CENTURYTEL INC
8-K, 2000-03-07
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 27, 2000


                                 CenturyTel, Inc.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       Louisiana                     1-7784                     72-0651161
    (State or other             (Commission File              (IRS Employer
    jurisdiction of                  Number)                Identification No.)
    incorporation)

        100 Century Park Drive, Monroe, Louisiana                71203
         (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)


    Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (318) 388-9000



Item 5.   Other Events

   The following press release was issued by CenturyTel,Inc. on January
27, 2000:



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
January 27, 2000                    Jeffrey S. Glover (318) 388-9648
                                    [email protected]

CenturyTel Achieves Excellent Customer Growth During 1999 and Completes 16th
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Consecutive Year of Record Earnings
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monroe, LA. . . CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE Symbol: CTL) announces operating
  results for fourth quarter 1999.

o Revenues from recurring operations climbed 11.8% to $426.5 million.

o Net income from recurring operations jumped 15.7% to $58.9 million.

o Diluted earnings per share from recurring operations rose 16.7% to $.42.

o Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and gain on sales
   of assets, from recurring operations increased 8.8% to $214.3 million.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter Highlights,
excluding the effect of asset divestitures     Quarter Ended   Quarter Ended  % Change
and nonrecurring gains and losses                 12/31/99        12/31/98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                             <C>             <C>              <C>

   Revenues (1)                                 $   426,458     $   381,446      11.8%
   EBITDA (2)                                   $   214,271     $   196,922       8.8
   Net Income (3)                               $    58,942     $    50,926      15.7
   Diluted Earnings Per Share (3)(4)            $       .42     $       .36      16.7
   Average Diluted Shares Outstanding (4)           141,756         140,693        .8

   Telephone Revenues (1)                       $   293,167     $   261,143      12.3
   Wireless Revenues                            $   102,024     $    98,466       3.6
   Other Operations Revenues                    $    31,267     $    21,837      43.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Telephone Access Lines                         1,272,867       1,214,709       4.8%
   Wireless Units in Majority-Owned Markets         707,486         614,045      15.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) 1999 results include a $9.6 million incremental revenue contribution
     from the 1998 acquisition of properties in Wisconsin from Ameritech
(2) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and gain
     on sales of assets
(3) Excludes after-tax gain on asset sales of $7.6 million, or $.05 per share,
     and nonrecurring charges of $5.8 million, or $.04 per share, in fourth
     quarter 1999
(4) Reflects a three-for-two stock split effected as a stock dividend distri-
     buted March 31, 1999

"CenturyTel  finished  1999 with  excellent  customer  growth  during the fourth
quarter," Glen F. Post, III, President and Chief Executive  Officer,  said. "For
the quarter, CenturyTel added 56,600 wireless subscribers,  18,200 long distance
customers and 4,700 Internet  customers.  Financial  performance  from recurring
operations was very strong during the quarter.  We enter 2000 focused on driving
additional  growth in our core  wireline and wireless  operations,  aggressively
deploying  DSL   technology,   expanding  our  CLEC  initiative  and  completing
previously announced acquisitions."


     Net income for the quarter from recurring operations climbed 15.7% to $58.9
million from $50.9 million in fourth  quarter 1998.  Diluted  earnings per share
from  recurring  operations  increased  16.7% to $.42  from  $.36.  Consolidated
revenues  from  recurring  operations  rose 11.8% to $426.5  million from $381.4
million.  EBITDA from  recurring  operations  grew to $214.3 million from $196.9
million,  an 8.8% increase.  CenturyTel achieved a consolidated EBITDA margin of
50.2% during the quarter.

     These results  exclude the 1998  contribution  to revenues of $33.6 million
and  associated  expenses  from the sale of  non-strategic  assets in Alaska and
South Texas during the second quarter 1999. Also excluded are a one-time gain of
$7.6 million, or $.05 per share, related to the sale of non-strategic assets and
one-time  charges of $5.8 million,  or $.04 per share,  in the fourth quarter of
1999.  $4.1 million of these  one-time  charges is related to a non-cash  charge
taken by  BellSouth  in a market in which  CenturyTel  has a minority  ownership
interest.  The remaining  one-time charge of $1.7 million relates to the closure
of CenturyTel's call center operations.

