CENTURYTEL INC
Item 1.
Business
On July 1, 2009, CenturyTel, Inc. acquired Embarq Corporation (“Embarq”) in a transaction that substantially expanded the size and scope of our business. Any references to results of operations, financial condition or subscriber data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include Embarq’s results or subscriber information after July 1, 2009 only. Due to the significant size of Embarq, direct comparisons of our results of operations or subscriber data with prior periods are less meaningful. For additional information on our Embarq acquisition, see “Embarq acquisition” below.
General. CenturyTel, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services, including local and long distance voice, wholesale local network access, high-speed Internet access, other data services and video services. We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide a complete offering of integrated communications services. We primarily conduct our operations in 33 states located within the continental United States.
At December 31, 2009, our incumbent local exchange telephone subsidiaries operated approximately 7.0 million telephone access lines in 33 states, with over 75% of these lines located in Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Alabama. According to published sources, we are currently the fourth largest local exchange telephone company in the United States based on the number of access lines served.
We also provide fiber transport, competitive local exchange carrier service, security monitoring, pay telephone and other communications, professional and business information services in certain local and regional markets.
In recent years, we have expanded our product offerings to include satellite television services and wireless broadband services. For additional information, see “Operations - Recent Product Developments” below.
For information on the amount of revenue derived by our various lines of services, see “Operations - Services” below and Item 7 of this annual report.
Embarq acquisition. On July 1, 2009, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 26, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), we acquired Embarq through a merger transaction. Embarq, which was spun-off from Sprint Nextel Corporation in 2006, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyTel. As a result of the transaction, each outstanding share of Embarq common stock was converted into 1.37 shares of CenturyTel common stock, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. We also assumed approximately $5.1 billion of Embarq’s indebtedness upon the consummation of the transaction. As of the acquisition date, Embarq served approximately 5.4 million access lines and 1.5 million high-speed Internet customers located in 18 states.
See Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information concerning the acquisition of Embarq. Additional information about Embarq is included elsewhere herein and in documents that it previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See “Where to find additional information” below.
Other recently completed acquisitions. On April 30, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”) for approximately $322 million cash (including the effect of post-closing adjustments). In connection with the acquisition, we also paid all of Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest), which approximated $522 million. At the time of this acquisition, Madison River operated approximately 164,000 predominantly rural access lines in four states.
In June 2005, we acquired fiber assets in 16 metropolitan markets from KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. (“KMC”) for approximately $75.5 million cash, which has enabled us to offer broadband and competitive local exchange services to customers in these markets. During 2008, we sold the assets in six of these markets in two separate transactions.
In June 2003, we purchased a regional communications company providing wholesale data transport services to other communications carriers over its fiber optic network located in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. In a separate transaction, in December 2003 we acquired additional fiber transport assets in Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. For additional information, see “Operations - Services - Fiber Transport and CLEC.”
We also acquired approximately 660,000, 490,000 and 650,000 telephone access lines in transactions completed in 1997, 2000 and 2002, respectively, each of which substantially expanded our operations. The 2002 acquisition of telephone access lines was funded primarily from proceeds received from the sale of substantially all of our wireless operations in August 2002.
We continually evaluate the possibility of acquiring additional communications assets in exchange for cash, securities or other properties, and at any given time may be engaged in discussions or negotiations regarding additional acquisitions. We generally do not announce our acquisitions or dispositions until we have entered into a preliminary or definitive agreement. Although our primary focus will continue to be on acquiring interests that are proximate to our properties or that serve a customer base large enough for us to operate efficiently, we may also acquire other communications interests and these acquisitions could have a material impact upon us.
Where to find additional information. We make available all of our filings with the SEC (including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K) on our website (www.centurylink.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after we complete such filings with the SEC. These documents may also be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of Embarq’s previous filings with the SEC from our website or the SEC’s website.
We also make available on our website our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our corporate ethics and compliance program and the charters of our audit, compensation, risk evaluation, and nominating and corporate governance committees. We will furnish printed copies of these materials free of charge upon the request of any shareholder. If a provision of our corporate ethics and compliance program is amended, other than by a technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendment, or a waiver under this program is granted to a director or executive officer, we will post notice of such amendment or waiver on our website or disclose the amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. Only our board of directors, or an authorized committee of the board, may consider a waiver of our corporate ethics and compliance program for a director or executive officer.
In connection with filing this annual report, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer made the certifications regarding our financial disclosures required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Act’s related regulations. In addition, during 2009 our chief executive officer certified to the New York Stock Exchange that he was unaware of any violation by us of the New York Stock Exchange’s corporate governance listing standards.
Industry information. Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this annual report and other documents filed by us under the federal securities laws concerning our views and expectations regarding the communications industry are based on estimates made by us using data from industry sources, and on assumptions made by us based on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate and the communications industry generally. We believe these estimates and assumptions are accurate as of the date made; however, this information may prove to be inaccurate because it cannot always be verified with certainty. You should be aware that we have not independently verified data from industry or other third-party sources and cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Our estimates and assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in
Item 1A. Risk Factors
RISK FACTORS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Risk Factors
Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Please be aware that additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our business operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
If we continue to experience access line losses similar to the past several years, our revenues, earnings and cash flows may be adversely impacted.
Our business generates a substantial portion of its revenues by delivering voice and data services over access lines. We have experienced substantial access line losses over the past several years due to a number of factors, including increased competition and wireless and broadband substitution. We expect to continue to experience access line losses in our markets for an unforeseen period of time. Our inability to retain access lines could adversely impact our revenues, earnings and cash flow from operations.
Weakness in the economy and credit markets may adversely affect our future results of operations.
To date, our operations and liquidity have not been materially impacted by recent weaknesses in the credit markets; however, these weaknesses may negatively impact our operations in the future if overall borrowing rates increase. In addition, if the economy and credit markets continue to remain weak, it may impact our ability to collect receivables from our customers and other communications companies. This weakness may also cause our customers to reduce or terminate their receipt of service offerings from us. Economic weakness could also negatively affect our vendors. Such events would negatively impact our results of operations. We cannot predict with certainty the impact to us of any further deterioration or weakness in the overall economy and credit markets.
We are also exposed to market risk from changes in the fair value of our pension plan assets. Should our actual return on plan assets be significantly lower than our anticipated return, our net periodic pension expense and our required cash contribution to our pension plan will increase in future periods. Such events would negatively impact our results of operations and cash flow.
We face competition, which we expect to intensify and which may reduce market share and lower profits.
As a result of various technological, regulatory and other changes, the telecommunications industry has become increasingly competitive. We face competition from wireless service providers, cable television operators, competitive local exchange carriers and voice-over-Internet protocol, or VoIP, providers. Over time, we expect to face additional local exchange competition from electric utility and satellite communications providers, municipalities and alternative networks or non-carrier systems designed to reduce demand for our switching or access services. The recent proliferation of companies offering integrated service offerings has intensified competition in Internet, long distance and data services markets, and we expect that competition will further intensify in these markets.
Our competitive position could be weakened in the future by strategic alliances or consolidation within the communications industry or the development of new technologies. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on how well we market our products and services and on our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive and technological factors affecting the industry, including changes in regulation (which may affect us differently from our competitors), changes in consumer preferences or demographics, and changes in the product offerings or pricing strategies of our competitors.
Some of our current and potential competitors (i) have market presence, engineering, technical and marketing capabilities and financial, personnel and other resources substantially greater than ours, (ii) own larger and more diverse networks, (iii) conduct operations or raise capital at a lower cost than us, (iv) are subject to less regulation, (v) offer greater online content services or (vi) have substantially stronger brand names. Consequently, these competitors may be better equipped to charge lower prices for their products and services, to provide more attractive offerings, to develop and expand their communications and network infrastructures more quickly, to adapt more swiftly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, and to devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products and services.
Competition could adversely impact us in several ways, including (i) the loss of customers and market share, (ii) the possibility of customers reducing their usage of our services or shifting to less profitable services, (iii) reduced traffic on our networks, (iv) our need to expend substantial time or money on new capital improvement projects, (v) our need to lower prices or increase marketing expenses to remain competitive and (vi) our inability to diversify by successfully offering new products or services.
Changes in technology could harm us.
The communications industry is experiencing significant technological changes, particularly in the areas of VoIP, data transmission and electronic and wireless communications. The growing prevalence of electronic mail and similar digital communications continues to reduce demand for our traditional landline voice services. Other changes in technology could result in the development of additional products or services that compete with or displace those offered by traditional ILECs, or that enable current customers to reduce or bypass use of our networks. Several large electric utilities have announced plans to offer communications services that will compete with local exchange companies, or ILECs. Some of our competitors may enjoy network advantages that will enable them to provide services more efficiently or at lower cost. We cannot predict with certainty which technological changes will provide the greatest threat to our competitive position. We may not be able to obtain timely access to new technology on satisfactory terms or incorporate new technology into our systems in a cost effective manner, or at all. If we cannot develop new products to keep pace with technological advances, or if such products are not widely embraced by our customers, we could be adversely impacted.
We cannot assure you that our diversification efforts will be successful.
The telephone industry has recently experienced a decline in access lines and intrastate minutes of use, which, coupled with the other changes resulting from competitive, technological and regulatory developments, could materially adversely affect our core business and future prospects. As explained elsewhere in greater detail in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our access lines (excluding the effect of acquisitions) have decreased over the last several years, and we expect this trend to continue. We have also earned less intrastate revenues in recent years due to reductions in intrastate minutes of use (partially due to the displacement of minutes of use by wireless, electronic mail, text messaging, arbitrage and other optional calling services). We believe that our intrastate minutes of use will continue to decline, although the magnitude of such decrease is uncertain. Likewise, similar reductions are occurring for interstate minutes of use.
We have traditionally sought growth largely through acquisitions of properties similar to those currently operated by us. However, no assurance can be given that properties will be available for purchase on terms attractive to us, particularly if they are burdened by regulations, pricing plans or competitive pressures that are new or different from those historically applicable to our incumbent properties. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we will be able to arrange additional financing on terms acceptable to us or to obtain timely federal and state governmental approvals on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Recently, we broadened our services and products by offering satellite television as part of our bundled product and service offerings. Our reliance on other companies and their networks to provide these services could constrain our flexibility and limit the profitability of these new offerings. We provide facilities-based digital video services to select markets and may initiate other new service or product offerings in the future, including new offerings exploiting the 700 MHz spectrum that we purchased in 2008. We anticipate that these new offerings will generate lower profit margins than many of our traditional services. Moreover, our new product or service offerings could be constrained by intellectual property rights held by others, or could subject us to the risk of infringement claims brought against us by others. For these and other reasons, we cannot assure you that our recent or future diversification efforts will be successful.
Future deterioration in our financial performance could adversely impact our credit ratings, our cost of capital and our access to the capital markets.
Our future results will suffer if we do not effectively adjust to changes in our industry.
The above-described changes in our industry have placed a higher premium on marketing, technological, engineering and provisioning skills. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to retrain our staff to acquire or strengthen these skills, and, where necessary, to attract and retain new personnel that possess these skills.
Our future results will suffer if we do not effectively manage our expanded operations.
Following our acquisition of Embarq, we may continue to expand our operations through additional acquisitions and new product and service offerings, some of which involve complex technical, engineering, and operational challenges. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to manage our expansion opportunities, which pose substantial challenges for us to integrate new operations into our existing business in an efficient and timely manner, to successfully monitor our operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality, and to maintain other necessary internal controls. We cannot assure you that our expansion or acquisition opportunities will be successful, or that we will realize our expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements, synergies or other benefits.
Network disruptions or system failures could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
To be successful, we will need to continue providing our customers with a high capacity, reliable and secure network. Some of the risks to our network and infrastructure include:
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power losses or physical damage to our access lines, whether caused by fire, adverse weather conditions (including those described immediately below), terrorism or otherwise
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capacity limitations
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software and hardware defects or malfunctions
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breaches of security, including sabotage, tampering, computer viruses and break-ins, and
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other disruptions that are beyond our control.
Disruptions or system failures may cause interruptions in service or reduced capacity for customers. If service is not restored in a timely manner, agreements with our customers or service standards set by state regulatory commissions could obligate us to provide credits or other remedies. If network security is breached, confidential information of our customers or others could be lost or misappropriated, and we may be required to expend additional resources modifying network security to remediate vulnerabilities. The occurrence of any disruption or system failure may result in a loss of business, increase expenses, damage our reputation, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial losses that may not be fully covered through insurance, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We face hurricane and other natural disaster risks, which can disrupt our operations and cause us to incur substantial additional capital costs.
A substantial number of our access lines are located in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and our operations there are subject to the risks associated with severe tropical storms, hurricanes and tornadoes, including downed telephone lines, power-outages, damaged or destroyed property and equipment, and work interruptions.
Although we maintain property and casualty insurance on our plant (excluding our outside plant) and may under certain circumstances be able to seek recovery of some additional costs through increased rates, only a portion of our additional costs directly related to such hurricanes and natural disasters have historically been recoverable. We cannot predict whether we will continue to be able to obtain insurance for hazard-related damages or, if obtainable and carried, whether this insurance will be adequate to cover our losses. In addition, we expect any insurance of this nature to be subject to substantial deductibles and to provide for premium adjustments based on claims. Any future hazard-related costs and work interruptions could adversely affect our operations and our financial condition.
Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure could harm our business.
The capacity, reliability and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure (including our billing systems) are important to the operation of our current business, which would suffer in the event of system failures. Likewise, our ability to expand and update our information technology infrastructure in response to our growth and changing needs is important to the continued implementation of our new service offering initiatives. Our inability to expand or upgrade our technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, which could include the delayed implementation of new service offerings, service or billing interruptions, and the diversion of development resources.
We rely on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors to operate our business.
We depend on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure. Our local exchange carrier networks consist of central office and remote sites, all with advanced digital switches. Some of the digital switches were manufactured by Nortel, which is currently restructuring its operations under the bankruptcy laws of Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. If any of these suppliers experience interruptions or other problems delivering or servicing these network components on a timely basis, our operations could suffer significantly. To the extent that proprietary technology of a supplier is an integral component of our network, we may have limited flexibility to purchase key network components from alternative suppliers. We also rely on a limited number of other communications companies in connection with reselling long distance, wireless and satellite entertainment services to our customers. In addition, we rely on a limited number of software vendors to support our business management systems. In the event it becomes necessary to seek alternative suppliers and vendors, we may be unable to obtain satisfactory replacement supplies or services on economically attractive terms, on a timely basis, or at all, which could increase costs or cause disruptions in our services.
We may not own or have a license to use all technology that may be necessary to expand our product offerings, either of which could adversely affect our business and profitability.
We may need to obtain the right to use certain patents or other intellectual property from third parties to be able to offer new products and services. If we cannot license or otherwise obtain rights to use any required technology from a third party on reasonable terms, our ability to offer new IP-based products and services, including VoIP, or other new offerings may be restricted, made more costly or delayed. Our inability to implement IP-based or other new offerings on a cost-effective basis could impair our ability to successfully meet increasing competition from companies offering voice or integrated communications services. Our inability to deploy new technologies could also prevent us from successfully diversifying, modifying or bundling our service offerings and result in accelerated loss of access lines and revenues or otherwise adversely affect our business and profitability.
Portions of our property, plant and equipment are located on property owned by third parties.
Over the past few years, certain utilities, cooperatives and municipalities in certain of the states in which we operate have requested significant rate increases for attaching our plant to their facilities. To the extent that these entities are successful in increasing the amount we pay for these attachments, our future operating costs will increase.
In addition, we rely on rights-of-way, co-location agreements and other authorizations granted by governmental bodies and other third parties to locate our cable, conduit and other network equipment on their respective properties. If any of these authorizations terminate or lapse, our operations could be adversely affected.
Our relationships with other communications companies are material to our operations and their financial difficulties may adversely affect us.
We originate and terminate calls for long distance carriers and other interexchange carriers over our network in exchange for access charges that represent a significant portion of our revenues. Should these carriers experience substantial financial difficulties, our inability to timely collect access charges from them could have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition, certain of our operations carry a significant amount of voice and data traffic for larger communications companies. As these larger communications companies consolidate or expand their networks, it is possible that they could transfer a portion of this traffic from our network to their networks or some other networks, which could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
We depend on key members of our senior management team.
Our success depends largely on the skills, experience and performance of a limited number of senior officers. Competition for senior management in our industry is intense and we may have difficulty retaining our current senior managers or attracting new ones in the event of terminations or resignations. For a discussion of similar concerns relating to the Embarq merger, see below “Risks Related to our Acquisition of Embarq on July 1, 2009 - Following the merger, we may be unable to retain key employees.”
We could be affected by certain changes in labor matters.
As of December 31, 2009, over 30% of our employees were members of 46 separate bargaining units represented by two different unions. From time to time, our labor agreements with these unions lapse, and we typically negotiate the terms of new agreements. We cannot predict the outcome of these negotiations. We may be unable to reach new agreements, and union employees may engage in strikes, work slowdowns or other labor actions, which could materially disrupt our ability to provide services. In addition, new labor agreements may impose significant new costs on us, which could impair our financial condition or results of operations in the future. Moreover, our post-employment benefit offerings cause us to incur costs not faced by many of our competitors, which could ultimately hinder our competitive position.
Risks Related to our Acquisition of Embarq on July 1, 2009
We expect to continue to incur substantial expenses related to the integration of Embarq.
We expect to continue to incur substantial expenses in connection with integrating the business, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems of Embarq with ours. There are a number of systems that still must be integrated, including management information, sales, billing, and benefits. In addition, we expect to continue to incur integration costs related to employee severance programs and branding initiatives associated with changing the trade name to CenturyLink. As explained in our other recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, there are a number of factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or timing of our expected integration expenses. Moreover, many of the expenses that will be incurred, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately at the present time. These expenses could, particularly in the near term, exceed the savings that we expect to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings and revenue enhancements related to the integration of the businesses. These integration expenses likely will result in us continuing to take significant charges against earnings in future quarters, but the amount and timing of such charges are uncertain at present.
We may be unable to successfully integrate our legacy business and Embarq’s business and realize the anticipated benefits of the merger.
The merger combined two companies which previously operated as independent public companies. As a result of the merger, we will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the business practices and operations of the two companies. Potential difficulties that we may encounter in the integration process include the following:
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the inability to successfully combine our legacy business and Embarq’s business in a manner that permits us to achieve the cost savings and operating synergies anticipated to result from the merger, which would result in the anticipated benefits of the merger not being realized partly or wholly in the time frame currently anticipated or at all;
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lost revenues or opportunities as a result of current or potential customers or strategic partners of either of the two companies deciding to delay or forego business with the combined company;
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complexities associated with managing the combined businesses;
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integrating personnel from the two predecessor companies while maintaining focus on providing consistent, high quality products and customer service;
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potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses, delays or regulatory conditions associated with the merger; and
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performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by integrating the companies’ operations.
It is possible that the integration process could result in the diversion of management’s attention, disruptions in our ongoing businesses, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers, vendors and employees or our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger, or could reduce the earnings or otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results.
Following the merger, we may be unable to retain key employees.
Our success will depend in part upon our ability to retain key employees. Key employees may depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with us following the merger. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we will be able to retain key employees to the same extent as in the past.
In connection with completing the merger, we have launched branding initiatives that are likely to involve substantial costs and may not be favorably received by customers.
Upon completion of the merger, we changed our brand name to CenturyLink, although we will not formally change our name until we receive shareholder approval in 2010. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial capital and operating costs in re-branding our products and services. There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve name recognition or status under our new brand that is comparable to the recognition and status previously enjoyed. The failure of these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers after the merger, resulting in reduced revenues.
In connection with approving the merger, the Federal Communications Commission has imposed conditions that could increase our future capital costs and limit our operating flexibility.
