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Comcast Reports 1st Quarter 2014 Results
[April 22, 2014]

Comcast Reports 1st Quarter 2014 Results


PHILADELPHIA --(Business Wire)--

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, said, "Our operating momentum is continuing as we enter 2014 and is highlighted by our second consecutive quarter of video customer growth, as well as strength in high-speed Internet and business services. Our focus on the customer experience continues to drive our success as we deliver the most innovative products in the industry and make measurable progress in customer service. At NBCUniversal, we had another superb quarter with double-digit revenue and operating cash flow growth driven by the tremendously successful Sochi Olympics and the best season-to-date broadcast ratings in a decade. Overall, the company is performing well and the more planning we do for our proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, the more excited we are by the opportunities for the combined company. Comcast has tremendous momentum right now, and we believe the TWC transaction will strengthen a truly world-class organization that will be well positioned to compete and yield meaningful benefits to our customers, employees, and shareholders."





 

Consolidated Financial Results

      1st Quarter
($ in millions)         2013   2014   Growth
Revenue   $15,310   $17,408   13.7%
Excluding Olympics         $15,310   $16,305   6.5%
Operating Cash Flow1 $5,034 $5,538 10.0%
Excluding TWC Transaction Costs         $5,034   $5,555   10.4%
Operating Income         $3,067   $3,568   16.3%
Earnings per Share2 $0.54 $0.71 31.5%
Excluding Adjustments (see Table 4)         $0.51   $0.68   33.3%
Free Cash Flow3 $3,138 $2,824 (10.0%)
 

For additional detail on segment revenue and expenses, customer metrics, capital expenditures, and free cash flow, please refer to the trending schedules on Comcast's Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com.

Consolidated Revenue for the first quarter of 2014 increased 13.7% to $17.4 billion. Excluding $1.1 billion of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics, consolidated revenue increased 6.5%. Consolidated Operating Cash Flow increased 10.0% to $5.5 billion. Excluding $17 million of costs related to the Time Warner Cable transaction in the first quarter of 2014, consolidated operating cash flow increased 10.4% (See Table 5). Consolidated Operating Income increased 16.3% to $3.6 billion.

Earnings per Share (EPS) for the first quarter of 2014 was $0.71, a 31.5% increase from the $0.54 reported in the first quarter of 2013. Excluding gains on the sale of an investment and a favorable resolution of a prior acquisition contingency in the first quarter of 2014, as well as a gain on the sale of wireless spectrum licenses in the first quarter of 2013, EPS increased 33.3% to $0.68 (see Table 4).

Capital Expenditures increased 6.4% to $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. Cable Communications' capital expenditures increased $51 million, or 4.6%, to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2014, primarily reflecting increased spending on customer premise equipment related to the deployment of the X1 platform and wireless gateways. Cable capital expenditures represented 10.6% of Cable revenue in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 10.7% in last year's first quarter. NBCUniversal's capital expenditures increased $28 million to $291 million in the first quarter of 2014, primarily reflecting increased investments in Theme Parks and facilities.

Free Cash Flow decreased 10.0% to $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting increased working capital, mainly driven by the Olympics and higher film and TV production spend, capital expenditures and cash taxes on operating items, partially offset by growth in consolidated operating cash flow.

 
1st Quarter
($ in millions)   2013   2014   Growth
Operating Cash Flow   $5,034   $5,538   10.0%
Capital Expenditures   (1,361)   (1,448)   6.4%
Cash Paid for Capitalized Software and Other Intangible Assets   (182)   (217)   19.2%
Cash Interest Expense   (617)   (623)   1.0%
Cash Taxes on Operating Items   (194)   (268)   38.1%
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities   369   (267)   NM
Noncash Share-Based Compensation   102   119   16.7%

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests and Dividends for Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock

 

(49)

 

(66)

 

34.7%

Other   36   56   55.6%

Free Cash Flow3

$3,138   $2,824   (10.0%)
NM=comparison not meaningful.
 

