Comcast Reports 3rd Quarter 2015 Results

Consolidated 3rd Quarter 2015 Highlights:

  • Consolidated Revenue Increased 11.2%, Operating Cash Flow Increased 8.4%, and Operating Income Increased 6.9%
  • Free Cash Flow Increased 6.8%
  • Excluding Adjustments, Earnings Per Share Increased 9.6%; As Reported, EPS Decreased 19.2%
  • Quarterly Dividends and Quarterly Share Repurchases Increased $1.5 Billion, or 110.8% to $2.8 Billion

Cable Communications 3rd Quarter 2015 Highlights:

  • Cable Communications Revenue Increased 6.3% and Operating Cash Flow Increased 6.4%
  • Customer Relationships Increased by 156,000, a 90% Improvement from the Third Quarter of 2014
  • Total Revenue per Customer Relationship Increased 4.3%
  • Video Customer Net Losses Declined to 48,000, a 41% Improvement from the Third Quarter of 2014, and the Best Third Quarter Result in 9 Years
  • X1 Deployments Continue to Accelerate; Nearly 25% of All Video Customers Now Have X1
  • High-Speed Internet Customers Increased by 320,000, the Best Third Quarter Result in 6 Years, and Revenue Grew 10.2%
  • Business Services Revenue Increased 19.5%; Second Largest Contributor to Cable Revenue Growth for 18 of the Last 19 Quarters

NBCUniversal 3rd Quarter 2015 Highlights:

  • NBCUniversal Revenue Increased 20.8% and Operating Cash Flow Increased 17.0%
  • NBC Ranked #1 Among Adults 18-49 for the Fifth Summer in a Row; NBC Won the Opening Two Weeks of the 2015-2016 Broadcast Season for the Fourth Straight Year Among Adults 18-49
  • Universal Pictures is First Studio Ever to Have Three Films Hit $1 Billion in Worldwide Box Office Receipts in the Same Year
  • Filmed Entertainment Revenue Increased 64.0% and Operating Cash Flow More Than Doubled
  • Record Attendance at Theme Parks Drove Revenue and Operating Cash Flow Growth of 14.1%

(Photo: Business Wire)

PHILADELPHIA--()--Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, said, “I’m pleased to report that our businesses generated outstanding revenue and operating cash flow growth for the third quarter of 2015. At Cable Communications, overall customer relationships increased 156,000, a 90% improvement compared to last year, video subscriber results were the best for a third quarter in 9 years, high-speed Internet subscriber results were the best for a third quarter in 6 years, and churn across all product categories continues to improve. NBCUniversal also delivered terrific results, including another record-breaking box office quarter driven by Minions and Jurassic World, the highest summer attendance ever at our theme parks, and maintaining the #1 broadcast network ranking for the 5th summer in a row. These outstanding results from our unique portfolio of complementary businesses underscore our confidence that we are well positioned to compete, continue our strong performance and drive shareholder value.”

 

Consolidated Financial Results

    3rd Quarter     Year to Date
($ in millions)     2014   2015   Growth     2014   2015   Growth
Revenue $16,791   $18,669   11.2% $51,043   $55,265   8.3%
Excluding Olympics and Super Bowl                   $49,940   $54,889   9.9%
Operating Cash Flow1 $5,704 $6,184 8.4% $17,046 $18,406 8.0%
Excluding Transaction-Related Costs     $5,781   $6,184   7.0%     $17,184   $18,584   8.2%
Operating Income     $3,745   $4,001   6.9%     $11,117   $11,996   7.9%
Earnings per Share2 $0.99 $0.80 (19.2%) $2.46 $2.45 (0.4%)
Excluding Adjustments     $0.73   $0.80   9.6%     $2.17   $2.43   12.0%
Free Cash Flow3 $2,494 $2,663 6.8% $6,473 $7,347 13.5%
 

For additional detail on segment revenue and expenses, customer metrics, capital expenditures, and free cash flow, please refer to the trending schedules on Comcast’s Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com.