In connection with approving the merger, the FCC issued a publicly-available order that imposed a comprehensive set of conditions on our operations over periods ranging from one to three years following the closing date. Among other things, these conditions commit us (i) to make broadband service available to all of our residential and single line business customers within three years of the closing, (ii) to meet various targets regarding the speed of our broadband services, (iii) to enhance the wholesale service levels in our legacy markets to match the service levels in Embarq’s markets and (iv) to forbear for one year from altering the current status of any facility providing “unbundled” access to our network or to request any new pricing flexibility for special access services in our markets. Although most of these commitments largely correspond to our business strategies, they could increase our overall future capital or operating costs or limit our flexibility to deploy capital in response to changing market conditions. Moreover, if for any reason we fail to meet any of these commitments, the FCC could assess penalties or fines or impose additional orders regulating our operations.
In connection with completing the merger, we assumed various contingent liabilities and a sizable underfunded pension plan of Embarq, which could negatively impact our future financial position or performance.
Upon consummating the merger, Embarq became our wholly-owned subsidiary and remains responsible for all of its pre-closing contingent liabilities, including Embarq’s previously-disclosed risks arising under its tax sharing agreement with Sprint Nextel Corporation, its retiree benefit litigation, and various environmental claims. Embarq also remains responsible for benefits under its existing qualified defined benefit pension plan, which as of December 31, 2009 was in an underfunded position. If any of these matters give rise to material liabilities, our consolidated operating results or financial position will be negatively affected. Additional information regarding these risks is available in (i) Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (ii) the periodic reports filed by Embarq with the Securities and Exchange Commission through the date of the merger, and (iii) Note 11.
Risks Related to Our Regulatory Environment
Our revenues could be materially reduced or our expenses materially increased by changes in state or federal regulations.
The majority of our revenues are substantially dependent upon regulations which, if changed, could result in material revenue reductions. Laws and regulations applicable to us and our competitors have been and are likely to continue to be subject to ongoing changes and court challenges, which could also affect our revenues.
Risk of loss or reduction of network access charge revenues or support fund payments. A significant portion of our revenues is derived from access charge revenues that are paid to us by long distance carriers based largely on rates set by federal and state regulatory bodies. Interexchange carriers have filed complaints in several of our operating states requesting lower intrastate access rates. Several state public service commissions are investigating intrastate access rates and the ultimate outcome and impact of such investigations are uncertain.
The FCC regulates tariffs for interstate access and subscriber line charges, both of which are components of our revenue. The FCC has been considering comprehensive reform of its intercarrier compensation rules for several years. Any reform eventually adopted by the FCC will likely involve significant changes in the access charge system and could potentially result in a significant decrease or elimination of access charges altogether. In addition, our financial results could be harmed if carriers that use our access services become financially distressed or bypass our networks, either due to changes in regulation or other factors. Furthermore, access charges currently paid to us could be diverted to competitors who enter our markets or expand their operations, either due to changes in regulation or otherwise.
The FCC and Congress may take actions that would impact our access to video programming and pricing, which could impact our ability to continue to expand our video business and impact our competitive position in our existing video markets.
We receive revenues from the federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”), and, to a lesser extent, intrastate support funds. These governmental programs are reviewed and amended from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that they will not be changed or impacted in a manner adverse to us. For several years, the FCC and the federal-state joint board considered comprehensive reforms of the federal USF contribution and distribution rules. During this period, various parties have objected to the size of the USF or questioned the continued need to maintain the program in its current form. Over the past few years, high cost support fund payments to our operating subsidiaries have decreased due to increases in the nationwide average cost per loop factor used to determine payments to program participants, as well as declines in the overall size of the high cost support fund. In addition, the number of eligible telecommunications carriers receiving support payments from this program has increased substantially in recent years, which, coupled with other factors, has placed additional financial pressure on the amount of money that is available to provide support payments to all eligible recipients, including us.
Risks posed by state regulations. We are also subject to the authority of state regulatory commissions which have the power to regulate intrastate rates and services, including local, in-state long-distance and network access services. The limited number of our ILECs that continue to be subject to “rate of return” regulation for intrastate purposes remain subject to the powers of state regulatory commissions to conduct earnings reviews and reduce our service rates. ILECs governed by alternative regulatory plans could also under certain circumstances be ordered to reduce rates or could experience rate reductions following the lapse of plans currently in effect. Our business could also be materially adversely affected by the adoption of new laws, policies and regulations or changes to existing state regulations. In particular, we cannot assure you that we will succeed in obtaining or maintaining all requisite state regulatory approvals for our operations without the imposition of conditions on our business, which could have the effect of imposing material additional costs on us or limiting our revenues.
Risks posed by costs of regulatory compliance. Regulations continue to create significant compliance costs for us. Challenges to our tariffs by regulators or third parties or delays in obtaining certifications and regulatory approvals could cause us to incur substantial legal and administrative expenses, and, if successful, such challenges could adversely affect the rates that we are able to charge our customers. Our business also may be impacted by legislation and regulation imposing new or greater obligations related to regulations or laws related to bolstering homeland security, increasing disaster recovery requirements, minimizing environmental impacts, enhancing privacy, or addressing other issues that impact our business, including the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (which requires communications carriers to ensure that their equipment, facilities, and services are able to facilitate authorized electronic surveillance), and laws governing local number portability and customer proprietary network information requirements. We expect our compliance costs to increase if future laws or regulations continue to increase our obligations to assist other governmental agencies.
Regulatory changes in the communications industry could adversely affect our business by facilitating greater competition against us.
The 1996 Act provides for significant changes and increased competition in the communications industry, including the local communications and long distance industries. This Act and the FCC’s implementing regulations remain subject to judicial review and additional rulemakings, thus making it difficult to predict what effect the legislation will ultimately have on us and our competitors. Several regulatory and judicial proceedings addressing communications issues have recently concluded, are underway or may soon be commenced. Moreover, certain communities nationwide have expressed an interest in establishing municipal telephone utilities that would compete for customers. Finally, recently-enacted federal broadband stimulus projects and the soon to be announced National Broadband Plan may adversely impact us. We cannot predict the outcome of these developments, nor can we assure that these changes will not have a material adverse effect on us or our industry.
We are subject to significant regulations that limit our flexibility.
As a diversified full service incumbent local exchange carrier, or ILEC, we have traditionally been subject to significant regulation that does not apply to many of our competitors. For instance, unlike many of our competitors, we are subject to federal mandates to share facilities, file and justify tariffs, maintain certain accounts and file reports, and state requirements that obligate us to maintain service standards and limit our ability to change tariffs in a timely manner. This regulation imposes substantial compliance costs on us and restricts our ability to change rates, to compete and to respond rapidly to changing industry conditions. Although newer alternative forms of regulation permit us greater freedoms in several states in which we operate, they nonetheless typically impose caps on the rates that we can charge our customers. As our business becomes increasingly competitive, regulatory disparities between us and our competitors could impede our ability to compete. Litigation and different objectives among federal and state regulators could create uncertainty and impede our ability to respond to new regulations. Moreover, changes in tax laws, regulations or policies could increase our tax rate, particularly if state regulators continue to search for additional revenue sources to address budget shortfalls. We are unable to predict the future actions of the various regulatory bodies that govern us, but such actions could materially affect our business.
We are subject to franchising requirements that could impede our expansion opportunities.
We may be required to obtain from municipal authorities operating franchises to install or expand facilities. Some of these franchises may require us to pay franchise fees. These franchising requirements generally apply to our fiber transport and CLEC operations, and to our emerging switched digital television and wireless broadband businesses. These requirements could delay us in expanding our operations or increase the costs of providing these services.
We will be exposed to risks relating to evaluations of controls required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related regulations implemented by the SEC, the New York Stock Exchange and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, are increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. Any future failure to successfully or timely complete annual assessments of our internal controls required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could subject us to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results or investors’ confidence in us, and could cause our stock price to fall. If we fail to maintain effective controls and procedures, we may be unable to provide financial information in a timely and reliable manner, which could in certain instances limit our ability to borrow or raise capital.
For a more thorough discussion of the regulatory issues that may affect our business, see Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Other Risks
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and may need to incur more in the future.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could have material adverse consequences for us, including (i) hindering our ability to adjust to changing market, industry or economic conditions, (ii) limiting our ability to access the capital markets to refinance maturing debt or to fund acquisitions or emerging businesses, (iii) limiting the amount of free cash flow available for future operations, acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases or other uses, (iv) making us more vulnerable to economic or industry downturns, including interest rate increases, and (v) placing us at a competitive disadvantage to those of our competitors that have less indebtedness.
In connection with executing our business strategies, we expect to continue to evaluate the possibility of acquiring additional communications assets, and we may elect to finance future acquisitions by incurring additional indebtedness. Moreover, to respond to competitive challenges, we may be required to raise substantial additional capital to finance new product or service offerings, including capital necessary to finance any new offerings exploiting the 700 MHz spectrum that we purchased in 2008. Our ability to arrange additional financing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are able to obtain additional financing, our credit ratings could be adversely affected. As a result, our borrowing costs would likely increase, our access to capital may be adversely affected and our ability to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness could be adversely affected.
We have a significant amount of goodwill on our balance sheet. If our goodwill becomes impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings and reduce our stockholders’ equity.
Under generally accepted accounting principles, goodwill is not amortized but instead is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. If our goodwill is determined to be impaired in the future, we may be required to record a significant, non-cash charge to earnings during the period in which the impairment is determined.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue paying dividends at the current rate.
We plan to continue our current dividend practices. However, you should be aware that these practices are subject to change for reasons that may include any of the following factors:
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we may not have enough cash to pay such dividends due to changes in our cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flow or financial position;
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while our dividend practices involve the distribution of a substantial portion of our cash available to pay dividends, our Board of Directors could change its practices at any time;
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the actual amounts of dividends distributed and the decision to make any distribution will remain at all times entirely at the discretion of our Board of Directors;
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the effects of regulatory reform, including any changes to intercarrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund rules;
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our ability to maintain investment grade credit ratings on our senior debt;
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the amount of dividends that we may distribute is limited by restricted payment and leverage covenants in our credit facilities and, potentially, the terms of any future indebtedness that we may incur; and
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the amount of dividends that we may distribute is subject to restrictions under Louisiana law.
Our Board of Directors is free to change or suspend our dividend practices at any time. Our common shareholders should be aware that they have no contractual or other legal right to dividends.
Our current dividend practices could limit our ability to pursue growth opportunities.
The current practice of our Board of Directors to pay an annual $2.90 per common share dividend reflects an intention to distribute to our shareholders a substantial portion of our free cash flow. As a result, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to finance a material expansion of our business in the future. In addition, our ability to pursue any material expansion of our business, through acquisitions or increased capital spending, will depend more than it otherwise would on our ability to obtain third party financing. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available to us at all, or at an acceptable cost.
As a holding company, we rely on payments from our operating companies to meet our obligations.
As a holding company, substantially all of our income and operating cash flow is dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to, or upon loans or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries to, us. As a result, we rely upon our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations, including the payment of amounts owed under our long-term debt. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts owed by us or, subject to limited exceptions for tax-sharing purposes, to make any funds available to us to repay our obligations, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. Certain of our subsidiaries may be restricted under loan agreements or regulatory orders from transferring funds to us, including certain loan provisions that restrict the amount of dividends that may be paid to us. Moreover, our rights to receive assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of that subsidiary, including trade creditors. The footnotes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K describe these matters in additional detail.
Our agreements and organizational documents and applicable law could limit another party’s ability to acquire us.
Our articles of incorporation provide for a classified board of directors, which limits the ability of an insurgent to rapidly replace the board. In addition, a number of other provisions in our agreements and organizational documents and various provisions of applicable law may delay, defer or prevent a future takeover of CenturyTel unless the takeover is approved by our Board of Directors. This could deprive our shareholders of any related takeover premium.
We face other risks.
The list of risks above is not exhaustive, and you should be aware that we face various other risks discussed in this or other reports filed by us or Embarq with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed by us under the federal securities laws include, and future oral or written statements or press releases by us and our management may include, certain forward-looking statements relating to the operations of our company, including without limitation statements with respect to our anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, growth opportunities and growth rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, merger synergies, business prospects, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, investment results, financing opportunities and sources (including the impact of financings on our financial position, financial performance or credit ratings), pricing plans, strategic alternatives, business strategies, and other similar statements of expectations or objectives or accompanying statements of assumptions that are highlighted by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “projects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “hopes,” “should,” “could,” and “may,” and variations thereof and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are based upon our judgment and assumptions as of the date such statements are made concerning future developments and events, many of which are outside of our control. These forward-looking statements, and the assumptions upon which such statements are based, are inherently speculative and are subject to uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from such statements. Our actual results or performance may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could impact actual our results include but are not limited to:
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the extent, timing, success and overall effects of competition from wireless carriers, VoIP providers, CLECs, cable television companies, electric utilities and others, including without limitation the risks that these competitors may offer less expensive or more innovative products and services;
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the risks inherent in rapid technological change, including without limitation the risk that new technologies will displace our products and services;
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the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including without limitation (i) increased competition resulting from regulatory changes, (ii) the final outcome of various federal, state and local regulatory initiatives and proceedings, including switched access-related proceedings and legislation, that could impact our competitive position, revenues, compliance costs, capital expenditures or prospects, (iii) the effect of the National Broadband Plan, (iv) reductions in revenues received from the federal Universal Service Fund or other current or future federal and state support programs designed to compensate ILECs operating in high-cost markets, and (v) changes in the regulation of special access;
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our ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry;
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the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the Embarq merger cannot be fully realized in a timely manner or at all, or that integrating Embarq’s operations into ours will be more difficult, disruptive or costly than anticipated;
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our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities, including without limitation our ability to (i) effectively integrate newly-acquired or newly-developed businesses into our operations, (ii) attract and retain technological, managerial and other key personnel, (iii) achieve projected growth, revenue and cost savings targets from the Embarq acquisition within the anticipated timeframe, and (iv) otherwise monitor our operations, costs, regulatory compliance, and service quality and maintain other necessary internal controls;
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possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, our products and services, including without limitation reduced demand for our traditional telephone or access services caused by greater use of wireless, electronic mail or Internet communications or other factors;
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our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis, including without limitation our ability to (i) successfully roll out our new video, voice and broadband services, (ii) successfully exploiting the 700 MHz spectrum that we purchased in 2008, (iii) expand successfully our full array of service offerings to new or acquired markets and (iv) offer bundled service packages on terms attractive to our customers;
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our continued access to credit markets on favorable terms, including our continued access to financing in amounts, and on terms and conditions, necessary to support our operations and refinance existing indebtedness when it becomes due;
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our ability to collect receivables from financially troubled communications companies;
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the inability of third parties to discharge their commitments to us;
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our ability to pay a $2.90 per common share dividend annually, which may be affected by changes in our cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flows or financial position;
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unanticipated increases in our capital expenditures;
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our ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages;
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our ownership of or access to technology that may be necessary for us to operate or expand our business;
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regulatory limits on our ability to change the prices for telephone services in response to industry changes;
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impediments to our ability to expand through attractively priced acquisitions, whether caused by regulatory limits, financing constraints, a decrease in the pool of attractive target companies, or competition for acquisitions from other interested buyers;
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uncertainties relating to the implementation of our business strategies, including the possible need to make abrupt and potentially disruptive changes in our business strategies due to changes in competition, regulation, technology, product acceptance or other factors;
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the lack of assurance that we can compete effectively against better-capitalized competitors;
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the impact of equipment failure, including potential network disruptions;
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general worldwide economic conditions and related uncertainties, including continued access to credit markets on favorable terms;
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the effects of adverse weather on our customers or properties;
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other risks referenced in this report and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
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the effects of more general factors, including without limitation:
▪ changes in general industry and market conditions and growth rates
▪ changes in labor conditions, including workforce levels and labor costs
▪ changes in interest rates or other general national, regional or local economic conditions
▪ changes in legislation, regulation or public policy, including changes that increase our tax rate
▪ increases in capital, operating, medical or administrative costs, or the impact of new business opportunities requiring significant up-front investments
▪ changes in our relationships with vendors, or the failure of these vendors to provide competitive products on a timely basis
▪ failures in our internal controls that could result in inaccurate public disclosures or fraud
▪ changes in our debt ratings
▪ unfavorable outcomes of regulatory or legal proceedings and investigations, including rate proceedings and tax audits
▪ losses or unfavorable returns on our investments in other communications companies
▪ delays in the construction of our networks
▪ changes in accounting policies, assumptions, estimates or practices adopted voluntarily or as required by generally accepted accounting principles.
For additional information, see the description of our business included above, as well as Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Due to these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that our anticipated results will occur, that our judgments or assumptions will prove correct, or that unforeseen developments will not occur. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any of our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Additional risks that we currently deem immaterial or that are not presently known to us could also cause our actual results to differ materially from those expected in our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise.
Investors should also be aware that while we do, at various times, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2.
Properties.
Our properties consist principally of telephone lines, central office equipment, and land and buildings related to telephone operations. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our gross property, plant and equipment of approximately $15.6 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively, consisted of the following:
“Cable and wire” facilities consist primarily of buried cable and aerial cable, poles, wire, conduit and drops used in providing local and long distance services. “Central office” consists primarily of switching equipment, circuit equipment and related facilities. “General support” consists primarily of land, buildings, tools, furnishings, fixtures, motor vehicles and work equipment. “Fiber transport” consists of network assets and equipment to provide fiber transport services. “Construction in progress” includes property of the foregoing categories that has not been placed in service because it is still under construction.
The properties of certain of our telephone subsidiaries are subject to mortgages securing the debt of such companies. We own substantially all of the central office buildings, local administrative buildings, warehouses, and storage facilities used in our telephone operations.
For further information on the location and type of our properties, see the descriptions of our operations in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
In Barbrasue Beattie and James Sovis, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. CenturyTel, Inc., filed on October 28, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 02-10277), the plaintiffs alleged that we unjustly and unreasonably billed customers for inside wire maintenance services, and sought unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief under various legal theories on behalf of a purported class of over two million customers in our telephone markets. On March 10, 2006, the Court certified a class of plaintiffs and issued a ruling that the billing descriptions we used for these services during an approximately 18-month period between October 2000 and May 2002 were legally insufficient. In February 2010, subject to court approval and agreement on other terms and conditions, we settled this case in principle in an amount that exceeded our previously established reserves by $8 million and such amount was reflected as an expense in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over 60 years ago, one of our indirect subsidiaries, Centel Corporation, acquired entities that may have owned or operated seven former plant sites that produced “manufactured gas” under a process widely used through the mid-1900s. Centel has been a subsidiary of Embarq since being spun-off in 2006 from Sprint Nextel, which acquired Centel in 1993. None of these plant sites are currently owned or operated by either Sprint Nextel, Embarq or their subsidiaries. On three sites, Embarq and the current landowners are working with the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) pursuant to administrative consent orders. Remediation expenditures pursuant to the orders are not expected to be material. On five sites, including the three sites where the EPA is involved, Centel has entered into agreements with other potentially responsible parties to share remediation costs. Further, Sprint Nextel has agreed to indemnify Embarq for most of any eventual liability arising from all seven of these sites. Based upon current circumstances, we do not expect this issue to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
In William Douglas Fulghum, et al. v. Embarq Corporation, et al., filed on December 28, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Civil Action No. 07-CV-2602), a group of retirees filed a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, challenging the decision to make certain modifications to Embarq’s retiree benefits programs generally effective January 1, 2008. Defendants include Embarq, certain of its benefit plans, its Employee Benefits Committee and the individual plan administrator of certain of its benefits plans. Additional defendants include Sprint Nextel and certain of its benefit plans. In addition, a complaint in arbitration has been filed by 15 former Centel executives, similarly challenging the benefits changes. A ruling in Embarq’s favor was recently entered in the arbitration proceeding. Embarq and other defendants continue to vigorously contest these claims and charges. Given that this litigation is still in the initial stages of discovery, it is premature to estimate the impact this lawsuit could have to our results of operation or financial condition.
In Robert M. Garst, Sr. et al. v. CenturyTel, Inc. et al., filed March 13, 2009 in the 142nd Judicial District Court of Texas, Midland County (Case No. CV-46861), certain of our former ten-vote shareholders challenged the effectiveness of the vote to eliminate our time-phase voting structure. We believe we followed all necessary steps to properly effect the amendments described above and are defending the case accordingly.
