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ITTI(TDS) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-11 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed the sale of U.S. Cellular wireless business and certain spectrum assets to T-Mobile for $4.3 billion, which strengthens the balance sheets of both Array and TDS [5][12] - TDS's debt was reduced to approximately $364 million post-transaction, with $1.7 billion in debt assumed by T-Mobile [12] - A special dividend of $23 per share was declared, with TDS expected to receive approximately $1.63 billion [13] - The average cost of debt for TDS is projected to decrease to just over 6% after redeeming $1.1 billion in debt [13] - S&P raised TDS's credit rating to BBB- from BB, reflecting a strong balance sheet and growth outlook [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Array's tower business has approximately 4,400 towers and is expected to grow colocations and margins due to increasing demand for data services [6][8] - Third-party tower revenues increased by 12%, and the number of third-party colocations rose by 6% year-over-year [26] - Fiber service addresses grew by 19% year-over-year, with 10,300 net additions in the quarter [35][41] - Total operating revenues decreased by 1% year-over-year, but excluding divestitures, revenue increased by 1% [43] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on expanding its fiber footprint, targeting 1.8 million marketable fiber service addresses, with 968,000 addresses at the end of the quarter [36] - The company aims for 80% of total addresses to be served by fiber, currently at 53% [37] - Demand for higher broadband speeds is increasing, with 83% of residential broadband customers taking 100 meg or higher [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on its tower and fiber businesses, with plans to optimize ground leases and drive revenue growth through new colocations [24][26] - A capital allocation strategy is being developed, focusing on fiber investments, M&A opportunities, and shareholder returns [16][17] - The company aims to maintain a conservative balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities in fiber and tower businesses [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the target of 150,000 new fiber addresses for the year, with significant growth expected in the second half [34][59] - The company is optimistic about the competitive landscape in its expansion markets, which were selected for their favorable characteristics [77] - Management acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from a wireless service provider to an independent tower company, with expected wind-down costs impacting profitability in the near term [30] Other Important Information - The company is working to monetize remaining spectrum assets, with agreements to monetize approximately 70% of Array's total spectrum holdings [21] - The new master license agreement with T-Mobile is expected to significantly strengthen the tower business, with commitments for colocations [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on TDS Telecom's fiber expansion - Management is excited about the opportunities for fiber expansion and expects to share more details in upcoming quarters [54] Question: Long-term leverage stabilization for TDS Telecom - TDS Telecom is expected to maintain leverage below 1.5 times while evaluating opportunities [56] Question: Access to construction resources for fiber expansion - Management is confident in meeting the 150,000 service address goal, with ramping construction efforts [59] Question: Cohort analysis for fiber penetration - Management plans to share cohort analysis soon, expecting 25-30% penetration by month 12 in new markets [63] Question: Update on mobile launch and pricing strategy - TDS Mobile was launched in select markets, with aggressive pricing strategies being tested [86][88] Question: M&A opportunities focus - The company is considering fiber opportunities that synergize with existing properties [89]
DOJ ends probe into T-Mobile's $4.4 billion merger 2 days after the company committed to end DEI policies
Business Insider· 2025-07-11 15:24
Core Viewpoint - T-Mobile is experiencing reduced regulatory scrutiny following its commitment to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, coinciding with the closure of an antitrust investigation into its proposed $4.4 billion merger with UScellular [1][2][5] Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The Justice Department announced the closure of its antitrust probe into T-Mobile's merger with UScellular, indicating no intervention in the proposed deal [1][5] - T-Mobile's decision to end DEI policies aligns with a broader trend among companies since the reelection of President Donald Trump [2] - The company is also seeking approval for an additional acquisition of the internet service provider Metronet [3] Group 2: Industry Concerns - Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater expressed concerns regarding ongoing consolidation in the wireless services industry, particularly the potential hindrance to the emergence of a fourth national player [4] - The Department of Justice evaluated the potential harm to competition and consumer effects, concluding that the benefits of the transaction outweighed the potential harms [5]
AT&T & Charter: Which Stock is a Smart Investment Right Now?
