UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark one)
        x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2004

 

OR

 

        ¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   For the transition period from              to

 

Commission file number 1-8606

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 23-2259884
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
1095 Avenue of the Americas 10036
New York, New York (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)  

 

Registrant’s telephone number (212) 395-2121

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  þ  No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  þ  No  ¨

 

At March 31,June 30, 2004, 2,770,311,6072,768,468,033 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding, after deducting 4,553,7746,397,348 shares held in treasury.

 


 


Table of Contents

 

      Page
Part I.  Financial Information   
Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

For the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 and 2003

  1
   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31,June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

  2
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 and 2003

  3
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  4
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
and Financial Condition
  1620
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  3340
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures  3440
Part II.  Other Information   
Item 2.Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds41
Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders42
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K  3443
Signature  3544
Certifications   


Part I – Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements


 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)  2004 2003   2004 2003     2004 2003 





Operating Revenues

  $17,136  $16,490   $17,838  $16,829     $34,974  $33,319 

Operating Expenses

           

Cost of services and sales (exclusive of items shown below)

   5,510   5,124    5,641   5,042      11,151   10,166 

Selling, general and administrative expense

   5,703   4,292    5,029   5,673      10,732   9,965 

Depreciation and amortization expense

   3,428   3,367    3,440   3,384      6,868   6,751 
  


  


Total Operating Expenses

   14,641   12,783    14,110   14,099      28,751   26,882 
           

Operating Income

   2,495   3,707    3,728   2,730      6,223   6,437 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   199   148    212   167      411   315 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

   72   19       60      72   79 

Other income and (expense), net

   (34)  57    (2)  (46)     (36)  11 

Interest expense

   (638)  (755)   (594)  (692)     (1,232)  (1,447)

Minority interest

   (477)  (342)   (676)  (380)     (1,153)  (722)
  


  


Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, Discontinued Operations and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

   1,617   2,834 

Income Before Provision For Income Taxes, Discontinued Operations and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

   2,668   1,839      4,285   4,673 

Provision for income taxes

   (418)  (924)   (871)  (573)     (1,289)  (1,497)
  


  


Income Before Discontinued Operations and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

   1,199   1,910    1,797   1,266      2,996   3,176 

Discontinued Operations

           

Loss from operations of Iusacell

      (5)      (952)        (957)

Provision for income taxes

      (2)

Income tax benefit

      24         22 
  


  


Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

      (7)      (928)        (935)

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of Tax

      503                503 
  


  


Net Income

  $1,199  $2,406   $1,797  $338     $2,996  $2,744 
  


  


Basic Earnings Per Common Share(1)

           

Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $.43  $.70   $.65  $.46     $1.08  $1.15 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

             (.34)        (.34)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      .18                .18 
  


  


Net Income

  $.43  $.88   $.65  $.12     $1.08  $1.00 
  


  


Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)

   2,770   2,748    2,770   2,754      2,770   2,751 
  


  


Diluted Earnings Per Common Share(1)

           

Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $.43  $.69   $.64  $.46     $1.07  $1.14 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

             (.33)        (.34)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      .18                .18 
  


  


Net Income

  $.43  $.87   $.64  $.12     $1.07  $.99 
  


  


Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)

   2,804   2,780    2,804   2,786      2,804   2,783 
  


  


Dividends declared per common share

  $.385  $.385   $.385  $.385     $.77  $.77 
  


  


(1) Total per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

  At March 31, At December 31,   At June 30, At December 31, 
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)  2004 2003   2004 2003 





Assets

      

Current assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $600  $699   $         608  $         699 

Short-term investments

   1,892   2,172   1,390  2,172 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,366 and $2,387

   9,499   9,905 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,006 and $2,387

  9,618  9,905 

Inventories

   1,309   1,283   1,362  1,283 

Assets held for sale

  935   

Prepaid expenses and other

   3,894   4,234   3,482  4,234 
  


  

Total current assets

   17,194   18,293   17,395  18,293 
  


  

Plant, property and equipment

   181,754   180,975   181,437  180,975 

Less accumulated depreciation

   107,138   105,659   107,896  105,659 
  


  

   74,616   75,316   73,541  75,316 
  


  

Investments in unconsolidated businesses

   5,770   5,789   5,679  5,789 

Wireless licenses

   40,924   40,907   41,075  40,907 

Goodwill

   1,379   1,389   1,364  1,389 

Other intangible assets, net

   4,552   4,733   4,478  4,733 

Other assets

   18,986   19,541   18,906  19,541 
  


  

Total assets

  $163,421  $165,968   $  162,438  $  165,968 
  


  

Liabilities and Shareowners’ Investment

      

Current liabilities

      

Debt maturing within one year

  $6,320  $5,967   $      4,439  $      5,967 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   12,701   14,699   12,491  14,699 

Liabilities related to assets held for sale

  502   

Other

   5,935   5,904   5,941  5,904 
  


  

Total current liabilities

   24,956   26,570   23,373  26,570 
  


  

Long-term debt

   38,132   39,413   37,449  39,413 

Employee benefit obligations

   17,184   16,759   17,255  16,759 

Deferred income taxes

   21,827   21,708   21,876  21,708 

Other liabilities

   3,643   3,704   3,565  3,704 

Minority interest

   24,184   24,348   24,821  24,348 

Shareowners’ investment

      

Series preferred stock ($.10 par value; none issued)

            

Common stock ($.10 par value; 2,774,865,381 shares and 2,772,313,619 shares issued)

   277   277   277  277 

Contributed capital

   25,445   25,363   25,461  25,363 

Reinvested earnings

   9,542   9,409   10,275  9,409 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (1,528)  (1,250)  (1,669) (1,250)
  


  

   33,736   33,799   34,344  33,799 

Less common stock in treasury, at cost

   115   115   180  115 

Less deferred compensation – employee stock ownership plans and other

   126   218   65  218 
  


  

Total shareowners’ investment

   33,495   33,466   34,099  33,466 
  


  

Total liabilities and shareowners’ investment

  $163,421  $165,968   $  162,438  $  165,968 
  


  

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions) (Unaudited)  2004 2003   2004 2003 





Cash Flows from Operating Activities

      

Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $1,199  $1,910   $2,996  $3,176 

Adjustments to reconcile income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   3,428   3,367    6,868   6,751 

Employee retirement benefits

   1,054   (78)   1,412   170 

Deferred income taxes

   124   421    473   752 

Provision for uncollectible accounts

   394   436    512   904 

Income from unconsolidated businesses

   (271)  (167)   (483)  (394)

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition/disposition of businesses

   (1,783)  495    (2,325)  (134)

Other, net

   (107)  (582)   438   (256)
  


  


Net cash provided by operating activities

   4,038   5,802    9,891   10,969 
  


  


      

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

      

Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)

   (2,643)  (2,466)   (5,827)  (5,294)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and investments

   (34)  (169)   (55)  (1,033)

Proceeds from disposition of businesses

   117       117    

Net change in short-term investments

   282   518    759   1,145 

Other, net

   189   24    247   98 
  


  


Net cash used in investing activities

   (2,089)  (2,093)   (4,759)  (5,084)
  


  


        

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

      

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

   500   1,946    500   2,815 

Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

   (2,049)  (3,580)   (4,765)  (8,573)

Increase in short-term obligations, excluding current maturities

   572   1,576    1,254   1,109 

Dividends paid

   (1,065)  (1,056)   (2,131)  (2,115)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

   80   256    91   471 

Other, net

   (86)  (142)   (172)  (194)
  


  


Net cash used in financing activities

   (2,048)  (1,000)   (5,223)  (6,487)
  


  


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (99)  2,709 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (91)  (602)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   699   1,422    699   1,422 
  


  


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $600  $4,131   $608  $820 
  


  


 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

(Unaudited)

 

1.    Basis of Presentation


 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared based upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. These financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown including normal recurring accruals and other items. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other information, you should refer to the financial statements included in the Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

2.    Accounting Changes


 

Directory Accounting Change

 

During 2003, we changed our method for recognizing revenues and expenses in our directory business from the publication-date method to the amortization method. The publication-date method recognizes revenues and direct expenses when directories are published. Under the amortization method, revenues and direct expenses, primarily printing and distribution costs, are recognized over the life of the directory, which is usually 12 months. This accounting change affected the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses. As required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the directory accounting change was recorded effective January 1, 2003. The cumulative effect of the accounting change was a one-time charge of $2,697 million ($1,647 million after-tax).

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” using the prospective method (as permitted under SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure”) to all new awards granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested options in each period.

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)  2004 2003   2004 2003   2004 2003 





Net Income, As Reported

  $1,199  $2,406   $1,797  $  338   $2,996  $2,744 

Add: Stock option-related employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

   13   8    13  8    26   16 

Deduct: Total stock option-related employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

   (31)  (51)   (31) (51)   (62)  (102)
  


  


Pro Forma Net Income

  $1,181  $2,363   $1,779  $  295   $2,960  $2,658 
  


  


         

Earnings Per Share

         

Basic – as reported

  $.43  $.88   $.65  $   .12   $1.08  $1.00 

Basic – pro forma

   .43   .86    .64  .11    1.07   .97 

Diluted – as reported

  $.43  $.87   $.64  $   .12   $1.07  $.99 

Diluted – pro forma

   .42   .85    .64  .11    1.06   .96 

 

After-tax compensation expense for other stock-based compensation included in net income as reported for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $51$44 million and $17$95 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, after-tax compensation expense for other stock-based compensation included in net income as reported was $15 million and $32 million, respectively.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” on January 1, 2003. SFAS No. 143 requires that companies recognize the fair value of a liability for asset retirement obligations in the period in which the obligations are incurred and capitalize that amount as part of the book value of the long-lived asset. We determined that Verizon does not have a material legal obligation to remove long-lived assets as described

by this statement. However, prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, we included estimated removal costs in our group depreciation models. Consequently, in connection with the initial adoption of SFAS No. 143 we reversed accrued costs of removal in excess of salvage from our accumulated depreciation accounts for these assets. The

adjustment was recorded as a cumulative effect of an accounting change, resulting in the recognition of a gain of $3,499 million ($2,150 million after-tax).

 

3.    Strategic Actions


 

Severance, Pension and Benefit Charges

During the second quarter of 2004, we recorded pretax pension settlement losses of $31 million ($19 million after-tax). In addition, during the first quarter of 2004, we recorded pretax pension settlement losses of $728 million ($446 million after-tax). These settlement losses related to employees that received lump-sum distributions during the quarter in connection with the previously announced voluntary separation plan under which more than 21,000 employees accepted the separation offer in the fourth quarter of 2003. This charge wasThese charges were recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits” which requires that settlement losses be recorded once prescribed payment thresholds have been reached.

 

During the second quarter of 2003 we recorded a special charge of $463 million ($286 million after-tax) in connection with enhanced pension benefits granted to employees retiring in the first half of 2003, estimated costs associated with the July 10, 2003 Verizon-New York arbitration ruling and pension settlement losses related to lump-sum pay-outs in 2003. On July 10, 2003, an arbitrator ruled that Verizon-New York’s termination of 2,300 employees in 2002 was not permitted under a union contract; similar cases were pending impacting an additional 1,100 employees. Verizon offered to reinstate all 3,400 impacted employees, and accordingly, recorded a charge in the second quarter of 2003 representing estimated payments to employees and other related company-paid costs.

In addition, in the second quarter of 2003 we recorded a special charge of $235 million ($150 million after-tax) primarily associated with employee severance costs and severance-related activities in connection with the voluntary separation of approximately 4,000 employees.

Other Special Items

In the second quarter of 2004, we recorded an expense credit of $204 million ($123 million after-tax) resulting from the favorable resolution of pre-bankruptcy amounts due from MCI. Previously reached settlement agreements became fully effective when MCI emerged from bankruptcy proceedings in the second quarter of 2004.

Also during the second quarter of 2004, we recorded a charge of $113 million ($87 million after-tax) related to operating asset losses pertaining to our international long distance and data network. In addition, we recorded pretax charges of $12 million ($7 million after-tax) during the current quarter in connection with the early retirement of debt. During the first quarter of 2004, we also recorded pretax charges of $43 million ($27 million after-tax) resulting from the early retirement of debt (see Note 7).debt.

 

During the second quarter of 2003, we recorded other pretax charges of $258 million ($204 million after-tax) primarily related to a pretax impairment charge of $125 million ($125 million after-tax) pertaining to our leasing operations for airplanes leased to airlines that were experiencing financial difficulties and for power generating facilities. These second quarter 2003 charges also included pretax charges of $61 million ($38 million after-tax) pertaining to the early retirement of debt and other pretax charges of $72 million ($41 million after-tax).

4.    Discontinued Operations


 

Discontinued operations represent the results of operations of Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (Iusacell) prior to the sale of Iusacell in July 2003. TheIn connection with the decision to sell our interest in Iusacell and a comparison of expected sale proceeds, less cost to sell, to the net book value of our investment in Iusacell (including the foreign currency translation balance), we recorded a pretax loss reported by Iusacellof $957 million ($931 million after-tax) in the firstsecond quarter of 20032003. This loss included $317 million of goodwill. Summarized results of operations for Iusacell, which was primarily driven by its declining revenue base and the impactpart of fluctuations of the Mexican peso on Iusacell’s U.S. dollar-denominated debt. our International segment, follows:

(Dollars in Millions) Three Months Ended June 30,
2003
     Six Months Ended June 30,
2003
 


Income from operations of Iusacell before income taxes

 $5     $ 

Investment loss

  (957)     (957)

Income tax benefit

  24      22 
  


Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

 $(928)    $(935)
  


Included in the first quarter of 2003 lossincome from operations of $5 million ($7 million after-tax) wereIusacell before income taxes in the preceding table are operating revenues of $109 million.$72 million and $181 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.

 

5.    Marketable Securities and Other Investments


 

We have investments in marketable securities, primarily bonds and mutual funds, which are considered “available-for-sale” under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” These investments are included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets in Investments in Unconsolidated Businesses and Other Assets.

Under SFAS No. 115, available-for-sale securities are required to be carried at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (net of income taxes) that are considered temporary in nature recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The fair values of our investments in marketable securities are determined based on market quotations.

 

We continually evaluate our investments in marketable securities for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. That evaluation includes, in addition to persistent, declining stock prices, general economic and company-specific evaluations. In the event of a determination that a decline in market value is other than temporary, a charge to earnings is recorded in Income From Other Unconsolidated Businesses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for all or a portion of the unrealized loss, and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

We continually evaluate our other investments in unconsolidated businesses and other long-lived assets for impairment. As of March 31,June 30, 2004, no impairments were determined to exist.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, we sold all of our investment in Iowa Telecom preferred stock, which resulted in a pretax gain of $43 million ($43 million after-tax) included in Income From Other Unconsolidated Businesses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. The preferred stock was received in 2000 in connection with the sale of access lines in Iowa.

