COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES INC /NEW/
10-Q, 1998-05-15
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 10-Q

               QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998

                                      OR

              TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition periods from                      to
Commission file number                               0-11053

                   COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Pennsylvania                                 23-2093008
(State of other jurisdiction of                      (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)


                                 100 CTE Drive
                        Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612-9774
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  (Zip Code)

                                (717) 674-2700
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

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
requirement for the past 90 days.

YES  X            NO

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock ($1.00 par value), as of March 31, 1998.

Common Stock                         15,755,460
Class B Common Stock                  2,631,060
<PAGE>
 
                   COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                     INDEX


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.       Financial Statements

              Condensed Consolidated Statements of
              Operations-Quarters Ended
              March 31, 1998 and 1997

              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets-
              March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997

              Condensed Consolidated Statements of
              Cash Flows-Quarters Ended March 31,
              1998 and 1997

              Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
              Statements

Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of
              Results of Operations and Financial
              Condition

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 4.       Matters Submitted to a Vote of Security Holders


Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

              SIGNATURE
<PAGE>

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  Item 1. Financial Statements

            COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                             Quarter Ended
                                                                                                March 31,
                                                                                 ------------------------------------
                                                                                        1998                1997
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C> 
Sales                                                                            $        53,235     $        46,413
Costs and expenses, excluding management fees and
  depreciation and amortization                                                           31,878              26,274
Management fees                                                                            1,863               1,662
Depreciation and amortization                                                              8,590               7,229
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Operating income                                                                          10,904              11,248
Interest and dividend income                                                               1,029                 987
Interest expense                                                                          (3,080)             (2,079)
Other (expense) income, net                                                                  (30)                687
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Income from continuing
  operations before income taxes                                                           8,823              10,843
Provision for income taxes                                                                 3,875               4,405
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Income from continuing operations before
  equity in unconsolidated entities                                                        4,948               6,438
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities                                                  118                 108
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Income from continuing operations                                                          5,066               6,546
Income (loss) from discontinued operations                                                     5             (12,885)
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Net income (loss)                                                                          5,071              (6,339)
Preferred stock dividend and accretion requirements                                        1,062               1,062
                                                                                 ----------------    ----------------
Net income (loss) to common shareholders                                         $         4,009     $        (7,401)
                                                                                 ================    ================

Basic earnings (loss) per average common share:
  Income from continuing operations                                              $          0.22     $          0.30
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Discontinued operations                                                        $             -     $         (0.70)
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Net income (loss) to common shareholders                                       $          0.22     $         (0.40)
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Weighted average shares outstanding                                                 18,337,584          18,316,971

Diluted earnings (loss) per average common share:
  Income from continuing operations                                              $          0.21     $          0.30
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Discontinued operations                                                        $             -     $         (0.70)
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Net income (loss) to common shareholders                                       $          0.21     $         (0.40)
                                                                                 ================    ================
  Weighted average shares and common stock
    equivalents outstanding                                                           18,932,914          18,416,756

</TABLE> 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>

           COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (Dollars in Thousands)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                         March 31,            December 31,
ASSETS                                                                     1998                  1997
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                   <C>  
Current assets:
  Cash and temporary cash investments                                $         5,738       $        14,017
  Accounts receivable from related parties                                       574                 3,743
  Other current assets                                                        50,713                48,510
  Deferred income taxes                                                        5,691                 5,170
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
Total current assets                                                          62,716                71,440
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
$230,295 at March 31, 1998 and $223,051 at December 31, 1997                 298,528               287,956
Investments                                                                    8,571                 8,815
Deferred charges and other assets                                              6,009                 5,456
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
Total assets                                                         $       375,824       $       373,667
                                                                     ================      ================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt                               $         9,010       $         9,010
  Accounts payable to related parties                                            883                 7,944
  Advance billings and customer deposits                                       3,358                 3,540
  Accrued taxes                                                                5,356                 1,498
  Accrued interest                                                               620                   638
  Other current liabilities                                                   55,622                52,828
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
Total current liabilities                                                     74,849                75,458
Long-term debt                                                               165,095               167,347
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits                              41,888                42,086
Other deferred credits                                                         8,807                 8,328
Redeemable preferred stock                                                    42,929                42,517
Commitments and contingencies
Common shareholders' equity:
   Common stock                                                               22,380                22,377
   Additional paid-in capital                                                150,008               151,041
   Retained earnings                                                           7,109                 3,750
   Treasury stock at cost, 3,993,522 shares at March 31, 1998 and
     4,048,218 shares at December 31, 1997                                  (137,241)             (139,237)
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
 Total common shareholders' equity                                            42,256                37,931
                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                           $       375,824       $       373,667
                                                                     ================      ================
</TABLE> 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

