D&E Communications, Inc. ("D&E" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:
DECC), a leading provider of integrated communications services in
central and eastern Pennsylvania, today announced the results of
its operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008.
For the third quarter of 2008, the Company reported operating
income of $8.6 million, compared to operating income of $8.5
million in the third quarter of 2007. Net income for the third
quarter of 2008 was $3.7 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to
net income of $3.8 million, or $0.26 per share, for the same period
last year. The Company reported total operating revenue of $36.6
million for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $38.2 million in
the third quarter of 2007. The revenue decrease of $1.6 million for
the third quarter of 2008 was the result of decreases in Wireline
segment revenue of $1.1 million and Systems Integration segment
revenue of $0.5 million.
"During the third quarter, we continued our focus on adding
broadband subscribers, CLEC growth, improving Systems Integration
performance and managing our expenses," stated James W. Morozzi,
D&E's President and Chief Executive Officer. "In this
competitive marketplace, we had slight improvements in operating
income and income before taxes for the quarter compared to the
prior year. However, an approximate 1% increase in the effective
tax rate caused net income for the quarter to be slightly lower
compared to the prior year."
The third quarter 2008 results were positively affected by a
decrease in depreciation expense in the Wireline segment of $0.8
million ($0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, after tax) primarily due
to certain fixed assets becoming fully depreciated in June and July
of 2008. Net income before this item described above was $3.2
million, or $0.22 per share, for the third quarter of 2008 compared
to $3.8 million, or $0.26 per share for the third quarter of
2007.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company
reported a net loss of $3.1 million, or $0.22 per share, compared
to net income of $8.7 million, or $0.60 per share, for the same
period last year. Operating loss for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 was $1.3 million, compared to operating income
of $20.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The
Company reported total operating revenue of $112.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $113.8 million
for the same period last year.
Included in the 2008 nine-month results was the non-cash
intangible asset impairment of $26.2 million ($15.3 million, or
$1.06 per share, after tax) on the Wireline franchise intangible
assets as a result of the completion of the Company's annual test
for impairment of goodwill and intangible assets as of April 30,
2008. The 2008 nine-month results were also affected by income of
$2.9 million ($1.7 million, or $0.12 per common share, after tax)
from the termination of a lease guarantee and a decrease in
depreciation expense in the Wireline segment of $3.8 million ($2.5
million, or $0.17 per share, after tax) primarily due to revisions
in the estimated useful lives of certain fixed assets effective
July 2007, in addition to certain fixed assets becoming fully
depreciated in the first and second quarters of 2007 and June and
July of 2008. Included in the 2007 results was a gain of $0.6
million ($0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, after tax) from life
insurance proceeds. Net income before the items described above was
$8.0 million, or $0.55 per share, for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to $8.1 million, or $0.56 per share,
for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
The following table provides a reconciliation of reported and
comparable net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share:
(Dollar amounts
in millions, Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
except per- September 30, September 30,
share amounts) 2008 2007 2008 2007
------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Per- Per- Per- Per-
------ ------ ------- ------
Amount share Amount share Amount share Amount share
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------
Reported net
income (loss) $ 3.7 $ 0.25 $ 3.8 $ 0.26 $ (3.1)$ (0.22)$ 8.7 $ 0.60
Items impacting
comparability:
Decrease in
depreciation
net of tax,
compared to
2007 (0.5) (0.03) -- -- (2.5) (0.17) -- --
Intangible
asset
impairment,
net of tax -- -- -- -- 15.3 1.06 -- --
Lease
guarantee
termination,
net of tax -- -- -- -- (1.7) (0.12) -- --
Life
insurance
gain, net of
tax -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.6) (0.04)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------
Comparable net
income $ 3.2 $ 0.22 $ 3.8 $ 0.26 $ 8.0 $ 0.55 $ 8.1 $ 0.56
====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ====== ======
Summary Statistics
September September
30, 2008 30, 2007 Change % Change
---------- ---------- --------- ---------
RLEC access lines 121,083 126,126 (5,043) (4.0)
CLEC access lines 46,458 45,775 683 1.5
DSL/High-speed Internet
subscribers 41,983 36,782 5,201 14.1
Dial-up Internet subscribers 2,424 3,790 (1,366) (36.0)
Video subscribers 8,417 7,668 749 9.8
Web-hosting customers 994 1,004 (10) (1.0)
---------- ---------- --------- ---------
Total customer connections 221,359 221,145 214 0.1
========== ========== ========= =========
On a segment by segment basis, the Company reported the
following information:
Wireline
Third quarter 2008 revenues from the Wireline segment were $35.3
million, compared to $36.4 million for the third quarter 2007.
Network access revenue decreased $1.5 million primarily due to
lower National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) settlements and
a reduction in minutes of use and RLEC access lines. DSL/High-speed
Internet revenue increased $0.4 million due to subscriber
growth.
Wireline operating expenses for the third quarter of 2008 were
$26.4 million, compared to $27.2 million during the same period
last year. Depreciation expense decreased approximately $0.8
million due to certain fixed assets becoming fully depreciated in
the June and July 2008, partially offset by the depreciation
expense on fixed assets placed in service in the current year.
