UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File Number: 1-7784
CenturyTel, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana 72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
100 CenturyTel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (318) 388-9000
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.
[X] Yes [ ] No
As of April 30, 2002, there were 141,354,246 shares of common stock
outstanding.
CenturyTel, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
--------
Part I. Financial Information:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income--Three Months
Ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income--
Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 4
Consolidated Balance Sheets--March 31, 2002 and
December 31, 2001 5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity--
Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--
Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 8-12
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 13-21
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk 22
Part II. Other Information:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 23
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23-24
Signature 24
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three months
ended March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars, except per share amounts,
and shares in thousands)
OPERATING REVENUES
Telephone $ 372,731 371,249
Other 50,187 40,353
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues 422,918 411,602
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of sales and operating expenses 206,844 203,496
Corporate overhead costs allocable to
discontinued operations (See Note 3) 4,798 4,979
Depreciation and amortization 92,227 98,818
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 303,869 307,293
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME 119,049 104,309
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense (50,648) (61,703)
Other income and expense (2,268) 2,467
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other income (expense) (52,916) (59,236)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 66,133 45,073
Income tax expense 23,276 18,222
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 42,857 26,851
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (See Note 3)
Income from discontinued operations,
net of $15,670 and $13,156 tax 27,910 19,871
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME $ 70,767 46,722
===================================================================================================================
NET INCOME, AS ADJUSTED FOR GOODWILL
AMORTIZATION (See Notes 1 and 4) $ 70,767 60,805
===================================================================================================================
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
From continuing operations $ .30 .19*
From discontinued operations $ .20 .14*
Basic earnings per share $ .50 .33
Basic earnings per share, as adjusted for goodwill amortization $ .50 .43
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
From continuing operations $ .30 .19*
From discontinued operations $ .20 .14*
Diluted earnings per share $ .50 .33
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted for goodwill amortization $ .50 .43
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE $ .0525 .05
===================================================================================================================
AVERAGE BASIC SHARES OUTSTANDING 141,051 140,572
===================================================================================================================
AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING 142,654 142,482
===================================================================================================================
* Had goodwill not been subject to amortization in 2001, basic and diluted
earnings per share would have been $.27 from continuing operations and
$.16 from discontinued operations.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three months
ended March 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
NET INCOME $ 70,767 46,722
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:
Unrealized holding loss arising during period,
net of tax benefit of $1,549 - (2,877)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 70,767 43,845
=====================================================================================================
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, AS ADJUSTED FOR
GOODWILL AMORTIZATION (See Notes 1 and 4) $ 70,767 57,928
=====================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
March 31, December 31,
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
- ------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 52,138 3,496
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $10,092 and $13,908 203,267 205,990
Materials and supplies, at average cost 9,388 10,916
Other 11,904 9,511
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 276,697 229,913
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 2,728,299 2,736,142
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill 2,116,265 2,087,158
Other 425,636 420,043
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments and other assets 2,541,901 2,507,201
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (See Note 3) 832,543 845,428
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 6,379,440 6,318,684
===================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
- ----------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 916,966 955,834
Short-term debt 5,000 53,000
Accounts payable 93,959 61,056
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits 52,011 46,588
Taxes 64,181 27,937
Interest 55,383 49,191
Other 11,806 15,968
Advance billings and customer deposits 30,152 29,308
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 1,229,458 1,238,882
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT 2,081,396 2,087,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES 508,502 506,052
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES RELATED TO ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (See Note 3) 155,679 148,870
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 350,000,000 shares,
issued and outstanding 141,326,525 and 141,232,806 shares 141,327 141,233
Paid-in capital 528,090 524,668
Retained earnings 1,729,263 1,666,004
Unearned ESOP shares (2,250) (2,500)
Preferred stock - non-redeemable 7,975 7,975
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity 2,404,405 2,337,380
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 6,379,440 6,318,684
===================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
Three months
ended March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of period $ 141,233 140,667
Conversion of convertible securities into common stock - 254
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment,
incentive and benefit plans 94 72
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period 141,327 140,993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAID-IN CAPITAL
Balance at beginning of period 524,668 509,840
Conversion of convertible securities into common stock - 3,046
Issuance of common stock through dividend
reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans 2,383 1,170
Amortization of unearned compensation and other 1,039 1,422
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period 528,090 515,478
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNREALIZED HOLDING GAIN ON INVESTMENTS, NET OF TAXES
Balance at beginning of period - 25,471
Change in unrealized holding gain on investments, net of tax - (2,877)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period - 22,594
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period 1,666,004 1,351,626
Net income 70,767 46,722
Cash dividends declared
Common stock-$.0525 and $.05 per share, respectively (7,408) (7,032)
Preferred stock (100) (100)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period 1,729,263 1,391,216
