OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint Corporation (NYSE:S) today reported operating results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, including more than 5 percent year-over-year growth in net operating revenues and the highest postpaid phone net additions in four years. The company also reported operating income of $311 million and Adjusted EBITDA* of $2.5 billion, both improvements of more than $500 million year-over-year.
“Sprint is turning the corner,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. “Even with all the aggressive promotional offers from our competitors, we were still able to add more postpaid phone customers than both Verizon and AT&T while continuing to grow revenues, take costs out of the business, and improve the network.”
Highest Postpaid Phone Net Additions in Four Years During Very Competitive Quarter
Sprint’s focus on delivering the best value proposition in wireless resulted in 368,000 postpaid phone net additions in the quarter, its ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement. Even in a highly competitive quarter with multiple promotional offers from its competitors, Sprint was able to add more postpaid phone customers than both Verizon and AT&T and report its highest postpaid phone net additions in four years. The company also remained postpaid net port positive for the third quarter in a row and had its highest postpaid phone gross additions in four years.
The company also reported the following results:
- Total net additions were 577,000 in the quarter, including postpaid net additions of 405,000, prepaid net losses of 501,000, and wholesale and affiliate net additions of 673,000.
- Total postpaid churn was 1.67 percent and postpaid phone churn was 1.57 percent in the quarter.
Top Line Growing as Cost Reductions Continue
Sprint made continued progress on growing revenues and improving the cost structure of the business. Total net operating revenues of $8.5 billion grew by $442 million year-over-year, or more than 5 percent, and cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses declined by nearly $500 million year-over-year, bringing the year-to-date cost reduction to more than $1.6 billion.
As part of its ongoing cost reduction program, the company modified the terms of its vendor agreements associated with the service and repair program on Jan. 1, 2017, which are expected to be accretive to Adjusted EBITDA* by approximately $25 million to $50 million per quarter. Under the terms of the new agreements, the company will now only record the net margin and therefore expects the reduction to wireless service revenues of approximately $200 million per quarter to be more than offset by a greater reduction in cost of service expenses.
The company remains on track to achieve its goal of a sustainable reduction of $2 billion or more of run-rate operating expenses exiting fiscal year 2016 and has plans for further reductions in fiscal year 2017 and beyond.
The company also reported the following financial results:
- Net loss of $479 million, or $0.12 per share, in the quarter compared to a net loss of $836 million, or $0.21 per share, in the year-ago period, an improvement of $357 million, or $0.09 per share.
- Operating income of $311 million in the quarter compared to an operating loss of $197 million in the year-ago period, an improvement of $508 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA* of $2.5 billion in the quarter compared to $1.9 billion in the year-ago period, an increase of approximately $552 million or 29 percent.
- Net cash provided by operating activities was $650 million in the quarter compared to $806 million in the year-ago period.
- Adjusted free cash flow* was negative $646 million in the quarter compared to positive $339 million in the year-ago period. The prior year quarter included $1.1 billion of proceeds from the first sale-leaseback transaction with Mobile Leasing Solutions, LLC (MLS), while this quarter included a cash outflow of approximately $370 million related to the repurchase of the devices sold in the first MLS transaction.
Improved Operating Performance and Liquidity Position Bolsters Credit Rating
During the quarter the company issued $3.5 billion of spectrum-backed senior secured notes at 3.36 percent, which is about half of Sprint’s current effective interest rate, as part of a $7 billion program aimed at diversifying the company’s funding sources, lowering its cost of capital, and reducing future cash interest expenses. The company also retired $2.3 billion of debt maturities with significantly higher coupon payments and repurchased the devices sold in the first MLS transaction, thus eliminating the associated future lease obligation.
Total liquidity was $9.1 billion at the end of the quarter, including $6.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Additionally, the company also has $1.2 billion of availability under vendor financing agreements that can be used toward the purchase of 2.5GHz network equipment.
Based on the company’s sustained operational performance and improved liquidity, Moody’s Investor Service recently upgraded Sprint’s corporate family rating from B3 to B2.
In addition, the company is in the process of refinancing its $3.3 billion unsecured revolving credit facility and expects to complete that process in the coming weeks.
Network Improvements Expected to Continue with High Performance User Equipment (HPUE)
Sprint continues to unlock the value of the largest spectrum holdings in the U.S. by densifying and optimizing its network to provide customers the best experience. Third party sources continue to validate the company’s network performance improvements.
- Independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics® awarded Sprint a company record 246 first-place (outright or shared) Metropolitan area RootScore® awards for reliability, speed, data, call, text, or overall network performance in the second half of 2016, including more call RootScore awards than Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile for the first time ever. Additionally, Sprint has received nearly 50 percent more total awards compared to its award tally in the prior testing period.1
- Sprint’s overall network reliability continues to beat T-Mobile and performs within 1 percent of Verizon and AT&T, based on an analysis of Nielsen data.2
The Sprint LTE Plus network, which includes advanced technologies such as antenna beamforming and two-channel carrier aggregation, is now available in more than 250 markets, with three-channel carrier aggregation deployed in more than 100 of those markets.
Sprint also recently announced a breakthrough innovation called HPUE, a new technology that can extend the coverage of its 2.5GHz spectrum by up to 30 percent to nearly match its mid-band 1.9GHz spectrum performance on capable devices, including indoors where the majority of wireless traffic is generated. HPUE-capable devices are expected to be available in the coming months.
Fiscal Year 2016 Outlook
- The company now expects Adjusted EBITDA* of $9.7 billion to $10 billion, at the high end of its previous expectation of $9.5 billion to $10 billion.
- The company now expects operating income of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion, at the high end of its previous expectation of $1.2 billion to $1.7 billion.
- The company now expects cash capital expenditures, excluding devices leased through indirect channels, of $2 billion to $2.3 billion. The company’s previous expectation was less than $3 billion.
- The company continues to expect Adjusted free cash flow* around break-even.
Conference Call and Webcast
- Date/Time: 8:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017
-
Call-in Information
- U.S./Canada: 866-360-1063 (ID: 47845527)
- International: 443-961-0242 (ID: 47845527)
- Webcast available at www.sprint.com/investors
- Additional information about results is available on our Investor Relations website
1 Rankings based on RootMetrics 125 Metro RootScore Reports (1H and 2H 2016) for mobile performance as tested on best available plans and devices on 4 mobile networks across all available network types. Your experience may vary. The RootMetrics awards are not an endorsement of Sprint. Visit www.rootmetrics.com.
2 Average network reliability (voice & data) based on Sprint’s analysis of latest Nielsen drive test data in the top 106 metro markets.
Wireless Operating Statistics (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sprint platform (1): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net additions (losses) (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid | 405 | 344 | 501 | 929 | 1,189 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid | (501 | ) | (427 | ) | (491 | ) | (1,259 | ) | (1,045 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Wholesale and affiliate | 673 | 823 | 481 | 2,024 | 2,078 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Sprint platform wireless net additions | 577 | 740 | 491 | 1,694 | 2,222 | ||||||||||||||||||||
End of period connections (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid (d) | 31,694 | 31,289 | 30,895 | 31,694 | 30,895 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid (d) (e) | 11,812 | 13,547 | 14,661 | 11,812 | 14,661 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale and affiliate (d) (e) | 16,009 | 15,357 | 12,803 | 16,009 | 12,803 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Sprint platform end of period connections | 59,515 | 60,193 | 58,359 | 59,515 | 58,359 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Churn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid | 1.67 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.58 | % | 1.57 | % | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid (e) | 5.80 | % | 5.63 | % | 5.82 | % | 5.66 | % | 5.31 | % | |||||||||||||||
Supplemental data - connected devices | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of period connections (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail postpaid | 1,960 | 1,874 | 1,676 | 1,960 | 1,676 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale and affiliate | 10,594 | 9,951 | 7,930 | 10,594 | 7,930 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 12,554 | 11,825 | 9,606 | 12,554 | 9,606 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sprint platform ARPU (1) (a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid | $ | 49.70 | $ | 50.54 | $ | 52.48 | $ | 50.59 | $ | 53.97 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid (e) | $ | 27.61 | $ | 27.31 | $ | 27.44 | $ | 27.41 | $ | 27.64 | |||||||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid phone (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid phone net additions | 368 | 347 | 366 | 888 | 416 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid phone end of period connections (d) | 26,037 | 25,669 | 25,294 | 26,037 | 25,294 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid phone churn | 1.57 | % | 1.37 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.50 | % | |||||||||||||||
