CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
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, 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: 001-11001
---------
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
----------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 06-0619596
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S.Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
3 High Ridge Park
Stamford, Connecticut 06905
- ------------------------------------------- ------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(203) 614-5600
--------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
---------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
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 X No
--- ---
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes X No
--- ---
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock as of April
30, 2004 was 287,442,334.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index
Page No.
--------
Part I. Financial Information (Unaudited)
Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the year ended
December 31, 2003 and the three months ended March 31, 2004 4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March
31, 2004 and 2003
4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 19
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 32
Controls and Procedures 34
Part II. Other Information
Legal Proceedings 35
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 35
Signature 37
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
--------------------
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2004 2003
------------ -------------
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 648,012 $ 583,671
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $46,787
and $47,332 respectively 222,212 248,473
Other current assets 38,316 40,984
Assets held for sale 24,427 23,130
------------ ------------
Total current assets 932,967 896,258
Property, plant and equipment, net 3,471,513 3,525,640
Goodwill, net 1,940,318 1,940,318
Other intangibles, net 780,777 812,407
Investments 55,374 44,316
Other assets 479,084 470,171
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 7,660,033 $ 7,689,110
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
- ----------------------
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt due within one year $ 7,082 $ 88,002
Accounts payable and other current liabilities 433,696 437,225
Liabilities related to assets held for sale 10,742 11,128
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 451,520 536,355
Deferred income taxes 467,243 447,056
Customer advances for construction and contributions
in aid of construction 96,078 122,035
Other liabilities 314,011 311,602
Equity units 460,000 460,000
Long-term debt 4,402,108 4,195,629
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible
Preferred securities - 201,250
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.25 par value (600,000,000 authorized
shares; 287,078,000 and 284,709,000 outstanding at
March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively,
and 295,434,000 issued at March 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003) 73,858 73,858
Additional paid-in capital 1,926,400 1,953,317
Accumulated deficit (322,313) (365,181)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (72,434) (71,676)
Treasury stock (136,438) (175,135)
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity 1,469,073 1,415,183
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and equity $ 7,660,033 $ 7,689,110
============ ============
* Represents securities of a subsidiary trust, the sole assets of which are
securities of a subsidiary partnership, substantially all the assets of which
are convertible debentures of the company (see Note 13).
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 AND 2003
($ in thousands, except per-share amounts)
(Unaudited)
2004 2003
-------------- ---------------
Revenue $ 558,468 $ 651,862
Operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 57,064 113,219
Other operating expenses 217,740 235,800
Depreciation and amortization 143,858 138,548
-------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses 418,662 487,567
-------------- ---------------
Operating income 139,806 164,295
Investment and other income, net 25,294 47,919
Interest expense 97,782 109,023
-------------- ---------------
Income before income taxes, dividends on convertible preferred
securities, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 67,318 103,191
Income tax expense 24,450 39,976
-------------- ---------------
Income before dividends on convertible preferred securities and
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 42,868 63,215
Dividends on convertible preferred securities, net of tax benefit
of $0 and $(963), respectively - 1,553
-------------- ---------------
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 42,868 61,662
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
of $0 and $41,591, respectively - 65,769
-------------- ---------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 42,868 $ 127,431
============== ===============
Basic income per common share:
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ 0.15 $ 0.22
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 0.23
-------------- ---------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 0.15 $ 0.45
============== ===============
Diluted income per common share:
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ 0.15 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 0.22
-------------- ---------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 0.15 $ 0.43
============== ===============
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Retained Accumulated
Common Stock Additional Earnings Other Treasury Stock Total
------------------ Paid-In (Accumulated Comprehensive ------------------- Shareholders'
Shares Amount Capital Deficit) Income (Loss) Shares Amount Equity
-------- -------- ----------- ------------ --------------- ---------- ----------- ------------
Balance January 1, 2003 294,080 $73,520 $ 1,943,406 $ (553,033) $(102,169) (11,598) $ (189,585) $1,172,139
Stock plans 1,354 338 9,911 - - 873 14,450 24,699
Net income - - - 187,852 - - - 187,852
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax and reclassifications
adjustment - - - - 30,493 - - 30,493
-------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ -------- ----------- -----------
295,434 73,858 1,953,317 (365,181) (71,676) (10,725) (175,135) 1,415,183
Stock plans - - (26,917) - - 2,369 38,697 11,780
Net income - - - 42,868 - - - 42,868
Other comprehensive loss, net
of tax and reclassifications
adjustment - - - - (758) - - (758)
-------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ -------- ----------- -----------
295,434 $73,858 $ 1,926,400 $ (322,313) $ (72,434) (8,356) $ (136,438) $1,469,073
======== ========= ============ =========== ============ ======== =========== ===========
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 AND 2003
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended March 31,
---------------------------------------
2004 2003
------------------- ------------------
Net income $ 42,868 $ 127,431
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of
tax and reclassifications adjustments* (758) 3,890
------------------- ------------------
Total comprehensive income $ 42,110 $ 131,321
=================== ==================
* Consists of unrealized holding gains/(losses) of
marketable securities.
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 AND 2003
($ in thousands)
2004 2003
--------------- ---------------
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ 42,868 $ 61,662
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 143,858 138,548
Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances (24,182) (6,165)
Gain on capital lease termination - (40,703)
Other non-cash adjustments 2,870 1,957
Deferred taxes 20,991 79,808
Change in accounts receivable 20,799 24,281
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities (2,690) (71,428)
Change in other current assets 2,668 12,392
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 207,182 200,352
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of selling expenses - 553
Capital expenditures (55,188) (47,752)
Securities purchased - (22)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used by investing activities (55,188) (47,221)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long-term debt principal payments (93,560) (89,438)
Issuance of common stock 7,682 3,198
Repayment of customer advances for
construction and contributions in aid of construction (1,775) (4,145)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used by financing activities (87,653) (90,385)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 64,341 62,746
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 583,671 393,177
--------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, $ 648,012 $ 455,923
=============== ===============
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 98,062 $ 107,982
Income taxes $ 227 $ 310
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps $ 7,363 $ 711
Note receivable from sale of assets $ - $ 21,306
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
------------------------------------------
(a) Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates: Citizens Communications
Company and its subsidiaries are referred to as "we," "us" "our" or
the "Company" in this report. Our unaudited consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
notes included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain
reclassifications of balances previously reported have been made to
conform to current presentation. All significant intercompany balances
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These
unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments,
which consist of normal recurring accruals necessary to present fairly
the results for the interim periods shown.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions which affect the
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses we have reported
and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those
estimates. We believe that our critical estimates are depreciation
rates, pension assumptions, calculations of impairment amounts,
reserves established for receivables, income taxes and contingencies.
Certain information and footnote disclosures have been excluded and/or
condensed pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations. The results of the interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results for the full year.
(b) Cash Equivalents:
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(c) Revenue Recognition:
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) - Revenue is recognized when
services are provided or when products are delivered to customers.
Revenue that is billed in advance includes: monthly recurring network
access services, special access services and monthly recurring local
line charges. The unearned portion of this revenue is initially
deferred as a component of other current liabilities on our
consolidated balance sheet and recognized in revenue over the period
that the services are provided. Revenue that is billed in arrears
includes: non-recurring network access services, switched access
services, non-recurring local services and long-distance services. The
earned but unbilled portion of this revenue is recognized in revenue
in our statement of operations and accrued in accounts receivable in
the period that the services are provided. Excise taxes are recognized
as a liability when billed. Installation fees and their related direct
and incremental costs are initially deferred and recognized as revenue
and expense over the average term of a customer relationship. We
recognize as current period expense the portion of installation costs
that exceeds installation fee revenue.
Electric Lightwave, Inc. (ELI) - Revenue is recognized when the
services are provided. Revenue from long-term prepaid network services
agreements including Indefeasible Rights to Use (IRU), are deferred
and recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related
agreements. Installation fees and their related direct and incremental
costs are initially deferred and recognized as revenue and expense
over the average term of a customer relationship. We recognize as
current period expense the portion of installation costs that exceeds
installation fee revenue.
(d) Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
Intangibles represent the excess of purchase price over the fair value
of identifiable tangible assets acquired. We undertake studies to
determine the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired and
allocate purchase prices to assets and liabilities, including
property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable
intangibles. On January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets," which applies to all goodwill and other intangible assets
recognized in the statement of financial position at that date,
regardless of when the assets were initially recognized. This
statement requires that goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite
useful lives no longer be amortized to earnings, but instead be tested
for impairment, at least annually. In performing this test, the
Company first compares the carrying amount of its reporting units to
their respective fair values. If the carrying amount of any reporting
unit exceeds its fair value, the Company is required to perform step
6
two of the impairment test by comparing the implied fair value of the
reporting unit's goodwill with its carrying amount. The amortization
of goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite useful lives ceased
upon adoption of the statement on January 1, 2002. We annually (during
the fourth quarter) examine the carrying value of our goodwill and
trade name to determine whether there are any impairment losses.
SFAS No. 142 also requires that intangible assets with estimated
useful lives be amortized over those lives and be reviewed for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment
or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" to determine whether any changes to
these lives are required. We periodically reassess the useful life of
our intangible assets with estimated useful lives to determine whether
any changes to those lives are required.
(e) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
of:
We adopted SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets" as of January 1, 2002. In accordance with SFAS No.
144, we review long-lived assets to be held and used and long-lived
assets to be disposed of, including intangible assets with estimated
useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not
be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is
measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future
undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.
Recoverability of assets held for sale is measured by comparing the
carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair market value. If
any assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured
by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the
estimated fair value.
We ceased to record depreciation expense on the gas assets held for
sale effective October 1, 2000 and on the electric assets held for
sale effective January 1, 2001 (see Note 6).
(f) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:
We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities in
accordance with SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities," as amended. SFAS No. 133, as amended,
requires that all derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps,
be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value
regardless of the purpose or intent of holding them.
We have interest rate swap arrangements related to a portion of our
fixed rate debt. These hedge strategies satisfy the fair value hedging
requirements of SFAS No. 133. As a result, the fair value of the
hedges is carried on the balance sheet in other current assets and the
related underlying liabilities are also adjusted to fair value by the
same amount.
(g) Employee Stock Plans:
We have various employee stock-based compensation plans. Awards under
these plans are granted to eligible officers, management employees and
non-management employees. Awards may be made in the form of incentive
stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock or other stock based awards. As permitted by current
accounting rules, we apply Accounting Principles Board Opinions (APB)
No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for the employee
stock plans resulting in the use of the intrinsic value to value the
stock.
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and SFAS No.
148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and
Disclosure, an amendment of SFAS No. 123," established accounting and
disclosure requirements using a fair-value-based method of accounting
for stock-based employee compensation plans. As permitted by existing
accounting standards, the Company has elected to continue to apply the
intrinsic-valued-based method of accounting described above, and has
adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, as amended.
We provide pro forma net income and pro forma net income per common
share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
thereafter on the fair value of the options at the date of grant. For
purposes of presenting pro forma information, the fair value of
options granted is computed using the Black Scholes option-pricing
model.
