CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --
As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference on February 22, 2019 at
9:30 a.m. CST. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of
investors.uscellular.com.
United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM) reported total operating revenues of $1,051
million for the fourth quarter of 2018, versus $1,029 million for the same period one year
ago. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $21
million and $0.23, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2018. For the quarter ended
December 31, 2017, excluding a benefit of $269 million related to the
enactment of new tax legislation, Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular common shareholders and related diluted earnings
per share (non-GAAP) were $4 million and $0.05, respectively. Including the tax benefit
recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular
shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $273 million and $3.18, respectively.
U.S. Cellular reported total operating revenues of $3,967 million and $3,890 million for the years ended 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular
shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $150 million and $1.72, respectively, for the year ended 2018. For the year ended December 31,
2017, excluding the benefit of $269 million related to the enactment of new tax legislation
and the recognition of a loss on goodwill impairment of $370 million ($307
million, net of tax) in the third quarter, Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted
earnings per share (non-GAAP) were $50 million and $0.58,
respectively. Including the tax benefit and the goodwill impairment charge, Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
and related diluted earnings per share were $12 million and $0.14,
respectively.
"U.S. Cellular delivered strong results in 2018," said Kenneth R. Meyers, U.S. Cellular
President and CEO. "We made significant progress on our strategic imperatives, protecting and growing our customer base
while also increasing revenues and profitability, enabling us to enter 2019 in a position to invest in the future competitiveness
of U.S. Cellular.
"We achieved our number one imperative to protect our customer base by increasing handset connections and customer
loyalty. Continued adoption of unlimited plans helped drive an increase in average revenue per user. Inbound roaming
revenues also increased. For the second year in a row, we tightly managed costs throughout the business, generating
$200 million in savings over the two years. All in, Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 increased 17
percent over the previous year and the associated margin expanded by more than 300 basis points.
"As we move into 2019, we are in a strong position to support the increased level of investment needed to execute network
enhancements including deployment of 5G technology. We will also continue our focus on strengthening the customer base,
identifying new and emerging revenue streams, and reducing costs throughout the business. Additionally, we are expanding
our footprint by edging out into Sioux City, Iowa and Northern
Wisconsin."
2019 Estimated Results
U.S. Cellular's current estimates of full-year 2019 results are shown below. Such estimates represent management's view as of
February 22, 2019. 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.
|
2019 Estimated Results
|
|
Actual Results for the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
|
|
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
$4,100-$4,300
|
|
$
|
3,967
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA (1)
|
$725-$875
|
|
$
|
790
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
|
$900-$1,050
|
|
$
|
963
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
$625-$725
|
|
$
|
515
|
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2019 estimated results
and actual results for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. In providing 2019 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.
|
2019 Estimated
Results
|
|
Actual Results for the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018 (1)
|
|
Actual Results for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (GAAP)
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
164
|
|
|
$
|
15
|
|
|
Add back or deduct:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
N/A
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
(287)
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP)
|
$60-$210
|
|
|
$
|
215
|
|
|
$
|
(272)
|
|
|
Add back:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
115
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
|
710
|
|
|
640
|
|
|
615
|
|
|
EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (2)
|
$885-$1,035
|
|
|
$
|
971
|
|
|
$
|
456
|
|
|
Add back or deduct:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
370
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net
|
20
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net
|
(5)
|
|
|
(18)
|
|
|
(22)
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (2)
|
$900-$1,050
|
|
|
$
|
963
|
|
|
$
|
820
|
|
|
Deduct:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
155
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
20
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Other, net
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) (2)
|
$725-$875
|
|
|
$
|
790
|
|
|
$
|
675
|
|
|
|
|
(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 before income taxes. Additional information and
reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for December 31, 2018, 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 February 22, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. Central
Time.
