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AT&T INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

 

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 001-8610

 

AT&T INC.

 

Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 43-1301883

 

208 S. Akard St., Dallas, Texas 75202

Telephone Number: (210) 821-4105

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

 

 

Name of each exchange

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

on which registered

Common Shares (Par Value $1.00 Per Share)

T

New York Stock Exchange

Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 5.000% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A

T PRA

New York Stock Exchange

Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 4.750% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C

T PRC

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. Floating Rate Global Notes due August 3, 2020

T 20C

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.875% Global Notes due December 4, 2020

T 20

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.650% Global Notes due December 17, 2021

T 21B

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.450% Global Notes due June 1, 2022

T 22B

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.500% Global Notes due March 15, 2023

T 23

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.750% Global Notes due May 19, 2023

T 23C

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. Floating Rate Global Notes due September 5, 2023

T 23D

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.050% Global Notes due September 5, 2023

T 23E

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.300% Global Notes due September 5, 2023

T 23A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.950% Global Notes due September 15, 2023

T 23F

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.400% Global Notes due March 15, 2024

T 24A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 3.500% Global Notes due December 17, 2025

T 25

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 0.250% Global Notes due March 4, 2026

T 26E

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 5, 2026

T 26D

New York Stock Exchange

 

 


 

 

 

Name of each exchange

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

on which registered

AT&T Inc. 2.900% Global Notes due December 4, 2026

T 26A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.350% Global Notes due September 5, 2029

T 29D

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 4.375% Global Notes due September 14, 2029

T 29B

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.600% Global Notes due December 17, 2029

T 29A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 0.800% Global Notes due March 4, 2030

T 30B

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 3.550% Global Notes due December 17, 2032

T 32

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 5.200% Global Notes due November 18, 2033

T 33

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 3.375% Global Notes due March 15, 2034

T 34

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 2.450% Global Notes due March 15, 2035

T 35

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 3.150% Global Notes due September 4, 2036

T 36A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 14, 2039

T 39B

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 7.000% Global Notes due April 30, 2040

T 40

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due June 1, 2043

T 43

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 4.875% Global Notes due June 1, 2044

T 44

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 4.000% Global Notes due June 1, 2049

T 49A

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due March 1, 2050

T 50

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 5.350% Global Notes due November 1, 2066

TBB

New York Stock Exchange

AT&T Inc. 5.625% Global Notes due August 1, 2067

TBC

New York Stock Exchange

 

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 has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes [X] No [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

[X]

 

Accelerated filer

[ ]

Non-accelerated filer

[ ]

 

Smaller reporting company

[ ]

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

[ ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Yes [ ] No [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [ ] No [X]

 

At April 30, 2020, there were 7,125 million common shares outstanding.

 


 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

AT&T INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

38,883

 

$

40,684

Equipment

 

3,896

 

 

4,143

Total operating revenues

 

42,779

 

 

44,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment

 

4,092

 

 

4,502

Broadcast, programming and operations

 

6,847

 

 

7,652

Other cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

8,342

 

 

8,585

Selling, general and administrative

 

8,790

 

 

9,649

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,222

 

 

7,206

Total operating expenses

 

35,293

 

 

37,594

Operating Income

 

7,486

 

 

7,233

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(2,018)

 

 

(2,141)

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates

 

(6)

 

 

(7)

Other income (expense) – net

 

803

 

 

286

Total other income (expense)

 

(1,221)

 

 

(1,862)

Income Before Income Taxes

 

6,265

 

 

5,371

Income tax expense

 

1,302

 

 

1,023

Net Income

 

4,963

 

 

4,348

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

(353)

 

 

(252)

Net Income Attributable to AT&T

$

4,610

 

$

4,096

Less: Preferred Stock Dividends

 

(32)

 

 

-

Net Income Attributable to Common Stock

$

4,578

 

$

4,096

Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stock

$

0.63

 

$

0.56

Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stock

$

0.63

 

$

0.56

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding – Basic (in millions)

 

7,187

 

 

7,313

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding with Dilution (in millions)

 

7,214

 

 

7,342

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

3


 

AT&T INC.

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

Dollars in millions

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Net income

$

4,963

 

$

4,348

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency:

 

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustment (includes $(51) and $0 attributable to noncontrolling interest),

 

 

 

 

 

net of taxes of $(62) and $49

 

(1,854)

 

 

288

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains, net of taxes of $22 and $5

 

66

 

 

16

Derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $(971) and $34

 

(3,657)

 

 

127

Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of $0 and $2

 

-

 

 

11

Defined benefit postretirement plans:

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, net of taxes of $(151)

 

 

 

 

 

and $(113)

 

(461)

 

 

(346)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(5,906)

 

 

96

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

(943)

 

 

4,444

Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(302)

 

 

(252)

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AT&T

$

(1,245)

 

$

4,192

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

4


 

AT&T INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Assets

(Unaudited)

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,955

 

$

12,130

Accounts receivable - net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,651 and $1,235

 

19,908

 

 

22,636

Prepaid expenses

 

1,600

 

 

1,631

Other current assets

 

21,241

 

 

18,364

Total current assets

 

52,704

 

 

54,761

Noncurrent inventories and theatrical film and television production costs

 

13,276

 

 

12,434

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

329,187

 

 

333,538

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(200,266)

 

 

(203,410)

Property, Plant and Equipment – Net

 

128,921

 

 

130,128

Goodwill

 

145,546

 

 

146,241

Licenses – Net

 

96,662

 

 

97,907

Trademarks and Trade Names – Net

 

23,293

 

 

23,567

Distribution Networks – Net

 

14,886

 

 

15,345

Other Intangible Assets – Net

 

19,623

 

 

20,798

Investments in and Advances to Equity Affiliates

 

3,606

 

 

3,695

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

24,008

 

 

24,039

Other Assets

 

22,829

 

 

22,754

Total Assets

$

545,354

 

$

551,669

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Debt maturing within one year

$

17,067

 

$

11,838

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

40,771

 

 

45,956

Advanced billings and customer deposits

 

5,960

 

 

6,124

Accrued taxes

 

2,169

 

 

1,212

Dividends payable

 

3,737

 

 

3,781

Total current liabilities

 

69,704

 

 

68,911

Long-Term Debt

 

147,202

 

 

151,309

Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

58,491

 

 

59,502

Postemployment benefit obligation

 

18,324

 

 

18,788

Operating lease liabilities

 

21,584

 

 

21,804

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

34,600

 

 

29,421

Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities

 

132,999

 

 

129,515

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock ($1 par value, 10,000,000 authorized):

 

 

 

 

 

Series A (48,000 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

 

-

 

 

-

Series B (20,000 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019)

 

-

 

 

-

Series C (70,000 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019)

 

-

 

 

-

Common stock ($1 par value, 14,000,000,000 authorized at March 31, 2020 and

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2019: issued 7,620,748,598 at March 31, 2020 and at December 31, 2019)

 

7,621

 

 

7,621

Additional paid-in capital

 

129,966

 

 

126,279

Retained earnings

 

58,534

 

 

57,936

Treasury stock (495,533,462 at March 31, 2020 and 366,193,458 at December 31, 2019,

 

 

 

 

 

at cost)

 

(17,957)

 

 

(13,085)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

(385)

 

 

5,470

Noncontrolling interest

 

17,670

 

 

17,713

Total stockholders’ equity

 

195,449

 

 

201,934

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$

545,354

 

$

551,669

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5


 

AT&T INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Dollars in millions

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

4,963

 

$

4,348

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,222

 

 

7,206

Amortization of television and film costs

 

2,269

 

 

2,497

Undistributed earnings from investments in equity affiliates

 

39

 

 

112

Provision for uncollectible accounts

 

780

 

 

592

Deferred income tax expense

 

259

 

 

753

Net (gain) loss on assets, net of impairments

 

(646)

 

 

(175)

Pension and postretirement benefit expense (credit)

 

(748)

 

 

(369)

Actuarial (gain) loss on pension and postretirement benefits

 

-

 

 

432

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

1,695

 

 

2,125

Other current assets, inventories and theatrical film and television production costs

 

(3,267)

 

 

(2,510)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

(3,884)

 

 

(3,686)

Equipment installment receivables and related sales

 

535

 

 

652

Deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment costs

 

105

 

 

(375)

Postretirement claims and contributions

 

(111)

 

 

(193)

Other - net

 

(345)

 

 

(357)

Total adjustments

 

3,903

 

 

6,704

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

8,866

 

 

11,052

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(4,938)

 

 

(5,121)

Interest during construction

 

(28)

 

 

(61)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(100)

 

 

(117)

Dispositions

 

118

 

 

10

(Purchases), sales and settlement of securities and investments, net

 

(6)

 

 

(1)

Advances to and investments in equity affiliates, net

 

(68)

 

 

(111)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(5,022)

 

 

(5,401)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in short-term borrowings with original maturities of three months or less

 

1,742

 

 

(256)

Issuance of other short-term borrowings

 

1,390

 

 

296

Repayment of other short-term borrowings

 

-

 

 

(176)

Issuance of long-term debt

 

4,357

 

 

9,182

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(4,422)

 

 

(9,840)

Payment of vendor financing

 

(791)

 

 

(819)

Issuance of preferred stock

 

3,869

 

 

-

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(5,463)

 

 

(189)

Issuance of treasury stock

 

58

 

 

167

Dividends paid

 

(3,737)

 

 

(3,714)

Other

 

(3,102)

 

 

928

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

(6,099)

 

 

(4,421)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(2,255)

 

 

1,230

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning of year

 

12,295

 

 

5,400

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash End of Period

$

10,040

 

$

6,630

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6


 

AT&T INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

March 31, 2019

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

Preferred Stock - Series A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Issuance of stock

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

Balance at end of period

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Preferred Stock - Series B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Issuance of stock

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

Balance at end of period

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Preferred Stock - Series C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Issuance of stock

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

Balance at end of period

-

 

$

-

 

-

 

$

-

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

7,621

 

$

7,621

 

7,621

 

$

7,621

Issuance of stock

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

Balance at end of period

7,621

 

$

7,621

 

7,621

 

$

7,621

Additional Paid-In Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

$

126,279

 

 

 

$

125,525

Repurchase and acquisition of common stock

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

-

Issuance of preferred stock

 

 

 

3,869

 

 

 

 

-

Issuance of treasury stock

 

 

 

(47)

 

 

 

 

(77)

Share-based payments

 

 

 

(202)

 

 

 

 

(274)

Balance at end of period

 

 

$

129,966

 

 

 

$

125,174

Retained Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

$

57,936

 

 

 

$

58,753

Net income attributable to AT&T ($0.63 and $0.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per diluted share)

 

 

 

4,610

 

 

 

 

4,096

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

(32)

 

 

 

 

-

Common stock dividends ($0.52 and $0.51 per share)

 

 

 

(3,687)

 

 

 

 

(3,741)

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and other adjustments

 

 

 

(293)

 

 

 

 

316

Balance at end of period

 

 

$

58,534

 

 

 

$

59,424

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

7


 

AT&T INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - continued

Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

March 31, 2019

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

(366)

 

$

(13,085)

 

(339)

 

$

(12,059)

Repurchase and acquisition of common stock

(148)

 

 

(5,547)

 

(7)

 

 

(208)

Issuance of treasury stock

18

 

 

675

 

22

 

 

815

Balance at end of period

(496)

 

$

(17,957)

 

(324)

 

$

(11,452)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to AT&T, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

$

5,470

 

 

 

$

4,249

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AT&T

 

 

 

(5,855)

 

 

 

 

96

Balance at end of period

 

 

$

(385)

 

 

 

$

4,345

Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

$

17,713

 

 

 

$

9,795

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

353

 

 

 

 

252

Issuance and acquisition of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

9

Distributions

 

 

 

(339)

 

 

 

 

(246)

Translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interest, net of taxes

 

 

 

(51)

 

 

 

 

-

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and other adjustments

 

 

 

(7)

 

 

 

 

29

Balance at end of period

 

 

$

17,670

 

 

 

$

9,839

Total Stockholders’ Equity at beginning of year

 

 

$

201,934

 

 

 

$

193,884

Total Stockholders’ Equity at end of period

 

 

$

195,449

 

 

 

$

194,951

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

8


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” “AT&T” or the “Company.” The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries and affiliates which we control. AT&T is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates operate worldwide in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. These consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods, consisting of normal recurring accruals and other items.

 

All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in subsidiaries and partnerships which we do not control but have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one quarter of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees’ other comprehensive income (OCI) items.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions, including potential impacts arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior period amounts have been conformed to the current period’s presentation.

 

In the tables throughout this document, percentage increases and decreases that are not considered meaningful are denoted with a dash.