6.    Assets Held for Sale


During the second quarter of 2004, we announced an agreement with The Carlyle Group to sell our wireline-related businesses in Hawaii, including Verizon Hawaii Inc. which operates 707,000 switched access lines, as well as the services and assets of Verizon Long Distance, Verizon Online and Verizon Information Services in Hawaii, for $1,650 million in cash, less debt. The closing of the transaction, expected in 2005, is contingent on approvals from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. As a result of this transaction, we have separately classified the assets held for sale and related liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2004. Additional detail of the assets held for sale, and related liabilities, follows:

(Dollars in Millions)  At June 30, 2004

Current assets

  $132

Plant, property and equipment, net

   783

Other non-current assets

   20
   

Total assets

  $935
   

Debt maturing within one year

  $125

Other current liabilities

   52

Long-term debt

   302

Other non-current liabilities

   23
   

Total liabilities

  $502
   

 

6.7.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


 

Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 are as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)  Domestic
Telecom
  Domestic
Wireless
  Information
Services
 International Corporate &
Other
  Total   Domestic
Telecom
  Domestic
Wireless
  Information
Services
 International Corporate &
Other
  Total 





Balance at December 31, 2003

  $314  $        –  $631  $444  $        –  $1,389   $314  $  $631  $444  $  $1,389 

Goodwill reclassifications and other

         (9)  (1)     (10)         (24)  (1)     (25)
  


  


Balance at March 31, 2004

  $314  $  $622  $443  $  $1,379 

Balance at June 30, 2004

  $314  $  $607  $443  $  $1,364 
  


  


Other Intangible Assets

 

The major components and average useful lives of our other intangible assets follows:

 

  At March 31, 2004  At December 31, 2003  

At June 30, 2004


  At December 31, 2003

(Dollars in Millions)  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization

Amortized intangible assets:

                        

Customer lists (4 to 7 years)

  $3,441  $2,481  $3,441  $2,362  $        3,441  $2,598  $3,441  $2,362

Non-network internal-use software (3 to 7 years)

   5,922   2,391   5,799   2,208  6,182   2,608   5,799   2,208

Other (2 to 30 years)

   88   27   86   23  89   28   86   23
  

  

Total

  $9,451  $4,899  $9,326  $4,593  $        9,712  $5,234  $9,326  $4,593
  

  

Unamortized intangible assets:

                        

Wireless licenses

  $40,924     $40,907     $      41,075     $40,907   
  

     

     
     

   

 

Intangible asset amortization expense was $345$348 million and $342$693 million for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, intangible asset amortization expense was $350 million and $692 million, respectively. It is estimated to be $1,036$698 million for the remainder of 2004, $1,209$1,231 million in 2005, $797$815 million in 2006, $512$520 million in 2007 and $339$386 million in 2008, primarily related to customer lists and non-network internal-use software.

7.8.    Debt


 

Debt Issuances/Redemptions

 

In March 2004, Verizon Global Funding Corp. (Verizon Global Funding) issued $500 million of 13-month floating rate exchangeable notes at par value. The notes may be exchanged periodically into similar notes until 2011.

 

On May 4, 2004, we redeemed Verizon California Inc. $250 million 8.07% debentures due April 15, 2024. During the first quarter of 2004, we redeemed several debt issuances: Verizon Virginia Inc. $125 million 7% debentures due July 15, 2025; Verizon New York Inc. $250 million 7% debentures due August 15, 2025; Verizon New York Inc. $450 million 7.25% debentures due February 15, 2024; and Verizon Florida Inc. $200 million 7.41% Series B debentures due December 15, 2023. In addition, on April 2, 2004, we issued a redemption notice for $250 million 8.07% debentures due April 15, 2024 issued by Verizon California Inc.

 

Support Agreements and Guarantees

 

All of Verizon Global Funding’s debt has the benefit of Support Agreements between us and Verizon Global Funding, which give holders of Verizon Global Funding debt the right to proceed directly against us for payment of interest, premium (if any) and principal outstanding should Verizon Global Funding fail to pay. The holders of Verizon Global Funding debt do not have recourse to the stock or assets of most of our telephone operations; however, they do have recourse to dividends paid to us by any of our consolidated subsidiaries as well as assets not covered by the exclusion. Verizon Global Funding’s long-term debt, including current portion, aggregated $15,805$13,821 million at March 31,June 30, 2004. The carrying value of the available assets reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets was approximately $56.6$56.8 billion at June 30, 2004.

Verizon and NYNEX Corporation are the joint and several co-obligors of the 20-Year 9.55% Debentures due 2010 previously issued by NYNEX on March 31, 2004.26, 1990. As of June 30, 2004, $145 million principal amount of this obligation remained outstanding. In addition, Verizon Global Funding has guaranteed the debt obligations of GTE Corporation (but not the debt of its subsidiary or affiliate companies) that were issued and outstanding prior to July 1, 2003. As of June 30, 2004, $3,594 million principal amount of these obligations remained outstanding. NYNEX and GTE no longer issue public debt or file SEC reports. See Note 13 for information on guarantees of subsidiary debt listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Exchangeable Notes

 

Previously, Verizon Global Funding issued two series of notes: $2,455 million of 5.75% senior exchangeable notes due on April 1, 2003 that were exchangeable into shares of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited (the 5.75% Notes) and $3,180 million of 4.25% senior exchangeable notes due on September 15, 2005 that, in connection with a restructuring of Cable & Wireless Communications plc in 2000 and the bankruptcy of NTL Incorporated (NTL) in 2002, were exchangeable into shares of Cable & Wireless plc and a combination of shares and warrants in the reorganized NTL entities (the 4.25% Notes).

 

On April 1, 2003, all of the outstanding $2,455 million principal amount of the 5.75% Notes were redeemed at maturity. On March 15, 2003, Verizon Global Funding redeemed all of the outstanding 4.25% Notes. The cash redemption price for the 4.25% Notes was $1,048.29 for each $1,000 principal amount of the notes. The principal amount of the 4.25% Notes outstanding, before unamortized discount, at the time of redemption, was $2,839 million.

 

Zero-Coupon Convertible Notes

Previously, Verizon Global Funding issued approximately $5.4 billion in principal amount at maturity of zero-coupon convertible notes due 2021 which are redeemable at the option of the holders on May 15th in each of the years 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2016. On May 15, 2004, $3,292 million of principal amount of the notes ($1,984 million after unamortized discount) were redeemed by Verizon Global Funding. As of June 30, 2004, the remaining zero-coupon convertible notes were classified as long-term since holders at their option will not be able to have Verizon Global Funding redeem them again until May 15, 2006.

Debt Covenants

 

Verizon and its consolidated subsidiaries are in compliance with all of their debt covenants.

8.9.    Comprehensive Income


 

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareowners’ investment that, under GAAP, are excluded from net income.

 

Changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003   2004 2003  2004 2003 





Net Income

  $1,199  $2,406   $1,797  $338  $  2,996  $2,744 
  


  


Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes

         

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   (251)  28    (138)  352  (389)  380 

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

   12   (6)

Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges

   (21)  (32)

Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

   (18)  15  (6)  10 

Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

   4   5  (17)  (28)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   (18)  (20)   11   11  (7)  (9)
  


  


   (278)  (30)   (141)  383  (419)  353 
  


  


Total Comprehensive Income

  $921  $2,376   $1,656  $721  $  2,577  $3,097 
  


  


 

The unrealized foreign currency translation loss in the first quarter of 2004 is primarily driven by the devaluation of the functional currencies at our investments in Verizon Dominicana, C. por A. (Verizon Dominicana), Vodafone Omnitel N.V. (Vodafone Omnitel) and Compañia Anónima Nacional Teléfonos de Venezuela (CANTV). The foreign currency translation gain in 2003 is primarily driven by a reclassification of the foreign currency translation loss of Iusacell of $577 million in connection with the sale of Iusacell (see Note 4) and the favorable impact of the euro on our investment in Vodafone Omnitel, N.V. andpartially offset by unrealized foreign currency translation losses at Verizon Dominicana C. por A. and Compañia Anónima Nacional Teléfonos de Venezuela.CANTV.

 

The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss are as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)  At March 31, 2004 At December 31, 2003   At June 30, 2004 At December 31, 2003 





Foreign currency translation adjustments

  $(911) $(660)  $(1,049) $(660)

Unrealized gains on marketable securities

   36   24    18   24 

Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges

   (75)  (54)   (71)  (54)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   (578)  (560)   (567)  (560)
  


  


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  $(1,528) $(1,250)  $(1,669) $(1,250)
  


  


9.10.    Earnings Per Share


 

The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts used in computing earnings per share.

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)  2004  2003   2004  2003     2004  2003 





Net Income Used For Basic Earnings Per Common Share

                    

Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $1,199  $1,910   $1,797  $1,266     $2,996  $3,176 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

      (7)      (928)        (935)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      503                503 
  


  


Net income

  $1,199  $2,406   $1,797  $338     $2,996  $2,744 
  


  


Net Income Used For Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

                    

Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $1,199  $1,910   $1,797  $1,266     $2,996  $3,176 

After-tax minority interest expense related to exchangeable equity interest

   6   5    7   4      13   9 
  


  


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change – after assumed conversion of dilutive securities

   1,205   1,915    1,804   1,270      3,009   3,185 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

      (7)      (928)        (935)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      503                503 
  


  


Net income after assumed conversion of dilutive securities

  $1,205  $2,411   $1,804  $342     $3,009  $2,753 
  


  


Basic Earnings Per Common Share(1)

                    

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

   2,770   2,748    2,770   2,754      2,770   2,751 
  


  


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $.43  $.70   $.65  $.46     $1.08  $1.15 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

             (.34)        (.34)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      .18                .18 
  


  


Net income

  $.43  $.88   $.65  $.12     $1.08  $1.00 
  


  


Diluted Earnings Per Common Share(1)

                    

Weighted-average shares outstanding

   2,770   2,748 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

   2,770   2,754      2,770   2,751 

Effect of dilutive securities:

                    

Stock options

   5   4    5   4      5   4 

Exchangeable equity interest

   29   28    29   28      29   28 
  


  


Weighted-average shares – diluted

   2,804   2,780 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

   2,804   2,786      2,804   2,783 
  


  


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

  $.43  $.69   $.64  $.46     $1.07  $1.14 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

             (.33)        (.34)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      .18                .18 
  


  


Net income

  $.43  $.87   $.64  $.12     $1.07  $.99 
  


  


(1)

Total per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

 

Stock options for 243255 million shares for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 and 228 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the stock options was greater than the average market price of the common stock.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, the number of shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share was 246 million.

10.11.     Segment Information


 

We have four reportable segments, which we operate and manage as strategic business units and organize by products and services. Our segments include a Domestic Telecom group which provides domestic wireline communications services; a Domestic Wireless group which provides domestic wireless communications services; an Information Services group which is responsible for our domestic and international publishing businesses and electronic commerce services; and an International group which includes our foreign wireline and wireless communications investments.

We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on segment income. This segment income excludes unallocated corporate expenses and other adjustments arising during each period. The other adjustments include transactions that the chief operating decision makers exclude in assessing business unit performance due primarily to their non-recurring and/or non-operational nature. Although such transactions are excluded from the business segment results, they are included in reported consolidated earnings. Gains and losses that are not individually significant are included in all segment results, since these items are included in the chief operating decision makers’ assessment of unit performance. These gains and losses are primarily contained in Information Services and International since they actively manage investment portfolios.

The following table provides operating financial information for our four reportable segments and a reconciliation of segment results to consolidated results:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003    2004   2003      2004   2003 





External Operating Revenues

           

Domestic Telecom

  $9,423  $9,764   $9,429  $9,694     $18,852  $19,458 

Domestic Wireless

   6,149   5,074    6,827   5,463      12,976   10,537 

Information Services

   999   1,021    986   1,049      1,985   2,070 

International

   462   511    499   503      961   1,014 
  


  


Total segments

   17,033   16,370    17,741   16,709      34,774   33,079 

Reconciling items

   103   120    97   120      200   240 
  


  


Total consolidated – reported

  $17,136  $16,490   $17,838  $16,829     $34,974  $33,319 
  


  


Intersegment Revenues

           

Domestic Telecom

  $191  $177   $193  $211     $384  $388 

Domestic Wireless

   13   12    20   14      33   26 

Information Services

                       

International

   6   6    7   6      13   12 
  


  


Total segments

   210   195    220   231      430   426 

Reconciling items

   (210)  (195)   (220)  (231)     (430)  (426)
  


  


Total consolidated – reported

  $  $   $  $     $  $ 
  


  


Total Operating Revenues

           

Domestic Telecom

  $9,614  $9,941   $9,622  $9,905     $19,236  $19,846 

Domestic Wireless

   6,162   5,086    6,847   5,477      13,009   10,563 

Information Services

   999   1,021    986   1,049      1,985   2,070 

International

   468   517    506   509      974   1,026 
  


  


Total segments

   17,243   16,565    17,961   16,940      35,204   33,505 

Reconciling items

   (107)  (75)   (123)  (111)     (230)  (186)
  


  


Total consolidated – reported

  $17,136  $16,490   $17,838  $16,829     $34,974  $33,319 
  


  


Operating Income

           

Domestic Telecom

  $1,490  $2,087   $1,428  $1,939     $2,918  $4,026 

Domestic Wireless

   1,202   874    1,615   981      2,817   1,855 

Information Services

   472   502    431   505      903   1,007 

International

   116   136    183   89      299   225 
  


  


Total segments

   3,280   3,599    3,657   3,514      6,937   7,113 

Reconciling items

   (785)  108    71   (784)     (714)  (676)
  


  


Total consolidated – reported

  $2,495  $3,707   $3,728  $2,730     $6,223  $6,437 
  


  


Segment Income

           

Domestic Telecom

  $697  $1,007   $683  $915     $1,380  $1,922 

Domestic Wireless

   318   218    453   257      771   475 

Information Services

   287   300    258   299      545   599 

International

   281   266    287   314      568   580 
  


  


Total segment income

   1,583   1,791    1,681   1,785      3,264   3,576 

Reconciling items

   (384)  615    116   (1,447)     (268)  (832)
  


  


Total consolidated net income – reported

  $1,199  $2,406   $1,797  $338     $2,996  $2,744 
  


  


(Dollars in Millions)  At March 31, 2004 At December 31, 2003 


Assets

   

Domestic Telecom

  $80,021  $82,087 

Domestic Wireless

   65,329   65,166 

Information Services

   2,573   2,431 

International

   11,268   11,872 
  


Total segments

   159,191   161,556 

Reconciling items

   4,230   4,412 
  


Total consolidated

  $163,421  $165,968 
  


(Dollars in Millions)  At June 30, 2004  At December 31, 2003

Assets

       

Domestic Telecom

  $      78,226  $82,087

Domestic Wireless

  66,027   65,166

Information Services

  2,427   2,431

International

  11,616   11,872
   

Total segments

  158,296   161,556

Reconciling items

  4,142   4,412
   

Total consolidated

  $    162,438  $165,968
   

Major reconciling items between the segments and the consolidated results are as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003   2004    2003      2004   2003 





Total Operating Revenues

            

Corporate, eliminations and other

  $  (107) $    (75) $(123)  $(111)    $(230) $(186)
  

 


  $  (107) $    (75) $(123)  $(111)    $(230) $(186)
  

 


Operating Income

            

Severance, pension and benefit charges (see Note 3)

  $  (728) $       –  $(31)  $(697)    $(759) $(697)

Lease impairment and other special items (see Note 3)

  91    (197)     91   (197)

Corporate and other

  (57) 108   11    110      (46)  218 
  

 


  $  (785) $   108  $71   $(784)    $(714) $(676)
  

 


Net Income

            

Severance, pension and benefit charges (see Note 3)

  $  (446) $       –  $(19)  $(436)    $(465) $(436)

Sales of investments, net (see Note 5)

  43               43    

Other special items (see Note 3)

  (27)  

Loss on discontinued operations – Iusacell (see Note 4)

    (7)

Lease impairment and other special items (see Note 3)

  29    (204)     2   (204)

Iusacell charge (see Note 4)

      (931)        (931)

Income (loss) on discontinued operations – Iusacell (see Note 4)

      4         (3)

Cumulative effect of accounting change (see Note 2)

    503                503 

Corporate and other

  46  119   106    120      152   239 
  

 


  $  (384) $   615  $116   $(1,447)    $(268) $(832)
  

 


 

Financial information for International excludes the effects of Iusacell (see Note 4).

 

Corporate, eliminations and other includes unallocated corporate expenses, intersegment eliminations recorded in consolidation, the results of other businesses such as lease financing, and asset impairments and expenses that are not allocated in assessing segment performance due to their non-recurring nature.

 

We generally account for intersegment sales of products and services and asset transfers at current market prices. We are not dependent on any single customer.

 

11.12.    Employee Benefits


 

We maintain noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for substantially all employees. In addition, we maintain postretirement health care and life insurance plans for our retirees and their dependents, which are both contributory and non-contributory and include a limit on the company’s share of cost for certain recent and future retirees.

