1 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1994 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ________ to ________ Commission File Number 1-3040 U S WEST Communications, Inc. A Colorado Corporation IRS Employer No. 84-0273800 1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 Telephone Number (303) 896-3099 THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF U S WEST, INC., MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2). 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__ ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 U S WEST Communications, Inc. Form 10-Q TABLE OF CONTENTS Item Page PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 ................................................ 3 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1994 and December 31, 1993 ............ 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 ....... 6 Consolidated Statements of Shareowner's Equity - Nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 ....... 7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ............ 8 2. Management's Analysis - (Reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction H(2)) ............................. 9 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ....................... 16 2 3 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in millions) 1994 1993 1994 1993 ------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING REVENUES Local service $1,034 $942 $3,035 $2,842 Interstate access service 573 528 1,691 1,593 Intrastate access service 188 173 541 513 Long distance network service 323 371 1,019 1,082 Other services 149 134 442 410 -------- -------- ------- -------- Total operating revenues 2,267 2,148 6,728 6,440 -------- -------- ------- -------- OPERATING EXPENSES Employee-related costs 752 732 2,207 2,134 Other operating expenses 400 391 1,199 1,212 Taxes other than income taxes 99 98 294 290 Restructuring charge - 880 - 880 Depreciation and amortization 471 454 1,406 1,355 -------- -------- ------- -------- Total operating expenses 1,722 2,555 5,106 5,871 -------- -------- ------- -------- Income (loss) from operations 545 (407) 1,622 569 Interest expense 82 87 243 286 Other income (expense) (6) 2 25 (11) -------- -------- ------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary items 457 (492) 1,404 272 Provision for (benefit of) income taxes 172 (143) 527 111 -------- -------- ------- -------- Income (loss) before extraordinary items 285 (349) 877 161 Extraordinary items Discontinuance of SFAS No. 71, net of tax - (3,041) - (3,041) Early extinguishment of debt, net of tax - (27) - (77) -------- -------- ------- -------- NET INCOME (LOSS) $285 ($3,417) $877 ($2,957) ======== ======== ======= ======== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 3 4 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) ------------------------------------------------------------------ September 30, December 31, (Dollars in millions) 1994 1993 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $53 $67 Accounts receivable 1,514 1,391 Materials and supplies 123 108 Deferred tax asset 219 292 Other 45 59 -------- -------- Total current assets 1,954 1,917 -------- -------- Property, plant and equipment 28,887 28,012 Less: Accumulated depreciation 16,165 15,465 -------- -------- Net property, plant and equipment 12,722 12,547 -------- -------- Other 820 698 -------- -------- Total assets $15,496 $15,162 ======== ======== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 4 5 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) ------------------------------------------------------------------ September 30, December 31, (Dollars in millions) 1994 1993 ------------------------------------------------------------------ LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNER'S EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term debt $1,432 $1,260 Accounts payable 747 935 Employee compensation 301 303 Current portion of restructuring charge 367 421 Other 933 893 -------- --------- Total current liabilities 3,780 3,812 -------- --------- Long-term debt 4,245 4,092 Postretirement benefit obligation 2,358 2,593 Deferred taxes and credits 1,522 1,525 Shareowner's equity Common shares - one share without par value 7,193 6,742 Accumulated deficit (3,602) (3,602) -------- --------- Total shareowner's equity 3,591 3,140 -------- --------- Total liabilities and shareowner's equity $15,496 $15,162 ======== ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 5 6 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nine Months Ended September 30, (Dollars in millions) 1994 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $877 ($2,957) Adjustments Depreciation and amortization 1,406 1,355 Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credit 135 (240) Discontinuance of SFAS No. 71 - 3,041 Restructuring charge - 880 Changes in operating assets and liabilities Accounts recei (123) (110) Materials, supplies and other (31) (36) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 15 71 Funding of postretirement benefit obligation (288) (246) Restructuring payments (156) (64) Other - net 4 289 -------- --------- Cash