 

Adopted and Pending Accounting Standards and Other Changes

 

Credit Losses As of January 1, 2020, we adopted, through modified retrospective application, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASU 2016-13, as amended), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology under prior GAAP with an expected credit loss model. ASU 2016-13 affects trade receivables, loans, contract assets, certain beneficial interests, off-balance-sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance and other financial assets that are not subject to fair value through net income, as defined by the standard. Under the expected credit loss model, we are required to consider future economic trends to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the asset. Upon adoption, we recorded a $293 reduction to “Retained earnings,” $395 increase to “allowances for doubtful accounts” applicable to our trade and loan receivables, $10 reduction of contract assets, $105 reduction of net deferred income tax liability and $7 reduction of “Noncontrolling interest” as an opening adjustment. Our adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (ASU 2020-04), which provides optional expedients, and allows for certain exceptions to existing GAAP, for contract modifications triggered by the expected market transition of certain benchmark interest rates to alternative reference rates. ASU 2020-04 applies to contracts, hedging relationships and other arrangements that reference the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) or any other rates ending after December 31, 2022. We are evaluating the impact of our adoption of ASU 2020-04, including optional expedients, for impact to our financial statements.

 

Intangible Assets During the first quarter of 2020, in conjunction with the nationwide launch of AT&T TV and our customers’ continued shift from linear to streaming video services, we reassessed the estimated economic lives and renewal assumptions for our orbital slot licenses. As a result, we have changed the estimated lives of these licenses from indefinite to finite-lived, effective January 1, 2020, and began amortizing our orbital slot licenses using the sum-of-months-digits method over their average remaining economic life of 15 years. This change in accounting increased amortization expense $386, or $0.04 per diluted share available to common stock during the first quarter of 2020.

9


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

We also reassessed and changed the estimated economic lives of certain trade names in our Latin America business from indefinite to finite-lived and began amortizing them using the straight-line method over their average remaining economic life of 15 years. This change had an insignificant impact on our financial statements.

 

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, is shown in the table below:

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Numerators

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator for basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

4,963

 

$

4,348

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(353)

 

 

(252)

Net income attributable to AT&T

 

4,610

 

 

4,096

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

(32)

 

 

-

Net income attributable to common stock

 

4,578

 

 

4,096

Dilutive potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based payment

 

6

 

 

6

Numerator for diluted earnings per share

$

4,584

 

$

4,102

Denominators (000,000)

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

7,187

 

 

7,313

Dilutive potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based payment (in shares)

 

27

 

 

29

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

 

7,214

 

 

7,342

Basic earnings per share attributable to Common Stock

$

0.63

 

$

0.56

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Common Stock

$

0.63

 

$

0.56

 

In the first quarter of 2020, we completed an accelerated share repurchase agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase AT&T common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, we paid the financial institution $4,000 and received 104.8 million shares.

10


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

NOTE 3. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Changes in the balances of each component included in accumulated OCI are presented below. All amounts are net of tax and exclude noncontrolling interest.

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

 

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities

 

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments

 

Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Balance as of December 31, 2019

$

(3,056)

 

$

48

 

$

(37)

 

$

8,515

 

$

5,470

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(loss) before reclassifications

 

(1,803)

 

 

66

 

 

(3,657)

 

 

-

 

 

(5,394)

Amounts reclassified

from accumulated OCI

 

-

1

 

-

1

 

-

2

 

(461)

3

 

(461)

Net other comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income (loss)

 

(1,803)

 

 

66

 

 

(3,657)

 

 

(461)

 

 

(5,855)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

$

(4,859)

 

$

114

 

$

(3,694)

 

$

8,054

 

$

(385)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

 

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities

 

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments

 

Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Balance as of December 31, 2018

$

(3,084)

 

$

(2)

 

$

818

 

$

6,517

 

$

4,249

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(loss) before reclassifications

 

288

 

 

16

 

 

127

 

 

-

 

 

431

Amounts reclassified

from accumulated OCI

 

-

1

 

-

1

 

11

2

 

(346)

3

 

(335)

Net other comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income (loss)

 

288

 

 

16

 

 

138

 

 

(346)

 

 

96

Balance as of March 31, 2019

$

(2,796)

 

$

14

 

$

956

 

$

6,171

 

$

4,345

1

(Gains) losses are included in "Other income (expense) - net" in the consolidated statements of income.

2

(Gains) losses are included in "Interest expense" in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 7).

3

The amortization of prior service credits associated with postretirement benefits are included in "Other income (expense) - net" in

 

the consolidated statements of income (see Note 6).

 

NOTE 4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Our segments are strategic business units that offer products and services to different customer segments over various technology platforms and/or in different geographies that are managed accordingly. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition-related costs and other significant items (as discussed below), and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment. We have four reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia, (3) Latin America, and (4) Xandr.

 

We also evaluate segment and business unit performance based on EBITDA and/or EBITDA margin, which is defined as operating contribution excluding equity in net income (loss) of affiliates and depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA to be a relevant and useful measurement to our investors as it is part of our internal management reporting and planning processes and it is an important metric that management uses to evaluate operating performance. EBITDA does not

11


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by total revenues.

 

The Communications segment provides wireless and wireline telecom, video and broadband services to consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. This segment contains the following business units:

Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment.

Entertainment Group provides video, including over-the-top (OTT) services, broadband and voice communications services primarily to residential customers. This segment also sells advertising on distribution platforms.

Business Wireline provides advanced IP-based services, as well as traditional voice and data services to business customers.

 

The WarnerMedia segment develops, produces and distributes feature films, television, gaming and other content in various physical and digital formats globally. This segment contains the following business units:

Turner primarily operates multichannel basic television networks and digital properties. Turner also sells advertising on its networks and digital properties.

Home Box Office consists of premium pay television and OTT and streaming services domestically and premium pay, basic tier television and OTT services internationally, as well as content licensing and home entertainment.

Warner Bros. primarily consists of the production, distribution and licensing of television programming and feature films, the distribution of home entertainment products and the production and distribution of games.

 

The Latin America segment provides entertainment and wireless services outside of the U.S. This segment contains the following business units:

Vrio provides video services primarily to residential customers using satellite technology in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mexico provides wireless service and equipment to customers in Mexico.

 

The Xandr segment provides advertising services. These services utilize data insights to develop and deliver targeted advertising across video and digital platforms. Certain revenues in this segment are also reported by the Communications segment and are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Corporate and Other reconciles our segment results to consolidated operating income and income before income taxes, and includes:

Corporate, which consists of: (1) businesses no longer integral to our operations or which we no longer actively market, (2) corporate support functions, (3) impacts of corporate-wide decisions for which the individual operating segments are not being evaluated and (4) the reclassification of the amortization of prior service credits, which we continue to report with segment operating expenses, to consolidated “Other income (expense) – net.”

Acquisition-related items which consists of items associated with the merger and integration of acquired businesses, including amortization of intangible assets.

Certain significant items includes (1) employee separation charges associated with voluntary and/or strategic offers, (2) losses resulting from abandonment or impairment of assets and (3) other items for which the segments are not being evaluated.

Eliminations and consolidations, which (1) removes transactions involving dealings between our segments, including content licensing between WarnerMedia and Communications, and (2) includes adjustments for our reporting of the advertising business.

 

“Interest expense” and “Other income (expense) – net,” are managed only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated results.

12


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

Operating

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Support

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Segment

 

 

Revenues

 

 

Expenses

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

Amortization

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Affiliates

 

 

Contribution

Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

$

17,402

 

$

9,569

 

$

7,833

 

$

2,045

 

$

5,788

 

$

-

 

$

5,788

Entertainment Group

 

10,515

 

 

7,891

 

 

2,624

 

 

1,289

 

 

1,335

 

 

-

 

 

1,335

Business Wireline

 

6,332

 

 

3,951

 

 

2,381

 

 

1,301

 

 

1,080

 

 

-

 

 

1,080

Total Communications

 

34,249

 

 

21,411

 

 

12,838

 

 

4,635

 

 

8,203

 

 

-

 

 

8,203

WarnerMedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

 

3,162

 

 

1,710

 

 

1,452

 

 

69

 

 

1,383

 

 

6

 

 

1,389

Home Box Office

 

1,497

 

 

1,053

 

 

444

 

 

21

 

 

423

 

 

20

 

 

443

Warner Bros.

 

3,240

 

 

2,950

 

 

290

 

 

41

 

 

249

 

 

(8)

 

 

241

Other

 

(540)

 

 

(196)

 

 

(344)

 

 

12

 

 

(356)

 

 

(3)

 

 

(359)

Total WarnerMedia

 

7,359

 

 

5,517

 

 

1,842

 

 

143

 

 

1,699

 

 

15

 

 

1,714

Latin America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

 

887

 

 

783

 

 

104

 

 

147

 

 

(43)

 

 

4

 

 

(39)

Mexico

 

703

 

 

714

 

 

(11)

 

 

134

 

 

(145)

 

 

-

 

 

(145)

Total Latin America

 

1,590

 

 

1,497

 

 

93

 

 

281

 

 

(188)

 

 

4

 

 

(184)

Xandr

 

489

 

 

170

 

 

319

 

 

20

 

 

299

 

 

-

 

 

299

Segment Total

 

43,687

 

 

28,595

 

 

15,092

 

 

5,079

 

 

10,013

 

$

19

 

$

10,032

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

388

 

 

874

 

 

(486)

 

 

87

 

 

(573)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition-related items

 

-

 

 

182

 

 

(182)

 

 

2,056

 

 

(2,238)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain significant items

 

-

 

 

(658)

 

 

658

 

 

-

 

 

658

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliminations and consolidations

 

(1,296)

 

 

(922)

 

 

(374)

 

 

-

 

 

(374)

 

 

 

 

 

 

AT&T Inc.

$

42,779

 

$

28,071

 

$

14,708

 

$

7,222

 

$

7,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

13


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

Operating

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Support

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Segment

 

 

Revenues

 

 

Expenses

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

Amortization

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Affiliates

 

 

Contribution

Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

$

17,363

 

$

10,041

 

$

7,322

 

$

2,013

 

$

5,309

 

$

-

 

$

5,309

Entertainment Group

 

11,328

 

 

8,527

 

 

2,801

 

 

1,323

 

 

1,478

 

 

-

 

 

1,478

Business Wireline

 

6,478

 

 

4,032

 

 

2,446

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,224

 

 

-

 

 

1,224

Total Communications

 

35,169

 

 

22,600

 

 

12,569

 

 

4,558

 

 

8,011

 

 

-

 

 

8,011

WarnerMedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

 

3,443

 

 

2,136

 

 

1,307

 

 

60

 

 

1,247

 

 

25

 

 

1,272

Home Box Office

 

1,510

 

 

921

 

 

589

 

 

22

 

 

567

 

 

15

 

 

582

Warner Bros.

 

3,518

 

 

2,919

 

 

599

 

 

52

 

 

547

 

 

6

 

 

553

Other

 

(92)

 

 

17

 

 

(109)

 

 

9

 

 

(118)

 

 

21

 

 

(97)

Total WarnerMedia

 

8,379

 

 

5,993

 

 

2,386

 

 

143

 

 

2,243

 

 

67

 

 

2,310

Latin America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

 

1,067

 

 

866

 

 

201

 

 

169

 

 

32

 

 

-

 

 

32

Mexico

 

651

 

 

725

 

 

(74)

 

 

131

 

 

(205)

 

 

-

 

 

(205)

Total Latin America

 

1,718

 

 

1,591

 

 

127

 

 

300

 

 

(173)

 

 

-

 

 

(173)

Xandr

 

426

 

 

160

 

 

266

 

 

13

 

 

253

 

 

-

 

 

253

Segment Total

 

45,692

 

 

30,344

 

 

15,348

 

 

5,014

 

 

10,334

 

$

67

 

$

10,401

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

433

 

 

661

 

 

(228)

 

 

204

 

 

(432)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition-related items

 

(42)

 

 

73

 

 

(115)

 

 

1,988

 

 

(2,103)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain significant items

 

-

 

 

248

 

 

(248)

 

 

-

 

 

(248)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliminations and consolidations

 

(1,256)

 

 

(938)

 

 

(318)

 

 

-

 

 

(318)

 

 

 

 

 

 

AT&T Inc.

$

44,827

 

$

30,388

 

$

14,439

 

$

7,206

 

$

7,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

The following table is a reconciliation of Segment Contributions to “Income Before Income Taxes” reported on our consolidated statements of income.

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Communications

$

8,203

 

$

8,011

WarnerMedia

 

1,714

 

 

2,310

Latin America

 

(184)

 

 

(173)

Xandr

 

299

 

 

253

Segment Contribution

 

10,032

 

 

10,401

Reconciling Items:

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

(573)

 

 

(432)

Merger and integration items

 

(182)

 

 

(115)

Amortization of intangibles acquired

 

(2,056)

 

 

(1,988)

Impairments

 

(123)

 

 

-

Gain on spectrum transaction 1

 

900

 

 

-

Employee separation costs and benefit-related losses

 

(119)

 

 

(248)

Segment equity in net income (loss) of affiliates

 

(19)

 

 

(67)

Eliminations and consolidations

 

(374)

 

 

(318)

AT&T Operating Income

 

7,486

 

 

7,233

Interest Expense

 

2,018

 

 

2,141

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates

 

(6)

 

 

(7)

Other income (expense) - net

 

803

 

 

286

Income Before Income Taxes

$

6,265

 

$

5,371

1

Included as a reduction of "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statement of income.

