1,071 ($77) -7.2% Data 199 188 11 5.9% High-speed Internet 137 121 16 13.2% Wireless 17 11 6 54.5% Other services 60 63 (3) -4.8% Service revenues 1,407 1,454 (47) -3.2% Product revenues 32 28 4 14.3% Total Net Operating Revenues 1,439 1,482 (43) -2.9% Operating Expenses Cost of services 381 404 23 5.7% Cost of products 33 33 0 0.0% Selling, general and administrative 355 387 32 8.3% Depreciation 246 262 16 6.1% Total Operating Expenses 1,015 1,086 71 6.5% Operating Income $424 $396 $28 7.1% Logistics 2Q-08 2Q-07 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues 110 123 (13) -10.6% Operating Expenses Cost of services & products 99 109 10 9.2% Selling, general and administrative 6 8 2 25.0% Depreciation 1 2 1 50.0% Total Operating Expenses 106 119 13 10.9% Operating Income $4 $4 $0 0.0%
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited) - Current Period Results Compared to Prior
Quarter ($ in millions, except per share amounts) Consolidated 2Q-08 1Q-08 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues Voice $994 $1,024 ($30) -2.9% Data 199 198 1 0.5% High-speed Internet 137 133 4 3.0% Wireless 17 16 1 6.3% Other services 60 62 (2) -3.2% Service revenues 1,407 1,433 (26) -1.8% EMBARQ Logistics 110 115 (5) -4.3% Other product 32 23 9 39.1% Product revenues 142 138 4 2.9% Total Net Operating Revenues 1,549 1,571 (22) -1.4% Operating Expenses Cost of services 381 390 9 2.3% Cost of products 132 138 6 4.3% Selling, general and administrative 361 358 (3) -0.8% Depreciation 247 251 4 1.6% Total Operating Expenses 1,121 1,137 16 1.4% Operating Income $428 $434 ($6) -1.4% Interest expense 100 104 4 3.8% Other expense (income), net (1) (1) 0 0.0% Income Before Taxes $329 $331 ($2) -0.6% Income tax expense 123 119 (4) -3.4% Net Income $206 $212 ($6) -2.8% Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.38 $1.38 $0.00 0.0% Telecom 2Q-08 1Q-08 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues Voice $994 $1,024 ($30) -2.9% Data 199 198 1 0.5% High-speed Internet 137 133 4 3.0% Wireless 17 16 1 6.3% Other services 60 62 (2) -3.2% Service revenues 1,407 1,433 (26) -1.8% Product revenues 32 23 9 39.1% Total Net Operating Revenues 1,439 1,456 (17) -1.2% Operating Expenses Cost of services 381 389 8 2.1% Cost of products 33 33 0 0.0% Selling, general and administrative 355 348 (7) -2.0% Depreciation 246 250 4 1.6% Total Operating Expenses 1,015 1,020 5 0.5% Operating Income $424 $436 ($12) -2.8% Logistics 2Q-08 1Q-08 Fav/(Unfav) Net Operating Revenues 110 115 (5) -4.3% Operating Expenses Cost of services & products 99 106 7 6.6% Selling, general and administrative 6 10 4 40.0% Depreciation 1 1 0 0.0% Total Operating Expenses 106 117 11 9.4% Operating Income $4 ($2) $6 n/a Non-GAAP Definitions & Reconciliations The following non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) measures should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information provided in EMBARQ's consolidated financial statements. Net Debt Net debt is consolidated debt, including current maturities, less cash and equivalents. EMBARQ believes that net debt provides useful information about its capital structure.
Reconciliation - Net Debt 2Q08 1Q08 2Q07 Current maturities $82 $99 $54 Long-term debt 5,888 5,575 6,069 Less: Cash and equivalents (50) (52) (14) Net Debt $5,920 $5,622 $6,109 Net Capital Expenditures Net capital expenditures are capital expenditures less proceeds from construction reimbursements. EMBARQ believes that net capital expenditures provides useful information about the capital requirements of its operations.
Reconciliation - Net Capital Expenditures 2Q08 1Q08 2Q07 Capital expenditures 181 179 188 Less: Proceeds from construction reimbursements (2) (2) (2) Net Capital Expenditures $179 $177 $186 Cash Flow Before Dividends Cash flow before dividends is net cash provided by operating activities, excluding the effects of changes in assets and liabilities and other non-cash items, less net capital expenditures. EMBARQ believes that cash flow before dividends provides useful information about its capacity to return value to shareholders and reduce debt.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measure - Cash Flow before Dividends 2Q08 1Q08 2Q07 Net cash provided by operating activities $250 $593 $225 Add: Changes in assets and liabilities, net of other non-cash items 203 (130) 215 Net Income excluding depreciation 453 463 440 Less: Net Capital expenditures (179) (177) (186) Cash Flow before Dividends $274 $286 $254 Because EMBARQ cannot accurately predict the level of cash flow from operating activities and proceeds from construction reimbursements, EMBARQ does not provide reconciliations to GAAP of its forward looking measures of cash flow before dividends and net capital expenditures. Other Financial Measures Average Revenue per Household is calculated by dividing consumer revenues by average primary consumer access lines. While this measure is not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the measure uses a GAAP measure as the basis for the calculation. EMBARQ believes Average Revenue per Household provides useful information concerning the success of its bundling initiatives and performance in attracting and retaining high value customers. HSI Average Revenue per Subscriber is calculated by dividing high-speed Internet revenues by average high-speed Internet subscribers. While this measure is not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the measure uses a GAAP measure as the basis for the calculation. EMBARQ believes HSI Average Revenue per Subscriber provides useful information concerning the appeal of its high-speed Internet pricing plans and performance in attracting and retaining high value customers.