ZACKS· 2025-06-17 18:10
Core Insights - AT&T and Charter Communications are significant players in the fiber broadband industry, with AT&T being a major wireless service provider and Charter being the second-largest cable operator in the U.S. [1][2] Group 1: AT&T Overview - AT&T is experiencing growing demand in its fiber network business, adding 261,000 fiber customers in Q1 2025 and reaching 30 million locations across the U.S. [4][10] - The company is acquiring Lumen's Mass Markets fiber Internet business for $5.75 billion, which will enhance its fiber expansion capabilities and customer base [5][6] - AT&T's postpaid wireless business is performing well, with 324,000 new postpaid phone additions and a churn rate of 0.83% in Q1 2025 [7] Group 2: Charter Overview - Charter serves approximately 30.1 million customers and is investing $7 billion to extend fiber to 1.7 million rural locations, aiming for multi-gig speeds [2][12] - The company added 514,000 mobile lines in Q1 2025, bringing its total to 10.4 million, and is enhancing its network to offer symmetrical and multi-gig speeds [13] - Charter's current ratio is 0.36, indicating potential liquidity challenges, while its debt-to-cap ratio stands at 82.2% [14] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Both companies face stiff competition in the fiber network market, particularly from Verizon and each other [8][14] - AT&T's wireline division is struggling with losses due to competition from VoIP providers and aggressive offerings from cable companies [8] - Charter's merger with Cox is expected to strengthen its competitive position in mobile and broadband communications [13] Group 4: Financial Performance and Estimates - Charter's EPS is forecasted to grow by 13.07%, while AT&T's EPS is expected to decline by 8.41% [10][15] - Over the past year, AT&T's stock has gained 54.6%, while Charter's has returned 36.1% [18] - Charter's shares trade at a lower price/earnings ratio of 8.97 compared to AT&T's 13.02, making it more attractive from a valuation standpoint [18] Group 5: Investment Outlook - Charter has shown steady revenue growth, while AT&T faces challenges with declining wireline customers and competition [22] - Charter's aggressive fiber expansion strategy and favorable valuation metrics position it as a potentially better investment option [22]
Zillow's Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
ZACKS· 2025-05-08 17:30
Core Insights - Zillow Group, Inc. reported mixed first-quarter 2025 results, with net income missing estimates but revenue exceeding expectations, showing year-over-year growth [1][3][4] Financial Performance - Net income on a GAAP basis was $8 million (3 cents per share), recovering from a net loss of $23 million (10 cents per share) in the prior-year quarter [3] - Non-GAAP net income improved to $105 million (41 cents per share) from $93 million (36 cents) year-over-year, although it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents [3] - Quarterly revenues increased to $598 million from $529 million in the previous year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $589 million [4] - Residential revenues rose 6% to $417 million, driven by growth in Premier Agent offerings and other services [4] - The Mortgages segment generated $41 million in revenues, up from $31 million, with a 32% increase in purchase loan origination [5] - Rental revenues surged 33% to $129 million, primarily due to a 47% growth in multifamily revenues [5] Operational Metrics - Gross profit for the quarter was $459 million, compared to $406 million in the prior-year quarter, attributed to revenue growth across all segments [6] - Operating expenses increased to $468 million from $451 million year-over-year [6] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $153 million from $125 million, supported by higher revenues and cost discipline [6] Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash generated from operating activities was $104 million, up from $80 million in the prior-year quarter [7] - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $914 million in cash and cash equivalents, with $37 million in other long-term liabilities [7] Future Outlook - For Q2 2025, Zillow expects total revenues between $635 million and $650 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $140 million to $155 million [8] - The company anticipates approximately 30% year-over-year growth in Mortgages revenues, mid-single-digit growth in residential revenues, and 35% growth in rental revenues [8] - For the full year 2025, Zillow expects low to mid-teens revenue growth and positive GAAP net income [9]
T-Mobile's Q1 Earnings Beat on Solid Demand for Postpaid Services
ZACKS· 2025-04-30 15:35
Core Insights - T-Mobile US, Inc. reported better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2025 results with non-GAAP earnings of $2.58 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.13. Revenues increased by 6.6% year over year to $20.88 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.57 billion [1] Segment Performance - Total postpaid revenues rose by 7.6% year over year to $13.59 billion, exceeding the estimate of $13.54 billion. The company achieved its strongest first-quarter postpaid net addition with 1.3 million net customer additions, an increase of 117,000 year over year [2] - The majority of new customers are opting for premium plans, leading to a 4% year-over-year growth in Postpaid average revenues per account, marking the best first-quarter growth in eight years [3] - In 5G broadband, T-Mobile added 424,000 net high-speed Internet customers with record-low churn, supported by updated pricing plans and a focus on network slicing and advanced 5G infrastructure [4] Financial Position - T-Mobile generated $6.84 billion in cash from operating activities, up from $5.08 billion in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted free cash flow was reported at $4.39 billion, indicating strong operational efficiency [7] - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $12 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with long-term debt of $76 billion, an increase from $72.7 billion at the end of the previous quarter [8] Share Buyback and Guidance - During the March quarter, T-Mobile repurchased 10.1 million shares for approximately $2.5 billion, with $10.5 billion remaining under its 2025 buyback program [9] - For 2025, T-Mobile expects postpaid net customer additions between 5.5-6 million and has raised its growth expectation for postpaid ARPA to 3.5% for the full year [9][10]