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION - ABPA*, POSTPAID PHONE ARPU AND ABPU* (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except accounts, connections, ABPA*, ARPU, and ABPU*) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||
Sprint platform ABPA* (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid service revenue | $ | 4,686 | $ | 4,720 | $ | 4,813 | $ | 14,184 | $ | 14,670 | ||||||||||
Add: Installment plan billings | 291 | 274 | 300 | 829 | 903 | |||||||||||||||
Add: Lease revenue | 887 | 811 | 531 | 2,453 | 1,176 | |||||||||||||||
Total for Sprint platform postpaid connections | $ | 5,864 | $ | 5,805 | $ | 5,644 | $ | 17,466 | $ | 16,749 | ||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid accounts (in thousands) | 11,413 | 11,363 | 11,261 | 11,368 | 11,211 | |||||||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid ABPA* (b) | $ | 171.28 | $ | 170.29 | $ | 167.11 | $ | 170.71 | $ | 166.00 | ||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid phone ARPU and ABPU* (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid phone service revenue | $ | 4,420 | $ | 4,441 | $ | 4,529 | $ | 13,350 | $ | 13,819 | ||||||||||
Add: Installment plan billings | 261 | 248 | 280 | 752 | 848 | |||||||||||||||
Add: Lease revenue | 873 | 797 | 522 | 2,411 | 1,150 | |||||||||||||||
Total for Sprint platform postpaid phone connections | $ | 5,554 | $ | 5,486 | $ | 5,331 | $ | 16,513 | $ | 15,817 | ||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid average phone connections (in thousands) | 25,795 | 25,514 | 25,040 | 25,528 | 24,927 | |||||||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid phone ARPU (a) | $ | 57.12 | $ | 58.03 | $ | 60.30 | $ | 58.11 | $ | 61.60 | ||||||||||
Sprint platform postpaid phone ABPU* (c) | $ | 71.77 | $ | 71.69 | $ | 70.99 | $ | 71.87 | $ | 70.51 |
(a) ARPU is calculated by dividing service revenue by the sum of the monthly average number of connections in the applicable service category. Changes in average monthly service revenue reflect connections for either the postpaid or prepaid service category who change rate plans, the level of voice and data usage, the amount of service credits which are offered to connections, plus the net effect of average monthly revenue generated by new connections and deactivating connections. Sprint platform postpaid phone ARPU represents revenues related to our postpaid phone connections. |
(b) Sprint platform postpaid ABPA* is calculated by dividing service revenue earned from connections plus installment plan billings and lease revenue by the sum of the monthly average number of accounts during the period. |
(c) Sprint platform postpaid phone ABPU* is calculated by dividing postpaid phone service revenue earned from postpaid phone connections plus installment plan billings and lease revenue by the sum of the monthly average number of postpaid phone connections during the period. |
(d) As part of the transaction involving Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel), 186,000 and 92,000 subscribers were transferred in May 2016 from postpaid and prepaid, respectively, to affiliates. An additional 270,000 nTelos' subscribers are now part of our affiliate relationship with Shentel and are being reported in wholesale and affiliate subscribers during the quarter ended June 30, 2016. |
(e) As a result of aligning all prepaid brands, including prepaid affiliate subscribers, under one churn and retention program as of December 31, 2016, end of period prepaid and affiliate subscribers were reduced by 1,234,000 and 21,000, respectively. |
Wireless Device Financing Summary (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except sales, connections, and sales and connections mix) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid sales (in thousands) | 4,812 | 3,747 | 4,799 | 11,827 | 12,956 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid sales mix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subsidy/other | 20 | % | 27 | % | 35 | % | 25 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Installment plans | 37 | % | 34 | % | 10 | % | 33 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Leasing | 43 | % | 39 | % | 55 | % | 42 | % | 53 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Installment plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Installment sales financed | $ | 1,036 | $ | 745 | $ | 251 | $ | 2,188 | $ | 748 | ||||||||||||||||
Installment billings | 291 | 274 | 300 | 829 | 903 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Leasing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 887 | $ | 811 | $ | 531 | $ | 2,453 | $ | 1,176 | ||||||||||||||||
Lease depreciation | 837 | 724 | 535 | 2,205 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Leased device additions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - leased devices | $ | 767 | $ | 358 | $ | 607 | $ | 1,530 | $ | 1,724 | ||||||||||||||||