In December 2009, subsidiaries of CenturyTel filed two lawsuits against subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel (“Sprint”) to recover approximately $26 million in access charges for VoIP traffic owed under various interconnection agreements and tariffs. One lawsuit, filed on behalf of all legacy Embarq operating entities, is pending in federal court in Virginia, and the other, filed on behalf of all legacy CenturyTel operating entities, is pending in federal court in Louisiana. The lawsuits allege that Sprint has breached contracts, violated tariffs, and violated the Federal Communications Act by failing to pay these charges.
From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings or investigations incidental to our business, including administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to rate making, disputes with other communications companies and service providers, actions relating to employee claims, occasional grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable. However, we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available insurance coverage, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4.
[Reserved]
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is traded under the symbol CTL. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices, along with the quarterly dividends, for each of the quarters indicated.
Common stock dividends during 2009 and 2008 were paid each quarter.
In June 2008, our board of directors increased our quarterly cash dividend rate from $.0675 to $.70 per share, and declared a one-time dividend of $.6325 per share, payable in July 2008, which, when coupled with the previously-paid second quarter 2008 dividend, equaled the $.70 per share quarterly rate. In February 2010, our board of directors further increased our quarterly cash dividend rate to $.725 per share.
As described in greater detail in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will depend upon our financial results, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
As of February 26, 2010, there were approximately 36,000 stockholders of record of our common stock. As of February 26, 2010, the closing stock price of our common stock was $34.27.
In February 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program under which, in February 2006, we repurchased $500 million (or approximately 14.36 million shares) of our common stock under accelerated share repurchase agreements with certain investment banks at an initial average price of $34.83. The investment banks completed their repurchases in mid-July 2006 and in connection therewith we paid an aggregate of approximately $28.4 million cash to the investment banks to compensate them for the difference between their weighted average purchase price during the repurchase period and the initial average price. We repurchased the remaining $500 million of common stock of this program in open-market transactions through June 2007.
In August 2007, our board of directors authorized a $750 million share repurchase program which expired on September 30, 2009. We repurchased approximately 13.2 million shares for $503.9 million under this program.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we withheld 146,153 shares of stock at an average price of $36.87 per share to pay taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock for certain of our employees in October and December 2009.
For information regarding shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see Item 12.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
The following table presents certain selected consolidated financial data as of and for each of the years ended in the five-year period ended December 31, 2009. The results of operations of the Embarq properties are included herein subsequent to its July 1, 2009 acquisition date.
The selected consolidated financial data shown below is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that you can expect for any future period. You should read this data in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our full consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Income Statement Data
Selected Balance Sheet Data
The following table presents certain selected consolidated operating data as of the following dates:
(1)
In connection with our Embarq acquisition in July 2009, we acquired approximately 5.4 million telephone access lines and 1.5 million high-speed Internet customers. In connection with our Madison River acquisition in April 2007, we acquired approximately 164,000 telephone access lines and 57,000 high-speed Internet customers.
(2)
Access line counts for all periods reflect line count methodology adjustments to standardize legacy CenturyTel and Embarq line counts.
See Items 1 and 2 in Part I and Items 7 and 8 elsewhere herein for additional information.
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
All references to “Notes” in this Item 7 refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this annual report.
OVERVIEW
On July 1, 2009, we acquired Embarq Corporation (“Embarq”) in a transaction that substantially expanded the size and scope of our business. The results of operations of Embarq are included in our consolidated results of operations beginning July 1, 2009. Due to the significant size of Embarq, direct comparisons of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 with prior periods are less meaningful than usual. We discuss below certain trends that we believe are significant, even if they are not necessarily material to the combined company.
Subsequent to the Embarq acquisition, we are now an integrated communications company primarily engaged in providing an array of communications services to customers in 33 states, including local and long distance voice, wholesale network access, high-speed Internet access, other data services, and video services. In certain local and regional markets, we also provide fiber transport, competitive local exchange carrier, security monitoring, and other communications, professional and business information services. We operate approximately 7.0 million access lines and serve approximately 2.2 million broadband customers, based on operating data as of December 31, 2009. For additional information on our revenue sources, see Note 19. For additional information on our acquisition of Embarq, see Note 2.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we incurred a significant amount of one-time expenses, the vast majority of which are directly attributable to our acquisition of Embarq. Such expenses are summarized in the table below.
All of the above items are included in operating expenses, except for the $60.8 million net charge incurred associated with certain debt extinguishments (which is reflected in other income (expense) and interest expense) and the $8.0 million charge incurred in connection with our $800 million bridge facility (which is reflected in other income (expense)). None of the above items include pre-closing expenses incurred and recorded by Embarq prior to the effective time of the acquisition. Based on current plans and information, we expect to incur approximately $200 million of additional non-recurring integration related operating expenses subsequent to December 31, 2009.
In addition, due to executive compensation limitations pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, a portion of the lump sum distributions related to the termination of an executive retirement plan made in the first quarter of 2009 is reflected as non-deductible for income tax purposes and thus increased our effective income tax rate. Certain merger-related costs incurred during 2009 are also non-deductible for income tax purposes and similarly increased our effective income tax rate. Such increase in our effective tax rate was partially offset by a $7.0 million reduction to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with state net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recognized net after-tax benefits of approximately $15.7 million, $12.8 million and $32.7 million, respectively, primarily related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 12 and “Income Tax Expense” below for additional information.
Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting effective July 1, 2009, we recorded a one-time, non-cash extraordinary gain that aggregated approximately $218.6 million before income tax expense and noncontrolling interests ($136.0 million after-tax and noncontrolling interests). See Note 15 for additional information.
As further discussed in Note 11, during the second quarter of 2008, we recognized an $8.2 million curtailment loss (reflected in selling, general and administrative expense) in connection with amending our executive retirement plan. We also recognized a $4.5 million pre-tax gain (reflected in other income (expense)) upon liquidation of our investments in marketable securities in the executive retirement plan trust in the second quarter of 2008.
On April 30, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”). See Note 2 for additional information. We have reflected the results of operations of the Madison River properties in our consolidated results of operations since May 1, 2007.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a $16.6 million pre-tax impairment charge to write-down the value of certain long-lived assets in six of our northern competitive local exchange carrier markets to their estimated realizable value. We determined the estimated realizable value based on proposals received during our sales process of such properties commenced in 2007. We sold such properties in separate transactions in May and July 2008. Results of operations for these markets are included in our consolidated results of operations up to the respective sales dates.
During 2007, we recognized approximately $49.0 million of network access revenues in connection with the settlement of a dispute with a carrier and approximately $42.2 million of revenues in connection with the lapse of a regulatory monitoring period (of which approximately $25.4 million is reflected in network access revenues and $16.8 million is reflected in data revenues). We do not expect this level of favorable revenue settlements to reoccur in the future.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, upon final distribution of the remaining proceeds from the Rural Telephone Bank dissolution, we recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $5.2 million.
During the last several years (exclusive of acquisitions and certain non-recurring favorable adjustments), we have experienced revenue declines in our voice and network access revenues primarily due to declines in access lines, intrastate access rates, minutes of use, and federal support fund payments. To mitigate these declines, we plan to, among other things, (i) promote long-term relationships with our customers through bundling of integrated services, (ii) provide new services, such as video and wireless broadband, and other additional services that may become available in the future due to advances in technology, wireless spectrum sales by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) or improvements in our infrastructure, (iii) provide our broadband and premium services to a higher percentage of our customers, (iv) pursue acquisitions of additional communications properties if available at attractive prices, (v) increase usage of our networks and (vi) market our products and services to new customers.
In addition to historical information, this management’s discussion and analysis includes certain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry (including those arising out of the FCC’s proposed rules regarding intercarrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund and the FCC’s National Broadband Plan scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2010, each as described elsewhere herein); our ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry; our ability to successfully integrate Embarq into our operations, including realizing the anticipated benefits of the transaction and retaining and hiring key personnel; our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our continued access to credit markets on favorable terms; our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled communications companies; our ability to pay a $2.90 per common share dividend annually, which may be affected by changes in our cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flows or financial position; unanticipated increases in our capital expenditures; our ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages;
the effects of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in this report or other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other uncertainties related to our business and our acquisition of Embarq are described in greater detail in Item 1A included herein. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements for any reason.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income attributable to CenturyTel, Inc. for 2009 was $647.2 million, compared to $365.7 million during 2008 and $418.4 million during 2007. Net income before extraordinary item was $511.3 million, $365.7 million and $418.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for 2009 was $3.23 compared to $3.52 in 2008 and $3.71 in 2007. Diluted earnings per share before extraordinary item for 2009 was $2.55. As mentioned in the “Overview” section above, we incurred a significant amount of one-time expenses in 2009 related to our acquisition of Embarq. The increase in the number of shares outstanding in 2009 is primarily attributable to the common stock issued in connection with our acquisition of Embarq on July 1, 2009. The number of average diluted shares outstanding declined in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to share repurchases.
Operating income increased $511.7 million in 2009 due to a $2.374 billion increase in operating revenues and a $1.863 billion increase in operating expenses. Such increases in operating revenues, operating expenses and operating income were substantially due to our July 1, 2009 acquisition of Embarq. Operating income decreased $71.7 million in 2008 due to a $56.5 million decrease in operating revenues and a $15.2 million increase in operating expenses.
As mentioned in Note 15, we discontinued the application of regulatory accounting effective July 1, 2009. As a result of such discontinuance, since the third quarter of 2009 we have eliminated all intercompany transactions with regulated affiliates that previously were not eliminated under the application of regulatory accounting. This has caused our revenues and operating expenses to be lower by equivalent amounts (approximately $108 million) for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.
OPERATING REVENUES
Voice revenues. We derive voice revenues by providing local exchange telephone services and retail long distance services to customers in our service areas. The $953.0 million increase in voice revenues in 2009 is primarily due to $1.016 billion of revenues attributable to the Embarq properties acquired July 1, 2009. The remaining $63.2 million decrease is primarily due to (i) a $30.9 million decrease due to a 6.6% decline in the average number of access lines in our incumbent markets; (ii) a $14.5 million decrease in custom calling feature revenues primarily due to the continued migration of customers to bundled service offerings at a lower effective rate and (iii) an $8.1 million reduction due to the elimination of all intercompany transactions due to the discontinuance of regulatory accounting.
The $15.9 million (1.8%) decrease in voice revenues in 2008 is primarily due to (i) a $22.5 million decrease due to a 5.9% decline in the average number of access lines (exclusive of our acquisition of Madison River properties); (ii) a $10.8 million decrease in custom calling feature revenues primarily due to the continued migration to bundled service offerings at a lower effective rate; and (iii) a $7.7 million decline as a result of a decrease in revenues associated with extended area calling plans. These decreases were partially offset by $17.0 million of additional revenues attributable to the Madison River properties acquired April 30, 2007 and a $9.9 million increase in long distance revenues attributable to an increase in the percentage of our customer base subscribing to fixed rate unlimited calling plans and the implementation of rate increases applicable to several rate plans in late 2007 and early 2008.
Total access lines declined 380,000 during 2009 (excluding access lines we acquired from Embarq on July 1, 2009 but including access lines lost in Embarq’s markets following such acquisition) compared to a decline of 136,800 during 2008. We believe the decline in the number of access lines during 2009 and 2008 is primarily due to the displacement of traditional wireline telephone services by other competitive services and recent economic conditions. Based on our current retention initiatives, we estimate that our access line loss will be between 7.5% and 8.5% in 2010.
Network access revenues. We derive our network access revenues primarily from (i) providing services to various carriers and customers in connection with the use of our facilities to originate and terminate their interstate and intrastate voice transmissions; (ii) receiving universal support funds which allows us to recover a portion of our costs under federal and state cost recovery mechanisms and (iii) receiving reciprocal compensation from competitive local exchange carriers and wireless service providers for terminating their calls. Substantially all of our interstate network access revenues are based on tariffed access charges filed directly with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). Certain of our intrastate network access revenues are derived through access charges that we bill to intrastate long distance carriers and other LEC customers.
Network access revenues increased $448.9 million (54.7%) in 2009 and decreased $121.1 million (12.9%) in 2008 due to the following factors:
We believe that intrastate access rates and minutes will continue to decline in 2010, although we cannot precisely estimate the magnitude of such decrease. Complaints filed by interexchange carriers in several of our operating states or state initiated legislation could, if successful, place further downward pressure on our intrastate access rates.
As mentioned above, upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting effective July 1, 2009, we began eliminating all intercompany transactions with regulated affiliates that previously were not eliminated under the application of regulatory accounting.
We currently expect our network access revenues to continue to be negatively impacted in 2010 by a reduction in Universal Service Fund receipts. In addition, a wireless carrier has notified us of its intention to migrate a portion of its network traffic from us in 2010. We currently estimate these items, along with the transition of long distance voice services from a wholesale arrangement with another carrier to our owned networks, will reduce network access revenues approximately $120-130 million in 2010 as compared to the annual run rate for the last half of 2009.
In March 2006, we filed a complaint against a carrier for recovery of unpaid and underpaid access charges for calls made using the carrier’s prepaid calling cards and calls that used Internet Protocol for a portion of their transmission. In April 2007, we entered into a settlement agreement with the carrier and received approximately $49 million cash from them related to the issues described above.
Data revenues. We derive our data revenues primarily by providing high-speed Internet access services and data transmission services over special circuits and private lines. Data revenues increased $678.1 million in 2009 due to $689.8 million of revenues attributable to Embarq. Excluding Embarq, data revenues decreased $11.7 million substantially due to a $51.4 million reduction due to the elimination of all intercompany transactions resulting from the discontinuance of regulatory accounting. Such decrease was partially offset by a $38.5 million increase in DSL-related revenues primarily due to growth in the number of DSL customers in our incumbent markets.
Data revenues increased $63.4 million (13.8%) in 2008 substantially due to (i) a $57.8 million increase in DSL-related revenues primarily due to growth in the number of DSL customers and (ii) $16.3 million of additional revenues contributed by Madison River. Such increases were partially offset by $16.8 million of one-time revenues recorded in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of a regulatory monitoring period.
Fiber transport and CLEC. Our fiber transport and CLEC revenues include revenues from our fiber transport, competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) and security monitoring businesses. Fiber transport and CLEC revenues increased $10.5 million in 2009 primarily due to $8.3 million of revenues attributable to Embarq and a $6.8 million increase in fiber transport revenues. Such increases were partially offset by a $4.5 million reduction due to the elimination of all intercompany transactions resulting from the discontinuance of regulatory accounting beginning in the third quarter of 2009.
Fiber transport and CLEC revenues increased $2.7 million (1.7%) in 2008, of which $6.4 million was due to growth in our incumbent fiber transport business and $2.5 million was due to additional revenue contributed by Madison River. Such increases were partially offset by a $2.6 million decrease due to the sales of six CLEC markets that were consummated in the second and third quarters of 2008 and a $3.5 million decrease in CLEC revenues primarily due to the loss of customers.
Other revenues. We derive other revenues primarily by (i) leasing, selling, installing and maintaining customer premise telecommunications equipment and wiring; (ii) providing payphone services primarily within our local service territories and various correctional facilities around the country; (iii) participating in the publication of local directories; (iv) providing network database services; and (iv) providing our video services, as well as other new product and service offerings. Other revenues increased $284.0 million in 2009, of which approximately $318.1 million related to our acquisition of Embarq. Excluding Embarq, other revenues decreased $34.2 million primarily as a result of a $17.4 million reduction due to the elimination of all intercompany transactions resulting from the discontinuance of regulatory accounting and a $10.5 million decrease in certain non-regulated product sales and service offerings.
Other revenues increased $14.4 million (7.0%) in 2008 primarily due to (i) $7.7 million of additional revenues contributed by Madison River and (ii) a $2.8 million increase in directory revenues.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products. Cost of services and products increased $796.6 million (83.4%) in 2009 primarily due to $888.8 million of expenses attributable to the Embarq properties acquired on July 1, 2009. The remaining $92.2 million decrease is primarily due to (i) a $88.7 million reduction in expenses resulting from the elimination of all intercompany transactions resulting from the discontinuance of regulatory accounting; (ii) a $4.9 million decrease in customer service related expenses; (iii) a $4.6 million decrease in access expense; and (iv) a $4.1 million decrease in CLEC expenses as a result of the divestiture of six CLEC markets in 2008. Such decreases were partially offset by a $15.8 million increase in salaries, wages and benefits primarily due to increases in pension expense and share-based compensation expense and a $12.4 million increase in DSL-related expenses due to an increase in the number of DSL customers served.
Cost of services and products increased $18.1 million (1.9%) in 2008 primarily due to (i) $22.7 million of additional costs incurred by the Madison River properties; (ii) a $12.3 million increase in DSL-related expenses due to growth in the number of DSL customers; (iii) a $4.9 million increase in costs associated with initiating switched digital video services; and (iv) a $4.1 million increase due to a one-time reimbursement of costs received from our satellite television service provider in the second quarter of 2007 in connection with the change in our contractual arrangement. Such increases were partially offset by (i) a $16.6 million impairment charge recorded in 2007 related to certain of our CLEC assets that were subsequently sold in 2008; (ii) a $4.4 million reduction in costs due to the six CLEC markets sold; and (iii) a $1.6 million decrease in salaries and benefits.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $615.2 million in 2009 primarily due to $500.6 million of expenses attributable to Embarq (which includes approximately $106.0 million of costs associated with employee termination benefits, primarily due to severance and retention benefits, contractual pension benefits and acceleration of share-based compensation expense associated with Embarq employee terminations). The remaining $114.6 million increase is primarily due to (i) $86.4 million of integration costs associated with our acquisition of Embarq, primarily related to system conversion efforts; (ii) $47.2 million of transaction related merger costs, including investment banker and legal fees associated with our acquisition of Embarq; and (iii) $13.8 million of higher employee benefit costs, primarily due to higher pension expense (primarily due to $17.8 million of accelerated expense recognition due to change of control provisions triggered upon our acquisition of Embarq and the termination of a supplemental executive retirement plan) and share-based compensation expense (due to the accelerated vesting of equity grants of our employees upon the acquisition of Embarq). Such increases were partially offset by (i) a $19.5 million reduction in expenses resulting from the elimination of all intercompany transactions due to the discontinuance of regulatory accounting; (ii) a $10.7 million reduction in operating taxes primarily due to the favorable resolution of certain transaction tax audit issues; and (iii) an $8.1 million reduction in marketing expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.6 million (2.5%) in 2008 primarily due to (i) an $11.4 million increase in marketing expenses; (ii) an $8.2 million increase due to expenses related to the curtailment loss associated with our SERP; (iii) $5.0 million of costs associated with our acquisition of Embarq; and (iv) $4.8 million of additional costs incurred by Madison River. Such increases were partially offset by (i) an $8.8 million decrease in operating taxes; (ii) a $5.4 million decrease in bad debt expense (most of which was attributable to a favorable settlement with a carrier in first quarter 2008); (iii) a $4.3 million decrease in salaries and benefits; and (iv) a $2.7 million decrease in information technology expenses.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $450.9 million (86.1%) in 2009 primarily due to $492.6 million of depreciation and amortization attributable to Embarq (including $118.4 million of amortization expense related to its customer list and other intangible assets). The remaining $41.7 million decrease was primarily due to a $59.8 million decrease in depreciation expense resulting from a reduction in certain depreciation rates effective July 1, 2009 upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting (see Note 15) and due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated. Such decreases were partially offset by an $18.8 million increase due to higher levels of plant placed in service in our incumbent markets.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $12.5 million (2.3%) in 2008 primarily due to a $36.7 million reduction in depreciation expense due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated. Such decrease was partially offset by $13.7 million of additional depreciation and amortization incurred by Madison River and a $12.8 million increase due to higher levels of plant in service.
Other. For additional information regarding certain matters that have impacted or may impact our operations, see “Regulation and Competition”.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense increased $168.2 million in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to $179.9 million of interest expense attributable to Embarq’s indebtedness assumed in connection with our acquisition of Embarq. The remaining $11.7 million decrease is primarily attributable to a $4.6 million decrease in interest expense due to favorable resolution of certain transaction tax audit issues and a $4.7 million one-time reduction in interest expense in 2009 related to debt extinguishment transactions consummated in October 2009. See Note 5 for additional information.
