UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 -------------------------------- 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: 1-6469 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) North Carolina 56-0931189 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 14111 Capital Boulevard, Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) 919-554-7900 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) This registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format. 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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ___ There is no common stock held by non-affiliates. There are 3,626,510 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 1997 and as of the date of filing of this report. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 INDEX Page Part I - Financial Information Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets 1 Consolidated Statements of Income 3 Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings 3 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 4 Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 6 Part II - Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings 8 Item 2. Changes in Securities 8 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 8 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 8 Item 5. Other Information 8 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 8 Signatures 9 PART I. Item 1. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) March 31, December 31, 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash $ 404 $ 414 Receivables Customers and other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,379 and $3,506 103,705 107,193 Interexchange carriers 23,922 23,174 Affiliated companies 7,796 8,847 Inventories 9,459 9,118 Prepaid expenses and other 1,563 5,011 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 146,849 153,757 Property, plant and equipment 1,976,573 1,939,608 Less accumulated depreciation 1,086,967 1,062,982 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 889,606 876,626 Investment in affiliated preferred stock 29,043 29,043 Deferred charges and other assets 61,284 58,618 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,126,782 $ 1,118,044 --------------------------------------- See accompany Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PART I. Item 1. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share data) March 31, December 31, 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY Current liabilities Outstanding checks in excess of cash balances $ 5,899 $ 2,956 Advances from parent company 129,431 137,002 Current maturities of long-term debt 842 842 Accounts payable Vendors and other 21,140 17,993 Interexchange carriers 21,187 18,911 Affiliated companies 9,392 18,902 Accrued taxes 18,521 6,132 Advance billings and customer deposits 17,449 16,869 Accrued vacation 9,329 9,021 Accrued interest 1,444 1,232 Accrued payroll and commissions 3,079 6,226 Other 7,717 8,395 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 245,430 244,481 Long-term debt 198,674 198,631 Deferred credits and other liabilities Deferred income taxes 91,464 89,513 Postretirement and other benefit obligations 65,138 62,740 Other 4,748 7,939 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 161,350 160,192 Common stock and other shareholder's equity Common stock, par value $20 per share, authorized - 5,000 shares, issued and outstanding 3,627 shares 72,530 72,530 Capital in excess of par value 75,744 75,744 Retained earnings 373,054 366,466 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 521,328 514,740 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,126,782 $ 1,118,044 --------------------------------------- See accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PART I. Item 1. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------------- 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET OPERATING REVENUES Local service $ 93,691 $ 81,877 Network access 57,183 57,456 Toll service 9,987 18,944 Telecommunications equipment 14,437 13,107 Other 30,840 26,467 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total net operating revenues 206,138 197,851 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING EXPENSES Plant operations 52,912 51,730 Depreciation and amortization 34,557 33,420 Customer operations 36,900 31,481 Corporate operations 18,169 17,767 Cost of telecommunications equipment 9,826 8,710 Other 4,849 4,646 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total operating expenses 157,213 147,754 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING INCOME 48,925 50,097 Interest expense (5,318) (5,290) Other income, net 3,888 3,570 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 47,495 48,377 Income tax provision (17,879) (18,260) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INCOME $ 29,616 $ 30,117 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------------- 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RETAINED EARNINGS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 366,466 $ 342,746 Net Income 29,616 30,117 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 396,082 372,863 Dividends (23,028) (20,564) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RETAINED EARNINGS AT END OF PERIOD $ 373,054 $ 352,299 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PART I. Item 1. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, --------------------------- 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 29,616 $ 30,117 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 34,557 33,420 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits 5,429 1,681 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables, net 3,791 (269) Inventories and other current assets (505) (3,558) Accounts payable and other current liabilities 8,520 25,909 Noncurrent assets and liabilities, net (3,000) 130 Other, net 134 (181) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 78,542 87,249 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (46,736) (53,774) Other, net (1,260) (774) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used by investing activities (47,996) (54,548) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in advances from parent company (7,571) 42,257 Retirements of long-term debt - (11,609) Decrease in short-term borrowings - (42,800) Dividends paid (23,028) (20,564) Other, net 43 - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used by financing activities (30,556) (32,716) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECREASE IN CASH (10) (15) CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 414 54 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 404 $ 39 ------------------------------- SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest $ 5,106 $ 4,168 Cash paid (refunded) for taxes $ (4,851) $ 1,401 See accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PART I. Item 1. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) March 31, 1997 and 1996 The information contained in this Form 10-Q has been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In management's opinion, the consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company's 1996 annual report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the 1997 first quarter are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1997. 1. Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprint Corporation; accordingly, earnings per share information has been omitted. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation in the consolidated financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on the results of operations or shareholder's equity as previously reported. PART I. Item 2. CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS General Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company) include certain estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements in their reports, as well as in presentations to analysts and others, and in other material disseminated to the public. There can be no assurances of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include: * the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which the Company operates; * the impact of any unusual items resulting from ongoing evaluations of the Company's business strategies; * requirements imposed on the Company and its competitors by the Federal Communications Commission and North Carolina Utilities Commission under the Telecommunications Act of 1996; * unexpected results of litigation filed against the Company; and * the possibility of one or more of the markets in which the Company competes being impacted by variations in political, economic or other factors such as legal and regulatory changes or other external factors over which the Company has no control. Results of Operations Total net operating revenues increased 4% for the 1997 first quarter compared with the same 1996 period. The increase was mainly due to increased local service revenues, partly offset by reduced toll service revenues. The increase in other revenues reflects growth in locating underground utility lines due to an increase in the customer base in existing service areas. Local service revenues, derived from local exchange services, increased 14% for the 1997 first quarter compared with the same 1996 period. The increase was primarily due to continued residential and business growth in both the number of access lines served and custom calling features, including Caller ID, voice dialing and return call. The number of access lines served grew 4.9% during the past twelve months. Revenue from custom calling features increased 28% for the 1997 first quarter due to the increase in access lines served and marketing promotions. In addition, local service revenues increased due to extended local area calling plans, which include exchanges within an approximate 40-mile radius of a central office. The plans allow residential customers to choose one of three local service options and business customers to choose one of two local service options. Toll service revenues, mainly derived from providing long distance services within specified geographical areas, decreased $9 million for the 1997 first quarter compared with the same 1996 period. The decrease is mainly due to extended local area calling plans. In the 1996 first quarter, the Company was reselling interexchange long distance services. This service was phased out through early 1997. The decline in toll service revenues due to extended local area calling plans was partly offset by increased local service revenues. Total operating expense increased 6% for the 1997 first quarter compared with the same 1996 period mainly due to increased customer operations expense. Customer operations expense includes costs related to business office operations, billing services, marketing costs, and customer services, including operator and directory assistance. Customer operations expense increased 17% for the 1997 first quarter compared with the same 1996 period. The increase was mainly due to the expanded operations of locating underground utility lines and increased marketing costs to promote products and services. Customer operations expense also reflects increased business office operations and developmental expenses incurred for a new standard marketing billing system which is expected to be implemented this year. The 1996 first quarter includes costs related to reselling interexchange long distance services. This service was phased out through early 1997. PART II. Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings There were no reportable events during the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Item 2. Changes in Securities Omitted under the provisions of General Instruction H. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities Omitted under the provisions of General Instruction H. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Omitted under the provisions of General Instruction H. Item 5. Other Information The Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges were 9.07 and 8.57 for the 1997 and 1996 first quarters, respectively. These ratios were computed by dividing fixed charges into the sum of (a) income before taxes, less capitalized interest, and (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness (including amortization of debt issuance expenses) and the interest component of operating rents. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report: (12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (27) Financial Data Schedule. (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended March 31, 1997. 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. Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company (Registrant) By /s/ F. E. Westmeyer F. E. Westmeyer, Vice President-Finance (Principal Financial Officer) By /s/ T. J. Geller T. J. Geller, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) Date: May 13, 1997 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER (12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (27) Financial Data Schedule