Dividends and Share Repurchases. During the first quarter of 2014, Comcast paid dividends totaling $508 million and repurchased 15.0 million of its common shares for $750 million. As of March 31, 2014, Comcast had approximately $6.75 billion available under its share repurchase authorization.

 

Cable Communications

  1st Quarter
($ in millions)   2013   2014   Growth
Cable Communications Revenue            
Video   $5,113   $5,178   1.3%
High-Speed Internet   2,523   2,750   9.0%
Voice   900   920   2.1%
Business Services   741   917   23.9%
Advertising   488   519   6.2%
Other   452   473   4.8%
Cable Communications Revenue $10,217   $10,757   5.3%
             
Cable Communications Operating Cash Flow   $4,219   $4,400   4.3%
Operating Cash Flow Margin 41.3% 40.9%
             
Cable Communications Capital Expenditures   $1,094   $1,145   4.6%
Percent of Cable Communications Revenue   10.7%   10.6%    
 

Revenue for Cable Communications increased 5.3% to $10.8 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $10.2 billion in the first quarter of 2013, driven by increases of 9.0% in high-speed Internet and 23.9% in business services. The increase in Cable revenue reflects rate adjustments, customers receiving higher levels of services and customer growth (see below).

Customer relationships increased by 124,000 to 26.8 million in the first quarter of 2014. At the end of the first quarter, penetration of our triple product customers increased to 36% compared to 33% in the first quarter of 2013. In addition, video, high-speed Internet and voice customers increased.

   
Customers Net Adds

Billable Customers Method4 (in thousands)

  1Q13   1Q14   1Q13   1Q14
Video Customers   22,819   22,601   (25)   24
High-Speed Internet Customers   19,799   21,068   433   383
Voice Customers   10,166   10,865   211   142
                 
Single Product Customers   9,206   8,605       (147)
Double Product Customers   8,568   8,656       116
Triple Product Customers   8,821   9,539       155
Customer Relationships 26,596   26,800   124
 

Operating Cash Flow for Cable Communications increased 4.3% to $4.4 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 6.0% increase in operating expenses primarily related to higher video programming costs. This quarter's operating cash flow margin was 40.9%, compared to 41.3% in the prior year period.

 

NBCUniversal

  1st Quarter
     

Excluding

($ in millions)

  2013   2014   Growth  

Olympics

NBCUniversal Revenue                
Cable Networks   $2,225   $2,505   12.6%   1.0%
Broadcast Television   1,517   2,621   72.8%   17.0%
Filmed Entertainment   1,216   1,351   11.1%    
Theme Parks   462   487   5.4%    
Headquarters, Other and Eliminations   (80)   (88)   NM    
NBCUniversal Revenue $5,340 $6,876 28.8% 8.1%
                 
NBCUniversal Operating Cash Flow                
Cable Networks   $859   $895   4.2%    
Broadcast Television   (35)   122   NM    
Filmed Entertainment   69   288   NM    
Theme Parks   173   170   (1.5%)    
Headquarters, Other and Eliminations   (113)   (164)   NM    
NBCUniversal Operating Cash Flow $953 $1,311 37.6%
 

Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 28.8% to $6.9 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $5.3 billion in the first quarter of 2013, primarily driven by 2014 Sochi Olympics revenue of $1.1 billion included in the Broadcast Television and Cable Networks segments. Excluding the Olympics, NBCUniversal revenue increased 8.1% (see Table 5). Operating Cash Flow increased 37.6% to $1.3 billion compared to $953 million in the first quarter of 2013, driven by a profitable Olympics and strong results at Filmed Entertainment and Broadcast Television.

Cable Networks

For the first quarter of 2014, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 12.6% to $2.5 billion compared to $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2013 and included $257 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Excluding the Olympics, revenue increased 1.0% reflecting a 4.4% increase in distribution revenue, partially offset by a 1.4% decrease in advertising revenue (See Table 5). Operating cash flow increased 4.2% to $895 million compared to $859 million in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by higher sports programming costs, including the impact of the Olympics, and our continued investment in original programming.