Net Periodic Cost

 

The following table summarizestables summarize the benefit costs related to our pension and postretirement health care and life insurance plans:

 

  (Dollars in Millions)   (Dollars in Millions) 
  Pension

 Health Care and Life

   Pension

 Health Care and Life

 
Three Months Ended March 31,  2004 2003 2004 2003 
Three Months Ended June 30,  2004 2003 2004 2003 





Service cost

  $    173  $192  $70  $39   $166  $191  $     70  $     39 

Interest cost

   542   599   378   268    529   600  375  269 

Expected return on plan assets

   (875)  (1,023)  (101)  (96)   (853)  (1,020) (100) (96)

Amortization of transition asset

   (1)  (10)  1   1    (1)  (10)   1 

Amortization of prior service cost

   14   5   60   (4)   14   6  59  (4)

Actuarial loss (gain), net

   13   (80)  50   31    14   (102) 50  31 
  


  


Net periodic benefit (income) cost

   (134)  (317)  458   239    (131)  (335) 454  240 
  


  


Termination benefits

   2             2   319  2  3 

Settlement loss

   728             31   21     
  


  


Total cost

  $596  $(317) $458  $239   $(98) $5  $  456  $   243 
  


  


   (Dollars in Millions) 
   Pension

     Health Care and Life

 
Six Months Ended June 30,  2004   2003     2004  2003 


Service cost

  $   339   $   383     $   140  $     78 

Interest cost

  1,071   1,199     753  537 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1,728)  (2,043)    (201) (192)

Amortization of transition asset

  (2)  (20)    1  2 

Amortization of prior service cost

  28   11     119  (8)

Actuarial loss (gain), net

  27   (182)    100  62 
   

Net periodic benefit (income) cost

  (265)  (652)    912  479 
   

Termination benefits

  4   319     2  3 

Settlement loss

  759   21        
   

Total cost

  $   498   $  (312)    $  914  $   482 
   

 

Employer Contributions

 

In 2004, we expect to contribute $266$273 million to our qualified pension trusts, including $138$145 million for Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TELPRI), $161$150 million to our other nonqualified pension plans and $1,149 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. During the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2004, we contributed $65$28 million to our TELPRI plans and $17 million to our other qualified pension trusts, $45$20 million to our nonqualified pension plans and $319$241 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, we contributed $93 million to our TELPRI plans and $17 million to our other qualified pension trusts, $65 million to our nonqualified pension plans and $560 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. Federal legislation on pension funding relief was enacted on April 10, 2004. The legislation provides temporary funding relief for the 2004 and 2005 plan years, principally replacing the 30-year

treasury rate with a higher corporate bond rate for determining current liability. The anticipated required qualified pension trust contributions disclosed in Verizon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 continue to be accurate.

 

Medicare Drug Act

 

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Drug Act) was signed into law. The Medicare Drug Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (Medicare Part D) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. We sponsor several postretirement health care plans that provide prescription drug benefits that are deemed actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D and elected to recognize the impact of the federal subsidy on our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net postretirement benefit costs in the fourth quarter of 2003. We anticipate the recognition of the Medicare Drug Act to decrease our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $1,256 million and we anticipate our net postretirement benefit cost will be reduced by approximately $144 million ($144 million after-tax) in 2004. During the quarterthree and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004, the Medicare Drug Act has reduced our net postretirement benefit cost by $36 million. Specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy is pendingmillion and that guidance, when issued, could impact our current accounting for the effects of the Medicare Drug Act.$72 million, respectively.

Severance Benefits

 

During the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004, we paid severance benefits of $1,209 million.$87 million and $1,296 million, respectively. At March 31,June 30, 2004, we had a remaining severance liability of $1,062$980 million, which includes future contractual payments to employees separated as of March 31,June 30, 2004.

 

12.13. Guarantees of Operating Subsidiary Debt


 

Verizon has guaranteed the following two obligations of indirect wholly owned operating subsidiaries: $480 million 7% debentures series B, due 2042 issued by Verizon New England Inc. and $300 million 7% debentures series F issued by Verizon South Inc. due 2041. These guarantees are full and unconditional and would require Verizon to make scheduled payments immediately if either of the two subsidiaries failed to do so. Both of these securities were issued in denominations of $25 and were sold primarily to retail investors and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. SEC rules permit us to include condensed consolidating financial information for these two subsidiaries in our periodic SEC reports rather than filing separate subsidiary periodic SEC reports.

 

Below is the condensed consolidating financial information. Verizon New England and Verizon South are presented in separate columns. The column labeled Parent represents Verizon’s investments in all of its subsidiaries under the equity method and the Other column represents all other subsidiaries of Verizon on a combined basis. The Adjustments column reflects intercompany eliminations.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $992  $234  $15,992  $(82) $17,136 

Operating expenses

   109   986   192   13,436   (82)  14,641 
   


Operating income (loss)

   (109)  6   42   2,556      2,495 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   1,213   19      169   (1,202)  199 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

            72      72 

Other income and (expense), net

   14   7   1   (43)  (13)  (34)

Interest expense

   (5)  (41)  (16)  (578)  2   (638)

Minority interest

            (477)     (477)
   


Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   1,113   (9)  27   1,699   (1,213)  1,617 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   86   17   (10)  (511)     (418)
   


Net income

  $1,199  $8  $17  $1,188  $(1,213) $1,199 
   


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Three Months Ended March 31,June 30, 2004

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $982  $231  $16,706  $(81) $17,838 

Operating expenses

   31   901   164   13,095   (81)  14,110 
   


Operating income (loss)

   (31)  81   67   3,611      3,728 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   1,741   18      181   (1,728)  212 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

                   

Other income and (expense), net

   15   1   1   (4)  (15)  (2)

Interest expense

   (5)  (41)  (16)  (534)  2   (594)

Minority interest

            (676)     (676)
   


Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   1,720   59   52   2,578   (1,741)  2,668 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   77   (15)  (20)  (913)     (871)
   


Net income

  $1,797  $44  $32  $1,665  $(1,741) $1,797 
   


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $1,974  $465  $32,698  $(163) $34,974 

Operating expenses

   140   1,887   356   26,531   (163)  28,751 
   


Operating income (loss)

   (140)  87   109   6,167      6,223 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   2,954   37      350   (2,930)  411 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

            72      72 

Other income and (expense), net

   29   8   2   (47)  (28)  (36)

Interest expense

   (10)  (82)  (32)  (1,112)  4   (1,232)

Minority interest

            (1,153)     (1,153)
   


Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   2,833   50   79   4,277   (2,954)  4,285 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   163   2   (30)  (1,424)     (1,289)
   


Net income

  $2,996  $52  $49  $2,853  $(2,954) $2,996 
   


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $1,035  $238  $15,286  $(69) $16,490 

Operating expenses

   (31)  856   165   11,862   (69)  12,783 
   


Operating income

   31   179   73   3,424      3,707 

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated businesses

   2,309   (46)     189   (2,304)  148 

Income (loss) from other unconsolidated businesses

   (10)        29      19 

Other income and (expense), net

   38   1   3   22   (7)  57 

Interest expense

   (11)  (43)  (20)  (683)  2   (755)

Minority interest

            (342)     (342)
   


Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   2,357   91   56   2,639   (2,309)  2,834 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   49   (54)  (22)  (897)     (924)
   


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   2,406   37   34   1,742   (2,309)  1,910 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

            (7)     (7)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      369   47   87      503 
   


Net income

  $2,406  $406  $81  $1,822  $(2,309) $2,406 
   


 

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $1,044  $236  $15,619  $(70) $16,829 

Operating expenses

   16   960   210   12,983   (70)  14,099 
   


Operating income (loss)

   (16)  84   26   2,636      2,730 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   252   6      162   (253)  167 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

            60      60 

Other income and (expense), net

   11   (4)     (45)  (8)  (46)

Interest expense

   (11)  (40)  (15)  (635)  9   (692)

Minority interest

            (380)     (380)
   


Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   236   46   11   1,798   (252)  1,839 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   102   (16)  (4)  (655)     (573)
   


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   338   30   7   1,143   (252)  1,266 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

            (928)     (928)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

                   
   


Net income

  $338  $30  $7  $215  $(252) $338 
   


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Operating revenues

  $  $2,079  $  474  $30,905  $  (139)  $33,319 

Operating expenses

   (15)  1,816  375  24,845  (139)   26,882 
   


Operating income

   15   263  99  6,060     6,437 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

   2,561   (40)   351  (2,557)   315 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses

   (10)      89     79 

Other income and (expense), net

   49   (3) 3  (23) (15)   11 

Interest expense

   (22)  (83) (35) (1,318) 11   (1,447)

Minority interest

          (722)    (722)
   


Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   2,593   137  67  4,437  (2,561)   4,673 

Income tax benefit (provision)

   151   (70) (26) (1,552)    (1,497)
   


Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change

   2,744   67  41  2,885  (2,561)   3,176 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

          (935)    (935)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

      369  47  87     503 
   


Net income

  $2,744  $436  $    88  $  2,037  $(2,561)  $2,744 
   


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At March 31,June 30, 2004

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total

Cash

  $  $  $  $600  $  $600

Short-term investments

      155   31   1,706      1,892

Accounts receivable, net

      941   146   9,394   (982)  9,499

Other current assets

   4,742   252   148   4,916   (4,855)  5,203
   

Total current assets

   4,742   1,348   325   16,616   (5,837)  17,194

Plant, property and equipment, net

   1   6,638   1,255   66,722      74,616

Investments in unconsolidated businesses

   30,972   117      6,310   (31,629)  5,770

Other assets

   166   579   369   64,957   (230)  65,841
   

Total assets

  $35,881  $8,682  $1,949  $154,605  $(37,696) $163,421
   

Debt maturing within one year

  $30  $208  $  $11,023  $(4,941) $6,320

Other current liabilities

   2,151   1,365   199   15,817   (896)  18,636
   

Total current liabilities

   2,181   1,573   199   26,840   (5,837)  24,956

Long-term debt

   145   2,984   900   34,333   (230)  38,132

Employee benefit obligations

   58   1,806   217   15,103      17,184

Deferred income taxes

      583   231   21,013      21,827

Other liabilities

   2   233   39   3,369      3,643

Minority interest

            24,184      24,184

Total shareowners’ investment

   33,495   1,503   363   29,763   (31,629)  33,495
   

Total liabilities and shareowners’ investment

  $35,881  $8,682  $1,949  $154,605  $(37,696) $163,421
   

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total

Cash

  $         –  $  $  $608  $  $608

Short-term investments

     100   20   1,270      1,390

Accounts receivable, net

     922   174   9,436   (914)  9,618

Other current assets

  5,723   238   146   5,529   (5,857)  5,779
   

Total current assets

  5,723   1,260   340   16,843   (6,771)  17,395

Plant, property and equipment, net

  1   6,517   1,238   65,785      73,541

Investments in unconsolidated businesses

  30,787   116      7,086   (32,310)  5,679

Other assets

  195   547   370   64,941   (230)  65,823
   

Total assets

  $36,706  $8,440  $1,948  $154,655  $(39,311) $162,438
   

Debt maturing within one year

  $       31  $148  $  $10,127  $(5,867) $4,439

Other current liabilities

  2,407   1,243   210   15,978   (904)  18,934
   

Total current liabilities

  2,438   1,391   210   26,105   (6,771)  23,373

Long-term debt

  113   2,954   900   33,712   (230)  37,449

Employee benefit obligations

  54   1,820   228   15,153      17,255

Deferred income taxes

     591   230   21,055      21,876

Other liabilities

  2   237   38   3,288      3,565

Minority interest

           24,821      24,821

Total shareowners’ investment

  34,099   1,447   342   30,521   (32,310)  34,099
   

Total liabilities and shareowners’ investment

  $36,706  $8,440  $1,948  $154,655  $(39,311) $162,438
   

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At December 31, 2003

 

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent Verizon New
England
 Verizon
South
 Other Adjustments Total   Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments Total




Cash

  $  $  $  $699  $  $699   $         –  $  $  $699  $  $699

Short-term investments

      200   40   1,932      2,172      200   40   1,932      2,172

Accounts receivable, net

   3   1,117   162   10,424   (1,801)  9,905   3   1,117   162   10,424   (1,801)  9,905

Other current assets

   5,201   380   192   5,073   (5,329)  5,517   5,201   380   192   5,073   (5,329)  5,517
  


  

Total current assets

   5,204   1,697   394   18,128   (7,130)  18,293   5,204   1,697   394   18,128   (7,130)  18,293

Plant, property and equipment, net

   1   6,751   1,280   67,284      75,316   1   6,751   1,280   67,284      75,316

Investments in unconsolidated businesses

   30,869   117      6,354   (31,551)  5,789   30,869   117      6,354   (31,551)  5,789

Other assets

   152   610   385   65,433   (10)  66,570   152   610   385   65,433   (10)  66,570
  


  

Total assets

  $36,226  $9,175  $2,059  $157,199  $(38,691) $165,968   $36,226  $9,175  $2,059  $157,199  $(38,691) $165,968
  


  

Debt maturing within one year

  $30  $513  $  $11,125  $(5,701) $5,967   $       30  $513  $  $11,125  $(5,701) $5,967

Other current liabilities

   2,484   1,739   301   17,508   (1,429)  20,603   2,484   1,739   301   17,508   (1,429)  20,603
  


  

Total current liabilities

   2,514   2,252   301   28,633   (7,130)  26,570   2,514   2,252   301   28,633   (7,130)  26,570

Long-term debt

   145   2,749   900   35,629   (10)  39,413   145   2,749   900   35,629   (10)  39,413

Employee benefit obligations

   99   1,787   216   14,657      16,759   99   1,787   216   14,657      16,759

Deferred income taxes

      602   238   20,868      21,708      602   238   20,868      21,708

Other liabilities

   2   235   39   3,428      3,704   2   235   39   3,428      3,704

Minority interest

            24,348      24,348            24,348      24,348

Total shareowners’ investment

   33,466   1,550   365   29,636   (31,551)  33,466   33,466   1,550   365   29,636   (31,551)  33,466
  


  

Total liabilities and shareowners’ investment

  $36,226  $9,175  $2,059  $157,199  $(38,691) $165,968   $36,226  $9,175  $2,059  $157,199  $(38,691) $165,968
  


  

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

   
(Dollars in Millions)  Parent Verizon New
England
 Verizon
South
 Other Adjustments Total 


Net cash from operating activities

  $1,256  $248  $9  $4,025  $(1,500) $4,038 

Net cash from investing activities

      (108)  10   (1,962)  (29)  (2,089)

Net cash from financing activities

   (1,256)  (140)  (19)  (2,162)  1,529   (2,048)
  


Net decrease in cash

  $  $  $  $(99) $  $(99)
  


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

   
(Dollars in Millions)  Parent Verizon New
England
 Verizon
South
 Other Adjustments Total 


Net cash from operating activities

  $3,064  $352  $35  $4,287  $(1,936) $5,802 

Net cash from investing activities

      (120)  (21)  (2,022)  70   (2,093)

Net cash from financing activities

   (3,064)  (232)  (14)  444   1,866   (1,000)
  


Net increase in cash

  $  $  $  $2,709  $  $2,709 
  


13.Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Net cash from operating activities

  $2,708  $488  $94  $9,218  $(2,617) $9,891 

Net cash from investing activities

      (186)  (22)  (4,530)  (21)  (4,759)

Net cash from financing activities

   (2,708)  (302)  (72)  (4,779)  2,638   (5,223)
   


Net decrease in cash

  $  $  $  $(91) $  $(91)
   


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

(Dollars in Millions)  Parent  Verizon New
England
  Verizon
South
  Other  Adjustments  Total 


Net cash from operating activities

  $3,899  $665  $113  $9,816  $(3,524) $10,969 

Net cash from investing activities

      (200)  (85)  (4,907)  108   (5,084)

Net cash from financing activities

   (3,899)  (465)  (28)  (5,511)  3,416   (6,487)
   


Net decrease in cash

  $  $  $  $(602) $  $(602)
   


14.    Commitments and Contingencies


 

Several state and federal regulatory proceedings may require our telephone operations to pay penalties or to refund to customers a portion of the revenues collected in the current and prior periods. There are also various legal actions pending to which we are a party and claims which, if asserted, may lead to other legal actions. We have established reserves for specific liabilities in connection with regulatory and legal actions, including environmental matters, that we currently deem to be probable and estimable. We do not expect that the ultimate resolution of pending regulatory and legal matters in future periods, including the Hicksville matters described below, will have a material effect on our financial condition, but it could have a material effect on our results of operations.