Interest expense decreased $10.7 million (5.0%) in 2008 compared to 2007. An $18.0 million decrease due to lower average interest rates was partially offset by a $9.3 million increase due to increased average debt outstanding.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Other income (expense) includes the effects of certain items not directly related to our core operations, including gains or losses from nonoperating asset dispositions and impairments, our share of the income from our 49% interest in a cellular partnership, interest income and allowance for funds used during construction. Other income (expense) was $(48.2) million for 2009 compared to $42.3 million for 2008 and $40.0 million in 2007. Included in 2009 is (i) a $72.0 million pre-tax charge related to certain debt extinguishment transactions consummated in October 2009 (see Note 5 for additional information) and (ii) an $8.0 million pre-tax charge associated with our $800 million bridge credit facility (see Note 2 for additional information). Included in 2008 is (i) approximately $10 million related to the recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies; (ii) a pre-tax gain of $4.5 million upon the liquidation of our investments in marketable securities in our SERP trust; (iii) a pre-tax gain of approximately $7.3 million from the sales of certain nonoperating investments; and (iv) a $3.4 million pre-tax charge related to terminating all of our existing derivative instruments in the first quarter of 2008. The year 2007 includes a non-recurring pre-tax gain of $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership and a $5.2 million pre-tax gain resulting from the final distribution of funds from the Rural Telephone Bank redemption mentioned below. Our share of income from our 49% interest in a cellular partnership increased $7.0 million in 2009 compared to 2008 and decreased $2.5 million in 2008 compared to 2007. We record our share of the partnership income based on unaudited results of operations until the time we receive audited financial statements for the partnership from the unaffiliated general partner. Upon receipt of the respective audited financial statements, we recorded unfavorable adjustments in 2008 (upon completion of the 2007 audit) and favorable adjustments in 2007 (upon completion of the 2006 and 2005 audits).
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
The effective income tax rate was 37.2%, 34.7%, and 32.4% for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Certain executive compensation amounts, including the lump sum distributions paid to certain executive officers in connection with discontinuing the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (see Note 11), are reflected as non-deductible for income tax purposes pursuant to executive compensation limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. The treatment of these amounts as non-deductible resulted in the recognition of approximately $9.2 million of income tax expense in 2009 above amounts that would have been recognized had such payments been deductible for income tax purposes. Our 2009 effective tax rate is also higher because a portion of our merger-related transaction costs incurred during 2009 are non-deductible for income tax purposes (with such treatment resulting in a $6.9 million increase to income tax expense). Such increases in income tax expense were partially offset by a $7.0 million reduction in income tax expense primarily caused by a reduction to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with state net operating loss carryforwards primarily due to a law change in one of our operating states that we believe will allow us to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards in the future. Prior to the law change, such net operating loss carryforwards were fully reserved as it was more likely than not that these carryforwards would not be utilized prior to expiration.
Income tax expense was reduced by approximately $15.7 million in 2009, $12.8 million in 2008 and $32.7 million in 2007 due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits (see Critical Accounting Policies below and Note 12) and other adjustments upon finalization of tax returns.
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM
Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting on July 1, 2009, we recorded a one-time extraordinary gain of approximately $136.0 million after-tax. See Note 15 for additional information related to this extraordinary gain.
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance regarding the accounting standards codification and the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The codification is now the single source of authoritative United States GAAP for all non-governmental entities. The codification, which became effective July 1, 2009, changes the referencing and organization of accounting guidance. The issuance of this codification standard will not change GAAP, and therefore the adoption of this guidance will only affect how specific references to GAAP literature are disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in our reports filed with the SEC.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on business combinations, which requires an acquiring entity to recognize all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition date fair value with limited exceptions. Such guidance also changes the accounting treatment for certain specific items, including acquisition costs, acquired contingent liabilities, restructuring costs, deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date and is effective for us for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. We have accounted for our acquisition of Embarq using this guidance. During 2009, we incurred approximately $47.2 million of transaction-related expenses (primarily investment banker and legal fees) related to our acquisition of Embarq. Such costs are required to be expensed as incurred and are reflected in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2009.
In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. Based on this guidance, we have concluded that our outstanding non-vested restricted stock is a participating security and therefore should be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share using the two-class method. The guidance was effective for us beginning in first quarter 2009 and required us to recast our previously reported earnings per share. Under the new accounting guidance, we have recast our previously reported diluted earnings per share for 2008 ($3.56 per share) and 2007 ($3.72 per share) as $3.52 per share for 2008 and $3.71 for 2007.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, which requires noncontrolling interests to be recognized as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, net income attributable to such noncontrolling interests is required to be included in consolidated net income. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Our financial statements as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 reflect our noncontrolling interests as equity in our consolidated balance sheet. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this presentation.
In January 2009, we adopted new accounting guidance related to employers’ disclosure about postretirement benefit plan assets, which expands the disclosures required by previous guidance to discuss the assumptions and risks used to compute fair value for each category of plan assets. See Notes 10 and 11 for additional information.
We are subject to certain accounting standards that define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and expand the disclosures about fair value measurements required or permitted under other accounting pronouncements. The fair value accounting guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include: Level 1 (defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets), Level 2 (defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable), and Level 3 (defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists). See Note 18 for additional information.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We continually evaluate our estimates and assumptions including those related to (i) revenue recognition, (ii) allowance for doubtful accounts, (iii) pension and postretirement benefits, (iv) intangible and long-lived assets, (v) business combinations and (vi) income taxes. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions and these differences may be material. We believe these critical accounting policies discussed below involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity.
Revenue recognition. We collect in advance fees for fixed rate services, such as local service, unlimited long distance, high-speed Internet and certain data services, and defer revenue recognition until these services are provided to the customer. We bill in arrears variable rate billing services, including minute driven long distance, data and access revenues. We have multiple billing cycles spread throughout each month resulting in accounts receivables and deferred revenue balances at the end of each reporting period. In the event that the variable rate usage date is not available at the end of a reporting period, we estimate revenue based on historic usage and other relevant factors. Service activation and installation fees are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the average life of the customer. Operating revenues include certain revenue reserves for billing disputes and contract interpretations. These reserves require management’s judgment and are based on many factors including historical trends, contract and tariff interpretations and developments during the resolution process.
Allowance for doubtful accounts. In evaluating the collectibility of our accounts receivable, we assess a number of factors, including a specific customer’s or carrier’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us, the length of time the receivable has been past due and historical collection experience. Based on these assessments, we record both specific and general reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable to reduce the related accounts receivable to the amount we ultimately expect to collect from customers and carriers. If circumstances change or economic conditions worsen such that our past collection experience is no longer relevant, we may need to increase our reserves from the levels reflected in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Pension and postretirement benefits. Accounting for pensions and postretirement benefits involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided well into the future and attributing that cost over the time period each employee provides service to us. To accomplish this, extensive use is made of various assumptions, such as discount rates, investment returns, mortality, turnover, medical costs and inflation through a collaborative effort by management and independent actuaries. The results of this effort provide management with the necessary information on which to base its judgment and develop the estimates used to prepare the financial statements. Changes in assumptions used could result in a material impact to our financial results in any given period.
The pension plan we assumed in connection with the Embarq acquisition was underfunded by approximately $1.0 billion with respect to the projected benefit obligation as of the July 1, 2009 acquisition date. In the third quarter of 2009, we contributed $115 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan. We currently expect to contribute approximately $300 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan in 2010. Based on current actuarial estimates as of December 31, 2009 that assume a $300 million contribution in 2010, the utilization of our existing remaining credit balance to partially satisfy future required cash contributions and assuming no further discretionary contributions are made, we would not be required to make a minimum contribution to the legacy Embarq pension plan until 2012. Our minimum required contributions to our other pension plans are immaterial. The actual level of contributions required in future years can change significantly depending on discount rates and actual returns on plan assets.
A significant assumption used in determining our pension and postretirement expense is the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. For 2009 and 2008, we utilized an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 8.25% for our incumbent pension plan and 8.50% for the pension plan we assumed in connection with the Embarq acquisition. We believe such return assumptions reflect the expected long-term rates of return in the financial markets based on our current plan asset allocation. We also reviewed the historical rates of return on those plan assets over long-term periods that ranged from 10 to 20 years. A 25 basis point decrease in the return on plan asset assumption would increase our annual combined pension and postretirement expense approximately $8.0 million. Should we experience asset returns that are significantly below our 8.25-8.50% long-term rate of return assumptions, we may experience in the future higher levels of pension expense, higher levels of required contributions and lower stockholders’ equity balances (due to accumulated other comprehensive losses).
Another assumption used in the determination of our pension and postretirement benefit plan obligations is the appropriate discount rate. The discount rate is an assumed rate of return derived from high-quality debt securities that, if applicable at the measurement date to a specified amount of principal, would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay our pension benefit obligations when they become due. For our pension plans, the discount rate used for the December 31, 2009 and 2008 measurement dates were derived by matching projected benefit payments to bond yields obtained from the CitiGroup Pension Discount Curve (Above Median) which are ultimately derived from the AA-rated corporate bond sector. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we utilized the CitiGroup Pension Discount Curve to derive our discount rate. Our discount rate for determining benefit obligations under our pension plans at December 31, 2009 ranged from 5.5 to 6.0% compared to 6.6 to 6.9% at December 31, 2008. The discount rate can change from year to year based on market conditions that impact corporate bond yields. We use a similar methodology to determine the discount rate for our postretirement plan by utilizing as a reference the Hewitt Top Quartile Yield Curve as of the end of the year. Our discount rate for determining benefit obligations under our postretirement plans at December 31, 2009 was 5.70-5.80% compared to 6.9% at December 31, 2008. A 25 basis point decrease in the assumed discount rate would increase annual combined pension and postretirement expense approximately $2.0 million.
Intangible and long-lived assets. We are subject to testing for impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets) based on applicable accounting guidelines.
We are required to review goodwill recorded in business combinations for impairment at least annually and are required to write-down the value of goodwill only in periods in which the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the fair value. As disclosed in the table below, substantially all of our goodwill is associated with our local exchange telephone operations. Subsequent to our acquisition of Embarq on July 1, 2009, we have managed our local exchange telephone operations based on five geographic regions (which we internally refer to as Mid-Atlantic, Southern, South Central, Northeast and Western) and have considered these five operating regions to be our reporting units in testing for goodwill impairment of our telephone operations. Prior to our Embarq acquisition, we managed our local exchange telephone operations based on three geographic regions. The remainder of our goodwill is associated with our competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), fiber transport, security monitoring and other operations of our business, all of which we treat as separate reporting units in our goodwill impairment testing.
The breakdown of our goodwill balances as of December 31, 2009 by reporting unit is as follows (amounts in thousands):
We estimate the fair value of our telephone operations reporting units using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA), as described below. For each telephone reporting unit, we compare its estimated fair value to its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value, we conclude that no impairment exists. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second calculation is required in which the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value, goodwill must be written down to its implied fair value.
As of September 30, 2009, we completed the required annual test of goodwill impairment. Such impairment test excluded the goodwill associated with our acquisition of Embarq pending finalization of the determination of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection therewith. We determined that our goodwill was not impaired as of such date. As of December 31, 2009, we performed a subsequent impairment test that included the goodwill associated with our Embarq acquisition and concluded that our goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2009.
The multiple of EBITDA we utilize in our goodwill impairment testing for our telephone operations is supported by a sum-of-the-parts independent valuation analysis performed and updated annually by a major investment banking firm on behalf of its clients. This valuation report includes CenturyTel as well as other peer companies in the local exchange carrier industry. In the most recent analysis performed by this firm, valuations of specific assets were based on a combination of public and private market comparables and EBITDA multiples were affected by access line trends and the future expectations of those trends. Based on the above, we utilized an EBITDA multiple of 5.6 times for our goodwill impairment analyses performed as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009. For the past several years, we have consistently utilized the EBITDA multiples derived from this independent analysis. The EBITDA multiple derived in the analyst report and utilized in our goodwill impairment testing decreased from 7.0 in 2007 to 6.5 in 2008 to 5.6 in 2009, in large part we believe due to the continued erosion of access lines.
As of December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value of the Southern region exceeded its carrying value by less than 5%. Should events occur (such as continued access line losses or other revenue reductions) that would cause the fair value to decline below its carrying value, we may be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings during the period in which the impairment is determined.
We estimate the fair value of our other reporting units using various methods, including multiples of EBITDA (as described above) and multiples of revenues. We completed the tests of goodwill impairment (as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009) for our other reporting units and determined that our goodwill was not impaired as of such dates.
The carrying value of long-lived assets other than goodwill is reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amount cannot be recoverable by assessing the recoverability of the carrying value through estimated undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If the undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be measured as the excess of the carrying value of a long-lived asset over its fair value. We recognized a $16.6 million pre-tax impairment charge in 2007 related to certain of our CLEC assets that were subsequently sold in 2008.
Business combinations. The new accounting guidance for business combinations was effective for us for all business combinations consummated on or after January 1, 2009 and requires an acquiring entity to recognize all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair value. We were the accounting acquirer in our acquisition of Embarq. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Embarq (and the related estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) required a significant amount of judgment and was considered a critical estimate. Such allocation of certain aspects of the purchase price to items that are more complex to value was performed by an independent valuation firm based on information provided by management. See Note 2 for additional information concerning the assignment of fair values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Embarq.
Income taxes. We estimate our current and deferred income taxes based on our assessment of the future tax consequences of transactions that have been reflected in our financial statements or applicable tax returns. Actual income taxes paid could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or the resolution of audits by federal and state taxing authorities. We maintain liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits for various uncertain tax positions taken in our tax returns. These liabilities are estimated based on our judgment of the probable outcome of the uncertain tax positions and are adjusted periodically based on changing facts and circumstances. Changes to the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits could materially affect operating results in the period of change. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recognized approximately $15.7 million, $12.8 million, and $32.7 million, respectively, of previously unrecognized tax benefits (including related interest and net of federal tax benefit) and other adjustments upon finalization of tax returns. Such benefits were recorded primarily as a result of the favorable resolution of audits, administrative practices and the lapse of statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions. See Note 12 for additional information regarding our unrecognized tax benefits.
For additional information on our critical accounting policies, see “Accounting Pronouncements” and “Regulation and Competition - Other Matters” below, and the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
INFLATION
The vast majority of our telephone operations are now regulated under price-cap regulation for interstate purposes, for which price changes for certain revenue components are limited to the rate of inflation. As operating expenses in our nonregulated lines of business increase as a result of inflation, we, to the extent permitted by competition, attempt to recover the costs by increasing prices for our services and equipment.
MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our long-term debt obligations. We have estimated our market risk using sensitivity analysis. Market risk is defined as the potential change in the fair value of a fixed-rate debt obligation due to a hypothetical adverse change in interest rates. We determine fair value of long-term debt obligations based on a discounted cash flow analysis, using the rates and maturities of these obligations compared to terms and rates currently available in the long-term financing markets. The results of the sensitivity analysis used to estimate market risk are presented below, although the actual results may differ from these estimates.
In connection with our Embarq acquisition, Embarq’s existing long-term debt as of the acquisition date was valued at its estimated fair value. At December 31, 2009, we estimated the fair value of our long-term debt to be $8.4 billion based on the overall weighted average interest rate of our debt of 7.1% and an overall weighted maturity of 11 years compared to terms and rates currently available in long-term financing markets. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 96.2% of our long-term debt obligations were fixed rate. Market risk is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value of our long-term debt resulting from a hypothetical increase of 71 basis points in interest rates (ten percent of our overall weighted average borrowing rate). Such an increase in interest rates would result in approximately a $362.1 million decrease in fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt at December 31, 2009, but would have no impact on our results of operations or cash flows. A 100 basis point increase in variable interest rates would have had a negative pre-tax impact of approximately $2.6 million on our results of operations and cash flows for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, but would have no impact on the fair value of our long-term variable-rate debt.
We seek to maintain a favorable mix of fixed and variable rate debt in an effort to limit interest costs and cash flow volatility resulting from changes in rates. From time to time over the past several years, we have used derivative instruments to (i) lock-in or swap our exposure to changing or variable interest rates for fixed interest rates or (ii) to swap obligations to pay fixed interest rates for variable interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative instrument activities. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Management periodically reviews our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and implements strategies to manage the exposure.
In January 2008, we terminated all of our existing “fixed to variable” interest rate swaps associated with the $500 million principal amount of our Series L senior notes, due 2012. In connection with the termination of these derivatives, we received aggregate cash payments of approximately $25.6 million, which has been reflected as a premium of the associated long-term debt and is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense through 2012 using the effective interest method. In addition, in January 2008, we also terminated certain other derivatives that were not deemed to be effective hedges. Upon the termination of these derivatives, we paid an aggregate of approximately $4.9 million (and recorded a $3.4 million pre-tax charge in the first quarter of 2008 related to the settlement of these derivatives). As of December 31, 2009, we had no derivative instruments outstanding.
We are also exposed to market risk from changes in the fair value of our pension plan assets. While our pension plan asset returns were positive for 2009, the loss on our incumbent pension plan assets was approximately 28% for 2008. If our actual return on plan assets is significantly lower than our expected return assumption, our net periodic pension expense will increase in the future and we may be required to contribute additional funds to our pension plans in the future. The pension plan we assumed in our acquisition of Embarq was substantially underfunded as of the acquisition date. During the last half of 2009, we contributed $115 million to the Embarq pension plan. Such plan may require a significant amount of additional funding in the near future. Based on current actuarial estimates as of December 31, 2009 that assume a $300 million contribution in 2010, the utilization of our existing remaining credit balance to partially satisfy future required cash contributions and assuming no further discretionary contributions are made, we would not be required to make a minimum contribution to the legacy Embarq pension plan until 2012. Our minimum required contributions to our other pension plans are immaterial. The actual level of contributions required in future years can change significantly depending on discount rates and actual returns on plan assets.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of fair value of financial instruments. Actual values may differ from those presented if market conditions vary from assumptions used in the fair value calculations. The analysis above incorporates only those risk exposures that existed as of December 31, 2009.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Excluding cash used for acquisitions, we rely on cash provided by operations to fund our dividend payments and our operating and capital expenditures. During the last few months of 2008, we borrowed against our long-term revolving credit facility and held excess cash to provide us flexibility in the challenging economic environment. As a result, our working capital position was positive as of December 31, 2008. During 2009, we repaid a portion of these borrowings which resulted in a negative working capital position as of December 31, 2009, which is more representative of our typical working capital position. Our operations have historically provided a stable source of cash flow which has helped us continue our long-term program of capital improvements.
Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.574 billion, $853.3 million and $1.030 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Payments for income taxes aggregated $258.9 million, $208.8 million and $185.3 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In 2009, we paid approximately $54 million to fund lump sum distributions under our frozen supplemental executive retirement plan upon the discontinuance of such plan and under change of control provisions triggered upon the acquisition of Embarq. We also contributed $115 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan during the last half of 2009. Our accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows identify major differences between net income and net cash provided by operating activities for each of these periods. For additional information relating to our operations, see “Results of Operations” above.
Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $678.8 million, $389.0 million and $619.2 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Payments for property, plant and equipment were $754.5 million in 2009 (which includes $396.1 million of capital expenditures attributable to our Embarq operations subsequent to our July 1, 2009 acquisition of Embarq), $286.8 million in 2008 and $326.0 million in 2007. Capital expenditures for 2009 include approximately $75.1 million of one-time capital expenditures related to the integration of Embarq. We used $306.8 million of cash (net of approximately $20.0 million of acquired cash) to purchase Madison River Communications Corp. and pay related closing costs on April 30, 2007.
During 2008, we paid an aggregate of approximately $149 million for 69 licenses in the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) auction of 700 megahertz (“MHz”) wireless spectrum. We expect to complete our planning regarding the use of this spectrum in the first half of 2010 and to begin our trial phase in late 2010 or early 2011. Based on our planning, we are considering developing wireless voice and data service capabilities based on equipment using LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology. Given that simple data devices are not expected to be commercially available until later this year and more complex, integrated voice and data devices such as smartphones are not expected to be available until 2012, we do not expect to deploy network equipment, other than trial equipment, in 2010. Therefore, our deployment plans will not likely result in any material impact to our capital and operating budgets for 2010.