     Telephone revenues from recurring operations  grew 12.3% to $293.2 million
during the  quarter,  compared  with $261.1  million in fourth  quarter  1998. A
prior-year  acquisition   contributed  $9.6  million  in  incremental  telephone
revenues  during  the  quarter.   Telephone   operating  income  from  recurring
operations  increased  13.4%,  reaching  $91.4 million from $80.6  million,  and
EBITDA  from  recurring  operations  rose 12.7% to $159.8  million  from  $141.7
million a year ago.  CenturyTel's  fourth  quarter  telephone  EBITDA margin was
54.5% while the operating income margin was 31.2% from recurring operations.

     These results  exclude the 1998  contribution  to revenues of $31.2 million
and  associated  expenses  from  telephone  properties  in Alaska that were sold
during second quarter 1999.

     "During the  quarter,  CenturyTel  deployed DSL service  utilizing  the new
G-lite  equipment  and  the  demand  has  been  very  strong.  In  addition,  we
successfully initiated a CLEC trial in Shreveport, Louisiana, during the quarter
and we look forward to making our CLEC services  commercially  available  during
the first half of 2000," Post said.

     Wireless revenues from recurring  operations grew 3.6% to $102.0 million in
fourth  quarter  1999,  compared  with  $98.5  million in fourth  quarter  1998.
Wireless  operating income from recurring  operations was $22.1 million compared
to $25.1  million,  an 11.7%  decrease,  and EBITDA  from  recurring  operations
decreased  3.3% to $39.8 million  compared to $41.1  million a year ago.  Higher
customer  growth directly  increased sales and marketing  expenses which reduced
operating  income  and cash flow for the  quarter.  CenturyTel's fourth  quarter
wireless  EBITDA  margin  was  39.0%  (40.3%  based on  service  revenues),  and
operating  income  margin was 21.7% (22.4% based on service  revenues).  Average
monthly  cellular  service revenue per user (ARPU) was $49 during fourth quarter
1999, a 10.9%  decrease from $55 a year ago. The average  monthly churn rate was
1.9%.

     These results exclude the 1998 contribution to revenues of $3.7 million and
associated expenses from cellular properties in South Texas and Alaska that were
sold during second quarter 1999.

     "CenturyTel achieved company-record fourth quarter wireless customer growth
as we added  more than  56,000  wireless  subscribers,  surpassing  the  700,000
wireless customer mark.  Subscriber  growth  accelerated 73% for the year, while
customer  churn  declined 33 basis points.  This strong  customer  growth led to
increased  sales and marketing  costs in the current quarter but should generate
additional revenue in future quarters," Post said.

     Other operations  revenues from recurring  operations  grew 43.2% to $31.3
million  during  fourth  quarter  1999,  compared  with $21.8  million in fourth
quarter 1998.  CenturyTel's long distance business generated $7.9 million of the
increase in other operations  revenues.  CenturyTel now serves more than 303,700
long distance  customers,  adding  nearly 18,200 during the quarter.  CenturyTel
recently  announced its  intentions  to close its operator  services call center
business  due to  continuing  losses  and the lack of  viable  long-term  growth
prospects.

     "CenturyTel's  long distance  customer base surpassed the 300,000  customer
mark as long distance  revenues jumped 49% to $24 million for the quarter," Post
said.

     For the full year of 1999,  net income from  recurring  operations  climbed
22.7% to $237.9 million from $193.9 million in 1998.  Diluted earnings per share
increased  20.9% to $1.68 from $1.39,  and  consolidated  revenues rose 12.4% to
$1.6  billion  from $1.4  billion.  EBITDA  grew to $861.2  million  from $765.4
million, a 12.5% increase.

     These results exclude the revenue impact and associated expenses related to
the sale of the  assets in Alaska and  South  Texas,  which  occurred  in second
quarter  1999.  Also excluded are one-time  gains of $7.3  million,  or $.05 per
share,  related to the sale of non-strategic assets and one-time charges of $5.8
million, or $.04 per share, during 1999.

     "CenturyTel  generated  free-cash flow of $167 million,  demonstrating  our
financial strength and ability to reduce debt. We reduced long-term debt by $470
million  during 1999,  utilizing  free-cash flow and proceeds from asset sales,"
Post said.

