UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) |
||
x |
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|
|
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
OR |
||
|
|
|
¨ |
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|
|
For the transition period from to . |
Commission file number 0-13721
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota |
|
41-1524393 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) |
|
Identification No.) |
221 East Hickory Street
Mankato, Minnesota 56002-3248
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(800) 326-5789
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o |
Accelerated filer x |
Non-accelerated filer o |
Smaller reporting company o |
|
|
|
|
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes ¨ No x
The total number of shares of the Registrants common stock outstanding as of July 25, 2008: 13,330,284
PART I
2
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
June 30 |
|
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
Operating revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Telecom Sector |
|
$ |
17,999 |
|
$ |
20,448 |
|
$ |
36,293 |
|
$ |
39,485 |
|
Enventis Sector |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Equipment revenue |
|
12,709 |
|
17,869 |
|
22,877 |
|
29,303 |
|
||||
Services revenue |
|
9,037 |
|
7,285 |
|
16,475 |
|
13,741 |
|
||||
Total Enventis Sector |
|
21,746 |
|
25,154 |
|
39,352 |
|
43,044 |
|
||||
Total operating revenue |
|
39,745 |
|
45,602 |
|
75,645 |
|
82,529 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cost of sales, equipment, excluding depreciation and amortization |
|
10,718 |
|
16,559 |
|
19,415 |
|
26,873 |
|
||||
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization |
|
12,627 |
|
10,778 |
|
24,319 |
|
21,695 |
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
5,463 |
|
5,891 |
|
11,147 |
|
11,727 |
|
||||
Depreciation |
|
4,757 |
|
4,432 |
|
9,426 |
|
8,936 |
|
||||
Amortization of intangibles |
|
289 |
|
289 |
|
578 |
|
578 |
|
||||
Total costs and expenses |
|
33,854 |
|
37,949 |
|
64,885 |
|
69,809 |
|
||||
Operating income |
|
5,891 |
|
7,653 |
|
10,760 |
|
12,720 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Other income and expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Interest and other income |
|
15 |
|
47 |
|
42 |
|
131 |
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
(1,478 |
) |
(2,031 |
) |
(3,175 |
) |
(4,213 |
) |
||||
Total other (expense) |
|
(1,463 |
) |
(1,984 |
) |
(3,133 |
) |
(4,082 |
) |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
4,428 |
|
5,669 |
|
7,627 |
|
8,638 |
|
||||
Income tax provision |
|
1,931 |
|
2,415 |
|
3,349 |
|
3,616 |
|
||||
Income from continuing operations |
|
2,497 |
|
3,254 |
|
4,278 |
|
5,022 |
|
||||
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loss from operations of discontinued component |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
||||
Income tax benefit |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
||||
Loss on discontinued operations |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net income |
|
$ |
2,497 |
|
$ |
3,246 |
|
$ |
4,278 |
|
$ |
5,013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic earnings per share - continuing operations: |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Basic loss per share - discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
13,324,200 |
|
13,247,508 |
|
13,312,804 |
|
13,241,079 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations: |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Diluted loss per share - discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding |
|
13,326,719 |
|
13,247,508 |
|
13,317,145 |
|
13,241,079 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Dividends per share |
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION
(Unaudited)
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
||
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
920 |
|
$ |
171 |
|
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $958 and $1,184 |
|
32,187 |
|
28,357 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
9,273 |
|
7,054 |
|
||
Income taxes receivable |
|
|
|
1,013 |
|
||
Deferred income taxes, net |
|
1,334 |
|
1,334 |
|
||
Prepaid expenses |
|
1,640 |
|
1,713 |
|
||
Other |
|
858 |
|
1,196 |
|
||
Total current assets |
|
46,212 |
|
40,838 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Investments |
|
4,066 |
|
3,830 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property, plant and equipment |
|
329,365 |
|
322,249 |
|
||
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
177,725 |
|
169,318 |
|
||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
151,640 |
|
152,931 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Goodwill |
|
25,239 |
|
25,239 |
|
||
Intangible assets, net |
|
1,405 |
|
1,983 |
|
||
Deferred costs and other |
|
2,452 |
|
2,674 |
|
||
Total other assets |
|
29,096 |
|
29,896 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
231,014 |
|
$ |
227,495 |
|
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Extended term payable |
|
$ |
13,041 |
|
$ |
14,443 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
4,027 |
|
4,538 |
|
||
Accrued expenses |
|
7,098 |
|
7,740 |
|
||
Accrued income taxes |
|
364 |
|
|
|
||
Advanced billings and deposits |
|
5,226 |
|
5,158 |
|
||
Current maturities of long-term obligations |
|
1,341 |
|
731 |
|
||
Total current liabilities: |
|
31,097 |
|
32,610 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Debt obligations, net of current maturities |
|
132,313 |
|
128,475 |
|
||
Financial derivative instruments |
|
1,053 |
|
1,451 |
|
||
Accrued income taxes |
|
7,930 |
|
7,747 |
|
||
Deferred income taxes |
|
15,072 |
|
14,901 |
|
||
Deferred revenue |
|
1,506 |
|
1,527 |
|
||
Accrued employee benefits and deferred compensation |
|
8,925 |
|
8,852 |
|
||
Total long-term liabilities |
|
166,799 |
|
162,953 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
197,896 |
|
195,563 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock, no par value, $.10 stated value |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Shares authorized: 100,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Shares issued and outstanding: 13,330,284 in 2008 and 13,284,903 in 2007 |
|
1,333 |
|
1,329 |
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
11,527 |
|
11,031 |
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
21,724 |
|
20,639 |
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) |
|
(1,466 |
) |
(1,067 |
) |
||
Total shareholders equity |
|
33,118 |
|
31,932 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
$ |
231,014 |
|
$ |
227,495 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
4,278 |
|
$ |
5,013 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Loss from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
9 |
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
10,004 |
|
9,514 |
|
||
Amortization of gain on sale of financial derivative instrument |
|
(664 |
) |
(609 |
) |
||
Deferred income tax provision (benefit) |
|
|
|
(40 |
) |
||
Accrued patronage refunds |
|
(293 |
) |
75 |
|
||
Other |
|
480 |
|
180 |
|
||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects of dispositions: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Receivables |
|
(3,674 |
) |
(7,254 |
) |
||
Prepaids |
|
73 |
|
268 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
(2,219 |
) |
2,125 |
|
||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
(1,148 |
) |
(695 |
) |
||
Deferred revenue, billings, and deposits |
|
47 |
|
(789 |
) |
||
Income taxes |
|
1,557 |
|
2,871 |
|
||
Other |
|
616 |
|
872 |
|
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
9,057 |
|
11,540 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
(7,960 |
) |
(6,035 |
) |
||
Other |
|
14 |
|
46 |
|
||
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
|
(7,946 |
) |
(5,989 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net change in extended term payables arrangement |
|
(1,402 |
) |
4,230 |
|
||
Change in cash overdraft |
|
|
|
(1,475 |
) |
||
Payments of capital lease obligations |
|
(185 |
) |
(202 |
) |
||
Borrowings on credit facility |
|
15,900 |
|
4,000 |
|
||
Repayments on credit facility |
|
(11,600 |
) |
(10,650 |
) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of financial derivative instrument |
|
|
|
1,936 |
|
||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
|
118 |
|
119 |
|
||
Dividends paid |
|
(3,193 |
) |
(3,174 |
) |
||
Net cash (used in) financing activities |
|
(362 |
) |
(5,216 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash (used in) operating activities |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
||
Net cash (used in) discontinued operations |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
749 |
|
326 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year |
|
171 |
|
84 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
$ |
920 |
|
$ |
410 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash paid for interest |
|
$ |
3,966 |
|
$ |
4,614 |
|
Net cash paid for income taxes |
|
$ |
1,792 |
|
$ |
756 |
|
Non-cash investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property, plant and equipment acquired with capital leases |
|
$ |
334 |
|
$ |
455 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION
JUNE 30, 2008
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Hickory Tech Corporation (HickoryTech or the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Companys management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring accruals) considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Companys financial statements and present fairly the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented as required by Regulation S-X, Rule 10-01. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with the Companys audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole or any other interim period.