 

Consolidated Revenue for the third quarter of 2015 increased 11.2% to $18.7 billion. Consolidated Operating Cash Flow increased 8.4% to $6.2 billion. Excluding $77 million of Time Warner Cable and Charter transaction-related costs in the third quarter of 2014, consolidated operating cash flow increased 7.0% (see Table 5). Consolidated Operating Income increased 6.9% to $4.0 billion.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, consolidated revenue increased 8.3% to $55.3 billion. Consolidated operating cash flow increased 8.0% to $18.4 billion. Excluding $178 million of transaction-related costs in the first nine months of 2015 and $138 million in the first nine months of 2014, consolidated operating cash flow increased 8.2% (see Table 5). Consolidated operating income increased 7.9% to $12.0 billion.

Earnings per Share (EPS) for the third quarter of 2015 was $0.80, a 19.2% decrease from the $0.99 reported in the third quarter of 2014, which included a $724 million, or $0.28, benefit due to favorable income tax adjustments. Excluding income tax adjustments and transaction-related costs in the third quarter of 2014, EPS increased 9.6% to $0.80 (see Table 4).

EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $2.45, a 0.4% decrease from the $2.46 reported in the prior year. Excluding adjustments in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, EPS increased 12.0% to $2.43 (see Table 4).

Capital Expenditures increased 11.0% to $2.2 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Cable Communications’ capital expenditures increased 12.6% to $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2015, primarily reflecting increased spending on customer premise equipment related to the deployment of the X1 platform and wireless gateways and our ongoing investment to expand business services. Cable capital expenditures represented 15.8% of Cable revenue in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 14.9% in last year’s third quarter. NBCUniversal’s capital expenditures decreased 2.2% to $289 million in the third quarter of 2015.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, capital expenditures increased 12.8% to $5.9 billion compared to the prior year. Cable Communications capital expenditures increased $690 million, or 16.1%, to $5.0 billion and represented 14.2% of Cable revenue compared to 13.0% in 2014. NBCUniversal’s capital expenditures decreased $55 million, or 6.2%, to $829 million for the first nine months of 2015.

Free Cash Flow increased 6.8% to $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting growth in consolidated operating cash flow, partially offset by higher capital expenditures and cash taxes. Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased 13.5% to $7.3 billion compared to $6.5 billion in 2014.

       
3rd Quarter Year to Date
($ in millions)     2014   2015   Growth     2014   2015   Growth
Operating Cash Flow     $5,704   $6,184   8.4%     $17,046   $18,406   8.0%
Capital Expenditures     (1,950)   (2,165)   11.0%     (5,196)   (5,862)   12.8%
Cash Paid for Capitalized Software and Other Intangible Assets     (258)   (316)   22.5%     (735)   (916)   24.6%
Cash Interest Expense     (656)   (673)   2.6%     (1,820)   (1,914)   5.2%
Cash Taxes on Operating Items (Including Economic Stimulus Packages)     (1,020)   (1,116)   9.4%     (3,179)   (3,405)   7.1%
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities     412   412   0.0%     (493)   108   NM
Noncash Share-Based Compensation     120   136   13.3%     386   430   11.4%

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests and Dividends for Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock

    (53)   (64)   20.8%     (170)   (178)   4.7%
Other     33   98   197.0%     151   177   17.2%
Free Cash Flow (Including Economic Stimulus Packages)     $2,332   $2,496   7.0%     $5,990   $6,846   14.3%
Economic Stimulus Packages     162   167   3.1%     483   501   3.7%
Free Cash Flow3     $2,494   $2,663   6.8%     $6,473   $7,347   13.5%
NM=comparison not meaningful.        
 

Dividends and Share Repurchases. During the third quarter of 2015, Comcast paid dividends totaling $623 million and repurchased 37.1 million of its common shares for $2.2 billion. In the first nine months of 2015, Comcast has repurchased 99.6 million of its common shares for $5.8 billion. Comcast continues to plan to repurchase a total of $6.75 billion of its common shares during 2015.