provided by operating activities 1,839 1,983 -------- --------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (1,732) (1,555) Other - net 48 26 -------- --------- Cash used for investing activities (1,684) (1,529) -------- --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net proceeds from short-term debt 286 701 Proceeds from long-term debt 251 1,794 Repayments of long-term debt (263) (1,862) Dividends paid (894) (686) Equity infusions from parent 451 193 -------- --------- Cash provided by (used for) financing activities (169) 140 -------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Increase (decrease) (14) 594 Beginning balance 67 53 -------- --------- Ending balance $53 $647 ======== ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 6 7 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNER'S EQUITY (Unaudited) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nine Months Ended September 30, (Dollars in millions) 1994 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON SHARES Balance at beginning of period $6,742 $6,457 Equity infusions from parent 451 193 Other - 15 -------- --------- Balance at end of period 7,193 6,665 -------- --------- ACCUMULATED DEFICIT Balance at beginning of period (3,602) - Net income (loss) 877 (2,957) Dividends declared (877) (645) -------- --------- Balance at end of period (3,602) (3,602) -------- --------- TOTAL SHAREOWNER'S EQUITY $3,591 $3,063 ======== ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 7 8 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions) A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Consolidated Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by U S WEST Communications, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally accompanying financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company's management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial information set forth therein. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. Certain reclassifications within the financial statements have been made to conform to the current year presentation. Computer Software The cost of computer software, whether purchased or developed internally, is charged to expense with two exceptions. Initial operating system software is capitalized and amortized over the life of the related hardware, and initial network applications software is capitalized and amortized over three years. Subsequent upgrades to capitalized software are expensed. Research and Development The Company recognized $42, $55 and $56 for research and development expense in 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively. Approximately half of this activity was conducted at Bell Communications Research, Inc. ("Bellcore"), one-seventh of which is owned by the Company. Contingencies There are pending regulatory actions in local regulatory jurisdictions which call for price decreases, refunds or both. In one such instance, the Utah Supreme Court has remanded a Utah Public Service ("PSC") order to the PSC for reconsideration, thereby establishing two exceptions to the rule against retroactive ratemaking: 1) unforeseen and extraordinary events and 2) misconduct. The Commission's initial order denied a refund request from interexchange carriers and other parties related to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. At the current time, this case is still in the discovery process. If a formal filing, to be made in accordance with the remand from the Supreme Court, alleges that the exceptions apply, the range of possible risk is $0 to $140. 8 9 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Details of operations for the first nine months of 1994, including a comparison to the prior year, are presented in the following table: ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 1993 % Change ----------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenues $6,728 $6,440 4.5 Operating expenses Employee-related costs 2,207 2,134 3.4 Other operating expenses 1,199 1,212 (1.1) Taxes other than income taxes 294 290 1.4 Restructuring charge - 880 - Depreciation and amortization 1,406 1,355 3.8 Interest expense 243 286 (15.0) Other income (expense) 25 (11) - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items 1,404 272 - Provision for income taxes 527 111 - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Income before extraordinary items 877 161 - Extraordinary items Discontinuance of SFAS No. 71, net of tax - (3,041) - Early extinguishment of debt, net of tax - (77) - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $877 ($2,957) - ================================================================= The Company's volume growth resulted in a normalized increase in net income of $96 or 12.