 

During 2003, under a government-approved plan, remediation of the site of a former facility in Hicksville, New York that processed nuclear fuel rods in the 1950s and 1960s commenced. Remediation beyond original expectations proved to be necessary and a reassessment of the anticipated remediation costs was conducted. In addition, a reassessment of costs related to remediation efforts at several other former facilities was undertaken. As a result, an additional environmental remediation expense of $240 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003. We expect overall remediation efforts, including soil and ground water remediation and property costs, to take place over the next several years, and our cost estimates may be revised as remediation continues.

 

There are also litigation matters associated with the Hicksville site primarily involving personal injury claims in connection with alleged emissions arising from operations in the 1950s and 1960s at the Hicksville site. These matters are in various stages, and no trial date has been set.

 

Under the terms of an investment agreement, Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) may require Verizon Wireless to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 billion worth of Vodafone’s interest in Verizon Wireless at designated times between 2003 and 2007 at its then fair market value. In the event Vodafone exercises its put rights, we have the right, exercisable at our sole discretion, to purchase up to $12.5 billion of Vodafone’s interest instead of Verizon Wireless for cash or Verizon stock at our option. Vodafone may require the purchase of up to $10 billion during a 61-day period opening on June 10 and closing on August 9 in 2004, and the remainder, which may not exceed $10 billion in any one year, during a 61-day period opening on June 10 and closing on August 9 in 2005 through 2007. Vodafone also may require that Verizon Wireless pay for up to $7.5 billion of the required repurchase through the assumption or incurrence of debt.

14.15.    Subsequent EventEvents


 

Verizon hasWe announced on July 8, 2004 that we had won an auction for a spectrum license covering the New York metropolitan area held by NextWave Telecom Inc. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we will pay $930 million for the license which covers the New York metropolitan area. The transaction is subject to several significant business relationships with MCI, both as a customerfederal reviews and is expected to close by the end of 2004. In addition, on July 1, 2004 we announced an agreement to purchase Qwest Wireless’s spectrum licenses and wireless network assets for our services$418 million covering several existing and a supplier of services. On April 20, 2004, MCI emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. We have reached resolution with MCI in connection with pre-bankruptcy receivablesnew markets. The transaction is subject to federal reviews and payables and other disputes between Domestic Telecom and MCI. The financial statement impact of resolving those matters will be recorded inis expected to close by the secondfourth quarter of 2004.2004 or early 2005.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition


 

Overview

 

Verizon Communications Inc. is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 141142 million access line equivalents and 38.940.4 million wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with 17.6 million long distance lines, and the company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon’s international presence extends primarily to the Americas, as well as investments in Europe. Stressing diversity and commitment to the communities in which we operate, Verizon has a highly diverse workforce of over 205,000approximately 208,000 employees.

 

We are comprised of four strategic business units: Domestic Telecom, Domestic Wireless, Information Services and International. Domestic Telecom includes local, long distance and other communications services. Domestic Wireless products and services include wireless voice and data services and equipment sales. Information Services consists of our domestic and international directory publishing businesses and electronic commerce services. International operations include wireline and wireless communications operations and investments primarily in the Americas and Europe.

 

The sections that follow provide information about the important aspects of our operations and investments, both at the consolidated and segment levels, and include discussions of our results of operations, financial position and sources and uses of cash. In addition, we have highlighted key trends and uncertainties to the extent practicable. The content and organization of the financial and non-financial data presented in these sections are consistent with information used by our chief operating decision makers for, among other purposes, evaluating performance and allocating resources. We also monitor several key economic indicators as well as the state of the economy in general, primarily in the United States where the majority of our operations are located, in evaluating our operating results and analyzing and understanding business trends. While most key economic indicators, including gross domestic product, impact our operations to some degree, including gross domestic product, we have noted higher correlations to housing starts, non-farm employment, personal consumption expenditures and capital spending, as well as more general economic indicators such as inflation and unemployment rates.

 

Our results of operations, financial position and sources and uses of cash in the current and future periods reflect Verizon management’s focus on the following four key areas:

 

Revenue Growth – Our emphasis is on revenue transformation, devoting more resources from traditional services, where we have been experiencing access line losses, to the higher growth markets such as wireless, digital subscriber lines (DSL), long distance and other data services as well as expanded services to enterprise markets. In the firstsecond quarter of 2004, more than 50% of our revenues were earned infrom these growth areas increased by 21% compared to 45%the second quarter of 2003 and represent more than 52% of our total revenues, up from 46% of total revenues in the firstsecond quarter of 2003. Verizon reported consolidated revenue growth of 3.9%6.0% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared to the firstsecond quarter of 2003, led by 21.2%25.0% higher revenue at Domestic Wireless. In addition, Verizon added 1.41.5 million wireless customers, 345,000280,000 DSL lines, 1.0 million632,000 long distance lines and 500650 Enterprise Advance sales in the firstsecond quarter of 2004.

 

Operational Efficiency – While focusing resources on growth markets, we are continually challenging our management team to lower expenses through technology-assisted productivity improvements. The effect of these and other efforts, such as 2003’s labor agreements and voluntary separation plans, has been to significantly change the company’s cost structure. Verizon now has significantly lower workforce levels, which will provide ongoing expense benefits. Domestic Telecom’s salary and wage expenses declined by more than $200 million in the current quarter compared to the firstsecond quarter of 2003 largely as a result of last year’s voluntary separation plans.

 

Capital Allocation – Capital spending has been, and will continue to be directed toward growth markets. High-speed wireless data (EV-DO), replacement of copper lines with fiber optics to the home, as well as voice over the Internet (VoIP) and expanded services to enterprise markets are examples of areas of capital spending in support of these growth markets.

Cash Flow Generation – The financial statements reflect the emphasis of management inon not only directing resources to growth markets, but also using cash provided by our operating and investing activities for repayments of debt in addition to providing a stable dividend to our shareowners.

Supporting these key focus areas are continuing initiatives to more effectively package and add more value to our products and services. At Domestic Telecom, we recently announced the introduction of VoiceWingsm, Verizon’s nationwide VoIP service that allows customers with DSL or cable-modem broadband service to make telephone calls and utilize advanced service features through an Internet connection rather than the traditional telephone network. In addition, Verizon announced its fiber optics to the home product name, Verizon Fiossm, pricing and two additional locations in which it will be offered: Huntington Beach, California and Tampa, Florida. In 2004, we have also begun expanding our bundles to include video in the retail bundle through an agreement with DIRECTV and plan to add iobism call management services later in the year. Innovative product bundles include local wireline services, long distance, wireless and DSL for consumer and general business retail customers. In 2004, we have begun expanding our bundles to include video to the retail bundle through an agreement with DIRECTV and plan to add iobism and Verizon One later in the year. In our enterprise markets, we are expanding our presence by completinghaving completed the build-out of our nationwide network and by expanding our portfolio of advanced data services. These efforts will also help counter the effects of competition and technology substitution that have resulted in access line losses in recent years that have contributed to declining Domestic Telecom revenues over the past threeseveral years. In our wireless business,

At Domestic Wireless, we will continue to execute on the fundamentals of our network superiority and value proposition to deliver growth for the business. In addition, we have expanded the markets we are offering EV-DO to include Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

In this section, we discuss our overall results of operations and highlight special and non-recurring items. In the following section, we review the performance of our four reportable segments. We exclude the effects of the special and non-recurring items from the segments’ results of operations since management does not consider them in assessing segment performance, due primarily to their non-recurring and/or non-operational nature. We believe that this presentation will assist readers in better understanding our results of operations and trends from period to period. This section on consolidated results of operations carries forward the segment results, which exclude the special and non-recurring items, and highlights and describes those items separately to ensure consistency of presentation in this section and the “Segment Results of Operations” section.

 

Consolidated Revenues

Consolidated Revenues

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change 





Domestic Telecom

  $9,614  $9,941  (3.3)%  $9,622  $9,905  (2.9)%   $19,236  $19,846  (3.1)%

Domestic Wireless

   6,162   5,086  21.2    6,847   5,477  25.0     13,009   10,563  23.2 

Information Services

   999   1,021  (2.2)   986   1,049  (6.0)    1,985   2,070  (4.1)

International

   468   517  (9.5)   506   509  (.6)    974   1,026  (5.1)

Corporate & Other

   (107)  (75) 42.7    (123)  (111) 10.8     (230)  (186) 23.7 
  


   


   


 

Consolidated Revenues

  $17,136  $16,490  3.9   $17,838  $16,829  6.0    $34,974  $33,319  5.0 
  


   


   


 

 

Consolidated revenues in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 were higher by $646$1,009 million, or 3.9%6.0% and $1,655 million, or 5.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to first quarterthe similar periods of 2003 revenues. This increase was2003. These increases were primarily the result of significantly higher revenues at Domestic Wireless, partially offset by lower revenues at Domestic Telecom and International.Information Services.

 

Domestic Wireless’s revenues increased by $1,076$1,370 million, or 21.2% in25.0% for the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $2,446 million, or 23.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003, as a result ofsimilar periods in 2003. These increases were primarily due to a 16.8% increase in subscribers and higher revenue per customer per month. Averagecustomers as of June 30, 2004 compared to June 30, 2003 as well as an increase in average service revenue per customer per month (ARPU). ARPU increased 3.2% to $50.80 for the second quarter of 2004 and by 1.8%2.5% to $48.04 in$49.44 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 period compared to the first quarter ofsimilar periods in 2003, primarily due to a higher proportion of subscribers on higher access price plan offerings as well as an increase in data revenues per subscriber,customer, partially offset by decreased roaming revenue as a result of rate reductions with third-party carriers and decreased long distance revenue due to bundled pricing.

 

Revenues at Domestic Telecom’s revenues inTelecom declined during the firstsecond quarter of 2004 were lower thanby $283 million, or 2.9% and $610 million, or 3.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar period in 2003 by $327 million, or 3.3%periods of the prior year primarily due to lower revenues from local and network access services, partially offset by higher long distance revenues. The decline in local service revenues of $219$248 million or 4.5% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared toand $467 million for the first quarter of 2003six months

ended June 30, 2004 was mainly due to lower demand and usage of our basic local exchange and accompanying services, as reflected by a 4.3%4.2% decline in switched access lines in service from a year ago. This revenue decline was mainlyago, driven by the effects of competition, regulatory pricing rules for unbundled network elements (UNEs) and technology substitution, including switching from traditional landline to wirelesssubstitution. Network access services and a shift of basic business access lines to high-speed, high-volume special access lines. In addition, our network access revenues declined by $183 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by $225$408 million or 6.8% compared tofor the similar period in 2003six months ended June 30, 2004 principally due to decreasing switched minutes of use (MOUs) and access lines, as well as mandated price reductions associated with federal and state price cap filings and other regulatory decisions. Further, our special access revenuesSwitched MOUs declined 5.6% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 were negatively impacted byand 4.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, from a reduction in rates for modem aggregation services provided to MCI under Verizon’s

CyberPOP tariff.year ago, reflecting the impact of access line loss and wireless substitution. These declining network access service revenue factors were partially offset by higher customer demand for high capacity and digital data services. Domestic Telecom’s longLong distance service revenues increased by $117$132 million or 13.3% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared toand $249 million for the similar period of 2003six months ended June 30, 2004, principally as a result of customer growth from our interLATA long distance services. In 2003, we received final Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to offerservices, partially offset by the introduction of new, lower price plans. We added 632,000 long distance services in our remaining three jurisdictions and began offering long distance services throughout the United States, capping a seven-year effort.

Revenues generated by our International segment decreased $49 million, or 9.5%lines in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared to the similar period in 2003 primarily due to declining foreign exchange ratesand 1,470,000 long distance lines in the Dominican Republic.six months ended June 30, 2004, for a total of 16.8 million long distance lines nationwide, representing a 21.4% increase in long distance lines from a year ago.

 

Consolidated Operating ExpensesInformation Services’ operating revenues decreased $63 million, or 6.0% in the second quarter of 2004 and $85 million, or 4.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004. The decrease was due primarily to reduced domestic print advertising revenue and the elimination of revenue as a result of the sale of European operations in 2003.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,    
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change 


Cost of services and sales

  $5,510  $5,124  7.5%

Selling, general and administrative expense

   5,703   4,292  32.9 

Depreciation and amortization expense

   3,428   3,367  1.8 
   

    

Consolidated Operating Expenses

  $14,641  $12,783  14.5 
   

    

Consolidated Operating Expenses

   Three Months Ended June 30,        Six Months Ended June 30,    
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change     2004  2003  % Change 


Cost of services and sales

  $  5,641  $  5,042  11.9%    $11,151  $10,166  9.7%

Selling, general and administrative expense

  5,029  5,673  (11.4)    10,732  9,965  7.7 

Depreciation and amortization expense

  3,440  3,384  1.7     6,868  6,751  1.7 
   
        
    

Total Operating Expenses

  $14,110  $14,099  .1     $28,751  $26,882  7.0 
   
        
    

 

Cost of Services and Sales

 

CostConsolidated cost of services and sales in the second quarter of $5,510 million increased2004 were higher by $386$599 million, or 7.5% in11.9% and $985 million, or 9.7% for the first quarter ofsix months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the first quartersimilar periods of 2003. This increase wasThese increases were driven by higher netincreases in pension and other postretirement benefit expenses, principally at Domestic Telecom. costs and higher costs associated with our growth businesses, including wireless, long distance and DSL.

As of December 31, 2003, Verizon evaluatedwe changed key employee benefit plan assumptions in response to current conditions in the securities markets and lowered the discount rate assumption from 6.75% in 2003 to 6.25% in 2004, consistent with interest rate levels at the end of 2003. Further,markets. In addition, as a result of extending and increasing limits (caps) on company payments toward retiree health care costs in connection with the union contracts ratified in the fourth quarter of 2003, we began recording health care costs as if there were no caps in the fourth quarter of 2003 relative to these union contracts. The overall impact of these assumption changes combined with the impact ofand lower than expected actual asset returns over the past three years, resulted in net pension and other postretirement benefit expense of approximately $275 million (primarily in cost of services and sales) of $268 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $543 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to pension income, net of other postretirement benefit expense of $80$72 million and $151 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2003.and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.

 

Also contributing to expense increases in cost of services and salesHigher costs were higher costs associated withalso driven by our growth businesses including wireless, long distance and DSLDSL. Increases in wireless customers and higher accessusage per customer increased MOUs on the wireless network and transportresulted in higher wireless network costs in the current year periods. Cost of wireless handsets and other equipment sales increased by 27.3% in the second quarter of 2004 and 22.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periods in 2003, primarily due to a favorable adjustmenthigher gross activations and an increase in equipment upgrades. In addition, both the quarter and year-to-date comparisons were affected by the prior year reduction in operating expenses of approximately $80$98 million recorded in the firstsecond quarter of 2003. Higher wireless network costs were associated with Domestic Wireless MOU growth2003 and higher equipment costs associated with Domestic Wireless customer additions and equipment upgrades.$111 million year-to-date 2003 for insurance recoveries related to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

 

These expense increases were partially offset in both periods by salary and wage expense reductions of more than $200 million as a resultthe effect of work force reductions of approximately 19,80013,300 employees, at Domestic Telecomor 6.0%, over the past year, principally in connection with a voluntary separation plan announced in the fourth quarter of 2003.2003 and lower wireless roaming rates.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

Selling,Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense in the second quarter of $5,703 million2004 was $1,411$644 million, or 32.9%11.4% lower and $767 million, or 7.7% higher infor the first quarter ofsix months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periodperiods of 2003. This increase was driven by higherDuring the second quarter of 2004, special charges of $728declined by $954 million, partially offset by higher salary and benefits costs of $201 million associated with an increase in the employee base at Domestic Wireless primarily in customer care and sales channels and higher benefits expense, and higher sales commissions of $61 million relatedDomestic Telecom compared to an increase in wireless customer additions during the firstsecond quarter of 2004. In addition,2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, higher costs increased as a result of higher pensionat Domestic Wireless and benefit costs as described above, higher non-income taxes principally related to gross receipts and property, increased advertising costs associated with the launch of bundles and packages and higher professional and general costs. These cost increasesDomestic Telecom were partially offset by a gain on$226 million decline in special charges compared to the salesimilar period in 2003.