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 5.0 million connections in 22 states. The Chicago-based company had 5,600 full- and part-time associates as of December 31, 2018. At the end of
the fourth 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: www.uscellular.com
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)
|
|
|
As of or for the Quarter Ended
|
12/31/2018 (1)
|
|
9/30/2018 (1)
|
|
6/30/2018 (1)
|
|
3/31/2018 (1)
|
|
12/31/2017
|
|
Retail Connections
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
4,472,000
|
|
|
4,466,000
|
|
|
4,468,000
|
|
|
4,481,000
|
|
|
4,518,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
179,000
|
|
|
172,000
|
|
|
146,000
|
|
|
129,000
|
|
|
177,000
|
|
|
Feature phones
|
4,000
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
Smartphones
|
132,000
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
106,000
|
|
|
91,000
|
|
|
128,000
|
|
|
Connected devices
|
43,000
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
|
44,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
6,000
|
|
|
(1,000)
|
|
|
(13,000)
|
|
|
(37,000)
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
Feature phones
|
(11,000)
|
|
|
(14,000)
|
|
|
(12,000)
|
|
|
(15,000)
|
|
|
(15,000)
|
|
|
Smartphones
|
31,000
|
|
|
29,000
|
|
|
17,000
|
|
|
(1,000)
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
|
Connected devices
|
(14,000)
|
|
|
(16,000)
|
|
|
(18,000)
|
|
|
(21,000)
|
|
|
(13,000)
|
|
|
ARPU (2)
|
$
|
45.58
|
|
|
$
|
45.31
|
|
|
$
|
44.74
|
|
|
$
|
44.34
|
|
|
$
|
44.12
|
|
|
ABPU (Non-GAAP) (3)
|
$
|
60.46
|
|
|
$
|
59.41
|
|
|
$
|
57.75
|
|
|
$
|
57.10
|
|
|
$
|
56.69
|
|
|
ARPA (4)
|
$
|
119.60
|
|
|
$
|
119.42
|
|
|
$
|
118.57
|
|
|
$
|
118.22
|
|
|
$
|
118.05
|
|
|
ABPA (Non-GAAP) (5)
|
$
|
158.66
|
|
|
$
|
156.57
|
|
|
$
|
153.03
|
|
|
$
|
152.26
|
|
|
$
|
151.68
|
|
|
Churn rate (6)
|
1.29
|
%
|
|
1.29
|
%
|
|
1.19
|
%
|
|
1.23
|
%
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
Handsets
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
1.02
|
%
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
Connected devices
|
3.20
|
%
|
|
3.04
|
%
|
|
2.85
|
%
|
|
2.79
|
%
|
|
2.84
|
%
|
|
Prepaid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at end of period
|
516,000
|
|
|
528,000
|
|
|
527,000
|
|
|
525,000
|
|
|
519,000
|
|
|
Gross additions
|
66,000
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
78,000
|
|
|
88,000
|
|
|
83,000
|
|
|
Net additions (losses)
|
(12,000)
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
ARPU (2)
|
$
|
32.80
|
|
|
$
|
32.09
|
|
|
$
|
32.32
|
|
|
$
|
31.78
|
|
|
$
|
32.42
|
|
|
Churn rate (6)
|
4.98
|
%
|
|
4.98
|
%
|
|
4.83
|
%
|
|
5.27
|
%
|
|
5.09
|
%
|
|
Total connections at end of
period (7)
|
5,041,000
|
|
|
5,050,000
|
|
|
5,051,000
|
|
|
5,063,000
|
|
|
5,096,000
|
|
|
Market penetration at end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated operating population
|
31,469,000
|
|
|
31,469,000
|
|
|
31,469,000
|
|
|
31,469,000
|
|
|
31,834,000
|
|
|
Consolidated operating penetration (8)
|
16
|
%
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
Capital expenditures (millions)
|
$
|
242
|
|
|
$
|
118
|
|
|
$
|
86
|
|
|
$
|
70
|
|
|
$
|
213
|
|
|
Total cell sites in service
|
6,531
|
|
|
6,506
|
|
|
6,478
|
|
|
6,473
|
|
|
6,460
|
|
|
Owned towers
|
4,129
|
|
|
4,119
|
|
|
4,105
|
|
|
4,099
|
|
|
4,080
|
|
|
|
Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for
the year.
|
|
|
(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:
|
|
•
|
Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid
connections.
|
|
•
|
Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid
connections.
|
|
(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 Ended
December 31,
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
2018 (1)
|
|
2017
|
|
2018 vs.
2017
|
|
2018 (1)
|
|
2017
|
|
2018 vs.