7
Had we determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the
grant date for the Management Equity Incentive Plan (MEIP), Equity
Incentive Plan (EIP), Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and
Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan, our pro forma net income and net
income per common share available for common shareholders would have
been as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
----------------------------
2004 2003
------------ ------------
($ in thousands)
Net income available As reported $ 42,868 $ 127,431
for common shareholders
Add: Stock-based employee
compensation expense included
in reported net income, net of
related tax effects
2,091
1,028
Deduct: Total stock-based
employee compensation expense
determined under fair
value based method for all
awards, net of related tax
effects (4,058) (3,327)
----------- ----------
Pro forma $ 40,901 $ 125,132
=========== ==========
Net income per common share
available for common
shareholders As reported:
Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.45
Diluted 0.15 0.43
Pro forma:
Basic $ 0.14 $ 0.44
Diluted 0.14 0.42
(h) Net Income Per Common Share Available for Common Shareholders:
Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the period being
reported on. Except when the effect would be antidilutive, diluted net
income per common share reflects the dilutive effect of the assumed
exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method at the
beginning of the period being reported on as well as common shares
that would result from the conversion of convertible preferred stock.
In addition, the related interest on preferred stock dividends (net of
tax) is added back to income since it would not be paid if the
preferred stock was converted to common stock.
(2) Recent Accounting Literature and Changes in Accounting Principles:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
-------------------------------------------
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." We adopted SFAS No.
143 effective January 1, 2003. As a result of our adoption of SFAS No. 143,
we recognized an after tax non-cash gain of approximately $65,769,000. This
gain resulted from the elimination of the cumulative cost of removal
included in accumulated depreciation as a cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle in our statement of operations in the first quarter of
2003 as the Company has no legal obligation to remove certain of its
long-lived assets.
8
Exit or Disposal Activities
---------------------------
In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," which nullified Emerging
Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain
Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity." SFAS
No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or
disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred, rather than
on the date of commitment to an exit plan. This Statement is effective for
exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. We
adopted SFAS No. 146 on January 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did
not have any material impact on our financial position or results of
operations.
Guarantees
----------
In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN 45"),
"Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees,
Including Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN 45 requires that a
guarantor be required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a
liability for the fair value of the obligation assumed under the guarantee.
FIN 45 also requires additional disclosures by a guarantor in its interim
and annual financial statements about the obligations associated with the
guarantee. The provisions of FIN 45 are effective for guarantees issued or
modified after December 31, 2002, whereas the disclosure requirements were
effective for financial statements for periods ending after December 15,
2002. The adoption of FIN 45 on January 1, 2003 did not have any material
impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Variable Interest Entities
--------------------------
In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised
December 2003) ("FIN 46R"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,"
which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a
controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting
rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB
Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," which
was issued in January 2003. We are required to apply FIN 46R to variable
interests in variable interest entities or VIEs created after December 31,
2003. For any VIEs that must be consolidated under FIN 46R that were
created before January 1, 2004, the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling
interests of the VIE initially would be measured at their carrying amounts
with any difference between the net amount added to the balance sheet and
any previously recognized interest being recognized as the cumulative
effect of an accounting change. If determining the carrying amounts is not
practicable, fair value at the date FIN 46R first applies may be used to
measure the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest of the VIE. We
reviewed all of our investments and determined that the EPPICS, issued by
our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens Utilities Trust and the
related Citizens Utilities Capital L.P., were our only VIEs. The adoption
of FIN 46R on January 1, 2004 did not have any material impact on our
financial position or results of operations.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging
----------------------------------
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging," which clarifies financial accounting
and reporting for derivative instruments including derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts. This Statement is effective for contracts
entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. We adopted SFAS No. 149 on
July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have any material impact
on our financial position or results of operations.
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity."
The Statement establishes standards for the classification and measurement
of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities
and equity. Generally, the Statement is effective for financial instruments
entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at
the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. We
adopted the provisions of the Statement on July 1, 2003. The adoption of
SFAS No. 150 did not have any material impact on our financial position or
results of operations.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
-----------------------------------------
In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (revised), "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." This
Statement retains and revises the disclosure requirements contained in the
original statement. It requires additional disclosures including
information describing the types of plan assets, investment strategy,
measurement date(s), plan obligations, cash flows, and components of net
periodic benefit cost recognized in interim periods. This statement is
effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. We have adopted
the expanded disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 132 (revised).
9
The FASB also recently issued an Exposure Draft that would require
stock-based employee compensation to be recorded as a charge to earnings
beginning in 2005. We will continue to monitor the progress on the issuance
of this standard.
(3) Accounts Receivable:
-------------------
The components of accounts receivable, net at March 31, 2004 and December
31, 2003 are as follows:
($ in thousands) March 31, 2004 December 31, 2003
----------------- ---------------------
Customers $ 232,389 $ 247,894
Other 36,610 47,911
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts (46,787) (47,332)
----------------- ---------------------
Accounts receivable, net $ 222,212 $ 248,473
================= =====================
The Company maintains an allowance for estimated bad debts based on its
estimate of collectibility of its accounts receivables. Bad debt expense,
which is recorded as a reduction of revenue, was $3,709,000 and $4,646,000
for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In
addition, additional reserves are provided for known or impending
telecommunications bankruptcies, disputes or other significant collection
issues.
(4) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net:
----------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 is as
follows:
($ in thousands) March 31, 2004 December 31, 2003
-------------------- ---------------------
Property, plant and equipment $ 6,295,803 $ 6,221,307
Less: accumulated depreciation (2,824,290) (2,695,667)
-------------------- ---------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 3,471,513 $ 3,525,640
==================== =====================
Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method.
Depreciation expense was $112,228,000 and $106,836,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Effective January 1, 2003, as
a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations," we ceased recognition of the cost of removal provision in
depreciation expense and eliminated the cumulative cost of removal included
in accumulated depreciation. In addition, we increased the average
depreciable lives for certain of our equipment in our ILEC segment. As part
of the preparation and adoption of SFAS No. 143, we analyzed depreciation
rates for the ILEC segment and compared them to industry averages and
historical expense data. Based on this review, the Company identified
certain assets for which the Company's analysis of historical/estimated
lives indicated that the existing estimated depreciable life was shorter
than such revised estimates. This change in estimates reduced depreciation
expense by $9,957,000, or $0.02 per share, for the quarter ended March 31,
2003.
We ceased to record depreciation expense on the gas assets held for sale
effective October 1, 2000 and on the electric assets held for sale
effective January 1, 2001 (see Note 6).
(5) Dispositions:
------------
On April 1, 2003, we completed the sale of approximately 11,000 access
lines in North Dakota for approximately $25,700,000 in cash. The pre-tax
gain on the sale was $2,274,000.
On April 4, 2003, we completed the sale of our wireless partnership
interest in Wisconsin for approximately $7,500,000 in cash. The pre-tax
gain on the sale was $2,173,000.
10
(6) Net Assets Held for Sale:
------------------------
On August 24, 1999, our Board of Directors approved a plan of divestiture
for our public utilities services businesses, which included our gas and
electric businesses. As of April 1, 2004, we have sold all of these
properties. With the closing of this final utility sale, we have completed
our utility divestiture program.
Electric and Gas
----------------
On August 8, 2003, we completed the sale of The Gas Company in Hawaii
division for $119,290,000 in cash and assumed liabilities. The pre-tax
loss on the sale recognized in 2003 was $19,180,000.
On August 11, 2003, we completed the sale of our Arizona gas and
electric divisions for $224,100,000 in cash. The pre-tax loss on the
sale recognized in 2003 was $18,491,000.
On December 2, 2003, we completed the sale of substantially all of our
Vermont electric division's transmission assets for $7,344,000 million
in cash (less $1,837,000 in refunds to customers as ordered by the
Vermont Public Service Board).
Our remaining electric property was sold on April 1, 2004 and is classified
as "assets held for sale" and "liabilities related to assets held for
sale," respectively for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The net assets
have been written down to $13,685,000, our best estimate of the net
realizable value upon sale.
Summarized balance sheet information for the electric operations (assets
held for sale) is set forth below:
($ in thousands) March 31, 2004 December 31, 2003
-------------------- -------------------
Current assets $ 5,248 $ 4,688
Net property, plant and equipment 7,744 7,225
Other assets 11,435 11,217
-------------------- -------------------
Total assets held for sale $ 24,427 $ 23,130
==================== ===================
Current liabilities $ 3,164 $ 3,651
Other liabilities 7,578 7,477
-------------------- -------------------
Total liabilities related to assets held for
sale $ 10,742 $ 11,128
==================== ===================
(7) Intangibles:
-----------
Intangibles at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 are as follows:
($ in thousands) March 31, 2004 December 31, 2003
------------------------ ---------------------
Customer base - amortizable over 96 months $ 995,853 $ 995,853
Trade name - non-amortizable 122,058 122,058
------------------------ ---------------------
Other intangibles 1,117,911 1,117,911
Accumulated amortization (337,134) (305,504)
------------------------ ---------------------
Total other intangibles, net $ 780,777 $ 812,407
======================== =====================
Amortization expense was $31,630,000 and $31,712,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Amortization expense for each
of the next five years, based on our estimate of useful lives, is estimated
to be $126,520,000 per year.
11
(8) Long-Term Debt:
--------------
The activity in our long-term debt from December 31, 2003 to March 31, 2004
is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
-------------------------------------------------------
Interest
Rate* at
December 31, Interest March 31, March 31,
($ in thousands) 2003 Payments Rate Swap Other 2004 2004
------------ -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
FIXED RATE
Rural Utilities Service Loan
Contracts $ 30,010 $ (226) $ - $ - $ 29,784 6.210%
Senior Unsecured Debt 4,167,123 (80,955) 7,363 - 4,093,531 8.183%
EPPICS** (reclassified as a
result of adopting FIN 46R) - - - 211,756 211,756 5.0%
Equity Units 460,000 - - - 460,000 7.480%
ELI Notes 5,975 - - - 5,975 6.232%
ELI Capital Leases 10,061 (75) - - 9,986 9.746%
Industrial Development Revenue
Bonds 70,440 (12,300) - - 58,140 5.559%
Other 22 (4) - - 18 12.987%
------------ ---------- -------- --------- ----------
TOTAL LONG TERM DEBT $ 4,743,631 $ (93,560) $ 7,363 $ 211,756 $ 4,869,190
------------ ========== ======== ========= -----------
Less: Current Portion (88,002) (7,082)
Less: Equity Units (460,000) (460,000)
------------ -----------
$ 4,195,629 $ 4,402,108
============ ===========
* Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance expenses, debt premiums
or discounts. The interest rate for Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts,
Senior Unsecured Debt, and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds represent a
weighted average of multiple issuances.
** In accordance with FIN 46R, the Trust holding the EPPICS and the related
Citizens Utilities Capital L.P. are now deconsolidated (see Note 13). No new
debt has been issued and our debt to outside third parties remains unchanged at
$201,250,000.
On January 15, 2004 we repaid at maturity the remaining outstanding
$80,955,000 of our 7.45% Debentures due January 15, 2004.
On January 15, 2004, we redeemed at 101% the remaining outstanding
$12,300,000 of our Hawaii Special Purpose Revenue Bonds, Series 1993A and
Series 1993B.