Our consolidated financial statements include HickoryTech Corporation and its subsidiaries in the following two business segments: the Telecom Sector and the Enventis Sector. All inter-company transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
Cost of Sales - equipment (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Cost of sales for the Enventis Sector includes costs associated with the installation of products for customers. These costs are primarily for equipment and materials. Labor associated with installation work is not included in this category, but is included in cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) described below.
Cost of Services (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Cost of services includes all costs related to delivery of communication services and products for all sectors. These operating costs include all costs of performing services and providing related products including engineering, customer service, billing and collections, network monitoring, and transport costs.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses include direct and indirect selling expenses, advertising and all other general and administrative costs associated with the operations of the business.
6
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141(R)), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquired company and the goodwill acquired. SFAS No. 141(R) also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective as of the beginning of an entitys fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008, and will be adopted by us in the first quarter of 2009. SFAS No. 141(R) is currently not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be re-characterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method will significantly change the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and we will adopt it in the first quarter 2009. We do not expect adoption of SFAS No. 160 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entitys derivative and hedging activities and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 161 on our disclosures.
Note 2. Earnings and Cash Dividends per Common Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Shares used in the EPS dilution calculation are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased by potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares include stock options and stock subscribed under the HickoryTech Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Dilution is determined using the treasury stock method.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
June 30 |
|
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income from continuing operations |
|
$ |
2,497 |
|
$ |
3,254 |
|
$ |
4,278 |
|
$ |
5,022 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
||||
Net Income |
|
$ |
2,497 |
|
$ |
3,246 |
|
$ |
4,278 |
|
$ |
5,013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
13,324,200 |
|
13,247,508 |
|
13,312,804 |
|
13,241,079 |
|
||||
Stock options (dilutive only) |
|
2,228 |
|
|
|
3,210 |
|
|
|
||||
Stock subscribed (ESPP) |
|
291 |
|
|
|
1,131 |
|
|
|
||||
Total dilutive shares outstanding |
|
13,326,719 |
|
13,247,508 |
|
13,317,145 |
|
13,241,079 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic - continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Basic - discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted - continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Diluted - discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Options to purchase 436,200 shares and 486,050 shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, because their effect on diluted EPS would have been anti-dilutive.
7
Cash dividends are based on the number of common shares outstanding at their respective record dates. Listed below is the number of shares outstanding as of the record date for the first and second quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Shares outstanding on record date |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
First quarter (Feb. 15) |
|
13,292,419 |
|
13,207,970 |
|
Second quarter (May 15) |
|
13,319,782 |
|
13,243,525 |
|
Dividends per share are based on the quarterly dividend per share as declared by the HickoryTech Board of Directors. HickoryTech paid dividends of $.12 per share in the second quarter of 2008 and 2007.
During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, shareholders have elected to reinvest $118,000 and $119,000, respectively, of dividends into HickoryTech common stock pursuant to the HickoryTech Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Note 3. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Comprehensive income includes changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments qualifying and designated as cash flow hedges and recognized Net Periodic Benefit Cost related to our Post-Retirement Benefit Plans. Comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3,409,000 and $3,337,000, respectively. Comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3,879,000 and $5,246,000, respectively.
In March 2007, we terminated our two outstanding interest-rate swap agreements with original maturities in June 2008, in exchange for $1,936,000 in proceeds. Immediately following the termination of these two agreements, we executed a new interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on $60,000,000 of variable-interest rate debt through March 2010. On March 28, 2008, we entered into a second interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on an additional $40,000,000 of variable interest rate debt through February 2010.
The market value of the cumulative gain or (loss) on financial derivative instruments is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders equity and will be recognized in earnings over the term of the original swap agreement.
The following summary sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|||||
|
|
Unrecognized |
|
Unrecognized |
|
Unrecognized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Other |
|
|||||
|
|
Net Actuarial |
|
Prior Service |
|
Transition |
|
Gain/(Loss) |
|
Comprehensive |
|
|||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
Loss (1) |
|
Credit (1) |
|
Asset (1) |
|
on Derivatives |
|
Income/(Loss) |
|
|||||
December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
(954 |
) |
$ |
279 |
|
$ |
(181 |
) |
$ |
(211 |
) |
$ |
(1,067 |
) |
2008 Activity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,324 |
) |
(1,324 |
) |
|||||
Net Periodic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Benefit Cost |
|
12 |
|
(8 |
) |
9 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|||||
March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
(942 |
) |
$ |
271 |
|
$ |
(172 |
) |
$ |
(1,535 |
) |
$ |
(2,378 |
) |
2008 Activity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
899 |
|
899 |
|
|||||
Net Periodic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Benefit Cost |
|
12 |
|
(8 |
) |
9 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|||||
June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
(930 |
) |
$ |
263 |
|
$ |
(163 |
) |
$ |
(636 |
) |
$ |
(1,466 |
) |
(1) Amounts pertain to our postretirement benefit plans.
8
Note 4. Acquisition, Disposition and Discontinued Operations
Effective December 31, 2006, we sold all of the outstanding capital stock in Collins Communications Systems Co. (Collins) to Skyview Capital, LLC for an initial price of $100,000, paid by delivery of a promissory note, plus up to $1,650,000 of earn-out payments. Skyview Capital, LLC paid us $100,000 in February 2007. The remaining selling price is due in contingent payments payable over the next three years if financial targets are reached by Skyview Capital, LLC. We have received no payments to-date related to this earn-out provision. The $100,000 mentioned above has been included in the calculation of the net loss on sale mentioned below, while the contingent payments have not been included in the net loss. The agreement contains covenants against competition by the new owner in south-central Minnesota. We recorded a pre-tax loss on the sale of $3,385,000 ($2,040,000 net of income taxes). The Collins results of operations were formerly reported in the Enterprise Solutions Sector. The consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the Collins operations as discontinued operations.
Note 5. Inventories
Inventory includes parts, materials and supplies stored in our warehouses to support basic levels of service and maintenance as well as scheduled capital projects and equipment awaiting configuration for customers. Inventory also includes parts and equipment shipped directly from vendors to customer locations while in transit and parts and equipment returned from customers which is being returned to vendors for credit, as well as maintenance contracts associated with customer sales which have not yet transferred to the customer. The inventory value in the Telecom Sector, comprised of materials, as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $3,874,000 and $3,312,000, respectively. The inventory value in the Enventis Sector, comprised of finished goods, as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $5,399,000 and $3,742,000, respectively.
