Lumen Technologies reports fourth quarter 2021 results
Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) reported Q4 2021 revenue of $4.847 billion, declining from $5.125 billion in Q4 2020. Full-year 2021 revenue was $19.687 billion, down from $20.712 billion in 2020. The company achieved strong free cash flow of $759 million despite a decrease from $924 million YoY. Lumen executed a $1 billion share repurchase program and announced strategic asset sales to enhance its growth strategy. The 2022 outlook includes estimated adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 to $6.7 billion and free cash flow of $1.6 to $1.8 billion, with a dividend of $1.00 per share.
- Strong free cash flow of $759 million, down from $924 million YoY, indicates operational efficiency.
- Successfully executed a $1 billion share repurchase program reinforces confidence in the company's value.
- Strategic asset sales aimed at improving growth prospects and asset mix.
- Total revenue decreased by 5% YoY, indicating potential challenges in market demand.
- Full-year revenue declined from $20.712 billion in 2020 to $19.687 billion in 2021.
- Free cash flow decreased from $943 million in Q4 2020 to $776 million in Q4 2021, raising concerns for cash generation.
DENVER, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) reported results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2021.
"I am very proud of our team's achievements in 2021. We delivered strong free cash flow, executed a
Total revenue was
Financial Results
Metric | Fourth | Fourth | Full Year | Full Year |
($ in millions, except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 |
International and Global Accounts | $ 1,017 | 1,033 | 4,053 | 4,118 |
Large Enterprise | 922 | 986 | 3,722 | 3,915 |
Mid-Market Enterprise | 665 | 716 | 2,729 | 2,969 |
Wholesale | 890 | 930 | 3,615 | 3,815 |
Business Segment Revenue | 3,494 | 3,665 | 14,119 | 14,817 |
Mass Markets Segment Revenue | 1,353 | 1,460 | 5,568 | 5,895 |
Total Revenue | $ 4,847 | 5,125 | 19,687 | 20,712 |
Cost of Services and Products | 2,086 | 2,231 | 8,488 | 8,934 |
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | 723 | 866 | 2,895 | 3,464 |
Stock-based Compensation Expenses | 31 | 55 | 120 | 175 |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 2,069 | 2,083 | 8,424 | 8,489 |
Adjusted EBITDA, Excluding Special Items(1)(2) | 2,088 | 2,188 | 8,440 | 8,664 |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1) | 42.7 % | 40.6 % | 42.8 % | 41.0 % |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Excluding Special Items(1)(2) | 43.1 % | 42.7 % | 42.9 % | 41.8 % |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 1,607 | 1,682 | 6,501 | 6,524 |
Capital Expenditures | 848 | 758 | 2,900 | 3,729 |
Unlevered Cash Flow(1) | 1,100 | 1,297 | 5,086 | 4,416 |
Unlevered Cash Flow, Excluding Cash Special Items(1)(3) | 1,117 | 1,316 | 5,227 | 4,600 |
Free Cash Flow(1) | 759 | 924 | 3,601 | 2,795 |
Free Cash Flow, Excluding Cash Special Items(1)(3) | 776 | 943 | 3,742 | 2,979 |
Net Income(4) | 508 | (2,289) | 2,033 | (1,232) |
Net Income, Excluding Special Items(1)(4)(5) | 522 | 453 | 2,039 | 1,631 |
Net Income per Common Share - Diluted | 0.50 | (2.12) | 1.91 | (1.14) |
Net Income per Common Share - Diluted, Excluding Special Items(1)(4)(5) | 0.51 | 0.42 | 1.91 | 1.51 |
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in millions) - Diluted | 1,015.5 | 1,080.5 | 1,066.8 | 1,079.1 |
(1) See the attached schedules for definitions of non-GAAP metrics, reconciliations to GAAP figures and further explanations of the adjustments referred to in notes 2, 3 and 5. | ||||
(2) Excludes Special Items in the amounts of (i) | ||||
(3) Excludes cash paid for Special Items of (i) | ||||
(4) Since designating of our Latin American business and our 20-state ILEC business as held for sale on July 25, 2021 and August 3, 2021, respectively, we have ceased recording depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets and right-of-use assets with respect to these assets. We estimate that we would have recorded an additional | ||||
(5) Excludes Special Items (net of the income tax effect thereof) in the amounts of (i) | ||||
Revenue | Fourth | Third | QoQ | Fourth | YoY | |||
($ in millions) | 2021 | 2021 | Change | 2020 | Change | |||
By Business Sales Channel | ||||||||
International and Global Accounts | $ 1,017 | 1,019 | — % | 1,033 | (2) % | |||
Large Enterprise | 922 | 932 | (1) % | 986 | (6) % | |||
Mid-Market Enterprise | 665 | 666 | — % | 716 | (7) % | |||
Wholesale | 890 | 891 | — % | 930 | (4) % | |||
Business Segment Revenue | 3,494 | 3,508 | — % | 3,665 | (5) % | |||
Mass Markets Segment Revenue | 1,353 | 1,379 | (2) % | 1,460 | (7) % | |||
Total Revenue | $ 4,847 | 4,887 | (1) % | 5,125 | (5) % | |||
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow, excluding Special Items, was
As of Dec. 31, 2021, Lumen had cash and cash equivalents of
2022 Financial Outlook
The company announced its full-year 2022 financial outlook which is detailed below:
Metric (1)(2) | Outlook(3) |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
Free Cash Flow | |
Net Cash Interest | |
GAAP Interest Expense | |
Dividends(5) | |
Capital Expenditures | |
Depreciation and Amortization | |
Stock-based Compensation Expenses | ~ |
Cash Income Taxes | ~ |
Full Year Effective Income Tax Rate | ~ |
(1) For definitions of non-GAAP metrics and reconciliations to GAAP figures, see the attached schedules and our Investor Relations website. | |