Total future minimum cash payment commitments over the next 23 years under
ELI's long-term capital leases amounted to $29,522,000 as of March 31,
2004.
12
(9) Net Income Per Common Share:
---------------------------
The reconciliation of the income per common share calculation for the three
months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, is as follows:
($ in thousands, except per-share amounts) For the three months ended March 31,
----------------------------------------
2004 2003
------------------- -------------------
Net income used for basic and diluted earnings
- ----------------------------------------------
per common share:
----------------
Income before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle $ 42,868 $ 61,662
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 65,769
------------------- -------------------
Total basic net income available to common shareholders $ 42,868 $ 127,431
=================== ===================
Effect of conversion of preferred securities 1,585 1,553
------------------- -------------------
Total diluted net income available to common shareholders $ 44,453 $ 128,984
=================== ===================
Basic earnings per common share:
- -------------------------------
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic 283,990 281,637
------------------- -------------------
Income before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle $ 0.15 $ 0.22
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 0.23
------------------- -------------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 0.15 $ 0.45
=================== ===================
Diluted earnings per common share:
- ---------------------------------
Weighted-average shares outstanding 283,990 281,637
Effect of dilutive shares 5,578 4,398
Effect of conversion of preferred securities 15,134 15,134
------------------- -------------------
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 304,702 301,169
=================== ===================
Income before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle $ 0.15 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 0.22
------------------- -------------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 0.15 $ 0.43
=================== ===================
For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, options of 7,414,000
and 11,361,000, respectively, at exercise prices ranging from $10.24 to
$21.47 issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the
computation of diluted EPS for those periods because the exercise prices
were greater than the average market price of common shares and, therefore,
the effect would be antidilutive.
In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, restricted
stock awards of 2,639,000 and 1,553,000 shares, respectively, are excluded
from our basic weighted average shares outstanding and included in our
dilutive shares until the shares are no longer contingent upon the
satisfaction of all specified conditions.
We also have 18,400,000 potentially dilutive equity units with each equity
unit consisting of a 6.75% senior note due 2006 and a purchase contract
(warrant) for our common stock. The purchase contract obligates the holder
to purchase from us, no later than August 17, 2004 for a purchase price of
$25, the following number of shares of our common stock:
* 1.7218 shares, if the average closing price of our common stock
over the 20-day trading period ending on the third trading day
prior to August 17, 2004 equals or exceeds $14.52;
* A number of shares having a value, based on the average closing
price over that period, equal to $25, if the average closing
price of our common stock over the same period is less than
$14.52, but greater than $12.10; and
* 2.0661 shares, if the average closing price of our common stock
over the same period is less than or equal to $12.10.
13
These securities have no impact on the computation of diluted EPS for all
periods reflected above.
We also have 4,025,000 shares of potentially dilutive Mandatorily
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities which are convertible into
common stock at a 3.76 to 1 ratio at an exercise price of $13.30 per share
that have been included in the diluted income per common share calculation
for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.
(10) Segment Information:
-------------------
We operate in three segments, ILEC, ELI (a competitive local exchange
carrier (CLEC)), and electric. The ILEC segment provides both regulated and
unregulated communications services to residential, business and wholesale
customers and is typically the incumbent provider in its service areas. Our
remaining electric property was sold on April 1, 2004 and is classified as
"assets held for sale" and "liabilities related to assets held for sale"
for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
As an ILEC, we compete with CLECs that may operate in our markets. As a
CLEC, we provide telecommunications services, principally to businesses, in
competition with the ILEC. As a CLEC, we frequently obtain the "last mile"
access to customers through arrangements with the applicable ILEC. ILECs
and CLECs are subject to different regulatory frameworks of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC). Our ILEC operations and ELI do not compete
with each other.
As permitted by SFAS No. 131, we have utilized the aggregation criteria in
combining our markets because all of the Company's ILEC properties share
similar economic characteristics: they provide the same products and
services to similar customers using comparable technologies in all the
states we operate. The regulatory structure is generally similar.
Differences in the regulatory regime of a particular state do not
materially impact the economic characteristics or operating results of a
particular property.
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31, 2004
------------------------------------------------------------
Total
ILEC ELI Electric Segments
-------------- -------------- --------------- -------------
Revenue $ 508,968 $ 39,765 $ 9,735 $ 558,468
Depreciation and amortization 138,023 5,835 - 143,858
Operating income (loss) 138,718 2,390 (1,302) 139,806
Capital expenditures, net 52,853 1,762 573 55,188
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31, 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
ILEC ELI Gas Electric Segments
-------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- --------------
Revenue $ 513,609 $ 41,093 $ 63,532 $ 33,628 $ 651,862
Depreciation and amortization 132,355 6,193 - - 138,548
Operating income 146,915 535 11,851 4,994 164,295
Capital expenditures, net 37,877 1,147 3,169 5,145 47,338
The following table reconciles sector capital expenditures to total
consolidated capital expenditures.
($ in thousands) For the three months ended
March 31,
------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------- --------------
Total segment capital expenditures $ 55,188 $ 47,338
General capital expenditures - 414
-------------- --------------
Consolidated reported capital
expenditures $ 55,188 $ 47,752
============== ==============
14
(11) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:
---------------------------------------------
Interest rate swap agreements are used to hedge a portion of our debt that
is subject to fixed interest rates. Under our interest rate swap
agreements, we agree to pay an amount equal to a specified variable rate of
interest times a notional principal amount, and to receive in return an
amount equal to a specified fixed rate of interest times the same notional
principal amount. The notional amounts of the contracts are not exchanged.
No other cash payments are made unless the agreement is terminated prior to
maturity, in which case the amount paid or received in settlement is
established by agreement at the time of termination and represents the
market value, at the then current rate of interest, of the remaining
obligations to exchange payments under the terms of the contracts.
The interest rate swap contracts are reflected at fair value in our
consolidated balance sheet and the related portion of fixed-rate debt being
hedged is reflected at an amount equal to the sum of its book value and an
amount representing the change in fair value of the debt obligations
attributable to the interest rate risk being hedged. Changes in the fair
value of interest rate swap contracts, and the offsetting changes in the
adjusted carrying value of the related portion of the fixed-rate debt being
hedged, are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in
interest expense. The notional amounts of fixed-rate indebtedness hedged as
of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 was $400,000,000. Such contracts
require us to pay variable rates of interest (estimated average pay rates
of approximately 5.40% as of March 31, 2004 and approximately 5.46% as of
December 31, 2003) and receive fixed rates of interest (average receive
rate of 8.38% as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2004). The fair value
of these derivatives is reflected in other assets as of March 31, 2004, in
the amount of $17,964,000 and the related underlying debt has been
increased by a like amount. The amounts received during the three months
ended March 31, 2004 as a result of these contracts amounted to $1,495,000
and are included as a reduction of interest expense.
We do not anticipate any nonperformance by counterparties to its derivative
contracts as all counterparties have investment grade credit ratings.
(12) Investment and Other Income, Net:
--------------------------------
The components of investment and other income, net are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
------------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2004 2003
----------------- -----------------
Investment income $ 3,035 $ 3,057
Gain on capital lease termination - 40,703
Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances 24,182 6,165
Loss on sale of assets 1,370 1,650
Other, net (553) (356)
----------------- -----------------
Total investment and other income, net $ 25,294 $ 47,919
================= =================
During 2003 and 2004, we recognized income in connection with certain
retained liabilities associated with customer advances for construction
from our disposed water properties, as a result of some of these
liabilities terminating. During 2003, we recognized a gain in connection
with a capital lease termination at ELI. Loss on sale of assets represents
the loss recognized on the sale of fixed assets in 2004, and in 2003 is
attributable to the sale of our Plano office building.
(13) Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1996, our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens Utilities Trust
(the Trust), issued, in an underwritten public offering, 4,025,000 shares
of 5% Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Securities due 2036 (Trust Convertible Preferred Securities or EPPICS),
representing preferred undivided interests in the assets of the Trust, with
a liquidation preference of $50 per security (for a total liquidation
amount of $201,250,000). The proceeds from the issuance of the Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities and a Company capital contribution were
used to purchase $207,475,000 aggregate liquidation amount of 5%
Partnership Convertible Preferred Securities due 2036 from another wholly
owned subsidiary, Citizens Utilities Capital L.P. (the Partnership). The
proceeds from the issuance of the Partnership Convertible Preferred
Securities and a Company capital contribution were used to purchase from us
$211,756,000 aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2036. The sole assets of the Trust are the Partnership
Convertible Preferred Securities, and our Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are substantially all the assets of the Partnership. Our
obligations under the agreements related to the issuances of such
securities, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee
by us of the Trust's obligations relating to the Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities and the Partnership's obligations relating to the
Partnership Convertible Preferred Securities.
15
In accordance with the terms of the issuances, we paid the annual 5%
interest in quarterly installments on the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures in the first quarter of 2004 and the four quarters of 2003. Only
cash was paid (net of investment returns) to the Partnership in payment of
the interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The cash was then
distributed by the Partnership to the Trust and then by the Trust to the
holders of the EPPICS.
We have adopted the provisions of FIN 46R effective January 1, 2004. We
have not restated prior periods.
We have included the following description to provide readers a comparative
analysis of the accounting impact of this standard. Both the Trust and the
Partnership have been consolidated from the date of their creation through
December 31, 2003. As a result of the new consolidation standards
established by FIN 46R, the Company, effective January 1, 2004,
deconsolidated the activities of the Trust and the Partnership. We have
highlighted the comparative effect of this change in the following table:
Balance Sheet
- -------------
($ in thousands) As reported for the three months ended
---------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003 March 31, 2004 Change
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Assets:
Cash $ 2,103 $ - $ (2,103) (1)
Investments - 12,645 12,645 (2)
Liabilities:
Long-term debt - 211,756 (3) 10,506 (3)
EPPICS 201,250 - (3)
Statement of Operations
- -----------------------
($ in thousands) As reported for the three months ended
---------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003 March 31, 2004 Change
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Investment income $ - $ 158 $ 158 (4)
Interest expense - 2,647 2,647 (5)
Dividends on EPPICS (before tax) 2,516 - (2,516) (6)
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Net $ 2,516 $ 2,489 $ (27)
===================== ================== =============
(1) Represents a cash balance on the books of the Partnership that is
removed as a result of the deconsolidation.
(2) Represents Citizens' investments in the Partnership and the
Trust. At December 31, 2003, these investments were eliminated in
consolidation against the equity of the Partnership and the
Trust.
(3) As a result of the deconsolidation, the Trust and the Partnership
balance sheets are removed, leaving debt issued by Citizens to
the Partnership in the amount of $211,756,000. The nominal
effect of an increase in debt of $10,506,000 is debt that is
"intercompany." FIN 46R does not impact the economics of the
EPPICS structure. Citizens continues to have $201,250,000 of debt
outstanding to third parties and will continue to pay interest on
that amount at 5%.
(4) Represents interest income to be paid by the Partnership and the
Trust to Citizens for its investments noted in (2) above. The
Partnership and the Trust have no source of cash except as
provided by Citizens. Interest is payable at the rate of 5% per
annum.
(5) Represents interest expense on the convertible debentures issued
by Citizens to the Partnership in the amount of $211,756,000.