 

Cable Communications

    3rd Quarter     Year to Date
($ in millions)     2014   2015   Growth     2014   2015   Growth
Cable Communications Revenue                            
Video     $5,179   $5,348   3.3%     $15,596   $16,110   3.3%
High-Speed Internet     2,840   3,129   10.2%     8,409   9,274   10.3%
Voice     913   900   (1.4%)     2,755   2,709   (1.7%)
Business Services     1,011   1,208   19.5%     2,893   3,483   20.4%
Advertising     596   593   (0.2%)     1,690   1,679   (0.6%)
Other     502   562   11.8%     1,484   1,644   10.7%
Cable Communications Revenue $11,041   $11,740   6.3% $32,827   $34,899   6.3%
                             
Cable Communications Operating Cash Flow     $4,464   $4,748   6.4%     $13,428   $14,220   5.9%
Operating Cash Flow Margin 40.4% 40.4% 40.9% 40.7%
                             
Cable Communications Capital Expenditures     $1,644   $1,851   12.6%     $4,282   $4,972   16.1%
Percent of Cable Communications Revenue     14.9%   15.8%         13.0%   14.2%    
 

Revenue for Cable Communications increased 6.3% to $11.7 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $11.0 billion in the third quarter of 2014, driven by increases of 10.2% in high-speed Internet, 19.5% in business services and 3.3% in video. The increase in Cable revenue reflects increased customer relationships (see below), customers receiving higher levels of service and customers taking additional services, as well as rate adjustments.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Cable revenue increased 6.3% to $34.9 billion compared to $32.8 billion in 2014.

Customer Relationships increased by 156,000 to 27.4 million in the third quarter of 2015, a 74,000 or 90.2% improvement compared to the third quarter of 2014, primarily driven by increases in double product relationships. Video net losses improved 40.6% year-over-year to 48,000 and were the best result for a third quarter in nine years. High-speed Internet customer net additions of 320,000 improved versus last year and were the strongest for a third quarter in six years, while voice customers grew by 17,000.

       
Customers Net Additions
(in thousands)     3Q14   3Q15     3Q14   3Q15
Video Customers     22,376   22,258     (81)   (48)
High-Speed Internet Customers     21,586   22,868     315   320
Voice Customers     11,070   11,336     68   17
                     
Single Product Customers     8,444   8,367     (66)   24
Double Product Customers     8,650   9,066     76   130
Triple Product Customers     9,763   9,988     72   1
Customer Relationships 26,857   27,421 82   156

 

The improvement in video customer net losses in the third quarter of 2015 includes an 11,000 increase in net additions, compared to the third quarter of 2014, related to schools participating in our Xfinity On Campus service.
 

Operating Cash Flow for Cable Communications increased 6.4% to $4.7 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $4.5 billion in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 6.3% increase in operating expenses primarily related to higher video programming costs, as well as an increase in technical and product support expenses driven by an acceleration in the deployment of X1 and investments to improve the customer experience. This quarter’s operating cash flow margin was 40.4%, consistent with the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Cable operating cash flow increased 5.9% to $14.2 billion compared to $13.4 billion in 2014. Year-to-date operating cash flow margin was 40.7% compared to 40.9% in 2014.

 

NBCUniversal

 

   

3rd Quarter

   

Year to Date

($ in millions)     2014   2015   Growth     2014   2015   Growth  

Excluding
Olympics
& Super
Bowl

NBCUniversal Revenue                                
Cable Networks     $2,255   $2,412   7.0%     $7,236   $7,221   (0.2%)   3.5%
Broadcast Television     1,770   1,971   11.3%     6,207   6,032   (2.8%)   5.5%
Filmed Entertainment     1,186   1,946   64.0%     3,713   5,658   52.4%    
Theme Parks     786   896   14.1%     1,888   2,320   22.9%    
Headquarters, Other and Eliminations     (76)   (74)   NM     (231)   (246)   NM    
NBCUniversal Revenue $5,921   $7,151   20.8% $18,813   $20,985   11.5%   16.4%
                                 
NBCUniversal Operating Cash Flow                                
Cable Networks     $868   $835   (3.9%)     $2,677   $2,605   (2.7%)    
Broadcast Television     142   150   6.1%     504   563   11.8%    
Filmed Entertainment     151   376   149.5%     634   1,091   72.2%    
Theme Parks     402   458   14.1%     816   1,075   31.8%    
Headquarters, Other and Eliminations     (147)   (162)   NM     (470)   (471)   NM    
NBCUniversal Operating Cash Flow $1,416 $1,657 17.0% $4,161 $4,863 16.9%
 

Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 20.8% to $7.2 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $5.9 billion in the third quarter of 2014. Operating Cash Flow increased 17.0% to $1.7 billion compared to $1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2014, driven by strong results at Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, NBCUniversal revenue increased 11.5% to $21.0 billion compared to $18.8 billion in 2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015 and $1.1 billion of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, revenue increased 16.4% (see Table 5). Operating cash flow increased 16.9% to $4.9 billion compared to $4.2 billion in the first nine months of 2014.