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNEARNED ESOP SHARES
Balance at beginning of period (2,500) (3,500)
Release of ESOP shares 250 250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period (2,250) (3,250)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFERRED STOCK - NON-REDEEMABLE
Balance at beginning and end of period 7,975 7,975
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 2,404,405 2,075,006
===================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Three months
ended March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net income $ 70,767 46,722
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities from continuing operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (27,910) (19,871)
Depreciation and amortization 92,227 98,818
Deferred income taxes 14,606 (7,804)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable 6,526 29,032
Accounts payable 20,482 (7,201)
Other accrued taxes 36,244 22,502
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net 3,647 (13,319)
Increase in other noncurrent assets (5,103) (19,201)
Increase (decrease) in other noncurrent liabilities 2,305 (3,862)
Other, net 4,253 12,773
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations 218,044 138,589
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Payments for property, plant and equipment (73,532) (102,253)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (43,768) (47,131)
Other, net (2,509) (834)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations (119,809) (150,218)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Proceeds from issuance of debt - 172,173
Payments of debt (92,722) (189,514)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 2,477 1,242
Cash dividends (7,508) (7,132)
Other, net 556 552
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations (97,197) (22,679)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by discontinued operations (See Note 3) 47,604 31,006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 48,642 (3,302)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,496 11,523
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 52,138 8,221
===================================================================================================================
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid $ 2,708 790
===================================================================================================================
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $390 and $1,654) $ 44,131 56,035
===================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CenturyTel, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2002
(UNAUDITED)
(1) Basis of Financial Reporting
The consolidated financial statements of CenturyTel, Inc. and its
subsidiaries (the "Company") include the accounts of CenturyTel, Inc.
("CenturyTel") and its majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission; however, in the opinion of management, the disclosures
which are made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
The consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Form 10-Q
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2001. Certain 2001 amounts have been reclassified to be
consistent with the Company's 2002 presentation.
The unaudited financial information for the three months ended March 31,
2002 and 2001 has not been audited by independent certified public accountants;
however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only
normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of
operations for the three-month periods have been included therein. The results
of operations for the first three months of the year are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations which might be expected for the entire
year.
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"
("SFAS 142"). Under SFAS 142, effective January 1, 2002, systematic amortization
of goodwill is no longer permitted; instead, SFAS 142 requires goodwill recorded
in a business combination to be reviewed for impairment and to be written down
only in periods in which the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value.
Each adjustment reflected in the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income by use of the term "as adjusted for goodwill amortization"
reflects the effects of SFAS 142.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). SFAS 144 addresses financial
accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and
also broadens the reporting of discontinued operations to include all components
of an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the rest of the
entity and that will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity in
a disposal transaction. As a result of the Company's agreement in March 2002 to
sell its wireless operations (see Note 3), such operations have been reflected
as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2002. Assets and
liabilities related to the Company's wireless operations are reflected as "Held
for sale" on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Results of operations
for 2001 have been restated to conform to this presentation. The depreciation of
long-lived assets ceased upon the classification of such assets as held for
sale.
(2) Net Property, Plant and Equipment
Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following:
March 31, Dec. 31,
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Telephone, at original cost $ 5,344,135 5,292,255
Accumulated depreciation (2,912,384) (2,839,268)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,431,751 2,452,987
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, at cost 470,154 446,920
Accumulated depreciation (173,606) (163,765)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
296,548 283,155
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,728,299 2,736,142
===============================================================================
(3) Discontinued Operations
On March 19, 2002, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell all
of its wireless operations to an affiliate of ALLTEL Corporation ("Alltel") for
$1.65 billion in cash, subject to adjustment. In connection with this
transaction, the Company will divest its (i) interests in its majority-owned and
operated cellular systems, which at December 31, 2001 served approximately
797,000 customers and had access to approximately 7.8 million pops, (ii)
minority cellular equity interests representing approximately 2.0 million pops
at December 31, 2001, and (iii) licenses to provide personal communications
services covering 1.3 million pops in Wisconsin and Iowa. Subject to certain
closing conditions, this transaction is expected to close in the third quarter
of 2002. As a result, the Company's wireless operations have been reflected as
discontinued operations and as assets held for sale in the Company's
consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31,
2002. Amounts reported for 2001 have been restated to conform to the 2002
presentation.
The following table represents certain summary income statement information
related to the Company's wireless operations reflected as discontinued
operations.
Three months
ended March 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues $ 102,421 104,406
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (1) $ 35,016 29,899
Income from unconsolidated cellular entities 11,514 5,321
Minority interest expense (2,871) (2,637)
Other income and (expense) (79) 444
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre tax income from discontinued operations 43,580 33,027
Income tax expense (15,670) (13,156)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from discontinued operations $ 27,910 19,871
=================================================================================
(1) Excludes corporate overhead costs of $4.8 million and $5.0 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, allocated to
the wireless operations that the Company expects to continue to incur
subsequent to the disposal of the wireless operations.