Inventories are valued using the lower of cost (perpetual weighted average-cost or specific identification) or market method. We adjust our inventory carrying value for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory to the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. As market and other conditions change, additional inventory write-downs may be recorded at the time acts that give rise to the lower value become known.
Note 6. Intangible Assets
We are required to test acquired goodwill for impairment on an annual basis based upon a fair value approach. Additionally, goodwill shall be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of an entity below its carrying value. The carrying value of our goodwill is $25,239,000 as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
The components of other intangible assets are as follows:
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2008 |
|
As of December 31, 2007 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
Gross Carrying |
|
Accumulated |
|
Gross Carrying |
|
Accumulated |
|
||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
Useful Lives |
|
Amount |
|
Amortization |
|
Amount |
|
Amortization |
|
||||
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Customer relationships |
|
1 - 8 years |
|
$ |
4,229 |
|
$ |
2,932 |
|
$ |
4,229 |
|
$ |
2,456 |
|
Other intangibles |
|
1 - 5 years |
|
730 |
|
622 |
|
730 |
|
520 |
|
||||
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
4,959 |
|
$ |
3,554 |
|
$ |
4,959 |
|
$ |
2,976 |
|
As required by SFAS No. 142, we periodically reassess the carrying value, useful lives and classifications of identifiable assets. Amortization expense related to the definite-lived intangible assets was $289,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization expense related to the definite-lived intangible assets was $578,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total estimated amortization expense for the remaining six months of 2008 and the five years subsequent to 2008 is as follows: 2008 (July 1 December 31) $549,000; 2009 - $853,000; 2010 - $3,000; none in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
9
Note 7. Quarterly Sector Financial Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and |
|
|
|
||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
Telecom |
|
Enventis |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
||||
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
17,999 |
|
$ |
21,746 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
39,745 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
161 |
|
128 |
|
(289 |
) |
|
|
||||
Total operating revenue |
|
18,160 |
|
21,874 |
|
(289 |
) |
39,745 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
4,008 |
|
1,025 |
|
13 |
|
5,046 |
|
||||
Operating income |
|
3,006 |
|
2,838 |
|
47 |
|
5,891 |
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
21 |
|
|
|
1,457 |
|
1,478 |
|
||||
Income taxes(benefit) |
|
1,240 |
|
1,178 |
|
(487 |
) |
1,931 |
|
||||
Income/(loss) from continuing operations |
|
1,747 |
|
1,660 |
|
(910 |
) |
2,497 |
|
||||
Identifiable assets |
|
150,378 |
|
73,884 |
|
6,752 |
|
231,014 |
|
||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
114,403 |
|
37,091 |
|
146 |
|
151,640 |
|
||||
Capital expenditures |
|
2,545 |
|
1,984 |
|
18 |
|
4,547 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Telecom |
|
Enventis |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
||||
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
20,448 |
|
$ |
25,154 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
45,602 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
111 |
|
85 |
|
(196 |
) |
|
|
||||
Total operating revenue |
|
20,559 |
|
25,239 |
|
(196 |
) |
45,602 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
3,789 |
|
927 |
|
5 |
|
4,721 |
|
||||
Operating income/(loss) |
|
6,239 |
|
1,649 |
|
(235 |
) |
7,653 |
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
18 |
|
|
|
2,013 |
|
2,031 |
|
||||
Income taxes(benefit) |
|
2,490 |
|
660 |
|
(735 |
) |
2,415 |
|
||||
Income/(loss) from continuing operations |
|
3,736 |
|
990 |
|
(1,472 |
) |
3,254 |
|
||||
Identifiable assets |
|
153,182 |
|
66,103 |
|
7,251 |
|
226,536 |
|
||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
117,053 |
|
33,303 |
|
90 |
|
150,446 |
|
||||
Capital expenditures |
|
2,288 |
|
1,017 |
|
|
|
3,305 |
|
||||
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and |
|
|
|
||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
Telecom |
|
Enventis |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
||||
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
36,293 |
|
$ |
39,352 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
75,645 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
291 |
|
266 |
|
(557 |
) |
|
|
||||
Total operating revenue |
|
36,584 |
|
39,618 |
|
(557 |
) |
75,645 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,934 |
|
2,045 |
|
25 |
|
10,004 |
|
||||
Operating income/(loss) |
|
6,553 |
|
4,259 |
|
(52 |
) |
10,760 |
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
44 |
|
|
|
3,131 |
|
3,175 |
|
||||
Income taxes(benefit) |
|
2,696 |
|
1,765 |
|
(1,112 |
) |
3,349 |
|
||||
Income/(loss) from continuing operations |
|
3,815 |
|
2,494 |
|
(2,031 |
) |
4,278 |
|
||||
Identifiable assets |
|
150,378 |
|
73,884 |
|
6,752 |
|
231,014 |
|
||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
114,403 |
|
37,091 |
|
146 |
|
151,640 |
|
||||
Capital expenditures |
|
4,965 |
|
2,977 |
|
18 |
|
7,960 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Telecom |
|
Enventis |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
||||
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
39,485 |
|
$ |
43,044 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
82,529 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
218 |
|
147 |
|
(365 |
) |
|
|
||||
Total operating revenue |
|
39,703 |
|
43,191 |
|
(365 |
) |
82,529 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,702 |
|
1,802 |
|
10 |
|
9,514 |
|
||||
Operating income/(loss) |
|
10,342 |
|
3,029 |
|
(651 |
) |
12,720 |
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
35 |
|
|
|
4,178 |
|
4,213 |
|
||||
Income taxes(benefit) |
|
4,147 |
|
1,218 |
|
(1,749 |
) |
3,616 |
|
||||
Income/(loss) from continuing operations |
|
6,175 |
|
1,812 |
|
(2,965 |
) |
5,022 |
|
||||
Identifiable assets |
|
153,182 |
|
66,103 |
|
7,251 |
|
226,536 |
|
||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
117,053 |
|
33,303 |
|
90 |
|
150,446 |
|
||||
Capital expenditures |
|
3,934 |
|
2,101 |
|
|
|
6,035 |
|
||||
Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
We are involved in certain contractual disputes in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of any of these existing matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We did not experience any changes to material contractual obligations in the first six months of 2008. Refer to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for the discussion relating to commitments and contingencies.
Note 9. Stock Compensation
Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for a complete description of all stock-based compensation plans.
11
Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $8,000 and $27,000, respectively. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $22,000 and $54,000, respectively. Share-based compensation expense recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the first six months of 2008 and 2007 included compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet completely vested as of June 30, 2008 and 2007. Historical data is used to estimate pre-vesting forfeitures and are estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. We use a seven-year period to calculate the historical volatility of its stock price for use in the valuation model. The dividend yield rate is based on our current dividend payout pattern and current market price. The risk-free rate for options is based on a U.S. Treasury rate commensurate with the expected terms. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical experience and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.
There were no stock option awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Although we have authority to issue options under the Stock Award Plan no current compensation programs have options as a component.
As of June 30, 2008 there was $8,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock options granted under the Companys Stock Award Plan. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years.