Interest is payable at the rate of 5% per annum.
(6) As a result of the deconsolidation of the Trust, previously
reported dividends on the convertible preferred securities issued
to the public by the Trust are removed and replaced by the
interest accruing on the debt issued by Citizens to the
Partnership. Citizens remains the guarantor of the EPPICS debt
and continues to be the sole source of cash for the Trust to pay
dividends.
16
(14) Retirement Plans:
----------------
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost
for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
---------------------------- -------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2004 2003 2004 2003
------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
Components of net periodic benefit cost
- ---------------------------------------
Service cost $ 1,589 $ 1,922 $ 399 $ 292
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 11,496 14,569 3,157 2,865
Return on plan assets (14,308) (16,021) (530) (449)
Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized
net obligation (61) (51) 6 5
Amortization of unrecognized loss 1,854 3,271 1,559 839
------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
Net periodic benefit cost $ 570 $ 3,690 $ 4,591 $ 3,552
============= ============== =============== ==============
We expect that our pension expense for 2004 will be $2,000,000 - $4,000,000
(it was $12,400,000 in 2003) and no contribution will be required to be
made by us to the pension plan in 2004. No contribution was made, or
required, in 2003.
In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) became law. The Act introduces a
prescription drug benefit under Medicare 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 the Medicare benefit. In accordance
with FASB Staff Position FAS 106-1, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements
related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization
Act of 2003," the Company has elected to defer recognition of the effects
of the Act in any measures of the benefit obligation or cost. Specific
authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy is pending
and that guidance, when issued, could require the Company to change
previously reported information. Currently, the Company does not believe it
will need to amend its plan to receive the federal subsidy.
(15) Commitments and Contingencies:
-----------------------------
The City of Bangor, Maine, filed suit against us on November 22, 2002, in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (City of Bangor v.
Citizens Communications Company, Civ. Action No. 02-183-B-S). We intend to
defend ourselves vigorously against the City's lawsuit. The City has
alleged, among other things, that we are responsible for the costs of
cleaning up environmental contamination alleged to have resulted from the
operation of a manufactured gas plant by Bangor Gas Company, which we owned
from 1948-1963. The City alleged the existence of extensive contamination
of the Penobscot River and nearby land areas and has asserted that money
damages and other relief at issue in the lawsuit could exceed $50.0
million. The City also requested that punitive damages be assessed against
us. We have filed an answer denying liability to the City, and have
asserted a number of counterclaims against the City. On March 11, 2004, a
magistrate judge entered an order recommending that the District Court
grant our motion that the City is precluded, as a matter of law, from
obtaining "full recovery" from us of all of its CERCLA ss. 107 response
costs. The City has filed a formal objection to that recommendation, and
the issue is currently awaiting decision by the District Court. We expect
that decision will be issued sometime during the second quarter of 2004. In
addition, we have identified a number of other potentially responsible
parties that may be liable for the damages alleged by the City and have
joined them as parties to the lawsuit. These additional parties include
Honeywell Corporation, the Army Corps of Engineers, Guilford Transportation
(formerly Maine Central Railroad), UGI Utilities, Inc., and Centerpoint
Energy Resources Corporation. We have demanded that various of our
insurance carriers defend and indemnify us with respect to the City's
lawsuit. On or about December 26, 2002, we filed a declaratory judgment
action against those insurance carriers in the Superior Court of Penobscot
County, Maine, for the purpose of establishing their obligations to us with
respect to the City's lawsuit. We intend to vigorously pursue this lawsuit
to obtain from our insurance carriers indemnification for any damages that
may be assessed against us in the City's lawsuit as well as to recover the
costs of our defense of that lawsuit.
We are party to other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our
business. The outcome of individual matters is not predictable. However, we
believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering
insurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our
financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows.
17
We have budgeted capital expenditures in 2004 of approximately
$276,000,000, including $265,000,000 for ILEC (approximately $12,000,000 of
which relates to our billing system conversion) and $11,000,000 for ELI.
Capitalized costs during 2004 associated with our billing system conversion
amounted to $1,600,000.
The Company has sold all of its utility businesses as of April 1, 2004.
However, we have retained a potential payment obligation associated with
our previous electric utility activities in the state of Vermont. The
Vermont Joint Owners (VJO), a consortium of 14 Vermont utilities, including
us, entered into a purchase power agreement with Hydro-Quebec in 1987. The
agreement contains "step-up" provisions that state that if any VJO member
defaults on its purchase obligation under the contract to purchase power
from Hydro-Quebec the other VJO participants will assume responsibility for
the defaulting party's share on a pro-rata basis. Our pro-rata share of the
purchase power obligation was 10%. If any member of the VJO defaults on its
obligations under the Hydro-Quebec agreement, the remaining members of the
VJO, including us, may be required to pay for a substantially larger share
of the VJO's total power purchase obligation for the remainder of the
agreement (which runs through 2015).
Paragraph 13 of FIN 45 requires that we disclose "the maximum potential
amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to
make under the guarantee." Paragraph 13 also states that we must make such
disclosure "... even if the likelihood of the guarantor's having to make
any payments under the guarantee is remote..." As noted above, our
obligation only arises as a result of default by another VJO member such as
upon bankruptcy. Therefore, to satisfy the "maximum potential amount"
disclosure requirement we must assume that all members of the VJO
simultaneously default, a highly unlikely scenario given that the two
members of the VJO that have the largest potential payment obligations are
publicly traded with credit ratings of BBB or better, and that all VJO
members are regulated utility providers with regulated cost recovery.
Regardless, despite the remote chance that such an event could occur, or
that the State of Vermont could or would allow such an event, assuming that
all the members of the VJO defaulted by January 1, 2005 and remained in
default for the duration of the contract (another 10 years), we estimate
that our undiscounted purchase obligation for 2005 through 2015 would be
approximately $1.6 billion. In such a scenario the Company would then own
the power and could seek to recover its costs. We would do this by seeking
to recover our costs from the defaulting members and/or reselling the power
to other utility providers or the northeast power grid. There is an active
market for the sale of power. We believe that we would receive full
recovery of our costs through sales to others. If pricing became more
favorable we could potentially sell the power on the open market at a
profit. We could potentially lose money if we were unable to sell the power
at cost.
We caution that all of the above-described scenarios are unlikely to occur
and we cannot predict with any degree of certainty any potential outcome.
(16) Subsequent Event:
----------------
Vermont Electric Sale
On April 1, 2004, we completed the sale of our Vermont electric
distribution operations for approximately $14,100,000 in cash. With the
closing of this final utility sale, we have completed our utility
divestiture program.
18
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations
-------------
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Forward-looking
statements (including oral representations) are only predictions or statements
of current plans, which we review continuously. Forward-looking statements may
differ from actual future results due to, but not limited to, and our future
results may be materially affected by, any of the following possibilities:
* Changes in the number of our access lines;
* The effects of competition from wireless, other wireline carriers
(through Unbundled Network Elements (UNE), Unbundled Network
Elements Platform (UNEP), voice over internet protocol (VOIP) or
otherwise), high speed cable modems and cable telephony;
* The effects of general and local economic and employment
conditions on our revenues;
* Our ability to effectively manage and otherwise monitor our
operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality;
* Our ability to successfully introduce new product offerings
including our ability to offer bundled service packages on terms
that are both profitable to us and attractive to our customers,
and our ability to sell enhanced and data services;
* The effects of changes in regulation in the telecommunications
industry as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and
other federal and state legislation and regulation, including
potential changes in access charges and subsidy payments;
* Our ability to manage our operating expenses, capital
expenditures and reduce our debt;
* The effects of greater than anticipated competition requiring new
pricing, marketing strategies or new product offerings and the
risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis;
* The effects of bankruptcies in the telecommunications industry
which could result in higher network access costs and potential
bad debts;
* The effects of technological changes, including the lack of
assurance that our ongoing network improvements will be
sufficient to meet or exceed the capabilities and quality of
competing networks;
* The effects of increased medical expenses and related funding
requirements;
* The effect of changes in the telecommunications market, including
the likelihood of significantly increased price and service
competition;
* Our ability to successfully convert the billing system for
approximately 770,000 of our access lines on a timely basis and
within our expected amount for 2004 of $20.0 - $25.0 million (a
significant portion of which is expected to be capitalized and
amortized) and, beginning in 2005, to achieve our expected cost
savings from conversion;
* The effects of state regulatory cash management policies on our
ability to transfer cash among our subsidiaries and to the parent
company;
* Our ability to successfully renegotiate expiring union contracts
covering approximately 1,000 employees that are scheduled to
expire during 2004;
19
* Possible changes in our capital structure (including the amount
of our debt), liquidity and strategy that could result from our
ongoing review of strategic and financial alternatives; and
* The effects of more general factors, including changes in
economic conditions; changes in the capital markets; changes in
industry conditions; changes in our credit ratings; and changes
in accounting policies or practices adopted voluntarily or as
required by generally accepted accounting principles or
regulators.
You should consider these important factors in evaluating any statement in this
Form 10-Q or otherwise made by us or on our behalf. The following information is
unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and related notes included in this report and as presented in our
2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have no obligation to update or revise these
forward-looking statements.
Overview
- --------
We are a telecommunications company providing wireline communications services
to rural areas and small and medium-sized towns and cities as an incumbent local
exchange carrier, or ILEC. We offer our ILEC services under the "Frontier" name.
In addition, we provide competitive local exchange carrier, or CLEC, services to
business customers and to other communications carriers in certain metropolitan
areas in the western United States through Electric Lightwave, LLC, or ELI, our
wholly-owned subsidiary. We also provided (through March 31, 2004), electric
distribution services to primarily rural customers in Vermont.
Competition in the telecommunications industry is increasing. Although we have
not faced as much competition as larger, more urban telecommunications
companies, we do experience competition from other wireline local carriers
through Unbundled Network Elements (UNE), VOIP and potentially in the future
through Unbundled Network Elements Platform (UNEP), from other long distance
carriers (including Regional Bell Operating Companies), from cable companies and
internet service providers with respect to internet access and cable telephony,
and from wireless carriers. Most of the wireline competition we face is in our
Rochester, New York market, with competition also present in a few other areas.
Time Warner Cable is expected to begin selling VOIP service in our Rochester
market and other portions of New York during 2004. Competition from cable
companies and other internet service providers with respect to internet access
is intense. Competition from wireless companies and other long distance
companies is increasing in all of our markets.
The telecommunications industry is undergoing significant changes and
difficulties. The market for internet access, long distance, long-haul and
related services in the United States is extremely competitive, with substantial
overcapacity in the market. Demand and pricing for certain CLEC services (such
as long-haul services) have decreased substantially. There is also increasing
price pressure on certain of our ILEC services such as long distance and
internet access. These trends are likely to continue and result in a challenging
revenue environment. These factors could also result in more bankruptcies in the
sector and therefore affect our ability to collect money owed to us by carriers.
Several long distance and Interexchange Carriers (IXCs) have filed for
bankruptcy protection, which will allow them to substantially reduce their cost
structure and debt. This could enable such companies to further reduce prices
and increase competition.