The following table represents certain summary cash flow statement
information related to the Company's wireless operations reflected as
discontinued operations.
Three months
ended March 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 45,841 44,359
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 1,763 (13,353)
Net cash used in financing activities - -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by discontinued operations $ 47,604 31,006
======================================================================================
The following table represents the net assets of the discontinued wireless
operations as of March 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, which are classified as
held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets.
March 31, Dec. 31,
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Current assets $ 61,913 70,360
Net property, plant and equipment 257,862 263,421
Goodwill 384,326 384,326
Other assets 128,442 127,321
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets held for sale $ 832,543 845,428
=========================================================================================
Current liabilities $ 62,996 55,074
Deferred credits and other liabilities 92,683 93,796
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities related to assets held for sale $ 155,679 148,870
=========================================================================================
(4) Goodwill and other intangible assets
The following information relates to the Company's goodwill as of March
31, 2002 and December 31, 2001:
March 31, Dec. 31,
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying amount of goodwill
Telephone segment $ 2,077,553 2,074,036
Other operations 38,712 13,122
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total goodwill $ 2,116,265 2,087,158
===============================================================================
Based on analysis performed to date, the Company believes its goodwill is
not impaired under the transitional impairment tests of SFAS 142.
The Company also has certain intangible assets that are subject to
amortization in accordance with SFAS 142. These intangible assets relate to
certain customer base assets in the Company's wireless operations (which are
reflected as assets held for sale). The gross carrying amount (and accumulated
amortization) of these assets was $22.7 million ($19.6 million) as of March 31,
2002 and $22.7 million ($18.5 million) as of December 31, 2001. Total
amortization expense for the first quarter of 2002 (which is reflected in
discontinued operations) was $1.1 million. Such amortization was ceased upon the
classification of such assets as held for sale on March 19, 2002.
The following is a reconciliation of reported net income and reported
earnings per share to the amounts that would have been reported had the Company
been subject to SFAS 142 during 2001.
Three months
ended March 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income, as reported $ 70,767 46,722
Goodwill amortization, net of taxes - 14,083
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as adjusted $ 70,767 60,805
==============================================================================
Basic earnings per share, as reported $ .50 .33
Goodwill amortization, net of taxes - .10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share, as adjusted $ .50 .43
==============================================================================
Diluted earnings per share, as reported $ .50 .33
Goodwill amortization, net of taxes - .10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted $ .50 .43
==============================================================================
(5) Business Segments
The Company's only separately reportable business segment is its telephone
operations. The operating income of this segment is reviewed by the Company's
chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make business
decisions. Due to the pending sale of the Company's wireless operations, such
operations (which were previously reported as a separate segment) are classified
as discontinued operations (see Note 3). Other operations include, but are not
limited to, the Company's non-regulated long distance operations, Internet
operations, competitive local exchange carrier operations and security
monitoring operations.
Three months
ended March 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
Telephone $ 372,731 371,249
Other operations 50,187 40,353
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues $ 422,918 411,602
===============================================================================================
Operating income
Telephone $ 117,968 103,981
Other operations 5,879 5,307
Corporate overhead costs allocable
to discontinued operations (See Note 3) (4,798) (4,979)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating income $ 119,049 104,309
===============================================================================================
Operating income $ 119,049 104,309
Interest expense (50,648) (61,703)
Other income and expense (2,268) 2,467
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense $ 66,133 45,073
===============================================================================================
March 31, Dec. 31,
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Telephone $ 4,725,150 4,754,522
Other operations 821,747 718,734
Assets held for sale (See Note 3) 832,543 845,428
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 6,379,440 6,318,684
===============================================================================
(6) Subsequent Event
On May 6, 2002, the Company issued and sold in an underwritten public
offering $500 million of Equity Units. Each of the 20 million Equity Units
issued was priced at $25 and consists initially of a beneficial interest in a
CenturyTel senior unsecured note with a principal amount of $25 and a contract
to purchase shares of CenturyTel common stock no later than May 2005. The senior
notes will mature in May 2007. The total distributions on the Equity Units will
be at an annual rate of 6.875%, consisting of interest (6.02%) and contract
adjustment payments (0.855%), which were accrued upon the issuance of the Equity
Units as a charge to paid in capital. Each stock purchase contract will
generally require the holder to purchase between .6944 and .8741 of a share of
CenturyTel common stock in May 2005 in exchange for $25, subject to certain
adjustments and exceptions. CenturyTel intends to use the net proceeds from the
issuance of the Equity Units, estimated at $483.4 million, to fund a portion of
its previously announced access line acquisitions from Verizon Communications,
Inc. ("Verizon").