(2) Outlook measures in this chart and the accompanying schedules (i) exclude the effects of Special Items, future changes in our operating or capital allocation plans, unforeseen changes in regulation, laws or litigation, and other unforeseen events or circumstances impacting our financial performance and (ii) speak only as of Feb. 9, 2022. See "Forward-Looking Statements". | |
(3) Outlook measures include accounting impacts of assets and liabilities held for sale and assume the pending sales of Lumen's LATAM business and 20-state ILEC footprint are completed mid-year 2022. | |
(4) Assumes no discretionary pension plan contributions during 2022. | |
(5) Based on common stock outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2021, as well as expected accrued dividends. We expect cash dividends of approximately | |
Investor Call
Lumen's management will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today, Feb. 9, 2022. The conference call will be streamed live over the Lumen website at ir.lumen.com. Additional information regarding fourth quarter 2021 results, including the presentation materials management will review during the conference call, will be available on the Investor Relations website prior to the call. If you are unable to join the call via the web, the call can be accessed live at +1 877-283-5145 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 312-281-1201 (International).
A telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2022, and ending May 1, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The replay can be accessed by dialing +1 800-633-8284 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 402-977-9140 (International), reservation code 22014476. A webcast replay of the call will also be available on our website beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Feb 9, 2022, and ending May 1, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
About Lumen
Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 450,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences.
Learn more about the Lumen network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly-owned affiliate of Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this release and other of our oral or written statements identified by words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "intends," "will," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements as defined by the federal securities laws, and are subject to the "safe harbor" protections thereunder. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, are inherently speculative, and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers, including decreased demand for our more mature service offerings and increased pricing pressures; the effects of new, emerging or competing technologies, including those that could make our products less desirable or obsolete; our ability to successfully and timely attain our key operating imperatives, including simplifying and consolidating our network, simplifying and automating our service support systems, attaining our Quantum Fiber buildout plans, strengthening our relationships with customers and attaining projected cost savings; our ability to safeguard our network, and to avoid the adverse impact of possible cyber-attacks, security breaches, service outages, system failures, or similar events impacting our network or the availability and quality of our services; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including the outcome of legislative, regulatory or judicial proceedings relating to content liability standards, intercarrier compensation, universal service, service standards, broadband deployment, data protection, privacy and net neutrality; our ability to effectively retain and hire key personnel and to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; possible changes in customer demand for our products and services, including increased demand for high-speed data transmission services; our ability to successfully maintain the quality and profitability of our existing product and service offerings and to introduce profitable new offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our ability to generate cash flows sufficient to fund our financial commitments and objectives, including our capital expenditures, operating costs, debt repayments, dividends, pension contributions and other benefits payments; our ability to successfully and timely implement our corporate strategies, including our deleveraging strategy; our ability to successfully and timely consummate our pending divestitures on the terms proposed, to realize the anticipated benefits therefrom, and to operate our retained business successfully thereafter; changes in our operating plans, corporate strategies, dividend payment plans or other capital allocation plans, whether based upon changes in our cash flows, cash requirements, financial performance, financial position, market conditions or otherwise; the impact of any future material acquisitions or divestitures that we may transact; the negative impact of increases in the costs of our pension, health, post-employment or other benefits, including those caused by changes in markets, interest rates, mortality rates, demographics or regulations; the potential negative impact of customer complaints, government investigations, security breaches or service outages impacting us or our industry; adverse changes in our access to credit markets on favorable terms, whether caused by changes in our financial position, lower credit ratings, unstable markets or otherwise; our