A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
||
|
|
Shares |
|
Exercise Price |
|
||
Outstanding at January 1, 2008 |
|
476,000 |
|
$ |
12.79 |
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired |
|
(4,800 |
) |
13.38 |
|
|
Outstanding at June 30, 2008 |
|
471,200 |
|
$ |
12.79 |
|
|
Exercisable at June 30, 2008 |
|
461,200 |
|
$ |
12.91 |
|
The following table provides certain information with respect to stock options outstanding at June 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
Weighted |
|
|
Range of |
|
Stock Options |
|
Average |
|
Average Remaining |
|
|
Exercise Prices |
|
Outstanding |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
$6.00 - $8.00 |
|
15,000 |
|
$ |
6.95 |
|
8.2 years |
|
$8.00 - $12.00 |
|
177,200 |
|
10.26 |
|
5.0 years |
|
|
$12.00 - $16.00 |
|
225,250 |
|
13.88 |
|
2.6 years |
|
|
$16.00 - $21.00 |
|
53,750 |
|
18.18 |
|
2.7 years |
|
|
|
|
471,200 |
|
$ |
12.79 |
|
3.7 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
|
|
|
$ |
24,800 |
|
|
|
12
The following table provides certain information with respect to stock options exercisable at June 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Range of |
|
Stock Options |
|
Weighted Average |
|
Remaining |
|
|
Exercise Prices |
|
Exercisable |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
$6.00 - $8.00 |
|
5,000 |
|
$ |
6.95 |
|
8.2 years |
|
$8.00 - $12.00 |
|
177,200 |
|
10.26 |
|
5.0 years |
|
|
$12.00 - $16.00 |
|
225,250 |
|
13.88 |
|
2.6 years |
|
|
$16.00 - $21.00 |
|
53,750 |
|
18.18 |
|
2.7 years |
|
|
|
|
461,200 |
|
$ |
12.91 |
|
3.6 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate intrinsic value: |
|
|
|
$ |
11,600 |
|
|
|
Note 10. Financial Derivative Instruments
We use financial derivative instruments to manage our overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We account for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 149, which requires derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments must be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met, in which case the gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income rather than in earnings.
Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
· Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
· Level 2 observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
· Level 3 unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements were determined based on Level 2 inputs.
We utilize interest-rate swap agreements that qualify as cash-flow hedges to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our variable-interest rate debt. In March 2007, we terminated two outstanding interest-rate swap agreements, with original maturities of June 2008, in exchange for $1,936,000 in proceeds. Proceeds of $332,000 were recognized as an offset to interest expense in the second quarter of 2008 and 2007. Immediately following the termination of the two swap agreements discussed above, we executed a new interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on $60,000,000 of variable-interest rate debt through March, 2010. On March 28, 2008, we entered into a second interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on an additional $40,000,000 of variable-interest rate debt through February 2010.
The market value of the cumulative gain or (loss) on financial derivative instruments is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders equity and will be recognized in earnings over the term of the swap agreement. The fair value of our derivatives at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is a net liability of $1,053,000 and $1,451,000, respectively.
13
Note 11. Employee Post-Retirement Benefits
HickoryTech provides post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits for certain employees. HickoryTech accounts for these post-retirement benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). New employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 are not eligible for post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
June 30 |
|
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Service cost |
|
$ |
63 |
|
$ |
71 |
|
$ |
126 |
|
$ |
142 |
|
Interest cost |
|
122 |
|
114 |
|
244 |
|
228 |
|
||||
Amortization of transition obligation |
|
15 |
|
15 |
|
30 |
|
30 |
|
||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
(14 |
) |
(3 |
) |
(28 |
) |
(6 |
) |
||||
Recognized net actuarial loss |
|
20 |
|
18 |
|
40 |
|
36 |
|
||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
$ |
206 |
|
$ |
215 |
|
$ |
412 |
|
$ |
430 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2008 |
|
|
Employers contributions for current premiums: |
|
|
|
|
Contributions made for the six months ended June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
128 |
|
Expected contributions for remainder of 2008 |
|
128 |
|
|
Total estimated employer contributions for fiscal year 2008 |
|
$ |
256 |
|
Note 12. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate from continuing operations of approximately 43.6% for the second quarter of 2008 and 42.6% for the second quarter of 2007 exceeds the federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and accrued interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The increase in the effective tax rate from 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily the result of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions according to FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48) Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
We adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. Among other things, FIN No. 48 provides guidance to address uncertainty in tax positions and clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold that income tax positions must achieve before being recognized in the financial statements. As of June 30, 2008, we had unrecognized tax benefits totaling $7,255,000 excluding interest. The amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would affect the effective income tax rates of future periods is $7,237,000. There have been no significant changes to these amounts during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense. As of June 30, 2008, we have accrued $675,000 (net of tax) for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.
We file consolidated income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and combined or separate income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. In general, we are no longer subject to United States federal income tax examinations for the years prior to 2004 except to the extent of losses utilized in subsequent years.
14
Forward Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains certain safe harbor provisions regarding forward-looking statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements. These statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to anticipated future operating and financial performance, growth opportunities and growth rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business strategies, business and competitive outlook, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, targets, projects, will, may, continues, and should, and variations of these words and similar expressions, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause HickoryTechs actual results to differ materially from such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those contained in Item 1A of Part II, Risk Factors of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and Item 1A, Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference. The Cautionary Statement in Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K provides a comprehensive list of sources for risks and uncertainties, which may influence forward-looking statements and is incorporated herein by reference.
Because of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions and the fact that any forward-looking statements made by HickoryTech and its management are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions of management, they are not guarantees of future performance and you should not place undue reliance on them. In addition, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. With the exception of the requirements set forth in the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not undertake any obligations or update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe that the application of the accounting policies, which are important to our financial position and results of operations, requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management. A description of the critical accounting policies that we adhere to is contained in the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Results of Operations
Overview-Trends
We operate in two business segments: the Telecom Sector and the Enventis Sector. The Telecom Sector includes our historical rural telephone business operations, including three incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs), a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and National Independent Billing, Inc. (NIBI), which provides data processing services for the telecommunications industry.
15
Our consolidated income from continuing operations decreased $757,000 or 23.3% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $744,000 or 14.8% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in both comparative periods was primarily due to a settlement with a large interexchange carrier which provided $1,100,000 of non-recurring benefit to the 2007 comparative numbers. Excluding the non-recurring settlement that occurred in June 2007, our consolidated income from continuing operations increased $343,000 or 15.9% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $356,000 or 9.1% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Net income in the Enventis sector, which we believe provides a platform for long-term growth, increased $670,000 or 67.7% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $682,000 or 37.6% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.
Second quarter revenue of $39,745,000 declined $5,857,000 or 12.8% compared to the second quarter of 2007 and was $75,645,000 or $6,884,000 lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decline in revenue was impacted by two significant items occurring in the second quarter of 2007. The timing and execution of equipment sales within our Enventis Sector drove higher second quarter 2007 equipment revenue. Telecom Sector revenue was also higher due to non-recurring settlement revenue of $1,890,000 from an interexchange carrier. Despite the decrease seen in revenue we continue to focus on strategic revenue streams.
The increase in strategic revenue streams in both the Enventis and Telecom Sectors are providing growth needed to offset the downward trends in Telecom local and network access revenue. The service revenue portion of the Enventis sector increased $1,752,000 or 24.1% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $2,734,000 or 19.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The service element of the Enventis sector, with its recurring revenue and higher margin characteristics is a main focus for us.