 

The following table presents intersegment revenues by segment.

 

Intersegment Reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Intersegment revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Communications

$

2

 

$

-

WarnerMedia

 

816

 

 

858

Latin America

 

-

 

 

-

Xandr

 

1

 

 

-

Total Intersegment Revenues

 

819

 

 

858

Consolidations

 

477

 

 

398

Eliminations and consolidations

$

1,296

 

$

1,256

 

15


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

NOTE 5. REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Revenue Categories

The following tables set forth reported revenue by category and by business unit:

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020

 

Service Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless

 

 

Advanced Data

 

 

Legacy Voice & Data

 

 

Subscription

 

 

Content

 

 

Advertising

 

 

Other

 

 

Equipment

 

 

Total

Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

$

13,892

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

76

 

$

-

 

$

3,434

 

$

17,402

Entertainment Group

 

-

 

 

2,109

 

 

581

 

 

6,982

 

 

-

 

 

413

 

 

419

 

 

11

 

 

10,515

Business Wireline

 

-

 

 

3,275

 

 

2,129

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

753

 

 

175

 

 

6,332

WarnerMedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,049

 

 

86

 

 

957

 

 

70

 

 

-

 

 

3,162

Home Box Office

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,338

 

 

157

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

1,497

Warner Bros.

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

10

 

 

3,060

 

 

2

 

 

168

 

 

-

 

 

3,240

Eliminations and Other

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

63

 

 

(646)

 

 

20

 

 

23

 

 

-

 

 

(540)

Latin America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

887

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

887

Mexico

 

467

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

236

 

 

703

Xandr

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

489

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

489

Corporate and Other

 

117

 

 

14

 

 

134

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

83

 

 

40

 

 

388

Eliminations and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidations

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(794)

 

 

(413)

 

 

(89)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,296)

Total Operating Revenues

$

14,476

 

$

5,398

 

$

2,844

 

$

11,329

 

$

1,863

 

$

1,544

 

$

1,429

 

$

3,896

 

$

42,779

 

16


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

 

Service Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless

 

 

Advanced Data

 

 

Legacy Voice & Data

 

 

Subscription

 

 

Content

 

 

Advertising

 

 

Other

 

 

Equipment

 

 

Total

Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

$

13,562

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

67

 

$

-

 

$

3,734

 

$

17,363

Entertainment Group

 

-

 

 

2,070

 

 

683

 

 

7,724

 

 

-

 

 

350

 

 

501

 

 

-

 

 

11,328

Business Wireline

 

-

 

 

3,172

 

 

2,397

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

750

 

 

159

 

 

6,478

WarnerMedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,965

 

 

135

 

 

1,261

 

 

82

 

 

-

 

 

3,443

Home Box Office

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,334

 

 

173

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

-

 

 

1,510

Warner Bros.

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

21

 

 

3,332

 

 

10

 

 

155

 

 

-

 

 

3,518

Eliminations and Other

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

49

 

 

(152)

 

 

8

 

 

3

 

 

-

 

 

(92)

Latin America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,067

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,067

Mexico

 

442

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

209

 

 

651

Xandr

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

426

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

426

Corporate and Other

 

163

 

 

13

 

 

7

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

167

 

 

41

 

 

391

Eliminations and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidations

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(837)

 

 

(350)

 

 

(69)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,256)

Total Operating Revenues

$

14,167

 

$

5,255

 

$

3,087

 

$

12,160

 

$

2,651

 

$

1,772

 

$

1,592

 

$

4,143

 

$

44,827

 

17


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

Deferred Customer Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs

Costs to acquire and fulfill customer contracts, including commissions on service activations, for our wireless, business wireline and video entertainment services, are deferred and amortized over the contract period or expected customer relationship life, which typically ranges from three years to five years. For contracts with an estimated amortization period of less than one year, we expense incremental costs immediately.

 

The following table presents the deferred customer contract acquisition costs and deferred customer contract fulfillment costs included on our consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

2020

 

 

2019

Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

$

2,592

 

$

2,462

Other Assets

 

2,997

 

 

2,991

Total deferred customer contract acquisition costs

 

5,589

 

 

5,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Fulfillment Costs

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

4,438

 

 

4,519

Other Assets

 

6,279

 

 

6,439

Total deferred customer contract fulfillment costs

$

10,717

 

$

10,958

 

The following table presents deferred customer contract acquisition cost and deferred customer contract fulfillment cost amortization included in “Other cost of revenue” for the three months ended:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

March 31,

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

2020

 

 

2019

Deferred acquisition cost amortization

$

636

 

$

547

Deferred fulfillment cost amortization

 

1,305

 

 

1,098

 

Contract Assets and Liabilities

A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to bill and receive consideration. The contract asset will decrease as services are provided and billed. For example, when installment sales include promotional discounts (e.g., “buy one get one free”) the difference between revenue recognized and consideration received is recorded as a contract asset to be amortized over the contract term.

 

When consideration is received in advance of the delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded for deferred revenue. Reductions in the contract liability will be recorded as we satisfy the performance obligations.

 

The following table presents contract assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract asset

 

$

2,598

 

$

2,472

Contract liability

 

 

6,757

 

 

6,999

 

Our beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during 2020 was $4,519.

 

18


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 included approximately $1,700 and $1,611, respectively, for the current portion of our contract asset in “Other current assets” and $5,769 and $5,939, respectively, for the current portion of our contract liability in “Advanced billings and customer deposits.”

 

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent services we are required to provide to customers under bundled or discounted arrangements, which are satisfied as services are provided over the contract term. In determining the transaction price allocated, we do not include non-recurring charges and estimates for usage, nor do we consider arrangements with an original expected duration of less than one year, which are primarily prepaid wireless, video and residential internet agreements.

 

Remaining performance obligations associated with business contracts reflect recurring charges billed, adjusted to reflect estimates for sales incentives and revenue adjustments. Performance obligations associated with wireless contracts are estimated using a portfolio approach in which we review all relevant promotional activities, calculating the remaining performance obligation using the average service component for the portfolio and the average device price. As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $36,486, of which we expect to recognize approximately 86% by the end of 2021, with the balance recognized thereafter.

 

NOTE 6. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

Many of our employees are covered by one of our noncontributory pension plans. We also provide certain medical, dental, life insurance and death benefits to certain retired employees under various plans and accrue actuarially determined postretirement benefit costs. Our objective in funding these plans, in combination with the standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), is to accumulate assets sufficient to provide benefits described in the plans to employees upon their retirement. We do not have significant funding requirements in 2020.

 

We recognize actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets in our consolidated results as a component of “Other income (expense) – net” at our annual measurement date of December 31, unless earlier remeasurements are required.

 

19


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

The following table details pension and postretirement benefit costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The service cost component of net periodic pension cost (benefit) is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income while the remaining components are recorded in “Other income (expense) – net.”

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Pension cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

$

257

 

$

240

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

422

 

 

549

Expected return on assets

 

(889)

 

 

(851)

Amortization of prior service credit

 

(28)

 

 

(33)

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

-

 

 

432

Net pension (credit) cost

$

(238)

 

$

337

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

$

13

 

$

18

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

104

 

 

186

Expected return on assets

 

(44)

 

 

(56)

Amortization of prior service credit

 

(582)

 

 

(426)

Net postretirement (credit) cost

$

(509)

 

$

(278)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined net pension and postretirement (credit) cost

$

(747)

 

$

59

 

We also provide senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. For the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, net supplemental pension benefits costs not included in the table above were $19 and $25.

 

NOTE 7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURE

 

The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” provides a three-tiered fair value hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs.

 

The level of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The valuation methodologies described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of future net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. We believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. There have been no changes in the methodologies used since December 31, 2019.

 

20


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Long-Term Debt and Other Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, including current maturities, and other financial instruments, are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

Amount

 

Value

 

Amount

 

Value

Notes and debentures1

$

159,386

 

$

175,902

 

$

161,109

 

$

182,124

Commercial paper

 

3,144

 

 

3,144

 

 

-

 

 

-

Bank borrowings

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

4

Investment securities2

 

3,591

 

 

3,591

 

 

3,723

 

 

3,723

1

Includes credit agreement borrowings.

2

Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method.

 

The carrying amount of debt with an original maturity of less than one year approximates fair value. The fair value measurements used for notes and debentures are considered Level 2 and are determined using various methods, including quoted prices for identical or similar securities in both active and inactive markets.

 

Following is the fair value leveling for investment securities that are measured at fair value and derivatives as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Derivatives designated as hedging instruments are reflected as “Other assets,” “Other noncurrent liabilities” and, for a portion of interest rate swaps, “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic equities

$

674

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

674

International equities

 

143

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

143

Fixed income equities

 

233

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

233

Available-for-Sale Debt Securities

 

-

 

 

1,514

 

 

-

 

 

1,514

Asset Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

-

 

 

14

 

 

-

 

 

14

Foreign exchange contracts

 

-

 

 

77

 

 

-

 

 

77

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency swaps

 

-

 

 

(8,283)

 

 

-

 

 

(8,283)

Interest rate locks

 

-

 

 

(720)

 

 

-

 

 

(720)

Foreign exchange contracts

 

-

 

 

(11)

 

 

-

 

 

(11)

 

21


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic equities

$

844

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

844

International equities

 

183

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

183

Fixed income equities

 

229

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

229

Available-for-Sale Debt Securities

 

-

 

 

1,444

 

 

-

 

 

1,444

Asset Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

2

Cross-currency swaps

 

-

 

 

172

 

 

-

 

 

172

Interest rate locks

 

-

 

 

11

 

 

-

 

 

11

Foreign exchange contracts

 

-

 

 

89

 

 

-

 

 

89

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency swaps

 

-

 

 

(3,187)

 

 

-

 

 

(3,187)

Interest rate locks

 

-

 

 

(95)

 

 

-

 

 

(95)

 

Investment Securities

Our investment securities include both equity and debt securities that are measured at fair value, as well as equity securities without readily determinable fair values. A substantial portion of the fair values of our investment securities is estimated based on quoted market prices. Investments in equity securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for changes resulting from observable, orderly transactions for identical or similar securities. Investments in debt securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows.

 

The components comprising total gains and losses in the period on equity securities are as follows:

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Total gains (losses) recognized on equity securities

$

(203)

 

$

160

Gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold

 

(33)

 

 

18

Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held at end of period

 

(170)

 

 

142

 

At March 31, 2020, available-for-sale debt securities totaling $1,514 have maturities as follows - less than one year: $78; one to three years: $149; three to five years: $160; for five or more years: $1,127.

 

Our cash equivalents (money market securities), short-term investments (certificate and time deposits) and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded at amortized cost, and the respective carrying amounts approximate fair values. Short-term investments and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded in “Other current assets” and our investment securities are recorded in “Other Assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

We enter into derivative transactions to manage certain market risks, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. This includes the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, foreign exchange forward contracts and combined interest rate foreign exchange contracts (cross-currency swaps). We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We record derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value that is derived from observable market data, including yield curves and foreign exchange rates (all of our derivatives are Level 2). Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are presented in the same category on the consolidated statements of cash flows as the item being hedged.

 

22


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Fair Value Hedging We designate our fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. The purpose of these swaps is to manage interest rate risk by managing our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt. These swaps involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts for floating interest rate payments over the life of the swaps without exchange of the underlying principal amount.

 

We also designate some of our foreign exchange contracts as fair value hedges. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge currency risk associated with foreign-currency-denominated operating assets and liabilities.

 

Accrued and realized gains or losses from fair value hedges impact the same category on the consolidated statements of income as the item being hedged. Unrealized gains on fair value hedges are recorded at fair market value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair market value as liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities through earnings. In the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, no ineffectiveness was measured on fair value hedges.

 

Cash Flow Hedging We designate our cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges. We have entered into multiple cross-currency swaps to hedge our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to foreign currency risk generated from the issuance of our foreign-denominated debt. These agreements include initial and final exchanges of principal from fixed foreign currency denominated amounts to fixed U.S. dollar denominated amounts, to be exchanged at a specified rate that is usually determined by the market spot rate upon issuance. They also include an interest rate swap of a fixed or floating foreign currency-denominated interest rate to a fixed U.S. dollar denominated interest rate.

 

We also designate some of our foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge certain film production costs denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair value as liabilities. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are reported as a component of accumulated OCI and are reclassified into the consolidated statements of income in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings.

 

Periodically, we enter into and designate interest rate locks to partially hedge the risk of changes in interest payments attributable to increases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. We designate our interest rate locks as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses when we settle our interest rate locks are amortized into income over the life of the related debt. Over the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify $60 from accumulated OCI to “Interest expense” due to the amortization of net losses on historical interest rate locks.

