Verizon caps transformational year with strong, balanced 4Q results
NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2016 --
4Q 2015 highlights
Consolidated
* $1.32 in earnings per share (EPS), compared with a loss of 54 cents per
share in 4Q 2014, including impacts in both quarters related to the annual
actuarial valuation of benefit plans and mark-to-market pension
adjustments.
* 89 cents in adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), a 25.4 percent increase compared with
adjusted EPS of 71 cents in 4Q 2014.
Wireless
* 1.5 million net retail postpaid connections added in the quarter; 112.1
million total retail connections; 106.5 million total retail postpaid
connections.
* 0.96 percent retail postpaid churn, demonstrating continued high customer
loyalty.
Wireline
* 6.8 percent Fios revenue growth; 99,000 Fios internet and 20,000 Fios video
net additions.
Capping a year of transformational change, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE,
Nasdaq: VZ) today reported fourth-quarter 2015 earnings of $1.32 per share, or
89 cents per share on an adjusted basis (non-GAAP).
"In 2015, Verizon delivered strong and balanced results in a dynamic
competitive environment while returning more than $13.5 billion to
shareholders. At the same time, Verizon built and acquired next-generation
network capabilities that position the company to be an innovator in the
digital-first mobile world in 2016 and beyond," said Chairman and CEO Lowell
McAdam.
Fourth-quarter 2015 EPS results compare with a loss of 54 cents per share in
fourth-quarter 2014. Earnings were impacted by non-operational items in both
quarters, primarily related to the annual actuarial valuation of benefit plans
and mark-to-market pension adjustments (see details below). Verizon's adjusted
EPS (non-GAAP) of 89 cents in fourth-quarter 2015 increased 25.4 percent
compared with adjusted EPS of 71 cents in fourth-quarter 2014.
For the full year, Verizon reported $4.37 in EPS in 2015, compared with $2.42
in EPS in 2014. On an adjusted basis (non-GAAP), Verizon's $3.99 in EPS in 2015
was an increase of 19.1 percent compared with $3.35 in adjusted EPS in 2014.
In 2015, Verizon invested approximately $28 billion in spectrum licenses and
capital for future network capacity, in addition to the more than $4 billion
acquisition of AOL Inc. in June. Over that same time, the company reduced its
leverage ratio and returned more than $13.5 billion to shareholders in the form
of dividends and share repurchases. Verizon's Board of Directors increased the
dividend for the ninth consecutive year in September.
Acquisitions of AOL and Millennial Media added capabilities that significantly
bolster Verizon's strategy with strong cross-platform consumer and advertising
offerings, particularly in mobile and video. In 2015, the company launched the
go90tm mobile-first social entertainment platform, Custom TV options for Fios
customers, the humtm direct-to-consumer telematics product, and the Thingspace
suite of developer tools to advance the Internet of Things market. Verizon's
investments have also positioned the company to lead in the deployment of 5G
wireless broadband.
"Verizon embraced transformational change in 2015, and in 2016 the company has
a huge opportunity to drive a new era of growth in our industry," McAdam said.
Consolidated results
* Total operating revenues in fourth-quarter 2015 were $34.3 billion, a 3.2
percent increase compared with fourth-quarter 2014. For the full year,
Verizon reported total consolidated revenues of $131.6 billion. Full-year
2015 revenues grew 3.6 percent, compared with full-year 2014.
Current-quarter and third-quarter revenues include results from AOL.
* New revenue streams from IoT are growing, with revenues of approximately
$200 million in fourth-quarter 2015 and about $690 million for the full
year. This is a year-over-year increase of 18 percent.
* Cash flows from operating activities totaled $38.9 billion in 2015,
compared with $30.6 billion in 2014. Cash flows in 2015 included a
non-recurring $2.4 billion related to the monetization of tower assets.
* Excluding the tower transaction, free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from
operations less capital expenditures) totaled $18.8 billion in 2015.
Capital expenditures totaled $17.8 billion, up 3.4 percent from 2014.
* Consolidated operating income margin was 25.1 percent for 2015. EBITDA
(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin
(non-GAAP) was 37.3 percent for full-year 2015. Adjusted consolidated
EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) for 2015 was 35.4 percent, an expansion of 130
basis points from 2014.
Verizon Wireless delivers continued profitable, quality growth
In fourth-quarter 2015, Verizon Wireless continued to deliver profitable,
quality postpaid connections growth and low customer churn.