     In  addition to  historical  information,  this  release  includes  certain
forward-looking  statements that are subject to  uncertainties  that could cause
the Company's  actual results to differ  materially from such  statements.  Such
uncertainties   include   but  are  not  limited  to:  the  effects  of  ongoing
deregulation  in the  telecommunications  industry;  the effects of greater than
anticipated competition in the Company's markets; possible changes in the demand
for the Company's  products and services;  the Company's ability to successfully
introduce new offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; the risks inherent
in rapid  technological  change; the Company's ability to effectively manage its
growth,   including  the  timely  consummation  of  pending  acquisitions,   and
integrating  newly-acquired  properties into the Company's  operations;  and the
effects of more general  factors  such as changes in overall  market or economic
conditions  or in  legislation,  regulation  or public  policy.  These and other
uncertainties  related to the Company's business are described in greater detail
in the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,
1998.

     CenturyTel,  Inc. provides  integrated  communications  services  including
local exchange, wireless, long distance, Internet access and security monitoring
services  to  more  than  two  million  customers  in 21  states.  The  company,
headquartered  in Monroe,  Louisiana,  is publicly  traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol CTL.  CenturyTel is the seventh largest local exchange
telephone  company,  based on  access  lines,  and the  ninth  largest  cellular
company,  based on population  equivalents  owned,  in the United States.  Visit
CenturyTel's corporate website at (www.centurytel.com).


                                CenturyTel, Inc.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       INCREASE
                                           1999           1998        (DECREASE)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          In thousands, except per share amounts
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>

         TELEPHONE OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Local service                        $   87,415        88,072          (0.7%)
  Network access                          171,377       167,007           2.6%
  Other                                    34,375        35,999          (4.5%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          293,167       291,078           0.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Plant operations                         65,904        68,555          (3.9%)
  Customer operations                      23,109        24,596          (6.0%)
  Corporate and other                      44,400        40,849           8.7%
  Depreciation and amortization            68,313        68,377          (0.1%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          201,726       202,377          (0.3%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone operating income                 91,441        88,701           3.1%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

         WIRELESS OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Service revenues                         98,619        99,343          (0.7%)
  Equipment sales                           3,405         2,780          22.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          102,024       102,123          (0.1%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of equipment sold                    7,560         5,781          30.8%
  System operations                        14,472        15,764          (8.2%)
  General, administrative and
   customer service                        19,456        20,565          (5.4%)
  Sales and marketing                      20,773        16,949          22.6%
  Depreciation and amortization            17,630        17,071           3.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           79,891        76,130           4.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating income                  22,133        25,993         (14.9%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

       OTHER OPERATIONS
Operating revenues                         31,267        21,837          43.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of sales and other                  25,499        15,706          62.4%
  Depreciation and amortization             2,580           818         215.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           28,079        16,524          69.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating income                      3,188         5,313         (40.0%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                    116,762       120,007          (2.7%)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                        (35,832)      (40,767)        (12.1%)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entities                          762         7,764         (90.2%)
  Minority interest                        (2,353)       (2,533)         (7.1%)
  Gain on sales of assets                  11,648             -             -
  Other income and expense                  2,468         2,814         (12.3%)
  Income tax expense                      (32,782)      (35,091)         (6.6%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                             $   60,673        52,194          16.2%
===============================================================

EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
  Basic (2)                            $     0.43          0.38          13.2%
  Diluted (3)                          $     0.43          0.37          16.2%

SHARES OUTSTANDING (1)
  Basic                                   139,372       137,469           1.4%
  Diluted                                 141,756       140,693           0.8%

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (1)         $   0.0450        0.0433           3.9%
- ------------------
</TABLE>

   (1) Reflects a three-for-two stock split effected as a stock dividend
       distributed March 31, 1999
   (2) Excluding the effect of asset divestitures and nonrecurring gains and
       losses, basic earnings per share were $.42 and $.37 for 1999 and 1998,
       respectively
   (3) Excluding the effect of asset divestitures and nonrecurring gains and
       losses, diluted earnings per share were $.42 and $.36 for 1999 and 1998,
       respectively

- ----------------------




                                CenturyTel, Inc.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Excludes the effect of asset divestitures
   and nonrecurring gains and losses                                   INCREASE
                                           1999           1998        (DECREASE)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          In thousands, except per share amounts
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>

         TELEPHONE OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Local service                        $   87,415        78,503          11.4%
  Network access                          171,377       152,163          12.6%
  Other                                    34,375        30,477          12.8%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          293,167       261,143          12.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Plant operations                         65,904        58,539          12.6%
  Customer operations                      23,109        21,767           6.2%
  Corporate and other                      44,400        39,096          13.6%
  Depreciation and amortization            68,313        61,118          11.8%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          201,726       180,520          11.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone operating income                 91,441        80,623          13.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