ability to meet the terms and conditions of our debt obligations and covenants, including our ability to make transfers of cash in compliance therewith; our ability to maintain favorable relations with our securityholders, key business partners, suppliers, vendors, landlords and financial institutions; our ability to meet evolving environmental, social and governance ("ESG") expectations and benchmarks, and effectively communicate and implement our ESG strategies; our ability to collect our receivables from, or continue to do business with, financially-troubled customers, including, but not limited to, those adversely impacted by the economic dislocations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards in the amounts projected; our ability to continue to use or renew intellectual property used to conduct our operations; any adverse developments in legal or regulatory proceedings involving us; changes in tax, pension, healthcare or other laws or regulations, in governmental support programs, or in general government funding levels, including those arising from recently-enacted federal legislation promoting broadband spending; the effects of changes in accounting policies, practices or assumptions, including changes that could potentially require additional future impairment charges; continuing uncertainties regarding the impact that COVID-19 disruptions and vaccination policies could have on our business, operations, cash flows and corporate initiatives; the effects of adverse weather, terrorism, epidemics, pandemics, rioting, societal unrest, or other natural or man-made disasters or disturbances; the potential adverse effects if our internal controls over financial reporting have weaknesses or deficiencies, or otherwise fail to operate as intended; the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in inflation, in exchange rates, in operating costs, in public policy, in the views of financial analysts, or in general market, labor, economic or geo-political conditions; and other risks referenced from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to unduly rely upon our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, regulatory, technological, industry, competitive, economic and market conditions, and our related assumptions, as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans without notice at any time and for any reason.
Reconciliation to GAAP
This release includes certain historical and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Unlevered Cash Flow, and adjustments to GAAP and non-GAAP measures to exclude the effect of Special Items. In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the company's performance, we believe these measurements assist investors in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial schedules. Reconciliation of additional non-GAAP historical financial measures that may be discussed during the call described above, along with further descriptions of non-GAAP financial measures, will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the company's website at http://ir.lumen.com. Non-GAAP measures are not presented to be replacements or alternatives to the GAAP measures, and investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Lumen may present or calculate its non-GAAP measures differently from other companies.
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||
THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020 | ||||||||||||
(UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per share amounts; shares in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Three months ended December 31, | Increase / (decrease) | Twelve months ended December 31, | Increase / (decrease) | |||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
OPERATING REVENUE | $ 4,847 | 5,125 | (5) % | $ 19,687 | 20,712 | (5) % | ||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
Cost of services and products | 2,086 | 2,231 | (6) % | 8,488 | 8,934 | (5) % | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 723 | 866 | (17) % | 2,895 | 3,464 | (16) % | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 877 | 1,195 | (27) % | 4,019 | 4,710 | (15) % | ||||||
Goodwill impairment | — | 2,642 | nm | — | 2,642 | nm | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 3,686 | 6,934 | (47) % | 15,402 | 19,750 | (22) % | ||||||
OPERATING INCOME | 1,161 | (1,809) | nm | 4,285 | 962 | nm | ||||||
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (372) | (396) | (6) % | (1,522) | (1,668) | (9) % | ||||||
Other income (expense), net | (110) | (3) | nm | (62) | (76) | (18) % | ||||||
Income tax expense | (171) | (81) | 111 % | (668) | (450) | 48 % | ||||||
NET INCOME | $ 508 | (2,289) | nm | $ 2,033 | (1,232) | nm | ||||||
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ 0.50 | (2.12) | nm | $ 1.92 | (1.14) | nm | ||||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ 0.50 | (2.12) | nm | $ 1.91 | (1.14) | nm | ||||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING | ||||||||||||
Basic | 1,006,846 | 1,080,507 | (7) % | 1,059,541 | 1,079,130 | (2) % | ||||||
Diluted | 1,015,472 | 1,080,507 | (6) % | 1,066,778 | 1,079,130 | (1) % | ||||||
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE | $ 0.25 | 0.25 | — % | $ 1.00 | 1.00 | — % | ||||||
Exclude: Special Items(1) | $ 14 | 2,742 | (99) % | $ 6 | 2,863 | (100) % | ||||||
NET INCOME EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS | $ 522 | 453 | 15 % | $ 2,039 | 1,631 | 25 % | ||||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS | $ 0.51 | 0.42 | 21 % | $ 1.91 | 1.51 | 26 % | ||||||
