1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 ----------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 October 15, 1996 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Report (Date of earlier event reported) 360 COMMUNICATION COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1 - 14108 47-0649117 - ---------------------- ------------------- -------------------------------- (State of Incorporation) (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 8725 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631 --------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (773) 399-2500 --------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 2 Item 5. Other Events. On October 15, 1996, 360 Communications Company (the "Company") issued a press release announcing the consolidated operating results of the Company and its subsidiaries for the third quarter of 1996. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit 1: Press Release issued by 360 Communications Company on October 15, 1996 regarding the consolidated operating results of 360 Communications Company and its subsidiaries for the third quarter of 1996. 3 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 360 Communications Company By: /s/ Gary L. Burge Gary L. Burge Senior Vice President - Finance Date: October 25, 1996 4 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description of Exhibits - -------- ---------------------------- 1 Press Release issued by 360 Communications Company on October 15, 1996 regarding the consolidated operating results of 360 Communications Company and its subsidiaries for the third quarter of 1996. 5 360 Communications....Corporate Communications....8725 W. Higgins Road.... Chicago, Illinois 60631....(773)399-2200 MEDIA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Margaret Kirch Cohen (773) 399-2385 ANALYSTS: Dave Gould (773) 399-2284 (919) 218-3777 (cellular) 360 COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS SOLID THIRD QUARTER RESULTS STRONG REVENUES, OPERATING CASH FLOW MARGIN AND NET INCOME (Chicago) Oct. 15, 1996 -- Fueled by strong growth in its core wireless communications business, Chicago-based 360 Communications (NYSE:XO) today reported record total operating revenue of $281.7 million during the third quarter of 1996, up nearly 30 percent from $217.8 million in the third quarter of 1995. Cellular service revenues during the quarter were a record $271.8 million, up 31 percent over $207.5 million during the same period in 1995. 360 reported operating cash flow of $100.4 million during the third quarter, a 38 percent increase over $72.8 million in the third quarter of 1995. Operating cash flow, as a percentage of cellular service revenues, reached 37 percent, compared with 35 percent in the third quarter of 1995. "Our fundamental wireless business remains strong, and we're pleased with our solid performance," said Dennis E. Foster, president and chief executive officer of 360 Communications. "Highlighting the quarter was our successful launch of CDMA digital service in Las Vegas, as well as our rollout of residential long distance and paging reselling services. As we enter the final quarter of our first year as an independent company, we continue to aggressively increase revenues, capitalize on our competitive strengths and leverage the infrastructure we have in place." 6 "Despite two major hurricanes that affected three of our five regions, our network performed extremely well, providing critical communications to our customers as well as disaster support and recovery agencies. I'm proud of the outstanding job our 360 field associates and disaster recovery team did during these natural disasters," Foster added. 360 Communications reported net income of $22.9 million, or 20 cents per share, for the third quarter of 1996, compared with net income of $4.5 million, or 4 cents per share, for the third quarter of 1995. 360 added 100,199 net customers during the third quarter of 1996, closing the period with more than 1.85 million customers. Excluding 46,647 customers obtained through acquisitions in the first quarter of 1996, the company's customer growth rate increased 34 percent year over year. The company reported a market penetration rate of 8.84 percent at the end of the third quarter of 1996, representing an annualized penetration gain of 1.92 percent for the period. 360 Communications' market penetration rate is among the best in the industry. Chicago-based 360 Communications provides wireless voice and data services to more than 1.85 million customers in nearly 100 markets in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The company also offers residential long distance service. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, 360 Communications' stock is listed on the Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol XO. ### To obtain copies of the company's Form 10-K, 10-Qs, or copies of quarterly earnings and other recent news releases issued by the company, please call toll-free 1.888.360.INFO (1.888.360.4636), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 360 Communications' news releases are also available through PR Newswire and can be accessed by calling (800) 578-7888, #111849. 360's internet address is www.360.com. 7 360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Thousands of Dollars) For the Three Months For the Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, -------------------------------- --------------------------------- 1996 1995 1996 1995 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Operating Revenues Cellular Service Revenues $ 271,819 $ 207,472 $ 766,133 $ 572,028 Equipment Sales 9,857 10,311 29,411 34,125 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Total Operating Revenues 281,676 217,783 795,544 606,153 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Operating Expenses Cost of Service 24,148 17,488 68,492 50,489 Cost of Equipment Sales 25,046 27,324 71,010 77,933 Other Operations Expense 15,498 10,695 39,824 28,527 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Expenses 48,527 35,697 143,146 97,719 General, Administrative and Other Expenses 68,030 53,773 190,287 153,900 Depreciation and Amortization 36,833 29,380 104,987 83,666 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Total Operating Expenses 218,082 174,357 617,746 492,234 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Operating Income 63,594 43,426 177,798 113,919 Interest Expense (24,752) (32,376) (78,854) (95,081) Minority Interests in Net Income of Consolidated Entities (13,843) (9,303) (38,168) (26,218) Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Entities 16,339 12,003 40,359 23,566 Other Income (Expense), net 101 (1,236) 423 (1,188) -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Income Before Income Taxes 41,439 12,514 101,558 14,998 Income Tax Expense 18,552 7,967 47,407 17,128 -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Net Income (Loss) $ 22,887 $ 4,547 $ 54,151 $ (2,130) ============== ============= ============== ============== Net