Transfers from inventory - leased devices | 1,095 | 645 | 1,073 | 2,281 | 2,623 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Leased devices in property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 4,454 | $ | 3,759 | $ | 3,321 | $ | 4,454 | $ | 3,321 | ||||||||||||||||
Leased device net proceeds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from MLS sale | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,136 | $ | 1,055 | $ | 1,136 | ||||||||||||||||
Repayments to MLS | (176 | ) | (161 | ) | - | (502 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from lease securitization | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Repayments of lease securitization | (55 | ) | (23 | ) | - | (153 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Net (repayments) proceeds of device financings and sales of future lease receivables | $ | (231 | ) | $ | (184 | ) | $ | 1,136 | $ | 400 | $ | 1,136 | ||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net operating revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 6,323 | $ | 6,413 | $ | 6,683 | $ | 19,252 | $ | 20,600 | ||||||||||||||||
Equipment revenue | 2,226 | 1,834 | 1,424 | 5,556 | 3,509 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total net operating revenues | 8,549 | 8,247 | 8,107 | 24,808 | 24,109 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below) | 1,925 | 2,101 | 2,348 | 6,125 | 7,194 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below) | 1,985 | 1,693 | 1,589 | 5,097 | 4,244 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 2,080 | 1,995 | 2,129 | 5,992 | 6,540 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - network and other | 1,000 | 986 | 1,014 | 3,022 | 2,971 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - leased devices | 837 | 724 | 535 | 2,205 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | 255 | 271 | 316 | 813 | 994 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 156 | (145 | ) | 373 | 260 | 633 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total net operating expenses | 8,238 | 7,625 | 8,304 | 23,514 | 23,807 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 311 | 622 | (197 | ) | 1,294 | 302 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (619 | ) | (630 | ) | (546 | ) | (1,864 | ) | (1,630 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other (expense) income, net | (60 | ) | (15 | ) | 4 | (67 | ) | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (368 | ) | (23 | ) | (739 | ) | (637 | ) | (1,315 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (111 | ) | (119 | ) | (97 | ) | (286 | ) | (126 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (479 | ) | $ | (142 | ) | $ | (836 | ) | $ | (923 | ) | $ | (1,441 | ) | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per common share | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.21 | ) | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | (0.36 | ) | |||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 3,983 | 3,979 | 3,970 | 3,979 | 3,969 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Effective tax rate | -30.2 | % | -517.4 | % | -13.1 | % | -44.9 | % | -9.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION - NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA* (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (479 | ) | $ | (142 | ) | $ | (836 | ) | $ | (923 | ) | $ | (1,441 | ) | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | 111 | 119 | 97 | 286 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (368 | ) | (23 | ) | (739 | ) | (637 | ) | (1,315 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other expense (income), net | 60 | 15 | (4 | ) | 67 | (13 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 619 | 630 | 546 | 1,864 | 1,630 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 311 | 622 | (197 | ) | 1,294 | 302 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - network and other | 1,000 | 986 | 1,014 | 3,022 | 2,971 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - leased devices | 837 | 724 | 535 | 2,205 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | 255 | 271 | 316 | 813 | 994 | |||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA* (3) | 2,403 | 2,603 | 1,668 | 7,334 | 5,498 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss (gain) from asset dispositions and exchanges, net (4) | 28 | (354 | ) | - | (326 | ) | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||
Severance and exit costs (5) | 19 | (5 | ) | 209 | 30 | 247 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contract terminations (6) | - | - | - | 113 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Litigation and other contingencies (7) | - | 103 | 21 | 103 | 178 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction in liability - U.S. Cellular asset acquisition (8) | - | - | - | - | (20 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA* (3) | $ | 2,450 | $ | 2,347 | $ | 1,898 | $ | 7,254 | $ | 5,988 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin* | 38.7 | % | 36.6 | % | 28.4 | % | 37.7 | % | 29.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Selected items: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - network and other | $ | 478 | $ | 470 | $ | 994 | $ | 1,421 | $ | 3,958 | ||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - leased devices | $ | 767 | $ | 358 | $ | 607 | $ | 1,530 | $ | 1,724 | ||||||||||||||||