On July 1, 2009, we consummated the acquisition of Embarq Corporation by issuing approximately $6.0 billion of CenturyTel common stock (valued as of June 30, 2009). We financed our merger transaction expenses with (i) available cash of the combined company and (ii) proceeds from CenturyTel’s and Embarq’s existing revolving credit facilities. We acquired $76.9 million of cash in connection with our acquisition of Embarq.
In anticipation of making lump sum distributions to certain participants of our SERP in early 2009, we liquidated our investments in marketable securities in the SERP trust during the second quarter of 2008 and thereby increased our cash and cash equivalents by $34.9 million. As noted above, the lump sum distributions were paid in 2009 and aggregated approximately $54 million.
Financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $976.4 million during 2009, $255.4 million in 2008, and $402.1 million in 2007. In September 2009, we received net proceeds of $644.4 million from the issuance of $250 million of 10-year, 6.15% senior notes and $400 million of 30-year, 7.6% senior notes. In October 2009, the proceeds from these note offerings, along with additional borrowings under our existing credit facility, were used to buy back an aggregate of $746.1 million of CenturyTel, Inc. and Embarq indebtedness (see Note 5 for additional information). During 2008, we paid our $240 million Series F Senior Notes at maturity primarily using borrowings from our credit facility.
In accordance with previously announced stock repurchase programs, we repurchased 9.7 million shares (for $347.3 million) and 10.2 million shares (for $460.7 million) in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
In late March 2007, we publicly issued an aggregate of $750 million of Senior Notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of such Senior Notes aggregated approximately $741.8 million and were used (along with cash on hand and approximately $50 million of borrowings under our commercial paper program) to (i) finance the initial purchase price for the April 30, 2007 acquisition of Madison River ($322 million) and (ii) pay off Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest) at closing ($522 million).
In June 2008, our Board of Directors (i) increased our annual cash dividend to $2.80 from $.27 per share and (ii) declared a one-time dividend of $.6325 per share, which was paid in July 2008, effectively adjusting the total second quarter dividend to the new $.70 quarterly dividend rate. In February 2010, our Board of Directors further increased our quarterly dividend to $.725 per share. Based on current circumstances, we intend to continue our current dividend practice, subject to our intention to maintain investment grade credit ratings on our senior debt and any other factors that our Board in its discretion deems relevant.
In the first quarter of 2008, we received a net cash settlement of approximately $20.7 million from the termination of all of our existing derivative instruments. See “Market Risk” above for additional information concerning the termination of these derivatives.
During 2008, CenturyTel suffered a substantial loss on its pension plan assets. The pension plan we assumed in our acquisition of Embarq was substantially underfunded as of the acquisition date. If this underfunded status continues, we may be required to contribute additional funds to our pension plan in the near future. To reduce the underfunded position, in March 2010 we expect to contribute $300 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan using cash on hand and borrowings from our credit facility. For further information, see Item 1A - Risk Factors, of this annual report.
As previously announced, Embarq amended its credit facility to enable the facility to remain in place as an $800 million revolving credit facility after the completion of the merger through May 2011. See Note 2 for additional information.
Subsequent to the Embarq acquisition, we have available two unsecured revolving credit facilities, (i) a five-year, $728 million facility of CenturyTel which expires in December 2011 and (ii) an $800 million facility of Embarq which expires in May 2011. These credit facilities contain financial covenants that require us to meet certain leverage ratios and minimum interest coverage ratios. Up to $250 million of the credit facilities can be used for letters of credit, which reduces the amount available for other extensions of credit. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $46 million of letters of credit were outstanding. Available borrowings under these credit facilities are also effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program. Our commercial paper program borrowings are effectively limited to the total amount available under the two credit facilities. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $291.2 million outstanding under our credit facilities (all of which relates to CenturyTel’s facility) and no amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program.
As described in Note 5, we called for redemption on August 14, 2007, all of our $165 million aggregate principal amount of Series K convertible senior debentures, subject to the right of holders to convert their debentures into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $40.455. In lieu of cash redemption, holders of approximately $149.6 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures elected to convert their holdings into approximately 3.7 million shares of CenturyTel common stock. The remaining $15.4 million of outstanding debentures were retired for cash (including premium and accrued and unpaid interest).
Other. For 2010, we have budgeted between $825-875 million for capital expenditures. Previously, we concluded that our prior extensive capital investment in our wireline network permitted us to reduce wireline network capital spending to maintenance levels. Our 2010 capital expenditure budget also includes amounts for expanding our new service offerings and our data networks.
The following table contains certain information concerning our material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009.
(1) For additional information on the terms of our outstanding debt instruments, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this annual report.
(2) Represents the amount of tax and interest we would pay assuming we are required to pay the entire amount that we have reserved for our unrecognized tax benefits (see Note 12 for additional information). The timing of any payments for our unrecognized tax benefits cannot be predicted with certainty; therefore, such amount is reflected in the “After 2014 and Other” column in the above table.
We continually evaluate the possibility of acquiring additional communications operations and expect to continue our long-term strategy of pursuing the acquisition of attractively-priced communications properties in exchange for cash, securities or both. At any given time, we may be engaged in discussions or negotiations regarding additional acquisitions. We generally do not announce our acquisitions or dispositions until we have entered into a preliminary or definitive agreement. We may require additional financing in connection with any such acquisitions, the consummation of which could have a material impact on our financial condition or operations. Approximately 4.1 million shares of our common stock and 200,000 shares of our preferred stock remain available for future issuance in connection with acquisitions under our acquisition shelf registration statement. We also have access to debt and equity capital markets.
Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) currently rates CenturyTel, Inc.’s and Embarq Corporation’s long-term debt Baa3 (with a stable outlook). Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) rates the same long-term debt BBB- (with a stable outlook). Our commercial paper program is rated P-3 by Moody’s and A-3 by S&P. Any downgrade in our credit ratings will increase our borrowing costs and commitment fees under our revolving credit facility. Downgrades could also restrict our access to the capital markets, increase our borrowing costs under new or replacement debt financings, or otherwise adversely affect the terms of future borrowings by, among other things, increasing the scope of our debt covenants and decreasing our financial or operating flexibility.
The following table reflects our debt to total capitalization percentage and ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The debt to total capitalization ratio for 2009 reflects our Embarq acquisition. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends calculation for 2009 reflects the operations of Embarq only since July 1, 2009.
* For purposes of the chart above, “earnings” consist of income before income taxes (before extraordinary item) and fixed charges, and “fixed charges” include our interest expense, including amortized debt issuance costs, and our preferred stock dividend costs.
Regulation and Competition
The communications industry continues to undergo various fundamental regulatory, legislative, competitive and technological changes. These changes may have a significant impact on the future financial performance of all communications companies.
Events affecting the communications industry. Wireless telephone services increasingly constitute a significant source of competition with LEC services, especially since wireless carriers have begun to compete effectively on the basis of price with more traditional telephone services. Similarly, electronic mail and other digital communications continue to reduce the demand for traditional landline voice services. We anticipate these trends will continue.
Federal USF programs have undergone substantial changes since 1997, and are expected to experience more changes in the coming years as the overall program is modernized. As mandated by the 1996 Act, in May 2001 the FCC modified its existing universal service support mechanism for rural telephone companies by adopting an interim mechanism for a five-year period based on embedded, or historical, costs that provide relatively predictable levels of support to many LECs, including substantially all of our LECs. In May 2006, the FCC extended this interim mechanism until such time that new high-cost support rules are adopted for rural telephone companies. Increased requests for payments, coupled with changes in usage of telecommunications services, have placed stress on the funding mechanism of the USF, which is subject to annual caps on disbursements. These developments have placed additional financial pressure on the amount of money that is necessary and available to provide support to all eligible service providers, including payments we receive from the USF High Cost Loop program. Increases in the nationwide average cost per loop factor used to allocate funds among all USF recipients caused our revenues from the USF High Cost Loop program (exclusive of USF revenues recognized during the last half of 2009 in connection with our Embarq acquisition) to decrease approximately $13 million in 2009 when compared to 2008. We estimate that our 2010 revenues from the USF High Cost Loop program will be approximately $45 million lower as compared to the annual run rate for the last half of 2009.
Technological developments have led to the development of new services that compete with traditional LEC services. Technological improvements have enabled cable television companies to provide traditional circuit-switched telephone service over their cable networks, and several national cable companies have aggressively pursued this opportunity. Improvements in the quality of "Voice-over-Internet Protocol" ("VoIP") service have led several cable, Internet, data and other communications companies, as well as start-up companies, to substantially increase their offerings of VoIP service to business and residential customers. VoIP providers frequently use existing broadband networks to deliver flat-rate, all distance calling plans that may offer features that cannot readily be provided by traditional LECs and may be priced below those currently charged for traditional local and long distance telephone services. In late 2003, the FCC initiated a rulemaking intended to address the regulation of VoIP, and has adopted orders establishing some initial broad regulatory guidelines. The FCC has not completed the rulemaking, but could address the treatment of VoIP traffic and services by concluding this proceeding or in combination with intercarrier compensation reform proceedings already underway. There can be no assurance that future rulemaking will be on terms favorable to ILECs, or that VoIP providers will not successfully compete for our customers.
Beginning in 2003, the FCC opened broad intercarrier compensation proceedings designed to create a uniform mechanism to be used by the entire telecommunications industry for payments between carriers originating, terminating, transiting or delivering telecommunications traffic. In connection therewith, the FCC has received intercarrier compensation proposals from several industry groups, and solicited public comments on a variety of topics related to access charges and intercarrier compensation. Broad industry negotiations have taken place with the goal of developing a consensus plan that addresses the concerns of carriers from all industry segments. The ultimate outcome of the FCC’s intercarrier compensation proceedings could change the way we receive compensation from, and remit compensation to, other carriers, our end user customers and the federal USF. Until the FCC’s proceedings conclude and the changes, if any, to the existing rules are established, we cannot estimate the impact these proceedings will have on our operations.
Many cable, technology or other communication companies that previously offered a limited range of services are now, like us, offering diversified bundles of services. As such, a growing number of companies are competing to serve the communications needs of the same customer base. Several of these companies started offering full service bundles before us, which could give them an advantage in building customer loyalty. Such activities will continue to place downward pressure on the demand for our access lines.
Recent events affecting us. During the last few years, most of the states in which we provide telephone services have taken legislative or regulatory steps to further introduce competition into the LEC business. The number of companies which have requested authorization to provide local exchange service in our service areas has increased in recent years, particularly in Embarq’s legacy markets, and we anticipate that similar action may be taken by others in the future.
Certain long distance carriers continue to request that certain of our ILECs reduce intrastate access tariffed rates. Long distance carriers have also aggressively pursued regulatory or legislative changes that would reduce access rates. In light of pending intercarrier compensation reform that is expected to address intrastate access charges, most states are deferring action until they receive direction from the FCC. However, some carriers are continuing to pursue lower intrastate access rates in some states. Currently, we are responding to carrier complaints, legislation or investigations regarding our intrastate switched access rate levels in Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Although the outcome cannot be determined at this time, we believe our intrastate switched access rate levels are appropriate and we plan to vigorously defend them.
Over the past few years, each of the FCC, Universal Service Administrative Company and certain Congressional committees has initiated wide-ranging reviews of the administration of the federal USF. As part of this process, we, along with a number of other USF recipients, have undergone a number of USF audits and have also received requests for information from the FCC’s Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) and Congressional committees. In addition, in July 2008 we received a subpoena from the OIG requesting a broad range of information regarding our depreciation rates and methodologies since 2000, and in July 2009 we received a second subpoena requesting information about our participation in the E-rate program for Wisconsin schools and libraries since 2004. The OIG has not identified to us any specific issues with respect to our participation in the USF program and none of the audits completed to date has identified any material issues regarding our participation in the USF program. While we believe our participation is in compliance with FCC rules and in accordance with accepted industry practices, we cannot predict with certainty the timing or outcome of these various reviews. We have complied with and are continuing to respond to all requests for information.
We expect our 2010 operating revenues to be higher than 2009 since 2010 will include a full year of operating results from our Embarq properties acquired July 1, 2009. Excluding this impact, we expect our operating revenues in 2010 to decline as we continue to experience downward pressure primarily due to continued access line losses, reduced universal service funding and lower network access revenues. In addition, our revenues will be negatively impacted in 2010 compared to 2009 due to a full year impact of the elimination of all intercompany transactions with regulated affiliates resulting from the discontinuance of regulatory accounting that was effective July 1, 2009 (which will not impact operating income levels since there will be an equivalent amount of expenses eliminated). We expect such revenue declines to be partially offset primarily due to increased demand for our high-speed Internet service offering.
For a more complete description of regulation and competition impacting our operations and various attendant risks, please see Items 1 and 1A of this annual report.
Other matters. Through June 30, 2009, CenturyTel accounted for its regulated telephone operations (except for the properties acquired from Verizon in 2002) in accordance with the provisions of codification ASC 980-10 (formerly SFAS 71) which addresses regulatory accounting under which actions by regulators can provide reasonable assurance of the recognition of an asset, reduce or eliminate the value of an asset and impose a liability on a regulated enterprise. Such regulatory assets and liabilities were required to be recorded and, accordingly, reflected in the balance sheet of an entity subject to regulatory accounting.
As we previously disclosed, on July 1, 2009, we discontinued the accounting requirements of regulatory accounting upon the conversion of substantially all of our rate-of-return study areas to federal price cap regulation (based on the FCC’s approval of our petition to convert our study areas to price cap regulation).
In the third quarter of 2009, we recorded a net non-cash extraordinary after-tax gain of approximately $136.0 million upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting. See Note 15 for additional information.
We have certain obligations based on federal, state and local laws relating to the protection of the environment. Costs of compliance through 2009 have not been material, and we currently do not believe that such costs will become material.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
For information pertaining to the our market risk disclosure, see “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk”.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Management
The Shareholders
CenturyTel, Inc.:
Management has prepared and is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of our consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and necessarily include amounts determined using our best judgments and estimates.
Our consolidated financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who have expressed their opinion with respect to the fairness of the consolidated financial statements. Their audit was conducted in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our evaluation under the framework of COSO, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of independent directors who are not officers or employees. The Committee meets periodically with the external auditors, internal auditors and management. The Committee considers the independence of the external auditors and the audit scope and discusses internal control, financial and reporting matters. Both the external and internal auditors have free access to the Committee.
/s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
March 1, 2010
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
CenturyTel, Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of CenturyTel, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as listed in Item 15a(1). In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in Item 15a(2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Notes 2, 9 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2009, the Company changed its method of accounting for business combinations, non-controlling interests and earnings per share. In addition, as discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 1, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Shreveport, Louisiana
March 1, 2010
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
CenturyTel, Inc.:
We have audited CenturyTel, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of CenturyTel, Inc. and subsidiaries as listed in Item 15(a)(1), and our report dated March 1, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Shreveport, Louisiana
March 1, 2010
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Embarq acquisition - On July 1, 2009, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 26, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), we acquired Embarq Corporation (“Embarq”) through a merger transaction, with Embarq surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyTel. The results of operations of Embarq are included in our consolidated results of operations beginning July 1, 2009. See Note 2 for additional information related to the Embarq acquisition.
Principles of consolidation - Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CenturyTel, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries.
Regulatory accounting - Through June 30, 2009, CenturyTel accounted for its regulated telephone operations (except for the properties acquired from Verizon in 2002) in accordance with the provisions of regulatory accounting under which actions by regulators can provide reasonable assurance of the recognition of an asset, reduce or eliminate the value of an asset and impose a liability on a regulated enterprise. Such regulatory assets and liabilities were required to be recorded and, accordingly, reflected in the balance sheet of an entity subject to regulatory accounting. On July 1, 2009, we discontinued the accounting requirements of regulatory accounting upon the conversion of substantially all of our rate-of-return study areas to federal price cap regulation (based on the FCC’s approval of our petition to convert our study areas to price cap regulation). In the third quarter of 2009, upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we recorded a non-cash extraordinary gain in our consolidated statements of income of $136.0 million after-tax. See Note 15 for additional information.
Subsequent to the July 1, 2009 discontinuance of regulatory accounting, all intercompany transactions with affiliates have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Prior to July 1, 2009, intercompany transactions with regulated affiliates subject to regulatory accounting were not eliminated in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements, as allowed by the provisions of regulatory accounting. The amount of intercompany revenues and costs that were not eliminated related to the first half of 2009 approximated $114 million.
Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition - Revenues are generally recognized when services are provided or when products are delivered to customers. Revenue that is billed in advance includes monthly recurring network access services, special access services and monthly recurring local line charges. The unearned portion of this revenue is initially deferred as a component of advance billings and customer deposits on our balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided. Revenue that is billed in arrears includes switched access services, nonrecurring network access services, nonrecurring local services and long distance services. The earned but unbilled portion of this revenue is recognized as revenue in the period that the services are provided. Revenues from installation activities are deferred and recognized as revenue over the estimated life of the customer relationship. The costs associated with such installation activities, up to the related amount of deferred revenue, are deferred and recognized as an operating expense over the same period.
Allowance for doubtful accounts. In evaluating the collectibility of our accounts receivable, we assess a number of factors, including a specific customer’s or carrier’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us, the length of time the receivable has been past due and historical collection experience. Based on these assessments, we record both specific and general reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable to reduce the stated amount of applicable accounts receivable to the amount we ultimately expect to collect.
Property, plant and equipment - As discussed in Note 2, the property acquired in connection with the acquisition of Embarq was recorded based on its fair value. Substantially all other telephone plant is stated at original cost. Normal retirements of telephone plant are charged against accumulated depreciation, along with the costs of removal, less salvage, with no gain or loss recognized. Renewals and betterments of plant and equipment are capitalized while repairs, as well as renewals of minor items, are charged to operating expense. Depreciation of telephone plant is provided on the straight line method using class or overall group rates; such average rates range from 2% to 25%.
Non-telephone property is stated at cost and, when sold or retired, a gain or loss is recognized. Depreciation of such property is provided on the straight line method over estimated service lives ranging from two to 35 years.
Goodwill and other long-lived assets - Goodwill recorded in a business combination is required to be reviewed for impairment and to be written down only in periods in which the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Applicable accounting guidance also stipulates certain factors to consider regarding whether or not a triggering event has occurred that would require performance of an interim goodwill impairment test. We test impairment of goodwill at least annually by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value (including goodwill). We base our estimates of the fair value of the reporting unit on valuation models using criterion such as multiples of earnings. See Note 3 for additional information. Other long-lived assets (exclusive of goodwill) are reviewed for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that such carrying amount cannot be recoverable by assessing the recoverability of the carrying value through undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. During 2007, we recognized a $16.6 million pre-tax impairment charge in order to write-down the value of certain of our long-lived assets in certain of our CLEC markets to their estimated realizable value. Such assets were subsequently sold in two separate transactions in 2008.
Income taxes - We file a consolidated federal income tax return with our eligible subsidiaries. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Postretirement and pension plans - We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our defined benefit and postretirement plans as an asset or a liability on our balance sheet, with an adjustment to stockholders’ equity (reflected as an increase or decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss) for the accumulated actuarial gains or losses. See Notes 10 and 11 for additional information.
Stock-based compensation - We measure our cost of awarding employees with equity instruments based upon allocations of the fair value of the award on the grant date. See Note 14 for additional information.
Derivative financial instruments - We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with applicable accounting guidance which requires that all derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps, be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent of holding them. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as either a fair value or cash flow hedge. A hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment is a fair value hedge. A hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability is a cash flow hedge. We also formally assess, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If we determine that a derivative is not, or is no longer, highly effective as a hedge, we would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in income or stockholders’ equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)), depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Management periodically reviews our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and implements strategies to manage the exposure. See Note 6 for additional information.
Earnings per share - We determine basic earnings per share amounts on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable accounting period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all potential dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. See Note 13 for additional information.
Cash equivalents - We consider short-term investments with a maturity at date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(2) ACQUISITIONS
On July 1, 2009, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, we acquired Embarq through a merger transaction, with Embarq surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyTel. Such acquisition was recorded pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance on business combinations, which was effective for all business combinations consummated on or after January 1, 2009, as more fully described below.