Wireless financial highlights
* Total revenues were $23.7 billion in fourth-quarter 2015, up 1.2 percent
compared with fourth-quarter 2014. Service revenues totaled $17.2 billion,
down 5.6 percent year over year. Over the same period, equipment revenues
increased to $5.4 billion, up from $4.2 billion, as more customers chose to
buy new devices with installment pricing.
* For the year, total revenues were $91.7 billion, a 4.6 percent increase
compared with 2014.
* Service revenues plus installment billings increased 1.4 percent in
fourth-quarter 2015, and 2.0 percent for the full year, compared with 2014.
The percentage of phone activations on installment plans grew to 67 percent
in fourth-quarter 2015, compared with 58 percent in third-quarter 2015.
Verizon expects the percentage of phone activations on installment plans to
increase to above 70 percent in first-quarter 2016.
* In fourth-quarter 2015, wireless operating income margin was 28.6 percent,
up from 23.5 percent in fourth-quarter 2014. Segment EBITDA margin on
service revenues (non-GAAP) was 52.9 percent, compared with 42.0 percent in
fourth-quarter 2014. Segment EBITDA margin on total revenues (non-GAAP) was
38.4 percent, compared with 32.6 percent in fourth-quarter 2014.
Wireless operational highlights
* Verizon Wireless reported 1.5 million retail postpaid net additions in
fourth-quarter 2015 and 4.5 million for the full year. These net additions
do not include any wholesale or IoT connections.
* Customer retention remained high, with retail postpaid churn at a low 0.96
percent in fourth-quarter 2015, a year-over-year improvement of 18 basis
points. Churn was also 0.96 percent for the year, an improvement of 8 basis
points from full-year 2014.
* Verizon added 906,000 4G smartphones to its postpaid customer base in
fourth-quarter 2015. Postpaid phone net adds totaled 449,000 as net
smartphone adds of 713,000 were partially offset by a net decline of basic
phones. Tablet net adds totaled 960,000 in the quarter, and net prepaid
devices declined by 157,000.
* During fourth-quarter 2015, 7.6 million phones were activated on device
payment plans. Verizon has about 25 million device payment phone
connections in total, representing approximately 29 percent of its postpaid
phone base. Overall, more than 40 percent of Verizon's postpaid phone
customers are on unsubsidized service pricing.
* At year-end 2015, the company had 112.1 million retail connections, a 3.6
percent year-over-year increase, and 106.5 million retail postpaid
connections, a 4.4 percent year-over-year increase.
* 4G devices now constitute more than 79 percent of the retail postpaid
connections base, with the LTE network handling approximately 90 percent of
total wireless data traffic in fourth-quarter 2015. Overall traffic on LTE
increased by approximately 60 percent in fourth-quarter 2015, compared with
fourth-quarter 2014.
* About 8.4 percent of Verizon's retail postpaid base upgraded to a new
device in fourth-quarter 2015. At year-end, there were 73 million
smartphones in Verizon's customer base.
* Wireless capital investment totaled $3.3 billion in fourth-quarter 2015 and
$11.7 billion for the year, up 11.5 percent from 2014. Verizon continues to
expand capacity and optimize its network, as the company prepares to pilot
5G technology in 2016.
Fios revenues continue to grow in wireline segment
In the wireline segment, Verizon's results were once again highlighted by
continued revenue and customer growth for Fios fiber-optic-based services.
Wireline financial highlights
* In fourth-quarter 2015, consumer revenues were $4.1 billion, an increase of
2.6 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2014. Fios revenues represented
80.4 percent of the total.
* Comparing fourth-quarter 2015 with fourth-quarter 2014, total Fios revenues
grew 6.8 percent, to $3.5 billion, and consumer Fios revenues grew 6.6
percent.
* Wireline operating income margin was 7.3 percent in fourth-quarter 2015, up
from 4.4 percent in fourth-quarter 2014. Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP)
was 24.2 percent in fourth-quarter 2015, compared with 23.9 percent in
fourth-quarter 2014.
Wireline operational highlights
* Verizon added 99,000 net new Fios internet connections and 20,000 net new
Fios video connections in fourth-quarter 2015. Connections totaled 7.0
million for Fios internet and 5.8 million for Fios video at the end of
2015, representing year-over-year increases of 6.3 percent and 3.2 percent,
respectively.
* Fios internet penetration (subscribers as a percentage of potential
subscribers) was 41.8 percent at the end of 2015, compared with 41.1
percent at the end of 2014. In the same periods, Fios video penetration was
35.3 percent, compared with 35.8 percent.