WIRELESS STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sprint platform (1): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Postpaid | $ | 4,686 | $ | 4,720 | $ | 4,813 | $ | 14,184 | $ | 14,670 | |||||||||||||
Prepaid | 1,077 | 1,129 | 1,224 | 3,371 | 3,783 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale, affiliate and other | 183 | 168 | 182 | 509 | 548 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Sprint platform | 5,946 | 6,017 | 6,219 | 18,064 | 19,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total transactions (2) | - | - | 27 | - | 216 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total service revenue | 5,946 | 6,017 | 6,246 | 18,064 | 19,217 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equipment revenue | 2,226 | 1,834 | 1,424 | 5,556 | 3,509 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total net operating revenues | 8,172 | 7,851 | 7,670 | 23,620 | 22,726 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below) | 1,649 | 1,793 | 2,031 | 5,226 | 6,147 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below) | 1,985 | 1,693 | 1,589 | 5,097 | 4,244 | ||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 2,032 | 1,931 | 2,041 | 5,797 | 6,273 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - network and other | 947 | 936 | 961 | 2,868 | 2,821 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - leased devices | 837 | 724 | 535 | 2,205 | 1,231 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | 255 | 271 | 316 | 813 | 994 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 150 | (151 | ) | 353 | 248 | 611 | |||||||||||||||||
Total net operating expenses | 7,855 | 7,197 | 7,826 | 22,254 | 22,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 317 | $ | 654 | $ | (156 | ) | $ | 1,366 | $ | 405 | ||||||||||||
WIRELESS NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 317 | $ | 654 | $ | (156 | ) | $ | 1,366 | $ | 405 | |||||||||||||||
Loss (gain) from asset dispositions and exchanges, net (4) | 28 | (354 | ) | - | (326 | ) | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||
Severance and exit costs (5) | 13 | (11 | ) | 189 | 18 | 225 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contract terminations (6) | - | - | - | 113 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Litigation and other contingencies (7) | - | 103 | 21 | 103 | 178 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction in liability - U.S. Cellular asset acquisition (8) | - | - | - | - | (20 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - network and other | 947 | 936 | 961 | 2,868 | 2,821 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation - leased devices | 837 | 724 | 535 | 2,205 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | 255 | 271 | 316 | 813 | 994 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA* (3) | $ | 2,397 | $ | 2,323 | $ | 1,866 | $ | 7,160 | $ | 5,919 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin* | 40.3 | % | 38.6 | % | 29.9 | % | 39.6 | % | 30.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Selected items: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - network and other | $ | 389 | $ | 358 | $ | 869 | $ | 1,123 | $ | 3,512 | ||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - leased devices | $ | 767 | $ | 358 | $ | 607 | $ | 1,530 | $ | 1,724 | ||||||||||||||||
WIRELINE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net operating revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voice | $ | 153 | $ | 172 | $ | 201 | $ | 506 | $ | 646 | ||||||||||||||||
Data | 41 | 43 | 42 | 127 | 134 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 281 | 288 | 317 | 871 | 968 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 22 | 18 | 21 | 59 | 72 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total net operating revenues | 497 | 521 | 581 | 1,563 | 1,820 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Costs of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below) | 400 | 436 | 466 | 1,284 | 1,495 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 49 | 62 | 82 | 189 | 254 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 51 | 48 | 50 | 148 | 144 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 6 | 7 | 20 | 13 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total net operating expenses | 506 | 553 | 618 | 1,634 | 1,915 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | $ | (9 | ) | $ | (32 | ) | $ | (37 | ) | $ | (71 | ) | $ | (95 | ) |
WIRELINE NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year To Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | $ | (9 | ) | $ | (32 | ) | $ | (37 | ) | $ | (71 | ) | $ | (95 | ) | |||||||||||
Severance and exit costs (5) | 6 | 7 | 20 | 13 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 51 | 48 | 50 | 148 | 144 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA* | $ | 48 | $ | 23 | $ | 33 | $ | 90 | $ | 71 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin* | 9.7 | % | 4.4 | % | 5.7 | % | 5.8 | % | 3.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Selected items: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures - network and other | $ | 24 | $ | 31 | $ | 74 | $ | 75 | $ | 205 | ||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Unaudited)** | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||||||