As a result of the acquisition, each outstanding share of Embarq common stock was converted into the right to receive 1.37 shares of CenturyTel common stock (“CTL common stock”), with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. Based on the number of CenturyTel common shares issued to consummate the merger (196.1 million), the closing stock price of CTL common stock as of June 30, 2009 ($30.70) and the pre-combination portion of share-based compensation awards assumed by CenturyTel ($50.2 million), the aggregate merger consideration approximated $6.1 billion. The premium paid by us in this transaction is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification, leveraged combined networks and improved competitive positioning. None of the goodwill associated with this transaction is deductible for income tax purposes.
The results of operations of Embarq are included in our consolidated results of operations beginning July 1, 2009. Approximately $2.563 billion of operating revenues of Embarq are included in our consolidated results of operations for 2009. CenturyTel was the accounting acquirer in this transaction. We have recognized Embarq’s assets and liabilities at their acquisition date estimated fair values pursuant to business combination accounting rules that were effective for acquisitions consummated on or after January 1, 2009. The assignment of a fair value to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Embarq (and the related estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) require a significant amount of judgment. The fair value of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets were determined based upon analysis performed by an independent valuation firm. The fair value of pension and postretirement obligations was determined by independent actuaries. The fair value of long-term debt was determined by management based on a discounted cash flow analysis, using the rates and maturities of these obligations compared to terms and rates currently available in the long-term financing markets. All other fair value determinations, which consisted primarily of current assets, current liabilities and deferred income taxes, were made by management. The following is a preliminary assignment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on currently available information.
*
Includes a fair value of $440 million assigned to accounts receivable which had a gross contractual value of $492 million as of July 1, 2009. The $52 million difference represents our best estimate of the contractual cash flows that will not be collected.
We recognized approximately $64 million of liabilities arising from contingencies as of the acquisition date on the basis that it was probable that a liability had been incurred and the amount could be reasonably estimated. Such contingencies primarily relate to transaction and property tax contingencies and contingencies arising from billing disputes with various parties in the communications industry. The assignment of fair values to Embarq’s assets and liabilities has not been finalized as of December 31, 2009. Further adjustments may be necessary prior to June 30, 2010, particularly as it relates to contingent liabilities and other long-term liabilities (including deferred income taxes).
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of CenturyTel and Embarq as though the acquisition had been consummated as of January 1, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the two periods presented below.
These results include certain adjustments, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization associated with the property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets, increased retiree benefit costs due to the remeasurement of the benefit obligations, and the related income tax effects. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the periods indicated nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results. Other than those actually realized subsequent to the July 1, 2009 acquisition date, the pro forma information does not give effect to any potential revenue enhancements or cost synergies or other operating efficiencies that could result from the acquisition.
During 2009, we recognized an aggregate of approximately $253.7 million of integration, transaction and other costs related to the Embarq acquisition. Of the $253.7 million, approximately $47.2 million related to closing costs, including investment banker and legal fees, in connection with consummation of the merger and is reflected as an operating expense. In addition, we incurred approximately $206.5 million of integration-related operating expenses related to system and customer conversions, employee-related severance and benefit costs and branding costs associated with changing our trade name to CenturyLink.
On July 1, 2009, in connection with the Merger Agreement, and as approved by our shareholders on January 27, 2009, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to (i) eliminate our time-phase voting structure, which previously entitled persons who beneficially owned shares of our common stock continuously since May 30, 1987 to ten votes per share, and (ii) increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock from 350 million to 800 million. As so amended and restated, our Articles of Incorporation provide that each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter properly submitted to shareholders for their vote, consent, waiver, release or other action. These amendments reflect changes contemplated or necessitated by the Merger Agreement and are described in detail in our joint proxy statement-prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and first mailed to shareholders of CenturyTel and Embarq on or about December 22, 2008. In Robert M. Garst, Sr. et al. v. CenturyTel, Inc. et al., filed March 13, 2009 in the 142nd Judicial District Court of Texas, Midland County (Case No. CV-46861), certain of our former ten-vote shareholders challenged the effectiveness of the vote to eliminate our time-phase voting structure. We believe we followed all necessary steps to properly effect the amendments described above and are defending the case accordingly.
On January 23, 2009, Embarq amended its Credit Agreement to effect, upon completion of the merger, a waiver of the event of default that would have arisen under the Credit Agreement solely as a result of the merger and enabled the Credit Agreement, as amended, to remain in place after the merger. Previously, in connection with the Merger Agreement, we had entered into a commitment letter with various lenders which provided for an $800 million bridge facility that would be available to, among other things, refinance borrowings under the Credit Agreement in the event a waiver of the event of default arising from the consummation of the merger could not have been obtained and other financing was unavailable. On January 23, 2009, we terminated the commitment letter and paid an aggregate of $8.0 million to the lenders. Such amount has been reflected as an expense (in Other income (expense)) in 2009.
On April 30, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”) from Madison River Telephone Company, LLC for an initial aggregate purchase price of approximately $322 million cash. In connection with the acquisition, we also paid all of Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest), which approximated $522 million.
(3) GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill and other assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were composed of the following:
Our goodwill was derived from numerous previous acquisitions whereby the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired. The increase in goodwill and intangible assets from December 31, 2008 is due to our acquisition of Embarq. See Note 2 for additional information concerning the fair value assigned to these assets.
The vast majority of our goodwill is attributable to our telephone operations, which we internally operate and manage based on five geographic regions which were established in connection with our acquisition of Embarq. Prior to this, our operations were managed based on three geographic regions. We test for goodwill impairment for our telephone operations at the region level due to the similar economic characteristics of the individual reporting units that comprise each region. Impairment of goodwill is tested by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value (including goodwill). Estimates of the fair value of the reporting unit of our telephone operations are based on valuation models using techniques such as multiples of earnings (before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization). We also evaluate goodwill impairment of our other operations primarily based on multiples of earnings and revenues. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second calculation is required in which the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value, goodwill must be written down to its implied fair value.
As of September 30, 2009, we completed our annual impairment test of goodwill based on our historical three geographic regions. Such impairment test excluded the goodwill associated with our acquisition of Embarq pending finalization of the determination of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection therewith. We determined that our goodwill (excluding the goodwill associated with the Embarq acquisition) was not impaired as of September 30, 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, we performed an additional goodwill impairment test which included the goodwill associated with our Embarq acquisition (based on preliminary fair value determinations). Based on the analysis performed, we determined that goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2009.
We are amortizing our customer list intangible asset associated with our Embarq acquisition over an average of 10 years using an accelerated method of amortization (sum-of-the-years digits) to more closely match the estimated cash flow generated by such asset. Our remaining customer list intangible assets are being amortized over a range of 5-15 years using the straight-line amortization method. Effective July 1, 2009 we changed the assessment of useful life for our franchise rights from indefinite to 20 years (straight-line).
Total amortization expense related to the intangible assets subject to amortization for 2009 was $135.9 million (which includes $118.4 million of amortization related to intangible assets from our Embarq acquisition) and is expected to be $206.4 million for 2010, $185.6 million for 2011, $164.5 million for 2012, $145.2 million in 2013 and $126.0 million in 2014 (based on intangible assets held at December 31, 2009 and based on the determination of fair values related to Embarq’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed as discussed further in Note 2).
We accounted for the costs to develop an integrated billing and customer care system in accordance with Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” Aggregate capitalized costs (before accumulated amortization) totaled $236.5 million and are being amortized over a twenty-year period.
During 2008, we paid an aggregate of approximately $149 million for 69 licenses in the FCC’s auction of 700 megahertz (“MHz”) wireless spectrum.
The costs associated with installation activities are deferred and recognized as an operating expense over the estimated life of the customer relationship (10 years). Such costs are only deferred to the extent of the related deferred revenue.
(4) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Net property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was composed of the following:
Depreciation expense was $838.8 million, $506.9 million and $524.1 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(5) LONG-TERM DEBT
Our long-term debt as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:
* Weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2009
The approximate annual debt maturities for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2009 are as follows: 2010 - $500.1 million; 2011 - $302.8 million; 2012 - $327.6 million; 2013 - $818.4 million and 2014 $31.5 million.
Certain of our loan agreements contain various restrictions, among which are limitations regarding issuance of additional debt, payment of cash dividends, reacquisition of capital stock and other matters. In addition, the transfer of funds from certain consolidated subsidiaries to CenturyTel is restricted by various loan agreements. Subsidiaries which have loans from government agencies and cooperative lending associations, or have issued first mortgage bonds, generally may not loan or advance any funds to CenturyTel, but may pay dividends if certain financial ratios are met. At December 31, 2009, all of our consolidated retained earnings reflected on the balance sheet was available under our loan agreements for the declaration of dividends.
The senior notes and debentures of CenturyTel referred to above were issued under an indenture dated March 31, 1994. This indenture does not contain any financial covenants, but does include restrictions that limit our ability to (i) incur, issue or create liens upon our property and (ii) consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, any other party. The indenture does not contain any provisions that are impacted by our credit ratings, or that restrict the issuance of new securities in the event of a material adverse change to us.
Various of our subsidiaries have outstanding first mortgage bonds or unsecured debentures. Each issue of these first mortgage bonds are secured by substantially all of the property, plant and equipment of the issuing subsidiary. Approximately 50% of our property, plant and equipment is pledged to secure the long-term debt of subsidiaries.
In September 2009, CenturyTel and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Embarq Corporation, commenced joint debt tender offers under which they offered to purchase up to $800 million of their outstanding notes. In October 2009, (i) Embarq purchased for cash $471.7 million principal amount of its 6.738% Notes due 2013 and (ii) CenturyTel purchased for cash $74.3 million principal amount of its 5.5% Series O Senior Notes, due 2013, $182.5 million principal amount of its 7.875% Series L Senior Notes, due 2012, and $17.5 million principal amount of its 8.375% Series H Senior Notes, due 2010. Due primarily to the premiums paid in connection with these debt extinguishments, we recorded a one-time pre-tax charge of approximately $61 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 related to the completion of the tender offers.
We funded these debt tender offers with net proceeds of $644.4 million from the September 2009 issuance of (i) $250 million of 10-year, 6.15% senior notes and $400 million of 30-year, 7.6% senior notes and (ii) additional borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility.
As of December 31, 2009, we have available two unsecured revolving credit facilities, (i) a $728 million five-year facility of CenturyTel which expires in December 2011 and (ii) an $800 million facility of Embarq which expires in May 2011. The interest rate on revolving loans under the facility is based on our choice of several prevailing commercial lending rates plus an additional margin that varies depending on our credit ratings and aggregate borrowings under the facilities. Up to $250 million of the credit facilities can be used for letters of credit, which reduces the amount available for other extensions of credit. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $46 million of letters of credit were outstanding. Available borrowings under these credit facilities are also effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program. Our commercial paper program borrowings are effectively limited to the total amount available under the two credit facilities. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $291.2 million outstanding under our credit facility (all of which relates to CenturyTel’s facility) and no amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program.
In August 2007, we called for redemption all of our $165 million aggregate principal amount 4.75% convertible senior debentures due 2032 at a redemption price of $1,023.80 per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest through August 13, 2007. In accordance with the indenture, holders could elect to convert their debentures into shares of CenturyTel common stock at a conversion price of $40.455 per share prior to August 10, 2007. In lieu of cash redemption, holders of approximately $149.6 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures elected to convert their holdings into approximately 3.7 million shares of CenturyTel common stock. The remaining $15.4 million of outstanding debentures were retired for cash.
(6)
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
In 2003, we entered into four separate fair value interest rate hedges associated with the full $500 million principal amount of our Series L senior notes, due 2012, that pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.875%. These hedges were “fixed to variable” interest rate swaps that effectively converted our fixed rate interest payment obligations under these notes into obligations to pay variable rates. In January 2008, we terminated all of our existing “fixed to variable” interest rate swaps associated with the full $500 million principal amount of our Series L senior notes. In connection with the termination of these derivatives, we received aggregate cash payments of approximately $25.6 million, which has been reflected as a premium of the associated long-term debt and is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense through 2012 using the effective interest method. In addition, in January 2008, we also terminated certain other derivatives that were not deemed to be effective hedges. Upon the termination of these derivatives, we paid an aggregate of approximately $4.9 million (and recorded a $3.4 million pre-tax charge in the first quarter of 2008 related to the settlement of these derivatives). As of December 31, 2009, we had no derivative instruments outstanding.
(7) DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred credits and other liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were composed of the following:
For additional information on deferred federal and state income taxes, accrued pension costs and accrued postretirement benefit costs, see Notes 12, 11 and 10, respectively.
(8) REDUCTIONS IN WORKFORCE
During each of the last three years, we have announced workforce reductions primarily due to (i) increased competitive pressures and the loss of access lines over the last several years; (ii) progression or completion of our Embarq and Madison River integration plans; and (iii) the elimination of certain customer service personnel due to reduced call volumes. In connection therewith, we incurred pre-tax operating expense charges of approximately $80.6 million in 2009, $2.0 million in 2008 and $2.7 million in 2007 for severance and related costs.
The following table reflects additional information regarding the severance-related liability for 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
(9) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock - Unissued shares of CenturyTel common stock were reserved as follows:
On July 1, 2009, we issued 196.1 million shares of CenturyTel common stock in connection with the acquisition of Embarq. See Note 2 for additional information.
In accordance with previously-announced stock repurchase programs, we repurchased 9.7 million shares (for $347.3 million) in 2008 and 10.2 million shares (for $460.7 million) in 2007.
In January 2009, in connection with the special meeting of shareholders to approve share issuances in connection with our acquisition of Embarq, our shareholders approved a charter amendment to eliminate certain special voting rights of long-term shareholders upon the consummation of the Embarq acquisition. See Note 2 for additional information.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, which requires noncontrolling interests to be recognized as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, net income attributable to such noncontrolling interests is required to be included in consolidated net income. This guidance is effective for our 2009 fiscal year. Our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 reflect our noncontrolling interests as equity in our consolidated balance sheet. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this presentation.
Preferred stock - As of December 31, 2009, we had 2.0 million shares of authorized preferred stock, $25 par value per share. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were approximately 9,400 shares of outstanding convertible preferred stock. Holders of outstanding CenturyTel preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends, receive preferential distributions equal to $25 per share plus unpaid dividends upon CenturyTel’s liquidation and vote as a single class with the holders of common stock.
(10) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Our incumbent postretirement health care plan provides postretirement benefits to qualified legacy CenturyTel retirees. The postretirement health care plan we acquired as part of our acquisition of Embarq provides postretirement benefits to qualified legacy Embarq retirees. The legacy Embarq plan allows eligible employees retiring before certain dates to receive benefits at no or reduced cost. Employees retiring after certain dates are eligible for benefits on a shared cost basis. These plans are generally funded by us and we expect to continue funding these postretirement obligations as benefits are paid. Until such time as we can integrate Embarq’s postretirement benefit plan with ours, we plan to continue to operate those plans independently. Our plans use a December 31 measurement date. The benefit plan obligations and plan assets associated with the legacy Embarq plan were remeasured as of the July 1, 2009 acquisition date.
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the benefit obligation and the plan assets.
The following table sets forth the amounts recognized as liabilities on the balance sheet for postretirement benefits at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 2009 (which includes the effects of our July 1, 2009 acquisition of Embarq), 2008 and 2007 included the following components:
The unamortized prior service credit ($14.3 million as of December 31, 2009) and unrecognized net actuarial loss ($66.0 million as of December 31, 2009) components have been reflected as a $32.0 million after-tax decrease to accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity. The estimated amount of net amortization income of the above unrecognized items that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss and reflected as a component of net periodic postretirement cost during 2010 is (i) $3.4 million income for the prior service credit and (ii) $2.0 million loss for the net actuarial loss.
Assumptions used in accounting for postretirement benefits as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were:
Our discount rate is based on a hypothetical portfolio of bonds rated AA- or better that produces a cash flow matching the projected benefit payments of the plans. In determining the expected return on plan assets, we study historical markets and apply the widely-accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility and risk generate a greater return over the long term. We evaluate current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before determining long-term capital market assumptions. We also review peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness.
Assumed health care cost trends have a significant effect on the amounts reported for postretirement benefit plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost rates would have the following effects:
We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. We measure and monitor investment risk on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset studies and periodic portfolio reviews.
Our postretirement benefit plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008 by asset category are as follows:
As of December 31, 2009, we used the following valuation techniques to measure fair value for assets. There were no changes to these methodologies during 2009:
Level 1 - Assets were valued using the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual security was traded.
Level 2 - Assets were valued using quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker dealer quotations, net asset value of shares held by the plans and other methods by which all significant input were observable at the measurement date.
Level 3 - Assets were valued using valuation reports from the respective institutions at the measurement date.
The following table presents the hierarchy levels for our postretirement benefit plans’ investments as of December 31, 2009:
Our plans invest in various securities, some of which are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that those changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits.
We expect to contribute approximately $49.5 million to our postretirement benefit plans in 2010.
Our estimated future projected benefit payments under our postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
(11) DEFINED BENEFIT AND OTHER RETIREMENT PLANS
Our incumbent noncontributory defined benefit pension plans provide pension benefits for substantially all legacy CenturyTel employees. The noncontributory defined benefit pension plan we acquired as part of our acquisition of Embarq provides pension benefits for substantially all legacy Embarq employees. Pension benefits for participants of these plans represented by a collective bargaining agreement are based on negotiated schedules. All other participants’ pension benefits are based on each individual participants’ years of service and compensation. Both CenturyTel and Embarq have previously sponsored, or continue to sponsor, supplemental executive retirement plans providing certain officers with supplemental retirement, death and disability benefits. Until such time as we can integrate Embarq’s benefit plans with ours, we plan to continue to operate these plans independently. We use a December 31 measurement date for all our plans. The benefit plan obligations and plan assets associated with the legacy Embarq pension plan were remeasured as of the July 1, 2009 acquisition date.
In late February 2008, our Board of Directors approved certain actions related to CenturyTel’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, including (i) freezing benefit accruals effective February 29, 2008 and (ii) amending the plan in the second quarter of 2008 to permit participants to receive in 2009 a lump sum distribution of the present value of their accrued plan benefits based on their election. We also enhanced plan termination benefits by (i) crediting each active participant with three additional years of service and (ii) crediting each participant who was not in pay status under the plan with three additional years of age in connection with calculating the present value of any lump sum distribution. We recorded an aggregate curtailment loss of approximately $8.2 million in 2008 related to the above-described items. In addition, principally due to the payment of the lump sum distributions in early 2009, we also recognized a settlement loss (which is included in selling, general and administrative expense) of approximately $7.7 million in 2009.
Due to change of control provisions that were triggered upon the consummation of the Embarq acquisition on July 1, 2009, certain retirees who were receiving monthly annuity payments under a CenturyTel supplemental executive retirement plan were paid a lump sum distribution calculated in accordance with the provisions of the plan. A settlement expense of approximately $8.9 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2009 as a result of these actions.
The legacy Embarq pension plan contains a provision that grants early retirement benefits for certain participants affected by workforce reductions. During 2009, we recognized approximately $14.7 million of additional pension expense related to these contractual benefits.
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the aggregate benefit obligation and the plan assets for our above-referenced defined benefit plans.
The following table sets forth the combined plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Net periodic pension expense for 2009 includes the effects of our July 1, 2009 acquisition of Embarq. Net periodic pension expense for 2009, 2008 and 2007 included the following components:
The unamortized prior service cost ($16.1 million as of December 31, 2009) and unrecognized net actuarial loss ($67.1 million as of December 31, 2009) components have been reflected as a $83.2 million net reduction ($51.2 million after-tax) to accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity. The estimated amount of amortization expense of the above unrecognized amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss and reflected as a component of net periodic pension cost for 2010 are (i) $238,000 for the prior service cost and (ii) $14.4 million for the net actuarial loss.
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet consist of:
Our aggregate accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $4.042 billion and $418.8 million, respectively.
Assumptions used in accounting for pension plans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were:
Our discount rate is based on a hypothetical portfolio of bonds rated AA- or better that produces a cash flow matching the projected benefit payments of the plans. In determining the expected return on plan assets, we study historical markets and apply the widely-accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility and risk generate a greater return over the long term. We evaluate current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before determining long-term capital market assumptions. We also review peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness.