* By year-end 2015, more than 70 percent of consumer Fios internet customers
subscribed to data speeds of 50 megabits per second or higher. In addition,
customer interest continues to grow for Custom TV, which represented about
one-third of Fios video sales in fourth-quarter 2015.
* During the fourth quarter, Verizon Enterprise Solutions helped global
clients provide better customer experiences and produce better business
results through services such as global networking and security, business
communications, IT solutions and managed services. The company worked
behind the scenes to help its clients serve their customers. These clients
include retailers The Kroger Company and Advance Auto Parts; energy
companies Sunoco and FirstEnergy; vehicle manufacturer Yamaha Motor; as
well as global brands like General Electric, Albertsons Companies,
thyssenkrupp, Tennis Australia, Deluxe Corporation, Apollo Global
Management and IXcellerate; and government organizations Defense
Information Systems Agency and the City of Houston (Texas).
Details of non-operational earnings impacts
Verizon's fourth-quarter 2015 earnings of $1.32 per share included a year-end
mark-to-market adjustment of pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits
liabilities. A pre-tax $3.2 billion credit decreased the company's pension and
OPEB liability. This adjustment, which was primarily non-cash, was caused by an
increase in the discount rate, the adoption of new mortality assumption tables
and the execution of a new prescription drug contract during 2015. The company
also incurred pre-tax expenses primarily related to severance costs. On an
after-tax basis, these items amounted to a net of $1.6 billion, or a gain of 40
cents per share.
Additionally, Verizon recognized an after-tax gain of $158 million, or 4 cents
per share, on a spectrum license transaction.
Excluding the effect of these non-operational gains, Verizon's adjusted EPS of
89 cents in fourth-quarter 2015 compared with 71 cents in fourth-quarter 2014,
when charges totaled $1.25 per share. Fourth-quarter 2014 results included a
negative year-end mark-to-market pension and OPEB adjustment, plus severance
costs, of $1.12 per share, in addition to 13 cents per share primarily related
to the early retirement of debt.
In February 2014 Verizon completed the acquisition of Vodafone Group PLC's
indirect 45 percent interest in Verizon Wireless. On a non-GAAP illustrative
basis, assuming Verizon had 100 percent ownership for Verizon Wireless all of
2014, Verizon's adjusted earnings per share growth rate on a more comparable
basis was 16.7 percent, comparing 2015 with 2014.
2016 outlook
Verizon, on a consolidated basis, expects to mitigate 2016 earnings pressures
resulting from the sale of high-margin wireline operations to Frontier
Communications Corp. (expected to close at the end of the first quarter), from
the continued shift of the wireless customer base to device payment plans and
from the ramping of new business models. As previously stated, Verizon expects
full-year 2016 adjusted earnings to plateau at a level comparable to its strong
full-year 2015 adjusted earnings. Additionally, for 2016, the company expects:
* Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin consistent with full-year 2015.
* Consolidated capital spending of between $17.2 billion and $17.7 billion.
This includes approximately $150 million for the properties to be sold to
Frontier.
* A minimum pension funding requirement of approximately $550 million.
* An effective tax rate for financial reporting purposes in the range of 35
to 36 percent.
* The use of Frontier proceeds to pay down debt, as the company remains
committed to returning to its pre-Vodafone transaction credit rating
profile in the 2018 to 2019 timeframe.
NOTE: See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/about/investors for
reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP
financial measures cited in this document.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) employs a diverse workforce of
177,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates
America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail
connections nationwide. Headquartered in New York, the company also provides
communications and entertainment services over America's most advanced
fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers
worldwide.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and
biographies, media contacts and other information are available at Verizon's
online News Center at www.verizon.com/news/. News releases are also available
through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/ .
Forward-looking statements
In this communication we have made forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and
uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning
our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking
statements also include those preceded or followed by the words "anticipates,"
"believes," "estimates," "hopes" or similar expressions. For those statements,
we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements
contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
following important factors, along with those discussed in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), could affect future results and
could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements: adverse conditions in the U.S. and international
economies; the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate;
material changes in technology or technology substitution; disruption of our
key suppliers' provisioning of products or services; changes in the regulatory
environment in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our
ability to operate our networks; breaches of network or information technology
security, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or acts of war or significant
litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; our
high level of indebtedness; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt
securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions
in the credit markets affecting the cost, including interest rates, and/or
availability of further financing; material adverse changes in labor matters,
including labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational
impact; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns
on plan assets; changes in tax laws or treaties, or in their interpretation;
changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC,
may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their
application, which could result in an impact on earnings; and the inability to
implement our business strategies.