Higher selling, general and administrative expense at Domestic Wireless, Domestic Telecom and corporate in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004 was driven by increases in salary and benefits expense as a result of a small business unitan increase in the number of customer care and bysales employees and higher sales commissions related to the effect of work force reductions.increase in gross customer additions and customer renewals in the current year periods at Domestic Wireless and increases in pension and benefits expenses. Also contributing to the increases were higher advertising and promotion expenses and higher rental, professional and general costs.

 

Special charges recorded in the first quarter of 2004 in selling, general and administrative expense were $954 million and $226 million lower in the second quarter of 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, compared to the similar periods in 2003. Special charges recorded during the second quarter of 2004 and six months ended June 30, 2004 included $31 million and $759 million, respectively, related to pension settlement losses of $728 million incurred in connection with the voluntary separation of approximately 21,000 employees in the fourth quarter of 2003 thatwho received lump-sum distributions during the quarter.

current year periods. During the second quarter of 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003 we recorded special charges of $697 million in connection with enhanced pension benefits granted to employees retiring in the first half of 2003, estimated costs associated with the July 10, 2003 Verizon-New York arbitration ruling, pension settlement losses related to lump-sum pay-outs in 2003 and employee severance costs and severance-related activities in connection with the voluntary separation of approximately 4,000 employees.

Special charges in the second quarter of 2004 also included an expense credit of $204 million resulting from the favorable resolution of pre-bankruptcy amounts due from MCI, partially offset by a charge of $113 million related to operating asset losses. During the second quarter of 2003, we recorded other pretax charges of $197 million related to our leasing operations and other charges.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

DepreciationConsolidated depreciation and amortization expense in the second quarter of $3,428 million increased2004 was higher by $61$56 million, or 1.8% in1.7% and $117 million, or 1.7% for the first quarter ofsix months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the first quartersimilar periods of 2003. This increase wasThese increases were primarily due to increased depreciation expense related to the increase in depreciable assets, and higher software amortization costs, partially offset by lower rates ofDomestic Telecom depreciation on telephone plant.rates.

 

Other Consolidated Results

Other Consolidated Results

 

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Businesses

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses increased by $51$45 million, or 34.5%26.9% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by $96 million, or 30.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. The increase wasThese increases were primarily the result of continued operational growth of Verizon’s equity investmentsinvestment in Vodafone Omnitel N.V. (Vodafone Omnitel) and Compañia Anónima Nacional Teléfonos de Venezuela (CANTV).favorable foreign currency exchange rates of the euro, Vodafone Omnitel’s functional currency.

 

Income From Other Unconsolidated Businesses

 

Income from other unconsolidated businesses increaseddecreased by $53$60 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by $7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periods in 2003. The decrease in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the similar period in 2003. The increaseof 2003 was primarily attributabledue to the sale of shares of our investment in Taiwan Cellular Corporation (TCC) in the 2003 period. The decrease for the first six months of 2004 includes a pretax gain of $43 million recorded in connection with the sale of anour investment in Iowa Telecom preferred stock in the current quarter.first quarter of 2004.

Other Income and (Expense), Net

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,    
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change 


Interest income

  $52  $58  (10.3)%

Foreign exchange gains (losses), net

   (24)  1  nm 

Other, net

   (62)  (2) nm 
   


   

Total

  $(34) $57  nm 
   


   

   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,    
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change  2004  2003  % Change 


Interest income

  $16  $9  77.8% $68  $67  1.5%

Foreign exchange losses, net

   (13)  (10) 30.0   (37)  (9) nm 

Other, net

   (5)  (45) (88.9)  (67)  (47) 42.6 
   


    


   

Total

  $(2) $(46) (95.7) $(36) $11  nm 
   


    


   

nm – Not meaningful

 

The changes in other income and expense, net were primarilypartially due to unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates and other losses in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003.expenses. Higher foreign exchange losses were recorded in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and in the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periods in 2003 by Verizon Dominicana, C. por A. (Verizon Dominicana), which uses the Dominican Republic peso as its functional currency. Lower other, net expenses in the second quarter of 2004 were driven by $49 million lower costs related to the early retirement of debt compared to the second quarter of 2003. Higher other, net expenses in the first six months of 2004 were driven by costs of $43 million recorded duringin the first quarter of 2004 in connection with the early retirement of debt.

 

Interest Expense

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change 





Interest expense

  $638  $755  (15.5)%  $594  $692  (14.2)%   $1,232  $1,447  (14.9)%

Capitalized interest costs

   35   35      40   33  21.2     75   68  10.3 
  


   


   


 

Total interest costs on debt balances

  $673  $790  (14.8)  $634  $725  (12.6)   $1,307  $1,515  (13.7)
  


   


   


 

Average debt outstanding

  $45,442  $53,442  (15.0)  $43,415  $50,545  (14.1)   $44,425  $51,809  (14.3)

Effective interest rate

   5.9%  5.9%     5.8%  5.7%    5.9%  5.9% 

 

The decreasedecreases in interest costs for the threesecond quarter of 2004 and the six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 were primarily due to decreases in average debt levels of $7,130 million and $7,384 million, respectively, compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003, was due to lower average debt levels.2003.

 

Minority Interest

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Minority Interest

  $477  $342  39.5%

Minority interest

  $676  $380  77.9%   $1,153  $722  59.7%

 

The increaseincreases in minority interest expense for the threesecond quarter of 2004 and the six months ended March 31,June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003, iswere primarily due to the higher earnings at Domestic Wireless, which has a significant minority interest attributable to Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) and higher earnings at Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TELPRI).

Provision for Income Taxes

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change   2004 2003 % Change 





Provision for Income Taxes

  $418  $924  (54.8)%

Provision for income taxes

  $  871  $  573  52.0%   $1,289  $1,497  (13.9)%

Effective income tax rate

   25.9%  32.6%   32.6% 31.2%    30.1%  32.0% 

 

The effective income tax rate is the provision for income taxes as a percentage of income from continuing operations before the provision for income taxes. Our effective income tax rates for the second quarter of 2004 and six months ended June 30, 2004 were favorably impacted by tax benefits related to deferred tax balance adjustments and expense credits that are not taxable. In addition, we recorded a tax benefit resulting from an Internal Revenue Service audit settlement in the six months ended June 30, 2004. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2004June 30, 2003 was favorably impacted by tax benefits resulting from an Internal Revenue Service audit settlement andthe reversal of a benefit relatedvaluation allowance relating to a deferred tax balance adjustment. In addition, we recorded a gain and expense credits during the current year quarter that were not taxable.investments.

Discontinued Operations

 

Discontinued operations represent the results of operations of Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (Iusacell) prior to the sale of Iusacell in July 2003. TheIn connection with our decision to sell our interest in Iusacell and a comparison of expected net sale proceeds to the net book value of our investment in Iusacell, we recorded a pretax loss reported by Iusacellof $957 million ($931 million after-tax, or $.33 per diluted share) in the firstsecond quarter of 2003 was primarily driven by its declining revenue base and the impact of fluctuations of the Mexican peso on Iusacell’s U.S. dollar-denominated debt.2003.

 

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

 

Directory Accounting Change

 

During 2003, we changed our method for recognizing revenues and expenses in our directory business from the publication-date method to the amortization method. The publication-date method recognizes revenues and direct expenses when directories are published. Under the amortization method, revenues and direct expenses, primarily printing and distribution costs, are recognized over the life of the directory, which is usually 12 months. This accounting change affected the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, the directory accounting change was recorded effective January 1, 2003. The cumulative effect of the accounting change was a one-time charge of $2,697 million ($1,647 million after-tax, or $.59 per diluted share).

 

Impact of SFAS No. 143

 

We adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” on January 1, 2003. SFAS No. 143 requires that companies recognize the fair value of a liability for asset retirement obligations in the period in which the obligations are incurred and capitalize that amount as part of the book value of the long-lived asset. We determined that Verizon does not have a material legal obligation to remove long-lived assets as described by this statement. However, prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, we included estimated removal costs in our group depreciation models. Consequently, in connection with the initial adoption of SFAS No. 143 we reversed accrued costs of removal in excess of salvage from our accumulated depreciation accounts for these assets. The adjustment was recorded as a cumulative effect of an accounting change, resulting in the recognition of a gain of $3,499 million ($2,150 million after-tax, or $.77 per diluted share).

Segment Results of Operations

 

We have four reportable segments, which we operate and manage as strategic business units and organize by products and services. Our segments are Domestic Telecom, Domestic Wireless, Information Services and International. You can find additionalAdditional information about our segments can be found in Note 1011 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on segment income. This segment income excludes unallocated corporate expenses and other adjustments arising during each period. The other adjustments include transactions that the chief operating decision makers exclude in assessing business unit performance due primarily to their non-recurring and/or non-operational nature. Although such transactions are excluded from business segment results, they are included in reported consolidated earnings. We previously highlighted the more significant of these transactions in the “Consolidated Results of Operations” section. Gains and losses that are not individually significant are included in all segment results, since these items are included in the chief operating decision makers’ assessment of unit performance. These gains and losses are primarily contained in Information Services and International since they actively manage investment portfolios.

 

Domestic Telecom

Domestic Telecom

 

Domestic Telecom provides local telephone services, including voice and data transport, enhanced and custom calling features, network access, directory assistance, private lines and public telephones in 29 states and the District of Columbia. This segment also provides long distance services, customer premises equipment distribution, data solutions and systems integration, billing and collections, Internet access services and inventory management services.

Operating Revenues

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 2004  2003  % Change 





Local services

  $4,681  $4,900  (4.5)%  $4,655  $4,903  (5.1)% $  9,336  $  9,803  (4.8)%

Network access services

   3,099   3,324  (6.8)  3,046  3,229  (5.7) 6,145  6,553  (6.2)

Long distance services

   998   881  13.3   1,033  901  14.7  2,031  1,782  14.0 

Other services

   836   836     888  872  1.8  1,724  1,708  .9 
  

     
   
   
  $9,614  $9,941  (3.3)  $9,622  $9,905  (2.9) $19,236  $19,846  (3.1)
  

     
   
   

 

Local Services

 

Local service revenues are earned by our telephone operations from the provision of local exchange, local private line, wire maintenance, voice messaging and value-added services. Value-added services are a family of services that expand the utilization of the network, including products such as Caller ID, Call Waiting and Return Call. The provision of local exchange services not only includes retail revenues but also includes local wholesale revenues from UNEs, interconnection revenues from competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and wireless carriers, and some data transport revenues.

 

The decline in local service revenues of $219$248 million, or 4.5%5.1% in the second quarter of 2004 and $467 million, or 4.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was mainly due to lower demand and usage of our basic local exchange and accompanying services, as reflected by a 4.3%4.2% decline in switched access lines in service from a year ago. This revenue decline was mainly driven by the effects of competition, regulatory pricing rules for UNEs and technology substitution. Regulatory pricing rules for UNEs, which mandate lower prices for other carriers that use our facilities to provide local exchange services, are putting downward pressure on our revenues by shifting the mix of access lines from retail to wholesale. We added 508,000425,000 UNE platform lines in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and 933,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2004, bringing total UNE platform provisioned lines to 5.56.0 million at March 31,June 30, 2004, compared to 3.64.1 million a year ago. Technology substitution also affected local service revenue growth in both years,periods, as indicated by declining demand for residential access lines of 4.0% in the first quarter of4.4% at June 30, 2004, compared to a year ago, as more customers substituted wireless services for traditional landline services. At the same time, basic business access lines have declined 4.6% in the first quarter of3.8% at June 30, 2004, compared to the first quarter of 2003,similar period last year, primarily reflecting competition and a shift to high-speed, high-volume special access lines.

We continue to seek opportunities to retain and win-back customers. Our Freedom service plans offer local services with various combinations of long distance, wireless and Internet access services in a discounted bundle available on one bill. Since January 2003, we have introduced our Freedom service plans in 1720 key markets, which cover approximately 85%91% of consumer access lines. For small businesses, we have also rolled out Verizon Freedom for Business in nine markets, covering approximately 77% of business access lines. As of March 31,June 30, 2004, approximately 51%50% of Verizon’s residential customers have purchased local services in combination with either Verizon long distance or Verizon DSL, or both.

 

Network Access Services

 

Network access services revenues are earned from end-user customers and long distance and other competing carriers who use our local exchange facilities to provide usage services to their customers. Switched access revenues are derived from fixed and usage-based charges paid by carriers for access to our local network. Special access revenues originate from carriers and end-users that buy dedicated local exchange capacity to support their private networks. End-user access revenues are earned from our customers and from resellers who purchase dial-tone services. Further, network access revenues include our DSL services.

 

InNetwork access services revenues declined by $183 million, or 5.7% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 our network access revenues declinedand by $225$408 million, or 6.8%6.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2004. These declines were principally due to decreasing switched MOUs and access lines, as well as mandated price reductions associated with federal and state price cap filings and other regulatory decisions. Switched MOUs declined 5.6% in the second quarter of 2004 by 3.9%and 4.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, from a year ago, reflecting the impact of access line loss and wireless substitution. Further, our special access revenues in the first quarter of 2004 were negatively impacted by a reduction in rates for modem aggregation services provided to MCI under Verizon’s CyberPOP tariff. Under the CyberPOP agreement, we provided access circuits for MCI’s managed modem business. This rate reduction was necessary in order to avoid rejection and termination of the CyberPOP agreement by MCI in its bankruptcy case and the total loss of revenues that would have resulted.

 

These factors were partially offset by higher customer demand for high capacity and digital data services that grew 2.9%5.7% in the first threesecond quarter of 2004 and 4.3% for the six months ofended June 30, 2004, compared to the first quarter of 2003.a year ago. Special access revenue growth reflects continuing demand in the business market for high-capacity, high-speed digital services, partially offset by lessening demand for older, low-speed data products and services. Voice-grade equivalents (switched access lines and data circuits) grew 3.3%3.2% in the first quarter ofsix months ended June 30, 2004, compared to

the similar period in 2003, as customers chose more high-capacity digital services. We added 345,000625,000 new DSL lines in the firstsix months ended June 30, 2004, including 280,000 in the second quarter, of 2004, for a total of 2.72.9 million lines at March 31,June 30, 2004, representing a 45.6%52.5% increase from a year ago.

 

The FCCFederal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the rates that we charge long distance carriers and end-user customers for interstate access services. See “Other Factors That May Affect Future Results – FCC Regulation and Interstate Rates” for additional information on FCC rulemakings concerning federal access rates, universal service and unbundling of network elements and broadband services.

 

Long Distance Services

 

Long distance service revenues include both intraLATA toll services and interLATA long distance voice and data services.

 

Long distance service revenues increased $117$132 million, or 13.3%,14.7% in the second quarter of 2004 and $249 million, or 14.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, principally as a result of customer growth from our interLATA long distance services. Asservices, partially offset by the introduction of March 31,new, lower price plans. We added 632,000 long distance lines in the second quarter of 2004 we added approximately 4.5and 1,470,000 long distance lines in the six months ended June 30, 2004, for a total of 16.8 million long distance lines ornationwide, representing a 33.8%21.4% increase in long distance lines from a year ago, for a total of 17.6 millionago. Our long distance lines nationwide.include adjustments of 1,487,000 lines in the second quarter of 2004 related to first quarter of 2004 reported long distance lines and 782,000 lines in the second quarter of 2003. These adjustments pertain to an overstatement of long distance lines discovered through an internal review in the second quarter of 2004, which was the result of an internal system database issue. The introduction of our Freedom service plans continues to stimulate growth in long distance services. In 2003, we received final FCC approval to offer long distance services in our remaining three jurisdictions and began offering long distance services throughout the United States, capping a seven-year effort. As of March 31,June 30, 2004, approximately 45%44% of our local wireline residential customers have chosen Verizon as their long distance carrier.

 

Other Services

 

Our other services include such services as billing and collections for long distance carriers, public (coin) telephone and customer premises equipment and supply sales. Other services revenues also include services provided by our non-regulated subsidiaries such as data solutions and systems integration businesses.