(7) Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, the Company is involved in various claims and legal
actions relating to the conduct of its business. In the opinion of management,
the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
CenturyTel, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations ("MD&A") included herein should be read in conjunction with MD&A and
the other information included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001. The results of operations for the three months
ended March 31, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations
which might be expected for the entire year.
CenturyTel, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") is a regional
integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing local exchange,
wireless, long distance, Internet access and data services to customers in 21
states. On March 19, 2002, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to
sell the stock of its wireless business to an affiliate of ALLTEL Corporation
("Alltel") in exchange for $1.65 billion in cash, subject to certain
adjustments. As a result of such agreement, the Company's wireless operations
for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 have been reflected as
discontinued operations on the Company's consolidated statements of income and
cash flows. For further information, see "Discontinued Operations" below.
In addition to historical information, management's discussion and
analysis includes certain forward-looking statements regarding events and
financial trends that may affect the Company's future operating results and
financial position. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties
that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from such
statements. Such uncertainties include but are not limited to: the Company's
ability to effectively manage its growth, including successfully financing and
timely consummating its pending Verizon acquisitions, integrating newly-acquired
businesses into the Company's operations, hiring adequate numbers of qualified
staff and successfully upgrading its billing and other information systems; the
Company's ability to timely consummate the pending sale of its wireless
business; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of
ongoing changes in the regulation of the telecommunications industry; the
effects of greater than anticipated competition in the Company's markets;
possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, the Company's products and
services; the Company's ability to successfully introduce new product or service
offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; and the effects of more general
factors such as changes in interest rates, in general market or economic
conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other
uncertainties related to the business are described in greater detail in Item 1
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2001. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements for any reason.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 Compared
to Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
Net income (and diluted earnings per share) was $70.8 million ($.50) and
$46.7 million ($.33) for the first quarter of 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Income from continuing operations was $42.9 million for the first quarter of
2002 and $26.9 million for the first quarter of 2001. Diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations was $.30 during the first quarter of 2002 compared to
$.19 during the first quarter of 2001. In accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), amortization of goodwill ceased effective
January 1, 2002. Had the results of operations for the three months ended March
31, 2001 been subject to SFAS 142, income from continuing operations (and
diluted earnings per share) would have been $39.6 million ($.27) and net income
(and diluted earnings per share) would have been $60.8 million ($.43).
Three months
ended March 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars, except per share amounts,
and shares in thousands)
Operating income
Telephone $ 117,968 103,981
Other 5,879 5,307
Corporate overhead costs allocable to discontinued operations (4,798) (4,979)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
119,049 104,309
Interest expense (50,648) (61,703)
Other income and expense (2,268) 2,467
Income tax expense (23,276) (18,222)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations 42,857 26,851
Discontinued operations, net of tax 27,910 19,871
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 70,767 46,722
================================================================================================================
Net income, as adjusted for goodwill amortization $ 70,767 60,805
================================================================================================================
Basic earnings per share
From continuing operations $ .30 .19
Discontinued operations $ .20 .14
Basic earnings per share $ .50 .33
Basic earnings per share, as adjusted for goodwill amortization $ .50 .43
Diluted earnings per share
From continuing operations $ .30 .19
Discontinued operations $ .20 .14
Diluted earnings per share $ .50 .33
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted for goodwill amortization $ .50 .43
Average basic shares outstanding 141,051 140,572
================================================================================================================
Average diluted shares outstanding 142,654 142,482
================================================================================================================
Contributions to operating revenues and operating income by the Company's
telephone and other operations for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and
2001 were as follows:
Three months
ended March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
Telephone operations 88.1% 90.2
Other operations 11.9% 9.8
Operating income
Telephone operations 99.1% 99.7
Other operations 4.9% 5.1
Corporate overhead costs allocable to
discontinued operations (4.0)% (4.8)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Operations
Three months
ended March 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
Local service $ 123,877 121,161
Network access 216,576 213,867
Other 32,278 36,221
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
372,731 371,249
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Plant operations 91,086 93,885
Customer operations 29,938 29,257
Corporate and other 44,396 46,765
Depreciation and amortization 89,343 97,361
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
254,763 267,268
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income $ 117,968 103,981
=============================================================================
The Company conducts its telephone operations in rural, suburban and
small urban communities in 21 states. As of March 31, 2002, approximately 87% of
the Company's 1.8 million access lines were in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Washington,
Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, Colorado, Ohio and Oregon.
Telephone operating income increased $14.0 million (13.5%) due to an
increase in operating revenues of $1.5 million (0.4%) and a decrease in
operating expenses of $12.5 million (4.7%).