Cable Networks

For the third quarter of 2015, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 7.0% to $2.4 billion compared to $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2014, driven by an 8.6% increase in distribution revenue and a 2.0% increase in advertising revenue, partially reflecting the introduction of NASCAR on our sports network, NBCSN, as well as a 17.6% increase in content licensing and other revenue. Operating cash flow decreased 3.9% to $835 million compared to $868 million in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting higher revenue, more than offset by increased sports programming costs, driven by the impact of NASCAR.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue from the Cable Networks segment decreased 0.2% to $7.2 billion. Excluding $257 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, revenue increased 3.5% (see Table 5). Operating cash flow decreased 2.7% to $2.6 billion in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $2.7 billion in 2014.

Broadcast Television

For the third quarter of 2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased 11.3% to $2.0 billion compared to $1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting a 33.5% increase in content licensing revenue, higher retransmission consent fees, and a 2.8% increase in advertising revenue. Operating cash flow increased 6.1% to $150 million compared to $142 million in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs associated with the timing of content provided under our licensing agreements and studio production costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment decreased 2.8% to $6.0 billion compared to $6.2 billion in 2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015, as well as $846 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, revenue increased 5.5% (see Table 5). Operating cash flow increased 11.8% to $563 million compared to $504 million in the first nine months of 2014.

Filmed Entertainment

For the third quarter of 2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 64.0% to $1.9 billion compared to $1.2 billion in the third quarter of 2014, driven by higher theatrical revenue from the record performances of Minions and Jurassic World, continuing on the earlier success of Furious 7. Operating cash flow increased $225 million to $376 million compared to $151 million in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in the amortization of film costs and higher advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a larger film slate.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 52.4% to $5.7 billion compared to $3.7 billion in 2014. Operating cash flow increased 72.2% to $1.1 billion compared to $634 million in the first nine months of 2014.

Theme Parks

For the third quarter of 2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 14.1% to $896 million compared to $786 million in the third quarter of 2014, reflecting higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley™, as well as Fast and Furious: Supercharged at the Hollywood park. Third quarter operating cash flow increased 14.1% to $458 million compared to $402 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support new attractions and $18 million of transaction-related costs associated with the development of a theme park in China.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 22.9% to $2.3 billion compared to $1.9 billion in 2014. Operating cash flow increased 31.8% to $1.1 billion compared to $816 million in the first nine months of 2014.

Headquarters, Other and Eliminations

NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations include overhead and eliminations among the NBCUniversal businesses. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations operating cash flow loss was $162 million compared to a loss of $147 million in the third quarter of 2014.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations operating cash flow loss was $471 million compared to a loss of $470 million in 2014.

 

Corporate, Other and Eliminations

 
Corporate, Other and Eliminations primarily include corporate operations, Comcast-Spectacor and eliminations among Comcast's businesses. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, Corporate, Other and Eliminations revenue was ($222) million compared to ($171) million in 2014. The operating cash flow loss was $221 million, including $56 million of expenses related to a contract settlement, compared to a loss of $176 million in the third quarter of 2014, which included $77 million of transaction-related costs.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Corporate, Other and Eliminations revenue was ($619) million compared to ($597) million in 2014. The operating cash flow loss was $677 million, including $178 million of transaction-related costs, compared to a loss of $543 million in the first nine months of 2014, which included $138 million of transaction-related costs.
 
 

Notes:

1

 

We define Operating Cash Flow as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, excluding impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of assets, if any.

 

2

Earnings per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.

 

3

We define Free Cash Flow as Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (as stated in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows) reduced by capital expenditures, cash paid for intangible assets, principal payments on capital leases and cash distributions to noncontrolling interests; and adjusted for any payments and receipts related to certain nonoperating items, net of estimated tax benefits. The definition of Free Cash Flow excludes any impact from Economic Stimulus packages. These amounts have been excluded from Free Cash Flow to provide an appropriate comparison.

 
All percentages are calculated on whole numbers. Minor differences may exist due to rounding.
 

Conference Call and Other Information

Comcast Corporation will host a conference call with the financial community today, October 27, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The conference call and related materials will be broadcast live and posted on its Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com. Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (800) 263-8495 with the conference ID number 39613302. A replay of the call will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. ET on October 27, 2015, on the Investor Relations website or by telephone. To access the telephone replay, which will be available until Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at midnight ET, please dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the conference ID number 39613302.

From time to time, we post information that may be of interest to investors on our website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com and on our corporate blog, www.corporate.comcast.com/comcast-voices. To automatically receive Comcast financial news by email, please visit www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com and subscribe to email alerts.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to Comcast’s periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a description of such risks and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Comcast’s Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

           
TABLE 1
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(in millions, except per share data) September 30, September 30,
2014 2015 2014 2015
Revenue $ 16,791 $ 18,669 $ 51,043 $ 55,265
 
Programming and production 4,772 5,582 15,554 16,714
Other operating and administrative 5,017 5,394 14,688 15,753
Advertising, marketing and promotion   1,298     1,509     3,755     4,392  
  11,087     12,485     33,997     36,859  
 
Operating cash flow 5,704 6,184 17,046 18,406
 
Depreciation expense 1,539 1,697 4,707 5,005
Amortization expense   420     486     1,222     1,405  
  1,959     2,183     5,929     6,410  
Operating income 3,745 4,001 11,117 11,996
 
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (663 ) (659 ) (1,953 ) (2,028 )
Investment income (loss), net 21 (26 ) 254 24
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net 33 1 87 (202 )
Other income (expense), net   (96 )   (53 )   (150 )   364  
  (705 )   (737 )   (1,762 )   (1,842 )
 
Income before income taxes 3,040 3,264 9,355 10,154
 
Income tax expense   (407 )   (1,223 )   (2,759 )   (3,797 )
 
Net income 2,633 2,041 6,596 6,357
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (41 ) (45 ) (141 ) (165 )
       
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $ 2,592   $ 1,996   $ 6,455   $ 6,192  
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $ 0.99   $ 0.80   $ 2.46   $ 2.45  
 
 
Dividends declared per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $ 0.225   $ 0.25   $ 0.675   $ 0.75  
 
 
 
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares   2,616     2,502     2,629     2,530  
 
     
TABLE 2
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions) December 31, September 30,
2014 2015
ASSETS
 
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,910 $ 1,893
Investments 602 137
Receivables, net 6,321 6,527
Programming rights 839 1,130
Other current assets   1,859   1,814
Total current assets   13,531   11,501
 
Film and television costs 5,727 5,712
 
Investments 3,135 3,323
 
Property and equipment, net 30,953 32,170
 
Franchise rights 59,364 59,364
 
Goodwill 27,316 27,492
 
Other intangible assets, net 16,980 16,896
 
Other noncurrent assets, net   2,333   2,500
 
$ 159,339 $ 158,958
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors $ 5,638 $ 5,996
Accrued participations and residuals 1,347 1,491
Deferred revenue 915 1,265
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,293 5,455
Current portion of long-term debt   4,217   3,152
Total current liabilities   17,410   17,359
 
Long-term debt, less current portion 44,017 44,605
 
Deferred income taxes 32,959 33,131
 
Other noncurrent liabilities 10,819 10,694
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock 1,066 1,204
 
Equity
Comcast Corporation shareholders' equity 52,711 51,716
Noncontrolling interests   357   249
Total equity   53,068   51,965
 
$ 159,339 $ 158,958
 
     
TABLE 3
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2014 2015
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 6,596 $ 6,357
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,929 6,410
Share-based compensation 386 430
Noncash interest expense (income), net 132 147
Equity in net (income) losses of investees, net (87 ) 202
Cash received from investees 71 139
Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other (24 ) (344 )
Deferred income taxes 358 67
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Current and noncurrent receivables, net 89 (322 )
Film and television costs, net (471 ) (65 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors 119 169
Other operating assets and liabilities   (796 )   623  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities   12,302     13,813  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (5,196 ) (5,862 )
Cash paid for intangible assets (735 ) (916 )
Acquisitions and construction of real estate properties (28 ) (116 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (477 ) (286 )
Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments 622 420
Purchases of investments (145 ) (712 )
Other   (121 )   268  
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (6,080 )   (7,204 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net (437 ) (220 )
Proceeds from borrowings 4,182 3,996
Repurchases and repayments of debt (3,172 ) (4,353 )
Repurchases and retirements of common stock (2,250 ) (5,770 )
Dividends paid (1,676 ) (1,823 )
Issuances of common stock 33 35
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends for redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (170 ) (178 )
Other   97     (313 )
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (3,393 )   (8,626 )
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,829 (2,017 )
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   1,718     3,910  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 4,547   $ 1,893  
 
 
TABLE 4
Supplemental Information
 
Alternate Presentation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)
   
 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,
(in millions) 2014   2015 2014   2015
Operating income $3,745 $4,001 $11,117 $11,996
Depreciation and amortization 1,959   2,183   5,929   6,410  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization 5,704 6,184 17,046 18,406
Noncash share-based compensation expense 120 136 386 430
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 562   412   (343

)

108  
Cash basis operating income 6,386 6,732 17,089 18,944
Payments of interest (656

)

(673

)

(1,820

)

(1,914

)

Payments of income taxes (974

)

(1,146

)

(2,878

)

(3,145

)

Excess tax benefits under share-based compensation (34

)

(35

)

(240

)

(255

)

Other 33   101   151   183  
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $4,755   $4,979   $12,302   $13,813  
Capital expenditures (1,950

)

(2,165

)

(5,196

)

(5,862

)

Cash paid for capitalized software and other intangible assets (258

)

(316

)

(735

)

(916

)

Principal payments on capital leases - (3

)

-

(6

)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends for redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (53

)

(64

)

(170

)

(178

)

Nonoperating items(1) -   232   272   496  
Total Free Cash Flow $2,494   $2,663   $6,473   $7,347  
   
 
Reconciliation of EPS Excluding Gains on Sales, Acquisition-Related Items, Losses on Early Debt Redemption and Investment, and Favorable Income Tax Adjustments (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
 
2014 2015 2014 2015
(in millions, except per share data)    
$   EPS (2) $   EPS (2) $  

EPS (2)

$   EPS (2)
 
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $ 2,592 $ 0.99 $ 1,996 $ 0.80 $ 6,455 $ 2.46 $ 6,192 $ 2.45
Growth %

(23.0%)

 

(19.2%)

 

(4.1%)

 

(0.4%)

 

 
Gains on sales of businesses and investments(3) - - - - (97 ) (0.04 ) (202

)

(0.08

)

Gain on settlement of contingent consideration liability(4) - - - - - - (150

)

(0.06

)

Loss on early redemption of debt(5) - - - - - - 29 0.01
Costs related to Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions(6) 49 0.02 - - 87 0.04 123 0.05
Loss on investment(7) - - - - - - 158 0.06
Favorable income tax adjustments(8) (724 ) (0.28 ) - - (724 ) (0.28 ) - -
Favorable resolution of a contingency of an acquired company(9) - - - - (27 ) (0.01 ) - -
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation                
(excluding gains on sales, acquisition-related items, losses on early debt redemption and investment, and favorable income tax adjustments) $ 1,917     $ 0.73   $ 1,996     $ 0.80   $ 5,694     $ 2.17   $ 6,150     $ 2.43  
Growth %

4.1%

 

9.6%

 

8.0%

 

12.0%

 

 
(1)   Nonoperating items include adjustments for cash taxes paid related to certain investing and financing transactions, to reflect cash taxes paid in the year of the related taxable income and to exclude the impacts of Economic Stimulus packages. Net cash provided by operating activities for 2014 includes a $150 million increase in July 2014 resulting from a change in our credit card payment processes that resulted in the acceleration of the recognition of cash receipts in Cable Communications. For free cash flow purposes, we consider the acceleration to be nonrecurring in nature and therefore, we excluded this amount from free cash flow as a nonoperating item.
 
(2) Based on diluted weighted-average number of common shares for the respective periods as presented in Table 1.
 
(3) 2015 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $335 million of other income, $202 million net of tax and noncontrolling interests, resulting from sales of an investment and a business. 2014 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $154 million of investment income, $97 million net of tax, resulting from sales of investments.
 