<PAGE>

            COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                  Quarter Ended        
                                                                                                     March 31,           
                                                                                         ------------------------------- 
                                                                                              1998               1997    
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
<S>                                                                                      <C>               <C>           
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                $      13,668     $       1,116 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
                                                                                                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                                                     
   Additions to property, plant & equipment                                                    (19,111)          (25,670)
   Sales and maturities of short-term investments                                                    -            33,925 
   Acquisitions                                                                                      -           (30,079)
   Other                                                                                           158             3,392 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
   Net cash used in investing activities                                                       (18,953)          (18,432)
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
                                                                                                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                                                     
   Redemption of long-term debt                                                                 (2,252)           (3,182)
   Preferred dividend                                                                           (1,300)             (650)
   Proceeds from issuance of stock                                                                 558               128 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
   Net cash used in financing activities                                                        (2,994)           (3,704)
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
                                                                                                                         
   Net increase (decrease) in cash and                                                                                   
      temporary cash investments                                                                (8,279)          (21,020)
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
  Cash and temporary cash at beginning of year:                                                                          
     Continuing operations                                                                      14,017            11,004 
     Discontinued operations                                                                         -            65,136 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
   Total cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of  year                              14,017            76,140 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
  Cash and temporary cash investments at March 31,                                                                       
     Continuing operations                                                                       5,738            12,523 
     Discontinued operations                                                                         -            42,597 
                                                                                         -------------     ------------- 
  Total cash and temporary cash investments at March 31,                                 $       5,738     $      55,120 
                                                                                         =============     ============= 
   Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information 
   Cash paid during the periods for: 
      Interest (net of amounts capitalized)                                              $       3,064     $       8,964 
                                                                                         =============     ============= 
      Income taxes                                                                       $         834     $         873 
                                                                                         =============     =============  
</TABLE> 

Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Financing and Investing Activities: 
     Accretion in the carrying value of redeemable preferred stock charged to
     retained earnings was $412 for each of the quarters ended March 31, 1998
     and 1997.

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
 
           COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
               (Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

1. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been
prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote
disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, in the opinion of the
Management of the Company, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary to present fairly the financial information. The Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

2. On September 30, 1997, C-TEC Corporation ("C-TEC") distributed 100 percent of
the outstanding shares of common stock of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, RCN
Corporation ("RCN") and Cable Michigan, Inc. ("Cable Michigan").

In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 - "Reporting the
Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a
Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and
Transactions" ("APB 30"), the Company has restated its results of operations,
including prior periods, to reflect RCN and Cable Michigan as discontinued
operations.

Included in loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended March
31, 1997 is a nonrecurring charge of $10,000 representing costs incurred in
connection with the termination of a marketing services agreement held by
Freedom.

In connection with the Distribution, C-TEC changed its name to Commonwealth
Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE"). CTE consists of Commonwealth Telephone
Company (CT), the nation's thirteenth largest independent local exchange
carrier, Commonwealth Telecom Services, Inc. (CTSI), a competitive local
exchange carrier and other operations which include Commonwealth Communications
(CC), an engineering services business, epix(TM), an Internet services business,
and Commonwealth Long Distance (CLD), a reseller of long-distance services.

3. The provision for income taxes is different than the amount computed by
applying the United States statutory federal tax rate primarily due to state
income taxes net of federal benefit.
<PAGE>
 
4. At March 31, 1998, CTE has approximately 1,479,000 options outstanding at
exercise prices ranging from $8.28 to $27.00. During the first quarter of 1998,
approximately 542,000 options were granted, approximately 55,000 options were
exercised yielding cash proceeds of $558 and approximately 16,000 options were
canceled.

5. On September 30, 1997, the Yee Family Trusts, as holders of the Company's
Preferred Stock, Series A and Preferred Stock, Series B, filed an action against
the Company, RCN and Cable Michigan in the Superior Court of New Jersey. The
complaint alleges that the Company's distribution of the common stock of RCN and
Cable Michigan in connection with the Distribution constituted a fraudulent
conveyance. The plantiffs further allege breaches of contract and fiduciary
duties in connection with the Distribution. On December 1, 1997, the complaint
was amended to allege the Company's distribution of the Common Stock of RCN and
Cable Michigan was an unlawful distribution in violation of 15 Pa. C.S.
1551(b)(2). The plaintiffs have asked the Court to set aside the alleged
fraudulent conveyance and are seeking unspecified monetary damages alleged to be
in excess of $52,000. The Company believes that this lawsuit is without merit
and is contesting the action vigorously. On January 9, 1998, the defendants,
including RCN filed a Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative, for Summary
Judgement (the "Motion"). Response and Reply Briefs have also been filed. At
this writing, the Court has not scheduled oral argument on the Motion.

6. Basic earnings per share amounts are based on net income after deducting
preferred stock dividend requirements and the charges to retained earnings for
the accretion in value of preferred stock divided by the weighted average number
of shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share are based on net income after deducting preferred
stock dividend requirements and the charges to retained earnings for the
accretion in value of preferred stock divided by the weighted average number of
shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during each year
after giving effect to stock options considered to be dilutive common stock
equivalents. For the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, the conversion of
redeemable preferred stock into common stock is not assumed, since the effect is
anti-dilutive.

The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of
the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing
operations.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                           -----------------------
                                                         1998                  1997
                                                    --------------       ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>                  <C> 
Income from continuing operations                   $        5,066       $         6,546
Preferred stock dividends                                      650                   650
                                                    --------------       ---------------
   Subtotal                                                  4,416                 5,896
Accretion of preferred stock                                   412                   412
                                                    --------------       ---------------
   Total                                            $        4,004       $         5,484
                                                    ==============       ===============

Basic earnings per average common share:
  Weighted average shares outstanding                   18,337,584            18,316,971
                                                    ==============       ===============
  Income per average common share                   $         0.22       $          0.30
                                                    ==============       ===============
Diluted earnings per average common share:
  Weighted average shares outstanding                   18,337,584            18,316,971
  Dilutive shares resulting from stock options             595,330                99,785
  Redeemable preferred stock (1)                                 -                     -
                                                    --------------       ---------------
Weighted average shares and common stock
    equivalents outstanding                             18,932,914            18,416,756
                                                    ==============       ===============
  Income per average common share                   $         0.21       $          0.30
                                                    ==============       ===============
</TABLE> 

(1) In 1998 and 1997 the conversion of redeemable preferred stock into 1,457,143
shares of common stock using the "if converted" method is anti-dilutive.

7. The Company's contract with the union expired on November 30, 1997.
Currently, the Company and the union are working under the terms of the old
contract. There are no new negotiation sessions scheduled at this time.

8. In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 130-"Reporting Comprehensive
Income" ("SFAS 130"). This statement, which establishes standards for reporting
and disclosure of comprehensive income, is effective for interim and annual
periods beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company does not currently have
any material items subject to disclosure pursuant to SFAS 130.
<PAGE>
 
2:   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
     OPERATIONS

                (Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts)

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor"
for forward-looking statements.  Certain information included in this Quarterly
Report is forward-looking, such as information relating to the effects of future
regulation and competition and statements made as to plans to construct and
develop additional markets.  Such forward-looking information involves important
risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results in the
future differently than those expressed in any forward-looking statements made
by, or on behalf of, the Company.  These risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to penetrate
new markets and the related cost of that effort, economic conditions,
acquisitions and divestitures, government and regulatory policies, the pricing
and availability of equipment, materials and inventories, technological
developments, pending and future litigation, penetration, churn rates,
availability of future financing and changes in the competitive environment in
which the Company operates.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the attached
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and with the
Company's audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

The Company's operating income before depreciation, amortization and management
fees ("EBITDA") was $21,357  for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 compared to
$20,139 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.  Higher costs associated with the
development of CTSI were offset by higher EBITDA for CT of $1,829.  Sales
increased 14.7% and were $53,235 and $46,413 for the quarters ended March 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively.  Accounting for the increase were higher sales of
CT of $2,796,  CTSI of $3,596, and Other Operations of $430.  Income from
continuing operations was $5,066 and $6,546 for the quarters ended March 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively.  This decrease reflects higher interest,
depreciation expense and management fees, partially offset by the increased
EBITDA discussed above. Net income to common shareholders was $4,009 or $.22 per
average common share for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 as compared to net
loss to common shareholders of ($7,401) or ($.40) per average common share for
the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Net income to common shareholders for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997 includes Discontinued Operations of ($12,885) or
($.70) per average common share.

<PAGE>
 
Selected data by business segment was as follows:

 
                                          Quarter ended March 31,             
Sales                                   1998                  1997            
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
CT                                     $37,864               $35,068  
CTSI                                     3,890                   294  
Other                                   11,481                11,051  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Total                                  $53,235               $46,413  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND MANAGEMENT FEES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
CT                                     $22,816               $20,987  
CTSI                                    (2,315)               (1,196) 
Other                                      856                   348  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Total                                  $21,357               $20,139  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
                                                March 31,
                                          1998            1997        % change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
CT Main access lines                   262,984         242,980            8.2%
CTSI access lines installed*            23,211           2,022        1,047.9%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Excludes customer circuits in service (VGE's) of 9,096 and 1,704 for the 
 quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. VGE's are another measure
 of network utilization.

COMMONWEALTH TELEPHONE COMPANY ("CT")

Sales were $37,864 and $35,068 for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The increase of $2,796 or 8.0% is primarily due to higher access
and local service revenue of $2,015 resulting from an increase in access lines
of 20,004 or 8.2%. The growth in access lines reflects CT's success in promoting
second line sales throughout its territory. Interstate access revenue increased
$1,303 resulting from the growth in access lines and access minutes. State
access revenue increased $542 due to an increase in IntraLATA minutes partially
offset by a decrease in the average rate per minute.

Operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and management fees for
the quarter ended March 31, 1998 were $15,048 as compared to $14,081 for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997. Contributing to the increase of $967 or 6.9% is an
increase in payroll and benefits resulting from installation costs for second
line sales, annual salary increases and additional customer service and outside
installation positions. Employees per 1,000 access lines were 2.4 as compared to
2.5 for the same period last year. MIS costs associated with Year 2000
remediation also added to the increase.

<PAGE>
 
COMMONWEALTH TELECOM SERVICES, INC.  ("CTSI")

CTSI revenues were $3,890 for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 as compared to
$294 for the same period in 1997. The increase of $3,596 represents an increase
in local, toll and access revenues as a result of the expansion into the Central
Pennsylvania and Binghamton, New York markets. CTSI had 23,211 and 2,022
installed access lines for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization and management fees
were $6,205 and $1,490 for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.  This increase of $4,715 is primarily due to the expansion into
two additional markets noted above.  These expenses represent payroll and
benefits associated with sales, operations, and support staff, circuit rental
expense, advertising associated with entering new markets and terminating access
from ILECs.


OTHER

Other sales were $11,481 and $11,051 for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. The increase of $430 or 3.9% is primarily due to increased
epix/tm/ sales of $908 or 74.8%. This increase in sales reflects the continued
demand for high-speed Internet access. Commonwealth Communications revenue
increased $260 as a result of non-recurring revenue from premises distribution
and business system upgrade contracts. As expected, CLD revenue decreased $738
primarily as residential customers switched to alternate long distance providers
due to CLD's above industry rates.

Other costs and expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate
management fees were $10,625 and $10,703 for the quarters ended March 31, 1998
and 1997, respectively.  The decrease of $78 represents lower costs of CLD due
in part to lower sales offset by increased costs, primarily payroll and
benefits associated with the growth of epix/tm/.


DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Depreciation and amortization increased $1,361 or 18.8% for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 1997.  This increase
is due to a higher depreciable plant balance as a result of CT and CTSI capital
expenditures during 1997.


INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense includes interest on CT's mortgage note payable to the National
Bank for Cooperatives, interest on CTE's revolving credit facility and
amortization of debt issuance costs.  Interest expense was $3,080 and $2,079 for
the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, 

<PAGE>
 
respectively. The increase of $1,001 or 48.1% is primarily due to interest on
borrowings of $75,000 in the third quarter of 1997 against the revolving credit
facility. These proceeds were used to fund an equity contribution to RCN prior
to the Distribution and are partially offset by lower interest expense on the
mortgage note payable to the National Bank for Cooperatives.


INCOME TAXES

The Company's effective income tax rates for continuing operations were 43.3%
and 40.2% for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
difference between the effective rates and the amounts computed by
applying the statutory federal rate is primarily attributable to state income
taxes net of federal benefit. The effective rate is higher in 1998 since state
tax benefits have not been realized on the losses of CTSI due to state
limitations on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             March 31,         December 31,
                                                               1998                1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>
                                                              $  5,738            $ 14,017
Cash and temporary cash investments
Working capital                                              ($ 12,133)          ($  4,018)
Long-term debt (including current maturities)                 $174,105            $176,357
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                              Three months ended March 31,
                                                               1998                1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C> 
Net cash provided by operating activities                     $ 13,668            $  1,116
Investing activities:
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                 $ 19,111            $ 25,670
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Cash and temporary cash investments was $5,738 at March 31, 1998 as compared to
$14,017 at December 31, 1997.  The Company's working capital ratio for
continuing operations was 0.84 to 1 at March 31, 1998 as compared to 0.95 to 1
at December 31, 1997.

The Company currently has adequate resources to meet its short-term obligations,
including cash on hand of $5,738 and $50,000 of availability under its
revolving credit facility. The Company presently intends to judge the success of
its initial rollout of the CTSI business in deciding whether to undertake
additional capital expenditures to further expand the network to additional
areas. The Company expects that the further expansion of the CTSI business will
require significant capital to fund the network development and operations,
including funding the development of its fiber optic networks and funding
operating losses. The Company's operations have required and will continue to
require substantial capital investments for the design, construction, and
development of additional networks and services. The Company plans on funding
current expansion plans through internally generated funds and existing credit
facilities. In addition to cash generated from operations, sources of funding
for the Company's further capital requirements may include financing from public
offerings or private placements of equity and/or debt securities, and bank
loans. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to
the Company or, if available, that it can be obtained on a timely basis and on
acceptable terms. Failure to obtain such financing could result in the delay or
curtailment of the Company's development and expansion plans and expenditures.

The Company anticipates that future cash flows will be used principally to
support operations and finance growth of the business and, thus, the Company
does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Company Common Stock in the
foreseeable future. The payment of any cash dividends in the future will be at
the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. The declaration of any
dividends and the amount thereof will depend on a number of factors, including
the Company's financial condition, capital requirements, funds from operations,
future business prospects and such other factors as the Company's Board of
Directors may deem relevant.

As a result of factors such as the significant expenses associated with the
development of new networks and services, the Company anticipates that its
operating results could vary significantly from period to period.

For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company's net cash provided by 
operating activities was $13,668 comprised primarily of net income of $5,071 
adjusted by non-cash depreciation and amortization of $8,590, other non-cash 
items ($980) and working capital changes of $718. Net cash used in investing 
activities of $18,953 consisted primarily of additions to property, plant and 
equipment of $19,111. Net cash used in financing activities of $2,994 consisted 
primarily of redemption of long-term debt of $2,252 and preferred dividends of 
$1,300, partially offset by proceeds from issuance of Common Stock of $558.

<PAGE>
 
PART II - Other Information
- ---------------------------

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 14, 1998. Matters submitted
to and approved by Shareholders included:

1)      The election of the following Class I Directors to serve for a term of 
        three years:
     
        Nominee
        -------
        Michael I. Gottdenker
        Frank M. Henry
        Eugene Roth
        John J. Whyte

Additional Directors whose term of office as a Director continued after the
meeting included:

        David C. McCourt                   Stuart E. Graham
        Richard J. Jaros                   James Q. Crowe
        Michael J. Mahoney                 Daniel E. Knowles
        David C. Mitchell                  Walter Scott, Jr.
        Bruce C. Godfrey

2)      The ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as the
        Company's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 1998.

             For                 Against                  Abstain
             ---                 -------                  -------
          36,617,692             105,248                   6,843


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a.)  Exhibits
                  (27) Financial Data Schedule
         (b.)  Reports on Form 8-K
                  None.
<PAGE>
 
                                  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.


Date:  May 15, 1998               Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc.


                                        /s/ Bruce Godfrey
                                        -----------------
                                        Bruce C. Godfrey
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,738
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,195
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,466
<INVENTORY>                                     10,372
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,716
<PP&E>                                         528,823
<DEPRECIATION>                                 230,295
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,824
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           74,849
<BONDS>                                        165,095
                           42,929
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        22,380
<OTHER-SE>                                      19,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,824
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,235
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,851
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   715
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,080
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,875
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,066
<DISCONTINUED>                                       5
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
        

</TABLE>


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