Year to Date | ||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | |||||||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (923 | ) | $ | (1,441 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 6,040 | 5,196 | ||||||||||
Provision for losses on accounts receivable | 406 | 385 | ||||||||||
Share-based and long-term incentive compensation expense | 57 | 58 | ||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense | 276 | 120 | ||||||||||
Gains from asset dispositions and exchanges | (354 | ) | - | |||||||||
Amortization of long-term debt premiums, net | (234 | ) | (236 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 368 | 228 | ||||||||||
Contract terminations | 96 | - | ||||||||||
Other changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Accounts and notes receivable | (542 | ) | (1,482 | ) | ||||||||
Inventories and other current assets | (2,254 | ) | (2,165 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred purchase price from sale of receivables | (220 | ) | 2,048 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities | (97 | ) | (816 | ) | ||||||||
Non-current assets and liabilities, net | (313 | ) | 112 | |||||||||
Other, net | 594 | 596 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 2,900 | 2,603 | ||||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures - network and other | (1,421 | ) | (3,958 | ) | ||||||||
Capital expenditures - leased devices | (1,530 | ) | (1,724 | ) | ||||||||
Expenditures relating to FCC licenses | (46 | ) | (75 | ) | ||||||||
Change in short-term investments, net | (2,349 | ) | 125 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sales of assets and FCC licenses | 126 | 36 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction | - | 1,136 | ||||||||||
Other, net | 26 | (25 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (5,194 | ) | (4,485 | ) | ||||||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from debt and financings | 6,830 | 755 | ||||||||||
Repayments of debt, financing and capital lease obligations | (3,266 | ) | (727 | ) | ||||||||
Debt financing costs | (272 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net | 68 | 20 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,360 | 47 | ||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 1,066 | (1,835 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 2,641 | 4,010 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 3,707 | $ | 2,175 | ||||||||
RECONCILIATION TO CONSOLIDATED FREE CASH FLOW* (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter To Date | Year to Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/16 | 9/30/16 | 12/31/15 | 12/31/16 | 12/31/15 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 650 | $ | 1,708 | $ | 806 | $ | 2,900 | $ | 2,603 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures - network and other | (478 | ) | (470 | ) | (994 | ) | (1,421 | ) | (3,958 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures - leased devices | (767 | ) | (358 | ) | (607 | ) | (1,530 | ) | (1,724 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Expenditures relating to FCC licenses, net | (14 | ) | (17 | ) | (30 | ) | (46 | ) | (75 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of assets and FCC licenses | 60 | 39 | 32 | 126 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other investing activities, net | 134 | (11 | ) | (4 | ) | 98 | (25 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Free cash flow* (9) | $ | (415 | ) | $ | 891 | $ | (797 | ) | $ | 127 | $ | (3,143 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net (repayments) proceeds of device financings and sales of future lease receivables | (231 | ) | (184 | ) | 1,136 | 400 | 1,136 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted free cash flow* | $ | (646 | ) | $ | 707 | $ | 339 | $ | 527 | $ | (2,007 | ) | |||||||||||||
**Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
(Millions) | |||||||||||
12/31/16 | 3/31/16 | ||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
Current assets | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,707 | $ | 2,641 | |||||||
Short-term investments | 2,349 | - | |||||||||
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 1,236 | 1,099 | |||||||||
Device and accessory inventory | 1,296 | 1,173 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,984 | 1,920 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 10,572 | 6,833 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 19,333 | 20,297 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 6,579 | 6,575 | |||||||||
FCC licenses and other | 40,556 | 40,073 | |||||||||
Definite-lived intangible assets, net | 3,582 | 4,469 | |||||||||
Other assets | 673 | 728 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 81,295 | $ | 78,975 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,894 | $ | 2,899 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 4,189 | 4,374 | |||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt, financing and capital lease obligations | 6,554 | 4,690 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 13,637 | 11,963 | |||||||||
