Cox Communications Announces Third Quarter Financial Results for 2001
Exceptional growth in new service subscriptions
Business Wire
Atlanta, GA
NYSE:COX

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2001--Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2001.

"We had a strong third quarter, achieving solid operating cash flow (OCF) growth of 12%, despite weaker advertising sales than forecasted. Advertising sales have been slow all year due to the uncertain economy, but the business disruption caused by the events of the September 11th national tragedies contributed further to this issue," said Jim Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Bundling continues to be a successful strategy for attracting and retaining customers. We now have 956,000 households taking at least two Cox products. We had our highest net-gain in bundled customers this quarter, which is indicative of the increasing popularity of our bundled marketing strategy."

"Run rates and demand for new services in the third quarter of 2001 remained unabated, even in the face of the tragic events that occurred in September. We attribute that partly to a very effective third quarter marketing campaign and to the fact that, even in times of economic uncertainty, our customers receive significant value from Cox services."

Robbins continued: "We now have a total of 2.4 million new-service revenue generating units (RGUs), fueled by the record gain of 322,000 new-service RGUs in the third quarter versus 271,000 and 244,000 new-service RGUs in the first and second quarters of 2001, respectively. Seasonality clearly turned in our favor in the third quarter, as we added 40,000 basic customers versus a loss of 47,000 basic customers in the second quarter of 2001.

Robbins said that although the slower advertising sales and associated impact of September 11th are expected to have a continuing effect on advertising revenues in the fourth quarter, the company expects revenue growth of 14% and OCF growth of 12% for the full year 2001. The OCF guidance does not include undetermined transitional costs related to the restructuring of our high-speed data network pursuant to the bankruptcy of Excite@Home. He added that the company still anticipates strong RGU growth and expects to end the year with over 1.1 million new-service RGU additions, exceeding the previous guidance of 1.0 to 1.1 million additions. He further stated that the company continues to expect basic customer growth of about 1% for the full year 2001.

Historical three months ended September 30, 2001 compared with

historical three months ended September 30, 2000

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2001 were $1,032.0 million, a 14% increase over revenues of $902.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2000. Total residential revenues for the third quarter of 2001 increased 15% to $905.2 million compared to the same period in 2000. Basic customers were 6,206,737, a 0.7% increase over September 30, 2000.

Residential video revenues increased to $762.6 million, a 7% increase over the comparable period in 2000, primarily due to digital customer growth and rate increases implemented in the fourth quarter of 2000 and the first quarter of 2001. Residential data and residential telephony revenues for the third quarter of 2001 doubled to $75.2 million and $55.9 million, respectively, from $36.3 million and $27.7 million, respectively, in 2000 due to customer growth.

Commercial revenues for the third quarter of 2001 increased to $38.2 million from $27.6 million for the comparable period in 2000 due to growth in both high-speed data and telephony customers. Advertising revenues increased slightly to $88.6 million reflecting a slight increase in national advertising sales, which is offset by a general economic slowdown affecting local and national advertising spending.

Programming costs were $242.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2001, an increase of 12% over the same period in 2000 due to programming rate increases implemented in October 2000 and January 2001, digital customer growth and channel additions. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2001 increased 19% to $393.4 million due primarily to increased employee headcount, a national marketing campaign that occured in the third quarter of 2001, and other costs associated with the continued rollout of residential and commercial digital video, high-speed data and telephony services, partially offset by a revised cost component factor used to capitalize indirect costs relating to network construction activity.

Operating cash flow increased 12% to $396.3 million for the third quarter of 2001. The operating cash flow margin (operating cash flow as a percentage of revenues) for the current quarter was 38.4%, a decrease from 39.2% for the third quarter of 2000.

Depreciation and amortization increased to $368.6 million from $319.3 million in the third quarter of 2000 due to Cox continuing to invest significantly in its broadband network in order to deliver additional programming and services. Interest expense increased slightly to $136.3 million primarily due to the issuance of notes and debentures in the fourth quarter of 2000 and the first quarter of 2001.