Of the $2.7 million (2.2%) increase in local service revenues, $1.5
million was due to the increased provision of custom calling features and $1.1
million was due to increased rates in certain jurisdictions.
Network access revenues increased $2.7 million (1.3%) in the first
quarter of 2002 primarily due to a $4.3 million increase in the partial recovery
of increased operating expenses through revenue sharing arrangements in which
the Company participates with other telephone companies and a $3.0 million
increase in rates in certain jurisdictions. Such increases were substantially
offset by a $4.9 million decrease in revenues due to decreased intrastate
minutes of use, primarily due to certain interexchange carriers shifting traffic
factors from the intrastate jurisdiction to the interstate jurisdiction.
Other revenues decreased $3.9 million (10.9%) due to a $3.8 million
decrease in certain nonregulated services, primarily due to decreased equipment
sales and a $1.6 million decrease in amounts received by providing billing and
collection services to certain interexchange carriers. Such decreases were
partially offset by a $2.3 million increase due to increased rates for certain
nonregulated product offerings.
Access lines declined 0.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2002.
Access line growth during the three months ended March 31, 2001 was 0.1%. The
Company believes the decline in the number of access lines during 2002 is
primarily due to general economic conditions in the Company's markets and
disconnecting service to customers for non-payment.
Plant operations expenses decreased $2.8 million (3.0%), of which $5.4
million related to decreased access expenses primarily as a result of recently
approved changes in certain optional calling plans in Arkansas, and $1.7 million
related to decreased maintenance costs as compared to the first quarter of 2001,
which included the costs of an ice storm. Such decreases were partially offset
by a $3.1 million increase in salaries and benefits and a $1.9 million increase
in network costs.
During the first quarter of 2002 customer operations expenses increased
$681,000 (2.3%) primarily due to an increase in collection expenses.
Corporate and other expenses decreased $2.4 million (5.1%) primarily due
to a $1.7 million decrease associated with the Company's sales, leases,
installations, maintenance and repair of customer premise telecommunications
equipment and wiring and a $1.5 million decrease in operating taxes.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $8.0 million (8.2%), of which
$14.6 million related to ceasing amortization of goodwill effective January 1,
2002 in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. Such decrease was partially
offset by a $6.4 million increase in depreciation expense due to higher levels
of plant in service.
Other Operations
Three months
ended March 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
Long distance $ 31,817 27,600
Internet 12,561 8,399
Other 5,809 4,354
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50,187 40,353
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Cost of sales and operating expenses 41,424 33,589
Depreciation and amortization 2,884 1,457
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44,308 35,046
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income $ 5,879 5,307
===================================================================================
Other operations include the results of continuing operations of the
Company which are not included in the telephone segment including, but not
limited to, the Company's non-regulated long distance operations, Internet
operations, competitive local exchange carrier operations and security
monitoring operations. The $4.2 million increase in long distance revenues was
primarily attributable to the growth in the number of customers and increased
minutes of use. The number of long distance customers as of March 31, 2002 and
2001 was 515,400 and 392,900, respectively. Internet revenues increased $4.2
million due primarily to growth in the number of customers. Other revenues
increased $1.5 million primarily due to increased revenues in the Company's
competitive local exchange carrier ("CLEC") business primarily due to an
acquisition of certain CLEC operations in the first quarter of 2002.
Cost of sales and operating expenses increased $7.8 million primarily due
to (i) a $5.6 million increase in expenses associated with the Company's long
distance operations (of which $1.7 million related to increased sales and
marketing costs; $1.9 million was due to increased minutes of use; and $1.5
million was due to an increase in the provision for doubtful accounts); (ii) a
$2.8 million increase in expenses associated with the Company's CLEC operations
primarily due to the expansion of the business and costs associated with an
acquisition consummated in the first quarter of 2002; and (iii) a $2.6 million
increase associated with expanding the Company's Internet operations. Such
increases were partially offset by a $1.6 million reduction in expenses due to
the increased intercompany profit with regulated affiliates (the recognition of
which in accordance with regulatory accounting principles acts to offset
operating expenses).
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.4 million (97.9%) primarily
due to increased depreciation expense in the Company's fiber network and CLEC
businesses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $11.1 million (17.9%) in the first quarter of
2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 substantially due to decreased debt
outstanding and a decrease in interest rates.
Other Income and Expense
Other income and expense was a $2.3 million expense for the first quarter
of 2002 compared to $2.5 million of income for the first quarter of 2001. Such
change was primarily due to $3.0 million of costs recorded in the first quarter
of 2002 associated with responding to an unsolicited takeover proposal and a
$1.3 million reduction in capitalized interest.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense from continuing operations increased $5.1 million in
the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 primarily due to
an increase in income before taxes. The effective income tax rate (from
continuing operations) was 35.2% and 40.4% for the three months ended March 31,
2002 and 2001, respectively. Such decrease is primarily attributable to the
effect of ceasing amortization of goodwill (some of which was nondeductible for
tax purposes) effective January 1, 2002 in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS 142.