(1) Excludes the Special Items described in the accompanying Non-GAAP Special Items table, net of the income tax effect thereof. | ||||||||||||
nm - Percentages greater than | ||||||||||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020 | |||
(UNAUDITED) | |||
($ in millions) | |||
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||
ASSETS | |||
CURRENT ASSETS | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 354 | 406 | |
Accounts receivable, less allowance of | 1,544 | 1,962 | |
Assets held for sale | 8,809 | — | |
Other | 829 | 808 | |
Total current assets | 11,536 | 3,176 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of | 20,895 | 26,338 | |
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS | |||
Goodwill | 15,986 | 18,870 | |
Other intangible assets, net | 6,970 | 8,219 | |
Other, net | 2,606 | 2,791 | |
Total goodwill and other assets | 25,562 | 29,880 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | $ 57,993 | 59,394 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ 1,554 | 2,427 | |
Accounts payable | 758 | 1,134 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | |||
Salaries and benefits | 860 | 1,008 | |
Income and other taxes | 228 | 314 | |
Current operating lease liabilities | 385 | 379 | |
Interest | 278 | 291 | |
Other | 232 | 328 | |
Liabilities held for sale | 2,257 | — | |
Current portion of deferred revenue | 617 | 753 | |
Total current liabilities | 7,169 | 6,634 | |
LONG-TERM DEBT | 27,428 | 29,410 | |
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES | |||
Deferred income taxes, net | 4,049 | 3,342 | |
Benefit plan obligations, net | 3,710 | 4,556 | |
Other | 3,797 | 4,290 | |
Total deferred credits and other liabilities | 11,556 | 12,188 | |
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
Common stock | 1,024 | 1,097 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 18,972 | 20,909 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2,158) | (2,813) | |
Accumulated deficit | (5,998) | (8,031) | |
Total stockholders' equity | 11,840 | 11,162 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ 57,993 | 59,394 | |
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020 | |||
(UNAUDITED) | |||
($ in millions) | |||
Twelve months ended | |||
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||
Net Income | $ 2,033 | (1,232) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,019 | 4,710 | |
Goodwill impairment | — | 2,642 | |
Deferred income taxes | 598 | 366 | |
Provision for uncollectible accounts | 105 | 189 | |
Net (gain) loss on early retirement and modification of debt | (8) | 105 | |
Stock-based compensation | 120 | 175 | |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net | (691) | (663) | |
Retirement benefits | 163 | (111) | |
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net | 283 | 246 | |
Other, net | (121) | 97 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 6,501 | 6,524 | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||
Capital expenditures | (2,900) | (3,729) | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets | 135 | 153 | |
Other, net | 53 | 12 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,712) | (3,564) | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,881 | 4,361 | |
Payments of long-term debt | (3,598) | (7,315) | |
Net (payments of) proceeds from revolving line of credit | 50 | (100) | |
Dividends paid | (1,087) | (1,109) | |
Repurchases of common stock | (1,000) | — | |
Other, net | (53) | (87) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (3,807) | (4,250) | |
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (18) | (1,290) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 427 | 1,717 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ 409 | 427 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 354 | 406 | |
Cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale | 40 | — | |
Restricted cash | 15 | 21 | |
Total | $ 409 | 427 | |
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||||||
OPERATING METRICS | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||
Operating Metrics | |||||||
Mass Markets broadband subscribers | 4,519 | 4,589 | 4,767 | ||||
Mass Markets broadband subscribers are customers that purchase broadband connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables. Our methodology for counting our Mass Markets broadband subscribers includes only those lines that we use to provide services to external customers and excludes lines used solely by us and our affiliates. It also excludes unbundled loops and includes stand-alone Mass Markets broadband subscribers. We count lines when we install the service. Other companies may use different methodologies. | |||||||
Description of Non-GAAP Metrics
Pursuant to Regulation G, the company is hereby providing definitions of non-GAAP financial metrics and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
The following describes and reconciles those financial measures as reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) with those financial measures as adjusted by the items detailed below and presented in the accompanying news release. These calculations are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP. In keeping with its historical financial reporting practices, the company believes that the supplemental presentation of these calculations provides meaningful non-GAAP financial measures to help investors understand and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis.