 

Net Investment Hedging We have designated €1,364 million aggregate principal amount of debt as a hedge of the variability of some of the Euro-denominated net investments of our subsidiaries. The gain or loss on the debt that is designated as, and is effective as, an economic hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation is recorded as a currency translation adjustment within accumulated OCI, net on the consolidated balance sheet. Net gains on net investment hedges recognized in accumulated OCI for 2020 were $25.

 

Collateral and Credit-Risk Contingency We have entered into agreements with our derivative counterparties establishing collateral thresholds based on respective credit ratings and netting agreements. At March 31, 2020, we had posted collateral of $2,809 (a deposit asset) and held no collateral. Under the agreements, if AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded one rating level by Fitch Ratings before the end of March, we would not have been required to post any additional collateral. If AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded four rating levels by Fitch Ratings, two levels by S&P, and two levels by Moody’s, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $6,149. If DIRECTV Holdings LLC’s credit rating had been downgraded below BBB- (S&P), we would have been required to post additional collateral of $200. At December 31, 2019, we had posted collateral of $204 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $44 (a receipt liability). We do not offset the fair value of collateral, whether the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) exists, against the fair value of the derivative instruments.

 

23


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Following are the notional amounts of our outstanding derivative positions:

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

2020

 

2019

Interest rate swaps

$

853

 

$

853

Cross-currency swaps

 

42,325

 

 

42,325

Interest rate locks

 

3,500

 

 

3,500

Foreign exchange contracts

 

106

 

 

269

Total

$

46,784

 

$

46,947

 

Following are the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance:

 

Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

Fair Value Hedging Relationships

2020

 

2019

Interest rate swaps (Interest expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

$

10

 

$

24

Gain (loss) on long-term debt

 

(10)

 

 

(24)

 

In addition, the net swap settlements that accrued and settled in the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were offset against interest expense.

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

2020

 

2019

Cross-currency swaps:

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI

$

(3,979)

 

$

168

Foreign exchange contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI

 

(13)

 

 

(7)

Other income (expense) - net reclassified from

accumulated OCI into income

 

16

 

 

3

Interest rate locks:

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI

 

(636)

 

 

-

Interest income (expense) reclassified from

accumulated OCI into income

 

(16)

 

 

(16)

 

NOTE 8. SALES OF RECEIVABLES

 

We have agreements with various third-party financial institutions pertaining to the sales of certain types of our accounts receivable. The most significant of these programs are discussed in detail below and generally consist of (1) receivables arising from equipment installment plans, which are sold for cash and a deferred purchase price, and (2) revolving service and trade receivables. Under these programs, we transfer receivables to purchasers in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, where applicable. Under the terms of our agreements for these programs, we continue to bill and collect the payments from our customers on behalf of the financial institutions.

 

The sales of receivables did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or to “Total Assets” reported on our consolidated balance sheets. We reflect cash receipts on sold receivables as cash flows from operations in our

24


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash receipts on the deferred purchase price are classified as cash flows from investing activities.

 

Our equipment installment and revolving receivable programs are discussed in detail below. The following table sets forth a summary of the receivables and accounts being serviced:

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Equipment

 

 

 

 

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Installment

 

Revolving

 

Installment

 

Revolving

Gross receivables:

$

3,640

 

$

4,057

 

$

4,576

 

$

3,324

Balance sheet classification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable

 

1,979

 

 

-

 

 

2,467

 

 

-

Trade receivables

 

466

 

 

3,733

 

 

477

 

 

2,809

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent notes and trade receivables

 

1,195

 

 

324

 

 

1,632

 

 

515

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our consolidated balance sheets

 

9,690

 

 

5,300

 

 

9,713

 

 

4,300

Cash proceeds received, net of remittances1

 

7,156

 

 

5,300

 

 

7,211

 

 

4,300

1

Represents amounts to which financial institutions remain entitled, excluding the deferred purchase price.

 

Equipment Installment Receivables Program

We offer our customers the option to purchase certain wireless devices in installments over a specified period of time and, in many cases, once certain conditions are met, they may be eligible to trade in the original equipment for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance paid or settled.

 

We maintain a program under which we transfer a portion of these receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, referred to as the deferred purchase price. In the event a customer trades in a device prior to the end of the installment contract period, we agree to make a payment to the financial institutions equal to any outstanding remaining installment receivable balance. Accordingly, we record a guarantee obligation for this estimated amount at the time the receivables are transferred.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of equipment installment receivables sold under this program during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

Gross receivables sold

$

2,367

 

$

2,701

Net receivables sold1

 

2,273

 

 

2,546

Cash proceeds received

 

1,950

 

 

2,275

Deferred purchase price recorded

 

353

 

 

309

Guarantee obligation recorded

 

44

 

 

101

1

Receivables net of allowance, imputed interest and equipment trade-in right guarantees.

 

The deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation are initially recorded at estimated fair value and subsequently adjusted for changes in present value of expected cash flows. The estimation of their fair values is based on remaining installment payments expected to be collected and the expected timing and value of device trade-ins. The estimated value of the device trade-ins considers prices offered to us by independent third parties that contemplate changes in value after the launch of a

25


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

device model. The fair value measurements used for the deferred purchase price and the guarantee obligation are considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 7).

 

The following table presents the previously transferred equipment installment receivables, which we repurchased in exchange for the associated deferred purchase price during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

Fair value of repurchased receivables

$

288

 

$

423

Carrying value of deferred purchase price

 

277

 

 

407

Gain on repurchases1

$

11

 

$

16

1

These gains are included in “Selling, general and administrative” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our deferred purchase price receivable was $2,378 and $2,336, respectively, of which $1,583 and $1,569 are included in “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other Assets.” The guarantee obligation at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $351 and $384, respectively, of which $189 and $148 are included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of selling these equipment installment receivables is limited to the total amount of our deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation.

 

Revolving Receivables Program

In 2019, we entered into a revolving agreement to transfer up to $4,300 of certain receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiaries to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. In the first quarter of 2020, we expanded the program limit to $5,300. As customers pay their balances, we transfer additional receivables into the program, resulting in our gross receivables sold exceeding net cash flow impacts (e.g., collect and reinvest). The transferred receivables are fully guaranteed by our bankruptcy-remote subsidiaries, which hold additional receivables in the amount of $4,057 that are pledged as collateral under this agreement. The transfers are recorded at fair value of the proceeds received and obligations assumed less derecognized receivables. The obligation is subsequently adjusted for changes in estimated expected credit losses. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these receivables transferred is limited to the amount outstanding.

 

The fair value measurement used for the obligation is considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 7).

 

The following table sets forth a summary of receivables sold:

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

Gross receivables sold/cash proceeds received1

$

4,222

 

$

1,400

Collections reinvested under revolving agreement

 

3,222

 

 

-

Net cash proceeds received (remitted)

$

1,000

 

$

1,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net receivables sold2

$

4,138

 

$

1,363

Obligations recorded

 

126

 

 

52

1

Includes initial sale of receivables of $1,000 and $1,400 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

2

Receivables net of allowance, return and incentive reserves and imputed interest.

 

NOTE 9. LEASES

 

We have operating and finance leases for certain facilities and equipment used in operations. Our leases generally have remaining lease terms of up to 15 years. Some of our real estate operating leases contain renewal options that may be exercised, and some of our leases include options to terminate the leases within one year.

26


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

We have recognized a right-of-use asset for both operating and finance leases, and an operating lease liability that represents the present value of our obligation to make payments over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate for operating and finance leases, which was determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We use the unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjust that rate to approximate a collateralized rate in the currency of the lease, which will be updated on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease liabilities.

 

The components of lease expense were as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

2020

 

2019

Operating lease cost

$

1,377

 

$

1,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of right-of-use assets

$

67

 

$

66

Interest on lease obligation

 

41

 

 

42

Total finance lease cost

$

108

 

$

108

 

The following tables set forth supplemental balance sheet information related to leases:

 

 

 

March 31,

December 31,

 

2020

2019

Operating Leases

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

$

24,008

$

24,039

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

3,443

$

3,451

 

Operating lease obligation

 

21,584

 

21,804

 

Total operating lease obligation

$

25,027

$

25,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

$

3,298

$

3,534

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(1,302)

 

(1,296)

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

1,996

$

2,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

$

158

$

162

 

Long-term debt

 

1,581

 

1,872

 

Total finance lease obligation

$

1,739

$

2,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

8.4

yrs

Finance leases

 

 

 

10.7

yrs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average Discount Rate

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

4.2

%

Finance leases

 

 

 

8.4

%

 

27


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Future minimum maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

 

At March 31, 2020

Operating

 

Finance

 

Leases

 

Leases

Remainder of 2020

$

3,519

 

$

275

2021

 

4,391

 

 

275

2022

 

4,068

 

 

258

2023

 

3,663

 

 

232

2024

 

3,140

 

 

214

Thereafter

 

11,788

 

 

1,509

Total lease payments

 

30,569

 

 

2,763

Less imputed interest

 

(5,542)

 

 

(1,024)

Total

$

25,027

 

$

1,739

 

NOTE 10. PREFERRED SHARES

 

We have authorized 10 million preferred shares of AT&T stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share. Cumulative perpetual preferred shares consist of the following:

Series A: 48 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 5.00%.

Series B: 20 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a €100,000 per share liquidation preference, and an initial dividend rate of 2.875%, subject to reset beginning on May 1, 2025.

Series C: 70 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 4.75%.

 

So long as the preferred dividends are declared and paid on a timely basis on each series of preferred shares, there are no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T common shares. The preferred shares are optionally redeemable by AT&T at the liquidation price generally on or after five years from the issuance date, or upon certain other contingent events.

 

NOTE 11. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Cash and Cash Flows

We typically maintain our restricted cash balances for purchases and sales of certain investment securities and funding of certain deferred compensation benefit payments.

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,955

 

$

6,516

 

$

12,130

 

$

5,204

Restricted cash in Other current assets

 

8

 

 

20

 

 

69

 

 

61

Restricted cash in Other Assets

 

77

 

 

94

 

 

96

 

 

135

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

10,040

 

$

6,630

 

$

12,295

 

$

5,400

 

28


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

Cash Paid (Received) During the Period for:

 

2020

 

 

2019

Interest

$

2,376

 

$

2,507

Income taxes, net of refunds

 

(354)

 

 

(379)

 

 

Three months ended

 

March 31,

Cash Paid for Amounts Included in Lease Obligations:

2020

 

2019

Operating cash flows from operating leases

$

1,217

 

$

1,332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Lease Cash Flow Disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations

 

1,013

 

 

201

 

Financing Activities

Term Loan On April 6, 2020, we entered into and drew on a $5,500 Term Loan Credit Agreement (Term Loan), with certain commercial banks and Bank of America, N.A., as lead agent. The Term Loan is not subject to amortization, and the entire principal amount will be due and payable on December 31, 2020.

29


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

OVERVIEW

AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” “AT&T” or the “Company” throughout this document, and the names of the particular subsidiaries and affiliates providing the services generally have been omitted. AT&T is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates operate worldwide in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes (Notes).

 

We have four reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia, (3) Latin America and (4) Xandr. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition-related costs and other significant items and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment. Percentage increases and decreases that are not considered meaningful are denoted with a dash.

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

2020

 

2019

Change

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communications

$

34,249

 

$

35,169

(2.6)

%

WarnerMedia

 

7,359

 

 

8,379

(12.2)

 

Latin America

 

1,590

 

 

1,718

(7.5)

 

Xandr

 

489

 

 

426

14.8

 

Corporate and other

 

388

 

 

391

(0.8)

 

Eliminations and consolidation

 

(1,296)

 

 

(1,256)

(3.2)

 

AT&T Operating Revenues

 

42,779

 

 

44,827

(4.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communications

 

8,203

 

 

8,011

2.4

 

WarnerMedia

 

1,714

 

 

2,310

(25.8)

 

Latin America

 

(184)

 

 

(173)

(6.4)

 

Xandr

 

299

 

 

253

18.2

 

Segment Operating Contribution

$

10,032

 

$

10,401

(3.5)

%

 

The Communications segment provides services to businesses and consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. Our business strategies reflect bundled product offerings that cut across product lines and utilize shared assets. This segment contains the following business units:

Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment.

Entertainment Group provides video, including over-the-top (OTT) services, broadband and voice communications services to residential customers. This segment also sells advertising on distribution platforms.

Business Wireline provides advanced IP-based services, as well as traditional voice and data services to business customers.

 

30


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

The WarnerMedia segment develops, produces and distributes feature films, television, gaming and other content over various physical and digital formats. This segment contains the following business units:

Turner primarily operates multichannel basic television networks and digital properties. Turner also sells advertising on its networks and digital properties.