Our ILEC business has been experiencing declining access lines, switched minutes
of use and revenues because of economic conditions; high unemployment levels,
increasing competition (as described above), changing consumer behavior (such as
wireless displacement of wireline use, email use and instant messaging) and
regulatory constraints. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, our access
lines declined 2.0%, our switched minutes of use declined 1.1% and our ILEC
revenues declined 0.5%, in each case as compared to the first quarter of 2003.
These factors are likely to cause our local network service, switched network
access, long distance and subsidy revenues to continue to decline during the
remainder of 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, our switched
network access revenue declined 7.4%, our long distance revenue declined 10.5%
and our subsidy revenue declined 5.6%, in each case as compared to 2003. One of
the ways we are responding to competition is by bundling services and products
and offering them for a single price, which results in lower pricing than
purchasing the services separately. During the three months ended March 31,
2004, we added approximately 17,000 customers who are buying one of our bundled
packages and increased our revenue from enhanced services by 6.8%. In addition,
we added approximately 21,500 DSL subscribers during the three months ended
March 31, 2004 and increased our data revenue by 28.4%. Our average revenue per
month per average number of customers during the three months ended March 31,
2004 was $71.25 compared to $70.20 during the three months ended March 31, 2003.
The above discussion excludes the sale of approximately 11,000 access lines in
North Dakota on April 1, 2003.
20
Revenues from data services such as DSL continue to increase as a percentage of
our total revenues and revenues from high margin services such as local line and
access charges and subsidies are decreasing as a percentage of our revenues.
These factors, along with increasing operating and employee costs may cause our
profitability to decrease. In addition, costs we will incur during the remainder
of 2004 to convert the billing system for some of our access lines, to enable
our systems to be capable of LNP and to retain certain employees will affect our
profitability and capital expenditures during the remainder of 2004.
In December 2003, we announced that our Board of Directors decided to explore
strategic alternatives and we have retained financial advisors to assist in this
process. In February 2004, we engaged J.P. Morgan Securities and Morgan Stanley
as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, as legal counsel to
assist in our exploration of alternatives. The advisors will assist the Company
in evaluating a range of possible financial and strategic alternatives designed
to enhance shareholder value, although there can be no assurance that the
Company will undertake any particular action as a result of this review.
(a) Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------
For the three months ended March 31, 2004, we used cash flow from operations,
cash and cash equivalents to fund capital expenditures, interest payments and
debt repayments. As of March 31, 2004, we maintained cash and cash equivalents
aggregating $650.1 million.
We have budgeted approximately $276.0 million for our 2004 capital projects,
including $265.0 million for the ILEC segment (approximately $12.0 million of
which relates to our billing system conversion) and $11.0 million for the ELI
segment. Capitalized costs during 2004 associated with our billing system
conversion amounted to $1.6 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2004, our capital expenditures were $55.2
million, including $52.8 million for the ILEC segment, $1.8 million for the ELI
segment and $0.6 million for the public utilities segment. Our capital spending
has been trending lower as we continue to closely scrutinize all of our capital
projects, emphasize return on investment and focus our capital expenditures on
areas and services that have the greatest opportunities with respect to revenue
growth and cost reduction. We will continue to focus on managing our costs while
increasing our investment in certain new product areas such as DSL, VPN and
VOIP.
We have an available shelf registration for $825.6 million although issuing
securities in the public markets may be inopportune or difficult pending the
results of our ongoing review of financial and strategic alternatives. We have
available lines of credit with financial institutions in the aggregate amount of
$805.0 million. Associated facility fees vary depending on our credit ratings
and are 0.25% per annum as of March 31, 2004. The expiration date for these
facilities is October 24, 2006. During the term of the facilities we may borrow,
repay and reborrow funds. As of March 31, 2004, there were no outstanding
borrowings under these facilities.
We believe our operating cash flows, existing cash balances, and the current
credit facilities will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements,
make required debt payments through 2005 and support our short-term and
long-term operating strategies. Our credit facilities expire, and we have
approximately $1,335.0 million of debt that matures, in 2006 (including the
$460.0 million of debt that is part of our Equity Units). We are likely to
refinance a significant amount of this debt prior to maturity and to extend the
term of our credit facilities prior to expiration. In addition, our ongoing
review of financial and strategic alternatives could result in an increase in
the amount of debt and, as a result, our debt service requirements.
Issuance of Common Stock
- ------------------------
On August 17, 2004 we will issue $460.0 million of common stock to our equity
unit holders (see Note 9 for a more complete description of the equity units).
The equity unit holders can purchase the common stock for cash and retain their
senior notes, or alternatively, if no cash is tendered, their obligation to
purchase common stock will be settled by the liquidation of their senior note.
If all the warrants are settled by liquidation, our debt will decline by $460.0
million and interest expense will decline by $31.1 million annually, on a
comparative basis. We expect to remarket the senior notes prior to August 17,
2004. Our interest expense could increase if, as a result of such remarketing,
the interest rate increases from the current rate of 6.75%.
Debt Reduction
- --------------
On January 15, 2004, we repaid at maturity the remaining outstanding $81.0
million of our 7.45% Debentures due January 15, 2004.
21
On January 15, 2004, we redeemed at 101% the remaining outstanding $12.3 million
of our Hawaii Special Purpose Revenue Bonds, Series 1993A and Series 1993B.
Interest Rate Management
- ------------------------
In order to manage our interest expense, we have entered into interest swap
agreements. Under the terms of these agreements, we make semi-annual, floating
rate interest payments based on six month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate on the
notional amount. The underlying variable rate on these swaps is set either in
advance, in arrears or, based on each period's daily average six-month LIBOR.
The notional amounts of fixed-rate indebtedness hedged as of March 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003 was $400.0 million. Such contracts require us to pay variable
rates of interest (estimated average pay rates of approximately 5.40% as of
March 31, 2004 and approximately 5.46% as of December 31, 2003) and receive
fixed rates of interest (average receive rate of 8.38% as of March 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003). All swaps are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 as fair value
hedges. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the cash interest savings
resulting from these interest rate swaps was approximately $1.5 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
- ------------------------------
We do not maintain any off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations
or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to
have a material current or future effect upon our financial statements.
Change in Control
- -----------------
Our Board of Directors has approved retention and "change of control"
arrangements to incent certain executives and employees to continue their
employment with Citizens while we explore and consider our financial and
strategic alternatives. These arrangements include a mix of cash retention
payments, equity awards and enhanced severance and are contingent upon the
occurrence of certain events and tenure. If (i) the covered employees remain
with the Company for specified time periods, (ii) a change of control (as
defined) occurs and (iii) all employees covered by the arrangements are
terminated, additional compensation currently estimated to be approximately
$54.0 million in the aggregate is payable to the employees. If (i) the covered
employees remain for the specified time periods and (ii) a "change of control"
occurs but none of the employees are terminated, the amount payable to the
employees would be reduced to approximately $45.0 million. If no "change of
control" occurs, but the covered employees remain with the Company for the
specified periods, we expect to recognize (assuming all the employees remain for
the specified periods), approximately $9.8 million of additional compensation
expense in 2004, $3.4 million in 2005 and $3.0 million in 2006, pursuant to the
arrangements.
EPPICS
- ------
In 1996, our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens Utilities Trust (the
Trust), issued, in an underwritten public offering, 4,025,000 shares of 5%
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities due
2036 (Trust Convertible Preferred Securities or EPPICS), representing preferred
undivided interests in the assets of the Trust, with a liquidation preference of
$50 per security (for a total liquidation amount of $201.3 million). The
proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities and a
Company capital contribution were used to purchase $207.5 million aggregate
liquidation amount of 5% Partnership Convertible Preferred Securities due 2036
from another wholly owned consolidated subsidiary, Citizens Utilities Capital
L.P. (the Partnership). The proceeds from the issuance of the Partnership
Convertible Preferred Securities and a Company capital contribution were used to
purchase from us $211.8 million aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures due 2036. The sole assets of the Trust are the
Partnership Convertible Preferred Securities, and our Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are substantially all the assets of the Partnership. Our obligations
under the agreements related to the issuances of such securities, taken
together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by us of the Trust's
obligations relating to the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities and the
Partnership's obligations relating to the Partnership Convertible Preferred
Securities.
In accordance with the terms of the issuances, we paid the annual 5% interest in
quarterly installments on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures in the first
quarter of 2004 and the four quarters of 2003. Only cash was paid (net of
investment returns) to the Partnership in payment of the interest on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The cash was then distributed by the
Partnership to the Trust and then by the Trust to the holders of the EPPICS.
22
We have adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December
2003) ("FIN 46R"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," effective
January 1, 2004. We have not restated prior periods.
We have included the following description to provide readers a comparative
analysis of the accounting impact of this standard. Both the Trust and the
Partnership have been consolidated from the date of their creation through
December 31, 2004. As a result of the new consolidation standards established by
FIN 46R, the Company, effective January 1, 2003, deconsolidated the activities
of the Trust and the Partnership. We have highlighted the comparative effect of
this change in the following table:
Balance Sheet
- -------------
($ in thousands) As reported for the three months ended
---------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003 March 31, 2004 Change
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Assets:
Cash $ 2,103 $ - $ (2,103) (1)
Investments - 12,645 12,645 (2)
Liabilities:
Long-term debt - 211,756 (3) 10,506 (3)
EPPICS 201,250 - (3)
Statement of Operations
- -----------------------
($ in thousands) As reported for the three months ended
---------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003 March 31, 2004 Change
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Investment income $ - $ 158 $ 158 (4)
Interest expense - 2,647 2,647 (5)
Dividends on EPPICS (before tax) 2,516 - (2,516) (6)
--------------------- ------------------ -------------
Net $ 2,516 $ 2,489 $ (27)
===================== ================== =============
(1) Represents a cash balance on the books of the Partnership that is
removed as a result of the deconsolidation.
(2) Represents Citizens' investments in the Partnership and the
Trust. At December 31, 2003, these investments were eliminated in
consolidation against the equity of the Partnership and the
Trust.
(3) As a result of the deconsolidation, the Trust and the Partnership
balance sheets are removed, leaving debt issued by Citizens to
the Partnership in the amount of $211.8 million. The nominal
effect of an increase in debt of $10.5 million is debt that is
"intercompany." FIN 46R does not impact the economics of the
EPPICS structure. Citizens continues to have $201.3 million of
debt outstanding to third parties and will continue to pay
interest on that amount at 5%.
(4) Represents interest income to be paid by the Partnership and the
Trust to Citizens for its investments noted in (2) above. The
Partnership and the Trust have no source of cash except as
provided by Citizens. Interest is payable at the rate of 5% per
annum.
(5) Represents interest expense on the convertible debentures issued
by Citizens to the Partnership in the amount of $211.8 million.
Interest is payable at the rate of 5% per annum.
(6) As a result of the deconsolidation of the Trust, previously
reported dividends on the convertible preferred securities issued
to the public by the Trust are removed and replaced by the
interest accruing on the debt issued by Citizens to the
Partnership. Citizens remains the guarantor of the EPPICS debt
and continues to be the sole source of cash for the Trust to pay
dividends.