Income (Loss) per Share (in Dollars) $ 0.20 $ (0.01) <F1> $ 0.46 $ (0.02) <F1> ============== ============= ============== ============== Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, in thousands 117,086 116,844 <F1> 117,060 116,600 <F1> ============== ============= ============== ============== <FN> <F1> (1) In 1995 Net Income (Loss) per Share has been calculated based upon the number of Sprint Corporation weighted average shares outstanding for each respective period, adjusted for a conversion ratio of 1 share of 360 Common Stock to 3 shares of Sprint Common Stock. (2) Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used for the Three Months Ended September 30, 1996. </FN> 8 360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES OPERATING DATA For the Three Months Ended and as of September 30, -------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 ---------------- ---------------- EBITDA (in thousands) $ 100,427 $ 72,806 EBITDA Margin 36.95% 35.09% Capital Expenditures (in thousands) $ 49,601 $ 91,295 Controlled POPs 20,938,734 19,670,534 Controlled Customers 1,850,528 1,348,496 Gross Customer Additions 204,437 180,846 Net Customer Additions 100,199 107,214 Average Customers 1,799,913 1,296,382 Churn 1.86% 1.89% Penetration 8.84% 6.86% Service Revenue per Average Customer per Month $ 50.34 $ 53.35 Cost to Acquire a New Customer <F1> $ 312 $ 291 For the Nine Months Ended and as of September 30, -------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 ---------------- ----------------- EBITDA (in thousands) $ 282,785 $ 197,585 EBITDA Margin 36.91% 34.54% Capital Expenditures (in thousands) $ 193,543 $ 270,027 Controlled POPs 20,938,734 19,670,534 Controlled Customers <F1> 1,850,528 1,348,496 Gross Customer Additions <F2> 582,227 495,423 Net Customer Additions <F2> 302,124 308,507 Average Customers 1,684,336 1,184,541 Churn 1.80% 1.79% Penetration 8.84% 6.86% Service Revenue per Average Customer per Month $ 50.54 $ 53.66 Cost to Acquire a New Customer <F3> $ 317 $ 286 <FN> <F1> (1) Controlled Customers include 46,647 customers added through acquisitions which were completed in the first quarter of 1996. <F2> (2) The 1996 amounts exclude customer base acquired. <F3> (3) Cost to Acquire a New Customer includes Sales, Marketing and Advertising Expenses and the gross margin on equipment sales. </FN> 9 360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Thousands of Dollars) September 30, December 31, ASSETS 1996 1995 -------- ------------- ------------ Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 9,869 $ 19,023 Accounts Receivable, less allowances of $4,788 and $2,370, respectively 89,257 68,087 Other Receivables 30,977 29,799 Unbilled Revenue 28,389 23,481 Inventory 17,002 19,576 Other 6,267 6,604 --------------- --------------- Total Current Assets 181,761 166,570 --------------- --------------- Property, Plant and Equipment 1,364,267 1,151,157 Less: Accumulated Depreciation 395,237 300,703 --------------- --------------- Property, Plant and Equipment, net 969,030 850,454 --------------- --------------- Investments in Unconsolidated Entities 344,630 318,287 Intangibles, net 711,093 632,756 Other Assets 18,946 5,179 --------------- --------------- Total Assets $ 2,225,460 $ 1,973,246 =============== =============== LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY ----------------------------------- Current Liabilities Trade Accounts and Other Payables $ 110,162 $ 111,770 Advance Billings 25,178 20,559 Accrued Taxes 33,453 19,690 Short-Term Debt 45,650 ------ Accrued Agent Commissions 6,905 15,417 Other 36,731 27,092 --------------- --------------- Total Current Liabilities 258,079 194,528 --------------- --------------- Long-Term Debt 1,362,720 Advances From and Notes to Affiliates 1,517,729 --------------- --------------- Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities Deferred Income Taxes 111,460 99,168 Postretirement and Other Benefit Obligations 5,931 12,859 --------------- --------------- Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities 117,391 112,027 --------------- --------------- Minority Interests in Consolidated Entities 179,115 146,894 --------------- --------------- Shareowners' Equity 308,155 2,068 --------------- --------------- Total Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity $ 2,225,460 $ 1,973,246 =============== =============== 10 360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES ` CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Thousands of Dollars) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, ------------------------------------- 1996 1995 --------------- --------------- Operating Activities Net Income (Loss) $ 54,151 $ (2,130) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 104,987 83,666 Deferred Income Taxes 19,119 11,131 Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Entities, net of distributions (25,104) 2,462 Minority Interests in Net Income of Consolidated Entities 38,168 26,218 Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities Receivables, net (16,009) (22,173) Other Current Assets (1,410) 8,265 Trade Accounts and Other Payables 1,825 2,512 Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities 10,267 105 Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, net (868) 2,484 Other, net 5,266 (1,596) --------------- --------------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 190,392 110,944 --------------- --------------- Investing Activities Capital Expenditures (193,543) (270,027) Acquisitions (109,613) ------- Investment in Unconsolidated Entities and Other (14,709) (3,642) --------------- --------------- Net Cash Used by Investing Activities (317,865) (273,669) --------------- --------------- Financing Activities Net Borrowings under Bank Revolving Credit Facility 448,543 ------- Proceeds from Long-Term Debt 900,000 ------- Net Short-Term Borrowings 45,650 ------- Increase (Decrease) in Advances from Affiliates (1,400,000) 161,012 Contributions from Minority Investors 4,881 6,093 Distributions to Minority Investors (9,275) (6,341) Equity Contributions 130,355 ------- Other (1,835) ------- --------------- --------------- Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 118,319 160,764 --------------- --------------- Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (9,154) (1,961) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 19,023 5,527 --------------- --------------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 9,869 $ 3,566 =============== =============== 11 October 25, 1996 Securities and Exchange Commission Judiciary Plaza 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Attention: Filing Desk, Stop 1-4 Re: Current Report on Form 8-K of 360 Communications Company Ladies and Gentlemen: On behalf of 360 Communications Company (the "Company"), I am transmitting herewith for filing with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a copy of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, with attached exhibit, relating to events reported as of October 15, 1996. Very truly yours,