Discontinued Operations
On March 19, 2002, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to
sell the stock of its wireless business to an affiliate of Alltel in exchange
for $1.65 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Subject to various
closing conditions, this transaction is expected to close in the third quarter
of 2002. As a result of such agreement, the Company's wireless operations for
the three months ended March 31, 2002 have been reflected as discontinued
operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The results of
operations for the three months ended March 31, 2001 have been restated to
conform to the 2002 presentation. The following table summarizes certain
information concerning the Company's wireless operations for the periods
presented.
Three months
ended March 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues $ 102,421 104,406
Operating expenses, exclusive of corporate overhead costs $ 67,405 74,507
Income from unconsolidated cellular entities $ 11,514 5,321
Minority interest expense $ (2,871) (2,637)
Other income and (expense) $ (79) 444
Income tax expense $ (15,670) (13,156)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 27,910 19,871
Wireless operating revenues decreased $2.0 million (1.9%) primarily due
to a $1.4 million decrease in roaming revenues due to a reduction in roaming
rates (which was partially offset by an increase in roaming minutes of use) and
a $1.1 million decrease in equipment sales due to a decrease in the number of
phones sold.
Operating expenses, exclusive of corporate overhead costs, decreased $7.1
million primarily due to (i) a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense
of $3.7 million primarily due to the ceasing of goodwill amortization in
accordance with SFAS 142 (effective January 1, 2002) and the ceasing of
depreciation on property, plant and equipment due to the announced sale of the
wireless business (effective March 19, 2002); (ii) a $1.5 million decrease in
cost of sales due to a decrease in units sold; and (iii) a $1.7 million decrease
in operating expenses primarily due to decreased interconnection expenses and
toll costs.
The non-recognition of depreciation and amortization on the Company's
wireless property, plant and equipment and goodwill during the second quarter of
2002 will reduce operating expenses for discontinued operations for such quarter
by $15.6 million, as compared to such expenses for the second quarter of 2001.
Income from unconsolidated cellular entities increased $6.2 million
primarily due to increased earnings of certain cellular entities in which the
Company owns a minority interest.
Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and
SFAS 142. SFAS 141 requires all business combinations consummated after June 30,
2001 to be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting; the pooling of
interests method is no longer permitted. Under SFAS 142, effective January 1,
2002, systematic amortization of goodwill is no longer permitted; instead, SFAS
142 requires goodwill recorded in a business combination to be reviewed for
impairment and to be written down only in periods in which the recorded amount
of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Based on analysis performed to date, the
Company believes its goodwill is not impaired under the transitional impairment
tests of SFAS 142.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). SFAS 144 addresses financial
accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and
also broadens the reporting of discontinued operations to include all components
of an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the rest of the
entity and that will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity in
a disposal transaction. The provisions of SFAS 144 are effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The
Company's wireless operations have been reflected as discontinued operations in
the first quarter of 2002 in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144. The
adoption of the impairment portion of SFAS 144 is not expected to have a
material effect on the results of operations of the Company.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Excluding cash used for acquisitions, the Company relies on cash provided
by operations to fund its operating and capital expenditures. The Company's
operations have historically provided a stable source of cash flow which has
helped the Company continue its long-term program of capital improvements.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was
$218.0 million during the first three months of 2002 compared to $138.6 million
during the first three months of 2001. The Company's accompanying consolidated
statements of cash flows identify major differences between net income and net
cash provided by operating activities for each of these periods. For additional
information relating to the continuing operations of the Company, see Results of
Operations.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was
$119.8 million and $150.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and
2001, respectively. Payments for property, plant and equipment were $28.7
million less in the first quarter of 2002 than in the comparable period during
2001. Capital expenditures from continuing operations for the three months ended
March 31, 2002 were $67.5 million for telephone operations and $6.0 million for
other operations. During the first quarter of 2002, the Company acquired the
assets of certain CLEC operations for $43.8 million cash. During the first
quarter of 2001, the Company acquired an additional 18.6% interest for $47.1
million cash in Spectra Communication Group, LLC, the entity organized in 2000
to acquire and operate the former Verizon properties in Missouri.
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was
$97.2 million during the first three months of 2002 compared to $22.7 million
during the first three months of 2001. Net payments of debt were $75.4 million
more during the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001
primarily due to increased cash flow from operating activities and lower capital
expenditures.
Budgeted capital expenditures from continuing operations for 2002 total
$315 million for telephone operations and $45 million for other operations.
