EXHIBIT 99.1
Published on November 4, 2004
Exhibit 99.1
November 3, 2004
John Lowber, (907) 868-5628; jlowber@gci.com
Bruce Broquet, (907) 868-6660; bbroquet@gci.com
David Morris, (907) 265-5396; dmorris@gci.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GCI REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2004 FINANCIAL RESULTS
o Consolidated revenue of $106.6 million
o Net income of $9.3 million or $0.15 per diluted share
o EBITDA of $36.7 million
ANCHORAGE, AK -- GCI (NASDAQ:GNCMA) today reported net income of $9.3
million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.15, for the third quarter of 2004.
The company's third quarter net income compares to income of $4.5 million, or
earnings per diluted share of $0.07 in the same period of 2003.
GCI's third quarter 2004 revenues totaled $106.6 million, an increase
of 8.4 percent over third quarter 2003 revenues of $98.3 million. For the
current quarter, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and
accretion (EBITDA) totaled $36.7 million. Third quarter 2004 EBITDA increased
$6.0 million or 19.5 percent over the same quarter in 2003. Third quarter 2003
EBITDA totaled $30.7 million.
Sequentially, revenues for the company increased 2.7 percent from
second quarter 2004 revenues of $103.8 million. GCI's third quarter EBITDA of
$36.7 million compares to EBITDA of $34.9 million in the second quarter of 2004.
For the third quarter of 2004, GCI exceeded its revenue guidance and
EBITDA guidance. The company expected revenues of approximately $103 million to
$105 million, and EBITDA in excess of $31 million, excluding the effects of any
receivable recovery from MCI. GCI recorded a benefit of approximately $1.1
million relating to the use of the MCI credit during the quarter.
GCI began its stock repurchase program during the third quarter. The
company purchased 170,600 shares to date at an average price of $9.16 per share.
"GCI"s third quarter revenues and EBITDA keep us on track to report
another record year in 2004," said Ron Duncan, GCI president. "We have the
strongest product set in the marketplace and continue to grow our customer
base."
"We expect fourth quarter revenues of approximately $101 million to
$103 million and EBITDA of approximately $32 million, excluding the effects of
any receivable recovery from MCI. We expect to exceed the high end of our 2004
guidance for total revenues of $410 million to $420 million and EBITDA of $129
million to $134 million, before any benefit from credits against services
purchased from MCI."
Customer Highlights
o The local services business was down 200 access lines during the third
quarter, serving 110,400 local lines, an estimated 24 percent share of the
total access line market in Alaska. Access lines declined due to a
reduction in Internet Service Provider (ISP) lines.
o GCI had 101,100 statewide Internet customers at the end of third
quarter 2004. At the end of the third quarter of 2004, 61,200 of these
Internet customers are using GCI cable modem service, an increase of 4,400
over the second quarter of 2004. The number of customers served on GCI's
statewide dial-up Internet platform continued to decrease during the third
quarter. Most of these customers migrated to cable modems.
o GCI cable television services pass 205,986 homes and serve 134,258
subscribers. Subscribers decreased sequentially by 915 subscribers from the
second quarter of 2004. The decrease in subscribers is primarily
attributable to normal seasonal declines of hotel customers. Residential
subscribers were stable during the quarter.
o Long-distance billable minutes decreased 1.1 percent to 310.8 million
minutes for the third quarter as compared to the same quarter of 2003, and
increased 5.8 percent sequentially.
Long Distance Results
For the third quarter of 2004, long distance revenues totaled $63.2
million as compared to revenues of $60.2 million in the third quarter of 2003
and $60.9 million in the second quarter of 2004. Long distance revenues
increased 5.0 percent year-over-year and 3.8 percent sequentially. The revenue
increases were attributed to an increase in long haul fiber, private line,
dedicated and other data services revenues and managed network services
revenues. The revenue increases offset a decrease in switched minutes revenues
which were down 10.3 percent when compared to a year ago and up slightly
sequentially. The decrease in switched minutes revenues as compared to the prior
year is due to fewer minutes carried and lower rates.
Long distance EBITDA, increased 19.0 percent for the third quarter of
2004 to $24.4 million as compared to $20.5 million in the third quarter of the
prior year. Long distance EBITDA for the third quarter of 2004 was up $3.4
million sequentially from $21.0 million in the second quarter of 2004. Long
distance EBITDA included MCI bad debt recoveries of $1.1 million in the third
quarter of 2004, $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $1.1 million in
the second quarter of 2004. The EBITDA increases were primarily attributed to
changes in the revenue mix from minute driven traffic to data traffic.
Total minutes-of-use are down 1.1 percent in the third quarter of 2004
when compared to the third quarter of 2003. Sequentially, minutes-of-use are up
5.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2004.