Short-term incentive expenses decreased $0.5 million due to the
relative performance of year-to-date financial results compared to
the incentive targets. Employee benefits decreased $0.5 million
primarily as a result of recognizing the cumulative effect of a
defined benefit pension plan actuarial valuation error in the third
quarter of 2007 with no similar expense recorded in the third
quarter of 2008. Wages increased $0.3 million primarily due to
additional sales commissions and one extra work day in the third
quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of the prior year. All
other Wireline expenses were up $0.7 million and included increases
in rent, marketing, cost of goods sold, subcontractors, operating
taxes and human resource expenses. Operating income was $8.9
million for the third quarter of 2008 and $9.2 million for the
third quarter of 2007.
Systems Integration
Systems Integration revenues for the quarter were $0.9 million,
compared to $1.4 million for the same period last year. The primary
reason for the decrease was a reduction in computer product
sales.
Third quarter 2008 operating expenses were $0.9 million,
compared to $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2007. Labor and
benefits declined $0.4 million mainly due to a reduction in the
number of employees. Cost of products sold decreased $0.5 million
due to the decline in product sales. Systems Integration recorded
an operating loss of $17,000 for the third quarter of 2008,
compared to an operating loss of $0.5 million in the third quarter
of 2007.
Adjusted EBITDA
We present the non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting
principles) measure Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) below and
anticipate referring to this measure in the conference call
referenced below. Presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is consistent
with how we evaluate performance of our business segments and
Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts,
investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of
companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP operating
measure under Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We compute Adjusted EBITDA by adding depreciation,
amortization and goodwill and intangible asset impairments to
operating income. Each of these GAAP financial measures is a line
item in our income statement and thus Adjusted EBITDA can be
reconciled to net income, the most comparable GAAP financial
measure to it. However, other companies in our industry may
calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. Adjusted EBITDA
is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should
not be considered as a substitute for cash flow from operating
activities as a measure of liquidity or a substitute for net income
as an indicator of operating performance or any other measure of
performance derived in accordance with GAAP. Net income is
reconciled to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine month periods
ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, in the following
table:
Three months ended Nine months ended
------------------ ------------------
(Dollar amounts in thousands) September 30, September 30,
------------------ ------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
-------- -------- -------- --------
Wireline Adjusted EBITDA $ 15,493 $ 16,642 $ 47,744 $ 48,609
Systems Integration Adjusted EBITDA 25 (412) (41) (1,593)
Corporate and Other Adjusted EBTIDA (16) (6) (352) (42)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA 15,502 16,224 47,351 46,974
Depreciation and amortization (6,865) (7,678) (22,481) (26,396)
Intangible asset impairment -- -- (26,200) --
Interest expense, net of interest
capitalized (2,953) (3,745) (9,253) (11,199)
Other income/(expense), net 92 962 3,625 3,078
Income taxes (2,069) (1,992) 3,888 (3,757)
Dividends on utility preferred
stock (16) (16) (49) (49)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) $ 3,691 $ 3,755 $ (3,119) $ 8,651
======== ======== ======== ========
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and live webcast
Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Parties in
the United States and Canada can call 877-719-9804 to access the
conference call. Parties outside the United States and Canada can
access the call at 719-325-4780. The live webcast of the conference
call will be accessible from the "Investors" section of the
Company's website (www.decommunications.com). The webcast will be
archived for a period of 90 days.
About D&E Communications
D&E is a leading integrated communications provider offering
high-speed data, Internet access, local and long distance
telephone, business continuity and co-location services, data and
professional IT services, network monitoring, security solutions
and video services. Based in Lancaster County, D&E has been
serving communities in central and eastern Pennsylvania for more
than 100 years. For more information, visit
www.decommunications.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are found in various places throughout
this press release and include, without limitation, statements
regarding financial and other information. These statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of D&E's
management concerning the development of our business, are not
guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks,
uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause actual
developments and results to differ materially from our
expectations. Those factors include, but are not limited to: the
current review of proposals for intercarrier compensation reform by
the Federal Communications Commission; the current conditions in
the financial and credit markets; the effect of the convergence of
voice, data, and video technologies on our historical competitive
advantages; the increasingly competitive nature of the
communications industry; the complex and uncertain regulatory
environment faced by communications companies such as D&E; the
significant indebtedness of the company; and the historical losses
of the Systems Integration segment and other key factors that we
have indicated could adversely affect our business and financial
performance contained in our past and future filings and reports,
including those filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission. D&E undertakes no obligation to revise or
update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise.