         WIRELESS OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Service revenues                         98,619        95,755           3.0%
  Equipment sales                           3,405         2,711          25.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          102,024        98,466           3.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of equipment sold                    7,560         5,619          34.5%
  System operations                        14,472        15,080          (4.0%)
  General, administrative and
   customer service                        19,456        20,039          (2.9%)
  Sales and marketing                      20,773        16,601          25.1%
  Depreciation and amortization            17,630        16,069           9.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           79,891        73,408           8.8%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating income                  22,133        25,058         (11.7%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

       OTHER OPERATIONS
Operating revenues                         31,267        21,837          43.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of sales and other                  24,250        15,706          54.4%
  Depreciation and amortization             1,080           818          32.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           25,330        16,524          53.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating income                      5,937         5,313          11.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                    119,511       110,994           7.7%

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                        (35,832)      (34,968)          2.5%
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entities                        7,622         7,764          (1.8%)
  Minority interest                        (2,353)       (2,533)         (7.1%)
  Other income and expense                  2,468         2,692          (8.3%)
  Income tax expense                      (32,474)      (33,023)         (1.7%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                             $   58,942        50,926          15.7%
===============================================================

EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
  Basic                                $     0.42          0.37          13.5%
  Diluted                              $     0.42          0.36          16.7%

SHARES OUTSTANDING (1)
  Basic                                   139,372       137,469           1.4%
  Diluted                                 141,756       140,693           0.8%

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (1)         $   0.0450        0.0433           3.9%
- ------------------
</TABLE>

   (1) Reflects a three-for-two stock split effected as a stock dividend
       distributed March 31, 1999

- ------------------

                                CenturyTel, Inc.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                       INCREASE
                                           1999           1998        (DECREASE)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          In thousands, except per share amounts
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>

         TELEPHONE OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Local service                        $  353,534       331,736           6.6%
  Network access                          654,003       629,583           3.9%
  Other                                   135,056       130,291           3.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1,142,593     1,091,610           4.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Plant operations                        262,864       245,164           7.2%
  Customer operations                      91,077        92,552          (1.6%)
  Corporate and other                     160,819       157,293           2.2%
  Depreciation and amortization           275,476       262,893           4.8%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          790,236       757,902           4.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone operating income                352,357       333,708           5.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

         WIRELESS OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Service revenues                        411,492       398,739           3.2%
  Equipment sales                          10,777         9,088          18.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          422,269       407,827           3.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of equipment sold                   21,408        16,992          26.0%
  System operations                        56,866        60,049          (5.3%)
  General, administrative and
   customer service                        79,569        81,350          (2.2%)
  Sales and marketing                      61,903        57,967           6.8%
  Depreciation and amortization            68,593        62,345          10.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          288,339       278,703           3.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating income                 133,930       129,124           3.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

       OTHER OPERATIONS
Operating revenues                        111,807        77,648          44.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of sales and other                  85,278        57,353          48.7%
  Depreciation and amortization             4,747         3,316          43.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           90,025        60,669          48.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating income                     21,782        16,979          28.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                    508,069       479,811          5.9%

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                       (150,557)     (167,552)        (10.1%)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entities                       27,675        32,869         (15.8%)
  Minority interest                       (27,913)      (12,797)        118.1%
  Gain on sales of assets                  62,808        49,859          26.0%
  Other income and expense                  9,190         5,268          74.4%
  Income tax expense                     (189,503)     (158,701)         19.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                             $  239,769       228,757           4.8%
===============================================================

EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
  Basic  (2)                           $     1.72          1.67           3.0%
  Diluted (3)                          $     1.70          1.64           3.7%

SHARES OUTSTANDING (1)
  Basic                                   138,848       137,010           1.3%
  Diluted                                 141,432       140,105           0.9%

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (1)         $   0.1800        0.1732           3.9%
- ------------------
</TABLE>

 (1) Reflects a three-for-two stock split effected as a stock dividend
     distributed March 31, 1999
 (2) Excluding the effect of asset divestitures and nonrecurring gains and
     losses, basic earnings per share were $1.71 and $1.41 for 1999 and 1998,
     respectively
 (3) Excluding the effect of asset divestitures and nonrecurring gains and
     losses, diluted earnings per share were $1.68 and $1.39 for 1999 and 1998,
     respectively