Verizon Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars in millions, except per share
amounts)
3 Mos. Ended 3 Mos. Ended 12 Mos. Ended 12 Mos. Ended
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14 % Change 12/31/15 12/31/14 % Change
Operating Revenues
Service revenues and other $ 28,856 $ 28,970 (0.4) $ 114,696 $ 116,122 (1.2)
Wireless equipment revenues 5,398 4,222 27.9 16,924 10,957 54.5
Total Operating Revenues 34,254 33,192 3.2 131,620 127,079 3.6
Operating Expenses
Cost of services 7,867 7,076 11.2 29,438 28,306 4.0
Wireless cost of equipment 6,840 7,327 (6.6) 23,119 21,625 6.9
Selling, general and administrative expense 5,764 16,857 (65.8) 29,986 41,016 (26.9)
Depreciation and amortization expense 4,039 4,068 (0.7) 16,017 16,533 (3.1)
Total Operating Expenses 24,510 35,328 (30.6) 98,560 107,480 (8.3)
Operating Income (Loss) 9,744 (2,136) * 33,060 19,599 68.7
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated businesses (16) (31) (48.4) (86) 1,780 *
Other income and (expense), net 28 (437) * 186 (1,194) *
Interest expense (1,178) (1,282) (8.1) (4,920) (4,915) 0.1
Income (Loss) Before (Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes 8,578 (3,886) * 28,240 15,270 84.9
(Provision) Benefit for income taxes (3,065) 1,738 * (9,865) (3,314) *
Net Income (Loss) $ 5,513 $ * $ 18,375 $ 11,956 53.7
(2,148)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests $ 122 $ 47.0 $ $ (78.7)
83 496 2,331
Net income (loss) attributable to Verizon 5,391 (2,231) * 17,879 9,625 85.8
Net income (Loss) $ 5,513 $ * $ 18,375 $ 11,956 53.7
(2,148)
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
Net income (loss) attributable to Verizon $ 1.32 $ * $ $ 81.0
(.54) 4.38 2.42
Weighted average number of common shares (in millions) 4,076 4,157 4,085 3,974
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Verizon $ 1.32 $ * $ $ 80.6
(.54) 4.37 2.42
Weighted average number of common
shares-assuming dilution (in millions) 4,083 4,157 4,093 3,981
Footnotes:
(1) If there is a net loss, diluted EPS is the same as basic EPS. Diluted
Earnings per Common Share includes the dilutive effect of shares
issuable under our stock-based compensation plans, which represents the
only potential dilution.
Certain reclassifications have been made, where appropriate, to reflect
comparable operating results.
* Not meaningful
Verizon Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in millions)
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14 $ Change
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,470 $ 10,598 $ (6,128)
Short-term investments 350 555 (205)
Accounts receivable, net 13,457 13,993 (536)
Inventories 1,252 1,153 99
Assets held for sale 792 552 240
Prepaid expenses and other 1,959 2,648 (689)
Total current assets 22,280 29,499 (7,219)
Plant, property and equipment 220,163 230,508 (10,345)
Less accumulated depreciation 136,622 140,561 (3,939)
83,541 89,947 (6,406)
Investments in unconsolidated businesses 796 802 (6)
Wireless licenses 86,575 75,341 11,234
Goodwill 25,331 24,639 692
Other intangible assets, net 8,338 5,728 2,610
Non-current assets held for sale 10,267 - 10,267
Deposit for wireless licenses - 921 (921)
Other assets 7,512 5,739 1,773
Total Assets $ 244,640 $ 232,616 $ 12,024
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Debt maturing within one year $ 6,489 $ $ 3,754
2,735
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 19,362 16,680 2,682
Liabilities related to assets held for sale 463 - 463
Other 8,738 8,572 166
Total current liabilities 35,052 27,987 7,065
Long-term debt 103,705 110,536 (6,831)
Employee benefit obligations 29,957 33,280 (3,323)
Deferred income taxes 45,484 41,563 3,921
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for 959 - 959
sale
Other liabilities 11,641 5,574 6,067
Equity
Common stock 424 424 -
Contributed capital 11,196 11,155 41
Reinvested earnings 11,246 2,447 8,799
Accumulated other comprehensive income 550 1,111 (561)
Common stock in treasury, at cost (7,416) (3,263) (4,153)
Deferred compensation - employee
stock ownership plans and other 428 424 4
Noncontrolling interests 1,414 1,378 36
Total equity 17,842 13,676 4,166
Total Liabilities and Equity $ 244,640 $ 232,616 $ 12,024
Verizon - Selected Financial and Operating Statistics
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14
Total debt (in millions) $ 110,194 $ 113,271
Net debt (in millions) $ 105,724 $ 102,673
Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA(1) 2.3x 2.4x
Common shares outstanding end of period (in millions) 4,073 4,155
Total employees 177,700 177,300
Quarterly cash dividends declared per common share $ $
0.565 0.550
Footnotes:
(1) Adjusted EBITDA excludes the effects of non-operational items.