The total number of billed long distance customers were relatively
unchanged when customer counts are compared between September 2004 and June
2004.
Cable Television Results
Cable television revenues for the third quarter increased 6.3 percent
to $25.2 million from $23.7 million in the third quarter of 2003, and were
steady from $25.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. EBITDA of $10.6 million
for the third quarter of 2004 increased 9.3 percent from the third quarter of
2003, and decreased 7.8 percent when compared to $11.5 million in the second
quarter of 2004. The year over year increase in revenues and EBITDA is due
primarily to the increase in sales of digital special interest (Digital) cable
television, rental of Digital set-top boxes, advertisement sales and sales of
cable modem services. The sequential decrease in EBITDA is primarily
attributable to certain refunds and rebates received from cable television
programmers during the second quarter of 2004.
Gross margins, as a percentage of revenues, increased by 51 basis
points year-over-year and decreased 213 basis points sequentially. The
sequential decrease in gross margins is primarily attributable to the
aforementioned refunds and rebates received from programmers in the prior
quarter. The growth rate from Digital and cable modems is helping to mitigate
the effects of continuing increases in programming and copyright costs.
As of September 30, 2004, the company's cable television operations
passed 205,986 homes and served 134,258 subscribers (106,132 equivalent basic
subscribers). For the third quarter, average revenue per equivalent basic
subscriber was $79.36, an increase of 10.6 percent when compared to the third
quarter 2003 average revenue of $71.77. Sequentially, average revenue was up 1.4
percent, from $78.27, over the second quarter of 2004. Total subscribers
decreased sequentially by 915 when compared to the second quarter of 2004. The
decrease in subscribers is primarily attributable to a seasonal decrease in
hotel customers. The total number of residential customers was relatively
unchanged for the third quarter. This compares to a sequential decrease of 1,930
subscribers in the third quarter of 2003.
GCI served 42,568 Digital customers at the end of the third quarter of
2004, an increase of 3,800 customers compared to the second quarter of 2004. The
sequential increase in Digital customers was due to the launch of several new
service packages. The Anchorage system has been completely upgraded to a digital
only system.
The operating statistics below include capital expenditures and
customer information from cable services and the components of our local
services and Internet services utilizing our cable services' facilities.
GCI's capital expenditures by standard reporting category for the nine
months periods ending September 30, 2004 and 2003 follow (amounts in thousands):
2004 2003
---------- ---------
Customer premise equipment $ 12,136 6,880
Commercial 348 395
Scalable infrastructure 3,782 1,000
Line extensions 517 645
Upgrade/rebuild 6,516 1,816
Support capital 1,013 313
---------- ---------
Sub-total 24,312 11,049
Remaining reportable segments and All Other
capital expenditures 58,498 23,344
---------- ---------
$ 82,810 34,393
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The standard definition of a customer relationship is the number of
customers who receive at least one level of service, encompassing voice, video,
and data services, without regard to which services customers purchase. These
relationships do not include local telephone customers except those receiving
phone service through the cable television plant. At September 30, 2004 and
2003, GCI's cable business had 122,100 and 122,400 customer relationships,
respectively.
The standard definition of a revenue-generating unit is the sum of all
primary analog video, digital video, high-speed data and telephony customers,
not counting additional outlets. At September 30, 2004 and 2003, GCI's cable
business had 199,400 and 178,200 revenue generating units, respectively. The
increase in the revenue generating units of 7,400 and 21,200 from June 30, 2004
and September 30, 2003 respectively, is due to an increase in the number of
cable modem and Digital Local Phone Service (DLPS) customers.
Local Telephone Results
For the third quarter 2004, local telephone service revenues totaled
$11.5 million, an increase of 21.1 percent, when compared to $9.5 million in the
third quarter of 2003. Sequentially, revenue was up $0.3 million or 2.7 percent
from $11.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. The increase in year-over-year
revenues is attributable to increasing customer counts, Universal Service Fund
and directory services revenues.
In the third quarter, local services generated an EBITDA loss of $0.8
million, an improvement of $0.1 million over the $0.9 million loss in the third
quarter of 2003. Sequentially, the third quarter EBITDA loss of $0.8 million
compares to EBITDA of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. The sequential
decline in EBITDA is primarily due to an increase in operating costs
attributable to the conversion of Anchorage customers to DLPS and the increase
in Anchorage UNE rates. If the local telephone business received credit for
access cost savings on calls placed by GCI long distance customers who are also
GCI local customers, the company's local telephone business would have reported
EBITDA of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2004.