Strategic broadband revenue in our Telecom sector continued to post double-digit increases. Broadband revenue increased $510,000 or 22.7% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $937,000 or 21.2% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. We continue to experience increased competition from cable TV providers, CLECs, voice over internet protocol, wireless telephone, and other telephone competitors causing reduced customer counts and network access volume declines of $1,277,000 in the Telecom Sector. Telecom Sector results have also been significantly impacted by disputes with USAC and a large interexchange carrier lowering 2008 year-to-date network access revenue by $793,000 from disputes. Comparisons with 2007 revenue are affected by a $1,890,000 settlement with an interexchange carrier received in June 2007. While we continue to work to offset declining Telecom Sector revenue with new services to our customers, we may not be able to match the profitability of services we lose with the same profitability in the new services we provide.
Our focus on debt reduction in 2007 along with our ability to lock in favorable interest rates in the first quarter of 2008 are the factors driving interest expense to be $1,038,000 or 24.6% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. By locking in our long-term debt rates, we will experience lower interest expense for the year 2008 compared to 2007. Due to the expiration of amortization of previously recognized gains on interest rate hedge instruments, the quarterly interest expense will increase approximately $330,000 per quarter beginning in the third quarter of 2008.
16
Sector Results of Operations
Telecom Sector
The following table provides a breakdown of the Telecom Sector operating results.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
June 30 |
|
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
Revenue before intersegment eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Local Service |
|
$ |
4,086 |
|
$ |
4,227 |
|
$ |
8,217 |
|
$ |
8,675 |
|
Network Access |
|
5,952 |
|
9,378 |
|
12,777 |
|
16,737 |
|
||||
Long Distance |
|
1,197 |
|
1,297 |
|
2,387 |
|
2,629 |
|
||||
Data |
|
1,903 |
|
1,715 |
|
3,751 |
|
3,391 |
|
||||
Internet |
|
1,189 |
|
1,130 |
|
2,267 |
|
2,256 |
|
||||
Digital TV |
|
858 |
|
536 |
|
1,602 |
|
1,025 |
|
||||
Directory |
|
1,004 |
|
899 |
|
2,004 |
|
1,784 |
|
||||
Bill Processing |
|
905 |
|
514 |
|
1,499 |
|
1,203 |
|
||||
Intersegment |
|
161 |
|
111 |
|
291 |
|
218 |
|
||||
Other |
|
905 |
|
752 |
|
1,789 |
|
1,785 |
|
||||
Total Telecom Revenue |
|
$ |
18,160 |
|
$ |
20,559 |
|
$ |
36,584 |
|
$ |
39,703 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total Telecom revenue before intersegment eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
17,999 |
|
$ |
20,448 |
|
$ |
36,293 |
|
$ |
39,485 |
|
Intersegment |
|
161 |
|
111 |
|
291 |
|
218 |
|
||||
|
|
18,160 |
|
20,559 |
|
36,584 |
|
39,703 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization |
|
7,845 |
|
7,158 |
|
15,492 |
|
15,013 |
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
3,301 |
|
3,373 |
|
6,605 |
|
6,646 |
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
4,008 |
|
3,789 |
|
7,934 |
|
7,702 |
|
||||
Operating Income |
|
$ |
3,006 |
|
$ |
6,239 |
|
$ |
6,553 |
|
$ |
10,342 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
1,747 |
|
$ |
3,736 |
|
$ |
3,815 |
|
$ |
6,175 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
2,545 |
|
$ |
2,288 |
|
$ |
4,965 |
|
$ |
3,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Key metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Business access lines |
|
27,023 |
|
27,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Residential access lines |
|
35,872 |
|
39,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total access lines |
|
62,895 |
|
67,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Long distance customers |
|
40,565 |
|
41,287 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Digital Subscriber Line customers |
|
18,126 |
|
16,677 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Digital TV customers |
|
7,353 |
|
5,194 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
Telecom Sector operating revenue before intersegment eliminations was $18,160,000, which is $2,399,000 or 11.7% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $36,584,000, which is $3,119,000 or 7.9% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in both periods was primarily due to lower revenue in network access which includes the non-recurrence of a settlement with a large interexchange carrier that provided $1,890,000 of revenue in June 2007.
17
Local service revenue was $4,086,000, which is $141,000 or 3.3% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This is due to a $193,000 decline in first line residential and business access line revenue. Our access lines declined 4,127 or 6.2% from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008. This decline was offset by an increase of $70,000 in reciprocal compensation revenue due to a non-recurring adjustment made in 2007 increasing a revenue reserve to account for proposed contracts with wireless carriers.
Local Service revenue was $8,217,000, which is $458,000 or 5.3% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. First line residential and business access revenue declined by $365,000 due to the access line loss mentioned above. Also contributing to lower revenue was a $95,000 decrease in reciprocal compensation revenue received from wireless carriers under contract using minute-of-use pricing. Many of these contracts and their associated pricing were renegotiated in 2007. A higher degree of competition from cable TV providers, ILECs, and CLECs serving in our markets as well as wireless substitution, could continue to impact our local service revenue in future periods.
In May of 2008 we were served with a civil lawsuit by the City of St. Peter, Minn. regarding our contract payments to the municipality in support of our CLEC voice and data services. We do not agree with the contract interpretations made by the City of St, Peter, Minn. and are vigorously defending the suit. We cannot predict the outcome of such proceedings nor their impact, if any, on the Company.
Network access revenue was $5,952,000, which is $3,426,000 or 36.5% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $3,960,000 or 23.7% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This is primarily due to the settlement of a switched access dispute with a large interexchange carrier, which resulted in a non-recurring increase in revenue of $1,890,000 in the second quarter of 2007. Without this settlement, network access revenue would have been $1,536,000 or 20.5% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $2,070,000 or 13.9% lower in the six months June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.
A dispute with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) stemming from its reversal of earlier interpretations of revenue distribution rules has impacted second quarter 2008 network access revenue. USAC claimed $475,000 of previously distributed revenue for years prior to 2008, and has lowered 2008 revenue by $66,000 in the first and second quarters. Year-to-date 2008 impact is $607,000 of which $541,000 is reflected in the second quarter of 2008. The expected impact of the USAC decision for future quarters is $66,000 of lowered revenue per quarter. We are appealing the USAC interpretation as arbitrary and unprecedented, however USAC is largely unregulated and there is no likely forum for recovery of this lost revenue. Additionally, an ongoing dispute with a large interexchange carrier is resulting in bill non-payment and impacting second quarter network access revenue by a reduction of $105,000. Previously, this carrier dispute reduced first quarter 2008 network access revenue by $81,000. In May of 2008 we filed a lawsuit against the carrier to recover unpaid amounts billed in September 2007 to present. In July of 2008, the carrier filed a counterclaim against us. We intend to continue to pursue collection through litigation. It is not known when an outcome of that litigation will occur. Altogether, the disputes with USAC and the large interexchange carrier have lowered 2008 year-to-date network access revenue by $793,000. The expected future quarterly impact of these two disputes is approximately $160,000, until resolved.
Long distance revenue was $1,197,000 which is $100,000 or 7.7% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $2,387,000, which is $242,000 or 9.2% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in both periods was primarily due to a decrease of 722 or 1.8% in the customer base at June 30, 2008 compared to June 30, 2007 and large call-volume business customers undergoing economic slowdowns.
Data revenue was $1,903,000, which is $188,000 or 11.0% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $3,751,000, which is $360,000 or 10.6% higher the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in both periods was primarily due to an 8.7% increase in DSL customers between June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007. Also contributing to the increase were strong sales of our Ethernet service product offset by a decrease in our private line local revenue.
18
Digital TV revenue was $858,000, which is $322,000 or 60.1% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $1,602,000, which is $577,000 or 56.3% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in both periods was primarily the result of the offering of digital TV to three additional communities in 2007, which resulted in a 41.6% increase in digital TV customers at June 30, 2008 compared to June 30, 2007. Also contributing to the increase in digital TV revenue was an increase in rates charged to customers of approximately 5.0%, which went into effect in April 2007.
Directory revenue was $1,004,000, which is $105,000 or 11.7% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $2,004,000, which is $220,000 or 12.3% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase was the result of increased sales of yellow-page advertising in our directory, which went into effect in the beginning of the third quarter of 2007.
NIBI bill processing revenue was $905,000, which is $391,000 or 76.1% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $1,499,000, which is $296,000 or 24.6% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Contributing to the increase in revenue was a $296,000 increase in the three month period and a $342,000 increase in the six month period of project and integration services revenue associated with a new cellular service customer.
Other revenue, consisting primarily of sales of customer premise equipment (CPE), circuit private lines, maintenance, and adds, moves and changes was $905,000, which is $153,000 or 20.4% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This increase was due to a higher volume of CPE sales of $93,000 and higher add/move/change revenue of $63,000.
Cost of Services (excluding Depreciation and Amortization)
Telecom Sector cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) was $7,845,000, which is $687,000 or 9.6% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This increase was primarily due to a $297,000 increase in bad debt expense. Bad debt expense during the three months ended June 30, 2007 was abnormally low because of a reversal of $325,000 of previously recorded expense when we settled the interexchange carrier dispute. Also contributing to the increase in cost of services was a $199,000 increase in programming expenses incurred in connection with digital TV services, a $108,000 increase in CPE material costs due to the increase in CPE revenue, and a $72,000 increase in directory expense associated with the increase in directory revenue.
Telecom Sector cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) was $15,492,000, which is $479,000 or 3.2% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to the following items: 1) a $360,000 increase in programming expenses incurred in connection with digital TV services, 2) a $330,000 increase in bad debt expense due an abnormally low expense in 2007, which was due to a $325,000 reversal of previously recorded expense when we settled the interexchange carrier dispute, and 3) a $171,000 increase in directory expenses associated with the increase in directory revenue. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in wages and benefits of $480,000 due to one-time severance payments made in 2007 and a decrease in co-location expenses of $184,000 due primarily to a credit received from a vendor in 2008.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Telecom Sector selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) were $3,301,000, which is 72,000 or 2.1% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. Telecom Sector selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) were $6,605,000, which is $41,000 or .60% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The company is actively managing its overhead and administrative costs.
19
Depreciation and Amortization
Telecom Sector depreciation and amortization was $4,008,000, which is $219,000 or 5.8% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $7,934,000, which is $232,000 or 3.0% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase in fixed asset spending in 2007. Amortization was $27,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and was $53,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Operating Income
Telecom Sector operating income decreased $3,233,000 or 51.8% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and decreased $3,789,000 or 36.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Excluding the non-recurring interexchange carrier settlement of $1,890,000 our operating income decreased $1,343,000 or 30.9% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and decreased $1,899,000 or 22.5% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in both periods was due to decreases in revenue and increases in cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization), increases in depreciation and amortization expenses offset by a decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses, all of which are described above.
Enventis Sector
The following table provides a breakdown of the Enventis Sector operating results.
ENVENTIS SECTOR
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
June 30 |
|
June 30 |
|
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
Revenue before intersegment eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
ENS equipment revenue |
|
$ |
12,709 |
|
$ |
17,869 |
|
$ |
22,877 |
|
$ |
29,303 |
|
ENS services revenue |
|
3,056 |
|
2,099 |
|
5,121 |
|
3,842 |
|
||||
ETS services revenue |
|
5,981 |
|
5,186 |
|
11,354 |
|
9,899 |
|
||||
Intersegment |
|
128 |
|
85 |
|
266 |
|
147 |
|
||||
Total Enventis revenue |
|
$ |
21,874 |
|
$ |
25,239 |
|
$ |
39,618 |
|
$ |
43,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total Enventis revenue before intersegment eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
21,746 |
|
$ |
25,154 |
|
$ |
39,352 |
|
$ |
43,044 |
|
Intersegment |
|
128 |
|
85 |
|
266 |
|
147 |
|
||||
|
|
21,874 |
|
25,239 |
|
39,618 |
|
43,191 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cost of sales,
equipment |
|
10,718 |
|
16,559 |
|
19,415 |
|
26,873 |
|
||||
Cost of services |
|
4,880 |
|
3,786 |
|
9,159 |
|
6,984 |
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
2,413 |
|
2,318 |
|
4,740 |
|
4,503 |
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
1,025 |
|
927 |
|
2,045 |
|
1,802 |
|
||||
Operating income |
|
$ |
2,838 |
|
$ |
1,649 |
|
$ |
4,259 |
|
$ |
3,029 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
1,660 |
|
$ |
990 |
|
$ |
2,494 |
|
$ |
1,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
1,984 |
|
$ |
1,017 |
|
$ |
2,977 |
|
$ |
2,101 |
|
20
HickoryTech Corporation acquired Enventis on December 30, 2005. We continue to manage and evaluate the Enventis operations in their entirety. The table below provides an illustration of the relative contributions and associated trends from each of the Enventis primary product lines. Certain allocations have been made, particularly in the area of selling, general and administrative expenses, in order to develop these tables.
ENVENTIS PRODUCT LINE REPORTING
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30 |
|
Six Months Ended June 30 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Network Services |
|
Transport Services |
|
Network Services |
|
Transport Services |
|
||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||||||
Revenue before intersegment eliminations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Equipment revenue |
|
$ |
12,709 |
|
$ |
17,869 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
22,877 |
|
$ |
29,303 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Service revenue |
|
3,056 |
|
2,099 |
|
5,981 |
|
5,186 |
|
5,121 |
|
3,842 |
|
11,354 |
|
9,899 |
|
||||||||
Intersegment |
|
|
|
|
|
128 |
|
85 |
|
|
|
|
|
266 |
|
147 |
|
||||||||
Total Enventis revenue |
|
$ |
15,765 |
|
$ |
19,968 |
|
$ |
6,109 |
|
$ |
5,271 |
|
$ |
27,998 |
|
$ |
33,145 |
|
$ |
11,620 |
|
$ |
10,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Cost of sales,
equipment |
|
10,714 |
|
16,554 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
19,406 |
|
26,864 |
|
9 |
|
9 |
|
||||||||
Cost of services |
|
2,143 |
|
1,253 |
|
2,737 |
|
2,533 |
|
3,975 |
|
2,180 |
|
5,184 |
|
4,804 |
|
||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
1,273 |
|
1,171 |
|
1,140 |
|
1,147 |
|
2,532 |
|
2,269 |
|
2,208 |
|
2,234 |
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
123 |
|
153 |
|
902 |
|
774 |
|
244 |
|
248 |
|
1,801 |
|
1,554 |
|
||||||||
Operating income |
|
$ |
1,512 |
|
$ |
837 |
|
$ |
1,326 |
|
$ |
812 |
|
$ |
1,841 |
|
$ |
1,584 |
|
$ |
2,418 |
|
$ |
1,445 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
885 |
|
$ |
502 |
|
$ |
775 |
|
$ |
488 |
|
$ |
1,078 |
|
$ |
947 |
|
$ |
1,416 |
|
$ |
865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
156 |
|
$ |
112 |
|
$ |
1,828 |
|
$ |
905 |
|
$ |
289 |
|
$ |
80 |
|
$ |
2,688 |
|
$ |
2,021 |
|
Revenue
Enventis Sector operating revenue before intersegment eliminations was $21,874,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008, which is $3,365,000 or 13.3% lower than revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Similarly, Enventis operating revenue before intersegment eliminations was $39,618,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $3,573,000 or 8.3% lower than revenue earned in the six months ended June 30, 2007. These fluctuations were heavily influenced by the timing and execution of equipment sales under large contracts.