Revenues from other services in the firstsecond quarter ofand year-to-date 2004 periods remained substantially unchanged from a year ago. The revenueRevenue increases resulting from higher sales of voice and data customer premises equipment services were substantially offset by declines in business volumes related to billing and collection services, pay phonepublic telephone services, and supply sales.the sale of a non-strategic business.

 

Operating Expenses

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 2004  2003  % Change 





Cost of services and sales

  $3,718  $3,523  5.5%  $3,642  $3,413  6.7% $  7,360  $  6,936  6.1%

Selling, general and administrative expense

   2,149   2,000  7.5   2,343  2,253  4.0  4,492  4,253  5.6 

Depreciation and amortization expense

   2,257   2,331  (3.2)  2,209  2,300  (4.0) 4,466  4,631  (3.6)
  

     
   
   
  $8,124  $7,854  3.4   $8,194  $7,966  2.9  $16,318  $15,820  3.1 
  

     
   
   

 

Cost of Services and Sales

 

Cost of services and sales includes the following costs directly attributable to a service or product: salaries and wages, benefits, materials and supplies, contracted services, network access and transport costs, customer provisioning costs, computer systems support and cost of products sold. Aggregate customer care costs, which include billing and service provisioning, are allocated between cost of services and sales and selling, general and administrative expense.

 

The increase in cost of services and sales of $195$229 million, or 5.5%6.7% in the second quarter of 2004 and $424 million, or 6.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was mainlylargely driven by increased pension and other postretirement benefit costs. As of December 31, 2003, Verizon evaluated key employee benefit plan assumptions in response to current conditions in the securities markets. The expected rate of return on pension plan assets has been maintained at 8.50%. However, the discount rate assumption has been lowered from 6.75% in 2003 to 6.25% in 2004, consistent with interest rate levels at the end of 2003. Further, as a result of extending and increasing limits (caps) on company

payments toward retiree health care costs in connection with the union contracts ratified in the fourth quarter of 2003, we began recording health care costs as if there were no caps in the fourth quarter of 2003 relative to these union contracts. The overall impact of these assumption changes, combined with the impact of lower than expected actual asset returns over the past three years, resulted in net pension and other postretirement benefit expense of approximately $214 million (primarily in cost of services and sales) of $220 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $434 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to pension income, net of other postretirement benefit expense of $108$111 million and $219 million in the firstsecond quarter of 2003. Also contributing to expense increases in cost of services and sales were highersix months ended June 30, 2003, respectively. Higher costs associated with our growth businesses such as long distance and DSL and higher accesswage increases for management employees also contributed to the increase in cost of services and transportsales in both periods. Further, both the quarter and year-to-date comparisons were affected by the prior year reduction to operating expenses of approximately $98 million in the second quarter of 2003 and $111 million year-to-date 2003 for insurance recoveries related to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The year-to-date increase in costs primarily due toalso includes the effect of a favorable adjustment of approximately $80 million recorded in the first quarter of 2003. As part of2003 in connection with our ongoing review of local interconnection expense charged by CLECs, we determined that selected charges from CLECs, previously recorded as expense but not paid, were no longer required, and accordingly, we adjusted our first quarter 2003 operating expenses. CLECs.

These expense increases were partially offset in both periods by the effect of work force reductions of approximately 19,80014,200 employees, or 12.5%9.2%, over the past year, principally in connection with a voluntary separation plan announced in the fourth quarter of 2003.

See “Other Factors That May Affect Future Results – Intercarrier Compensation” for additional information on FCC rulemakings2003, and other court decisions addressing intercarrier compensation for dial-up connections for Internet-bound traffic.by a favorable adjustment to our interconnection expense in connection with the MCI settlement.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

Selling, general and administrative expense includes salaries and wages and benefits not directly attributable to a service or product, bad debt charges, taxes other than income, advertising and sales commission costs, customer billing, call center and information technology costs, professional service fees and rent for administrative space.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $149$90 million, or 7.5% primarily as a result4.0% in the second quarter of 2004 and $239 million, or 5.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2004. In both periods, these increases include higher net pension and benefit costs as described above and higher rental, professional and general costs. The year-to-date cost increase also includes higher non-income taxes principally related to gross receipts and property and increased advertising costs associated with the launch of bundles and packages and higher professional and general costs.packages. These cost increases were partially offset in both periods by the effect of work force reductions and in the year-to-date period by a gain on the sale of a small business unit and by the effect of work force reductions.unit.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

DepreciationThe decrease in depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $74of $91 million, or 3.2%4.0% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $165 million, or 3.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the first quarter of 2003. This decreasesimilar periods last year, was mainly driven by a decline in depreciation expense of $97 million principally

due to the effect of lower rates of depreciation, partially offset by growth in depreciable telephone plant. Amortization expense increased $23 million primarily due to a higher level of capitalized non-network software.depreciation.

 

Segment Income

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Segment Income

  $697  $1,007  (30.8)%  $683  $915  (25.4)%   $1,380  $1,922  (28.2)%

 

Segment income decreased by $310$232 million, or 30.8%25.4% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by $542 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003, primarily as a result of the after-tax impact of operating revenues and operating expenses described above. above and favorable deferred tax balance adjustments in the current year periods.

Special and non-recurring items not included in Domestic Telecom’s segment income totaled $418$(10) million and $(2,052)$482 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Special and non-recurring charges included in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 related to an expense credit resulting from the favorable resolution of pre-bankruptcy amounts due from MCI largely offset by operating asset losses pertaining to our international long distance and data network, pension settlement losses for employees that received lump-sum distributions during the quarter under athe prior year voluntary separation plan and costs associated with the early retirement of debt. The special and non-recurring items in the similar period of 2003 primarily related to severance and other benefit charges. Special and non-recurring items totaling $408 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 also included additional pension settlement losses and early retirement of debt andcosts as well as a gain on the sale of an investment. The specialSpecial and non-recurring items intotaling $(1,570) million for the similar period ofsix months ended June 30, 2003 related toalso included a net gain recorded in connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 143 and the directory accounting change.

Domestic Wireless

Domestic Wireless

 

Our Domestic Wireless segment provides wireless voice and data services and equipment sales across the United States. This segment primarily represents the operations of the Verizon Wireless joint venture.

 

Operating Revenues

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Wireless sales and services

  $6,162  $5,086  21.2%  $6,847  $5,477  25.0%   $13,009  $10,563  23.2%

 

Domestic Wireless’s total revenuesRevenues earned from our consolidated wireless segment grew by $1,076$1,370 million, or 21.2%25.0% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $2,446 million, or 23.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. Service revenue of $5,501$6,043 million grew by $841 million, or 18.0% infor the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared towas $1,032 million, or 20.6% higher than the similar period in 2003, and service revenue of $11,544 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $1,873 million, or 19.4% higher than the similar period in 2003. This increase wasThese increases were primarily due to thea 16.8% increase in subscriberscustomers as of June 30, 2004 compared to June 30, 2003 as well as an increase in ARPU of 1.8% to $48.04.ARPU.

 

Our Domestic Wireless segmentWe ended the firstsecond quarter of 2004 with 38.9more than 40.4 million subscribers,customers, compared to 33.334.6 million subscriberscustomers at the end of the firstsecond quarter of 2003. Domestic WirelessMore than 1.5 million net customers were added 1.4 million customers during the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared to 833,0001.3 million during the firstsecond quarter of 2003. We added over 2.9 million net customers during the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to more than 2.1 million during the similar period in 2003. Retail grossnet additions were 8.6% higher thanaccounted for approximately 95% of the first quartertotal net adds. The overall composition of 2003. Approximately 36.8our customer base as of June 30, 2004 was 92% retail postpaid, 4% retail prepaid and 4% resellers. As of June 30, 2004, approximately 38.4 million, or almost 95% of our Domestic Wireless customers subscribe to digital service, compared to 89% in the first quarter of91% at June 30, 2003. The overall composition of our Domestic Wireless customer base as of March 31, 2004 was 91% retail postpaid, 5% retail prepaid and 4% resellers. In addition, our average monthly churn rate, the rate at which customers disconnect service, was 1.6%,decreased to 1.4% in the second quarter of 2004 and decreased to 1.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to 2.1%1.7% in the firstsecond quarter of 2003 and 1.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Retail postpaid churn decreased to 1.2% in the second quarter of 2004 and decreased to 1.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to 1.4% in the second quarter of 2003 and 1.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

ARPU increased in3.2% to $50.80 for the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by 2.5% to $49.44 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the first quarter ofsimilar periods in 2003, primarily due to a higher proportion of subscribers on higher access price plan offerings as well as an increase in data revenuerevenues per subscriber.customer. Data revenuerevenues increased to $200by $168 million, or 193%, in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $296 million, or 186% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $72 million forsimilar periods in 2003, as a result of higher use of our messaging and other data services. For the firstsecond quarter of 2003. As of March 31, 2004, data revenue accounted for 3.6%4.2% of service revenue, compared to 1.5% as1.7% during the second quarter of March 31, 2003. This ARPU increase wasThese increases were partially offset by decreased roaming revenue as a result of rate reductions with third-party carriers and decreased long distance revenue due to bundled pricing.

 

Operating Expenses

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Cost of services and sales

  $1,658  $1,439  15.2%  $1,854  $1,567  18.3%   $  3,512  $3,006  16.8%

Selling, general and administrative expense

   2,247   1,866  20.4   2,275  1,973  15.3    4,522  3,839  17.8 

Depreciation and amortization expense

   1,055   907  16.3   1,103  956  15.4    2,158  1,863  15.8 
  

     
     
   
  $4,960  $4,212  17.8   $5,232  $4,496  16.4    $10,192  $8,708  17.0 
  

     
     
   

Cost of Services and Sales

 

Cost of services and sales, which are costs to operate the wireless network as well as coststhe cost of roaming, long distance and equipment sales, grew by $219$287 million, or 15.2%18.3% for the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $506 million, or 16.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. The increase wasThese increases were primarily due to increasedhigher wireless network costs in the current year periods caused by increased MOUs on the wireless network, for the first quarter of 2004 compared to the similar period in 2003, partially offset by lower roaming, local interconnection and long distance rates. Cost of equipment sales grew by 16.5%27.3% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and 22.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. The increase wasThese increases were primarily due to an increase in handsets sold, due to growth inhigher gross activations and an increase in equipment upgrades for the firstsecond quarter ofand the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses grew by $381$302 million, or 20.4%15.3% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $683 million, or 17.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This increase wasThese increases were primarily due to a $201 millionan increase in salary and benefits expense of $172 million for the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $373 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to similar periods in 2003. The salary and benefits expense increases were primarily the similar period in 2003, due toresult of higher benefits costs and an increase in the employee base, primarily innumber of customer care and sales channels, and higher benefits expense.employees. Also contributing to the increaseincreases was a $61$21 million aggregate increase in sales commissions in our direct and indirect channels for the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and a $82 million increase for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003, primarily related to anthe increase in gross retail post-pay subscribercustomer additions and customer renewals in the firstcurrent year periods. Advertising and promotion expenses increased by $43 million in the second quarter of 2004 and $68 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the first quarter ofsimilar periods in 2003.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $148$147 million, or 16.3%15.4% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $295 million, or 15.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This increase wasThese increases were primarily due to increased depreciation expense related to the increase in depreciable assets.

 

Segment Income

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Segment Income

  $318  $218  45.9%  $453  $257  76.3%   $771  $475  62.3%

 

Segment income increased by $100$196 million, or 45.9%76.3% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and by $296 million, or 62.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the first quarter ofsimilar periods in 2003 primarily as a result of the after-tax impact of operating revenues and operating expenses described above, partially offset by an increase in minority interest.

The significant increase Increases in minority interest in the first quarter of 2004 of $141 million, or 44.2% to $460 million waswere principally due to the increase in theincreased earnings of the Domestic Wireless segment, which has a significant minority interest attributable to Vodafone.

 

Information Services

Information Services

 

Information Services’ multi-platform business is comprised of our print publishing services, including SuperPages®yellow pages directories, online directory and search services through SuperPages.com, and SuperPages On The Go – our directory and information serviceservices on wireless telephones.telephones through SuperPages On the Go. This segment’s operations are principally in North Americathe United States, Canada and Latin America.

 

Operating Revenues

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Operating Revenues

  $999  $1,021  (2.2)%  $986  $1,049  (6.0)%   $1,985  $2,070  (4.1)%

 

Information Services’ operating revenues decreased $22$63 million, or 2.2%6.0% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared toand $85 million, or 4.1% for the first quarter of 2003.six months ended June 30, 2004. The decrease was due primarily to reduced domestic print advertising revenue and the elimination of revenue fromas a result of the July 2003 sale of European operations. Verizon’s domestic Internet directory service,operations, which was completed in July 2003. SuperPages.com, continues to achieve strong growth, as demonstrated by a 19.4%14.5% increase in revenue and a 68.6%44.0% increase in searches overin the firstsecond quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003 and a 16.9% increase in revenue and a 55.8% increase in searches in the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar period in 2003.

Operating Expenses

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 2004  2003  % Change 





Cost of services and sales

  $155  $154  .6%  $157  $160  (1.9)% $   312  $   314  (.6)%

Selling, general and administrative expense

   348   344  1.2   374  361  3.6  722  705  2.4 

Depreciation and amortization expense

   24   21  14.3   24  23  4.3  48  44  9.1 
  

     
   
   
  $527  $519  1.5   $555  $544  2.0  $1,082  $1,063  1.8 
  

     
   
   

 

Total operating expenses remained relatively flat overduring the same periodsecond quarter of 2004 and six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periods in 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $13 million, or

3.6% in the second quarter of 2004 and $17 million, or 2.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periods in the prior year. The increases were due primarily due to higherincreased bad debt expenses and higher pension and benefit costs, partially offset by reduced expenses related to the July 2003 sale of European operations. Depreciation and amortization expense increased slightly due primarily to software amortization of new systems placed into service mid-year in 2003.

 

Segment Income

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Segment Income

  $287  $300  (4.3)%  $258  $299  (13.7)%   $545  $599  (9.0)%

 

Segment income decreased $13$41 million, or 4.3%,13.7% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004, and $54 million, or 9.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the first quarter ofsimilar periods in 2003. The decrease wasThese decreases were due primarily theas a result of the after taxafter-tax impact of the operating revenues and expense issues described above. Special and non-recurring items not included in Information Services’ segment income were $5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, primarily related to severance charges. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, special items totaled $8 million and $1,579$1,584 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The special itemitems included in the first quarter of 2004current year period were primarily related to pension settlement losses for employees thatwho received lump-sum distributions duringunder the quarter under aprior year voluntary separation plan. The special itemitems in the similar periodfirst six months of 2003 related toalso included a loss recorded in connection with the directory accounting change.change and severance charges.

 

International

International

 

Our International segment includes international wireline and wireless telecommunication operations and investments primarily in the Americas and Europe. Our consolidated international investments as of March 31,June 30, 2004 included Verizon Dominicana in the Dominican Republic, Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TELPRI)TELPRI in Puerto Rico and Micronesian Telecommunications Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands. Either the cost or the equity method is applied to those investments in which we have less than a controlling interest.

 

On June 13, 2003, we announced our decision to sell our 39.4% consolidated interest in Iusacell. In the second quarter of 2003, we reclassified our investment and results of operations of Iusacell as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations are excluded from International’s segment income.

Operating Revenues

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Operating Revenues

  $468  $517  (9.5)%  $506  $509  (.6)%   $974  $1,026  (5.1)%

 

Revenues generated by our international businesses decreased $49$3 million, or 9.5%.6% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $52 million, or 5.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This decrease isThese decreases are primarily due to declining foreign exchange rates in the Dominican Republic.Republic offset by operational growth at Verizon Dominicana and a favorable adjustment to carrier access revenues at TELPRI.