We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. We measure and monitor investment risk on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset studies and periodic portfolio reviews. The fair value of most of our pension plan assets is determined by reference to observable market data consisting of published market quotes.
Our pension plans weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008 by asset category are as follows:
As of December 31, 2009, we used the following valuation techniques to measure fair value for assets. There
Level 1 - Assets were valued using the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual security was traded.
Level 2 - Assets were valued using quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker dealer quotations, net asset value of shares held by the plans and other methods by which all significant input were observable at the measurement date.
Level 3 - Assets were valued using valuation reports from the respective institutions at the measurement date.
The following table presents the hierarchy levels for our defined benefit pension plans’ investments as of December 31, 2009:
The following sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of our defined benefit pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2009:
Our plans invest in various securities, some of which are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that those changes could materially affect the value of our pension plan assets.
Some of our plans' investment securities have contractual cash flows, such as asset backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and commercial and government mortgage backed securities, including securities backed by sub-prime mortgage loans. The value, liquidity, and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate values, delinquencies or defaults, or both, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
During the last half of 2009, we contributed $115 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan. We expect to contribute approximately $300 million to the legacy Embarq pension plan in March 2010.
Our estimated future projected benefit payments under our defined benefit pension plans are as follows: 2010 - $256.2 million; 2011 - $258.7 million; 2012 - $264.0 million; 2013 - $272.1 million; 2014 - $279.3 million; and 2015-2019 - $1.5 billion.
We also sponsor qualified profit sharing plans pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plans”) which are available to substantially all employees. Our matching contributions to the 401(k) Plans were $13.8 million in 2009, $10.5 million in 2008 and $10.6 million in 2007.
(12) INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income was as follows:
Income tax expense was allocated as follows:
The following is a reconciliation from the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate:
Certain executive compensation amounts, including the lump sum distributions paid to certain executive officers upon discontinuing the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (see Note 11), are reflected as nondeductible for income tax purposes pursuant to executive compensation limitations of the Internal Revenue Code. The treatment of these amounts as non-deductible resulted in the recognition of approximately $9.2 million of income tax expense in 2009 above amounts that would have been recognized had such payments been deductible for income tax purposes. Our 2009 effective tax rate is also higher because a portion of our merger-related transaction costs incurred during 2009 are nondeductible for income tax purposes (with such treatment resulting in a $6.9 million increase to income tax expense). Such increases in income tax expense were partially offset by a $7.0 million reduction in income tax expense primarily caused by a reduction to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with state net operating loss carryforwards due to a law change in one of our operating states that we believe will allow us to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards in the future. Prior to the law change, such net operating loss carryforwards were fully reserved as it was more likely than not that these carryforwards would not be utilized prior to expiration.
During 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recognized net after-tax benefits of approximately $15.7 million, $12.8 million and $32.7 million, respectively, which includes (i) related interest and is net of federal benefit, related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits primarily due to certain issues being effectively settled through examinations or the lapse of statute of limitations and (ii) other adjustments needed upon finalization of tax returns.
The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
Of the $2.173 billion net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2009, approximately $2.257 billion is reflected as a long-term liability and approximately $83.3 million is reflected as a net current deferred tax asset.
We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets to amounts we expect to realize. As of December 31, 2009, we had available tax benefits associated with net state operating loss carryforwards, which expire through 2029, of $64.8 million. The ultimate realization of the benefits of the carryforwards is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider our scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As a result of such assessment, we reserved $41.5 million through the valuation allowance as of December 31, 2009 as it is more likely than not that this amount of net operating loss carryforwards will not be utilized prior to expiration.
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements and required us, effective January 1, 2007, to recognize and measure tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclose uncertainties in income tax positions. We recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2007 (which increased retained earnings by approximately $478,000 as of such date) related to certain previously unrecognized tax benefits that did not meet the criteria for liability recognition upon the adoption of this guidance.
The following table reflects the activity of our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) during 2009 (amounts expressed in thousands).
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was primarily related to the treatment of universal service fund receipts of certain subsidiaries acquired as a part of the Embarq acquisition. While the ultimate recognition of universal service receipts in taxable income is highly certain, there is uncertainty about the timing and nature of such recognition. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $17 million represented uncertain tax positions that could result in a potential future obligation. Additionally, approximately $246 million represents refund claims. Due to the uncertainty of these refund claims, we have not recognized the impact of these claims to current or deferred taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
Of the above remaining gross balance of $81.7 million, approximately $79.0 million is included as a component of “Deferred credits and other liabilities” and the remainder is included in “Accrued income taxes”. If we were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded on our balance sheet, we would recognize approximately $36.2 million (including interest and net of federal benefit), which would lower our effective tax rate.
Our policy is to reflect interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We had accrued interest (presented before related tax benefits) of approximately $9.9 million and $5.3 million as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state and local jurisdictions. Our uncertain income tax positions are related to tax years that are currently under or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Our open income tax years by major jurisdiction are as follows.
Jurisdiction
Open tax years
Federal
2005-current
State
Florida
2003-current
Georgia
2002-current
Louisiana
2005-current
North Carolina
1990-current
Oregon
2002-current
Texas
2000-current
Wisconsin
2003-current
Other states
2002-current
Additionally, Embarq Corporation and its subsidiaries and the IRS have agreed that Embarq may file amended returns on a specific tax issue relating to years as early as 1990. These amended returns would be subject to IRS examination.
Since the period for assessing additional liability typically begins upon the filing of a return, it is possible that certain jurisdictions could assess tax for years prior to the open tax years disclosed above. Additionally, it is possible that certain jurisdictions in which we do not believe we have an income tax filing responsibility, and accordingly did not file a return, may attempt to assess a liability, or that other jurisdictions to which we pay taxes may attempt to assert that we owe additional taxes.
Based on (i) the potential outcomes of these ongoing examinations, (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, (iii) the negotiated settlement of certain disputed issues, or (iv) a jurisdiction’s administrative practices, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for tax positions previously taken may decrease by up to $41.5 million within the next 12 months. The actual amount of such decrease, if any, will depend on several future developments and events, many of which are outside our control.
(13) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:
In July 2007, we called for redemption on August 14, 2007 all of our $165 million aggregate principal amount 4.75% convertible senior debentures, Series K, due 2032. In accordance with the indenture, holders could elect to convert their debentures into shares of CenturyTel common stock at a conversion price of $40.455 per share prior to August 10, 2007. In lieu of cash redemption, holders of approximately $149.6 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures elected to convert their holdings into approximately 3.7 million shares of CenturyTel common stock.
The weighted average number of shares of common stock subject to issuance under outstanding options that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (because the exercise price of the option was greater than the average market price of the common stock) was 4.1 million for 2009, 2.1 million for 2008 and 792,000 for 2007.
In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance in determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. Based on this guidance, we have concluded that our outstanding non-vested restricted stock is a participating security and therefore should be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share using the two-class method. The guidance was effective for us beginning in first quarter 2009 and required us to recast our previously reported earnings per share.
(14) STOCK COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
We recognize as compensation expense our cost of awarding employees with equity instruments by allocating the fair value of the award on the grant date over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.
We currently maintain programs which allow the Board of Directors, through its Compensation Committee, to grant incentives to certain employees and our outside directors in any one or a combination of several forms, including incentive and non-qualified stock options; stock appreciation rights; restricted stock; restricted stock units and performance shares. As of December 31, 2009, we had reserved approximately 30.9 million shares of common stock which may be issued in connection with awards under our current incentive programs. We also offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan whereby employees can purchase our common stock at a 15% discount based on the lower of the beginning or ending stock price during recurring six-month periods stipulated in such program.
Upon the consummation of the Embarq acquisition on July 1, 2009 (see Note 2), outstanding Embarq stock options and restricted stock units were converted to 7.2 million CenturyTel stock options and 2.4 million restricted stock units based on the exchange ratio stipulated in the Merger Agreement. The fair value of the former Embarq stock option awards that were converted to CenturyTel stock options was estimated as of the July 1, 2009 conversion date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: dividend yield - 9.12%; expected volatility - 27-50%; weighted average risk free interest rate - 0.5-2.6% and expected term -.3 - 6 years. Other than in connection with converting the former Embarq stock options into CenturyTel stock options, we did not grant any stock options to employees in 2009.
In late February 2008, the Compensation Committee authorized all long-term incentive grants for 2008 to be in the form of restricted stock instead of a mix of stock options and restricted stock as had been granted in recent years. During 2008, prior to this authorization, 25,700 options were granted with a weighted average grant date fair value of $8.85 per share using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: dividend yield - .6%; expected volatility - 25%; weighted average risk free interest rate - 2.9%; and expected term - 4.5 years.
During 2007 we granted 983,920 stock options with exercise prices at market value. The weighted average fair value of each option was estimated as of the date of grant to be $14.57 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: dividend yield - .6%; expected volatility - 28% (for executive officers) and 25% (for all other employees); weighted average risk free interest rate - 4.6% (with rates ranging from 3.5% to 5.1%); and expected term - 6.5 years (for executive officers) and 4.5 years (for all other employees).
The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of our common stock over the 6.5- and 4.5- year terms mentioned above. The expected term was determined based on the historical exercise and forfeiture rates for similar grants.
Our outstanding stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of CenturyTel’s shares at the date of grant. The exercise price of former Embarq stock options were converted by applying the exchange ratio stipulated in the Merger Agreement. Our outstanding options generally have a three-year vesting period and all of them expire ten years after the date of grant. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Stock option transactions during 2009 were as follows:
Our outstanding restricted stock awards generally vest over a three- or five-year period (for employees) or a three-year period (for outside directors). Certain restricted stock units issued to certain legacy Embarq employees vest over a period of less than one year. Upon the consummation of the Embarq acquisition on July 1, 2009 (see Note 2), outstanding Embarq restricted stock units were converted to 2.4 million restricted stock units based on the exchange ratio stipulated in the Merger Agreement.
During 2009, we issued 820,234 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and our outside directors at a weighted-average price of $27.34 per share. During 2008, we issued 643,397 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and our outside directors at a weighted-average price of $34.86 per share. During 2007, we issued 288,896 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and our outside directors at a weighted-average price of $45.89 per share. Such restricted stock vests over a five-year period (for employees) and a three-year period (for outside directors). Nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit transactions during 2009 were as follows:
The total compensation cost for all share-based payment arrangements in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $55.2 million, $16.4 million and $20.0 million, respectively. Upon the consummation of the acquisition of Embarq on July 1, 2009, the vesting schedules of certain of our equity-based grants issued prior to 2009 were accelerated due to change of control provisions in the respective share-based compensation plans (with the exception of grants to certain officers who waived such acceleration right). In addition, the vesting of certain other awards was accelerated upon the termination of employment of certain employees. As a result of accelerating the vesting schedules of these awards, we recorded share-based compensation expense of approximately $21.2 million in 2009 above amounts that would have been recognized absent the triggering of these change of control and termination of employment provisions.
We recognized a tax benefit related to such arrangements of approximately $20.5 million in 2009, $5.8 million in 2008 and $7.5 million in 2007. As of December 31, 2009, there was $47.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the share-based payment arrangements, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
We received net cash proceeds of $39.9 million during 2009 in connection with option exercises. The total intrinsic value of options exercised (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded the market price of the stock on the date of grant) was $6.0 million during 2009, $208,000 during 2008 and $17.2 million during 2007. The excess tax benefit realized from share-based compensation transactions during 2009 was $4.2 million. The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $45.2 million, $6.2 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.
(15) DISCONTINUANCE OF REGULATORY ACCOUNTING
Through June 30, 2009, CenturyTel accounted for its regulated telephone operations (except for its properties acquired from Verizon in 2002) in accordance with the provisions of regulatory accounting under which actions by regulators can provide reasonable assurance of the recognition of an asset, reduce or eliminate the value of an asset and impose a liability on a regulated enterprise. Such regulatory assets and liabilities were required to be recorded and, accordingly, reflected in the balance sheet of an entity subject to regulatory accounting.
As we previously disclosed, on July 1, 2009, we discontinued the accounting requirements of regulatory accounting upon the conversion of substantially all of our rate-of-return study areas to federal price cap regulation (based on the FCC’s approval of our petition to convert our study areas to price cap regulation).
Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we were required to reverse previously established regulatory assets and liabilities. Depreciation rates of certain assets established by regulatory authorities for our telephone operations subject to regulatory accounting have historically included a component for removal costs in excess of the related salvage value. Notwithstanding the adoption of accounting guidance related to the accounting for asset retirement obligations, regulatory accounting required us to continue to reflect this accumulated liability for removal costs in excess of salvage value even though there was no legal obligation to remove the assets. Therefore, we did not adopt the asset retirement obligation provisions for our telephone operations that were subject to regulatory accounting. Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we eliminated such accumulated liability for removal costs included in accumulated depreciation and established an asset retirement obligation in a much smaller amount. Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we were required to adjust the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment only to the extent the assets are impaired, as judged in the same manner applicable to nonregulated enterprises. We did not record an impairment charge related to the carrying value of the property, plant and equipment of our regulated telephone operations as a result of the discontinuance of regulatory accounting.
In the third quarter of 2009, upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we recorded a non-cash extraordinary gain in our consolidated statements of income comprised of the following components (dollars, except per share amounts, in thousands):
Historically, the depreciation rates we utilized for our telephone operations were based on rates established by regulatory authorities. Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we revised prospectively the lives of our property, plant and equipment to reflect the economic estimated remaining useful lives of the assets in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In general, the estimated remaining useful lives of our telephone property were lengthened as compared to the rates used that were established by regulatory authorities. Such lengthening of remaining useful lives reflects our expectations of future network utilization and capital expenditure levels required to provide service to our customers. Such revisions in remaining useful lives of our assets reduced depreciation expense by approximately $35 million in the last half of 2009 compared to what it would have been absent the change in remaining useful lives.
Upon the discontinuance of regulatory accounting, we also are eliminating certain intercompany transactions with regulated affiliates that previously were not eliminated under the application of regulatory accounting. This has caused our operating revenues and operating expenses to be lower by equivalent amounts (approximately $108 million) in the last half of 2009 as compared to the first half of 2009. For regulatory purposes, the accounting and reporting of our telephone subsidiaries will not be affected by the discontinued application of regulatory accounting.
(16) GAIN ON ASSET DISPOSITIONS
In third quarter 2008, we sold our interest in a non-operating investment for approximately $7.2 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $3.2 million. In anticipation of making lump sum plan distributions in early 2009, we liquidated our investments in marketable securities in the SERP trust and recognized a $4.5 million pre-tax gain in the second quarter of 2008. In first quarter 2008, we sold a non-operating investment for approximately $4.2 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $4.1 million.
In the third quarter of 2007, we recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership. In November 2007, upon final distribution of all funds related to the dissolution of the Rural Telephone Bank in 2006, we received a supplemental cash payment of $5.2 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of such amount.
Such gains are included in “Other income (expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
(17) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW AND OTHER DISCLOSURES
The amount of interest actually paid, net of amounts capitalized of $3.5 million, $2.4 million, and $1.3 million during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, was $391.8 million, $204.1 million, and $205.2 million during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Income taxes paid were $258.9 million in 2009, $208.8 million in 2008, and $185.3 million in 2007. Income tax refunds totaled $2.1 million in 2009, $4.6 million in 2008, and $1.1 million in 2007.
We have consummated the acquisitions of various operations, along with certain other assets, during the three years ended December 31, 2009. In connection with these acquisitions, the following assets were acquired and liabilities assumed:
See Note 2 for additional information related to our acquisition of Embarq in 2009 and Madison River in 2007.
We collect various taxes from our customers and subsequently remit such funds to governmental authorities. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the balance sheet. We are required to contribute to several universal service fund programs and generally include a surcharge amount on our customers’ bills which is designed to recover our contribution costs. Such amounts are reflected on a gross basis in our statement of income (included in both operating revenues and expenses) and aggregated approximately $84 million for 2009, $42 million for 2008 and $41 million for 2007.
(18) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of certain of our financial instruments at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
(1)
Fair value was estimated by discounting the scheduled payment streams to present value based upon
rates currently available to us for similar debt.
(2) Fair value was estimated by us to approximate carrying value or is based on current market information.
We believe the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term debt, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates the fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments, which have not been reflected in the above table.
We are subject to certain accounting standards that define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and expand the disclosures about fair value measurements required or permitted under other accounting pronouncements. The fair value accounting guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include: Level 1 (defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets); Level 2 (defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable); and Level 3 (defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists).
As of December 31, 2009, we held life insurance contracts with cash surrender value that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The following table depicts those assets held and the related tier designation pursuant to the accounting guidance related to fair value disclosure.
Balance
Description
Dec. 31, 2009
Level
Level
Level
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts
$ 100,945
100,945
-
-
See Notes 10 and 11 for the tier designation related to our postretirement and pension plan assets.
(19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our customers, including local exchange, long distance, Internet access and broadband services. We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide our customers with a complete offering of integrated communications services. Because of the similar economic characteristics of our operations, we have utilized the aggregation criteria specified in the segment accounting guidance and concluded that we operate as one reportable segment.
Our operating revenues for our products and services include the following components:
Interexchange carriers and other accounts receivable on the balance sheets are primarily amounts due from various long distance carriers, principally AT&T, and several large local exchange operating companies.
(20) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In Barbrasue Beattie and James Sovis, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. CenturyTel, Inc., filed on October 28, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 02-10277), the plaintiffs alleged that we unjustly and unreasonably billed customers for inside wire maintenance services, and sought unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief under various legal theories on behalf of a purported class of over two million customers in our telephone markets. On March 10, 2006, the Court certified a class of plaintiffs and issued a ruling that the billing descriptions we used for these services during an approximately 18-month period between October 2000 and May 2002 were legally insufficient. In February 2010, subject to court approval and agreement on other terms and conditions, we settled this case in principle in an amount that exceeded our previously established reserves by $8 million and such amount was reflected as an expense in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over 60 years ago, one of our indirect subsidiaries, Centel Corporation, acquired entities that may have owned or operated seven former plant sites that produced “manufactured gas” under a process widely used through the mid-1900s. Centel has been a subsidiary of Embarq since being spun-off in 2006 from Sprint Nextel, which acquired Centel in 1993. None of these plant sites are currently owned or operated by either Sprint Nextel, Embarq or their subsidiaries. On three sites, Embarq and the current landowners are working with the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) pursuant to administrative consent orders. Remediation expenditures pursuant to the orders are not expected to be material. On five sites, including the three sites where the EPA is involved, Centel has entered into agreements with other potentially responsible parties to share remediation costs. Further, Sprint Nextel has agreed to indemnify Embarq for most of any eventual liability arising from all seven of these sites. Based upon current circumstances, we do not expect this issue to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
In William Douglas Fulghum, et al. v. Embarq Corporation, et al., filed on December 28, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Civil Action No. 07-CV-2602), a group of retirees filed a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, challenging the decision to make certain modifications to Embarq’s retiree benefits programs generally effective January 1, 2008. Defendants include Embarq, certain of its benefit plans, its Employee Benefits Committee and the individual plan administrator of certain of its benefits plans. Additional defendants include Sprint Nextel and certain of its benefit plans. In addition, a complaint in arbitration has been filed by 15 former Centel executives, similarly challenging the benefits changes. A ruling in Embarq’s favor was recently entered in the arbitration proceeding. Embarq and other defendants continue to vigorously contest these claims and charges. Given that this litigation is still in the initial stages of discovery, it is premature to estimate the impact this lawsuit could have to our results of operation or financial condition.
In Robert M. Garst, Sr. et al. v. CenturyTel, Inc. et al., filed March 13, 2009 in the 142nd Judicial District Court of Texas, Midland County (Case No. CV-46861), certain of our former ten-vote shareholders challenged the effectiveness of the vote to eliminate our time-phase voting structure. We believe we followed all necessary steps to properly effect the amendments described above and are defending the case accordingly.