Home Box Office consists of premium pay television and OTT and streaming services domestically and premium pay, basic tier television and OTT services internationally, as well as content licensing and home entertainment.

Warner Bros. primarily consists of the production, distribution and licensing of television programming and feature films, the distribution of home entertainment products and the production and distribution of games.

 

The Latin America segment provides entertainment and wireless services outside of the U.S. This segment contains the following business units:

Vrio provides video services primarily to residential customers using satellite technology in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mexico provides wireless service and equipment to customers in Mexico.

 

The Xandr segment provides advertising services. These services utilize data insights to develop and deliver targeted advertising across video and digital platforms.

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization designated the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic and the President of the United States declared a national emergency. To date, COVID-19 has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in travel restrictions and business slowdowns or shutdowns.

 

Disruptions caused by COVID-19 and measures taken to prevent its spread or mitigate its effects both domestically and internationally have impacted our results of operations. In the first quarter of 2020, we recognized approximately $430, or $0.05 per share, of incremental costs associated with bad debt reserves, voluntary corporate actions taken primarily to protect and compensate front-line employees and contractors, and WarnerMedia production shutdown costs. We expect more than half of these incremental charges will be short-term in nature.

 

In addition to these incremental costs, our operations and comparability were impacted by (1) the cancellation of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament (NCAA tournament), resulting in lower advertising revenues and associated expenses, (2) closures of retail stores, contributing to a decline in wireless equipment sales, with a corresponding reduction in equipment expense and (3) the imposition of travel restrictions, driving significantly lower wireless roaming services that do not have a directly correlated expense reduction. The net impact of these items on profitability was not significant.

 

All subscriber counts at and for the period ended March 31, 2020, exclude customers who we have agreed not to terminate service under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.” For reporting purposes, we count these subscribers as if they had disconnected service.

 

The economic effects of the pandemic and resulting societal changes are currently not predictable. We expect that COVID-19 could affect additional areas of our business in future quarters and that the financial impacts could vary from those seen in the first quarter. There are a number of uncertainties that could impact our future results of operations, including the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation measures; the duration of the pandemic; global economic conditions; changes to our operations; changes in consumer confidence, behaviors and spending; work from home trends; and the sustainability of supply chains.

 

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, we have withdrawn our prior financial guidance.

 

31


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Consolidated Results Our financial results are summarized in the following discussions. Additional analysis is discussed in our “Segment Results” section. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

2020

 

2019

Change

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

38,883

 

$

40,684

(4.4)

%

Equipment

 

3,896

 

 

4,143

(6.0)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

42,779

 

 

44,827

(4.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

28,071

 

 

30,388

(7.6)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,222

 

 

7,206

0.2

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

35,293

 

 

37,594

(6.1)

 

Operating Income

 

7,486

 

 

7,233

3.5

 

Interest expense

 

2,018

 

 

2,141

(5.7)

 

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates

 

(6)

 

 

(7)

14.3

 

Other income (expense) – net

 

803

 

 

286

-

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

6,265

 

 

5,371

16.6

 

Net Income

 

4,963

 

 

4,348

14.1

 

Net Income Attributable to AT&T

 

4,610

 

 

4,096

12.5

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Stock

$

4,578

 

$

4,096

11.8

%

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease was driven by declines in our WarnerMedia, Communications and Latin America segments. Lower WarnerMedia segment revenues reflect unfavorable programming comparisons, including strong carryover theatrical revenues in the first quarter of 2019, and lower advertising revenues from the cancellation of the NCAA tournament. Communications segment revenue declines were driven by continued declines in video and legacy services and lower wireless equipment sales resulting from store closures. Latin America segment revenue declines were primarily due to foreign exchange pressure. Partially offsetting these decreases were revenue increases in wireless service and strategic and managed business service in our Communications segment.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease was driven by a noncash gain of $900 on a spectrum transaction, lower broadcast and programming costs in our Communications and WarnerMedia segments, reduced wireless equipment costs resulting from lower device sales and lower sports licenses from the cancellation of televised sporting events. Expense declines also reflect our continued focus on cost management. Partially offsetting the decreases were incremental costs, including bad debt, associated with COVID-19. As part of our cost and efficiency initiatives, we expect operations and support expense improvements to continue as we size our operations to reflect the new economic activity level.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the first quarter of 2020.

Depreciation expense increased $29, or 0.6%, primarily due to ongoing capital spend for network upgrades and expansion in our Communications segment.

 

Amortization expense decreased $13, or 0.6%, primarily due to the decreased amortization of intangibles associated with WarnerMedia, largely offset by commencement of amortization for orbital slot licenses, beginning in the first quarter of 2020 (see Note 1).

32


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

 

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 16.1% in 2019 to 17.5% in 2020.

 

Interest expense decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower debt balances.

 

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates was essentially flat in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting changes in our investment portfolio, including the second-quarter 2019 sale of Hulu.

 

Other income (expense) – net increased in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to an increase in net benefit credit resulting from lower interest costs on the benefit obligation and higher prior service credit amortization in 2020 and an actuarial loss on pension benefits in 2019 (see Note 6). Partially offsetting the increase were losses on investments in equity securities resulting from market declines in the first quarter of 2020.

 

 

Income taxes increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our effective tax rate was 20.8% for the first quarter of 2020, versus 19.0% for the comparable year prior. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to higher income before income taxes and the impacts of tax settlements in the first quarter of 2019. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to the impacts of tax settlements.

 

COMMUNICATIONS SEGMENT

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

2020

 

2019

Change

 

Segment Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

$

17,402

 

$

17,363

0.2

%

Entertainment Group

 

10,515

 

 

11,328

(7.2)

 

Business Wireline

 

6,332

 

 

6,478

(2.3)

 

Total Segment Operating Revenues

 

34,249

 

 

35,169

(2.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobility

 

5,788

 

 

5,309

9.0

 

Entertainment Group

 

1,335

 

 

1,478

(9.7)

 

Business Wireline

 

1,080

 

 

1,224

(11.8)

 

Total Segment Operating Contribution

$

8,203

 

$

8,011

2.4

%

 

Selected Subscribers and Connections

 

 

 

 

March 31,

(000s)

2020

 

2019

Mobility Subscribers

169,198

 

154,670

Total domestic broadband connections

15,315

 

15,737

Network access lines in service

8,160

 

9,587

U-verse VoIP connections

4,213

 

4,935

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, driven by declines in our Entertainment Group and Business Wireline business units, partially offset by increases in our Mobility business unit. The decrease reflects the continued shift away from linear video and legacy services and lower wireless equipment sales attributable to store closures. Largely offsetting these declines were higher wireless service revenues from growth in our prepaid subscriber base and growth in our postpaid phone subscribers and average revenue per subscriber (ARPU).

33


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

 

Operating contribution increased in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting improvement in our Mobility business unit, partially offset by declines in our Entertainment Group and Business Wireline business units. Our Communications segment operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 22.8% in 2019 to 24.0% in 2020.

 

Communications Business Unit Discussion

Mobility Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

13,968

 

$

13,629

2.5

%

Equipment

 

3,434

 

 

3,734

(8.0)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

17,402

 

 

17,363

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

9,569

 

 

10,041

(4.7)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,045

 

 

2,013

1.6

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

11,614

 

 

12,054

(3.7)

 

Operating Income

 

5,788

 

 

5,309

9.0

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

5,788

 

$

5,309

9.0

%

 

The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mobility:

 

Subscribers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

 

2019

 

Change

Postpaid

75,148

 

 

75,737

 

(0.8)

 

Prepaid

17,808

 

 

17,012

 

4.7

 

Reseller

6,736

 

 

7,495

 

(10.1)

 

Connected devices1

69,506

 

 

54,426

 

27.7

 

Total Mobility Subscribers2

169,198

 

 

154,670

 

9.4

%

1

Includes data-centric devices such as session-based tablets, monitoring devices and primarily wholesale automobile systems. Excludes

 

postpaid tablets.

2

Excludes 55 customers who we have agreed not to terminate service under the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge,” which was

 

implemented March 13, 2020.

 

34


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Net Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

2019

 

Change

Postpaid Phone Net Additions

163

 

79

 

-

%

Total Phone Net Additions

120

 

168

 

(28.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid2, 5

27

 

(207)

 

-

 

Prepaid

(45)

 

101

 

-

 

Reseller

(190)

 

(242)

 

21.5

 

Connected devices3

3,518

 

3,088

 

13.9

 

Mobility Net Subscriber Additions1, 5

3,310

 

2,740

 

20.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid Churn4, 5

1.08

%

1.16

%

(8)

BP

Postpaid Phone-Only Churn4, 5

0.86

%

0.92

%

(6)

BP

1

Excludes acquisition-related additions during the period.

2

In addition to postpaid phones, includes tablets and wearables and other. Tablet net (losses) were (267) and (410) for the three

 

months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Wearables and other net adds were 24 and (17) for the three months ended

 

March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

3

Includes data-centric devices such as session-based tablets, monitoring devices and primarily wholesale automobile systems. Excludes

 

postpaid tablets.

4

Calculated by dividing the aggregate number of wireless subscribers who canceled service during a month divided by the total number

 

of wireless subscribers at the beginning of that month. The churn rate for the period is equal to the average of the churn rate for

 

each month of that period.

5

Excludes 55 customers who we have agreed not to terminate service under the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.”

 

Service revenue increased in the first quarter of 2020 largely due to higher average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) and growth in Cricket subscribers.

 

ARPU

ARPU increased in the first quarter primarily due to a continued shift by subscribers to our unlimited plans.

 

Churn

The effective management of subscriber churn is critical to our ability to maximize revenue growth and to maintain and improve margins. Postpaid churn and postpaid phone-only churn were lower in the first quarter due to pricing changes, competitive offers and industry-wide store closures from COVID-19.

 

Equipment revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2020 driven by lower postpaid smartphone sales reflecting store closures from COVID-19.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower cost of equipment sales from lower volumes and advertising expense and continued improvements in cost efficiencies, partially offset by higher bad debt expense.

 

Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion partially offset by fully depreciated assets.

 

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Mobility operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 30.6% in 2019 to 33.3% in 2020. Our Mobility EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 42.2% in 2019 to

35


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

45.0% in 2020. EBITDA is defined as operating contribution excluding equity in net income (loss) of affiliates and depreciation and amortization.

 

Subscriber Relationships

As the wireless industry has matured, we believe future wireless growth will depend on our ability to offer innovative services, plans and devices that take advantage of our premier 5G wireless network, and to provide these services in bundled product offerings. Subscribers that purchase two or more services from us have significantly lower churn than subscribers that purchase only one service. To support higher mobile data usage, our priority is to best utilize a wireless network that has sufficient spectrum and capacity to support these innovations on as broad a geographic basis as possible.

 

To attract and retain subscribers in a mature and highly competitive market, we have launched a wide variety of plans, including our FirstNet and prepaid products, and arrangements that bundle our video services. Virtually all of our postpaid smartphone subscribers are on plans that provide for service on multiple devices at reduced rates, and such subscribers tend to have higher retention and lower churn rates. We offer unlimited data plans and such subscribers also tend to have higher retention and lower churn rates. Our offerings are intended to encourage existing subscribers to upgrade their current services and/or add devices, attract subscribers from other providers and/or minimize subscriber churn.

 

Connected Devices

Connected devices include data-centric devices such as wholesale automobile systems, monitoring devices, fleet management and session-based tablets. The number of connected device subscriber relationships increased during the first quarter of 2020, driven by the addition of approximately 2.5 million wholesale connected cars through agreements with various carmakers and strong growth in other Internet of Things (IoT) connections. We believe that these connected car agreements give us the opportunity to create future retail relationships with the car owners.

 

Entertainment Group Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video entertainment

$

7,395

 

$

8,074

(8.4)

%

High-speed internet

 

2,109

 

 

2,070

1.9

 

Legacy voice and data services

 

581

 

 

683

(14.9)

 

Other service and equipment

 

430

 

 

501

(14.2)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

10,515

 

 

11,328

(7.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

7,891

 

 

8,527

(7.5)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,289

 

 

1,323

(2.6)

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

9,180

 

 

9,850

(6.8)

 

Operating Income

 

1,335

 

 

1,478

(9.7)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

1,335

 

$

1,478

(9.7)

%

 

36


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for the Entertainment Group business unit:

 

Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

 

2019

Change

Video Connections

Premium TV1

18,576

 

 

22,359

(16.9)

%

AT&T TV Now

788

 

 

1,508

(47.7)

 

Total Video Connections1

19,364

 

 

23,867

(18.9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Broadband Connections1

14,046

 

 

14,454

(2.8)

 

Fiber Broadband Connections

4,096

 

 

3,060

33.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail Consumer Switched Access Lines

3,196

 

 

3,787

(15.6)

 

U-verse Consumer VoIP Connections

3,630

 

 

4,393

(17.4)

 

Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections

6,826

 

 

8,180

(16.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

 

2019

Change

Video Net Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premium TV1

(897)

 

 

(544)

(64.9)

%

AT&T TV Now

(138)

 

 

(83)

(66.3)

 

Net Video Additions1

(1,035)

 

 

(627)

(65.1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Broadband Additions1

(73)

 

 

45

-

 

Fiber Broadband Net Additions

209

 

 

297

(29.6)

%

1

Excludes 66 premium TV and 35 broadband connections who we have agreed not to terminate service under the FCC's "Keep Americans

 

Connected Pledge."