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 compared to the same period last year. Normalized items exclude the effects of the 1994 $32 gain on the sale of certain rural telephone exchanges, the 1993 $534 (aftertax) restructuring charge, the 1993 $54 federally mandated income tax increase and the 1993 extaordinary charges of $3,041 for the discontinuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 71, and $77 for the early extinguishment of debt. Volume growth also resulted in a 8.0 percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and other ("EBITDA"), excluding the 1993 $880 restructuring charge. The Company believes EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength of the business. OPERATING REVENUES In the table that follows, price changes primarily represent the aggregate effects of regulatory proceedings and growth represents increased market penetration through both increased access lines and additional sales to existing customers. Different regulatory commissions govern the interstate and intrastate jurisdictions, resulting in varying price and refund impacts. 9 10 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUES (continued) Lower Increase Price (Higher) (Decrease) Changes Refunds Growth Other $ % ----------------------------------------------------------------- Local service $ (7) $ 35 $164 $ 1 $193 6.8 Interstate access (31) 17 117 (5) 98 6.2 Intrastate access (3) (7) 34 4 28 5.5 Long distance (5) 1 (26) (33) (63) (5.8) Other services - - - 32 32 7.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Total $(46) $ 46 $289 $ (1) $288 4.5 Local service revenues increased principally as a result of higher demand for services, as evidenced by an increase of approximately 480,000 access lines, or 3.5 percent, during the last twelve months. Access line growth was 3.8 percent as adjusted for the sale of approximately 38,000 rural telephone access lines. Increased demand for access services more than offset the effects of rate reductions. Billed access minutes of use increased 8.6 percent over the same period last year. Long distance network service revenues decreased principally due to the effects of multiple toll calling plans ("MTCP") in the states of Washington and Oregon. These regulatory arrangements allow independent telephone companies to act as toll carriers. The impact to the Company in the third quarter was a loss of $31 in long distance revenue, partially offset by an increase of $4 to intrastate access revenue, and a decrease of $19 to other operating expenses (i.e. access expense). In addition to the effects of MTCP, competition continues to impact long distance network revenues. Revenues from other services increased primarily as a result of continued market penetration in voice messaging services. OPERATING EXPENSES Employee-related costs increased over the prior year as a result of additional costs associated with an increase in salaries, wages and contract labor of approximately $47. Costs associated with customer service initiatives and related temporary staffing requirements contributed to the increase in employee- related costs. The customer service initiatives have partially offset 1994 employee reductions associated with restructuring. A change in pension expense of $48 (resulting from the changes in actuarial assumptions, which included a decrease in the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets), also contributed to the increase. Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction in postretirement benefits expense of $25. Other operating expenses decreased over the same period last year due to a reduction in general operating expenses, including access charges paid to independent companies of $25 ($19 of which is associated with the effects of MTCP as discussed above), partially offset by an increase in advertising of $11. Taxes other than income taxes remained essentially flat compared to the same period last year. Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the aggregate effects of a higher depreciable plant base and the discontinuance of SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." 10 11 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER Interest expense decreased as a result of refinancing debt in the prior year to take advantage of lower interest rates, and reclassifying capitalized interest costs of $15 from other income (expense) in 1994. Pursuant to the discontinuance of SFAS No. 71, interest capitalized as a component of plant construction is offset against interest expense. Other income (expense) increased as a result of a pre-tax gain of approximately $50 from the sale of certain rural telephone exchanges in 1994. Partially offsetting this gain was the reclassification of capitalized interest of $15 to interest expense. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The effective tax rate was 37.5 percent in the first nine months of 1994 compared to 33.3 percent in the same period last year (excluding the effects of the 1993 restructuring charge and the 1993 federally-mandated increase in income taxes). This increase is primarily a result of the effects of discontinuing the application of SFAS No. 71 in the third quarter of 1993, the ongoing impacts of the 1993 federally-mandated increase in income tax rates and an increase in income before taxes. OTHER ITEMS Restructuring Charges The Company's 1993 third-quarter results included a $880 million restructuring charge (pretax). The related restructuring plan is designed to provide faster, more responsive customer services while reducing the costs of providing