 

Operating Expenses

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 2004  2003  % Change 





Cost of services and sales

  $147  $138  6.5%  $156  $140  11.4% $303  $278  9.0%

Selling, general and administrative expense

   128   156  (17.9)  87  195  (55.4) 215  351  (38.7)

Depreciation and amortization expense

   77   87  (11.5)  80  85  (5.9) 157  172  (8.7)
  

     
   
   
  $352  $381  (7.6)  $323  $420  (23.1) $675  $801  (15.7)
  

     
   
   

 

Cost of Services and Sales

 

Cost of services and sales increased $9$16 million, or 6.5%11.4% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $25 million, or 9.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This increase reflectsThese increases primarily reflect higher variable costs at Verizon Dominicana and TELPRI partially offset by decliningthe decline of the Dominican Republic’s foreign exchange rates in the Dominican Republic.rates.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $28$108 million, or 17.9%55.4% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and decreased $136 million, or 38.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This decrease isThese decreases are primarily the result of a favorable resolution of the third quarter of 2003 TELPRI charge recorded as a result of an adverse Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on intra-island long distance access rates, an asset write-off recorded in the second quarter of 2003 and declining foreign exchange rates in the Dominican Republic.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $10$5 million, or 11.5%5.9% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $15 million, or 8.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This decrease isThese decreases are primarily due to declining foreign exchange rates in the Dominican Republic.

 

Segment Income

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,   
(Dollars in Millions)  2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change   2004  2003  % Change 





Segment Income

  $281  $266  5.6%  $287  $314  (8.6)%   $568  $580  (2.1)%

 

Segment income increaseddecreased by $15$27 million, or 5.6%8.6% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and $12 million, or 2.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. The 2004 increasedecreases in segment income waswere primarily the result of the increasedecreases in income from other unconsolidated businesses and higher taxes, partially offset by increases in equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses partially offset byand Verizon’s share (after minority interest) of the after-tax impact of operating revenues and operating expenses described above as well as foreign currency losses at Verizon Dominicana.above.

Income from other unconsolidated businesses decreased by $59 million in the second quarter of 2004 and decreased $60 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to similar periods in 2003. These decreases primarily relate to 2003 sales of our interest in TCC.

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses increased by $53$43 million or 28.5% in the firstsecond quarter of 2004 and increased $96 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the similar periodperiods in 2003. This increase reflectsThese increases primarily reflect the continued operational growth at Vodafone Omnitel and CANTV along with favorable foreign currency impacts from the euro on Vodafone Omnitel.that investment.

 

SpecialThe special and non-recurring itemsitem not included in International’s segment income totaledof $1 million and $(24) million for the threesix months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The special item included in the first quarter ofJune 30, 2004 related to pension settlement losses for employees that received lump-sum distributions during the first quarter of 2004 under athe prior year voluntary separation plan. The specialSpecial and non-recurring items not included in International’s segment income of $931 million for the similar periodsecond quarter of 2003 and $900 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 primarily related to a net gain recordedloss on our investment in connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 143 and the directory accounting change and losses from discontinued operations.Iusacell.

 

Special Items

 

Severance, Pension and Benefit Charges

Severance, Pension and Benefit Charges

 

During the second quarter of 2004, we recorded pretax pension settlement losses of $31 million ($19 million after-tax, or $.01 per diluted share). In addition, during the first quarter of 2004, we recorded pretax pension settlement losses of $728 million ($446 million after-tax, or $.16 per diluted share). These settlement losses related to employees that received lump-sum distributions during the quarter in connection with the previously announced voluntary separation plan under which more than 21,000 employees accepted the separation offer in the fourth quarter of 2003. This charge wasThese charges were recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits” which requires that settlement losses be recorded once prescribed payment thresholds have been reached. Verizon had previously estimated settlements related to the voluntary separation plan to total $700 million to $900 million, after taxes, mostly in the first quarter of 2004 although continuing throughout the year. Due to favorable offsets such as an improved return on pension plan assets and lower than expected lump-sum payouts, we now expect total after-tax charges associated with the voluntary separation plan may be less than the lower end of this range.

During the second quarter of 2003 we recorded a special charge of $463 million ($286 million after-tax, or $.10 per diluted share) in connection with enhanced pension benefits granted to employees retiring in the first half of 2003, estimated costs associated with the July 10, 2003 Verizon-New York arbitration ruling and pension settlement losses related to lump-sum pay-outs in 2003. On July 10, 2003, an arbitrator ruled that Verizon-New York’s termination of 2,300 employees in 2002 was not permitted under a union contract; similar cases were pending impacting an additional 1,100 employees. Verizon offered to reinstate all 3,400 impacted employees, and accordingly, recorded a charge in the second quarter of 2003 representing estimated payments to employees and other related company-paid costs.

 

SaleIn addition, in the second quarter of Investment2003 we recorded a special charge of $235 million ($150 million after-tax, or $.05 per diluted share) primarily associated with employee severance costs and severance-related activities in connection with the voluntary separation of approximately 4,000 employees.

Sale of Investment

 

During the first quarter of 2004, we sold all of our investment in Iowa Telecom preferred stock, which resulted in a pretax gain of $43 million ($43 million after-tax, or $.02 per diluted share) included in Income From Other Unconsolidated Businesses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. The preferred stock was received in 2000 in connection with the sale of access lines in Iowa.

Other Special Items

Discontinued Operations

 

During the second quarter of 2003, we announced our decision to sell our 39.4% consolidated interest in Iusacell into the tender offer launched by Movil Access, a Mexican company. Verizon tendered its shares shortly after the tender offer commenced, and the tender offer closed on July 29, 2003. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, we have classified the results of operations of Iusacell as discontinued operations. In connection with the decision to sell our interest in Iusacell and a comparison of expected net sale proceeds to the net book value of our investment in Iusacell (including the foreign currency translation balance), we recorded a pretax loss of $957 million ($931 million after-tax, or $.33 per diluted share).

Other Special Items

In the second quarter of 2004, we recorded an expense credit of $204 million ($123 million after-tax, or $.04 per diluted share) resulting from the favorable resolution of pre-bankruptcy amounts due from MCI. Previously reached settlement agreements became fully effective when MCI emerged from bankruptcy proceedings in the second quarter of 2004.

Also during the second quarter of 2004, we recorded a charge of $113 million ($87 million after-tax, or $.03 per diluted share) related to operating asset losses pertaining to our international long distance and data network. In addition, we recorded pretax charges of $12 million ($7 million after-tax, or less than $.01 per diluted share) during the current quarter in connection with the early retirement of debt. During the first quarter of 2004, we also recorded pretax charges of $43 million ($27 million after-tax, or $.01 per diluted share) resulting from the early retirement of debt.

 

During the second quarter of 2003, we recorded other pretax charges of $258 million ($204 million after-tax, or $.07 per diluted share) primarily related to a pretax impairment charge of $125 million ($125 million after-tax, or $.04 per diluted share) pertaining to our leasing operations for airplanes leased to airlines that were experiencing financial difficulties and for power generating facilities. These second quarter 2003 charges also included pretax charges of $61 million ($38 million after-tax, or $.01 per diluted share) pertaining to the early retirement of debt and other pretax charges of $72 million ($41 million after-tax, or $.01 per diluted share).

Consolidated Financial Condition

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,         Six Months Ended June 30,     
(Dollars in Millions)  2004 2003     $ Change   2004 2003   $ Change 





Cash Flows Provided By (Used In)

              

Operating activities

  $4,038  $5,802     $  (1,764)  $9,891  $10,969    $(1,078)

Investing activities

   (2,089)  (2,093)     4    (4,759)  (5,084)    325 

Financing activities

   (2,048)  (1,000)     (1,048)   (5,223)  (6,487)    1,264 
  


  


Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

  $(99) $2,709     $  (2,808)  $(91) $(602)   $511 
  


  


 

We use the net cash generated from our operations to fund network expansion and modernization, repay external financing, pay dividends and invest in new businesses. Additional external financing is utilized when necessary. While our current liabilities typically exceed current assets, our sources of funds, primarily from operations and, to the extent necessary, from readily available external financing arrangements, are sufficient to meet ongoing operating and investing requirements. We expect that capital spending requirements will continue to be financed primarily through internally generated funds. Additional debt or equity financing may be needed to fund additional development activities or to maintain our capital structure to ensure our financial flexibility.

 

Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities

Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities

 

Our primary source of funds continues to be cash generated from operations. The decrease in cash from operating activities infor the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2004 compared to the similar period of 2003 was primarily due to a higher decrease in current liabilities (use of cash) in the first quartersix months of 2004 and a higher decrease in receivables (source of cash) in the first quartersix months of the prior year. Higher severance payments were recorded in the first quartersix months of 2004 and higher tax refunds were recorded in the first quartersix months of 2003. In addition, the higher decrease in receivables in the first quartersix months of 2003 was driven by a greater reduction of days sales outstanding in that period compared to the first quartersix months of 2004.

 

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

 

Capital expenditures continue to be our primary use of capital resources and facilitate the introduction of new products and services, enhance responsiveness to competitive challenges and increase the operating efficiency and productivity of our networks. Including capitalized software, we invested $1,282$2,942 million in our Domestic Telecom businesssegment in the first threesix months of 2004, compared to $1,286$3,019 million in the first threesix months of 2003. We also invested $1,314$2,747 million in our Domestic Wireless businesssegment in the first threesix months of 2004, compared to $1,107$2,096 million in the first threesix months of 2003. The steady capital investment in Domestic Telecom and the increase in capital spending in Domestic Wireless represent our continuing effort to invest in high growth areas such asincluding wireless, long distance, DSL and DSL.Enterprise Advance.

 

Capital spending, including capitalized software, is expected to be approximately $12 billion to $13 billion in 2004. The range includes $6.5 billion to $7.0 billion for Domestic Telecom, $5.0 billion to $5.5 billion for Domestic Wireless (expected to be the high end of the range) and a total of $.5 billion for Information Services, International and Corporatecorporate and Otherother businesses.

 

We invested $34$55 million in acquisitions and investments in businesses during the first threesix months of 2004 primarily related to Verizon’s limited partnership investments in entities that invest in affordable housing projects. In the first threesix months of 2003, we invested $169$1,033 million in acquisitions and investments in businesses including $146$762 million to acquire interests in some50 Personal Communications Services licenses and related network assets from Northcoast Communications LLC and $146 million for other wireless properties. In the first quartersix months of 2004, we received cash proceeds of $117 million from the sale of a small business unit.

 

Other, net investing activities for the first threesix months of 2004 includes net cash proceeds received in connection with the sale of investments, including Iowa Telecom preferred stock.

Under the terms of an investment agreement relating to our wireless joint venture, Vodafone may require Verizon Wireless to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 billion worth of Vodafone’s interest in Verizon Wireless at designated times between 2003 and 2007 at its then fair market value. In the event Vodafone exercises its put rights, we have the right, exercisable at our sole discretion, to purchase up to $12.5 billion of Vodafone’s interest instead of Verizon Wireless for cash or Verizon stock at our option. Vodafone may require the purchase of up to $10 billion during a 61-day period opening on June 10 and closing on August 9 in 2004, and the remainder, which may not exceed $10

billion in any one year, during a 61-day period opening on June 10 and closing on August 9 in 2005 through 2007. Vodafone also may require that Verizon Wireless pay for up to $7.5 billion of the required repurchase through the assumption or incurrence of debt.

 

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

 

Cash of $977$3,011 million was used to reduce our total debt during the first threesix months of 2004. We repaid $1,993$2,259 million and $2,459 million of Domestic Telecom and corporate long-term debt, whilerespectively. The Domestic Telecom debt repayment includes the early retirement of $1,275 million of long-term debt. The corporate debt repayment includes $1,984 million of zero-coupon convertible notes redeemed by Verizon Global Funding Corp. Also during the six months ended June 30, 2004 we increased our short-term borrowings by $572$1,254 million and Verizon Global Funding Corp. issued $500 million of long-term debt.

 

OurCash of $4,649 million was used to reduce our total debt forduring the first three monthshalf of 2003 was essentially unchanged from December 31, 2002.2003. We repaid $2,761$5,646 million of Verizon Global Funding, long-term debt and $756$1,800 million of Domestic Telecom and $1,095 million of other corporate long-term debt with the issuance of short and long-term debt. We increased our short-term borrowings by $1,576$1,109 million while Verizon Global Funding and Domestic Telecom each issued long-term debt with a principal amountamounts of $1 billion for$1,500 million and $1,350 million, respectively, resulting in total cash proceeds of $1,944$2,766 million, net of discounts, costs and a payment related to a hedge on the interest rate for thean anticipated financing.

 

Our ratio of debt to debt combined with shareowners’ equity was 57.0%55.1% at March 31,June 30, 2004, compared to 60.9%58.8% at March 31,June 30, 2003.

 

As of March 31,June 30, 2004, we had $154$130 million in bank borrowings outstanding. In addition, we had approximately $5.7 billion of unused bank lines of credit and our financing subsidiary had shelf registrations for the issuance of up to $10.5 billion of unsecured debt securities. The debt securities of our telephone and financing subsidiaries continue to be accorded high ratings by primary rating agencies. In March 2004, Standard & Poor’s announced that it put Verizon’s debt on review with negative implications, citing general industry issues. We have adopted a debt portfolio strategy that continues our overall debt reduction efforts through the remainder of the year.

 

Verizon and its consolidated subsidiaries are in compliance with all of their debt covenants.

 

As in prior quarters, dividend payments were a significant use of capital resources. We determine the appropriateness of the level of our dividend payments on a periodic basis by considering such factors as long-term growth opportunities, internal cash requirements, and the expectations of our shareowners. In the first and second quarters of 2004 and 2003, we announced quarterly cash dividends of $.385 per share.

 

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Our cash and cash equivalents at March 31,June 30, 2004 totaled $600$608 million, a $99$91 million decrease from cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2003 of $699 million.

 

Market Risk

 

We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of our business, including the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in equity investment prices and changes in corporate tax rates. We employ risk management strategies using a variety of derivatives, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate locks, foreign currency forwards, equity options and basis swap agreements. We do not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

 

It is our general policy to enter into interest rate, foreign currency and other derivative transactions only to the extent necessary to achieve our desired objectives in limiting our exposures to the various market risks. Our objectives include maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt to lower borrowing costs within reasonable risk parameters and to protect against earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from changes in market conditions. We do not hedge our market risk exposure in a manner that would completely eliminate the effect of changes in interest rates,

equity prices and foreign exchange rates on our earnings. We do not expect that our net income, liquidity and cash flows will be materially affected by these risk management strategies.

Exchangeable Notes

Exchangeable Notes

 

In 1998, Verizon Global Funding issued notes exchangeable into shares of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited (TCNZ) and into shares of Cable & Wireless Communications plc (subsequently Cable & Wireless plc and NTL Incorporated) as described in Note 78 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These financial instruments exposed us to market risk, including (i) equity price risk, because the notes were exchangeable into shares that are traded on the open market and routinely fluctuate in value, (ii) foreign exchange rate risk, because the notes were exchangeable into shares that are denominated in a foreign currency, and (iii) interest rate risk, because the notes carried fixed interest rates.

 

On April 1, 2003, all of the outstanding $2,455 million principal amount of the 5.75% notes that were exchangeable into shares of TCNZ were redeemed at maturity. On March 15, 2003, Verizon Global Funding redeemed all of the outstanding 4.25% notes. The cash redemption price for the 4.25% notes was $1,048.29 for each $1,000 principal amount of the notes. The principal amount of the 4.25% notes outstanding, before unamortized discount, at the time of redemption, was $2,839 million.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency for nearly all of our foreign operations is the local currency. The translation of income statement and balance sheet amounts of these entities into U.S. dollars are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments, which are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. At March 31,June 30, 2004, our primary translation exposure was to the Venezuelan bolivar, Dominican Republic peso, Canadian dollar and the euro. We have not hedged our accounting translation exposure to foreign currency fluctuations relative to the carrying value of these investments.

 

Our earnings were affected by foreign currency gains or losses associated with the unhedged portion of U. S. dollar denominated obligationsassets and liabilities at Verizon Dominicana and at Iusacell prior to selling Iusacell in July 2003 (see “Consolidated Results of Operations – Other Consolidated Results – Discontinued Operations”).

 

Other Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

Recent Developments

Recent DevelopmentsSpectrum Purchases

We announced on July 8, 2004 that we had won an auction for a spectrum license covering the New York metropolitan area held by NextWave Telecom Inc. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we will pay $930 million for the license which covers the New York metropolitan area. The transaction is subject to several federal reviews and is expected to close by the end of 2004. In addition, on July 1, 2004 we announced an agreement to purchase Qwest Wireless’s spectrum licenses and wireless network assets for $418 million covering several existing and new markets. The transaction is subject to federal reviews and is expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2004 or early 2005.