We use the term Special Items as a non-GAAP measure to describe items that impacted a period's statement of operations for which investors may want to give special consideration due to their magnitude, nature or both. We do not call these items non-recurring because, while some are infrequent, others may recur in future periods.
Adjusted EBITDA ($) is defined as net income (loss) from the Statements of Operations before income tax (expense) benefit, total other income (expense), depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and impairments.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are relevant and useful metrics to provide to investors, as they are an important part of our internal reporting and are key measures used by management to evaluate profitability and operating performance of Lumen and to make resource allocation decisions. Management believes such measures are especially important in a capital-intensive industry such as telecommunications. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (and similarly uses these terms excluding Special Items) to compare our performance to that of our competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure from period to period our ability to fund capital expenditures, fund growth, service debt and determine bonuses. Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash stock compensation expense and impairments because of the non-cash nature of these items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes interest income, interest expense and income taxes, and in our view constitutes an accrual-based measure that has the effect of excluding period-to-period changes in working capital and shows profitability without regard to the effects of capital or tax structure. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the gain (or loss) on extinguishment and modification of debt and net other income (expense), because these items are not related to the primary business operations of Lumen.
There are material limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. Additionally, by excluding the above-listed items, Adjusted EBITDA may exclude items that investors believe are important components of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (either with or without Special Items) should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
Unlevered Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures, plus cash interest paid and less interest income, all as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows or the Statements of Operations. Management believes that Unlevered Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, because it reflects the operational performance of Lumen and, measured over time, enables management and investors to monitor the underlying business' growth pattern and ability to generate cash. Unlevered Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions and debt service and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.
There are material limitations to using Unlevered Cash Flow to measure our cash performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Unlevered Cash Flow to that of some of our competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, currently generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Unlevered Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is an indicator of our ability to generate cash to service our debt. Free Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions, principal repayments, and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.
There are material limitations to using Free Cash Flow to measure our performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Free Cash Flow to that of some of its competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to interest expense, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||||
Non-GAAP Special Items | |||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||
($ in millions) | |||||
Actual QTD | Actual YTD | ||||
Special Items Impacting Adjusted EBITDA | 4Q21 | 4Q20 | 2021 | 2020 | |
Consumer and other litigation | $ (3) | 16 | 16 | 24 | |
Severance | 3 | 89 | 3 | 151 | |
Transaction and separation costs(1) | 19 | — | 37 | — | |
Real estate transactions(2) | — | — | (40) | — | |
Total Special Items impacting Adjusted EBITDA | $ 19 | 105 | 16 | 175 | |
Actual QTD | Actual YTD | ||||
Special Items Impacting Net Income | 4Q21 | 4Q20 | 2021 | 2020 | |
Consumer and other litigation | $ (3) | 16 | 16 | 24 | |
Impairment of goodwill | — | 2,642 | — | 2,642 | |
Loss on sale of business | — | — | — | 8 | |
Loss (gain) on early debt retirement (3) | — | 27 | (8) | 109 | |
Severance | 3 | 89 | 3 | 151 | |
Transaction and separation costs(1) | 19 | — | 37 | — | |
Real estate transactions(2) | — | — | (40) | — | |
Total Special Items impacting Net Income | 19 | 2,774 | 8 | 2,934 | |
Income tax effect of Special Items (4) | (5) | (32) | (2) | (71) | |
Total Special Items impacting Net Income, net of tax | $ 14 | 2,742 | 6 | 2,863 | |
(1) Transaction and separation costs associated with the pending sale of our Latin American business for | |||||
(2) Real estate transactions include the (gain) on sale of real estate, net of other impairment or acceleration of costs associated with our real estate rationalization program. | |||||