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENDSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
-------------------- --------------------
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- --------------------
OPERATING REVENUES 2008 2007 2008 2007
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Communication service
revenues $ 35,271 $ 36,503 $ 107,954 $ 109,370
Communication products sold 636 1,085 1,837 2,245
Other 718 622 2,180 2,160
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating revenues 36,625 38,210 111,971 113,775
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Communication service
expenses (exclusive of
depreciation and
amortization below) 11,534 12,037 36,086 37,175
Cost of communication
products sold 517 866 1,494 1,806
Depreciation and amortization 6,865 7,678 22,481 26,396
Marketing and customer
services 3,677 3,614 10,711 10,498
General and administrative
services 5,395 5,469 16,329 17,322
Intangible asset impairment -- -- 26,200 --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses 27,988 29,664 113,301 93,197
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 8,637 8,546 (1,330) 20,578
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense, net of
interest capitalized (2,953) (3,745) (9,253) (11,199)
Other, net 92 962 3,625 3,078
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total other income
(expense) (2,861) (2,783) (5,628) (8,121)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before
income taxes and
dividends on utility
preferred stock 5,776 5,763 (6,958) 12,457
INCOME TAXES AND DIVIDENDS ON
UTILITY PREFERRED STOCK
Income taxes (benefit) 2,069 1,992 (3,888) 3,757
Dividends on utility
preferred stock 16 16 49 49
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total income taxes and
dividends on utility
preferred stock 2,085 2,008 (3,839) 3,806
--------- --------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 3,691 $ 3,755 $ (3,119) $ 8,651
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (basic) 14,497 14,434 14,480 14,416
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (diluted) 14,545 14,509 14,480 14,486
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS
(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Earnings (loss) per common
share $ 0.25 $ 0.26 $ (0.22) $ 0.60
========= ========= ========= =========
Dividends per common share $ 0.13 $ 0.13 $ 0.38 $ 0.38
========= ========= ========= =========
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 30, December 31,
ASSETS 2008 2007
------------ ------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,009 $ 17,845
Accounts and notes receivable, net of
reserves of $433 and $500 13,389 14,688
Inventories 2,546 2,666
Prepaid expenses 5,605 2,887
Other 2,083 2,520
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 38,632 40,606
------------ ------------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
In service 409,823 396,659
Under construction 8,816 6,648
------------ ------------
418,639 403,307
Less accumulated depreciation 254,013 237,243
------------ ------------
164,626 166,064
------------ ------------
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill 137,597 137,623
Intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization 118,199 148,376
Other 8,226 8,512
------------ ------------
264,022 294,511
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 467,280 $ 501,181
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-term debt maturing within one year $ 7,075 $ 7,071
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 13,438 17,188
Accrued taxes 312 1,093
Accrued interest and dividends 1,029 816
Advance billings, customer deposits and other 4,982 4,709
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 26,836 30,877
------------ ------------
LONG-TERM DEBT 180,823 186,879
------------ ------------
OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes 61,979 70,977
Defined benefit plans 10,488 15,465
Other 5,086 7,663
------------ ------------
77,553 94,105
------------ ------------
PREFERRED STOCK OF UTILITY SUBSIDIARY, Series A
4 1/2%, par value $100, cumulative, callable
at par at the option of the Company,
authorized 20,000 shares, outstanding 14
shares 1,446 1,446
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value
$0.16, authorized shares-100,000; issued
shares-16,172 at September 30, 2008 and
16,092 at December 31,
2007; outstanding shares-14,489 at
September 30, 2008 and 14,425
at December 31, 2007 2,588 2,575
Additional paid-in capital 164,303 163,560
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,510) (7,216)
Retained earnings 39,568 48,147
Treasury stock at cost, 1,683 shares at
September 30, 2008 and 1,667 shares at
December 31, 2007 (19,327) (19,192)
------------ ------------
180,622 187,874
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 467,280 $ 501,181
============ ============
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2008 2007
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) $ (3,119) $ 8,651
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 22,481 26,396
Bad debt expense 457 640
Deferred income taxes (9,333) (3,322)
Gain from cash recovery of note receivable -- (900)
Gain from life insurance proceeds -- (588)
Stock-based compensation expense 367 259
Gain on retirement of property, plant and
equipment (81) (115)
Intangible asset impairment 26,200 --
Termination of lease guarantee (2,904) --
Note receivable reserve 200 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 841 (599)
Inventories 119 234
Prepaid expenses (2,704) (1,283)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,531) 950
Accrued taxes and accrued interest (567) (333)
Advance billings, customer deposits and other 274 280
Defined benefit plans (4,210) (1,794)
Other, net 150 210
--------- ---------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 26,640 28,686
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (18,921) (17,372)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and
equipment 626 550
Collection of note receivable 95 1,279
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments -- 10,933
Purchase of short-term investments -- (3,187)
Life insurance proceeds -- 1,000
Acquisition of customer list intangible asset -- (606)
--------- ---------
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (18,200) (7,403)
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends on common stock (5,214) (5,155)
Payments on long-term debt (6,052) (8,549)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock
options exercised 88 183
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans 37 51
Purchase of treasury stock (135) (48)
--------- ---------
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities (11,276) (13,518)
--------- ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (2,836) 7,765
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
BEGINNING OF PERIOD 17,845 3,101
--------- ---------
END OF PERIOD $ 15,009 $ 10,866
========= =========
CONTACT: Thomas E. Morell Sr. Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (717) 738-8315
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