Income related to indexed debt of $249.9 million for the third quarter of 2000 represents the net change in the contingent settlement amount of the exchangeable subordinated debentures which are indexed to the market value of the underlying Sprint PCS common stock. Upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, on January 1, 2001 income or expense related to indexed debt is classified as a component of loss on derivative instruments, net. For the three months ended September 30, 2001, Cox recorded a $90.3 million pre-tax loss on derivative instruments due to a decrease of approximately $61.8 million in the fair value of certain derivative instruments embedded in the exchangeable subordinated debentures issued by Cox and a decrease of approximately $28.5 million in the fair value of certain derivative instruments associated with Cox's investments.

Net gain on investments of $470.1 million is primarily due to a $436.1 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of Cox's interests in Outdoor Life, Speedvision and Cable Network Services to Fox Sports, and a $41.7 million pre-tax gain as a result of the change in market value of Cox's investment in Sprint PCS common stock - Series 2 classified as trading.

Included in net gain on investments for the comparable period in 2000 are pre-tax gains related to the sale of 4.6 million shares of Sprint PCS - Series 2 and the transaction whereby Cox received a right to put its Excite@Home shares to AT&T.

Minority interest of $14.0 million primarily represents distributions on Cox's obligated capital and preferred securities of subsidiary trusts, referred to as FELINE PRIDES and RHINOS. Net income for the current quarter was $143.0 million, as compared to net income of $838.1 million for the third quarter of 2000.

Historical nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared with pro

forma nine months ended September 30, 2000

The pro forma operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 give effect to the following transactions as though they had occurred on January 1, 2000:

  • the January 2000 acquisition of cable systems from Multimedia Cablevision, Inc., a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc.; and

     

  • the March 2000 acquisition of cable subsidiaries from AT&T Corp. serving customers in Oklahoma and Louisiana, which also included the acquisition of Peak Cablevision, LLC and the remaining 20% ownership interest in a partnership in which Cox initially acquired an 80% interest through the TCA Cable TV, Inc. merger in August 1999.

 

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 were $2,981.7 million, a 13% increase over revenues of $2,627.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000. Operating cash flow increased 12% to $1,136.5 million for the first nine months of 2001. Depreciation and amortization increased to $1,076.6 million from $905.6 million for the comparable period in 2000 due to Cox continuing to invest significantly in its broadband network in order to deliver additional programming and services. Interest expense increased to $433.4 million primarily due to the issuance of notes and debentures in the fourth quarter of 2000 and first quarter of 2001.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, Cox recorded a $347.9 million pre-tax loss on derivative instruments due to a decrease of approximately $346.5 million in the fair value of certain derivative instruments embedded in the exchangeable subordinated debentures issued by Cox and a decrease of approximately $1.4 million in the fair value of certain derivative instruments associated with Cox's investments.

Net gain on investments of $1,079.8 million is primarily due to the following:

  • $239.3 million pre-tax gain associated with a one-time reclassification of 19.5 million shares of Cox's investment in Sprint PCS common stock - Series 2 from available-for-sale securities to trading securities upon adoption of SFAS No. 133;

     

  • $114.1 million pre-tax gain on these shares as a result of the change in market value of Sprint PCS common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2001;

     

  • $307.4 million pre-tax gain associated with the satisfaction of Cox's Excite@Home right;

     

  • $72.4 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of 4.2 million shares of Sprint PCS common stock - Series 2; and

     

  • $436.1 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of Cox's interests in Outdoor Life, Speedvision and Cable Network Services to Fox Sports;

     

  • partially offset by a $50.9 million decline in the fair value of certain other investments considered to be other than temporary.

 

Included in net gain on investments for the comparable period in 2000 are pre-tax gains related to the sale of 23.9 million shares of Sprint PCS common stock - Series 2, the sale of Cox's entire equity interest in Flextech plc and the transaction whereby Cox received a right to put its Excite@Home shares to AT&T.