Covenants
- ---------
The terms and conditions contained in our indentures and credit facilities
agreements are of a general nature, and do not currently impose significant
financial performance criteria on us. These general covenants include the timely
and punctual payment of principal and interest when due, the maintenance of our
corporate existence, keeping proper books and records in accordance with GAAP,
restrictions on the allowance of liens on our assets, and restrictions on asset
sales and transfers, mergers and other changes in corporate control. We
currently have no restrictions on the payment of dividends by us either by
contract, rule or regulation.
23
Our $805.0 million credit facilities and our $200.0 million term loan facility
with the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) contain a maximum leverage
ratio covenant. Under the leverage ratio covenant, we are required to maintain a
ratio of (i) total indebtedness minus cash and cash equivalents in excess of
$50.0 million to (ii) consolidated adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the
agreements) over the last four quarters no greater than 4.25 to 1 through
December 30, 2004, and 4.00 to 1 thereafter. We are in compliance with all of
our debt and credit facility covenants.
Divestitures
- ------------
On August 24, 1999, our Board of Directors approved a plan of divestiture for
our public utilities services businesses, which included gas, electric and water
and wastewater businesses. As of April 1, 2004, we have sold all of these
properties. All of the agreements relating to the sales provide that we will
indemnify the buyer against certain liabilities (typically liabilities relating
to events that occurred prior to sale), including environmental liabilities, for
claims made by specified dates and that exceed threshold amounts specified in
each agreement.
On January 15, 2002, we sold our water and wastewater services operations for
$859.1 million in cash and $122.5 million in assumed debt and other liabilities.
On October 31, 2002, we completed the sale of approximately 4,000 access lines
in North Dakota for approximately $9.7 million in cash.
On November 1, 2002, we completed the sale of our Kauai electric division for
$215.0 million in cash.
On April 1, 2003, we completed the sale of approximately 11,000 access lines in
North Dakota for approximately $25.7 million in cash.
On April 4, 2003, we completed the sale of our wireless partnership interest in
Wisconsin for approximately $7.5 million in cash.
On August 8, 2003, we completed the sale of The Gas Company in Hawaii division
for $119.3 million in cash and assumed liabilities.
On August 11, 2003, we completed the sale of our Arizona gas and electric
divisions for $224.1 million in cash.
On December 2, 2003, we completed the sale of our electric transmission
facilities in Vermont for $7.3 million in cash.
On April 1, 2004, we completed the sale of our electric distribution facilities
in Vermont for $14.1 million in cash.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
- ------------------------------------------
We review all significant estimates affecting our consolidated financial
statements on a recurring basis and record the effect of any necessary
adjustment prior to their publication. Uncertainties with respect to such
estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial
statements; accordingly, it is possible that actual results could differ from
those estimates and changes to estimates could occur in the near term. The
preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of the contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for allowance for
doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets,
depreciation and amortization, employee benefit plans, income taxes and
contingencies, among others.
Telecommunications Bankruptcies
Our estimate of anticipated losses related to telecommunications bankruptcies is
a "critical accounting estimate." We have significant on-going normal course
business relationships with many telecom providers, some of which have filed for
bankruptcy. We generally reserve approximately 95% of the net outstanding
pre-bankruptcy balances owed to us and believe that our estimate of the net
realizable value of the amounts owed to us by bankrupt entities is appropriate.
24
Asset Impairment
We believe that the accounting estimate related to asset impairment is a
"critical accounting estimate." With respect to ELI, the estimate is highly
susceptible to change from period to period because it requires management to
make significant judgments and assumptions about future revenue, operating costs
and capital expenditures over the life of the property, plant and equipment
(generally 5 to 15 years) as well as the probability of occurrence of the
various scenarios and appropriate discount rates. Management's assumptions about
ELI's future revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures as well as the
probability of occurrence of these various scenarios require significant
judgment because the CLEC industry is changing and because actual revenue,
operating costs and capital expenditures have fluctuated dramatically in the
past and may continue to do so in the future.
Depreciation and Amortization
The calculation of depreciation and amortization expense is based on the
estimated economic useful lives of the underlying property, plant and equipment
and identifiable intangible assets. Rapid changes in technology or changes in
market conditions could result in revisions to such estimates that could affect
the carrying value of these assets and our future consolidated operating
results.
Intangibles
Our indefinite lived intangibles consist of goodwill and trade name, which
resulted from the purchase of ILEC properties. We test for impairment of these
assets annually, or more frequently, as circumstances warrant. All of our ILEC
properties share similar economic characteristics and as a result, our reporting
unit is the ILEC segment. In determining fair value of goodwill during 2003 we
utilized two tests. One test utilized recent trading prices for completed ILEC
acquisitions of similarly situated properties. A second test utilized current
trading values for the Company's publicly traded common stock. We reviewed the
results of both tests for consistency to ensure that our conclusions were
appropriate. Additionally, we utilized a range of prices to gauge sensitivity.
Our tests determined that fair value exceeded book value of goodwill. An
independent third party appraiser analyzed trade name.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Our estimates of pension expense, other post retirement benefits including
retiree medical benefits and related liabilities are "critical accounting
estimates." We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering a
significant number of our employees and other post retirement benefit plans that
provide medical, dental, life insurance benefits and other benefits for covered
retired employees and their beneficiaries and covered dependents. The accounting
results for pension and post retirement benefit costs and obligations are
dependent upon various actuarial assumptions applied in the determination of
such amounts. These actuarial assumptions include the following: discount rates,
expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, future compensation increases,
employee turnover, healthcare cost trend rates, expected retirement age,
optional form of benefit and mortality. The Company reviews these assumptions
for changes annually with its outside actuaries. We consider our discount rate
and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets to be our most critical
assumptions.
The discount rate is used to value, on a present basis, our pension and post
retirement benefit obligation as of the balance sheet date. The same rate is
also used in the interest cost component of the pension and post retirement
benefit cost determination for the following year. The measurement date used in
the selection of our discount rate is the balance sheet date. Our discount rate
assumption is determined annually with assistance from our actuaries based on
the interest rates for long-term high quality corporate bonds. This rate can
change from year-to-year based on market conditions that impact corporate bond
yields.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is applied in the
determination of periodic pension and post retirement benefit cost as a
reduction in the computation of the expense. In developing the expected
long-term rate of return assumption, we considered published surveys of expected
market returns, 10 and 20 year actual returns of various major indices, and our
own historical 5-year and 10-year investment returns.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on an asset
allocation assumption of 30% to 45% in fixed income securities and 55% to 70% in
equity securities. We review our asset allocation at least annually and make
changes when considered appropriate. We continue to evaluate our own actuarial
assumptions, including the expected rate of return, at least annually. Our
pension plan assets are valued at actual market value as of the measurement
date.
25
Accounting standards require that we record an additional minimum pension
liability when the plan's "accumulated benefit obligation" exceeds the fair
market value of plan assets at the pension plan measurement (balance sheet)
date. In the fourth quarter of 2002, due to weak performance in the equity
markets during 2002 as well as a decrease in the year-end discount rate, we
recorded an additional minimum pension liability in the amount of $181.0 million
with a corresponding charge to shareholders' equity of $112.0 million, net of
taxes of $69.0 million. In the fourth quarter of 2003, due to strong performance
in the equity markets during 2003, partially offset by a decrease in the
year-end discount rate, the Company recorded a reduction to its minimum pension
liability in the amount of $35.0 million with a corresponding credit to
shareholders' equity of $22.0 million, net of taxes of $13.0 million. These
adjustments did not impact our earnings or cash flows. If discount rates and the
equity markets performance decline, the Company could be required to increase
its minimum pension liabilities and record additional charges to shareholder's
equity in the future.
Actual results that differ from our assumptions are added or subtracted to our
balance of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses. For example, if the year-end
discount rate used to value the plan's projected benefit obligation decreases
from the prior year-end then the plan's actuarial loss will increase. If the
discount rate increases from the prior year-end then the plan's actuarial loss
will decrease. Similarly, the difference generated from the plan's actual asset
performance as compared to expected performance would be included in the balance
of unrecognized gains and losses.
The impact of the balance of accumulated actuarial gains and losses are
recognized in the computation of pension cost only to the extent this balance
exceeds 10% of the greater of the plan's projected benefit obligation or market
value of plan assets. If this occurs, that portion of gain or loss that is in
excess of 10% is amortized over the estimated future service period of plan
participants as a component of pension cost. The level of amortization is
affected each year by the change in actuarial gains and losses and could
potentially be eliminated if the gain/loss activity reduces the net accumulated
gain/loss balance to a level below the 10% threshold.
We expect that our pension expense for 2004 will be $2 million - $4 million (it
was $12.4 million in 2003) and no contribution will be required to be made by us
to the pension plan in 2004. No contribution was made, or required, in 2003.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense is computed utilizing an estimated annual effective
income tax rate in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinions (APB)
No. 28, "Interim Financial Reporting." The tax rate is computed using estimates
as to the Company's net income before income taxes for the entire year and the
impact of estimated permanent book-tax differences relative to that forecast.
We expect to reach conclusion on various state and federal income tax audits
during the remainder of 2004. Our 2004 effective income tax rate may vary from
that of prior periods as a result of the conclusion of these audits.
Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical
accounting estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors and our
audit committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to them.
26
New Accounting Pronouncements
- -----------------------------
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations In June 2001, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations." We adopted SFAS No. 143 effective January 1, 2003. As a
result of our adoption of SFAS No. 143, we recognized an after tax non-cash gain
of approximately $65.8 million. This gain resulted from the elimination of the
cumulative cost of removal included in accumulated depreciation as a cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle in our statement of operations in the
first quarter of 2003 as the Company has no legal obligation to remove certain
of its long-lived assets.
Exit or Disposal Activities
In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities," which nullified Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination
Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity." SFAS No. 146 requires that a
liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized
when the liability is incurred, rather than on the date of commitment to an exit
plan. This Statement is effective for exit or disposal activities that are
initiated after December 31, 2002. We adopted SFAS No. 146 on January 1, 2003.
The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have any material impact on our financial
position or results of operations.
Guarantees
In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN 45"),
"Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including
Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN 45 requires that a guarantor be
required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair
value of the obligation assumed under the guarantee. FIN 45 also requires
additional disclosures by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial
statements about the obligations associated with the guarantee. The provisions
of FIN 45 are effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31,
2002, whereas the disclosure requirements were effective for financial
statements for period ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 on
January 1, 2003 did not have any material impact on our financial position or
results of operations.
The Company has sold all of its utility businesses as of April 1, 2004. However,
we have retained a potential payment obligation associated with our previous
electric utility activities in the state of Vermont. The Vermont Joint Owners
(VJO), a consortium of 14 Vermont utilities, including us, entered into a
purchase power agreement with Hydro-Quebec in 1987. The agreement contains
"step-up" provisions that state that if any VJO member defaults on its purchase
obligation under the contract to purchase power from Hydro-Quebec the other VJO
participants will assume responsibility for the defaulting party's share on a
pro-rata basis. Our pro-rata share of the purchase power obligation was 10%. If
any member of the VJO defaults on its obligations under the Hydro-Quebec
agreement, the remaining members of the VJO, including us, may be required to
pay for a substantially larger share of the VJO's total power purchase
obligation for the remainder of the agreement (which runs through 2015).