2017
|
|
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
$
|
754
|
|
|
$
|
755
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
2,978
|
|
|
$
|
2,978
|
|
|
–
|
|
Equipment sales
|
297
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
989
|
|
|
912
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
1,051
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
3,967
|
|
|
3,890
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion
reported below)
|
193
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
758
|
|
|
732
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
Cost of equipment sold
|
315
|
|
|
322
|
|
|
(2)
|
%
|
|
1,031
|
|
|
1,071
|
|
|
(4)
|
%
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
373
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
1,388
|
|
|
1,412
|
|
|
(2)
|
%
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
|
162
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
640
|
|
|
615
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
370
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net
|
5
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
33
|
%
|
|
10
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(40)
|
%
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net
|
—
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
(18)
|
|
|
(22)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
1,048
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
3,809
|
|
|
4,194
|
|
|
(9)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
3
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
158
|
|
|
(304)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and other income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
39
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
159
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
Interest expense
|
(29)
|
|
|
(28)
|
|
|
(5)
|
%
|
|
(116)
|
|
|
(113)
|
|
|
(3)
|
%
|
|
Other, net
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
Total investment and other income
|
14
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
57
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
76
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
17
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
(272)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
(4)
|
|
|
(267)
|
|
|
99
|
%
|
|
51
|
|
|
(287)
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
Net income
|
21
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
(92)
|
%
|
|
164
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of
tax
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
14
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
$
|
273
|
|
|
(92)
|
%
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
$
|
12
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
86
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
86
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular
shareholders
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
$
|
3.21
|
|
|
(93)
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
|
N/M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
88
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
87
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular
shareholders
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
3.18
|
|
|
(93)
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
2018 (1)
|
|
2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
164
|
|
|
$
|
15
|
|
|
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from
operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
|
640
|
|
|
615
|
|
|
Bad debts expense
|
95
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
37
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
(3)
|
|
|
(365)
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
(159)
|
|
|
(137)
|
|
|
Distributions from unconsolidated entities
|
152
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
370
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net
|
10
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net
|
(18)
|
|
|
(22)
|
|
|
Other operating activities
|
3
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
(39)
|
|
|
(68)
|
|
|
Equipment installment plans receivable
|
(149)
|
|
|
(261)
|
|
|
Inventory
|
(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
3
|
|
|
(14)
|
|
|
Customer deposits and deferred revenues
|
7
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
(39)
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
Other assets and liabilities
|
9
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
709
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment
|
(512)
|
|
|
(465)
|
|
|
Cash paid for licenses
|
(8)
|
|
|
(189)
|
|
|
Cash received for investments
|
50
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Cash paid for investments
|
(17)
|
|
|
(50)
|
|
|
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges
|
24
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
Other investing activities
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(464)
|
|
|
(683)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
(19)
|
|
|
(14)
|
|
|
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments
|
18
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
|
(6)
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
Other financing activities
|
(7)
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(14)
|
|
|
(20)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted
cash
|
231
|
|
|
(234)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
352
|
|
|
586
|
|
|
End of period
|
$
|
583
|
|
|
$
|
352
|
|
|
|
|
(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
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
2018 (1)
|
|
2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
580
|
|
|
$
|
352
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
17
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
976
|
|
|
843
|
|
|
Inventory, net
|
142
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
63
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
34
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
1,812
|
|
|
1,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
54
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Licenses
|
2,186
|
|
|
2,223
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in unconsolidated entities
|
441
|
|
|
415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
2,202
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets and deferred charges
|
579
|
|
|
390
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
7,274
|
|
|
$
|
6,841
|
|
|
United States Cellular Corporation
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
2018 (1)
|
|
2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
313
|
|
|
310
|
|
|
Customer deposits and deferred revenues
|
157
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
30
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Accrued compensation
|
78
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
94
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
691
|
|
|
733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities held for sale
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred liabilities and credits
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax liability, net
|
510
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
Other deferred liabilities and credits
|
389
|
|
|
337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, net
|
1,605
|
|
|
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
|
1,590
|
|
|
1,552
|
|
|
Treasury shares
|
(65)
|
|
|
(120)
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
2,444
|
|
|
2,157
|
|
|
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
|
4,057
|
|
|
3,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interests
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity
|
4,067
|
|
|
3,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
$
|
7,274
|
|
|
$
|
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 Ended
December 31,
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)
|
$
|
108
|
|
|
$
|
76
|
|
|
$
|
709
|
|
|
$
|
469
|
|
|
Less: Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment
|
235
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
512
|
|
|
465
|
|
|
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) (1)
|
$
|
(127)
|
|
|
$
|
(137)
|
|
|
$
|
197
|
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
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.