 

Video entertainment revenues are comprised of subscription and advertising revenues. Revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, largely driven by a decline in premium TV subscribers, as we continue to focus on high-value customers, partially offset by subscription-based advertising growth. Consistent with the rest of the industry, our customers continue to shift from a premium linear service to our more economically priced OTT video services, which has pressured our video revenues.

 

High-speed internet revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting higher ARPU resulting from pricing actions and an increase in high-speed fiber connections. Our bundling strategy is helping to lower churn with subscribers who bundle broadband with another AT&T service.

 

Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting the continued migration of customers to our more advanced IP-based offerings or to competitors.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower content costs from fewer subscribers and ongoing cost initiatives, partially offset by higher amortization of fulfillment cost deferrals and higher annual content rate increases.

37


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

 

Depreciation expense decreased in the first quarter of 2020, due to network assets becoming fully depreciated. Partially offsetting the decreases was ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion.

 

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Entertainment Group operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 13.0% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2020. Our Entertainment Group EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 24.7% in 2019 to 25.0% in 2020.

 

Business Wireline Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic and managed services

$

3,879

 

$

3,779

2.6

%

Legacy voice and data services

 

2,129

 

 

2,397

(11.2)

 

Other service and equipment

 

324

 

 

302

7.3

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

6,332

 

 

6,478

(2.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

3,951

 

 

4,032

(2.0)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,301

 

 

1,222

6.5

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

5,252

 

 

5,254

-

 

Operating Income

 

1,080

 

 

1,224

(11.8)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

1,080

 

$

1,224

(11.8)

%

 

Strategic and managed services revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our strategic services are made up of (1) data services, including our VPN, dedicated internet ethernet and broadband, (2) voice service, including VoIP and cloud-based voice solutions, (3) security and cloud solutions, and (4) managed, professional and outsourcing services. Revenue increases were primarily attributable to growth in our dedicated internet, business internet and security services.

 

Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower demand as customers continue to shift to our more advanced IP-based offerings and mobile services or our competitors.

 

Other service and equipment revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020, driven by revenues from customer premises equipment. Revenues from the licensing of intellectual property assets vary from period-to-period and can impact revenue trends. Other service revenues include project-based revenue, which is nonrecurring in nature, as well as revenues from customer premises equipment.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to our continued efforts to drive efficiencies in our network operations through automation and reductions in customer support expenses through digitization.

 

Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter, primarily due to increases in capital spending for network upgrades and expansion.

 

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Business Wireline operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 18.9% in 2019 to 17.1% in 2020. Our Business Wireline EBITDA margin in the first quarter decreased from 37.8% in 2019 to 37.6% in 2020.

 

 

38


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

WARNERMEDIA SEGMENT

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Segment Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

$

3,162

 

$

3,443

(8.2)

%

Home Box Office

 

1,497

 

 

1,510

(0.9)

 

Warner Bros.

 

3,240

 

 

3,518

(7.9)

 

Eliminations & Other

 

(540)

 

 

(92)

-

 

Total Segment Operating Revenues

 

7,359

 

 

8,379

(12.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turner

 

1,320

 

 

1,680

(21.4)

 

Home Box Office

 

816

 

 

670

21.8

 

Warner Bros.

 

2,346

 

 

2,430

(3.5)

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,354

 

 

1,284

5.5

 

Eliminations & Other

 

(319)

 

 

(71)

-

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

143

 

 

143

-

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

5,660

 

 

6,136

(7.8)

 

Operating Income

 

1,699

 

 

2,243

(24.3)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

15

 

 

67

(77.6)

 

Total Segment Operating Contribution

$

1,714

 

$

2,310

(25.8)

%

 

Our WarnerMedia segment consists of our Turner, Home Box Office (HBO) and Warner Bros. business units. The order of presentation reflects the consistency of revenue streams, rather than overall magnitude as that is subject to timing and frequency of studio releases.

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower advertising revenues from the cancellation of televised sporting events at Turner; lower theatrical product revenues, reflecting unfavorable programming comparisons, including strong carryover revenues in the first quarter of 2019 at Warner Bros.; and lower content licensing revenue at HBO.

 

Operating contribution decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our WarnerMedia segment operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 26.8% in 2019 to 23.1% in 2020.

 

39


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

WarnerMedia Business Unit Discussion

Turner Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscription

$

2,049

 

$

1,965

4.3

%

Advertising

 

957

 

 

1,261

(24.1)

 

Content and other

 

156

 

 

217

(28.1)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

3,162

 

 

3,443

(8.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

1,320

 

 

1,680

(21.4)

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

390

 

 

456

(14.5)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

69

 

 

60

15.0

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

1,779

 

 

2,196

(19.0)

 

Operating Income

 

1,383

 

 

1,247

10.9

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

6

 

 

25

(76.0)

 

Operating Contribution

$

1,389

 

$

1,272

9.2

%

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to decreases in advertising revenue largely due to the cancellation of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Partially offsetting the decrease were higher subscription revenues that benefitted from higher domestic affiliate rates, partly offset by unfavorable exchange rates.

 

Cost of revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower programming costs, including NCAA sports licensing costs resulting from cancellation of the NCAA tournament.

 

Selling, general and administrative decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower marketing costs.

 

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Turner operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 36.2% in 2019 to 43.7% in 2020.

 

40


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Home Box Office Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscription

$

1,338

 

$

1,334

0.3

%

Content and other

 

159

 

 

176

(9.7)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

1,497

 

 

1,510

(0.9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

816

 

 

670

21.8

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

237

 

 

251

(5.6)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

21

 

 

22

(4.5)

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

1,074

 

 

943

13.9

 

Operating Income

 

423

 

 

567

(25.4)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

20

 

 

15

33.3

 

Operating Contribution

$

443

 

$

582

(23.9)

%

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower content licensing. Subscription revenue was flat, including digital and international growth that was partially offset by lower domestic linear subscribers.

 

Cost of revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher programming costs and expenses related to the launch of HBO Max, scheduled for second quarter.

 

Selling, general and administrative decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower marketing expenses.

 

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our HBO operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 37.5% in 2019 to 28.3% in 2020.

 

Warner Bros. Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

2020

 

2019

Change

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theatrical product

$

1,106

 

$

1,506

(26.6)

%

Television product

 

1,769

 

 

1,613

9.7

 

Games and other

 

365

 

 

399

(8.5)

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

3,240

 

 

3,518

(7.9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

2,346

 

 

2,430

(3.5)

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

604

 

 

489

23.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

41

 

 

52

(21.2)

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

2,991

 

 

2,971

0.7

 

Operating Income

 

249

 

 

547

(54.5)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

(8)

 

 

6

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

241

 

$

553

(56.4)

%

 

41


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower theatrical product driven by unfavorable comparisons to the prior comparable period, which included, in 2019, carryover revenues from the theatrical release of Aquaman in addition to a more favorable mix of home entertainment releases. Partially offsetting the theatrical declines were higher television product revenues, driven by licensing, partly offset by lower initial telecast revenues driven by television production delays.

 

Cost of revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower marketing of theatrical product, partially offset by incremental costs incurred due to the production hiatus.

 

Selling, general and administrative increased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher bad debt expense and other charges.

 

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Warner Bros. operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 15.5% in 2019 to 7.7% in 2020.

 

LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Segment Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

$

887

 

$

1,067

(16.9)

%

Mexico

 

703

 

 

651

8.0

 

Total Segment Operating Revenues

 

1,590

 

 

1,718

(7.5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio

 

(39)

 

 

32

-

 

Mexico

 

(145)

 

 

(205)

29.3

 

Total Segment Operating Contribution

$

(184)

 

$

(173)

(6.4)

%

 

Operating Results

Our Latin America operations conduct business in their local currency and operating results are converted to U.S. dollars using official exchange rates, subjecting results to foreign currency fluctuations.

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020 driven by lower revenues for Vrio, primarily resulting from foreign exchange pressure, that more than offset growth in Mexico.

 

Operating contribution decreased in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting foreign exchange pressure. Our Latin America segment operating income margin in the first quarter was (11.8)% in 2020 and (10.1)% in 2019.

 

42


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Latin America Business Unit Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

Vrio Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

$

887

 

$

1,067

(16.9)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

783

 

 

866

(9.6)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

147

 

 

169

(13.0)

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

930

 

 

1,035

(10.1)

 

Operating Income

 

(43)

 

 

32

-

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

4

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

(39)

 

$

32

-

%

 

The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Vrio:

 

 

 

March 31,

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

2019

Change

Vrio Video Subscribers

 

13,217

 

 

13,584

(2.7)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

2019

Change

Vrio Video Net Subscriber Additions

 

(114)

 

 

(32)

-

%

 

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to foreign exchange pressures.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Approximately 20% of Vrio expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.

 

Depreciation expense decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates in most of the region.

 

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Vrio operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 3.0% in 2019 to (4.8)% in 2020. Our Vrio EBITDA margin in the first quarter decreased from 18.8% in 2019 to 11.7% in 2020.

 

43


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Mexico Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

$

467

 

$

442

5.7

%

Equipment

 

236

 

 

209

12.9

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

703

 

 

651

8.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

714

 

 

725

(1.5)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

134

 

 

131

2.3

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

848

 

 

856

(0.9)

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

(145)

 

 

(205)

29.3

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

(145)

 

$

(205)

29.3

%

 

The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mexico:

 

 

 

March 31,

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

2019

Change

Mexico Wireless Subscribers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

4,962

 

 

5,642

(12.1)

%

Prepaid

 

13,692

 

 

11,779

16.2

 

Reseller

 

504

 

 

301

67.4

 

Total Mexico Wireless Subscribers

 

19,158

 

 

17,722

8.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

(in 000s)

2020

 

2019

Change

Mexico Wireless Net Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

(141)

 

 

(69)

-

%

Prepaid

 

108

 

 

114

(5.3)

 

Reseller

 

32

 

 

48

(33.3)

 

Mexico Wireless Net Subscriber Additions

 

(1)

 

 

93

-

%

 

Service revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to growth in our prepaid subscriber base.

 

Equipment revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher demand due to higher gross subscriber adds and sales.

 

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily driven by lower maintenance expenses, employee costs and changes in foreign currency rates. These decreases were partially offset by higher equipment sales. Approximately 7% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to the amortization of spectrum licenses and higher in-service assets. These increases were partially offset by changes in foreign exchange rates.

44


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

 

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Mexico operating income margin in the first quarter increased from (31.5)% in 2019 to (20.6)% in 2020. Our Mexico EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from (11.4)% in 2019 to (1.6)% in 2020.

 

XANDR SEGMENT

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating revenues

$

489

 

$

426

14.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

170

 

 

160

6.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20

 

 

13

53.8

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

190

 

 

173

9.8

 

Operating Income

 

299

 

 

253

18.2

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

299

 

$

253

18.2

%

 

Operating revenues increased in the first quarter of 2020 due to strong demand for addressable advertising, including political advertising.

 

Operations and support expenses increased in the first quarter of 2020 driven by ongoing development and growth in the business.

 

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2020. Our Xandr segment operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 59.4% in 2019 to 61.1% in 2020.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL TOTAL ADVERTISING REVENUE INFORMATION

 

As a supplemental presentation to our Xandr segment operating results, we are providing a view of total advertising revenues generated by AT&T. This combined view presents the entire portfolio of advertising revenues reported across all operating segments and represents a significant strategic initiative and growth opportunity for AT&T. See revenue categories tables in Note 5 for a reconciliation.