(3) Reflects (i) a gain as a result of | |||||
(4) Tax effect calculated using the annualized effective statutory tax rate, excluding any non-recurring discrete items, which was | |||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||||
Non-GAAP Cash Flow Reconciliation | |||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||
($ in millions) | |||||
Actual QTD | Actual YTD | ||||
4Q21 | 4Q20 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,682 | $ 6,501 | 6,524 | ||
Capital expenditures | (848) | (758) | (2,900) | (3,729) | |
Free Cash Flow | 759 | 924 | 3,601 | 2,795 | |
Cash interest paid | 343 | 373 | 1,487 | 1,627 | |
Interest income | (2) | — | (2) | (6) | |
Unlevered Cash Flow | $ 1,297 | $ 5,086 | $ 4,416 | ||
Free Cash Flow | $ 759 | $ 924 | $ 3,601 | $ 2,795 | |
Add back: Severance | 6 | 16 | 70 | 137 | |
Add back: Other Special Items(1) | (3) | 3 | 47 | 47 | |
Add back: Transaction and separation costs(1) | 11 | — | 20 | — | |
Add back: Real estate transactions(1) | 3 | — | 4 | — | |
Free Cash Flow excluding cash Special Items | $ 776 | $ 943 | $ 3,742 | $ 2,979 | |
Unlevered Cash Flow | $ 1,297 | $ 5,086 | $ 4,416 | ||
Add back: Severance | 6 | 16 | 70 | 137 | |
Add back: Other Special Items(1) | (3) | 3 | 47 | 47 | |
Add back: Transaction and separation costs(1) | 11 | — | 20 | — | |
Add back: Real estate transactions(1) | 3 | — | 4 | — | |
Unlevered Cash Flow excluding cash Special Items | $ 1,316 | $ 5,227 | $ 4,600 | ||
(1) Refer to Non-GAAP Special Items table for details of the Special Items impacting cash included above. | |||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA Non-GAAP Reconciliation | |||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||
($ in millions) | |||||
Actual QTD | Actual YTD | ||||
4Q21 | 4Q20 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
Net income | $ 508 | (2,289) | $ 2,033 | (1,232) | |
Income tax expense | 171 | 81 | 668 | 450 | |
Total other expense, net | 482 | 399 | 1,584 | 1,744 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 877 | 1,195 | 4,019 | 4,710 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 31 | 55 | 120 | 175 | |
Goodwill impairment | — | 2,642 | — | 2,642 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 2,069 | 2,083 | $ 8,424 | 8,489 | |
Add back: Severance | $ 3 | 89 | $ 3 | 151 | |
Add back: Other Special Items(1) | (3) | 16 | 16 | 24 | |
Add back: Transaction and separation costs (1) | 19 | — | 37 | — | |
Add back: Real estate transactions(1) | — | — | (40) | — | |
Adjusted EBITDA excluding Special Items | $ 2,088 | 2,188 | $ 8,440 | 8,664 | |
Total revenue | $ 4,847 | 5,125 | 20,712 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 42.7 % | 40.6 % | 42.8 % | 41.0 % | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding Special | 43.1 % | 42.7 % | 42.9 % | 41.8 % | |
(1) Refer to Non-GAAP Special Items table for details of the Special Items included above. | |||||
Outlook
To enhance the information in our outlook with respect to non-GAAP metrics, we are providing a range for certain GAAP measures that are components of the reconciliation of the non-GAAP metrics. The provision of these ranges is in no way meant to indicate that Lumen is explicitly or implicitly providing an outlook on those GAAP components of the reconciliation. In order to reconcile the non-GAAP financial metric to GAAP, Lumen has to use ranges for the GAAP components that arithmetically add up to the non-GAAP financial metric. While Lumen believes that it has used reasonable assumptions in connection with developing the outlook for its non-GAAP financial metrics, it fully expects that the ranges used for the GAAP components will vary from actual results. We will consider our outlook of non-GAAP financial metrics to be accurate if the specific non-GAAP metric is met or exceeded, even if the GAAP components of the reconciliation are different from those provided in an earlier reconciliation.
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | |||
2022 OUTLOOK (1) (2) | |||
(UNAUDITED) | |||
($ in millions) | |||
Adjusted EBITDA Outlook | |||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 | |||
Range | |||
Low | High | ||
Net income | $ 1,095 | 1,575 | |
Income tax expense | 380 | 550 | |
Total other expense | 1,450 | 1,250 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 3,400 | 3,200 | |
Stock-based compensation expenses | 175 | 125 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 6,500 | $ 6,700 | |
Free Cash Flow Outlook | |||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 | |||
Range | |||
Low | High | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 4,800 | 5,200 | |
Capital expenditures | (3,200) | (3,400) | |
Free Cash Flow | $ 1,600 | 1,800 | |
(1) For definitions of non-GAAP metrics and reconciliation to GAAP figures, see the above schedules and our Investor Relations website. |
(2) Outlook measures in this chart (i) exclude the effects of Special Items, future changes in our operating or capital allocation plans, unforeseen changes in regulation, laws or litigation, and other unforeseen events or circumstances impacting our financial performance and (ii) speak only as of Feb. 9, 2022. See "Forward-Looking Statements". |
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SOURCE Lumen Technologies
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