|
Non-GAAP Adjustments
The following non-GAAP financial measures present certain information in the table below excluding the effect of the goodwill
impairment charge, enactment of H.R.1, originally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) and other related tax
effects and noncontrolling interests impacts. The goodwill impairment charge, which occurred in the third quarter of 2017, and
the deferred tax benefit are being excluded in this presentation, as they cause current operations of U.S. Cellular not to be
comparable with prior periods. 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 impacted by such items.
|
Three Months Ended
December 31,
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (GAAP)
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
$
|
273
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
$
|
12
|
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
370
|
|
|
Tax benefit on impairment of goodwill (1)
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(63)
|
|
|
Subtotal of Non-GAAP goodwill adjustments
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of the Tax Act
|
—
|
|
|
(269)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(269)
|
|
|
Subtotal of Non-GAAP adjustments
|
—
|
|
|
(269)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders excluding adjustments
(Non-GAAP)
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
(GAAP)
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
3.18
|
|
|
$
|
1.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss in impairment of goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4.31
|
|
|
Tax benefit on impairment of goodwill (1)
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(0.74)
|
|
|
Effect of the Tax Act
|
—
|
|
|
(3.13)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3.13)
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders
excluding adjustments (Non-GAAP)
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
1.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Tax benefit represents the amount associated with the tax-amortizable
portion of the loss on goodwill impairment.
|
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
|
12/31/2018 (1)
|
|
9/30/2018 (1)
|
|
6/30/2018 (1)
|
|
3/31/2018 (1)
|
|
12/31/2017
|
|
(Dollars and connection counts in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of Postpaid ARPU
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid service revenues
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
$
|
607
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
Average number of postpaid connections
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.50
|
|
|
4.52
|
|
|
Number of months in period
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Postpaid ARPU (GAAP metric)
|
$
|
45.58
|
|
|
$
|
45.31
|
|
|
$
|
44.74
|
|
|
$
|
44.34
|
|
|
$
|
44.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of Postpaid ABPU
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid service revenues
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
$
|
607
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
Equipment installment plan billings
|
199
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
170
|
|
|
Total billings to postpaid connections
|
$
|
810
|
|
|
$
|
796
|
|
|
$
|
774
|
|
|
$
|
770
|
|
|
$
|
768
|
|
|
Average number of postpaid connections
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.47
|
|
|
4.50
|
|
|
4.52
|
|
|
Number of months in period
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Postpaid ABPU (Non-GAAP metric)
|
$
|
60.46
|
|
|
$
|
59.41
|
|
|
$
|
57.75
|
|
|
$
|
57.10
|
|
|
$
|
56.69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of Postpaid ARPA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid service revenues
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
$
|
607
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
Average number of postpaid accounts
|
1.70
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
Number of months in period
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Postpaid ARPA (GAAP metric)
|
$
|
119.60
|
|
|
$
|
119.42
|
|
|
$
|
118.57
|
|
|
$
|
118.22
|
|
|
$
|
118.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of Postpaid ABPA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid service revenues
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
$
|
607
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
|
Equipment installment plan billings
|
199
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
170
|
|
|
Total billings to postpaid accounts
|
$
|
810
|
|
|
$
|
796
|
|
|
$
|
774
|
|
|
$
|
770
|
|
|
$
|
768
|
|
|
Average number of postpaid accounts
|
1.70
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
Number of months in period
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Postpaid ABPA (Non-GAAP metric)
|
$
|
158.66
|
|
|
$
|
156.57
|
|
|
$
|
153.03
|
|
|
$
|
152.26
|
|
|
$
|
151.68
|
|
|
|
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-fourth-quarter-2018-results-300800317.html
SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation