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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998
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OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number 1-9712
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UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 62-1147325
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois 60631
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 399-8900
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
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at July 31, 1998
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Common Shares, $1 par value 54,370,720 Shares
Series A Common Shares, $1 par value 33,005,877 Shares
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<PAGE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
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2ND QUARTER REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
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INDEX
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Page No.
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Part I. Financial Information:
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition 2-13
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 14
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 15
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 16-17
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 18-21
Part II. Other Information 22-23
Signatures 24
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
-----------------------------
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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Six Months Ended 6/30/98 Compared to Six Months Ended 6/30/97
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United States Cellular Corporation (the "Company" - AMEX symbol: USM) owns,
operates and invests in cellular markets throughout the United States. USM is an
81.0%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. ("TDS").
USM owned either majority or minority cellular interests in 181 markets at June
30, 1998, representing 25,675,000 population equivalents ("pops"). USM included
the operations of 136 majority-owned and managed cellular markets, representing
23.0 million pops, in consolidated operations ("consolidated markets") as of
June 30, 1998. Minority interests in 39 markets, representing 2.6 million pops,
were accounted for using the equity method and were included in investment
income at that date. All other interests, representing less than 100,000 pops in
the aggregate, were accounted for using the cost method. Following is a table of
summarized operating data for USM's consolidated operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six Months Ended or At June 30,
---------------------------------------
1998 1997
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<S> <C> <C>
Total market population (in thousands) (1) 24,136 21,844
Customers 1,922,000 1,263,000
Market penetration 7.96% 5.78%
Markets in operation 136 132
Cell sites in service 1,864 1,485
Average monthly revenue per customer $ 47.50 $ 56.03
Churn rate per month 1.8% 1.9%
Marketing cost per gross customer addition $ 309 $ 325 (2)
<FN>
(1) Calculated using the respective population estimates for each year (Claritas
for 1998, Donnelley for 1997).
(2) Recomputed to show the effect of change in current year presentation of
certain expenses.
</FN>
</TABLE>
The Company's operating income for the first six months of 1998, which includes
100% of the revenues and expenses of its consolidated markets plus its corporate
office operations, primarily reflects improvement in the Company's overall
operations compared to the first six months of 1997. The improvement resulted
from growth in the Company's customer base and revenues coupled with increasing
economies of scale. Operating revenues, driven by increases in customers served,
rose $133.1 million, or 33%. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and
amortization, rose $81.3 million, or 30%. Operating cash flow (operating income
before minority share plus depreciation and amortization expense) increased
$51.8 million, or 41%. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $34.1
million, or 55%. Operating income before minority share increased $17.7 million,
or 27%.
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<PAGE>
The Company's operating results were also impacted by the effects of
acquisitions and divestitures, primarily those related to the exchange of
markets with BellSouth Corporation ("BellSouth") in the fourth quarter of 1997.
In that transaction, the Company received operating markets serving a population
of over four million in exchange for operating markets serving a population of
approximately two million. The Company also divested certain minority interests
and paid cash to BellSouth to complete the exchange. The operating markets
acquired in that transaction, net of the operating markets divested, generated
increases in the Company's overall revenues, operating expenses, operating cash
flow and operating income. These increases were primarily due to the increase in
the Company's customer base as a result of the exchange.
However, the results of certain of the Company's existing markets which are
adjacent to the markets acquired were negatively impacted by the effects of the
exchange. Specifically, inbound roaming revenue and, to a lesser extent,
operating cash flow suffered the most negative impact in these markets. This
impact was primarily due to the change in the nature and pricing of transactions
in which customers from the acquired markets use their wireless phones when
roaming in the Company's existing markets. Prior to the exchange, the Company's
existing markets recorded inbound roaming revenue at premium rates; after the
exchange, those markets recorded an intracompany transfer amount which is
eliminated in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Overall, the Company's revenues, operating cash flow and operating income were
positively impacted by the effects of the BellSouth exchange. However, as a
result of the Company's divestiture of several minority interests in the
exchange, investment income was negatively impacted by the exchange.
Investment and other income increased $167.2 million to $210.6 million, due
primarily to $189.8 million in gains on the sales of cellular interests realized
in 1998. The increase in gains was partially offset by a 43% reduction in
investment income, which decreased as a result of the exchange transaction with
BellSouth in 1997 and by the sale of minority interests to AirTouch
Communications, Inc. ("AirTouch") in 1998. Interest expense increased $7.7
million, or 63%, in 1998, primarily due to an increase in debt balances
resulting from the Company's issuance of 7.25% unsecured notes ("Notes") in
August 1997. Income tax expense increased $69.3 million to $108.7 million in
1998, primarily resulting from increased gains on the sales of cellular
interests.
Net income totaled $162.5 million in 1998, an increase of $112.4 million from
1997. Both net income and earnings per share in 1998 reflect improved operating
results and an increase in gains on the sales of cellular interests, partially
offset by increased interest expense and reduced investment income. A summary of
the after-tax effects of these gains on net income and earnings per
share-diluted is shown below.
-3-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended June 30,
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1998 1997
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
Net income before after-tax effects of gains $ 46,456 $ 47,249
Add: After-tax effects of gains 116,081 2,911
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Net income as reported $ 162,537 $ 50,160
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Earnings per share before after-tax effects of gains $ .53 $ .55
Add: After-tax effects of gains 1.33 .03
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Earnings per share-diluted $ 1.86 $ .58
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</TABLE>
Operating Revenues
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Operating revenues totaled $535.3 million in the first half of 1998, up $133.1
million, or 33%, over 1997. Service revenues primarily consist of: (i) charges
for access, airtime and value-added services provided to the Company's local
retail customers who use the local systems operated by the Company ("local
retail"); (ii) charges to customers of other systems who use the Company's
cellular systems when roaming ("inbound roaming"); and (iii) charges for
long-distance calls made on the Company's systems. Service revenues totaled
$517.3 million in 1998, up $125.3 million, or 32%, over 1997. The increase was
primarily due to the growing number of local retail customers.
Average monthly service revenue per customer declined 15% to $47.50 in 1998 from
$56.03 in 1997. The decrease in average monthly service revenue per customer
resulted from a decrease in average revenue per minute of use from both local
retail customers and inbound roamers. The addition of the markets acquired in
the exchange with BellSouth in the fourth quarter of 1997 contributed to the
decline in both local retail revenue per customer and inbound roaming revenue
per customer. The acquired markets produce a lower amount of revenue per
customer, and the addition of those markets caused the elimination of certain
inbound roaming revenues between the Company's existing markets and the acquired
markets. Also contributing to the overall decline in average monthly service
revenue per customer was slower growth in inbound roaming minutes of use when
compared to the growth in the Company's customer base.
Competitive pressures and the Company's increasing use of pricing and other
incentive programs that encourage weekend and off-peak usage at reduced rates,
in order to stimulate overall usage, resulted in a decrease in average local
retail revenue per minute of use during 1998. The Company's average inbound
roaming revenue per minute of use also decreased during 1998, in line with the
ongoing trend toward reduced per minute prices for roaming negotiated between
the Company and other cellular operators. Also, the Company believes that its
customer base is growing faster than that of the cellular industry as a whole,
which has a dilutive effect on inbound roaming revenue per customer. Inbound
roaming minutes of use have been growing at a slower rate than the Company's
customer base (35% growth in inbound roaming minutes in 1998 compared to 52%
growth in the Company's customer base).
Local retail revenue increased $108.0 million, or 41%, in 1998. Growth in the
Company's customer base was the primary reason for the increase in local retail
revenue. The number of customers increased 52% to 1,922,000 at June 30, 1998
from 1,263,000 at June 30, 1997. The Company added 208,000 net new customers
from its marketing channels in the first half of 1998 compared to 190,000 in
1997. Management anticipates that growth in the Company's customer
-4-
<PAGE>
base will be slower in the future, primarily as a result of an increase in the
number of competitors in its markets.
Average monthly local retail revenue per customer declined 9% to $33.82 in 1998
from $37.21 in 1997. Monthly local retail minutes of use per customer decreased
4% to 102 in 1998 from 106 in 1997. Average revenue per minute of use decreased
as a result of the pricing and other incentive programs stated previously.
Average local retail revenue per minute totaled $.33 in 1998 compared to $.35 in
1997. The decrease in average monthly local retail revenue per customer is part
of an industry-wide trend and is believed to be related to the tendency of the
early customers in a market to be the heaviest users during peak business hours.
It also reflects the increasing level of competition for wireless services and
the Company's and the industry's continued penetration of the consumer market,
which tends to include fewer peak business hour-usage customers.
Inbound roaming revenue increased $297,000, or less than 1%, in 1998. The lack
of substantial growth in inbound roaming revenue is in part a result of the
exchange of markets with BellSouth. Prior to the BellSouth exchange, revenue
from BellSouth customers roaming in the Company's service areas was reported as
inbound roaming revenue. Subsequent to the exchange, these roaming transactions
are considered to be intracompany and the related intracompany revenues and
expenses are therefore eliminated. The lack of growth was also attributable to
the fact that, although the number of minutes used by customers from other
wireless systems when roaming in the Company's service areas increased by 35%,
this was fully offset by the decrease in average revenue per minute due to the
downward trend in negotiated rates. Average inbound roaming revenue per minute
totaled $.68 in 1998 and $.88 in 1997. Monthly inbound roaming revenue per
Company customer averaged $9.45 in 1998 and $14.66 in 1997. The decrease in
monthly inbound roaming revenue per Company customer is related to both the
decrease in inbound roaming revenue per minute and the faster increase in the
Company's customer base as compared to the growth in inbound roaming minutes of
use.
Long-distance revenue increased $15.9 million, or 56%, in 1998 as the volume of
long-distance calls billed by the Company increased. Monthly long-distance
revenue per customer averaged $4.05 in 1998 and $4.04 in 1997.
Equipment sales revenues increased $7.8 million, or 77%, in 1998. The increase
in equipment sales revenues reflects the 26% increase in the number of gross
customer activations, to 403,000 in 1998 from 321,000 in 1997. Most of the gross
customer activations were produced by the Company's direct and retail
distribution channels; activations from these channels usually generate sales of
cellular telephone units. The increase in revenues also reflects an increase in
the volume of accessories sold, primarily in the Company's retail locations.
Operating Expenses
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Operating expenses totaled $452.0 million in 1998, up $115.4 million, or 34%,
over 1997. Beginning on January 1, 1998, the Company changed its income
statement presentation of certain corporate marketing department expenses from
general and administrative expenses to marketing and selling expenses, which the
Company believes is the more appropriate classification for these expenses.
Amounts have been reclassified for previous years, including the 1997
information provided throughout this Form 10-Q. The effect of such
reclassification is not material to either marketing and selling expenses or
general and administrative expenses, and does not have any effect on operating
income or net income.
-5-
<PAGE>
System operations expenses increased $20.0 million, or 29%, in 1998 as a result
of increases in customer usage expenses and costs associated with serving the
Company's increased number of customers and the growing number of cell sites
within the Company's systems. In total, system operations costs are expected to
continue to increase as the number of customers using and the number of cell
sites within the Company's systems grows.
Customer usage expenses represent charges from other telecommunications service
providers for the Company's customers' use of their facilities as well as for
the Company's inbound roaming traffic on these facilities. Also included are
costs related to local interconnection to the landline network, toll charges and
expenses incurred by the Company when its customers use systems other than their
local systems ("outbound roaming"). These expenses are offset somewhat by
amounts the Company bills to its customers for outbound roaming.
Customer usage expenses increased $16.2 million, or 37%, in 1998. The increase
in 1998 is primarily due to the increase in net outbound roaming expense, which
has resulted from the Company offering its customers increasingly larger service
footprints in which their calls are billed at local rates. In certain cases
these service areas include other operators' service areas. The Company pays
roaming rates to the other carriers for calls the Company's customers make in
these areas, while charging those customers a local rate which is usually lower
than the roaming rate. Also contributing to the increase in 1998 were costs
related to the increase in minutes used on the Company's systems, partially
offset by the reduction in costs related to fraudulent use of the Company's
customers' cellular telephone numbers. These fraud-related costs totaled $2.5
million in 1998 and $4.8 million in 1997. The Company continues to implement
procedures in its markets to combat this fraud, which is primarily related to
roaming usage. Customer usage expenses represented 11% of service revenues both
in 1998 and in 1997.
Maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $3.9 million, or 15%, in
1998. The increase primarily reflects a 26% increase in the number of cell sites
in the Company's systems, to 1,864 in 1998 from 1,485 in 1997. Monthly
maintenance, utility and cell site expenses totaled $2,759 and $3,082 per
average cell site in 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Marketing and selling expenses increased $22.4 million, or 28%, in 1998.
Marketing and selling expenses primarily consist of salaries, commissions and
expenses of field sales and retail personnel and offices; agent expenses;
corporate marketing department salaries and expenses; local advertising; and
public relations expenses. The increase was primarily due to the 26% rise in the
number of gross customer activations. Marketing cost per gross customer
activation, which includes marketing and selling expenses and losses on
equipment sales, decreased 5% to $309 in 1998 from $325 in 1997. The decrease in
cost per gross customer activation has been slowed somewhat by additional
advertising expenses incurred to promote the Company's brand.
Cost of equipment sold increased $5.3 million, or 15%, in 1998. The increase
reflects the growth in unit sales related to the 26% increase in gross customer
activations. Also contributing to the increase was a greater volume of sales of
accessories.
General and administrative expenses increased $33.5 million, or 37%, in 1998.
These expenses include the costs of operating the Company's local business
offices and its corporate expenses other than the corporate engineering and
marketing departments. The increase includes the
-6-
<PAGE>
effects of increases in expenses required to serve the growing customer base in
existing markets and an expansion of both local administrative office and
corporate staff, necessitated by growth in the Company's business.
Employee-related expenses increased $12.3 million, or 28%, in 1998, primarily
due to increases in the number of customer service and administrative employees.
The Company is using an ongoing clustering strategy to combine local and
customer service operations wherever feasible in order to gain operational
efficiencies and reduce its per unit administrative expenses. Monthly general
and administrative expenses per customer decreased 12% to $11.43 in 1998 from
$13.01 in 1997.
Operating cash flow increased $51.8 million, or 41%, to $179.0 million in 1998.
The improvement was primarily due to substantial growth in customers and service
revenues, the effects of improved operational efficiencies on cash operating
expenses and the effect of net acquisitions. Operating cash flow margins (as a
percent of service revenues) were 34.6% in 1998 and 32.5% in 1997.
Depreciation expense increased $32.6 million, or 74%, in 1998. The increase
reflects rising average fixed asset balances, which increased 36% in 1998, plus
a reduction in useful lives of certain assets beginning in 1998 which increased
depreciation expense by $10.3 million. Increased fixed asset balances resulted
from the increase in cell sites built to improve coverage and capacity in the
Company's markets and also from the acquisition of markets from BellSouth in
1997.
Operating Income before Minority Share
- --------------------------------------
Operating income before minority share totaled $83.3 million in 1998 and $65.6
million in 1997. The operating income margin was 16.1% in 1998 and 16.7% in
1997. The improvement in operating income reflects increased revenues resulting
from growth in the number of customers served by the Company's systems and the
effect of continued operational efficiencies on total operating expenses. The
slight decline in operating income margins reflect an increase in depreciation
expense in 1998.
The Company expects service revenues to continue to grow during the remainder of
1998; however, management anticipates that average monthly revenue per customer
will continue to decrease as local retail and inbound roaming revenue per minute
of use decline and as the Company further penetrates the consumer market.
Additionally, the Company expects expenses to increase during the remainder of
1998 as it incurs costs associated with both customer growth and cell sites
added.
Management believes there exists a seasonality in both service revenues, which
tend to increase more slowly in the first and fourth quarters, and operating
expenses, which tend to be higher in the fourth quarter due to increased
marketing activities and customer growth, which may cause operating income to
vary from quarter to quarter. Additionally, competitors licensed to provide
personal communications services ("PCS") have initiated service in certain of
the Company's markets over the past two years. The Company expects certain PCS
operators to complete initial deployment of PCS in portions of all of the
Company's clusters by the end of 1998. The Company has increased its
advertising, particularly brand advertising, in 1997 and 1998 to promote the
United States Cellular(R) brand and distinguish the Company's service from other
wireless communications providers. The Company's management continues to monitor
other wireless communications providers' strategies to determine what effects
additional competition will have on the Company's future strategies and results.
While the effects of
-7-
<PAGE>
additional wireless competition have slowed customer growth in certain of the
Company's markets, the overall effect on the Company's total customer growth to
date has not been material. However, management anticipates that customer growth
will be lower in the future, primarily as a result of the increase in the number
of competitors in its markets.
Investment and Other Income
- ---------------------------
Investment and other income totaled $210.6 million in 1998 and $43.4 million in
1997. Gain on sale of cellular interests totaled $189.8 million in 1998,
reflecting gains recorded on the sales of the Company's investment interests in
twelve markets, and also related to cash received from Telephone and Data
Systems, Inc. ("TDS"), the Company's parent organization, pursuant to an
agreement between the Company and TDS. Gains totaling $8.2 million were recorded
in the first half of 1997 from sales of the Company's majority interest in one
market partition and one other minority interest. See "Financial Resources and
Liquidity - Acquisitions and Divestitures" for further discussion of these
transactions.
Investment income was $20.9 million in 1998 compared to $36.4 million in 1997, a
43% decrease. Investment income primarily represents the Company's share of net
income from the markets managed by others that are accounted for by the equity
method. Investment income in 1998 decreased as a result of the completion of the
exchange transaction with BellSouth in 1997 and the divestitures of certain
minority interests to AirTouch in the first half of 1998. See "Financial
Resources and Liquidity - Acquisitions and Divestitures" for further discussions
of these transactions.
Interest and Income Taxes
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Interest expense totaled $19.9 million in 1998 compared to $12.2 million in
1997, a 63% increase. Interest expense in 1998 is primarily related to Liquid
Yield Option Notes ("LYONs") ($8.0 million); the Company's 7.25% Notes issued
during the third quarter of 1997 ($10.9 million); and borrowings under the
Company's revolving credit facility with a series of banks ("Revolving Credit
Facility") ($369,000). Interest expense in 1997 was primarily related to LYONs
($7.5 million), borrowings under vendor financing agreements ($3.5 million) and
borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement with TDS ($1.0 million).
In August 1997, the Company sold $250 million principal amount of 7.25% Notes
under a shelf registration statement, priced to yield 7.33% to maturity. The
Notes are unsecured and become due in August 2007. Interest on the Notes is
payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing
February 15, 1998. The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company at any time after August 2004. All borrowings under the
vendor financing agreements were repaid in August 1997 with a portion of the
proceeds from the Notes offering.
The LYONs are zero coupon convertible debentures which accrete interest at 6%
annually, but do not require current cash payments of interest. All accreted
interest is added to the outstanding principal balance on June 15 and December
15 of each year.
The Revolving Credit Facility is a seven-year facility which was established in
1997 to replace the Company's Revolving Credit Agreement with TDS as its primary
short-term borrowing facility. Borrowings under this facility accrue interest at
the London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 26.5 basis points (for a rate
of 5.9% at June 30, 1998). Interest payments are
-8-
<PAGE>
due quarterly; any borrowings made under the facility are short-term in nature
and automatically renew until they are repaid. Any borrowings outstanding in
August 2004, the termination date of the Revolving Credit Facility, are due and
payable at that time along with any accrued interest. The Company borrowed and
repaid amounts totaling $47 million during the first six months of 1998.
Income tax expense was $108.7 million in 1998 and $39.4 million in 1997. In 1998
and 1997, $73.7 million and $5.3 million of income tax expense, respectively,
related to the gains on sales of cellular interests. In total, the effective tax
rates were 40% in 1998 and 44% in 1997. The decrease in 1998's effective tax
rate is primarily related to lower tax rates applied to gains on sales of
cellular interests in 1998 compared to 1997.
TDS and the Company are parties to a Tax Allocation Agreement, pursuant to which
the Company is included in a consolidated federal income tax return with other
members of the TDS consolidated group. For financial reporting purposes, the
Company computes federal income taxes as if it were filing a separate return as
its own affiliated group and was not included in the TDS group. Subject to the
completion of the proposed USM Merger, as defined below, TDS intends to amend
certain intercompany agreements between TDS and the Company, including the Tax
Allocation Agreement, or replace certain agreements with policies. See "TDS
Tracking Stock Proposal" for further discussion of the USM Merger.
Net Income
- ----------
Net income totaled $162.5 million in 1998 and $50.2 million in 1997. Earnings
per share was $1.86 in 1998 and $.58 in 1997. Net income and earnings per share
for 1998 and 1997 included significant gains on the sales of cellular interests,
representing $116.1 million and $1.33 per share in 1998 and $2.9 million and
$.03 per share in 1997, respectively.
Three Months Ended 6/30/98 Compared to Three Months Ended 6/30/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues totaled $290.1 million in the second quarter of 1998, up
$72.5 million, or 33%, over 1997. Average monthly service revenue per customer
decreased 14% to $50.16 in the second quarter of 1998 compared to $58.41 in the
same period of 1997 for reasons generally the same as the first half of 1998.
Revenues from local customers' usage of the Company's systems increased $58.9
million, or 42%, in 1998 primarily due to the increased number of customers
served. Average monthly local retail minutes of use per customer totaled 109 in
the second quarter of 1998 compared to 111 in 1997. Also, as the number of
customers and amount of revenue earned continued to grow, average revenue per
minute of use continued to decline. As a result, average monthly local retail
revenue per customer declined 8% to $35.39 in the second quarter of 1998
compared to $38.31 in 1997.
Inbound roaming revenue decreased $569,000, or 1%, in 1998. Monthly inbound
roaming revenue per customer averaged $10.12 in 1998 compared to $15.74 in 1997.
Long-distance revenue increased $9.6 million, or 62%, in 1998 as the volume of
long-distance calls billed by the Company increased. Monthly long-distance
revenue per customer averaged $4.47 in 1998 and $4.25 in 1997.
-9-
<PAGE>
Equipment sales revenue increased $4.0 million, or 77%, in 1998, primarily due
to a 25% increase in gross customer activations and an increase in the sales of
accessories.
Operating expenses totaled $240.0 million in the second quarter of 1998, up
$64.5 million, or 37%, over 1997. System operations expenses increased $14.3
million, or 38%, in 1998 as a result of increased customer usage expenses and
costs associated with maintaining 26% more cell sites than in 1997. Customer
usage expenses were $36.8 million in 1998 compared to $24.3 million in 1997,
primarily due to a $12.3 million increase in net outbound roaming expenses;
maintenance, utility and cell site expenses were $15.6 million in 1998 compared
to $13.8 million in 1997.
Marketing and selling expenses increased $10.2 million, or 25%, in 1998. The
increase was primarily due to a 25% increase in the number of gross customer
activations (excluding acquisitions and divestitures) to 205,000 in 1998 from
164,000 in 1997. Cost per gross customer activation was $305 in 1998 and $327 in
1997.
Cost of equipment sold increased $2.6 million, or 15%, in 1998. The increase
reflects a rise in the number of cellular telephones sold in 1998.
General and administrative expenses increased $18.4 million, or 39%, in 1998,
primarily related to the increase in customers served.
Operating cash flow increased $27.0 million, or 37%, to $100.6 million in 1998,
and operating cash flow margins totaled 35.8% in 1998 and 34.7% in 1997.
Depreciation expense increased $18.2 million, or 80%, in 1998, reflecting a 35%
increase in average fixed asset balances and a reduction in the useful lives of
certain assets.
Operating income before minority share totaled $50.1 million in 1998 compared to
$42.2 million in 1997, a 19% increase. The operating income margin decreased to
17.8% in 1998 from 19.8% in 1997. The improvement in operating income was
primarily the result of increased revenues and improved operational
efficiencies. The reduction in operating margin in 1998 reflects an increase in
depreciation expense.
Investment income decreased $9.9 million, or 55%, in 1998 due to the effects of
the sales of certain minority interests to AirTouch in 1998 and the exchange
transaction with BellSouth in 1997. Gain on sale of cellular and other
investments totaled $9.8 million in 1998 and $8.2 million in 1997. Total
interest expense increased $3.2 million, or 48%, in 1998. Interest expense in
1998 is primarily related to LYONs ($4.0 million) and the Notes ($5.4 million).
Interest expense in 1997 is primarily related to LYONs ($3.8 million),
borrowings under vendor financing agreements ($1.7 million) and borrowings under
the Revolving Credit Agreement with TDS ($1.0 million). Income tax expense
totaled $24.3 million in 1998 and $25.5 million in 1997. In 1998 and 1997, $3.9
million and $5.3 million of income tax expense, respectively, related to gains
on sales of cellular interests.
Net income totaled $32.8 million in 1998 compared to $31.7 million in 1997. Both
net income and earnings per share in 1998 reflect improved operating results and
an increase in gains on the sales of cellular interests, partially offset by
increased interest expense and reduced
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<PAGE>
investment income. A summary of the after-tax effect of gains on net income and
earnings per share is shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended June 30,
---------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
Net income before after-tax effects of gains $ 26,943 $ 28,781
Add: After-tax effects of gains 5,842 2,911
---------- ----------
Net income as reported $ 32,785 $ 31,692
========== ==========
Earnings per share before after-tax effects of gains $ .31 $ .33
Add: After-tax effects of gains .07 .04
---------- ----------
Earnings per share as reported $ .38 $ .37
========== ==========
</TABLE>
FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
- ---------------------------------
The Company operates a capital- and marketing-intensive business. In recent
years, the Company has generated operating cash flow and received cash proceeds
from divestitures to fund most of its construction costs and substantially all
of its operating expenses. The Company anticipates further increases in cellular
units in service, revenues, operating cash flow and cell sites as it continues
its growth strategy. Operating cash flow may fluctuate from quarter to quarter
depending on the seasonality of each of these growth factors.
Cash flows from operating activities provided $100.9 million in 1998 and $103.2
million in 1997. Operating cash flow provided $179.0 million in 1998 and $127.2
million in 1997. Cash flows from other operating activities (investment and
other income, interest expense, changes in working capital and changes in other
assets and liabilities) required $78.1 million in 1998 and $24.0 million in
1997, primarily reflecting increases in income taxes and interest paid.
Cash flows from financing activities required $1.2 million in 1998 and provided
$47.2 million in 1997. In 1997, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement
with TDS provided $60.3 million, primarily for acquisitions and to pay income
taxes, while repayments of debt under vendor financing agreements required $11.7
million.
Cash flows from investing activities required $50.9 million in 1998 and $163.0
million in 1997. Cash required for property, plant and equipment and system
development expenditures totaled $137.0 million in 1998 and $161.1 million in
1997, financed primarily with internally generated cash and the proceeds from
the sales of cellular interests. These expenditures primarily represent the
construction of 102 and 163 cell sites in 1998 and 1997, respectively, plus
other plant additions and costs related to the development of the Company's
office systems. The Company received net cash proceeds totaling $120.2 million
in 1998 and $21.4 million in 1997 related to sales of cellular interests. Cash
distributions from cellular entities in which the Company has an interest
provided $11.9 million in 1998 and $21.8 million in 1997. Acquisitions required
$43.6 million in 1998 and $36.6 million in 1997.
Anticipated capital requirements for 1998 primarily reflect the Company's
construction and system expansion program. The Company's construction and system
expansion budget for 1998 is approximately $330 million, primarily for new cell
sites to expand and enhance the
-11-
<PAGE>
Company's coverage in its service areas and for the enhancement of the Company's
office systems.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
- -----------------------------
The Company assesses its cellular holdings on an ongoing basis in order to
maximize the benefits derived from clustering its markets. As the Company's
clusters have grown, the Company's focus has shifted toward exchanges and
divestitures of managed and investment interests. Over the past few years, the
Company has completed exchanges of controlling interests in its less strategic
markets for controlling interests in markets which better complement its
clusters. The Company has also completed outright sales of other less strategic
markets. The proceeds from these sales have been used to further the Company's
growth.
In the first six months of 1998, the Company acquired majority interests in two
markets and minority interests in several markets, representing 432,000 pops,
for a total consideration of $57.6 million. The consideration consisted of cash
and approximately 46,000 USM Common Shares.
In the first six months of 1997, the Company acquired a majority interest in one
market and several minority interests, representing 246,000 pops, for a total
consideration of $36.6 million. The consideration consisted of cash borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Agreement with TDS.
In the first half of 1998, the Company divested minority interests in 12
markets, representing approximately 936,000 pops. In exchange, the Company
received approximately 4.1 million shares of AirTouch stock and cash and
receivables totaling $120.5 million. Approximately $28.7 million of the total
cash received was pursuant to a contract right termination agreement entered
into between the Company and TDS. This agreement was related to two interests
which were sold directly by TDS to AirTouch and which were to be acquired by the
Company as part of a June 1996 agreement between the Company and TDS. The
contract right termination agreement enabled the Company to receive cash equal
to the value of the gain the Company would have realized had it purchased the
interests from TDS and sold them to AirTouch under terms similar to those in the
agreement between TDS and AirTouch.
In the first half of 1997, the Company sold a majority interest in one market
partition and a minority interest in one other market, representing 143,000
pops. The Company received cash and receivables totaling $22.7 million as
consideration for these sales.
As of June 30, 1998, the Company had agreements pending to acquire majority
interests in three markets, representing 603,000 pops, for consideration
totaling $77.0 million, primarily consisting of cash. Also at June 30, 1998, the
Company had an agreement pending to divest a majority interest in one market,
representing 262,000 pops, for a total consideration of $35.2 million. The
Company expects these transactions to be completed by the end of 1998.
Liquidity
- ---------
The Company anticipates that the aggregate resources required for the remainder
of 1998 will include approximately $193 million for capital spending and
approximately $77 million to complete pending acquisitions. The Company is
generating substantial cash from its operations
-12-
<PAGE>
and anticipates financing its capital spending for 1998 primarily with
internally generated cash, proceeds from the sale of cellular interests and
short-term borrowings. The Company had $63 million of cash and cash equivalents
at June 30, 1998 and expects to receive approximately $35 million from a pending
divestiture. Additionally, the Company has the entire $500 million remaining
under its Revolving Credit Facility to meet any short-term borrowing
requirements.
Management believes that the Company's operating cash flows and sources of
external financing, including the above-referenced Revolving Credit Facility,
provide substantial financial flexibility for the Company to meet both its
short- and long-term needs. The Company also currently has access to public and
private capital markets to help meet its long-term financing needs. The Company
anticipates issuing debt and equity securities only when capital requirements
(including acquisitions), financial market conditions and other factors warrant.
TDS Tracking Stock Proposal
- ---------------------------
On December 17, 1997, the Company received an offer from TDS to acquire all of
the issued Common Shares of the Company which TDS does not own pursuant to a
merger (the "USM Merger"), in exchange for a TDS tracking stock which tracks the
performance of the Company. The Company's Board of Directors appointed Mr.
Paul-Henri Denuit, an independent director of the Company, to a special
committee (the "Special Committee") of the Board to consider this offer. The
Special Committee retained the firm of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC as financial
advisor and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. as legal advisor to the Special
Committee. The Special Committee and its representatives have conducted a due
diligence review and have held meetings with representatives of TDS relating to
the TDS offer. TDS is attempting to seek to negotiate an agreement with the
Special Committee to acquire the Company's Common Shares that it does not own on
mutually acceptable terms. At this time, there is no agreement between the
Company and TDS relating to the TDS offer and there can be no assurance that an
agreement will be reached with respect to the USM Merger.
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition and other sections of this Annual Report to Shareholders contain
"forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, that are based on current expectations, estimates and
projections. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements
about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements contain potential risks and uncertainties; therefore, actual
results may differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Important factors that may affect these projections or expectations include, but
are not limited to: changes in the overall economy; changes in competition in
markets in which the Company operates; advances in telecommunications
technology; changes in the telecommunications regulatory environment; pending
and future litigation; availability of future financing; start-up of PCS
operations; and unanticipated changes in growth in cellular customers,
penetration rates, churn rates and the mix of products and services offered in
the Company's markets. Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these
important factors.
-13-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
-------------------------------------
Unaudited
---------
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- ----------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES
Service $ 280,931 $ 212,394 $ 517,275 $ 391,979
Equipment sales 9,177 5,185 17,990 10,184
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Operating Revenues 290,108 217,579 535,265 402,163
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OPERATING EXPENSES
System operations 52,367 38,048 89,310 69,277
Marketing and selling 51,328 41,088 101,329 78,890
Cost of equipment sold 20,357 17,763 41,105 35,757
General and administrative 65,477 47,095 124,520 91,048
Depreciation 40,878 22,722 76,798 44,231
Amortization of intangibles 9,564 8,709 18,911 17,361
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Operating Expenses 239,971 175,425 451,973 336,564
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE
MINORITY SHARE 50,137 42,154 83,292 65,599
Minority share of operating income (1,513) (4,383) (2,695) (7,248)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OPERATING INCOME 48,624 37,771 80,597 58,351
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME
Investment income 8,102 18,040 20,890 36,423
Amortization of licenses related to investments (226) (536) (559) (1,068)
Interest income 1,607 958 3,267 1,583
Other (expense), net (1,079) (729) (2,806) (1,782)
Gain on sale of cellular and other investments 9,767 8,237 189,759 8,237
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Investment and Other Income 18,171 25,970 210,551 43,393
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST
AND INCOME TAXES 66,795 63,741 291,148 101,744
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense - other 9,760 5,564 19,888 11,167
Interest expense - affiliate -- 1,014 -- 1,014
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Interest Expense 9,760 6,578 19,888 12,181
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 57,035 57,163 271,260 89,563
Income tax expense 24,250 25,471 108,723 39,403
--------- --------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME $ 32,785 $ 31,692 $ 162,537 $ 50,160
========= ========= ========= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON
AND SERIES A COMMON SHARES (000s) 87,342 86,177 87,290 86,163
EARNINGS PER COMMON AND
SERIES A COMMON SHARE-BASIC $ .38 $ .37 $ 1.86 $ .58
========= ========= ========= =========
EARNINGS PER COMMON AND SERIES A
COMMON SHARE ASSUMING-DILUTED $ .38 $ .37 $ 1.86 $ .58
========= ========= ========= =========
<FN>
The accompanying notes to consolidated
financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-14-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
-------------------------------------
Unaudited
---------
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
---------------------
1998 1997
--------- ---------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 162,537 $ 50,160
Add (Deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 95,709 61,592
Deferred taxes 66,057 12,497
Investment income (20,890) (36,423)
Gain on sale of cellular and other investments (189,759) (8,237)
Minority share of operating income 2,695 7,248
Other noncash expense 11,555 11,019
Change in accounts receivable (14,663) (17,284)
Change in accounts payable 19 10,432
Change in accrued taxes (11,942) 7,320
Change in accrued interest 310 425
Change in unearned revenue 1,994 4,717
Change in other assets and liabilities (2,724) (305)
--------- --------
100,898 103,161
--------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of vendor financing -- (11,718)
Borrowings from Revolving Credit Facility 47,000 --
Repayment of Revolving Credit Facility (47,000) --
Change in Revolving Credit Agreement - TDS -- 60,303
Change in notes payable (1,302) --
Common Shares issued 1,877 1,394
Capital (distributions) to minority partners (1,753) (2,792)
--------- --------
(1,178) 47,187
--------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment (115,967) (144,097)
System development costs (21,025) (16,961)
Investments in and advances to investment entities (3,561) (6,219)
Distributions from investment entities 11,890 21,823
Proceeds from sale of cellular and other investments 120,244 21,384
Acquisitions, excluding cash acquired (43,643) (36,606)
Other investments 409 (1,163)
Change in temporary cash and marketable
non-equity securities 795 (1,208)
-------- --------
(50,858) (163,047)
--------- --------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS 48,862 (12,699)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-
Beginning of period 13,851 14,377
--------- ---------
End of period $ 62,713 $ 1,678
========= =========
<FN>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
---------------------------
ASSETS
------
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
June 30, 1998 December 31, 1997
---------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
General funds $ 20,905 $ 13,851
Affiliated cash equivalents 41,808 --
---------- ----------
62,713 13,851
Temporary cash investments 293 218
Accounts receivable
Customers 95,903 81,387
Roaming 39,578 30,689
Affiliates 53 170
Other 8,600 17,536
Inventory 9,936 11,836
Prepaid expenses 11,225 15,714
Other current assets 3,440 3,963
----------- ----------
231,741 175,364
----------- ----------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
In service and under construction 1,267,882 1,212,575
Less accumulated depreciation 327,646 272,322
----------- ----------
940,236 940,253
----------- ----------
INVESTMENTS
Licenses, net of accumulated amortization 1,191,922 1,150,924
Cellular entities 90,428 128,810
Notes and interest receivable 15,047 10,673
Marketable equity securities 239,416 --
Marketable non-equity securities -- 870
----------- ----------
1,536,813 1,291,277
----------- ----------
DEFERRED CHARGES
System development costs,
net of accumulated amortization 95,708 78,306
Other, net of accumulated amortization 33,168 23,716
----------- ----------
128,876 102,022
----------- ----------
Total Assets $ 2,837,666 $2,508,916
=========== ==========
<FN>
The accompanying notes to consolidated
financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-16-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
---------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
June 30, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Notes payable $ -- $ 1,302
Accounts payable
Affiliates 1,752 2,466
Other 129,083 101,263
Accrued taxes 29,976 41,606
Accrued interest 7,066 6,534
Accrued compensation 10,851 9,112
Customer deposits and deferred revenues 23,099 21,019
Other current liabilities 15,616 20,934
---------- ----------
217,443 204,236
LONG-TERM DEBT
6% zero coupon convertible debentures 273,290 265,330
7.25% unsecured notes 250,000 250,000
---------- ----------
523,290 515,330
---------- ----------
DEFERRED LIABILITIES AND CREDITS
Net deferred income tax liability 186,723 100,725
Other 4,977 5,397
---------- ----------
191,700 106,122
---------- ----------
MINORITY INTEREST 41,681 53,908
---------- ----------
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Shares, par value $1 per share 54,340 54,232
Series A Common Shares, par value $1 per share 33,006 33,006
Additional paid-in capital 1,319,231 1,285,530
Net unrealized gain on marketable equity securities 37,886 --
Retained earnings 419,089 256,552
---------- ----------
1,863,552 1,629,320
---------- ----------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $2,837,666 $2,508,916
========== ==========
<FN>
The accompanying notes to consolidated
financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-17-
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The 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, although the
Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. It is suggested that these consolidated
financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's
latest annual report on Form 10-K.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to
present fairly the financial position as of June 30, 1998 and December 31,
1997, and the results of operations and cash flows for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997. The results of operations for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the full year.
2. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 128, "Earnings per Share," effective December 31, 1997. Earnings per
Common Share for 1997 have been restated to conform to current period
presentation. The adoption of SFAS No. 128 had no effect on Earnings per
Common Share - Basic and increased Earnings per Common Share-Diluted by
$.01 for 1997.
The amounts used in computing Earnings per Common Share and the effect on
income and the weighted average number of Common and Series A Common
Shares of dilutive potential common stock are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------ ------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income used in Earnings Per
Share-Basic and Diluted $ 32,785 $ 31,692 $162,537 $ 50,160
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average number of Common
Shares used in Earnings Per Share-Basic 87,342 86,177 87,290 86,163
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights 40 48 49 49
-------- -------- -------- --------
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares used in Earnings Per Share-Diluted 87,382 86,225 87,339 86,212
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
-18-
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Earnings per Common and Series A Common Share for the three and six
months ended June 30, 1998, contain significant income amounts related
to gains on the sale of cellular and other investments. Excluding the
after-tax effect of these gains, basic and diluted earnings per share
was $.31 for the three months ended June 30, 1998 and basic and diluted
earnings per share was $.53 for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
3. Assuming that acquisitions accounted for as purchases during the period
January 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998, had taken place on January 1, 1997,
pro forma results of operations would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(Dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
Service Revenues $518,209 $426,288
Equipment Sales 18,014 14,015
Interest Expense (including cost to finance acquisitions) 19,889 13,223
Net Income 162,693 58,638
Earnings per Common and Series A Common Share-Basic 1.86 .67
Earnings per Common and Series A Common Share-Diluted 1.86 .67
</TABLE>
4. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The Company acquired certain cellular licenses and interests during the
first six months of 1998 and 1997. In conjunction with these acquisitions,
the following assets were acquired, liabilities assumed and Common Shares
issued.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
------------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Property, plant and equipment $ 5,447 $ --
Cellular licenses 27,563 36,719
Decrease in equity-method investment
in cellular interests (4,222) --
Decrease in minority investments 13,168 --
Other assets and liabilities,
excluding cash acquired 2,990 (113)
Common Shares issued (1,303) --
-------- --------
Decrease in cash due to acquisitions $ 43,643 $ 36,606
======== ========
</TABLE>
-19-
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following summarizes certain noncash transactions and interest and
income taxes paid.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------------
1998 1997
------- -------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Interest paid $ 9,313 $ 4,105
Income taxes paid 61,302 22,810
Noncash interest expense 7,960 7,651
</TABLE>
5. Gain on sale of cellular and other investment in 1998 primarily reflects
gains recorded on the sale of the Company's minority interests in twelve
markets and on cash received from TDS pursuant to an agreement between
the Company and TDS.
6. In 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," ("SFAS No. 130"), which
requires companies to report all of the changes in shareholder's equity,
except those resulting from investment by owners or distribution to
owners ("Comprehensive Income"). The Company's Comprehensive Income
includes Net Income and Unrealized Gains from Marketable Equity
Securities that are classified as "available-for-sale". The following
table summarizes the Company's Comprehensive Income.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------- -------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------- -------- -------- --------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income $ 32,785 $ 31,692 $162,537 $ 50,160
Other Comprehensive Income-
Unrealized gains on securities,
net of tax of $20,443 37,886 -- 37,886 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Comprehensive Income $ 70,671 $ 31,692 $200,423 $ 50,160
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
-20-
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. On January 30, 1998 and April 6, 1998, the Company completed sales in
which the Company received certain marketable equity securities (see
note 5). At June 30, 1998, these noncurrent marketable equity securities
are carried at the lower of cost ($181.1 million) or market value
($239.4 million) resulting in an unrealized gain of $37.9 million net of
taxes ($20.4 million). The market value for the marketable equity
securities is based on quoted market prices.
-21-
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
--------------------------
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders.
- -------------------------------------------------------------
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of USM, held on May 13, 1998, the
following number of votes were cast for the matters indicated:
1.a. Election of one Class II director of the Company by the holders of
Series A Common Shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Broker
Nominee For Withhold Non-Vote
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Murray L. Swanson 330,058,770 -0- -0-
</TABLE>
1.b. Election of one Class II director of the Company by the holders of Common
Shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Broker
Nominee For Withhold Non-Vote
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Paul Henri-Denuit 51,443,590 92,870 -0-
</TABLE>
1.c. Election of one Class III director of the Company by the holder of Common
Shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Broker
Nominee For Withhold Non-Vote
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
J. Samuel Crowley 51,443,624 92,836 -0-
</TABLE>
2. Proposal to approve the Company's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Program:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Broker
For Against Abstain Non-Vote
-------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Series A
Common Shares 330,058,770 -0- -0- -0-
Common Shares 51,176,812 347,101 12,547 -0-
----------- ------- ------ ---
Total 381,235,582 347,101 12,547 -0-
=========== ======= ====== ===
</TABLE>
3. Proposal to Ratify the Selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as Independent
Public Accountants for 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Broker
For Against Abstain Non-Vote
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Series A
Common Shares 330,058,770 -0- -0- -0-
Common Shares 51,176,812 347,101 12,547 -0-
----------- ------- ------ ---
Total 381,235,582 347,101 12,547 -0-
=========== ======= ====== ===
</TABLE>
-22-
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
--------------------------
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
- -----------------------------------------
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit 11 - Statement regarding computation of per share
earnings is included herein as footnote 2 to the financial
statements.
Exhibit 12 - Statement regarding computation of ratios.
Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1998:
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1998.
-23-
<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.
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
----------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date August 10, 1998 H. DONALD NELSON
-------------------- -----------------------------------
H. Donald Nelson
President
(Chief Executive Officer)
Date August 10, 1998 KENNETH R. MEYERS
------------------- -----------------------------------
Kenneth R. Meyers
Senior Vice President-Finance and Treasurer
(Chief Financial Officer)
Date August 10, 1998 PHILLIP A. LORENZINI
------------------- -----------------------------------
Phillip A. Lorenzini
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
-24-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 12
<TABLE>
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 1998
----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C>
EARNINGS
Income from Continuing Operations before
income taxes $ 271,260
Add (Deduct):
Minority Share of Cellular Losses (227)
Earnings on Equity Method (20,890)
Distributions from Minority Subsidiaries 11,468
-----------------
$ 261,611
Add fixed charges:
Consolidated interest expense 17,855
Deferred debt expense 2,033
Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated
Rent Expense 2,862
-----------------
$ 284,361
=================
FIXED CHARGES
Consolidated interest expense 17,855
Deferred debt expense 2,033
Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated
Rent Expense 2,862
-----------------
$ 22,750
=================
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 12.50
=================
Tax-Effected Preferred Dividends $ --
Fixed Charges 22,750
-----------------
Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends $ 22,750
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS 12.50
=================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AS OF
JUNE 30, 1998, AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<CASH> 62,713
<SECURITIES> 239,416
<RECEIVABLES> 100,885
<ALLOWANCES> 4,982
<INVENTORY> 9,936
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 231,741
<PP&E> 1,267,882
<DEPRECIATION> 327,646
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,837,666
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 217,443
<BONDS> 523,290
0
0
<COMMON> 87,346
<OTHER-SE> 1,776,206
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,837,666
<SALES> 17,990
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 535,265
<CGS> 41,105
<TOTAL-COSTS> 451,973
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (210,551)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 8,997
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,888
<INCOME-PRETAX> 271,260
<INCOME-TAX> 108,723
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 162,537
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 162,537
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.86
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.86
</TABLE>