                                CenturyTel, Inc.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Excludes the effect of asset divestitures
   and nonrecurring gains and losses                                   INCREASE
                                           1999           1998        (DECREASE)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          In thousands, except per share amounts
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>

         TELEPHONE OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Local service                        $  339,123       294,480          15.2%
  Network access                          631,819       569,555          10.9%
  Other                                   126,418       109,665          15.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1,097,360       973,700          12.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Plant operations                        248,419       208,305          19.3%
  Customer operations                      87,097        81,234           7.2%
  Corporate and other                     157,276       148,234           6.1%
  Depreciation and amortization           264,837       234,496          12.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          757,629       672,269          12.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone operating income                339,731       301,431          12.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

         WIRELESS OPERATIONS
Operating revenues
  Service revenues                        404,354       385,306           4.9%
  Equipment sales                          10,649         8,746          21.8%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          415,003       394,052           5.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of equipment sold                   21,190        16,390          29.3%
  System operations                        55,820        56,994          (2.1%)
  General, administrative and
   customer service                        78,465        79,113          (0.8%)
  Sales and marketing                      61,350        56,258           9.1%
  Depreciation and amortization            67,088        58,468          14.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          283,913       267,223           6.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating income                 131,090       126,829           3.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

       OTHER OPERATIONS
Operating revenues                        111,807        77,648          44.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses
  Cost of sales and other                  84,029        57,353          46.5%
  Depreciation and amortization             3,247         3,316          (2.1%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           87,276        60,669          43.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating income                     24,531        16,979          44.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                    495,352       445,239          11.3%

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                       (137,014)     (144,099)         (4.9%)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entities                       34,535        32,869           5.1%
  Minority interest                       (12,283)      (12,797)         (4.0%)
  Other income and expense                  8,382         3,813         119.8%
  Income tax expense                     (151,046)     (131,166)         15.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                             $  237,926       193,859          22.7%
===============================================================

EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
  Basic                                $     1.71          1.41          21.3%
  Diluted                              $     1.68          1.39          20.9%

SHARES OUTSTANDING (1)
  Basic                                   138,848       137,010           1.3%
  Diluted                                 141,432       140,105           0.9%

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (1)         $   0.1800        0.1732           3.9%
- ------------------
</TABLE>

   (1) Reflects a three-for-two stock split effected as a stock dividend
       distributed March 31, 1999



                                CenturyTel, Inc.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               1999           1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (in thousands)
                              ASSETS
<S>                                         <C>            <C>

CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $    56,640         5,742
  Other current assets                          240,061       220,496
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total current assets                        296,701       226,238
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
  Telephone                                   3,445,932     3,660,252
  Wireless                                      472,725       436,897
  Other                                         275,250       192,509
  Accumulated depreciation                   (1,937,449)   (1,938,205)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net property, plant and equipment         2,256,458     2,351,453
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS
  Excess cost of net assets acquired          1,625,023     1,956,701
  Other                                         509,422       401,063
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total investments and other assets        2,134,445     2,357,764
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                $ 4,687,604     4,935,455
======================================================================

                     LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Current maturities of long-term debt      $    68,535        53,010
  Other current liabilities                     237,846       251,834
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total current liabilities                   306,381       304,844

LONG-TERM DEBT                                2,071,874     2,558,000
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES          461,357       541,129
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          1,847,992     1,531,482
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                $ 4,687,604     4,935,455
======================================================================
</TABLE>

                              CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
                 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           INC
                                                  1999          1998      (DEC)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>               <C>        <C>
Telephone                                   $   233,512       233,190      0.1%
Wireless                                         58,760        57,326      2.5%
Corporate and other                              97,708        29,087    235.9%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total capital expenditures                $   389,980       319,603     22.0%
======================================================================

</TABLE>
                      CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
          THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           INC
                                                  1999          1998      (DEC)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>               <C>        <C>
Telephone                                   $    88,334        91,227     (3.2%)
Wireless                                         14,498         7,429     95.2%
Corporate and other                              50,150        11,918    320.8%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total capital expenditures                $   152,982       110,574     38.4%
======================================================================
</TABLE>


                                 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.

                                          CenturyTel, Inc.

                                   By:  /s/ Neil A. Sweasy
                                       -------------------------
                                       Neil A. Sweasy
                                       Vice President and Controller



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