HCT 8% Hits Based ON Conocophillips Common Stock

Hector Communications Corporation Reports Revenues and Earnings for The Third Quarter of 2003 HECTOR, Minn., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hector Communications Corporation today reported operating results for its third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003. The Company's operating results for the current and prior periods have been restated pursuant to SFAS 144 to reflect the effects of the split-up of Alliance Telecommunications Corporation. Revenues from continuing operations were $8,107,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003, a decrease of 2% from $8,299,000 in 2002. The revenue decrease was due to lower access revenues from interexchange carriers and lower video service revenues following the sales of five cable television systems in the second quarter of 2003. Operating income from continuing operations decreased 19% to $2,120,000 in 2003 from $2,629,000 in 2002. Income from the Company's investment in Midwest Wireless Holdings LLC was $596,000 in the 2003 period compared to $642,000 in 2002. Income from continuing operations was $1,008,000 or $.27 per diluted share in 2003 compared to $1,087,000 or $.29 per diluted share in 2002. The Company recorded a gain on the split-up of Alliance Telecommunications Corporation of $210,000 in the 2003 period. Income from discontinued operations was $242,000 in the 2002 period. Net income came to $1,217,000 or $.32 per diluted share in 2003, compared to $1,329,000 or $.35 per diluted share in 2002. Revenues from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2003 were $24,194,000, an increase of 5% from $23,066,000 in the same period of 2002. Operating income from continuing operations increased 3% to $5,772,000 in 2003 from $5,594,000 in 2002. Income from the Company's investment in Midwest Wireless Holdings LLC was $1,903,000 in the 2003 period compared to $1,835,000 in 2002. The Company recorded gains on sales of cable television systems totaling $1,081,000 ($.12 per diluted share net of income taxes and minority interest) in the 2003 period. Income from continuing operations was $3,030,000 or $.81 per diluted share in 2003 compared to $2,207,000 or $.58 per diluted share in 2002. Income from discontinued operations, including the $210,000 gain on the split-up of Alliance, was $882,000 in 2003. Income from discontinued operations in the 2002 period totaled $945,000. Income before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for the 2003 period was $3,912,000 or $1.04 per diluted share, compared to $3,151,000 or $.83 per diluted share in 2002. During the first half of 2002, the Company tested the value of its goodwill and intangible assets as required under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142. As a result of this test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of the goodwill and intangible assets in certain of its operating units exceeded the market value. Accordingly, the Company recognized an impairment loss, net of income taxes and minority interest, of $3,147,000 ($.83 per diluted share) and recorded it as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle against first quarter 2002 earnings. The Company's net income for the first nine months of 2002, after the impairment loss, was $5,000. The Company completed the Alliance Telecommunications Corporation split-up transactions on July 7, 2003. In the transactions, Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. and Alliance Communications Cooperative, Inc. exchanged their minority interests in Alliance for the Company's majority interest in two rural ILECs which serve 8,650 telephone access lines and 2,400 cable television customers. The minority partners also received their pro rata share of Alliance's ownership interest in Midwest Wireless Holdings, LLC, which reduced the Company's ownership interest in Midwest Wireless Holdings from 10.4% to 8.0%. As part of the transaction the Company's debt to CoBank was reduced by 35% and stands at $26,812,000 at September 30, 2003. Curtis A. Sampson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said he was pleased the Company had completed the split-up of Alliance. "The split-up will facilitate efforts to streamline the Company's operating costs due to efficiencies gained in eliminating the minority interests and the elimination of further expenses related to the split-up. The Company is aggressively pursuing new revenue sources to offset the decline in access revenues the whole industry is experiencing. The broadband initiative now offered in four of the Company's exchanges has proven very successful. The Company offers packages of local service, video and high-speed internet service in those exchanges using state-of-the-art technology." Hector Communications Corporation is a telecommunications holding company which, through its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in rural communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa. The Company serves 30,060 telephone access lines, 9,100 cable television subscribers and 10,100 internet customers and has minority ownership interests in many other telecommunications companies. From time to time in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders and the investing public, the Company may make statements regarding the Company's future financial performance. Such forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the effects of the Telecommunications Act, new technological developments which may reduce barriers for competitors entering the Company's local exchange or cable television markets, higher than expected expenses and other risks involving the telecommunications industry generally. All such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such risks and uncertainties. Hector Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries Earnings Summary Three Months Ended September 30 2003 2002 Revenues from continuing operations $8,106,588 $8,298,827 Operating income from continuing operations 2,120,314 2,628,740 Other income (expense): Income (loss) from investments: Midwest Wireless Holdings, LLC 596,331 641,727 Other unconsolidated affiliates (30,556) 70,242 Other income 51,455 56,090 Interest expense (961,574) (897,167) Net other expense (344,344) (129,108) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 1,775,970 2,499,632 Income tax expense (768,000) (1,005,000) Minority interest in earnings of continuing operations of Alliance Telecommunications Corp. (408,059) Income from continuing operations 1,007,970 1,086,573 Income from discontinued operations 209,505 242,227 Net Income $1,217,475 $1,328,800 Basic net income per common share: Continuing operations $.29 $.31 Discontinued operations .06 .07 $.35 $.38 Diluted net income per share: Continuing operations $.27 $.29 Discontinued operations .05 .06 $.32 $.35 Hector Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries Earnings Summary Nine Months Ended September 30 2003 2002 Revenues from continuing operations $24,193,995 $23,065,618 Operating income from continuing operations 5,772,394 5,594,024 Other income (expense): Income (loss) from investments: Midwest Wireless Holdings, LLC 1,903,090 1,834,513 Other unconsolidated affiliates (75,904) 4,999 Gain on sale of cable television systems 1,080,723 Other income 186,921 168,274 Interest expense (2,730,426) (2,623,250) Net other expense 364,404 (615,464) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 6,136,798 4,978,560 Income tax expense (2,447,000) (2,002,000) Minority interest in earnings of continuing operations of Alliance Telecommunications Corp. (659,624) (770,019) Income from continuing operations 3,030,174 2,206,541 Income from discontinued operations 881,854 944,689 Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 3,912,028 3,151,230 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes and minority interest (3,146,569) Net income $3,912,028 $4,661 Basic net income per common share: Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle Continuing operations $.87 $.63 Discontinued operations .25 .27 1.12 .90 Cumulative effect of accounting change (.90) $1.12 $ - Diluted net income per common share: Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle Continuing operations $.81 $.58 Discontinued operations .23 .25 1.04 .83 Cumulative effect of accounting change (.83) $1.04 $ - Hector Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Balance Sheet September 30 December 31 2003 2002 Cash $15,565,965 $12,020,186 Other current assets 8,951,961 6,888,678 Property, plant and equipment, net 44,011,389 56,665,798 Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net 31,691,927 49,074,993 Investment in Midwest Wireless Holdings, LLC 13,352,542 16,232,707 Investments in other unconsolidated affiliates 2,664,125 4,373,597 Other investments 6,444,798 8,818,502 Other assets 438,103 411,499 Total Assets $123,120,810 $154,485,960 Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt $6,127,300 $7,364,600 Other current liabilities 4,968,406 5,826,281 Long-term debt, less current portion 59,640,204 75,147,560 Deferred taxes and credits 5,002,862 5,894,308 Deferred compensation 651,389 976,179 Minority Interest 17,027,697 Stockholders' equity 46,730,649 42,249,335 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $123,120,810 $154,485,960 DATASOURCE: Hector Communications Corporation CONTACT: Curtis A. Sampson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Steven H. Sjogren, President, or Paul N. Hanson, Vice President and Treasurer, of Hector Communications Corporation, +1-320-848-6611

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