On October 22, 2001, the Company entered into definitive agreements to
purchase from affiliates of Verizon assets comprising all of Verizon's local
telephone operations in Missouri and Alabama. In exchange, the Company has
agreed to pay approximately $2.159 billion in cash, subject to certain
adjustments which are not expected to be material. Under each definitive
agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Verizon 10% of the transaction
consideration if the purchase is not consummated under certain specified
conditions, including the Company's inability to finance the transaction. The
acquisitions are subject to the receipt of various regulatory approvals and
other closing conditions.
As of March 31, 2002, the Company had an aggregate of $486.3 million of
debt outstanding under a credit facility and a note that expires or becomes due
in August 2002 and has an additional $400 million in remarketable bonds that
must be mandatorily redeemed by the Company in October 2002 if the remarketing
dealer for these bonds does not purchase and remarket the bonds in accordance
with a remarketing agreement. The Company currently believes that the
remarketing dealer will exercise its option and that this debt will remain
outstanding.
On March 19, 2002, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to
sell the stock of its wireless operations to Alltel for $1.65 billion in cash,
subject to certain adjustments which are not anticipated to be material. The
Company's after-tax proceeds from the sale are anticipated to be approximately
$1.3 billion.
Although the Company's financing plans are not yet complete and will
depend on market conditions and other factors, the Company currently plans to
finance the pending Verizon acquisitions (along with the payment of debt due
August 2002) with (i) proceeds from the sale of its wireless operations; (ii)
net proceeds estimated to be $483.4 million from the Company's sale of Equity
Units in May 2002 and (iii) net proceeds from a possible sale of debt securities
later this year. If the Company requires cash before these sources of long-term
financing are available, the Company intends to borrow cash on a short-term
basis. Conversely, if the Company receives cash from these sources before it
needs such cash, the Company intends to repay short-term debt.
The Company currently intends to obtain $1.35 billion of short- and
long-term syndicated credit facilities during the second quarter of 2002. Thus
far, the Company has received preliminary commitments for a $600 million
short-term bridge facility, and for portions of $750 million of short and
long-term credit facilities. These preliminary commitments are subject to the
lenders entering into satisfactory credit agreements and various other
conditions. If the Company does not obtain these facilities or is unable to
timely consummate the divestiture of its wireless operations, it would be
required to seek alternative or additional financing. The Company cannot assure
that this financing will be available on favorable terms.
The following table contains certain information concerning the Company's
material contractual obligations as of March 31, 2002.
Payments due by period
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total contractual Less than After
obligations Total 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years 5 years
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt,
including current
maturities $2,998,362 916,966 240,667 259,484 1,581,245
Verizon purchase
price obligation $2,159,000 2,159,000 - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of March 31, 2002, the Company had $500.1 million of undrawn committed
bank lines of credit (the majority of which, as described above, expire in July
and August 2002) and CenturyTel's subsidiaries had available for use $123.0
million of commitments for long-term financing from the Rural Utilities Service
and the Rural Telephone Bank. The Company has a commercial paper program that
authorizes it to have outstanding up to $1.5 billion in commercial paper at any
one time. At March 31, 2002, the Company had $5.0 million outstanding under such
program.
Following the issuance of the Equity Units in May 2002, Moody's Investors
Service affirmed its rating of CenturyTel's long-term debt of Baa2 (with a
stable outlook) and Standard & Poor's improved its rating of CenturyTel's
long-term debt to BBB+ (with a stable outlook) from BBB+ (with a negative
outlook).
OTHER MATTERS
Accounting for the Effects of Regulation
The Company currently accounts for its regulated telephone operations in
accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 71 ("SFAS 71"), "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation."
While the ongoing applicability of SFAS 71 to the Company's telephone operations
is being monitored due to the changing regulatory, competitive and legislative
environments, the Company believes that SFAS 71 still applies. However, it is
possible that changes in regulation or legislation or anticipated changes in
competition or in the demand for regulated services or products could result in
the Company's telephone operations not being subject to SFAS 71 in the near
future. In that event, implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 101 ("SFAS 101"), "Regulated Enterprises - Accounting for the
Discontinuance of Application of FASB Statement No. 71," would require the
write-off of previously established regulatory assets and liabilities, along
with an adjustment of certain accumulated depreciation accounts to reflect the
difference between recorded depreciation and the amount of depreciation that
would have been recorded had the Company's telephone operations not been subject
to rate regulation. Such discontinuance of the application of SFAS 71 may result
in a material, noncash charge against earnings which would be reported as an
extraordinary item.
Other
The Company is in the process of developing an integrated billing and
customer care system. The costs to develop such system have been capitalized in
accordance with Statement of Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," and aggregated $144.6
million at March 31, 2002. Such costs are expected to aggregate approximately
$200 million upon completion (which is expected to occur in early 2003) and are
expected to be amortized over a twenty-year period. A portion of these billing
system costs that relate to the wireless business (currently estimated to be
between $30 and $50 million) will be written off as part of discontinued
operations if the pending sale of the Company's wireless operations is
consummated.