Enterprise Network Services equipment revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2008 was $12,709,000, which is $5,160,000 or 28.9% lower than the three months ended June 30, 2007. Enterprise Network Services equipment revenue was $22,877,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $6,426,000 or 22.0% lower than equipment revenue earned in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The most significant impact was due to recognizing $6,500,000 of revenue related to a single large contract in the second quarter of 2007. Overall operating results from the Enventis Sector can be impacted by the timing of delivery and performance related to large equipment sales and installations. The relationship between revenue and costs associated with the various products and delivery elements of large contracts can also fluctuate depending on the product mix, vendor discounts, and rebates. These fluctuations can be especially dramatic in the Enterprise Network Services equipment revenue product line.
21
The decline in equipment revenue recognition in the first two quarters of 2008 was partly offset by increases in services revenue in both the Enterprise Network Services and Enterprise Transport Services product lines. Enterprise Network Services revenue earned from services in the three months ended June 30, 2008 was $3,056,000, which is $957,000 or 45.6% higher than services revenue earned in the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a $767,000 increase in maintenance contract revenue and an increase of $99,000 in support fees revenue related to technology support and monitoring of systems for our customers. Enterprise Network Services services revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $5,121,000, which is $1,279,000 or 33.3% higher than services revenue earned in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to an increase in maintenance contract revenue of $512,000, an increase in contract services revenue of $293,000 associated with an increase in the design, configuration, and installation services related to voice and data equipment, and a $240,000 increase in support fees revenue. The increase in services revenue reflects our business strategy of emphasizing this revenue stream due to its recurring nature as well as its higher and more stable margin characteristics. Maintenance contract sales carry a significant profitability factor. Enventis costs for maintenance contracts are netted against revenue rather than posted to Cost of Services based on our role as an agent in the transaction for Cisco.
Enterprise Transport Services revenue was $5,981,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008, which is $795,000 or 15.3% higher than revenue earned in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Enterprise Transport Services revenue was $11,354,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $1,455,000 or 14.7% higher than revenue earned in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in both periods was primarily due to increases in fiber transport service revenue due to higher customer demand in the wholesale, business, and managed transport service areas.
Cost of Sales Equipment (excluding Depreciation and Amortization)
Enventis Sector cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) associated with equipment revenue was $10,718,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008, which is $5,841,000 or 35.3% lower than cost of sales in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Cost of sales associated with equipment revenue was $19,415,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $7,458,000 or 27.8% lower than cost of sales in the six months ended June 30, 2007.The decrease in both periods was primarily due to the lower equipment revenue experienced in the Enterprise Network Services product line. The relationship between cost of equipment sold to equipment sales revenue can fluctuate and is influenced by a number of factors including product mix, dealer discounts, and vendor incentive rebate programs. The relationship of cost as a percentage of sales revenue in the three and six month periods of 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007 is more favorable (lower) due primarily to the mix of products sold and Enventis leverage of vendor incentive programs. Labor associated with installation work is not included in this category, but is included in cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) described below.
Cost of Services (excluding Depreciation and Amortization)
Enventis Sector cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) was $4,880,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008, which is $1,094,000 or 28.9% higher compared to cost of services in the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to the following items: 1) a $595,000 increase in wages and benefits due to increased staffing levels, 2) a $561,000 increase in contract labor costs related to external project support, and 3) a $155,000 increase in circuit expenses, which supported the increase in off-net revenue. The increased staffing and contract labor costs reflect our investment in the growth of the managed service business as well as temporary staffing for high levels of project activity. These increases were partly offset by declines in consulting fees of $247,000 due to lower usage of external project management consultants.
Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) was $9,159,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $2,175,000 or 31.1% higher compared to cost of services in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to the following items: 1) a $1,313,000 increase in wages and benefits due to increased staffing levels, 2) an $830,000 increase in contract labor costs related to external project support, and 3) a $288,000 increase in circuit expenses, which supported the increase in off-net revenue. The increased staffing and contract labor costs reflect our investment in the growth of the managed service business as well as temporary staffing for high levels of project activity. These increases were partly offset by declines in consulting fees of $277,000 due to lower usage of external project management consultants.
22
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Enventis Sector selling, general and administrative expenses were $2,413,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008, which is $95,000 or 4.1% higher than selling, general, and administrative expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a $135,000 increase in commissions and an $86,000 increase in corporate expenses, partly offset by a $129,000 decrease in wages and benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4,740,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008, which is $237,000 or 5.3% higher than selling, general, and administrative expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a $174,000 increase in commissions, $166,000 increase in corporate expenses, and a $144,000 increase in incentive compensation accruals, partly offset by a $202,000 decrease in wages and benefits.
Depreciation and Amortization
Enventis Sector depreciation and amortization was $1,025,000, which is $98,000 or 10.6% higher in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 and was $2,045,000, which is $243,000 or 13.5% higher in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in both periods was primarily due to the increase in assets placed in service in 2007 and 2008 to support the growth in our Enventis Transport Services line of business. Enventis Sector amortization remained constant in 2008 and 2007, and is attributed to intangible assets related to the Enventis acquisition in 2005.
Operating Income
Enventis Sector operating income during the three months ended June 30, 2008 was $1,189,000 or 72.1% greater than operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $1,230,000 or 40.6% higher than operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due to higher services revenue and lower cost of sales offsetting the decrease in equipment sales revenue and the increases in cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization), selling, general, and administrative expenses, and depreciation expenses, all of which are described above. The increases in maintenance contract revenue discussed above especially affected this relationship, as revenue from these sales is recognized net of associated costs, directly impacting overall operating income. The increase in both periods was driven by the higher profit margin characteristics of the mix of product and services sold especially maintenance contracts and the favorable discounts and rebates offered by vendors.
Interest Expense
Consolidated interest expense was $1,478,000 which is $553,000 or 27.2% lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. Interest expense was $3,175,000, which is $1,038,000 or 24.6% lower in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease is a result of a lower average effective interest rate in the first six months of 2008. The outstanding balance of our debt obligations was $133,654,000 at June 30, 2008 and $129,206,000 at December 31, 2007.
Interest expense will increase approximately $330,000 per quarter starting in the third quarter of 2008, subject to other normal influences such as debt principal amount and movement in interest rates on un-hedged or unfixed interest rate debt. Quarterly benefits of $330,000 from interest-rate swap agreements sold at a gain in early 2007 become fully amortized in the second quarter of 2008 and no longer offset a portion of interest expense. The combined effects of lower interest rates, interest protection strategies, and lower debt principal indicate that our interest expense will be approximately $1,300,000 lower for the year 2008 than 2007.