these services. As part of the plan, the Company is developing new systems that will enable it to monitor networks to reduce the risk of service interruptions, activate telephone service on demand, provide automated inventory systems and centralize its service centers so that customers can have their telecommunications needs resolved with one phone call. The Company will also reduce its work force by approximately 9,000 employees (including the remaining employee reductions pursuant to the restructuring plan announced in 1991) over the life of the plan. Following is a schedule of the costs included in the original restructuring charge: Employee separation $225 Real estate 130 Relocation 105 Retraining and other 60 Systems development 360 ---- Total $880 ==== Employee separation costs include severance payments, health care coverage and postemployment education benefits. Real estate costs include preparation costs for the new service centers. The relocation and retraining costs are related to moving employees to the sites of the new service centers and retraining employees on the new methods and systems required in the new, restructured mode of operation. 11 12 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) OTHER ITEMS (continued) Restructuring Charges (continued) Systems development costs include the replacement of existing, single-purpose systems with new systems designed to provide integrated, end-to-end customer service. The work-force reductions would not be possible without the development and installation of the new systems, which will eliminate the current, labor-intensive interfaces between existing systems. Due to Company concerns associated with maintaining quality customer service while at the same time reengineering its business, the 1993 restructuring plan is expected to extend into 1997, rather than being completed by 1996 as originally contemplated. The total cash expenditures for the plan of $880 remain unchanged. In 1994, expenditures related to the 1993 restructuring plan are estimated at $210 as compared to $365 as originally planned. Originally estimated expenditures of $300 for 1995 and $215 for 1996 are also being revised. The Company anticipates incremental capital expenditures related to the restructuring plan of $450 over the life of the plan. Management will continue to carefully monitor and evaluate the progress of the restructuring plan. Employee Separation: The original restructuring plan provided for annual employee reductions and separation amounts as follows: Employee Reductions 1994* 1995 1996 Total ------- ------- ------- ------ Network - managerial 602 1,095 977 2,674 Network - occupational 865 1,227 978 3,070 All other - managerial 459 335 323 1,117 All other - occupational 1,022 812 322 2,156 ------- ------- ------- ------ Total 2,948 3,469 2,600 9,017 ======= ======= ======= ====== Separation Costs 1994* 1995 1996 Total ------- ------- ------- ------ Network - managerial $22 $42 $40 $104 Network - occupational 14 28 25 67 All other - managerial 0 13 13 26 All other - occupational 1 19 8 28 --- ---- ---- ---- Subtotal 37 102 86 225 Remaining 1991 reserve 56 - - 56 --- ---- ---- ---- Total $93 $102 $86 $281 === ==== ==== ==== <FN> * 1994 includes the remaining employees and the separation amounts associated with the 1991 restructuring reserve at December 31, 1993. </FN> 12 13 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) OTHER ITEMS (continued) Restructuring Charges (continued) While restructuring plans are being revised to reflect the extension of employee reductions into 1997, the total work-force reduction of approximately 9,000 employees under the plan remains unchanged. Approximately 2,000 employees are expected to leave the Company in 1994 in conjunction with the restructuring plan. Systems Development: The Company's existing information management systems were largely developed to support analog technology in a monopoly environment. These systems are increasingly inadequate due to the effects of increased competition, new forms of regulation and changing technology which has driven consumer demand for new services which can be delivered quickly, reliably and economically. The sequential systems currently in place are slow, labor intensive and costly to maintain, and often cannot be adapted to support new product and service offerings, including future multimedia services envisioned by U S WEST. The systems reengineering program in place involves development of new systems around the following core processes: Service Delivery - to support faster and more accurate delivery of all products and services, including repair. These systems will permit one customer service representative to handle all facets of a customer's requirements as contrasted to the numerous points of customer interface required today. Service Assurance - for automation and centralization of the network, including earlier identification and more rapid resolution of network problems. Capacity Provisioning - for integrated planning of future network capacity, including the installation of software- controllable service components. The direct, incremental and nonrecurring systems development