On May 13, 2002, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Federal
Communications Commission's authority to set prices at which incumbent local
exchange carriers must sell their network elements to competitors, ruling that
such rate-setting methods are consistent with the Telecommunications Act of
1996. While competition from resellers through use of the Company's network
is still limited in most of its markets, the Company will continue to witness
increasing competition from a variety of facilities-based service providers,
including wireless and cable companies.
CenturyTel, Inc.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
The majority of the Company's long-term debt obligations are fixed rate.
At March 31, 2002, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt was estimated
to be $3.0 billion based on the overall weighted average rate of the Company's
long-term debt of 6.6% and an overall weighted maturity of 10 years compared to
terms and rates currently available in long-term financing markets. Market risk
is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value of the Company's long-term
debt resulting from a hypothetical increase of 66 basis points in interest rates
(ten percent of the Company's overall weighted average borrowing rate). Such an
increase in interest rates would result in approximately a $93.8 million
decrease in fair value of the Company's long-term debt. As of March 31, 2002,
the Company owed $305.0 million of debt on a floating-rate basis.
At the end of the first quarter of 2002, the Company had outstanding an
interest rate swap relating to $186.3 million of floating rate debt designed to
eliminate the variability of cash flows in the payment of interest related to
such debt. Under this swap, which expires in August 2002, the Company realizes a
fixed effective rate of 4.845% and receives or makes settlement payments based
upon the 3-month London InterBank Offered Rate, with settlement and rate reset
dates at three month intervals through the expiration date.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
CenturyTel, Inc.
Item 1: Legal Proceedings
-----------------
On December 26, 2001, AT&T Corp. and one of its subsidiaries filed a
complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
(Case No. CV0121512) seeking money damages against CenturyTel of the Northwest,
Inc. The plaintiffs claim, among other things, that CenturyTel of the Northwest,
Inc. has breached its obligations under an October 1994 stock purchase agreement
to indemnify the plaintiffs for various environmental costs and damages relating
to properties sold to the plaintiffs under such 1994 agreement. The Company has
investigated this claim and believes it has numerous defenses available. If the
plaintiffs are successful in recovering any sums under this litigation, the
Company believes it is entitled to indemnification under agreements with third
parties.
On March 13, 2002, the Arkansas Court of Appeals vacated two orders issued
by the Arkansas Public Utility Commission ("APUC") in connection with the
Company's acquisition of its Arkansas LECs from Verizon in July 2000, and
remanded the case back to the APUC for further hearings. The Court took these
actions in response to challenges to the rates the Company has charged other
LECs for intrastate switched access service. The Company filed an appeal with
the Arkansas Supreme Court to move for a rehearing of the Court of Appeals
decision. On May 9, 2002, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied a petition to review
such case; therefore, the Court of Appeals' mandate vacating the two orders
reverted back to the APUC for review. On May 13, 2002, the APUC granted approval
for the intrastate access rates on an interim basis subject to pending rehearing
and further appeal. Such issue is expected to be addressed by the APUC in the
third quarter of 2002.
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
--------------------------------
A. Exhibits
--------
4.1 Agreements relating to equity units issued by CenturyTel
in May 2002:
(a) Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2002,
between CenturyTel and Wachovia Bank, National
Association, as Purchase Contract Agent (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to CenturyTel's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No.
333-84276).
(b) Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2002, by and
among CenturyTel, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Collateral
Agent, Custodial Agent, and Securities Intermediary,
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Purchase
Contract Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.15 to CenturyTel's Registration Statement on Form
S-3, File No. 333-84276).
(c) First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2002,
between CenturyTel and Regions Bank, as Trustee, to
the Indenture, dated as of March 31, 1994, between
CenturyTel and Regions Bank, as Trustee, relating to
CenturyTel's Senior Notes, Series J, due 2007 issued
in connection with the equity units (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to CenturyTel's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No.
333-84276).
11 Computations of Earnings Per Share.
B. Reports on Form 8-K
-------------------
The following item was reported in the Form 8-K filed January 31,
2002:
Item 5. Other Events - Correction of wireless subscriber
count in news release announcing fourth quarter 2001
operating results.
The following item was reported in the Form 8-K filed February 1,
2002:
Item 5. Other Events - News release announcing fourth quarter
2001 operating results.
The following item was reported in the Form 8-K filed March 22,
2002:
Item 5. Other Events - Execution of definitive sales
agreement to sell the Company's wireless operations
to ALLTEL Corporation.
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.
CenturyTel, Inc.
Date: May 15, 2002 /s/ Neil A. Sweasy
--------------------------
Neil A. Sweasy
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)