Long-term debt, financing and capital lease obligations | 30,759 | 29,268 | |||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 14,238 | 13,959 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 3,665 | 4,002 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 62,299 | 59,192 | |||||||||
Stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
Common stock | 40 | 40 | |||||||||
Treasury shares, at cost | - | (3 | ) | ||||||||
Paid-in capital | 27,694 | 27,563 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (8,301 | ) | (7,378 | ) | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (437 | ) | (439 | ) | |||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 18,996 | 19,783 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 81,295 | $ | 78,975 | |||||||
NET DEBT* (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
(Millions) | |||||||||||
12/31/16 | 3/31/16 | ||||||||||
Total debt | $ | 37,313 | $ | 33,958 | |||||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents | (3,707 | ) | (2,641 | ) | |||||||
Less: Short-term investments | (2,349 | ) | - | ||||||||
Net debt* | $ | 31,257 | $ | 31,317 | |||||||
SCHEDULE OF DEBT (Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions) | ||||||||
12/31/16 | ||||||||
ISSUER |
MATURITY | PRINCIPAL | ||||||
Sprint Corporation | ||||||||
7.25% Senior notes due 2021 | 09/15/2021 | $ | 2,250 | |||||
7.875% Senior notes due 2023 | 09/15/2023 | 4,250 | ||||||
7.125% Senior notes due 2024 | 06/15/2024 | 2,500 | ||||||
7.625% Senior notes due 2025 | 02/15/2025 | 1,500 | ||||||
Sprint Corporation | 10,500 | |||||||
Sprint Spectrum Co LLC, Sprint Spectrum Co II LLC and Sprint Spectrum Co III LLC | ||||||||
3.36% Senior secured notes due 2021 | 09/20/2021 | 3,500 | ||||||
Sprint Spectrum Co LLC, Sprint Spectrum Co II LLC and Sprint Spectrum Co III LLC | 3,500 | |||||||
Sprint Communications, Inc. | ||||||||
Export Development Canada Facility (Tranche 4) | 12/15/2017 | 250 | ||||||
Export Development Canada Facility (Tranche 3) | 12/17/2019 | 300 | ||||||
9.125% Senior notes due 2017 | 03/01/2017 | 1,000 | ||||||
8.375% Senior notes due 2017 | 08/15/2017 | 1,300 | ||||||
9% Guaranteed notes due 2018 | 11/15/2018 | 3,000 | ||||||
7% Guaranteed notes due 2020 | 03/01/2020 | 1,000 | ||||||
7% Senior notes due 2020 | 08/15/2020 | 1,500 | ||||||
11.5% Senior notes due 2021 | 11/15/2021 | 1,000 | ||||||
9.25% Debentures due 2022 | 04/15/2022 | 200 | ||||||
6% Senior notes due 2022 | 11/15/2022 | 2,280 | ||||||
Sprint Communications, Inc. | 11,830 | |||||||
Sprint Capital Corporation | ||||||||
6.9% Senior notes due 2019 | 05/01/2019 | 1,729 | ||||||
6.875% Senior notes due 2028 | 11/15/2028 | 2,475 | ||||||
8.75% Senior notes due 2032 | 03/15/2032 | 2,000 | ||||||
Sprint Capital Corporation | 6,204 | |||||||
Clearwire Communications LLC | ||||||||
8.25% Exchangeable notes due 2017 (a) | 12/01/2017 | 629 | ||||||
Clearwire Communications LLC | 629 | |||||||
Secured equipment credit facilities | 2017 - 2021 | 586 | ||||||
Financing obligations | 2017 - 2021 | 3,401 | ||||||
Capital leases and other obligations | 2017 - 2024 | 480 | ||||||
Total principal | 37,130 | |||||||
Net premiums and debt financing costs | 183 | |||||||
Total debt | $ | 37,313 | ||||||
(a) $629 million Clearwire 8.25% Exchangeable Notes due 2040 have both a par call and put in December 2017. | ||||||||
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) | ||
(1) | Sprint platform refers to the Sprint network that supports the wireless service we provide through our multiple brands. | |
(2) | Postpaid and prepaid connections from transactions are defined as retail postpaid and prepaid connections acquired from Clearwire in July 2013 who had not deactivated or been recaptured on the Sprint platform. | |
(3) |
As more of our customers elect to lease a device rather than
purchasing one under our subsidized program, there is a significant
positive impact to EBITDA* and Adjusted EBITDA* from direct channel
sales primarily due to the fact the cost of the device is not
recorded as cost of products but rather is depreciated over the
customer lease term. Under our device leasing program for the direct
channel, devices are transferred from inventory to property and
equipment and the cost of the leased device is recognized as
depreciation expense over the customer lease term to an estimated
residual value. The customer payments are recognized as revenue over
the term of the lease. Under our subsidized program, the cash
received from the customer for the device is recognized as equipment
revenue at the point of sale and the cost of the device is
recognized as cost of products. During the three and nine-month
periods ended December 31, 2016, we leased devices through our
Sprint direct channels totaling approximately $1,095 million and
$2,281 million, respectively, which would have increased cost of
products and reduced EBITDA* if they had been purchased under our
subsidized program. Also, during the three and nine-month periods
ended December 31, 2016, the equipment revenue derived from
customers electing to finance their devices through device leasing
or installment billing programs in our direct channel was 66% and
67%, respectively.
The impact to EBITDA* and Adjusted EBITDA* resulting from the sale of devices under our installment billing program is generally neutral except for the impact from the time value of money element related to the imputed interest on the installment receivable. |
|
(4) | During the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 and the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the company recorded losses on dispositions of assets primarily related to cell site construction and network development costs that are no longer relevant as a result of changes in the company's network plans. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 the company recorded a pre-tax non-cash gain of $354 million related to spectrum swaps with other carriers. | |
(5) | Severance and exit costs consist of lease exit costs primarily associated with tower and cell sites, access exit costs related to payments that will continue to be made under the company's backhaul access contracts for which the company will no longer be receiving any economic benefit, and severance costs associated with reduction in its work force. | |
(6) | Contract terminations primarily relate to the termination of our pre-existing wholesale arrangement with Ntelos Holding Corp. | |
(7) | Litigation and other contingencies consist of unfavorable developments associated with legal as well as federal and state matters such as sales, use or property taxes. | |
(8) | As a result of the U.S. Cellular asset acquisition, we recorded a liability related to network shut-down costs, which primarily consisted of lease exit costs, for which we agreed to reimburse U.S. Cellular. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, we identified favorable trends in actual costs and, as a result, reduced the liability resulting in a gain of $41 million. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we revised our estimate and, as a result, reduced the liability resulting in approximately $20 million of income. | |
(9) | Free cash flow* for the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2016, included net cash outflows of approximately $370 million related to the termination of our MLS Tranche 1 arrangement, which included the repurchase of the devices. |
*FINANCIAL MEASURES
Sprint provides financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP and adjusted GAAP (non-GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures reflect industry conventions, or standard measures of liquidity, profitability or performance commonly used by the investment community for comparability purposes. These measurements should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have defined below each of the non-GAAP measures we use, but these measures may not be synonymous to similar measurement terms used by other companies.
Sprint provides reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures in its financial reporting. Because Sprint does not predict special items that might occur in the future, and our forecasts are developed at a level of detail different than that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures, Sprint does not provide reconciliations to GAAP of its forward-looking financial measures.
The measures used in this release include the following:
EBITDA is operating income/(loss) before depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA excluding severance, exit costs, and other special items. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by non-equipment net operating revenues for Wireless and Adjusted EBITDA divided by net operating revenues for Wireline. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin provide useful information to investors because they are an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations. While depreciation and amortization are considered operating costs under GAAP, these expenses primarily represent non-cash current period costs associated with the use of long-lived tangible and definite-lived intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are calculations commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare the periodic and future operating performance and value of companies within the telecommunications industry.
Sprint Platform Postpaid ABPA is average billings per account and calculated by dividing postpaid service revenue earned from postpaid customers plus installment plan billings and lease revenue by the sum of the monthly average number of postpaid accounts during the period. We believe that ABPA provides useful information to investors, analysts and our management to evaluate average Sprint platform postpaid customer billings per account as it approximates the expected cash collections, including installment plan billings and lease revenue, per postpaid account each month.
Sprint Platform Postpaid Phone ABPU is average billings per postpaid phone user and calculated by dividing service revenue earned from postpaid phone customers plus installment plan billings and lease revenue by the sum of the monthly average number of postpaid phone connections during the period. We believe that ABPU provides useful information to investors, analysts and our management to evaluate average Sprint platform postpaid phone customer billings as it approximates the expected cash collections, including installment plan billings and lease revenue, per postpaid phone user each month.
Free Cash Flow is the cash provided by operating activities less the cash used in investing activities other than short-term investments, including changes in restricted cash, if any, and excluding the sale-leaseback of devices. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is Free Cash Flow plus the proceeds from device financings and sales of future lease receivables, net of repayments. We believe that Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow provide useful information to investors, analysts and our management about the cash generated by our core operations and net proceeds obtained to fund certain leased devices, respectively, after interest and dividends, if any, and our ability to fund scheduled debt maturities and other financing activities, including discretionary refinancing and retirement of debt and purchase or sale of investments.
Net Debt is consolidated debt, including current maturities, less cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and, if any, restricted cash. We believe that Net Debt provides useful information to investors, analysts and credit rating agencies about the capacity of the company to reduce the debt load and improve its capital structure.
SAFE HARBOR
This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “target,” “plan”, “outlook,” “providing guidance,” and similar expressions are intended to identify information that is not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to our network, cost reductions, connections growth, and liquidity; and statements expressing general views about future operating results — are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are estimates and projections reflecting management’s judgment based on currently available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. With respect to these forward-looking statements, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things, the development and deployment of new technologies and services; efficiencies and cost savings of new technologies and services; customer and network usage; connection growth and retention; service, speed, coverage and quality; availability of devices; availability of various financings, including any leasing transactions; the timing of various events and the economic environment. Sprint believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date when made. Sprint undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Sprint Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
About Sprint:
Sprint (NYSE:S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served 59.5 million connections as of Dec. 31, 2016 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the past five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.