At the end of the third quarter of 2004, GCI provided local service to
approximately 110,400 access lines statewide. This represents a total decline of
200 access lines, or 0.2 percent, when compared to the 110,600 access lines
reported at the end of the second quarter of 2004. During the third quarter GCI
turned down more than 1,800 ISP access lines. Total access lines, not including
ISP lines turned down, increased by 1,600 during the third quarter of 2004. The
company estimates it has attained a 24 percent share of the total access line
market in Alaska. Approximately 85 percent of GCI's access lines are provisioned
on its own facilities or on resold local loops.
In early April 2004, GCI began converting customers to its DLPS
technology. The roll out of DLPS will enable GCI to avoid wholesale and loop
rental costs from local phone lines leased from the incumbent local exchange
carrier. GCI now expects to provision 7,000 to 8,000 DLPS lines by the end of
2004. More than 5,000 DLPS lines are currently in service.
Internet Access Results
Internet access revenues for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $6.7
million, an increase of 36.7 percent year-over-year and 3.1 percent
sequentially. Third quarter 2003 revenues were $4.9 million and second quarter
2004 revenues were $6.5 million. EBITDA for the third quarter totaled $2.4
million, an improvement of $1.1 million year-over-year and $0.2 million
sequentially. Third quarter 2003 EBITDA was $1.3 million and second quarter 2004
EBITDA was $2.2 million. The increase in Internet access revenues and EBITDA
results from the migration of existing customers to cable modem access and
customers adding more features and services, increasing economies of scale and
effective cost containment controls.
At the end of the third quarter of 2004, GCI had 101,100 statewide
Internet customers, an increase of 800 customers sequentially and an increase of
7,200 year-over-year. GCI's statewide Internet customers included 61,200
subscribers using cable modem access. This represents an increase of 4,400
subscribers, or 7.7 percent, over the prior quarter's subscriber count of
56,800. On a year-over-year basis, GCI experienced a 43.0 percent increase in
cable modem subscribers, from 42,800 at the end of the third quarter of 2003.
At the end of the third quarter of 2004 GCI's average revenue per cable
modem (ARPM) was $33.51 as compared to $36.84 at the end of the second quarter
of 2004 and $39.64 at the end of the third quarter of 2003. Total cable modem
revenues for the third quarter of 2004 decreased 1.7 percent sequentially when
compared to the second quarter of 2004 and increased 19.6 percent
year-over-year. The increase in year-over-year revenues is due to the increase
in the number of modem customers. The decline in ARPM is due to an increase in
the percentage of total customers taking GCI's discounted cable modem products.
The sequential decline in total modem revenues is due to some customers shifting
to lower priced services partially offset by growth in total modem revenues.
GCI began offering Internet access services during 1998 and its dial-up
Internet service is offered in most major Alaska markets. GCI is the largest
Internet access provider in Alaska.
Other Items
During the three months ending September 30, 2004, core capital
expenditures increased to $18.2 million as compared to $17.6 million in the
second quarter of 2004. Additionally, GCI spent $0.4 million relating to its new
undersea fiber in the third quarter of 2004. GCI generated approximately $11.4
million in free cash flow during the third quarter.
GCI will hold a conference call to discuss the quarter's results on
Thursday, November 4, 2004 beginning at 2 p.m. (Eastern). To access the briefing
on November 4, dial 888-390-6586 (international callers should dial
210-234-8000) and identify your call as "GCI." In addition to the conference
call, GCI will make available net conferencing. To access the call via net
conference, log on to www.gci.com and follow the instructions. A replay of the
call will be available for 72-hours by dialing 800-839-2291, access code 7461
(international callers should dial 402-998-1194.)
GCI is the largest telecommunications company in Alaska. A pioneer in
bundled services, GCI provides local, wireless, and long distance telephone,
cable television, Internet and data communication services throughout Alaska.
More information about the company can be found at www.gci.com.
The foregoing contains forward-looking statements regarding the
company's expected results that are based on management's expectations as well
as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Actual results might
differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements due to
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside GCI's control.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward looking statements is contained in
GCI's cautionary statement sections of Form 10-K and 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
# # #
Notes:
(1) EBITDA (as defined in Note 2 below) before deducting Loss on Early
Extinguishment of Debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
(2) EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) is
the sum of Net Income, Interest Expense, Amortization and Write-off of
Loan and Senior Notes Fees, Interest Income, Taxes, and Depreciation,
Amortization and Accretion. EBITDA is not presented as an alternative
measure of net income, operating income or cash flow from operations, as
determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America. GCI's management uses EBITDA to evaluate the
operating performance of its business, and as a measure of performance for
incentive compensation purposes. GCI believes EBITDA is a measure used as
an analytical indicator of income generated to service debt and fund
capital expenditures. In addition, multiples of current or projected
EBITDA are used to estimate current or prospective enterprise value.
EBITDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements,
and thus does not reflect funds available for investment or other
discretionary uses. EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to
similarly titled measures reported by other companies.