 

Total Advertising Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

2020

 

2019

Change

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WarnerMedia

$

979

 

$

1,279

(23.5)

%

Communications

 

489

 

 

417

17.3

 

Xandr

 

489

 

 

426

14.8

 

Eliminations

 

(413)

 

 

(350)

(18.0)

 

Total Advertising Revenues

$

1,544

 

$

1,772

(12.9)

%

 

45


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING INFORMATION

 

As a supplemental presentation to our Communications segment operating results, we are providing a view of our AT&T Business Solutions results which includes both wireless and wireline operations. This combined view presents a complete profile of the entire business customer relationship, and underscores the importance of mobile solutions to serving our business customers. Results have been recast to conform to the current period's classification of consumer and business wireless subscribers. See “Discussion and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure” for a reconciliation of these supplemental measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

Business Solutions Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

2020

 

2019

Percent Change

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless service

$

1,949

 

$

1,777

9.7

%

Strategic and managed services

 

3,879

 

 

3,779

2.6

 

Legacy voice and data services

 

2,129

 

 

2,397

(11.2)

 

Other service and equipment

 

324

 

 

302

7.3

 

Wireless equipment

 

710

 

 

590

20.3

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

8,991

 

 

8,845

1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

5,710

 

 

5,614

1.7

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,625

 

 

1,525

6.6

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

7,335

 

 

7,139

2.7

 

Operating Income

 

1,656

 

 

1,706

(2.9)

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates

 

-

 

 

-

-

 

Operating Contribution

$

1,656

 

$

1,706

(2.9)

%

 

OTHER BUSINESS MATTERS

Spectrum Auction We were the winning bidder of high-frequency 37/39 GHz licenses in FCC Auction 103 covering an average of 786 MHz nationwide for approximately $2,400. Prior to the auction, we exchanged the 39 GHz licenses previously acquired through FiberTower Corporation for vouchers to be applied against the winning bids. These vouchers yielded a value of $1,200 which was applied toward our $2,400 gross bids. We made our final payment of approximately $950 for the Auction 103 payment in April 2020. We expect the FCC will grant the licenses in mid-2020.

Labor Contracts As of March 31, 2020, we employed approximately 244,000 persons. Approximately 40% of our employees are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or other unions. After expiration of the collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages or labor disruptions may occur in the absence of new contracts or other agreements being reached.

A contract covering approximately 7,000 Mobility employees expired in February 2020. In March 2020, a new 4-year contract was ratified by employees and will expire in February 2024.

A contract covering approximately 13,000 wireline employees in our West region expired in April 2020. In March 2020, a tentative agreement was reached on a new 4-year contract. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by employees.

 

 

46


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

COMPETITIVE AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

 

Overview AT&T subsidiaries operating within the United States are subject to federal and state regulatory authorities. AT&T subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the markets where service is provided.

 

In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act), Congress established a national policy framework intended to bring the benefits of competition and investment in advanced telecommunications facilities and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition and reducing or eliminating regulatory burdens that harm consumer welfare. Nonetheless, over the ensuing two decades, the FCC and some state regulatory commissions have maintained or expanded certain regulatory requirements that were imposed decades ago on our traditional wireline subsidiaries when they operated as legal monopolies. More recently, the FCC has pursued a more deregulatory agenda, eliminating a variety of antiquated and unnecessary regulations and streamlining its processes in a number of areas. In addition, we are pursuing, at both the state and federal levels, additional legislative and regulatory measures to reduce regulatory burdens that are no longer appropriate in a competitive telecommunications market and that inhibit our ability to compete more effectively and offer services wanted and needed by our customers, including initiatives to transition services from traditional networks to all IP-based networks. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that legacy regulations are not further extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition.

 

Communications Segment

Internet The FCC currently classifies fixed and mobile consumer broadband services as information services, subject to light-touch regulation. Although the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s current classification, challenges to that decision remain pending.

 

A number of states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders that would reimpose net neutrality rules repealed by the FCC, and in some cases, established additional requirements. Suits have been filed concerning laws in certain states, but have been stayed pursuant to agreements by those states not to enforce their laws pending final resolution of all appeals of the FCC order restoring broadband’s status as an information service. We will continue to support congressional action to codify a set of standard consumer rules for the internet.

 

In October 2016, the FCC adopted new rules governing the use of customer information by providers of broadband internet access service. Those rules were more restrictive in certain respects than those governing other participants in the internet economy, including so-called “edge” providers such as Google and Facebook. In April 2017, the president signed a resolution passed by Congress repealing the new rules under the Congressional Review Act.

 

Privacy-related legislation has been considered or adopted in a number of states. Legislative and regulatory action could result in increased costs of compliance, claims against broadband internet access service providers and others, and increased uncertainty in the value and availability of data. Effective as of January 1, 2020, a California state law gives consumers the right to know what personal information is being collected about them, and whether and to whom it is sold or disclosed, and to access and request deletion of this information. Subject to certain exceptions, it also gives California consumers the right to opt out of the sale of personal information.

 

Wireless The industry-wide deployment of 5G technology, which is needed to satisfy extensive demand for video and internet access, will involve significant deployment of “small cell” equipment and therefore increase the need for local permitting processes that allow for the placement of small cell equipment on reasonable timelines and terms. Federal regulations also can delay and impede the deployment of infrastructure used to provide telecommunications and broadband services, including small cell equipment. In March, August and September 2018, the FCC adopted orders to streamline federal and local wireless infrastructure review processes in order to facilitate deployment of next-generation wireless facilities. Specifically, the FCC’s March 2018 Order streamlined historical, tribal, and environmental review requirements for wireless infrastructure, including by excluding most small cell facilities from such review. The Order was appealed and in August 2019, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the FCC’s finding that most small cell facilities are excluded from review, but otherwise upheld the FCC’s Order. The FCC’s August and September 2018 Orders simplified the regulations for attaching telecommunications equipment to utility poles and clarified when local government right-of-way access and use

47


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

restrictions can be preempted because they unlawfully prohibit the provision of telecommunications services. Those orders were appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where they remain pending. In addition to the FCC’s actions, to date, 28 states and Puerto Rico have adopted legislation to facilitate small cell deployment.

 

In December 2018, we introduced the nation’s first commercial mobile 5G service. We now expect nationwide 5G coverage this summer; we anticipate the introduction of 5G handsets and devices will contribute to a renewed interest in equipment upgrades.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The Company's liquidity and capital resources were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions during the first quarter of 2020 despite lower business collections late in the quarter as customers extended their payment cycles, presumably in response to the economic challenges of the pandemic. We will continue to monitor impacts on the COVID-19 pandemic on our liquidity and capital resources. For further discussion regarding the potential future impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company's liquidity and capital resources, see "Part II-Item 1A-Risk Factors."

 

We had $9,955 in “Cash and cash equivalents” available at March 31, 2020. “Cash and cash equivalents” included cash of $3,287 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $6,668. Approximately $2,485 of our “Cash and cash equivalents” were held by our foreign entities in accounts predominantly outside of the U.S. and may be subject to restrictions on repatriation.

 

“Cash and cash equivalents” decreased $2,175 since December 31, 2019. In the first three months of 2020, cash inflows were primarily provided by the cash receipts from operations, including cash from our sale and transfer of our receivables to third parties, issuance of long-term debt, issuance of commercial paper and issuances of cumulative preferred stock. These inflows were offset by cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses, debt repayments, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, collateral posted to banks and other participants in derivative arrangements, share repurchase, and dividends to stockholders.

 

Cash Provided by or Used in Operating Activities

During the first three months of 2020, cash provided by operating activities was $8,866, compared to $11,052 for the first three months of 2019. Lower operating cash flows in 2020 were primarily driven by WarnerMedia profits, including increased HBO Max investments and higher production spend; lower incremental receivable securitization; and working capital pressures, specifically lower business collections late in the quarter.

 

We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for non-capital items to optimize the use of our cash. Among other things, we seek to have payments made on 90-day or greater terms, while providing the suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payments at their cost. In addition, for payments to a key supplier, we have arrangements that allow us to extend payment terms up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (referred to as supplier financing). The net impact of supplier financing on cash from operating activities was to decrease working capital $1,075 and $904 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All supplier financing payments are due within one year.

 

Cash Used in or Provided by Investing Activities

For the first three months of 2020, cash used in investing activities totaled $5,022, and consisted primarily of $4,966 (including interest during construction) for capital expenditures ($216 lower than the prior-year comparable period), and $99 of wireless spectrum deposits. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2020, in April we made our final payment of approximately $950 for wireless spectrum licenses won in Auction 103, and on May 4, we acquired our remaining interest HBO Latin America Group (HBO LAG) for $230.

 

For capital improvements, we have negotiated favorable vendor payment terms of 120 days or more (referred to as vendor financing) with some of our vendors, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported as financing activities. For the first three months of 2020, vendor financing payments were $791, compared to $819 for the first three months of 2019.

48


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

Capital expenditures in the first three months of 2020 were $4,966, and when including $791 cash paid for vendor financing, capital investment was $5,757 ($244 lower than the prior-year comparable period).

 

The vast majority of our capital expenditures are spent on our networks, including product development and related support systems. During the first three month of 2020, we placed $449 of equipment in service under vendor financing arrangements (compared to $733 in the prior-year comparable period) and $338 of assets related to the FirstNet build (compared to $304 in the prior-year comparable period).

 

The amount of capital expenditures is influenced by demand for services and products, capacity needs and network enhancements.

 

Cash Provided by or Used in Financing Activities

For the first three months of 2020, cash used in financing activities totaled $6,099 and was comprised of debt issuances and repayments, issuances of preferred stock, share repurchase, payments of dividends and required collateral deposits.

 

During the first three months of 2020, debt issuances included proceeds of $3,132 in net short-term borrowings and $4,357 of net proceeds from long-term debt, which consisted primarily of the following issuances:

February issuance of $2,995 of 4.000% global notes due 2049.

March draw of $750 on a private financing agreement.

March borrowings of $665 from loan programs with export agencies of foreign governments to support network equipment purchases in those countries.

 

During the first three months of 2020, repayment of long-term debt totaled $4,422. Repayments primarily consisted of the following:

$800 of AT&T floating-rate notes redeemed at maturity.

$2,619 of 4.600% AT&T global notes with original maturities in 2045.

$750 of borrowings under a private financing agreement.

 

Our weighted average interest rate of our entire long-term debt portfolio, including the impact of derivatives, was approximately 4.3% as of March 31, 2020 and 4.4% as of December 31, 2019. We had $159,386 of total notes and debentures outstanding at March 31, 2020, which included Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, Australian dollar, Brazilian real and Mexican peso denominated debt that totaled approximately $40,712.

 

At March 31, 2020, we had $17,067 of debt maturing within one year, including $3,144 of commercial paper borrowings and $13,923 of long-term debt issuances. Debt maturing within one year includes the following notes that may be put back to us by the holders:

$1,000 of annual put reset securities issued by BellSouth that may be put back to us each April until maturity in 2021. These securities were redeemed on April 27, 2020.

An accreting zero-coupon note that may be redeemed each May until maturity in 2022. If the remainder of the zero-coupon note (issued for principal of $500 in 2007 and partially exchanged in the 2017 debt exchange offers) is held to maturity, the redemption amount will be $592.

 

For the first three months of 2020, we paid $791 of cash under our vendor financing program, compared to $819 in the first three months of 2019. Total vendor financing payables included in our March 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet were approximately $1,361, with $997 due within one year (in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”) and the remainder predominantly due within two to three years (in “Other noncurrent liabilities”).

 

Financing activities in the first three months of 2020 also included $3,869 for the February issuance of Series B and Series C preferred stock. (See Note 10)

 

During the first three months of 2020, we repurchased approximately 142 million shares of common stock and completed the share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in 2013. At March 31, 2020, we had approximately 178 million shares remaining from share repurchase authorizations approved by the Board of Directors in 2014. On March 19,

49


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

2020, we announced the cancellation of an accelerated share repurchase agreement that was planned for the second quarter and all other repurchases to maintain flexibility and focus on continued investment in serving our customers, taking care of our employees and enhancing our network, including 5G.

 

We paid dividends on common and preferred shares of $3,737 during the first three months of 2020, compared with $3,714 for the first three months of 2019. Dividends were higher in 2020, primarily due to dividend payments to preferred stockholders and the increase in our quarterly dividend on common stock approved by our Board of Directors in December 2019, partially offset by fewer shares outstanding. Dividends on common stock declared by our Board of Directors totaled $0.52 per share in the first three months of 2020 and $0.51 per share for the first three months of 2019. Our dividend policy considers the expectations and requirements of stockholders, capital funding requirements of AT&T and long-term growth opportunities. It is our intent to provide the financial flexibility to allow our Board of Directors to consider dividend growth and to recommend an increase in dividends to be paid in future periods. All dividends remain subject to declaration by our Board of Directors.

 

Credit Facilities

The following summary of our various credit and loan agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to each agreement filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

We use credit facilities as a tool in managing our liquidity status. In December 2018, we amended our five-year revolving credit agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) and concurrently entered into a new five-year agreement (the “Five Year Credit Agreement”) such that we now have two $7,500 revolving credit agreements totaling $15,000. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement terminates on December 11, 2021 and the Five Year Credit Agreement terminates on December 11, 2023. No amounts were outstanding under either agreement as of March 31, 2020.

 

In September 2019, we entered into and drew on a $1,300 term loan credit agreement containing (i) a 1.25 year $400 facility due in 2020 (BAML Tranche A Facility), (ii) a 2.25 year $400 facility due in 2021 (BAML Tranche B Facility), and (iii) a 3.25 year $500 facility due in 2022 (BAML Tranche C Facility), with Bank of America, N.A., as agent. No repayment had been made under these facilities as of March 31, 2020.