Paragraph 13 of FIN 45 requires that we disclose "the maximum potential amount
of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under
the guarantee." Paragraph 13 also states that we must make such disclosure "...
even if the likelihood of the guarantor's having to make any payments under the
guarantee is remote..." As noted above, our obligation only arises as a result
of default by another VJO member such as upon bankruptcy. Therefore, to satisfy
the "maximum potential amount" disclosure requirement we must assume that all
members of the VJO simultaneously default, a highly unlikely scenario given that
the two members of the VJO that have the largest potential payment obligations
are publicly traded with credit ratings of BBB or better, and that all VJO
members are regulated utility providers with regulated cost recovery.
Regardless, despite the remote chance that such an event could occur, or that
the State of Vermont could or would allow such an event, assuming that all the
members of the VJO defaulted by January 1, 2005 and remained in default for the
duration of the contract (another 10 years), we estimate that our undiscounted
purchase obligation for 2005 through 2015 would be approximately $1.6 billion.
In such a scenario the Company would then own the power and could seek to
recover its costs. We would do this by seeking to recover our costs from the
defaulting members and/or reselling the power to other utility providers or the
northeast power grid. There is an active market for the sale of power. We
believe that we would receive full recovery of our costs through sales to
others. If pricing became more favorable we could potentially sell the power on
the open market at a profit. We could potentially lose money if we were unable
to sell the power at cost.
We caution that all of the above-described scenarios are unlikely to occur and
we cannot predict with any degree of certainty any potential outcome.
27
Variable Interest Entities
In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December
2003) ("FIN 46R"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," which
addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling
financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and
accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation
No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," which was issued in
January 2003. We are required to apply FIN 46R to variable interests in variable
interest entities or VIEs created after December 31, 2003. For any VIEs that
must be consolidated under FIN 46R that were created before January 1, 2004, the
assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the VIE initially would be
measured at their carrying amounts with any difference between the net amount
added to the balance sheet and any previously recognized interest being
recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change. If determining the
carrying amounts is not practicable, fair value at the date FIN 46R first
applies may be used to measure the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling
interest of the VIE. We reviewed all of our investments and determined that the
EPPICS, issued by our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens Utilities
Trust, was our only VIE. The adoption of FIN 46R on January 1, 2004 did not have
any material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging," which clarifies financial accounting and
reporting for derivative instruments including derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts. This Statement is effective for contracts entered into or
modified after June 30, 2003. We adopted SFAS No. 149 on July 1, 2003. The
adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have any material impact on our financial
position or results of operations.
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial
Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." The Statement
establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain
financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity.
Generally, the Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or
modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the
first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. We adopted the provisions of
the Statement on July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have any
material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (revised), "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." This statement
retains and revises the disclosure requirements contained in the original
statement. It requires additional disclosures including information describing
the types of plan assets, investment strategy, measurement date(s), plan
obligations, cash flows, and components of net periodic benefit cost recognized
in interim periods. This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2003. We have adopted the expanded disclosure requirements of SFAS
No. 132 (revised).
The FASB also recently issued an Exposure Draft that would require stock-based
employee compensation to be recorded as a charge to earnings beginning in 2005.
We will continue to monitor the progress on the issuance of this standard.
(b) Results of Operations
---------------------
REVENUE
ILEC revenue is generated primarily through the provision of local, network
access, long distance and data services. Such services are provided under either
a monthly recurring fee or based on usage at a tariffed rate and is not
dependent upon significant judgments by management, with the exception of a
determination of a provision for uncollectible amounts.
CLEC revenue is generated through local, long distance, data and long-haul
services. These services are primarily provided under a monthly recurring fee or
based on usage at agreed upon rates and are not dependent upon significant
judgments by management with the exception of the determination of a provision
for uncollectible amounts and realizability of reciprocal compensation. CLEC
usage based revenue includes amounts determined under reciprocal compensation
agreements. While this revenue is governed by specific contracts with the
counterparty, management defers recognition of portions of such revenue until
realizability is assured. Revenue earned from long-haul contracts is recognized
over the term of the related agreement.
28
Consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $93.4
million, or 14%, as compared with the prior year period. The decrease is due to
a $4.6 million decrease in ILEC revenue, a $1.3 million decrease in ELI revenue
and an $87.4 million decrease in gas and electric revenue.
On April 1, 2003, we sold approximately 11,000 access lines in North Dakota. The
revenues related to these access lines totaled $1.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2003.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS REVENUE
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Access services $ 161,483 $ 169,171 $ (7,688) -5%
Local services 212,742 214,273 (1,531) -1%
Long distance and data services 79,005 77,683 1,322 2%
Directory services 27,474 27,043 431 2%
Other 28,264 25,439 2,825 11%
-------------- ------------- ---------------
ILEC revenue 508,968 513,609 (4,641) -1%
ELI 39,765 41,093 (1,328) -3%
-------------- ------------- ---------------
$ 548,733 $ 554,702 $ (5,969) -1%
============== ============= ===============
Change in the number of our access lines is the most fundamental driver of
changes in our telecommunications revenue. Many rural local telephone companies
(including us) have been experiencing a loss of access lines primarily because
of difficult economic conditions, increased competition from competitive
wireline providers, from wireless providers and from cable companies (currently
with respect to broadband but which may in the future expand to cable
telephony), and by some customers disconnecting second lines when they add DSL
or cable modem service. We lost approximately 10,800 access lines during the
three months ended March 31, 2004 but added approximately 21,500 DSL subscribers
during this period. The loss of lines during the first quarter of 2004 was
equally weighted between residential and non-residential customers. The
non-residential line losses were principally in Rochester, while the residential
losses were throughout our markets. We expect to continue to lose access lines
during 2004. A continued decrease in access lines, combined with increased
competition and the other factors discussed in this MD&A, may cause our revenues
to decrease during the remainder of 2004.
Access Services
Access services revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $7.7
million or 5%, as compared with the prior year period. Switched access revenue
decreased $6.1 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to
the $3.6 million effect of federally mandated access rate reductions effective
as of July 1, 2003, a $1.2 million increase in disputes, $0.4 million
attributable to the termination of a contract with a wireless carrier in 2003, a
$0.3 million decline in terminating traffic revenue, and $0.2 million related to
the sale of our North Dakota exchanges.
Special access revenue increased $1.0 million as compared with the prior year
period due to growth in high-capacity sales of $1.6 million and a decrease of
$1.2 million in credit adjustments issued to carriers in 2004. These increases
were partially offset by a decrease of $1.4 million resulting from a change in
accounting estimate in the first quarter of 2004 related to the clearing of
affiliate revenue among revenue categories. Subsidies revenue decreased $2.6
million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to decreases in
federal and state high cost fund support of $2.0 million and $0.6 million,
respectively.
We expect our subsidy revenue to be approximately $7.0 million lower in 2004
than in 2003 primarily because of increases implemented during 2003 and 2004 in
the ceiling on national average loop costs that is compared to our costs to
determine the amount of subsidy payments we receive. Our switched access
revenues are impacted by the program, known as the Coalition for Affordable
Local and Long Distance Services, or CALLS plan, which establishes a price floor
for interstate-switched access services. We have been able to offset some of the
reduction in interstate access rates through end-user charges. There are no
material increases in end-user charges scheduled to take effect during the
remainder of 2004 or 2005. We believe the net effect of reductions in interstate
access rates and increases in end-user charges will reduce our revenues by
approximately $10.0 million in 2004 compared to 2003 assuming constant
interstate switched access minutes of use. Annual reductions in interstate
switched access rates will continue through 2005 until the price floor is
reached. Our switched access revenues have also been adversely affected by
declining switched access minutes of use, which we expect to continue. Our
subsidy and switched access revenues are very profitable so any reductions in
those revenues will reduce our profitability.
29
Local Services
Local services revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $1.5
million or 1% as compared with the prior year period. Local revenue decreased
$3.8 million primarily due to $1.1 million related to the sale of our North
Dakota exchanges and continued losses of access lines. Enhanced services revenue
increased $2.2 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to
$4.6 million attributable to sales of additional feature packages partially
offset by lower individual calling feature revenue of $1.9 million. Economic
conditions or increasing competition could make it more difficult to sell our
packages and bundles and cause us to lower our prices for those products and
services, which would adversely affect our revenues.
Long Distance and Data Services
Long distance and data services revenue for the three months ended March 31,
2004 increased $1.3 million or 2%, as compared with the prior period primarily
due to growth of $6.9 million related to data services (data includes DSL)
partially offset by decreased long distance revenue of $5.6 million as a result
of an 18% decline in the average rate per minute. Long distance revenue also
reflects an increase of $1.8 million as a result of a change in accounting
estimate in the first quarter of 2004 related to the clearing of affiliate
revenue among revenue categories. Our long distance revenues could decrease in
the future due to lower long distance minutes of use because consumers are
increasingly using their wireless phones or calling cards to make long distance
calls and lower average rates per minute because of unlimited and packages of
minutes long distance plans. We expect these factors will continue to adversely
affect our long distance revenues during the remainder of 2004.
Directory Services
Directory revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased $0.4
million or 2%, as compared with the prior period primarily due to modest growth
in yellow pages and internet advertising.
Other
Other revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased $2.8 million
or 11%, as compared with the prior period primarily due to lower uncollectible
revenue of $5.0 million partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in sales
of customer premise equipment and a decrease of $0.8 million in billing and
collections.
ELI revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $1.3 million, or
3%, as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower demand and
prices for long-haul services partially offset by higher local telephone revenue
due to higher revenues from small to medium sized businesses.
GAS AND ELECTRIC REVENUE
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Gas revenue $ - $ 63,532 $ (63,532) -100%
Electric revenue $ 9,735 $ 33,628 $ (23,893) -71%
We did not have any gas operations in the quarter ended March 31, 2004 due to
the sales of The Gas Company in Hawaii and our Arizona gas division during 2003.
Electric revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $23.9
million, or 71%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to the
sale of our Arizona electric division. We completed the sale of our remaining
electric utility property on April 1, 2004. We have sold all of our electric
operations and as a result will have no operating results in future periods for
these businesses.
30
COST OF SERVICES
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Network access $ 51,541 $ 56,515 $ (4,974) -9%
Gas purchased - 35,946 (35,946) -100%
Electric energy and
fuel oil purchased 5,523 20,758 (15,235) -73%
-------------- ------------- ---------------
$ 57,064 $ 113,219 $ (56,155) -50%
============== ============= ===============
Network access expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $5.0
million, or 9%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to
decreased costs in long distance access expense related to rate changes
partially offset by increased circuit expense associated with additional data
product sales in the ILEC sector. ELI costs have declined due to a drop in
demand coupled with improved network cost efficiencies. If we continue to
increase our sales of data products such as DSL or expand the availability of
our unlimited calling plans, our network access expense could increase.
We did not have any gas operations in the quarter ended March 31, 2004 due to
the sales of The Gas Company in Hawaii and our Arizona gas division during 2003.