Minority interest of $45.1 million primarily represents distributions on the FELINE PRIDES and RHINOS. On January 1, 2001, Cox adopted SFAS No. 133, as amended, resulting in an after-tax cumulative effect of change in accounting principle which increased earnings by $717.1 million and reduced accumulated other comprehensive income by $194.0 million. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was $860.2 million, as compared to net income of $1,225.0 million for the comparable period in 2000.

INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Significant investing and financing transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 consisted of the following:

  • a series of prepaid forward contracts with maturity dates between 2004 and 2006 to sell up to 19.5 million shares of Cox's Sprint PCS common stock for net proceeds of approximately $389.4 million;

     

  • the issuances of convertible senior notes, which are convertible into shares of Cox's Class A common stock or, at Cox's option, cash and mature in February 2021, and 6.75% senior notes, which mature in March 2011, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $1.0 billion;

     

  • the sale of 4.2 million shares of Sprint PCS common stock - Series 2 for proceeds of approximately $106.8 million;

     

  • the sale of 25.0 million shares of AT&T common stock for proceeds of approximately $525.5 million;

     

  • the sale of Cox's interests in Outdoor Life, Speedvision and Cable Network Services to Fox Sports for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $439.7 million; and

     

  • the sale of 5.0 million shares of AT&T Wireless stock for proceeds of approximately $83.1 million.

 

In March 2001, Cox exercised its right to put its interests in Outdoor Life Network and Speedvision Network to Fox/Liberty. In July 2001, Cox completed the sale of its equity interests in Outdoor Life, Speedvision and Cable Network Services to Fox Sports for an aggregate cash purchase price of $439.7 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $436.1 million.

All Sprint PCS share information reflects a two-for-one stock dividend paid by Sprint in February 2000. AT&T Wireless share information reflects the redemption and exchange of AT&T Wireless Group tracking stock for AT&T Wireless common stock as part of the AT&T Wireless split off from AT&T Corp. in July 2001.

Cox Communications, a Fortune 500 company, serves approximately 6.2 million customers nationwide, making it the nation's fifth largest cable company. As a full-service provider of telecommunications products, Cox offers an array of services: Cox Cable; local and long distance telephone services under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox@Home, Road Runner and Cox Express; advanced digital video programming services under the Cox Digital Cable brand; and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Cox is an investor in telecommunications companies including Sprint PCS and Excite@Home, as well as programming networks including Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com.

Statements in this release, including statements relating to growth opportunities, revenue and cash flow projections, and introduction of new products and services, are "forward-looking" statements, which are statements that relate to Cox's future plans, earnings, objectives, expectations, performance, and similar projections, as well as any facts or assumptions underlying these statements or projections. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements, due to various risks, uncertainties or other factors. These factors include competition within the broadband communications industry, our ability to achieve anticipated subscriber and revenue growth, our success in implementing new services and other operating initiatives, our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations and finance operations, and other risk factors described from time to time in Cox's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Cox's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. Cox assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

As a reminder, the Cox Communications earnings call will be held Thursday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Cox Communications website at www.cox.com/investor. A recording of the conference call will remain on the company's website for two weeks following the conclusion of the call.

 

                       Cox Communications, Inc.
    Consolidated Historical and Pro Forma Statements of Operations
                              (Unaudited)

           (Thousands of Dollars, excluding per share data)

