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CenturyLink, Inc. reported mixed third-quarter 2018 results wherein the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but the bottom line surpassed the same.
Net Income
Net income for the third quarter was $272 million or 25 cents per share compared with $92 million or 17 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by top-line growth.
Net income (excluding integration-related expenses and special items) came in at $327 million or 30 cents per share compared with $114 million or 21 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents.
CenturyLink, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Quarterly operating revenues increased 44.2% year over year to $5,818 million driven by incremental revenues from Level 3. The top line, however, lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,890 million.
Other Quarter Details
Total operating expenses increased 38.8% year over year to $4,924 million. Operating income improved 83.6% to $894 million mainly due to higher revenues. Operating margin was 15.4% compared with 12.1% in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $2,228 million from pro forma $2,109 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 38.3% compared with pro forma 35% a year ago.
As of Jan 1, 2018, the company adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606. Overall, the adoption of this new standard affected total revenues by approximately $15 million in the reported quarter, reflecting $12 million positive impact on Consumer revenues and $3 million positive impact on Business revenues.
Financial Metrics
Business revenues were $4,463 million compared with pro forma revenues of $4,613 million in the year-ago quarter. The sales figure was affected by slower sales and the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.
Consumer revenues were $1,355 million compared with pro forma revenues of $1,420 million in the third quarter of 2017. The company saw a net loss of about 63,000 broadband subscribers in the reported quarter.
By Business unit, Medium & Small business revenues were $860 million, while Enterprise revenues were $1,278 million. Consumer, Wholesale & Indirect, and International & Global Accounts generated $1,355 million, $1,255 million and $892 million, respectively.
By Service type, revenues from IP & Data services were $1,796 million, while that from Transport & Infrastructure and Voice & Collaboration totaled $2,051 million and $1,640 million, respectively.
Cash Flow and Liquidity
For the first nine months of 2018, CenturyLink generated $5,036 million of cash from operations compared with $2,700 million in the prior-year period.
In third-quarter 2018, free cash flow (excluding integration-related capital expenditures and special items) was $1,163 million compared with $600 million in the year-ago quarter on a pro forma basis.
As of Sep 30, 2018, the company had $390 million of cash and cash equivalents with long-term debt of $35,749 million.
2018 View
For full-year 2018, CenturyLink has reiterated its outlook for adjusted EBITDA of $9.00-$9.15 billion. However, the company has updated its free cash flow, free cash flow after dividends and capital expenditures guidance due to lower capital spending. Free cash flow is now expected in the range of $4.00-$4.20 billion, up from $3.60-$3.80 billion expected earlier. Free cash flow after dividends is projected between $1.70 billion and $1.90 billion, up from the previous range of $1.30-$1.50 billion. Outlook for capital expenditures is lowered from previous expectation of 16% of total revenues and is currently anticipated between $3.15 billion and $3.25 billion. Effective income tax rate is expected to be around 18% for 2018.
Going Forward
CenturyLink’s focus on transforming its business operations through product evolution and digitizing of customer interactions bodes well for its future revenue growth. Recently, the company introduced Dynamic Connections as part of its Cloud Connect portfolio and announced the global expansion of its SD-WAN solutions, while expanding its platform to cloud service and software-as-a-service providers. Also, CenturyLink is working with customers to enable their 5G roadmaps while extending its fiber footprint. We remain impressed with the solid growth potential of the company.
United States Cellular has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 1%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 108.1%.
Comtech has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 5%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 136%.
Ribbon has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 180.2%.
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Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
Image: Bigstock
CenturyLink (CTL) Q3 Earnings Beat, Revenues Increase Y/Y
CenturyLink, Inc. reported mixed third-quarter 2018 results wherein the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but the bottom line surpassed the same.
Net Income
Net income for the third quarter was $272 million or 25 cents per share compared with $92 million or 17 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by top-line growth.
Net income (excluding integration-related expenses and special items) came in at $327 million or 30 cents per share compared with $114 million or 21 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents.
CenturyLink, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
CenturyLink, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | CenturyLink, Inc. Quote
Revenues
Quarterly operating revenues increased 44.2% year over year to $5,818 million driven by incremental revenues from Level 3. The top line, however, lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,890 million.
Other Quarter Details
Total operating expenses increased 38.8% year over year to $4,924 million. Operating income improved 83.6% to $894 million mainly due to higher revenues. Operating margin was 15.4% compared with 12.1% in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $2,228 million from pro forma $2,109 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 38.3% compared with pro forma 35% a year ago.
As of Jan 1, 2018, the company adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606. Overall, the adoption of this new standard affected total revenues by approximately $15 million in the reported quarter, reflecting $12 million positive impact on Consumer revenues and $3 million positive impact on Business revenues.
Financial Metrics
Business revenues were $4,463 million compared with pro forma revenues of $4,613 million in the year-ago quarter. The sales figure was affected by slower sales and the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.
Consumer revenues were $1,355 million compared with pro forma revenues of $1,420 million in the third quarter of 2017. The company saw a net loss of about 63,000 broadband subscribers in the reported quarter.
By Business unit, Medium & Small business revenues were $860 million, while Enterprise revenues were $1,278 million. Consumer, Wholesale & Indirect, and International & Global Accounts generated $1,355 million, $1,255 million and $892 million, respectively.
By Service type, revenues from IP & Data services were $1,796 million, while that from Transport & Infrastructure and Voice & Collaboration totaled $2,051 million and $1,640 million, respectively.
Cash Flow and Liquidity
For the first nine months of 2018, CenturyLink generated $5,036 million of cash from operations compared with $2,700 million in the prior-year period.
In third-quarter 2018, free cash flow (excluding integration-related capital expenditures and special items) was $1,163 million compared with $600 million in the year-ago quarter on a pro forma basis.
As of Sep 30, 2018, the company had $390 million of cash and cash equivalents with long-term debt of $35,749 million.
2018 View
For full-year 2018, CenturyLink has reiterated its outlook for adjusted EBITDA of $9.00-$9.15 billion. However, the company has updated its free cash flow, free cash flow after dividends and capital expenditures guidance due to lower capital spending. Free cash flow is now expected in the range of $4.00-$4.20 billion, up from $3.60-$3.80 billion expected earlier. Free cash flow after dividends is projected between $1.70 billion and $1.90 billion, up from the previous range of $1.30-$1.50 billion. Outlook for capital expenditures is lowered from previous expectation of 16% of total revenues and is currently anticipated between $3.15 billion and $3.25 billion. Effective income tax rate is expected to be around 18% for 2018.
Going Forward
CenturyLink’s focus on transforming its business operations through product evolution and digitizing of customer interactions bodes well for its future revenue growth. Recently, the company introduced Dynamic Connections as part of its Cloud Connect portfolio and announced the global expansion of its SD-WAN solutions, while expanding its platform to cloud service and software-as-a-service providers. Also, CenturyLink is working with customers to enable their 5G roadmaps while extending its fiber footprint. We remain impressed with the solid growth potential of the company.
Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider
CenturyLink currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other top-ranked stocks in the broader industry include United States Cellular Corporation (USM - Free Report) , Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (CMTL - Free Report) and Ribbon Communications Inc. (RBBN - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
United States Cellular has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 1%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 108.1%.
Comtech has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 5%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 136%.
Ribbon has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 180.2%.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>