Electric energy and fuel oil purchased for the three months ended March 31, 2004
decreased $15.2 million, or 73%, as compared with the prior year period
primarily due to the sales of our Arizona electric division.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Operating expenses $ 164,204 $ 177,559 $ (13,355) -8%
Taxes other than income taxes 26,336 30,321 (3,985) -13%
Sales and marketing 27,200 27,920 (720) -3%
-------------- ------------- ---------------
$ 217,740 $ 235,800 $ (18,060) -8%
============== ============= ===============
Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $13.4
million, or 8%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to
increased operating efficiencies and a reduction of personnel in the ILEC and
ELI sectors and decreased operating expenses in the public services sector due
to the sales of The Gas Company in Hawaii and our Arizona gas and electric
divisions. Expenses were negatively impacted by increased restricted stock based
compensation expense of $1.5 million related to variable stock plans and
approximately $4.6 million of expenses related to our exploration of financial
and strategic alternatives and related compensation arrangements. We routinely
review our operations, personnel and facilities to achieve greater efficiencies.
These reviews may result in reductions in personnel and an increase in severance
costs.
Included in operating expenses is pension expense. In future periods, if the
value of our pension assets decline and/or projected benefit costs increase, we
may have increased pension expenses. Based on current assumptions and plan asset
values, we estimate that our pension expense will decrease from $12.4 million in
2003 to approximately $2 - $4 million in 2004 and that no contribution to our
pension plans will be required to be made by us to the pension plan in 2004. In
addition, as medical costs increase the costs of our postretirement benefit
costs also increase. Our retiree medical costs for 2003 were $16.9 million and
our current estimate for 2004 is $19 - $20 million.
In future periods, compensation expense related to variable stock plans may be
materially affected by our stock price. A $1.00 change in our stock price
impacts compensation expense by approximately $1.0 million.
Taxes other than income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2004
decreased $4.0 million, or 13%, as compared with the prior year period primarily
due to decreased property taxes in the public services sector due to the sales
of The Gas Company in Hawaii and our Arizona gas and electric divisions of $4.9
million partially offset by increased gross receipt taxes of $1.1 million in the
ILEC sector.
31
Sales and marketing expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 3%, as compared with the
prior year period primarily due to a reduction in personnel and related costs in
the ILEC sector.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Depreciation expense $ 112,228 $ 106,836 $ 5,392 5%
Amortization expense 31,630 31,712 (82) 0%
-------------- ------------- ---------------
$ 143,858 $ 138,548 $ 5,310 4%
============== ============= ===============
Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased $5.4
million, or 5%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to higher
asset base in 2004.
INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME, NET / INTEREST EXPENSE /
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
($ in thousands) For the three months ended March 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 $ Change % Change
-------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Investment and
other income, net $ 25,294 $ 47,919 $ (22,625) -47%
Interest expense $ 97,782 $ 109,023 $ (11,241) -10%
Income tax expense $ 24,450 $ 39,976 $ (15,526) -39%
Investment and other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2004
decreased $22.6 million, or 47%, as compared with the prior year period
primarily due to the recognition in 2003 of a $40.7 million non-cash pre-tax
gain related to a capital lease termination at ELI, partially offset by $24.2
million of income in 2004 from the expiration of certain retained liabilities at
less than face value, which are associated with customer advances for
construction from our disposed water properties.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $11.2
million, or 10%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to the
retirement of debt partially offset by higher average interest rates. During the
three months ended March 31, 2004, we had average long-term debt (excluding
equity units) outstanding of $4.3 billion compared to $4.9 billion during the
three months ended March 31, 2003. Our composite average borrowing rate for the
three months ended March 31, 2004 as compared with the prior year period was 1
basis point lower, decreasing from 8.05% to 8.04%, due to the inclusion in 2004
of the EPPICS, partially offset by the repayment of debt with interest rates
below our average rate.
Income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased $15.5 million,
or 39%, as compared with the prior year period primarily due to changes in
taxable income. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2004 was 36.3%
as compared with 38.7% for the first quarter of 2003. Our effective tax rate has
declined as a result of the sales of utilities and changes in the structure of
certain of our subsidiaries.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
----------------------------------------------------------
Disclosure of primary market risks and how they are managed
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations
due to ongoing investing and funding activities. Market risk refers to the
potential change in fair value of a financial instrument as a result of
fluctuations in interest rates and equity and commodity prices. We do not hold
or issue derivative instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other
financial instruments for trading purposes. As a result, we do not undertake any
specific actions to cover our exposure to market risks and we are not party to
any market risk management agreements other than in the normal course of
business or to hedge long-term interest rate risk. Our primary market risk
exposures are interest rate risk and equity and commodity price risk as follows:
32
Interest Rate Exposure
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to
the interest-bearing portion of our investment portfolio and interest on our
long-term debt and capital lease obligations. The long term debt and capital
lease obligations include various instruments with various maturities and
weighted average interest rates.
Our objectives in managing our interest rate risk are to limit the impact of
interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall
borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, a majority of our borrowings have
fixed interest rates. Consequently, we have limited material future earnings or
cash flow exposures from changes in interest rates on our long-term debt and
capital lease obligations. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in interest rates
would increase the amount that we pay on our variable obligations and could
result in fluctuations in the fair value of our fixed rate obligations. Based
upon our overall interest rate exposure at March 31, 2004, a near-term change in
interest rates would not materially affect our consolidated financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
In order to manage our interest rate risk exposure, we have entered into
interest rate swap agreements. Under the terms of the agreements, we make
semi-annual, floating interest rate interest payments based on six month LIBOR
and receive a fixed rate on the notional amount.
Sensitivity analysis of interest rate exposure
At March 31, 2004, the fair value of our long-term debt and capital lease
obligations was estimated to be approximately $4.6 billion, based on our overall
weighted average rate of 8.0% and our overall weighted maturity of 13 years.
There has been no material change in the weighted average maturity applicable to
our obligations since December 31, 2003. The overall weighted average interest
rate increased approximately 4 basis points during the first quarter of 2004. A
hypothetical increase of 80 basis points (10% of our overall weighted average
borrowing rate) would result in an approximate $214.6 million decrease in the
fair value of our fixed rate obligations.
Equity Price Exposure
Our exposure to market risks for changes in equity prices is minimal and relates
primarily to the equity portion of our investment portfolio. The equity portion
of our investment portfolio consists of equity securities (principally common
stock) of D & E Communications, Inc. (D & E) and Hungarian Telephone and Cable
Corp. (HTCC).
As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we owned 3,059,000 shares of
Adelphia common stock. The stock price of Adelphia was $0.80 and $0.55 at March
31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we owned 2,305,908 common shares
which represent an ownership of 19% of the equity in HTCC, a company of which
our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a member of the Board of Directors.
In addition, we hold 30,000 shares of non-voting convertible preferred stock,
each share having a liquidation value of $70 per share and are convertible at
our option into 10 shares of common stock. The stock price of HTCC was $9.09 and
$9.86 at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we owned 1,333,500 shares of D & E
common stock. The stock price of D & E was $14.08 and $14.51 at March 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003, respectively.
Sensitivity analysis of equity price exposure
At March 31, 2004, the fair value of the equity portion of our investment
portfolio was estimated to be $42.7 million. A hypothetical 10% decrease in
quoted market prices would result in an approximate $4.3 million decrease in the
fair value of the equity portion of our investment portfolio.
Disclosure of limitations of sensitivity analysis
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the
computation of fair value of financial instruments. Actual values may differ
from those presented should market conditions vary from assumptions used in the
calculation of the fair value. This analysis incorporates only those exposures
that exist as of March 31, 2004. It does not consider those exposures or
positions, which could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate exposure
with respect to our market risks will depend on the exposures that arise during
the period and the fluctuation of interest rates and quoted market prices.
33
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
-----------------------
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation
of our management, regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of
our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded, as of the
end of the period covered by this report, March 31, 2004, that our disclosure
controls and procedures are effective.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
We reviewed our internal control over financial reporting at March 31, 2004.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting
identified in an evaluation thereof that occurred during the first fiscal
quarter of 2004, that materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially
affect our internal control over financial reporting.
34
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
-----------------
The City of Bangor, Maine, filed suit against us on November 22, 2002, in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (City of Bangor v. Citizens
Communications Company, Civ. Action No. 02-183-B-S). We intend to defend
ourselves vigorously against the City's lawsuit. The City has alleged, among
other things, that we are responsible for the costs of cleaning up environmental
contamination alleged to have resulted from the operation of a manufactured gas
plant by Bangor Gas Company, which we owned from 1948-1963. The City alleged the
existence of extensive contamination of the Penobscot River and nearby land
areas and has asserted that money damages and other relief at issue in the
lawsuit could exceed $50.0 million. The City also requested that punitive
damages be assessed against us. We have filed an answer denying liability to the
City, and have asserted a number of counterclaims against the City. On March 11,
2004, a magistrate judge entered an order recommending that the District Court
grant our motion that the City is precluded, as a matter of law, from obtaining
"full recovery" from us of all of its CERCLA ss. 107 response costs. The City
has filed a formal objection to that recommendation, and the issue is currently
awaiting decision by the District Court. We expect that decision will be issued
sometime during the second quarter of 2004. In addition, we have identified a
number of other potentially responsible parties that may be liable for the
damages alleged by the City and have joined them as parties to the lawsuit.
These additional parties include Honeywell Corporation, the Army Corps of
Engineers, Guilford Transportation (formerly Maine Central Railroad), UGI
Utilities, Inc., and Centerpoint Energy Resources Corporation. We have demanded
that various of our insurance carriers defend and indemnify us with respect to
the City's lawsuit. On or about December 26, 2002, we filed a declaratory
judgment action against those insurance carriers in the Superior Court of
Penobscot County, Maine, for the purpose of establishing their obligations to us
with respect to the City's lawsuit. We intend to vigorously pursue this lawsuit
to obtain from our insurance carriers indemnification for any damages that may
be assessed against us in the City's lawsuit as well as to recover the costs of
our defense of that lawsuit.
We are party to other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our
business. The outcome of individual matters is not predictable. However, we
believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering
insurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, results of operations, or our cash flows.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
--------------------------------
a) Exhibits:
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
b) Reports on Form 8-K:
We filed on Form 8-K on February 23, 2004 under Item 5 "Other Events,"
a press release announcing the engagement of J.P. Morgan Securities
and Morgan Stanley as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher and
Bartlett LLP as legal counsel to assist in the exploration of
financial and strategic alternatives.
We filed on Form 8-K on March 4, 2004 under Item 5 "Other Events," a
press release announcing that Scott N. Schneider, Citizens' President
and Chief Operating Officer will leave the Company.
We furnished on Form 8-K on March 4, 2004 under Item 12 "Disclosure of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition," a press release
announcing our earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31,
2003.
35
We filed on Form 8-K on April 14, 2004 under Item 5 "Other Events," a
press release announcing the completion of the sales of our Vermont
Electric division.
We filed on Form 8-K on April 28, 2004 under Item 5 "Other Events," a
press release announcing that the remarketing of our 6-3/4% senior
notes due 2006 issued in June 2001 will not occur on May 12, 2004.
36
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
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.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
-------------------------------
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Robert J. Larson
---------------------------------------
Robert J. Larson
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
Date: May 6, 2004
37