                        Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                          September 30               September 30
                      ----------------------    ----------------------
                                                      Pro Forma (a)
                      2001     2000   Change     2001     2000   Change
                      ----     ----   ------     ----     ----   ------
Revenues
 Residential
   Video          $762,573   $709,774    7% $2,258,227 $2,102,041    7%
   Data             75,169     36,298  107%    194,043     94,111  106%
   Telephony        55,949     27,718  102%    143,935     72,010  100%
   Other            11,496     13,974  (18%)    36,179     41,570  (13%)
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
      Total 
       residential 
       revenues    905,187    787,764   15%  2,632,384  2,309,732   14%
   Commercial       38,155     27,623   38%    104,027     68,607   52%
   Advertising      88,628     86,825    2%    245,301    249,104   (2%)
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
      Total 
       revenues  1,031,970    902,212   14%  2,981,712  2,627,443   13%
Costs and expenses
   Programming 
    costs          242,296    216,810   12%    721,713    648,658   11%
   Selling, 
    general and 
    administrative 393,415    331,302   19%  1,123,494    962,124   17%
                  --------   --------  ----  ---------  ---------  ---- 
     Total costs 
      and expenses 635,711    548,112   16%  1,845,207  1,610,782   15%
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Operating cash 
 flow              396,259    354,100   12%  1,136,505  1,016,661   12%
   Depreciation    281,724    227,358   24%    811,365    629,146   29%
   Amortization     86,905     91,977   (6%)   265,251    276,438   (4%)
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Operating income    27,630     34,765  (21%)    59,889    111,077  (46%)
Interest expense  (136,347)  (136,167)   -    (433,358)  (404,678)   7%
Income related to 
 indexed debt            -    249,886 (100%)         -          -    -
Loss on derivative 
 instruments, net  (90,312)         -    -    (347,890)         -    -
Equity in net 
 losses of affiliated
 companies            (528)      (650) (19%)   (12,245)    (6,538)  87%
Gain on investments, 
 net               470,084  1,246,434  (62%) 1,079,813  2,414,093  (55%)
Dividend income        415        415    -       1,245      1,245    -
Other, net          (2,109)    (4,701) (55%)    (4,867)    (5,152)   6%
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Income before 
 income taxes, 
 minority interest 
 and cumulative 
 effect of change in 
 accounting 
 principle         268,833  1,389,982  (81%)   342,587  2,110,047  (84%)
Income tax expense 111,849    534,796  (79%)   154,325    832,348  (81%)
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Income before 
 minority interest 
 and cumulative 
 effect of change in 
 accounting 
 principle         156,984    855,186  (82%)   188,262  1,277,699  (85%)
Minority interest, 
 net of tax        (14,021)   (17,040) (18%)   (45,114)   (52,713) (14%)
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Income before 
 cumulative effect 
 of change in 
 accounting 
 principle         142,963    838,146  (83%)   143,148  1,224,986  (88%)
Cumulative effect 
 of change in 
 accounting
 principle, net of tax   -          -    -     717,090          -    -
                  --------   --------  ----   --------   --------  ---- 
Net income        $142,963   $838,146  (83%)  $860,238 $1,224,986  (30%)
                  ========   ========  ====   ========   ========  ==== 
Historical and pro 
 forma basic net 
 income per share    $0.24      $1.39            $1.43      $2.03
Historical and pro 
 forma diluted net 
 income per share     0.23       1.37             1.41       1.99

(a) The pro forma operating results for the nine months ended
    September 30, 2000 give effect to both the Multimedia and AT&T
    transactions as though they had occurred on January 1, 2000. The
    pro forma operating results exclude the March 2000 pre-tax gain of
    $775.9 million recognized in connection with the AT&T transaction.

NOTE: Certain amounts in the 2000 financial statements have been
    reclassified for comparison purposes.