23
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate from continuing operations of approximately 43.6% for the second quarter of 2008 and 42.6% for the second quarter of 2007 exceeds the federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and interest expense accrued on unrecognized tax benefits. The change in the effective tax rate from 2008 to 2007 is the result of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions according to FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Cash generated from operations was $9,057,000 in the first six months of 2008 compared to $11,540,000 in the first six months of 2007. Cash provided by operations in the first six months of 2008 and 2007 was primarily attributable to net income plus non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization. Outstanding accounts receivable balances increased by $3,674,000 and $7,254,000 in the first six months of 2008 and 2007, respectively as a result of customer installations in progress evolving into the billing stage primarily in the Enventis Sector. In 2008, inventory in the Enventis Sector increased primarily due to customer activity levels at the end of the second quarter. Inventory for the Enventis Sector is a temporary staging point in the customized equipment ordering/installation cycle. The decrease in inventory of $2,125,000 in the first six months of 2007 was primarily due to a decrease in inventory in the Enventis Sector which was a direct consequence of the increased billings to customers noted above.
Cash used in investing activities was driven by capital expenditures which increased $1,925,000 during the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007. We are making a concentrated effort to focus spending on revenue generating products, services, and key strategic initiatives. We anticipate the level of total capital spending in 2008 to be slightly higher than the level of capital spending seen in 2007.
Cash used in financing activities in the first six months of 2008 was $362,000 compared to $5,216,000 in the first six months of 2007. In 2007, a decrease in the overall credit facility of $6,650,000 resulted from repayments of $10,650,000, offset by borrowings of $4,000,000. During the first six months of 2008, we experienced an increase in our long term debt position of $4,300,000 which resulted from repayments of $11,600,000 offset by borrowings of $15,900,000. In 2008, we anticipate that our growth initiatives will cause minimal reductions in our current debt level by year end. In 2007, we terminated two outstanding interest-rate swap agreements which had original maturities of June 2008 resulting in proceeds of $1,936.000.
Working Capital
Working capital (i.e. current assets minus current liabilities) was $15,115,000 as of June 30, 2008, compared to working capital of $8,228,000 as of December 31, 2007. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.5 as of June 30, 2008 and 1.3 as of December 31, 2007.
Extended-Term Payable
Enventis has a $20,000,000 wholesale financing agreement with a financing company to fund inventory purchased from certain approved vendors. Advances under the financing arrangement are collateralized by the accounts receivable and inventory of Enventis and a guaranty of up to $16,000,000 from HickoryTech Corporation. The financing agreement provides sixty-day interest-free payment terms for inventory purchases and can be terminated at any time by either party. The balance outstanding under the financing arrangement was $13,041,000 at June 30, 2008 and $14,443,000 at December 31, 2007. These balances are classified as current liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets and are not considered part of our debt financing.
24
Long-Term Obligations
Our long-term obligations as of June 30, 2008 were $132,313,000, excluding current maturities of $1,025,000 on debt and $316,000 on current maturities of capital leases. Long-term obligations as of December 31, 2007, were $128,475,000 excluding current maturities of $475,000 on debt and $256,000 of capital leases. On December 30, 2005, we entered into a $160,000,000 credit agreement with a syndicate of banks (subsequently reduced to a $155,575,000 facility as of June 30, 2008 through normal quarterly amortization), which amended our previous credit facility. The credit facility is comprised of a $30,000,000 revolving credit component that expires on December 30, 2011 and a $130,000,000 term loan component (subsequently reduced to $125,575,000 as of June 30, 2008 through normal quarterly amortization).
The term loan component is comprised of two components, which are defined as term loan B and term loan C. The outstanding principal balance of term loan B is $106,075,000 as of June 30, 2008, and is held by commercial lenders. Under the terms of term loan B, we are required to make quarterly principal payments of $275,000 from March 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011 with the remainder of the aggregate principal due in two payments on March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012. Due to the aggressive pay down of debt in 2007, we are not required to make quarterly principal payments during the first three quarters of 2008. The outstanding principal balance of term loan C is $19,500,000 as of June 30, 2008 and is held entirely by the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC). Under the terms of term loan C, we are required to make quarterly principal payments of $50,000 on the aggregate principal amount from March 31, 2008 through December 31, 2012 with the remainder of the aggregate principal due in two payments on March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013. Under the terms of the revolving credit facility, any outstanding principal is payable in full on December 30, 2011. The outstanding balance of the revolving credit facility is $7,400,000 as of June 30, 2008.
Our debt requires us to comply, on a consolidated basis, with specified financial ratios and tests. These financial ratios and tests include maximum leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio, and maximum capital expenditures. We were in full compliance with these ratios and tests as of June 30, 2008. Our obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first-priority lien on all property and assets, tangible and intangible of HickoryTech and its current subsidiaries, including, but not limited to accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and intellectual property; general intangibles, cash and proceeds of the foregoing. HickoryTech has also given a first-priority pledge of the capital stock of HickoryTechs current subsidiaries to secure the credit facility.
Other
We believe that cash flow from operations and current cash balances, are adequate to meet our anticipated operating, capital expenditures, and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future.
We do not have operations subject to risks of foreign currency fluctuations. We do, however, use derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Our objectives for holding derivatives are to minimize interest rate risks using the most effective methods to eliminate or reduce the impact of these exposures. Variable rate debt instruments are subject to interest rate risk. In March 2007, we terminated two outstanding interest-rate swap agreements, with original maturities of June 2008, in exchange for $1,936,000 in proceeds. Proceeds of $664,000 and $609,000 were recognized as an offset to interest expense during the first six months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Immediately following the termination of the two agreements discussed above, we executed a new interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on $60,000,000 of variable-rate debt through March of 2010. On March 28, 2008, we entered into a second interest-rate swap agreement, effectively locking in the interest rate on an additional $40,000,000 of variable-interest rate debt through February 2010.
The cumulative gain or loss on current derivative instruments is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders equity and is recognized in earnings when the term of the protection agreement is concluded. Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates as a portion of our long-term debt has variable interest rates based on LIBOR. If interest rates for the portion of our long-term debt based on variable rates had averaged 10% more for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, our interest expense would have increased $16,000.
25
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the Evaluation Date), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Other than routine litigation incidental to our business there are no pending material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject.
There have not been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
None.
None.
a. |
|
The annual shareholders meeting was held on May 6, 2008. The only matter presented to the shareholders at the annual meeting was the reelection of four directors to terms expiring in 2011. Lyle T. Bosaker, Myrita T. Craig, and John W. Finke continued as directors after the meeting whose terms expire in 2009, and John H. Holdredge, Lyle G. Jacobson, and Starr J. Kirklin continued as directors after the meeting whose terms expire in 2010. |
|
|
|
b. |
|
The names of the directors elected at the annual meeting and the applicable votes were as follows: |
Director |
|
For |
|
Withheld |
|
Robert D. Alton, Jr. |
|
9,423,123 |
|
836,638 |
|
James W. Bracke |
|
9,922,806 |
|
336,955 |
|
R. Wynn Kearney, Jr. |
|
9,908,513 |
|
351,249 |
|
Dale E. Parker |
|
9,912,701 |
|
347,060 |
|
26
None.
Exhibit 31.1 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
27
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: |
July 29, 2008 |
|
HICKORY TECH CORPORATION |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By: |
/s/ John W. Finke |
|
|
|
|
John W. Finke, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By: |
/s/ David A. Christensen |
|
|
|
|
David A. Christensen, Senior Vice President and |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
28