The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets are based on preliminary
information.
Verizon Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in millions)
12 Mos. Ended 12 Mos. Ended
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14 $ Change
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income $ $ $ 6,419
18,375 11,956
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 16,017 16,533 (516)
Employee retirement benefits (1,747) 8,130 (9,877)
Deferred income taxes 3,516 (92) 3,608
Provision for uncollectible accounts 1,610 1,095 515
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated businesses, net 127 (1,743) 1,870
of dividends
received
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects from
acquisition/disposition of businesses 2,443 (2,160) 4,603
Other, net (1,411) (3,088) 1,677
Net cash provided by operating activities 38,930 30,631 8,299
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software) (17,775) (17,191) (584)
Acquisitions of investments and businesses, net of cash acquired (3,545) (182) (3,363)
Acquisitions of wireless licenses (9,942) (354) (9,588)
Proceeds from dispositions of wireless licenses - 2,367 (2,367)
Proceeds from dispositions of businesses 48 120 (72)
Other, net 1,171 (616) 1,787
Net cash used in investing activities (30,043) (15,856) (14,187)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 6,667 30,967 (24,300)
Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations (9,340) (17,669) 8,329
Decrease in short-term obligations, excluding current maturities (344) (475) 131
Dividends paid (8,538) (7,803) (735)
Proceeds from sale of common stock 40 34 6
Purchase of common stock for treasury (5,134) - (5,134)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest - (58,886) 58,886
Other, net 1,634 (3,873) 5,507
Net cash used in financing activities (15,015) (57,705) 42,690
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (6,128) (42,930) 36,802
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 10,598 53,528 (42,930)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ $ $ (6,128)
4,470 10,598
Footnotes:
Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made, where
appropriate, to reflect comparable operating results.
Verizon Communications Inc.
Wireless - Selected Financial Results
(dollars in millions)
3 Mos. Ended 3 Mos. Ended 12 Mos. Ended 12 Mos. Ended
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14 % Change 12/31/15 12/31/14 % Change
Operating Revenues
Service $ 17,195 $ 18,209 (5.6) $ 70,396 $ 72,630 (3.1)
Equipment 5,398 4,222 27.9 16,924 10,959 54.4
Other 1,141 1,018 12.1 4,360 4,057 7.5
Total Operating Revenues 23,734 23,449 1.2 91,680 87,646 4.6
Operating Expenses
Cost of services 1,994 1,857 7.4 7,803 7,200 8.4
Cost of equipment 6,840 7,327 (6.6) 23,119 21,625 6.9
Selling, general and administrative expense 5,796 6,611 (12.3) 21,805 23,602 (7.6)
Depreciation and amortization expense 2,305 2,152 7.1 8,980 8,459 6.2
Total Operating Expenses 16,935 17,947 (5.6) 61,707 60,886 1.3
Operating Income $ $ 23.6 $ 29,973 $ 26,760 12.0
6,799 5,502
Operating Income Margin 28.6% 23.5% 32.7% 30.5%
Segment EBITDA $ $ 18.9 $ 38,953 $ 35,219 10.6
9,104 7,654
Segment EBITDA Margin 38.4% 32.6% 42.5% 40.2%
Segment EBITDA Service Margin 52.9% 42.0% 55.3% 48.5%
Footnotes:
The segment financial results and metrics above are adjusted to exclude the
effects of non-operational items, as the Company's chief operating decision
maker excludes these items in assessing business unit performance.
Intersegment transactions have not been eliminated.
Certain reclassifications have been made, where appropriate, to reflect
comparable operating results.
Verizon Communications Inc.
Wireless - Selected Operating Statistics
Unaudited 12/31/15 12/31/14 % Change
Connections ('000)
Retail postpaid 106,528 102,079 4.4
Retail prepaid 5,580 6,132 (9.0)
Retail
- More to follow, for following part double click ID:nPRrL4A19b