Broadcast Television

For the first quarter of 2014, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased 72.8% to $2.6 billion compared to $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2013 and included $846 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Excluding the Olympics, revenue increased 17.0%, driven by a 15.8% increase in advertising revenue due to strong ratings at the NBC broadcast network, as well as an increase in content licensing revenue and higher retransmission consent fees (see Table 5). Operating cash flow increased $157 million to $122 million compared to a loss of $35 million in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by higher programming and production costs related to the Olympics.

Filmed Entertainment

For the first quarter of 2014, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 11.1% to $1.4 billion compared to $1.2 billion the first quarter of 2013, driven by higher theatrical revenue from the strong performances of Ride Along and Lone Survivor and the international performance of The Wolf of Wall Street. Operating cash flow increased $219 million to $288 million compared to $69 million in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher revenue and a decrease in the amortization of film costs.

Theme Parks

For the first quarter of 2014, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 5.4% to $487 million compared to $462 million in the first quarter of 2013, driven by higher per capita spending at the Orlando and Hollywood theme parks and stable guest attendance, despite a shift in holiday timing. First quarter operating cash flow decreased 1.5% to $170 million compared to $173 million in same period last year, primarily reflecting increased operating costs to support new attractions.

Headquarters, Other and Eliminations

NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations include overhead and eliminations among the NBCUniversal businesses. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations operating cash flow loss was $164 million compared to a loss of $113 million in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher employee costs.

Corporate, Other and Eliminations

Corporate, Other and Eliminations primarily include corporate operations, Comcast-Spectacor and eliminations among Comcast's businesses. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, Corporate, Other and Eliminations revenue was ($225) million compared to ($247) million in 2013. The operating cash flow loss was $173 million, including $17 million of costs related to the Time Warner Cable transaction, compared to a loss of $138 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Notes:

1   We define Operating Cash Flow as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, excluding impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of assets, if any.
 
2 Earnings per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
 
3

We define Free Cash Flow as Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (as stated in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows) reduced by capital expenditures, cash paid for intangible assets and cash distributions to noncontrolling interests; and adjusted for any payments and receipts related to certain nonoperating items, net of estimated tax benefits. The definition of Free Cash Flow excludes any impact from Economic Stimulus packages. These amounts have been excluded from Free Cash Flow to provide an appropriate comparison.

 
4 Beginning in 2014, our Cable Communications segment revised its methodology for counting customers related to how we count and report customers who reside in multiple dwelling units ("MDUs") that are billed under bulk contracts (the "Billable Customers Method"). For MDUs whose residents have the ability to receive additional cable services, such as additional programming choices or our HD or DVR services, we now count and report customers based on the number of potential billable relationships within each MDU. For MDUs whose residents are not able to receive additional cable services, the MDU is now counted as a single customer. Previously, we had counted and reported these customers on an equivalent billing unit basis by dividing monthly revenue received under an MDU's bulk contract by the standard monthly residential rate where the MDU was located (the "EBU Method"). Video customer metrics for 2013 are now presented on the Billable Customers Method to provide an appropriate comparison. For high-speed Internet and voice customers, the differences in the customer metrics using the Billable Customers Method and the EBU Method were not material and 2013 data has not been adjusted.
 
All percentages are calculated on whole numbers. Minor differences may exist due to rounding.
 

Conference Call and Other Information

Comcast Corporation will host a conference call with the financial community today, April 22, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The conference call and related materials will be broadcast live and posted on its Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com. Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (800) 263-8495 with the conference ID number 10792182. A replay of the call will be available starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on April 22, 2014, on the Investor Relations website or by telephone. To access the telephone replay, which will be available until Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at midnight ET, please dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the conference ID number 10792182.

From time to time, we post information that may be of interest to investors on our website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com and on our corporate blog, www.corporate.comcast.com/comcast-voices. To automatically receive Comcast financial news by email, please visit www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com and subscribe to email alerts.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to Comcast's periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a description of such risks and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Certain of these measures are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under the SEC regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Comcast's Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates 30 news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

   
TABLE 1
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)        
 
 
Three Months Ended
(in millions, except per share data) March 31,
2013 2014
Revenue $15,310 $17,408
 
Programming and production 4,663 5,908
Other operating and administrative 4,466 4,752
Advertising, marketing and promotion 1,147   1,210  
10,276   11,870  
 
Operating cash flow 5,034 5,538
 
Depreciation expense 1,566 1,569
Amortization expense 401   401  
1,967   1,970  
Operating income 3,067 3,568
 
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (653 ) (642 )
Investment income (loss), net 72 113
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net 11 32
Other income (expense), net 73   (15 )
(497 ) (512 )
 
Income before income taxes 2,570 3,056
 
Income tax expense (925 ) (1,118 )
 
Net income 1,645 1,938
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (208 ) (67 )
   
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $1,437   $1,871  
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $0.54   $0.71  
 
 
Dividends declared per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $0.195   $0.225  
 
 
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares 2,675   2,645  
 
   
TABLE 2
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)        
 
 
(in millions) December 31, March 31,
2013 2014
ASSETS
 
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $1,718 $3,054
Investments 3,573 2,389
Receivables, net 6,376 6,151
Programming rights 928 863
Other current assets 1,480 1,586
Total current assets 14,075 14,043
 
Film and television costs 4,994 5,058
 
Investments 3,770 3,090
 
Property and equipment, net 29,840 29,588
 
Franchise rights 59,364 59,364
 
Goodwill 27,098 27,103
 
Other intangible assets, net 17,329 17,145
 
Other noncurrent assets, net 2,343 2,382
 
$158,813 $157,773
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors $5,528 $5,534
Accrued participations and residuals 1,239 1,256
Deferred revenue 898 776
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 7,967 7,418
Current portion of long-term debt 3,280 2,819
Total current liabilities 18,912 17,803
 
Long-term debt, less current portion 44,567 44,581
 
Deferred income taxes 31,935 31,595
 
Other noncurrent liabilities 11,384 11,109
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock 957 1,053
 
Equity
Comcast Corporation shareholders' equity 50,694 51,268
Noncontrolling interests 364 364
Total equity 51,058 51,632
 
$158,813 $157,773
 
   
TABLE 3
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
(in millions) Three Months Ended
March 31,
2013 2014
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $1,645 $1,938
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,967 1,970
Amortization of film and television costs 1,972 2,876
Share-based compensation 102 119
Noncash interest expense (income), net 42 42
Equity in net (income) losses of investees, net (11 ) (32 )
Cash received from investees 23 18
Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other (132 ) (59 )
Deferred income taxes (373 ) (226 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Change in current and noncurrent receivables, net 465 195
Change in film and television costs (1,577 ) (2,722 )
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors (281 ) 82
Change in other operating assets and liabilities 527   285  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities 4,369   4,486  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (1,361 ) (1,448 )
Cash paid for intangible assets (182 ) (217 )
Acquisitions and construction of real estate properties (1,311 ) -
Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments 74 300
Purchases of investments (88 ) (37 )
Other 105   (103 )
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (2,763 ) (1,505 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net 491 (364 )
Proceeds from borrowings 2,933 2,187
Repurchases and repayments of debt (1,811 ) (2,260 )
Repurchases and retirements of common stock (500 ) (750 )
Dividends paid (429 ) (508 )
Issuances of common stock 13 20
Purchase of NBCUniversal noncontrolling common equity interest (10,747 ) -
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends for redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (49 ) (66 )
Settlement of Station Venture liability (602 ) -
Other (17 ) 96  
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (10,718 ) (1,645 )
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (9,112 ) 1,336
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 10,951   1,718  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $1,839   $3,054  
 
       
TABLE 4
Supplemental Information
 
Alternate Presentation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)
 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(in millions)

 

2013

 

2014

Operating income $3,067 $3,568
Depreciation and amortization 1,967   1,970  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization 5,034 5,538
Noncash share-based compensation expense 102 119
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 369   (267 )
Cash basis operating income 5,505 5,390
Payments of interest (617 ) (623 )
Payments of income taxes (461 ) (186 )
Excess tax benefits under share-based compensation (94 ) (151 )
Other 36   56  
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $4,369   $4,486  
Capital expenditures (1,361 ) (1,448 )
Cash paid for capitalized software and other intangible assets (182 ) (217 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends for redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (49 ) (66 )
Nonoperating items(1) 361   69  
Total Free Cash Flow $3,138   $2,824  
 
 
Reconciliation of EPS Excluding Gains on Sales and Acquisition-Related Items (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2013 2014
(in millions, except per share data)
$   EPS (2) $   EPS (2)
 
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $1,437 $0.54 $1,871 $0.71
Growth % 30.2 % 31.5 %
 
Gain on sale of investment(3) - - (50 ) (0.02 )
Favorable resolution of a contingency of an acquired company(4) - - (27 ) (0.01 )
Costs related to Time Warner Cable transaction(5) - - 11 -
Gain on sale of wireless spectrum licenses(6) (67 ) (0.03 ) - -
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation            
(excluding gains on sales and acquisition-related items) $1,370     $0.51   $1,805     $0.68  
Growth % 31.8 % 33.3 %
 
(1) Nonoperating items include adjustments for cash taxes paid related to certain investing and financing transactions, to reflect cash taxes paid in the year of the related taxable income and to exclude the impacts of Economic Stimulus packages.
(2) Based on diluted weighted-average number of common shares for the respective periods as presented in Table 1.
(3) 1st quarter 2014 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $80 million of investment income, $50 million net of tax, resulting from the sale of an investment.
(4) 1st quarter 2014 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $27 million of other income, resulting from the favorable resolution of a contingency related to the AT&T Broadband transaction.
(5) 1st quarter 2014 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $17 million of operating costs and expenses, $11 million net of tax, related to the Time Warner Cable transaction.
(6) 1st quarter 2013 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation includes $108 million of other income, $67 million net of tax, resulting from a gain on the sale of wireless spectrum licenses.
 

Note: Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

 
     
TABLE 5
Reconciliation of Consolidated Revenue Excluding 2014 Olympics and Operating Cash Flow Excluding Costs Related to Time Warner Cable Transaction (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions) 2013 2014 Growth %
 
Revenue $15,310 $17,408 13.7%
 
2014 Olympics - (1,103)
 
Revenue excluding 2014 Olympics $15,310 $16,305 6.5%
 
 
2013 2014 Growth %
 
Operating Cash Flow $5,034 $5,538 10.0%
 
Costs related to Time Warner Cable transaction - 17
 
Operating Cash Flow excluding costs related to Time Warner Cable transaction $5,034 $5,555 10.4%
 
Reconciliation of Consolidated NBCUniversal Revenue Excluding 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions) 2013 2014 Growth %
 
Revenue $5,340 $6,876 28.8%
 
2014 Olympics - (1,103)
 
Revenue excluding 2014 Olympics $5,340 $5,773 8.1%
 
Reconciliation of Cable Networks Revenue Excluding 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions) 2013 2014 Growth %
 
Revenue $2,225 $2,505 12.6%
 
2014 Olympics - (257)
 
Revenue excluding 2014 Olympics $2,225 $2,248 1.0%
 
Reconciliation of Broadcast Television Revenue Excluding 2014 Olympics (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions) 2013 2014 Growth %
 
Revenue $1,517 $2,621 72.8%
 
2014 Olympics - (846)
 
Revenue excluding 2014 Olympics $1,517 $1,775 17.0%
 
 

Note: Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

 


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