    About EMBARQ



    Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan.,

offers a complete suite of communications services. The company has

approximately 18,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is

included in the S&P 500 and is in the Fortune 500(R) list of America's

largest corporations.



    For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that

includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed

Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one

monthly bill.



    For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and

integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more

productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio

includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class High

Speed Internet, wireless, satellite TV from DIRECTV(R), enhanced data

network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed

network services.




For more information, visit embarq.com. Embarq Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations ($ in millions, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Quarter Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Net Operating Revenues Service revenues $1,407 $1,454 $2,840 $2,912 Product revenues 142 151 280 282 Total net operating revenue 1,549 1,605 3,120 3,194 Operating Expenses Cost of services 381 404 771 821 Cost of products 132 142 270 269 Selling, general and administrative 361 395 719 799 Depreciation 247 264 498 534 Total Operating Expenses 1,121 1,205 2,258 2,423 Operating Income 428 400 862 771 Interest expense 100 111 204 220 Other (income) expense, net (1) - (2) - Income Before Income Taxes 329 289 660 551 Income tax expense 123 113 242 215 Net Income $206 $176 $418 $336 Basic Earnings Per Share $1.40 $1.16 $2.79 $2.23 Basic weighted average shares 146.8 151.8 149.7 151.0 Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.38 $1.15 $2.76 $2.20 Diluted weighted average shares 148.8 153.6 151.4 153.0 Embarq Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets ($ in millions) June 30, December 31, 2008 2007 (unaudited) Assets Cash and equivalents $50 $69 Accounts receivable, net 581 616 Inventories, net 119 138 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 165 163 Total current assets 915 986 Net property, plant and equipment 7,589 7,748 Prepaid pension asset 130 108 Other noncurrent assets 72 59 Total noncurrent assets 7,791 7,915 Total assets $8,706 $8,901 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current maturities of long-term debt $82 $99 Accounts payable 337 387 Payroll and employee benefits 146 208 Accrued income taxes 68 27 Accrued operating taxes 105 97 Deferred revenue 189 202 Accrued interest 59 56 Other current liabilities 94 122 Total current liabilities 1,080 1,198 Long-term debt 5,888 5,779 Benefit plan obligations 318 320 Deferred income taxes 1,114 1,130 Other noncurrent liabilities 217 210 Total noncurrent liabilities 7,537 7,439 Stockholders' equity Common stock 2 2 Paid-in capital (214) (231) Retained earnings 832 623 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (130) (130) Treasury stock, at cost (401) - Total stockholders' equity 89 264 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $8,706 $8,901 Embarq Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ($ in millions) (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 2007 Operating Activities Net income $418 $336 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 498 534 Deferred and noncurrent income taxes (21) (52) Provision for losses on accounts receivable 49 37 Stock-based compensation expense 22 30 Net losses (gains) on sales of assets (9) (7) Other, net 26 22 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (14) (26) Inventories and other current assets (4) (30) Accounts payable and other current liabilities (98) (146) Noncurrent assets and liabilities, net (24) 7 Net cash provided by operating activities 843 705 Investing Activities Net capital expenditures (356) (366) Proceeds from sales of assets 2 18 Net cash used by investing activities (354) (348) Financing Activities Changes in debt, net 91 (332) Dividends paid to stockholders (208) (174) Repurchase of common stock (390) (2) Common stock issued 10 98 Other, net (11) 