(4) 2015 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $240 million of other income, $150 million net of tax, resulting from the settlement of a contingent consideration liability with General Electric Company related to the acquisition of NBCUniversal.
 
(5) 2015 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $47 million of interest expense, $29 million net of tax, resulting from the early redemption of debt.
 
(6) 3rd quarter 2014 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $77 million of operating costs and expenses, $49 million net of tax, related to the Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions. 2015 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $198 million of expense ($178 million of operating costs and expenses and $20 million of depreciation and amortization expense), $123 million net of tax, related to the Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions. 2014 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $138 million of operating costs and expenses, $87 million net of tax, related to the Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions.
 
(7) 2015 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $252 million of equity in net losses of investees, $158 million net of tax, resulting from our proportionate share of an impairment loss recorded at The Weather Channel.
 
(8) 3rd quarter 2014 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $724 million of favorable income tax adjustments resulting from adjustments of uncertain tax positions. This amount excludes the benefits of uncertain tax positions for which we have been indemnified.
 
(9) 2014 year to date net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $27 million of other income, resulting from the favorable resolution of a contingency related to the AT&T Broadband transaction.
 

Note: Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

 
 
TABLE 5
Reconciliation of Consolidated Revenue Excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics and Operating Cash Flow Excluding Costs Related to Time Warner Cable and Charter Transactions (Unaudited)
       
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
 
(in millions) 2014   2015   Growth % 2014 2015 Growth %
 
Revenue $ 16,791 $ 18,669 11.2 % $ 51,043 $ 55,265 8.3 %
 
2015 Super Bowl - - - (376 )
2014 Olympics   -   -   (1,103 )   -  
 
Revenue excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics $ 16,791 $ 18,669 11.2 % $ 49,940   $ 54,889   9.9 %
 
 
2014 2015 Growth % 2014 2015 Growth %
 
Operating Cash Flow $ 5,704 $ 6,184 8.4 % $ 17,046 $ 18,406 8.0 %
 
Costs related to Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions   77   -   138     178  
 
Operating Cash Flow excluding costs related to Time Warner Cable and Charter transactions $ 5,781 $ 6,184 7.0 % $ 17,184   $ 18,584   8.2 %
 
Reconciliation of Consolidated NBCUniversal Revenue Excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
 
(in millions) 2014 2015 Growth % 2014 2015 Growth %
 
Revenue $ 5,921 $ 7,151 20.8 % $ 18,813 $ 20,985 11.5 %
 
2015 Super Bowl - - - (376 )
2014 Olympics   -   -   (1,103 )   -  
 
Revenue excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics $ 5,921 $ 7,151 20.8 % $ 17,710   $ 20,609   16.4 %
 
Reconciliation of Cable Networks Revenue Excluding 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
 
(in millions) 2014 2015 Growth % 2014 2015 Growth %
 
Revenue $ 2,255 $ 2,412 7.0 % $ 7,236 $ 7,221 (0.2 %)
 
2014 Olympics   -   -   (257 )   -  
 
Revenue excluding 2014 Olympics $ 2,255 $ 2,412 7.0 % $ 6,979   $ 7,221   3.5 %
 
 
Reconciliation of Broadcast Television Revenue Excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
 
(in millions) 2014 2015 Growth % 2014 2015 Growth %
 
Revenue $ 1,770 $ 1,971 11.3 % $ 6,207 $ 6,032 (2.8 %)
 
2015 Super Bowl - - - (376 )
2014 Olympics   -   -   (846 )   -  
 
Revenue excluding 2015 Super Bowl and 2014 Olympics $ 1,770 $ 1,971 11.3 % $ 5,361   $ 5,656   5.5 %
 
 
 
 
 

Note: Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

 

Contacts

Comcast Corporation
Investor Contacts:
Jason Armstrong, 215-286-7972
Jane Kearns, 215-286-4794
or
Press Contacts:
D’Arcy Rudnay, 215-286-8582
John Demming, 215-286-8011

Contacts

Comcast Corporation
Investor Contacts:
Jason Armstrong, 215-286-7972
Jane Kearns, 215-286-4794
or
Press Contacts:
D’Arcy Rudnay, 215-286-8582
John Demming, 215-286-8011