costs contained in the restructuring plan are comprised of the following amounts: 1994 1995 1996 Total ---- ---- ---- ----- Service delivery systems $35 $45 $20 $100 Service assurance systems 45 40 30 115 All other 25 55 65 145 ---- ---- ---- ----- Total $105 $140 $115 $360 ==== ==== ==== ==== 13 14 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) OTHER ITEMS (continued) Restructuring Charges (continued) Systems Development (continued): The majority of systems development labor will be supplied through the use of temporary employees, contractors and new employees with special skills. While it is likely that a number of the new employees will be retained after the completion of the restructuring plan due to their specialized skills, it is planned that any related increase in headcount will be offset through other employee reductions. Systems expenses charged to current operations consist of all costs associated with the information management function, including planning, developing, testing and maintaining data bases for general purpose computers, in addition to systems costs related to maintenance of telephone network applications. Key related administrative (i.e. general purpose) systems include customer service, order entry, billing and collection, accounts payable, payroll, human resources and property records. On-going systems costs comprised approximately six, six and five percent of the total operating expenses of the Company for 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively, and are expected to be approximately six percent in 1994. The Company expects systems costs charged to current operations as a percent of total operating expenses to approximate the current level throughout the life of the restructuring plan. However, systems costs could increase relative to other operating costs as the Company becomes more technology-dependent. Progress Under the Plan: For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1994, the following amounts have been charged against the restructuring reserve: Third Quarter Nine Months Employee Separations # $ # $ ---- ----- ------ ----- Network - managerial 95 $4 150 $6 Network - occupational 543 22 798 27 All other - managerial 79 1 212 7 All other - occupational 281 5 526 14 ---- --- ----- --- Total 998 $32 1,686 $54 === === ===== === Third Quarter Nine Months Systems Development Costs $ $ ----- ---- Service delivery systems $6 $11 Service assurance systems 9 18 All other 17 26 ----- ---- Total $32 $55 ===== ==== 14 15 Form 10-Q - Part I U S WEST Communications, Inc. Item 2. Management's Analysis (Dollars in millions) OTHER ITEMS (continued) Restructuring Charges (continued) Progress Under the Plan (continued): Third Quarter Nine Months Other Costs $ $ -------- -------- Real Estate $23 $37 Relocation 4 6 Retraining and other 2 4 -------- -------- Total $29 $47 ======== ======== 1994 Restructuring Reserve Activity $93 $156 ======== ======== The rate of spending for systems costs was slower than anticipated during the first nine months of 1994. While the original estimate for 1994 may not be fully realized, there are no significant changes to the systems plan in total. Relocation costs are dependent upon employee acceptance of assignments to the new service centers. It is possible that shifts in reserve categories may occur due to factors beyond the Company's control, e.g. higher terminations due to employee unwillingness to relocate. The Company's 1991 restructuring plan included a pretax charge of $240 to reduce the Company's work force by approximately 6,000 employees. Approximately $2 of the 1991 restructuring charge was unused at September 30, 1994, as compared to $56 remaining at December 31, 1993. The remaining balance of this reserve will be expended in the fourth quarter of 1994. Contingencies There are pending regulatory actions in local regulatory jurisdictions which call for price decreases, refunds or both. In one such instance, the Utah Supreme Court has remanded a Utah Public Service ("PSC") order to the PSC for reconsideration, thereby establishing two exceptions to the rule against retroactive ratemaking: 1) unforeseen and extraordinary events and 2) misconduct. The Commission's initial order denied a refund request from interexchange carriers and other parties related to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. At the current time, this case is still in the discovery process. If a formal filing, to be made in accordance with the remand from the Supreme Court, alleges that the exceptions apply, the range of possible risk is $0 to $140. 15 16 Form 10-Q - Part II U S WEST Communications, Inc. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference as exhibits hereto. Exhibit Number 12 Statement regarding computation of earnings to fixed charges ratio of U S WEST Communications, Inc. (b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the third quarter of 1994. 16 17 Form 10-Q U S WEST Communications, Inc. SIGNATURES 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. U S WEST Communications, Inc. /s/ David R. Laube November 14, 1994 _____________________________ David R. Laube Vice President-Controller and Treasurer 17