14 Net cash used by financing activities (508) (396) Change in Cash and Equivalents (19) (39) Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period 69 53 Cash and Equivalents at End of Period $50 $14 Embarq Corporation Operating Statistics (Revenues in millions; lines and subscribers in thousands) (unaudited) 2Q-08 1Q-08 2007 4Q-07 Service and Product Revenues Voice $994 $1,024 $4,238 $1,032 Data 199 198 765 193 High-speed Internet 137 133 489 128 Wireless 17 16 51 16 Other 60 62 243 59 Service revenues 1,407 1,433 5,786 1,428 Logistics 110 115 466 113 Other 32 23 113 36 Product revenues 142 138 579 149 Net operating revenues $1,549 $1,571 $6,365 $1,577 Operating Unit Revenues Consumer $641 $656 $2,655 $652 Business 386 381 1,544 389 Wholesale 412 419 1,700 423 Telecommunications segment 1,439 1,456 5,899 1,464 Logistics segment 110 115 466 113 Net operating revenues $1,549 $1,571 $6,365 $1,577 Access Lines Consumer 4,029 4,172 4,272 Business 1,841 1,861 1,876 Wholesale 152 159 164 Total 6,022 6,192 6,312 Average Revenue per Household (HH) Consumer revenue $641 $656 $652 Average households 3,821 3,926 3,997 Monthly revenue per average HH $55.92 $55.70 $54.37 High-speed Internet Lines Consumer 1,155 1,132 1,074 Business 170 167 164 Wholesale 39 41 39 Total 1,364 1,340 1,277 HSI Average Revenue per Subscriber High-speed Internet revenue $137 $133 $128 Average HSI subscribers $1,352 $1,309 1,247 Monthly revenue per average subscriber $33.78 $33.87 $34.22 Wireless Subscribers Consumer 97 101 101 Business 10 11 11 Total 107 112 112 Entertainment Subscribers 239 217 200 3Q-07 2Q-07 1Q-07 Service and Product Revenues Voice $1,051 $1,071 $1,084 Data 195 188 189 High-speed Internet 124 121 116 Wireless 15 11 9 Other 61 63 60 Service revenues 1,446 1,454 1,458 Logistics 121 123 109 Other 27 28 22 Product revenues 148 151 131 Net operating revenues $1,594 $1,605 $1,589 Operating Unit Revenues Consumer $658 $669 $676 Business 388 384 383 Wholesale 427 429 421 Telecommunications segment 1,473 1,482 1,480 Logistics segment 121 123 109 Net operating revenues $1,594 $1,605 $1,589 Access Lines Consumer 4,345 4,461 4,588 Business 1,887 1,896 1,909 Wholesale 171 176 184 Total 6,403 6,533 6,681 Average Revenue per Household (HH) Consumer revenue $658 $669 $676 Average households 4,076 4,180 4,261 Monthly revenue per average HH $53.81 $53.35 $52.88 High-speed Internet Lines Consumer 1,017 963 916 Business 160 154 149 Wholesale 39 39 39 Total 1,216 1,156 1,104 HSI Average Revenue per Subscriber High-speed Internet revenue $124 $121 $116 Average HSI subscribers 1,186 1,130 1,061 Monthly revenue per average subscriber $34.85 $35.69 $36.44 Wireless Subscribers Consumer 98 81 65 Business 10 8 6 Total 108 89 71 Entertainment Subscribers 190 178 170 Embarq Corporation Supplemental Cash Flow Data ($ in millions) (unaudited) Quarter Ended June 30, 2008 Operating Activities Net income $206 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 247 Deferred and noncurrent income taxes (1) Provision for losses on accounts receivable 28 Stock-based compensation expense 13 Net losses (gains) on sales of assets (9) Other, net 15 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (30) Inventories and other current assets 11 Accounts payable and other current liabilities (231) Noncurrent assets and liabilities, net 1 Net cash provided by operating activities 250 Investing Activities Net capital expenditures (179) Net cash used by investing activities (179) Financing Activities Changes in debt, net 296 Dividends paid to stockholders (101) Repurchase of common stock (275) Common stock issued 6 Other, net 1 Net cash used by financing activities (73) Change in Cash and Equivalents (2) Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period 52 Cash and Equivalents at End of Period $50

Major Newsire & Press Release Distribution with Basic Starting at only $19 and Complete OTCBB / Financial Distribution only $89

Get Unlimited Organic Website Traffic to your Website 
TheNFG.com now offers Organic Lead Generation & Traffic Solutions





























Jerry Cruz

Tops SEO Expert, Social Media Influencer and Editor. Having published and edited more than 4700+ Articles in the last 6 years definately a PRO!

Related Articles

Back to top button