                        Cox Communications, Inc.
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              (Unaudited)
                        (Thousands of Dollars)


                                        September 30       December 31
                                            2001              2000
                                        ------------       -----------
Assets
Cash                                         $92,592           $78,442
Accounts and notes receivable, 
 less allowance for doubtful 
 accounts of $31,611 and $25,636             387,711           358,348
Net plant and equipment                    6,823,919         5,916,425
Investments                                3,998,321         3,896,412
Intangible assets                         13,614,445        13,951,246
Amounts due from Cox Enterprises, Inc.             -             5,808
Other assets                                 345,268           514,143
                                         -----------       -----------
     Total assets                        $25,262,256       $24,720,824
                                         ===========       ===========
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses       $641,128          $714,191
Deferred income taxes                      4,550,330         4,592,655
Other liabilities                            921,933           372,085
Debt                                       7,846,591         8,543,762
Amounts due to Cox Enterprises, Inc.          32,871                 -
                                         -----------       -----------
     Total liabilities                    13,992,853        14,222,693
                                         -----------       -----------
Minority interest in equity of 
 consolidated subsidiaries                   131,901           126,447
Cox-obligated capital and preferred 
 securities of subsidiary trusts           1,155,927         1,155,411

Shareholders' equity
  Series A preferred stock -  
   liquidation preference of $22.1375 per
   share, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares 
   authorized; shares issued and 
   outstanding:  4,836,372                     4,836             4,836
  Class A common stock, $1 par value; 
   671,000,000 shares authorized; 
   shares issued: 578,350,765 and 
   577,725,528; shares outstanding:  
   572,852,365 and 572,227,128               578,351           577,726
  Class C common stock, $1 par value; 
   62,000,000 shares authorized; shares 
   issued and outstanding:  27,597,792        27,598            27,598
  Additional paid-in capital               3,888,775         3,872,726
  Retained earnings                        5,017,698         4,157,460
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     676,206           787,816
  Class A common stock in treasury, 
   at cost: 5,498,400 shares                (211,889)         (211,889)
                                         -----------       -----------
     Total shareholders' equity            9,981,575         9,216,273
                                         -----------       -----------
     Total liabilities and shareholders' 
      equity                             $25,262,256       $24,720,824
                                         ===========       ===========

                       Cox Communications, Inc.
                    Summary of Operating Statistics

Core Video
----------                  September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Revenue Generating Units
Basic Customers                6,163,173      6,166,614      6,206,737
New Services                   1,287,568      2,083,884      2,406,327
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Total Revenue Generating Units 7,450,741      8,250,498      8,613,064
Homes Passed                   9,734,068      9,866,948      9,936,499
Basic Penetration                   63.3%          62.5%          62.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cox Digital Cable
-----------------           September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Digital Cable Ready Homes 
 Passed                        6,367,715      8,590,488      8,996,975
Customers                        683,076      1,071,322      1,228,015
Penetration                         10.7%          12.5%          13.6%
Average Weekly Run Rate            9,470          8,524         12,053
----------------------------------------------------------------------

High-Speed Internet Access
--------------------------  September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
High-Speed Internet Access 
 Ready
  Homes Passed                 5,944,937      8,384,737      8,738,507
Customers                        398,816        668,038        779,499
Penetration                          6.7%           8.0%           8.9%
Average Weekly Run Rate            6,036          6,221          8,574
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cox Digital Telephone
---------------------       September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Telephony Ready Homes Passed   2,101,422      2,816,649      3,142,393
Customers                        205,676        344,524        398,813
Penetration                          9.8%          12.2%          12.7%
Average Weekly Run Rate            3,007          4,023          4,176
Lines                            288,711        456,084        518,922
Lines Per Customer                  1.40           1.32           1.30
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cox Business Services
---------------------       September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Voice Grade Equivalent Circuits  956,027      1,375,701      1,509,488
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Operating Statistics
--------------------------  September 30     June 30      September 30
                               2000            2001           2001
                            ------------   ------------   ------------
Operating Cash Flow Margins
 (for the quarter ended)            39.2%          38.1%          38.4%

Capital Expenditures 
 (for the quarter ended)       $ 591,647      $ 536,744      $ 540,473

 

CONTACT: Cox Communications, Atlanta
  Analysts and Investors
  Frank Loomans, 404/843-5377
  or
  Media
  Laura Oberhelman, 404/269-7562

 

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