In December 2009, subsidiaries of CenturyTel filed two lawsuits against subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel (“Sprint”) to recover approximately $26 million in access charges for VoIP traffic owed under various interconnection agreements and tariffs. One lawsuit, filed on behalf of all legacy Embarq operating entities, is pending in federal court in Virginia, and the other, filed on behalf of all legacy CenturyTel operating entities, is pending in federal court in Louisiana. The lawsuits allege that Sprint has breached contracts, violated tariffs, and violated the Federal Communications Act by failing to pay these charges.
From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings or investigations incidental to our business, including administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to rate making, disputes with other communications companies and service providers, actions relating to employee claims, occasional grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable. However, we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available insurance coverage, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
(21) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 2010, our board of directors approved an increase to our quarterly dividend rate from $.70 per share to $.725 per share.
Our board of directors also approved a $300 million contribution to the legacy Embarq pension plan that we will make in early March 2010 using cash on hand and borrowings under our credit facility.
CENTURYTEL, INC.
Consolidated Quarterly Income Statement Information
(Unaudited)
First
Second
Third
Fourth
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Operating revenues
$ 636,385
634,469
1,874,325
1,829,060
Operating income
$ 164,337
149,443
378,983
540,338
Net income before extraordinary item
$ 67,154
69,030
147,635
227,436
Basic earnings per share before extraordinary item
$ .67
.68
.49
.76
Diluted earnings per share before extraordinary item
$ .67
.68
.49
.76
Operating revenues
$ 648,614
658,106
650,073
642,954
Operating income
$ 183,493
180,690
180,727
176,442
Net income attributable to CenturyTel
$ 88,760
92,167
84,733
100,072
Basic earnings per share
$ .83
.88
.83
1.00
Diluted earnings per share
$ .82
.88
.83
1.00
Operating revenues
$ 600,855
689,991
708,833
656,562
Operating income
$ 168,083
231,836
224,185
168,974
Net income attributable to CenturyTel
$ 77,870
112,265
113,202
115,033
Basic earnings per share
$ .70
1.03
1.03
1.05
Diluted earnings per share
$ .68
.99
1.01
1.04
The results of operations of Embarq are reflected subsequent to its July 1, 2009 acquisition date.
During the third and fourth quarters of 2009, we incurred a significant amount of one-time expenses related to our acquisition of Embarq. Such expenses included (i) severance, retention and early retirement pension benefit costs due to workforce reductions, (ii) transaction related costs, including legal and investment banker costs, (iii) integration related costs associated with our acquisition of Embarq, (iv) accelerated recognition of share-based compensation expense due to change of control provisions and terminations of employment and (v) settlement expenses related to certain executive retirement plans. Such expenses aggregated approximately $195.5 million (pre-tax) in the third quarter of 2009 and approximately $37.6 million (pre-tax) in the fourth quarter of 2009.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we recognized a pre-tax charge of approximately $60.8 million due primarily to the premiums paid in connection with certain debt extinguishments consummated in October 2009.
In the first quarter of 2008, we recognized a $4.1 million pre-tax gain upon the sale of a non-operating investment. In the second quarter of 2008, we recognized an $8.2 million curtailment loss in connection with amending our SERP. We also recognized a $4.5 million pre-tax gain upon liquidation of our investments in marketable securities in the SERP trust in the second quarter of 2008. In the third quarter of 2008, we recorded a one-time pre-tax gain of approximately $3.2 million related to the sale of a non-operating investment. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we recognized (i) a net benefit of approximately $12.8 million after-tax related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits, (ii) a pre-tax benefit of approximately $10.0 million related to the recognition of previously accrued transaction and other contingencies and (iii) a $5.0 million charge associated with costs associated with our then pending acquisition of Embarq.
In the third quarter of 2007, we recorded a one-time pre-tax gain of approximately $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership. The results of operations of the Madison River properties are reflected in the above table subsequent to the April 30, 2007 acquisition date. In second quarter 2007, we recorded $49 million of revenues upon the settlement of a dispute with a carrier. In third quarter 2007, we recognized $42.2 million of revenues upon the expiration of a regulatory monitoring period. In fourth quarter 2007, we recognized a net benefit of approximately $32.7 million after-tax related to the release of previously unrecognized tax benefits. In fourth quarter 2007, we recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $16.6 million related to the impairment of certain of our CLEC assets.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is timely recorded, processed, summarized and reported as required. Our Chief Executive Officer, Glen F. Post, III, and our Chief Financial Officer, R. Stewart Ewing, Jr., have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009. Based on the evaluation, Messrs. Post and Ewing concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures have been effective in providing reasonable assurance that they have been timely alerted of material information required to be filed in this annual report. On July 1, 2009, we completed the acquisition of Embarq. We have extended our internal control oversight and monitoring processes to include Embarq’s operations. Except for the extension of such processes to the Embarq operations, we did not make any change to our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or that we believe is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals. Because of inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to error or fraud could occur and not be detected.
Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. We incorporate by reference into this Item 9A the reports appearing at the forefront of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The name, age and office(s) held by each of our executive officers are shown below. Each of the executive officers listed below serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Name
Age
Office(s) held with CenturyTel
Glen F. Post, III
Chief Executive Officer and President
Thomas A. Gerke
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board,
Regulatory and Governmental Affairs and Human Resources
Karen A. Puckett
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Stacey W. Goff
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
William E. Cheek
President - Wholesale Operations
David D. Cole
Senior Vice President - Operations Support
Dennis G. Huber
Executive Vice President, Network and Information Technology
With the exception of Mr. Gerke, Mr. Cheek and Mr. Huber, each of our executive officers has served as an officer of CenturyTel and one or more of its subsidiaries in varying capacities for more than the past five years.
Prior to CenturyTel’s acquisition of Embarq, Mr. Gerke previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Embarq since March 2008, after serving the same role in an interim capacity since December 2007. He held the position of General Counsel-Law and External Affairs from May 2006 until December 2007 and from January 2007 to December 2007, had additional responsibility for Embarq’s Wholesale Markets business unit. Mr. Gerke served as General Counsel-Law and External Affairs at Sprint Nextel’s local telecommunications division from August 2005 until May 2006. He served as Executive Vice President-General Counsel and External Affairs of Sprint Corporation (“Sprint”) from May 2003 until August 2005.
Prior to CenturyTel’s acquisition of Embarq, Mr. Cheek previously served as Embarq’s President - Wholesale Markets since May 2006. He served in this role at Sprint Nextel’s local telecommunications division from August 2005 until May 2006. He served as Assistant Vice President-Strategic Sales and Account Management in Sprint Business Solutions from January 2004 until July 2005.
Prior to CenturyTel’s acquisition of Embarq, Mr. Huber previously served as Embarq’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President since July 2008. He served as Senior Vice President - Corporate Strategy and Development from December 2007 through June 2008. Mr. Huber served as Senior Vice President of Product Development from October 2006 until December 2007. Before that, he served as Senior Vice President of Wireless Solutions from August 2006 until October 2006. From January 2003 to August 2005 he served as President of Sprint North Supply Company, a Sprint subsidiary that procured and distributed materials to the communications industry.
The balance of the information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders (the "Proxy Statement"), which Proxy Statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within the first 120 days of 2010.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a). Documents filed as a part of this report
(1)
The following Consolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8:
Report of Management, including its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedule and Effectiveness of the Company’s Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2009 and
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Quarterly Income Statement Information (unaudited)
(2)
The attached Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, is the only applicable schedule that we are required to file.
(3)
Exhibits:
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 26, 2008, among CenturyTel, Inc., Embarq Corporation and Cajun Acquisition Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2008).
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CenturyTel, Inc., dated as of July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2009).
3.2
Bylaws of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended and restated through July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2009).
3.3*
Corporate Governance Guidelines of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended through February 23, 2010.
3.4*
Charters of Committees of Board of Directors
(a)
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended through November 17, 2009.
(b)
Charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended through February 23, 2010.
(c)
Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended through November 17, 2009.
(d)
Charter of the Risk Evaluation Committee of the Board of Directors of CenturyTel, Inc., as amended through February 23, 2010.
4.1
Form of common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).
4.2
$750 Million Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility, dated December 14, 2006, between CenturyTel, Inc. and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
4.3 Indebtedness of Embarq Corporation.
a.
Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2006, by and between Embarq Corporation and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32732) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2006).
b.
6.738% Global Note due 2013 of Embarq Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007).
c.
7.082% Global Note due 2016 of Embarq Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007).
d.
7.995% Global Note due 2036 of Embarq Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007).
e.
Credit Agreement, dated May 10, 2006, by and among Embarq Corporation (as borrower), Citibank, N.A. (as administrative agent), and the other parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2006).
f.
Amendment No. 1, dated January 23, 2009, to Credit Agreement, dated May 10, 2006, by and among Embarq Corporation, Citibank, N.A. (as administrative agent), and the other parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2009).
4.4
Instruments relating to CenturyTel’s public senior debt.
a.
Indenture dated as of March 31, 1994 between CenturyTel and Regions Bank (formerly First American Bank & Trust of Louisiana), as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-52915).
b.
Form of CenturyTel’s 7.2% Senior Notes, Series D, due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
c.
Form of CenturyTel’s 6.875% Debentures, Series G, due 2028, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
d.
Form of 8.375% Senior Notes, Series H, Due 2010, issued October 19, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).
e.
Form of CenturyTel’s 7.875% Senior Notes, Series L, due 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-100480).
f.
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 14, 2005 between CenturyTel and Regions Bank, as Trustee, designating and outlining the terms and conditions of CenturyTel’s 5% Senior Notes, Series M, due 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005).
g.
Form of 5% Senior Notes, Series M, due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.4(f)).
h.
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 26, 2007 between CenturyTel and Regions Bank, as Trustee, designating and outlining the terms and conditions of CenturyTel’s 6.0% Senior Notes, Series N, due 2017 and 5.5% Senior Notes, Series O, due 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 29, 2007).
i.
Form of 6.0% Senior Notes, Series N, due 2017 and 5.5% Senior Notes, Series O, due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.4(h)).
j.
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 21, 2009 between CenturyTel and Regions Bank, as Trustee, designating and outlining the terms and conditions of CenturyTel’s 7.60% Senior Notes, Series P, due 2039 and 6.15% Senior Notes, Series Q, due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 21, 2009).
k.
Form of 7.60% Senior Notes, Series P, due 2019 and 6.15% Senior Notes, Series Q, due 2019 (included in Exhibit 4.4(j)).
10.1**
Qualified Employee Benefit Plans of CenturyTel, Inc. (excluding several narrow-based qualified plans that cover union employees or other limited groups of employees).
a.
CenturyTel Dollars & Sense 401(k) Plan and Trust, as amended and restated through December 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2007), as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment thereto, each dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008), as amended by the Third Amendment thereto dated November 20, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009), as amended by the Fourth Amendment thereto dated June 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009), as amended by the Fifth Amendment thereto dated September 15, 2009 (included herein), as amended by the Sixth Amendment thereto, dated December 30, 2009 (included herein).
b.
CenturyTel Union 401(k) Plan and Trust, as amended and restated through December 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2007), as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated May 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008), as amended by the Second Amendment thereto dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008), as amended by the Third Amendment thereto dated November 20, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009), as amended by the Fourth Amendment thereto dated June 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009), as amended by the Fifth Amendment thereto dated September 15, 2009 (included herein), as amended by the Sixth Amendment thereto, dated December 30, 2009 (included herein).
c.
CenturyTel Retirement Plan, as amended and restated through December 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2007), as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated April 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008), as amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto dated as of December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008), as amended by Amendment No. 3 thereto dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009), as amended by Amendment No. 4 dated June 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009), as amended by Amendment No. 5 thereto dated September 15, 2009 (included herein), as amended by Amendment No. 6 thereto, dated December 30, 2009 (included herein).
10.2**
Stock-based Incentive Plans and Agreements of CenturyTel, Inc.
a.
Amended and Restated 1983 Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated through February 23, 2010, included herein.
b.
Incentive Compensation Plan approved by CenturyTel’s shareholders on May 11, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration No. 33-60061) and amendment thereto dated November 21, 1996 (incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 (l) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996), and amendment thereto dated February 25, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997) and amendment thereto dated May 29, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
(i)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to 1995 Incentive Compensation Plan and dated as of February 21, 2000, entered into by CenturyTel and its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 (t) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999).
c.
Amended and Restated 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended through May 23, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000) and amendment thereto dated May 29, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
(i)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan and dated as of May 21, 2001, entered into by CenturyTel and its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
(ii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan and dated as of February 25, 2002, entered into by CenturyTel and its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d)(ii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).
d.
Amended and Restated 2002 Directors Stock Option Plan, dated as of February 25, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003) and amendment thereto dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
(i)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into by CenturyTel in connection with options granted to the outside directors as of May 10, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002).
(ii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into by CenturyTel in connection with options granted to the outside directors as of May 9, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e)(ii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).
(iii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into by CenturyTel in connection with options granted to the outside directors as of May 7, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d)(iii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
e.
Amended and Restated 2002 Management Incentive Compensation Plan, dated as of February 25, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003) and amendment thereto dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
(i)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and certain of its officers and key employees at various dates since May 9, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002).
(ii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to foregoing plan and dated as of February 24, 2003, entered into be CenturyTel and its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f)(ii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).
(iii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to foregoing plan and dated as of February 25, 2004, entered into be CenturyTel and its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f)(iii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).
(iv)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 24, 2003, entered into by CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003).
(v)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 25, 2004, entered into by CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f)(v) of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004).
(vi)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to foregoing plan and dated as of February 17, 2005, entered into be CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e)(v) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004).
(vii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 17, 2005, entered into by CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e)(vi) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
f.
Amended and Restated 2005 Directors Stock Plan, as amended and restated through February 23, 2010, included herein.
(i)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and each of its outside directors as of May 13, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2005).
(ii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and each of its outside directors as of May 12, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006).
(iii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and each of its outside directors as of May 11, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f)(iii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008).
(iv)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and each of its outside directors as of May 9, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f)(iv) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008).
(v)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan and dated as of May 8, 2009, entered into between CenturyTel, Inc. and each of its outside directors on such date who remain on the Board as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
(vi)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan and dated as of May 8, 2009, entered into between CenturyTel, Inc. and each of its outside directors who retired on July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
(vii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan and dated as of July 2, 2009, entered into between CenturyTel, Inc. and each of its outside directors named to the Board on July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(d) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
(viii)
Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan and dated as of July 2, 2009, entered into between CenturyTel, Inc. and William A. Owens in payment of Mr. Owens’ 2009 supplemental chairman’s fees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
g.
Amended and Restated 2005 Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated through February 23, 2010, included herein.
(i)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and certain officers and key employees at various dates since May 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005).
(ii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan, entered into between CenturyTel and certain officers and key employees at various dates since May 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005).
(iii)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 21, 2006, entered into between CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g)(iii) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
(iv)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 21, 2006, entered into between CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g)(iv) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
(v)
Form of Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 26, 2007, entered into between CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007).
(vi)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 26, 2007, entered into between CenturyTel and its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007).
(vii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 21, 2008, entered into between CenturyTel and its executive officers ((incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
(viii)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, pursuant to the foregoing plan and dated as of February 26, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g) of our Quartely Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009).
h.
Amended and Restated CenturyLink Legacy Embarq 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated through February 23, 2010, included herein.
10.3
Key Employee Incentive Compensation Plan, dated January 1, 1984, as amended and restated as of November 16, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(f) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995) and amendment thereto dated November 21, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(f) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996), amendment thereto dated February 25, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997), amendment thereto dated April 25, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001), amendment thereto dated April 17, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001) and amendment thereto dated February 27, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).
10.4
Supplemental Dollars & Sense Plan, 2008 Restatement, effective January 1, 2008, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(c) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007) and amendment thereto dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(c) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.5
Supplemental Defined Benefit Plan, 2008 Restatement, effective as of January 1, 2008, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(d) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007) and amendment thereto dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(d) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.6
Amended and Restated Salary Continuation (Disability) Plan for Officers, dated November 26, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.7
Executive Officer Short-Term Incentive Program (incorporated by reference to our 2005 Proxy Statement filed April 5, 2005).
10.8
Amended and Restated CenturyTel 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, dated as of June 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
10.9
Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by CenturyTel, Inc. and each of its directors as of July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2009).
10.10
Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by CenturyTel, Inc. and each of its officers as of July 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
10.11
Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, effective January 1, 2008, by and between Glen F. Post, III and CenturyTel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(a) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10.12
Form of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, effective January 1, 2008 by and between CenturyTel and each of its other executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(b) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10.13
Amended and Restated CenturyTel, Inc. Bonus Life Insurance Plan for Executive Officers, dated as of April 3, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.14
Certain Material Agreements and Plans of Embarq Corporation.
a.
Employment Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2008, between Thomas A. Gerke and Embarq Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2008).
b.
Amendment to the Employment Agreement among Thomas A. Gerke, Embarq Corporation and CenturyTel, Inc. dated October 26, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2008).
c.
Amendment 2008-2 to the Employment Agreement between Embarq Corporation and Thomas A. Gerke, dated December 20, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) on February 13, 2009).
d.
Agreement Regarding Special Compensation and Post Employment Restrictive Covenants, dated December 12, 1995, by and between Sprint Corporation and Dennis G. Huber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2008).
e.
Amendment 2008-1 to the Employment Agreement between Embarq Corporation and Dennis G. Huber, dated December 22, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) on February 13, 2009).
f.
Embarq Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (File No. 001-07784) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2009).
g.
Form of 2007 Award Agreement for executive officers of Embarq Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2007).
h.
Form of 2008 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2008).
i.
Form of 2009 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32732) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2009).
j.
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2008).
k.
Amendment to Outstanding RSUs granted in 2007 and 2008 under the Embarq Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) on February 13, 2009).
l.
Form of 2006 Award Agreement between Embarq Corporation and Richard A. Gephardt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2006), as amended by the amendment thereto dated June 26, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 (m) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
m.
Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan, including Form of Participation Agreement entered into between Embarq Corporation and William E. Cheek (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2008).
n.
Embarq Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32372) on February 13, 2009).
o.
Summary of Embarq Corporation 2009 Short-Term Incentive Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Embarq Corporation (File No. 001-32732) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2009).
12*
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
Subsidiaries of CenturyTel, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by CenturyTel, Inc. for the period ended June 30, 2009).
23*
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consent.
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of CenturyTel, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of CenturyTel, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of CenturyTel, Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
______________
*
Exhibit filed herewith.
**
Portions of Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CenturyTel, Inc.
Date: March 1, 2010
By:
/s/ Glen F. Post, III
Glen F. Post, III
Chief Executive Officer and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Chief Executive Officer,
/s/ Glen F. Post, III
President and Director
Glen F. Post, III
March 1, 2010
/s/ William A. Owens
Chairman of the Board
William A. Owens
March 1, 2010
Executive Vice President and
/s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
March 1, 2010
/s/ Neil A. Sweasy
Vice President and Controller
Neil A. Sweasy
March 1, 2010
/s/ Virginia Boulet
Director
Virginia Boulet
March 1, 2010
/s/ Peter C. Brown
Director
Peter C. Brown
March 1, 2010
/s/ Richard A. Gephardt
Director
Richard A. Gephardt
March 1, 2010
/s/ Thomas A. Gerke
Director
Thomas A. Gerke
March 1, 2010
/s/ W. Bruce Hanks
Director
W. Bruce Hanks
March 1, 2010
/s/ Gregory J. McCray
Director
Gregory J. McCray
March 1, 2010
/s/ C. G. Melville, Jr.
Director
C. G. Melville, Jr.
March 1, 2010
/s/ Fred R. Nichols
Director
Fred R. Nichols
March 1, 2010
/s/ Harvey P. Perry
Director
Harvey P. Perry
March 1, 2010
/s/ Stephanie M. Shern
Director
Stephanie M. Shern
March 1, 2010
/s/ Laurie A. Siegel
Director
Laurie A. Siegel
March 1, 2010
/s/ Joseph R. Zimmel
Director
Joseph R. Zimmel
March 1, 2010
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
CENTURYTEL, INC.
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(1)
Customers’ accounts written-off, net of recoveries.
(2)
Allowances at the date of acquisition of purchased subsidiaries, net of allowances at the date of disposition of subsidiaries sold.