 

MCI Bankruptcy Matters

 

Verizon has several significant business relationships with MCI, both as a customer for our services and a supplier of services. On April 20, 2004, MCI emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. We haveSettlement agreements reached resolution with MCI in connection withJune and December of 2003 that addressed all pre-bankruptcy receivables and payables as well as certain other pre- and otherpost-bankruptcy disputes between Domestic Telecom and MCI. The financial statement impact of resolving those matters will be recorded inthe companies became fully effective. In the second quarter of 2004.2004, we recorded an expense credit of $204 million resulting from the favorable resolution of pre-bankruptcy amounts due from MCI.

 

Telephone Access Lines

 

During the second quarter of 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell our wireline-related businesses in Hawaii, which operates 707,000 switched access lines, for $1,650 million in cash, less debt. The closing of the transaction, expected in 2005, is contingent on state and federal approvals.

As we have stated in the past, Verizon continuallyperiodically evaluates its assets and properties for strategic fit and financial performance. In connection with this analysis,As we have previously disclosed, we have had discussions have taken place regarding the possible sale of telephone access lines in Hawaii and upstate New York. We are currently in discussion with potential buyers for our access lines in Hawaii; however, no sale is pending for these properties at this time.

 

Environmental Matters

 

During 2003, under a government-approved plan, remediation of the site of a former facility in Hicksville, New York that processed nuclear fuel rods in the 1950s and 1960s commenced. Remediation beyond original expectations proved to be necessary and a reassessment of the anticipated remediation costs was conducted. In addition, a reassessment of costs related to remediation efforts at several other former facilities was undertaken. As a result, an additional environmental remediation expense of $240 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003.

New York Recovery Funding

 

In August 2002, President Bush signed the Supplemental Appropriations bill which included $5.5 billion in New York recovery funding. Of that amount, approximately $750 million has been allocated to cover the uninsured losses of businesses (including theutility restoration of utility infrastructure)and infrastructure rebuilding as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. These funds will be distributed through the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation following an application and audit process. As of March 31,June 30, 2004, we have applied for reimbursement of approximately $265$266 million. We received an advance of $11 million of that amount in December 2003.2003 and an additional advance of $77 million in June 2004. We are awaiting the results of an audit relating to the remaining funds.total amount that we have applied for reimbursement, including funds already received.

 

Telecommunications Act of 1996

 

We face increasing competition in all areas of our business. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act), regulatory and judicial actions and the development of new technologies, products and services have created opportunities for alternative telecommunication service providers, many of which are subject to fewer regulatory constraints. We are unable to predict definitively the impact that the ongoing changes in the telecommunications industry will ultimately have on our business, results of operations or financial condition. The financial impact will depend on several factors, including the timing, extent and success of competition in our markets, the timing and outcome of various regulatory proceedings and any appeals, and the timing, extent and success of our pursuit of new opportunities resulting from the 1996 Act and technological advances.

 

In-Region Long Distance

 

Under the 1996 Act, our ability to offer in-region long distance services in the regions where the former Bell Atlantic telephone subsidiaries operate as local exchange carriers was largely dependent on satisfying specified requirements. These requirements included a 14-point “competitive checklist” of steps which we must take to help competitors offer local services through resale, through purchase of UNEs, or by interconnecting their own networks to ours. We were required to demonstrate to the FCC that our entry into the in-region long distance market would be in the public interest. We now have authority from the FCC to offer in-region long distance service in all 14 of the former Bell Atlantic jurisdictions.

 

FCC Regulation and Interstate Rates

 

Our telephone operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC with respect to interstate services and related matters.

 

Access Charges and Universal Service

 

On May 31, 2000, the FCC adopted the Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Services (CALLS) plan as a comprehensive five-year plan for regulation of interstate access charges. The CALLS plan has three main components. First, it establishes a portable interstate access universal service support of $650 million for the industry. This explicit support replaces implicit support embedded in interstate access charges. Second, the plan simplifies the patchwork of common line charges into one subscriber line charge (SLC) and provides for de-averaging of the SLC by zones and class of customers in a manner that will not undermine comparable and affordable universal service. Third, the plan sets into place a mechanism to transition to a set target of $.0055 per minute for switched access services. Once that target rate is reached, local exchange carriers are no longer required to make further annual price cap reductions to their switched access prices. The annual reductions leading to the target rate, as well as annual reductions for the subset of special access services that remain subject to price cap regulation was set at 6.5% per year.

As a result of tariff adjustments which became effective in July 2003, virtually all of our switched access lines reached the $.0055 benchmark. On June 29, 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s prior approval of an increase in the SLC cap. The current cap is $6.50.

The FCC previously initiated investigations of the interstate access rates charged by Verizon’s local telephone companies during the 1993 to 1996 tariff years under the price cap rules that were in place prior to the adoption of the CALLS plan. On July 30, 2004, the FCC released an order resolving one of the issues in those pending investigations, and concluded that some of Verizon’s local telephone companies had incorrectly calculated the impact of their obligation to “share” a portion of their earnings above certain prescribed levels with their access customers. The amount of any refund as a result of that finding will be determined in a further phase of the proceeding. Other issues remain under investigation.

 

The FCC has adopted rules for special access services that provide for pricing flexibility and ultimately the removal of services from price regulation when prescribed competitive thresholds are met. Approximately 55% of special access revenues are now removed from price regulation.

 

In November 1999, the FCC adopted a new mechanism for providing universal service support to high-cost areas served by large local telephone companies. This funding mechanism provides additional support for local telephone services in several states served by our telephone operations. This system has been supplemented by the new FCC access charge plan described above. On October 16, 2003, in response to a previous court decision, the FCC

announced a decision providing additional justification for its non-rural high-cost universal support mechanism and modifying it in part. That decision also has been appealed. The FCC also has proceedings underway to evaluate possible changes to its current rules for assessing contributions to the universal service fund. Any change in the current assessment mechanism could result in a change in the contribution that local telephone companies must make and that would have to be collected from customers.

 

Unbundling of Network Elements

 

On February 20, 2003, the FCC announced a decision adopting new rules defining the obligations of incumbent local exchange carriers to provide competing carriers with access to UNEs. The decision was the culmination of an FCC rulemaking referred to as its triennial review of its UNE rules, and also was in response to a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit had overturned the FCC’s previous unbundling rules on the grounds that the FCC did not adequately consider the limitations of the “necessary and impair” standards of the 1996 Act when it chose national rules for unbundling and that it failed to consider the relevance of competition from other types of service providers, including cable and satellite.

 

The text of the order and accompanying rules was released on August 21, 2003. With respect to broadband facilities, such as mass market fiber to the premises loops and packet switching, that order generally removed unbundling obligations under Section 251 of the 1996 Act. With respect to narrowband services, the order generally left unbundling obligations in place, with certain limited exceptions, and delegated to state regulatory proceedings a further review. The order also provided a new set of criteria relating to when carriers may purchase a combination of unbundled loops and transport elements known as enhanced extended loops (EELs).

 

The FCC’s order significantly increases arbitrage opportunities by making it easier for carriers to use EELs for non-local service at regulated prices set using the pricing formula that applies to UNEs rather than competitive special access prices. In addition, the FCC’s order eliminates important safeguards that protected against this kind of arbitrage, including the FCC’s previous rule against co-mingling unbundled elements and other services. As a result, we estimate the impact on earnings related to this portion of the FCC’s order to be potentially 4 cents to 6 cents per diluted share in 2004.

 

Multiple parties, including Verizon, appealed various aspects of the decision. Multiple parties also have asked the FCC to clarify or reconsider various aspects of its order, and Verizon has petitioned the FCC to make clear that any broadband facilities that do not have to be unbundled under Section 251 of the 1996 Act also do not have to be unbundled under another provision of the 1996 Act. On March 2, 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued an order upholding the FCC in part, and overturning its order in part. The court upheld the FCC with respect to broadband facilities. On the narrowband unbundling requirements the court reversed key aspects of the FCC decision. The court’s reversal of the FCC will not gowent into effect on June 16, 2004 after both the U.S. Court of Appeals for 60 days following the ruling or until a petition for rehearing isD.C. Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court denied or granted. On April 13, 2004, atmotions to further stay the requestdecision. Petitions by state regulators and other carriers seeking U.S. Supreme Court review of the FCC,U.S. Court of Appeals for the court extended the period before its order could go into effect until June 15, 2004.D.C. Circuit decision are pending.

Intercarrier Compensation

 

On April 27, 2001, the FCC released an order addressing intercarrier compensation for dial-up connections for Internet-bound traffic. The FCC found that Internet-bound traffic is interstate and subject to the FCC’s jurisdiction. Moreover, the FCC again found that Internet-bound traffic is not subject to reciprocal compensation under Section 251(b)(5) of the 1996 Act. Instead, the FCC established federal rates per minute for this traffic that decline from $.0015 to $.0007 over a three-year period. The FCC order also sets caps on the total minutes of this traffic that may be subject to any intercarrier compensation and requires that incumbent local exchange carriers must offer to both bill and pay reciprocal compensation for local traffic at the same rate as they are required to pay on Internet-bound traffic. On May 3, 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected part of the FCC’s rationale for its April 27, 2001 order, but declined to vacate the order while it is on remand. As a result, pending further action by the FCC, the FCC’s underlying order remains in effect.

 

More generally, the FCC has an ongoing rulemaking that could fundamentally restructure the regulatory regime for intercarrier compensation, including, but not limited to, access charges, compensation for Internet traffic, and reciprocal compensation for local traffic. As noted above, the FCC also has pending before it the issues relating to intercarrier compensation for dial-up Internet-bound traffic that were remanded by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, including whether to affirm, reverse or modify its previous determinations that this traffic is not subject to reciprocal compensation under Section 251(b)(5) of the 1996 Act. Disputes also remain pending in a number of

forums relating to the appropriate compensation for Internet-bound traffic during previous periods under the terms of our interconnection agreements with other carriers.

 

The FCC also is considering multiple petitions asking it to declare whether, and under what circumstances, services that employ Internet protocol are subject to access charges under current law, or asking it to forbear from any requirement to pay access charges on some such services. On March 10, 2004, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to address the regulation of services that use Internet protocol, including voice services. The FCC also concluded in response to one such petition that one provider’s peer-to-peer Internet protocol service that does not use the public switched network is an interstate information service and is not subject to access charges. In addition, during April 2004, the FCC issued an order in connection with oneanother such petition that stated that the petitioning company’s service that utilizes the Internet protocol for only one intermediate part of a call’s transmission is subject to access charges.

 

Broadband Services

 

The FCC has several ongoing rulemakings considering the regulatory treatment of broadband services. Among the questions at issue are whether to require local telephone companies like Verizon to offer such services as a common carrier or whether such services may be offered under a potentially less regulated private carriage arrangement, and whether to declare broadband services offered by local telephone companies as non-dominant and what the effect should be of any such classification.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, 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 elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:

the duration and extent of the current economic downturn;

 

materially adverse changes in economic and industry conditions and labor matters, including workforce levels and labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact, in the markets served by us or by companies in which we have substantial investments;

 

material changes in available technology;

 

technology substitution;

 

an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations;

 

the final results of federal and state regulatory proceedings concerning our provision of retail and wholesale services and judicial review of those results;

 

the effects of competition in our markets;

 

our ability to satisfy regulatory merger conditions;

 

the ability of Verizon Wireless to continue to obtain sufficient spectrum resources; and

 

changes in our 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.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


 

Information relating to market risk is included in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the section under the caption “Market Risk.”

Item 4. Controls and Procedures


 

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, that ensure that information relating to the registrant which is required to be disclosed in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within required time periods. Based on this evaluation, which disclosed no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, they have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report was being prepared. There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds


Period (a) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 (b) Average Price Paid
per Share
 (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (1)
 (d) Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (2)
     
April 2004 250,000   $37.39   250,000   79,750,000
     
May 2004 225,000   $36.52   225,000   79,525,000
     
June 2004 1,936,800   $35.17   1,936,800   77,588,200
     
Total 2,411,800   $36.36   2,411,800   77,588,200

(1)
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

On January 22, 2004, Verizon’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program.

(2)

The program authorizes total repurchases of up to 80 million common shares and expires no later than the close of business on February 28, 2006. Under the plan, Verizon has the option to repurchase shares for the corporation over time, with the amount and timing of repurchases depending on market conditions and corporate needs.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


Our 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on April 28, 2004. At the meeting, the following items were submitted to a vote of shareholders.

The number of common shares present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Verizon Communications Inc. voting and withholding authority to vote in the election of Directors (the “Total Vote”) was 2,297,003,757 or 82.92% of the common shares outstanding on March 1, 2004, the record date for said meeting.

(a)

The following nominees were elected to serve on the Board of Directors:

Name of Nominee Votes Cast For Votes Withheld

James R. Barker 2,174,243,971 122,759,786
Richard L. Carrión 2,164,744,213 132,259,544
Robert W. Lane 2,205,654,803 91,348,954
Sandra O. Moose 2,089,991,083 207,012,674
Joseph Neubauer 2,164,981,567 132,022,190
Thomas H. O’Brien 2,191,050,600 105,953,157
Hugh B. Price 2,155,104,931 141,898,826
Ivan G. Seidenberg 2,148,894,998 148,108,759
Walter V. Shipley 2,188,828,118 108,175,639
John R. Stafford 2,174,476,408 122,527,349
Robert D. Storey 2,142,962,767 154,040,990

(b)

The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for 2004 was ratified with 2,206,064,092 votes for, 66,266,887 votes against, and 24,672,778 abstentions.

(c)

A shareholder proposal regarding Cumulative Voting was defeated with 609,365,978 votes for, 1,116,675,838 votes against, 172,782,009 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(d)

A shareholder proposal regarding composition of the Board of Directors was defeated with 375,545,097 votes for, 1,484,053,711 votes against, 39,225,017 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(e)

A shareholder proposal regarding Separate Chairman and CEO was defeated with 680,102,742 votes for, 1,180,442,987 votes against, 38,278,096 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(f)

A shareholder proposal regarding Any Future Poison Pill was defeated with 687,683,365 votes for, 1,159,718,500 votes against, 51,421,960 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(g)

A shareholder proposal regarding Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans was defeated with 691,698,985 votes for, 1,169,948,290 votes against, 37,176,550 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(h)

A shareholder proposal regarding Options or Stock Grants Based on Tracking Stock was defeated with 287,099,148 votes for, 1,564,698,844 votes against, 47,025,833 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(i)

A shareholder proposal regarding Diversity Report on Option Grants to Employees was defeated with 180,869,826 votes for, 1,555,754,991 votes against, 162,199,008 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(j)

A shareholder proposal regarding Report on Political Contributions was defeated with 275,910,646 votes for, 1,468,835,437 votes against, 154,077,742 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

(k)

A shareholder proposal regarding Collection of Universal Service Fees and Number Portability Fees was defeated with 103,651,044 votes for, 1,625,469,229 votes against, 169,703,552 abstentions and 398,179,932 broker non-votes.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


 

(a)

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number


   

    10a

Employment Agreement between Verizon and Marc C. Reed.

    10b

Employment Agreement between Verizon and Thomas J. Tauke.

    12

  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

    31.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

    31.2

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

    32.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

    32.2

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

 

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished during the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2004:

 

A Current Report on Form 8-K, furnished on January 22,April 27, 2004 containing a press release announcing Verizon’s earnings for the authorization of a common stock repurchase plan.first quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

A Current Report on Form 8-K, furnishedfiled on January 29,May 21, 2004, containing a press release announcing Verizon’s earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

A Current Report on Form 8-K, furnished on January 29, 2004, containing a press release providing Verizon’s strategy and financial outlook for 2004.an agreement to sell wireline-related businesses in Hawaii.

Signature


 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Date: May 7,August 6, 2004   By 

/s/ David H. Benson


        

     David H. Benson

     Senior Vice President and Controller

     (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IS AS OF MAY 3,AUGUST 2, 2004.

 

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