 

On April 6, 2020, we entered into and drew on a $5,500 Term Loan Credit Agreement (Term Loan), with 11 commercial banks and Bank of America, N.A., as lead agent. The Term Loan is not subject to amortization and the entire principal amount of the Term Loan will be due and payable on December 31, 2020.

 

We also utilize other external financing sources, which include various credit arrangements supported by government agencies to support network equipment purchases, as well as a commercial paper program.

 

Each of our credit and loan agreements contains covenants that are customary for an issuer with an investment grade senior debt credit rating as well as a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of not more than 3.5-to-1. As of March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with the covenants for our credit facilities.

 

Collateral Arrangements

During 2019 and 2020, we amended collateral arrangements with certain counterparties to require cash collateral posting by AT&T only when derivative market values exceed certain thresholds. Under these arrangements, counterparties are still required to post collateral. During the first three months of 2020, we deposited approximately $2,650 of cash collateral, on a net basis as we exceeded the market value thresholds with some of the counterparties. Cash postings under these arrangements vary with changes in credit ratings and netting agreements. (See Note 7)

 

Other

Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt maturing within one year) and stockholders’ equity. Our capital structure does not include debt issued by our equity method investments. At March 31, 2020, our debt ratio was 45.7%, compared to 47.4% at March 31, 2019 and 44.7% at December 31, 2019. Our net debt ratio was 42.9% at March 31, 2020,

50


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

compared to 45.6% at March 31, 2019 and 41.4% at December 31, 2019. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors that affect total capital, and reflects our recent debt issuances, repayments and debt acquired in business combinations.

 

During the first three months of 2020, we received $118 from the disposition of assets, and when combined with working capital monetization initiatives, which include the sale of receivables, total cash received from monetization efforts, net of spectrum acquisitions, was approximately $1,000. We plan to continue to explore similar opportunities throughout 2020.

 

 

51


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued

Dollars, subscribers and connections in millions, except per share and per subscriber amounts

 

 

DISCUSSION AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURE

 

We believe the following measure is relevant and useful information to investors as it is used by management as a method of comparing performance with that of many of our competitors. This supplemental measure should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute of, our consolidated and segment financial information.

 

Business Solutions Reconciliation

We provide a supplemental discussion of our Business Solutions operations that is calculated by combining our Mobility and Business Wireline business units, and then adjusting to remove non-business operations. The following table presents a reconciliation of our supplemental Business Solutions results. Results have been recast to conform to the current period's classification of consumer and business wireless subscribers.

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

Mobility

 

Business Wireline

 

Adjustments1

 

Business Solutions

 

 

Mobility

 

Business Wireline

 

Adjustments1

 

Business Solutions

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless service

$

13,968

$

-

$

(12,019)

$

1,949

 

$

13,629

$

-

$

(11,852)

$

1,777

Strategic and managed services

 

-

 

3,879

 

-

 

3,879

 

 

-

 

3,779

 

-

 

3,779

Legacy voice and data services

 

-

 

2,129

 

-

 

2,129

 

 

-

 

2,397

 

-

 

2,397

Other service and equipment

 

-

 

324

 

-

 

324

 

 

-

 

302

 

-

 

302

Wireless equipment

 

3,434

 

-

 

(2,724)

 

710

 

 

3,734

 

-

 

(3,144)

 

590

Total Operating Revenues

 

17,402

 

6,332

 

(14,743)

 

8,991

 

 

17,363

 

6,478

 

(14,996)

 

8,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and support

 

9,569

 

3,951

 

(7,810)

 

5,710

 

 

10,041

 

4,032

 

(8,459)

 

5,614

EBITDA

 

7,833

 

2,381

 

(6,933)

 

3,281

 

 

7,322

 

2,446

 

(6,537)

 

3,231

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,045

 

1,301

 

(1,721)

 

1,625

 

 

2,013

 

1,222

 

(1,710)

 

1,525

Total Operating Expense

 

11,614

 

5,252

 

(9,531)

 

7,335

 

 

12,054

 

5,254

 

(10,169)

 

7,139

Operating Income

 

5,788

 

1,080

 

(5,212)

 

1,656

 

 

5,309

 

1,224

 

(4,827)

 

1,706

Equity in net income (loss)

of affiliates

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Operating Contribution

$

5,788

$

1,080

$

(5,212)

$

1,656

 

$

5,309

$

1,224

$

(4,827)

$

1,706

1Non-business wireless reported in the Communications segment under the Mobility business unit.

 

52


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

 

At March 31, 2020, we had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $853 and a fair value of $14.

 

We have fixed-to-fixed and floating-to-fixed cross-currency swaps on foreign currency-denominated debt instruments with a U.S. dollar notional value of $42,325 to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivatives have been designated at inception and qualify as cash flow hedges with a net fair value of $(8,283) at March 31, 2020. We have rate locks with a notional value of $3,500 and a fair value of $(720) at March 31, 2020.

 

We have foreign exchange contracts with a U.S. dollar notional value of $106 to provide currency at a fixed rate to hedge a portion of the exchange risk involved in foreign currency-denominated transactions. These foreign exchange contracts include fair value hedges, cash flow hedges and economic (nonqualifying) hedges with a total net fair value of $66 at March 31, 2020.

 

We have designated €1,364 million aggregate principal amount of debt as a hedge of the variability of certain Euro-denominated net investments of our subsidiaries. The gain or loss on the debt that is designated as, and is effective as, an economic hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation is recorded as a currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. The chief executive officer and chief financial officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2020.

 

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

53


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially. Many of these factors are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

The following factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:

 

The severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment, mitigation and other measures taken in response, including the potential impacts of these matters on our business and operations.

Our inability to predict the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts will continue to impact our business operations, financial performance and results of operations.

Adverse economic, political and/or capital access changes in the markets served by us or in countries in which we have significant investments and/or operations, including the impact on customer demand and our ability and our suppliers’ ability to access financial markets at favorable rates and terms.

Increases in our benefit plans’ costs, including increases due to adverse changes in the United States and foreign securities markets, resulting in worse-than-assumed investment returns and discount rates; adverse changes in mortality assumptions; adverse medical cost trends; and unfavorable or delayed implementation or repeal of healthcare legislation, regulations or related court decisions.

The final outcome of FCC and other federal, state or foreign government agency proceedings (including judicial review, if any, of such proceedings) and legislative efforts involving issues that are important to our business, including, without limitation, pending Notices of Apparent Liability; the transition from legacy technologies to IP-based infrastructure, including the withdrawal of legacy TDM-based services; universal service; broadband deployment; wireless equipment siting regulations and, in particular, siting for 5G service; E911 services; competition policy; privacy; net neutrality; multichannel video programming distributor services and equipment; content licensing and copyright protection; availability of new spectrum on fair and balanced terms; and wireless and satellite license awards and renewals.

Enactment of additional state, local, federal and/or foreign regulatory and tax laws and regulations, or changes to existing standards and actions by tax agencies and judicial authorities including the resolution of disputes with any taxing jurisdictions, pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments, including laws and regulations that reduce our incentive to invest in our networks, resulting in lower revenue growth and/or higher operating costs.

Potential changes to the electromagnetic spectrum currently used for broadcast television and satellite distribution being considered by the FCC could negatively impact WarnerMedia’s ability to deliver linear network feeds of its domestic cable networks to its affiliates, and in some cases, WarnerMedia’s ability to produce high-value news and entertainment programming on location.

U.S. and foreign laws and regulations regarding intellectual property rights protection and privacy, personal data protection and user consent are complex and rapidly evolving and could result in adverse impacts to our business plans, increased costs, or claims against us that may harm our reputation.

The ability of our competitors to offer product/service offerings at lower prices due to lower cost structures and regulatory and legislative actions adverse to us, including non-regulation of comparable alternative technologies and/or government-owned or subsidized networks.

The continued development and delivery of attractive and profitable wireless, video and broadband offerings and devices, and, in particular, the success of our new HBO Max platform; the extent to which regulatory and build-out requirements apply to our offerings; our ability to match speeds offered by our competitors and the availability, cost and/or reliability of the various technologies and/or content required to provide such offerings.

Our ability to generate advertising revenue from attractive video content, especially from WarnerMedia, in the face of unpredictable and rapidly evolving public viewing habits and legal restrictions on the use of personal data.

The availability and cost and our ability to adequately fund additional wireless spectrum and network upgrades; and regulations and conditions relating to spectrum use, licensing, obtaining additional spectrum, technical standards and deployment and usage, including network management rules.

Our ability to manage growth in wireless data services, including network quality and acquisition of adequate spectrum at reasonable costs and terms.

The outcome of pending, threatened or potential litigation (which includes arbitrations), including, without limitation, patent and product safety claims by or against third parties.

54


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The impact from major equipment or software failures on our networks, including satellites operated by DIRECTV; the effect of security breaches related to the network or customer information; our inability to obtain handsets, equipment/software or have handsets, equipment/software serviced in a timely and cost-effective manner from suppliers; and in the case of satellites launched, timely provisioning of services from vendors; or severe weather conditions including flooding and hurricanes, natural disasters including earthquakes and forest fires, pandemics, energy shortages, wars or terrorist attacks.

The issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting oversight bodies of new accounting standards or changes to existing standards.

Our ability to successfully integrate our WarnerMedia operations, including the ability to manage various businesses in widely dispersed business locations and with decentralized management.

Changes in our corporate strategies, such as changing network-related requirements or acquisitions and dispositions, which may require significant amounts of cash or stock, to respond to competition and regulatory, legislative and technological developments.

The uncertainty surrounding further congressional action to address spending reductions, which may result in a significant decrease in government spending and reluctance of businesses and consumers to spend in general.

 

Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in this report, although not enumerated here, also could materially affect our future earnings.

 

55


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

We discuss in our Annual Report on Form 10-K various risks that may materially affect our business. We use this section to update this discussion to reflect material developments since our Form 10-K was filed.

 

We depend on various suppliers to provide equipment to operate our business and satisfy customer demand and interruption or delay in supply can adversely impact our operating results.

We depend on suppliers to provide us, directly or through other suppliers, with items such as network equipment, customer premises equipment, video equipment and wireless-related equipment such as mobile hotspots, handsets, wirelessly enabled computers, wireless data cards and other connected devices for our customers. These suppliers could fail to provide equipment on a timely basis, or fail to meet our performance expectations, for a number of reasons, including, difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technology, inability to secure component parts, general business disruption, natural disasters, safety issues, economic and political instability and public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and may continue to cause, delays in the development, manufacturing (including the sourcing of key components) and shipment of products. In certain limited circumstances, suppliers have been unable to supply products in a timely fashion. In such limited circumstances, we have been unable to provide products and services precisely as and when requested by our customers. It is possible that, in some circumstances, we could be forced to switch to a different key supplier. Because of the cost and time lag that can be associated with transitioning from one supplier to another, our business could be substantially disrupted if we were required to, or chose to, replace the products of one or more key suppliers with products from another source, especially if the replacement became necessary on short notice. Any such disruption could increase our costs, decrease our operating efficiencies and have a negative effect on our operating results.

 

Our business is subject to risks arising from the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting mitigation measures have caused, and may continue to cause, a negative effect on our operating results. To date, mitigation measures have caused sports leagues to suspend operations as well as the cancellation of many sporting events, including the NCAA tournament, which has adversely affected our advertising revenues, may result in contract disputes concerning carriage rights and will also cause us to incur expenses relating to these sporting events notwithstanding their cancellation. The closure, or the avoidance, of theaters, and the interruptions in movie production and other programming caused by COVID-19, are expected to impact the timing of revenues and may cause a loss of revenue to our Warner Media business over the long term. If the mitigating measures or the associated effects are prolonged, we expect business customers in industries most significantly impacted will reduce or terminate services, having a negative effect on the performance of our Business Wireline business unit. Further, concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic could result in the prolonged closure of many of our retail stores and deter customers from accessing our stores even as the mitigation measures subside. These pandemic concerns may also result in continued impact to our customers’ ability to pay for our products and services. We may also continue to see significant impact on roaming revenues due to a downturn in international travel. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced staffing levels at our call centers and field operations resulting in delays in service. Further reductions in staffing levels could further limit our ability to provide services, adversely impacting our competitive position. We may also incur significantly higher expenses attributable to infrastructure investments required to meet higher network utilization from more customers consuming bandwidth from changes in work from home trends; extended cancellation periods; and increased labor costs if the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation measures have caused, and may continue to cause, adverse impacts on global economic conditions and consumer confidence and spending, which affect demand for our products and services. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business results of operations, cash flows and financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the actions to contain its impact. Due to the speed with which the situation is developing, we are not able at this time to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on our financial or operational results, but the impact could be material.

 

 

56


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION - CONTINUED

Dollars in millions except per share amounts

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the quarter ended March 31, 2020

of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Subject to applicable

law, share purchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, including

accelerated share repurchase agreements, or pursuant to instruments and plans complying with Rule 10b5-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c) A summary of our repurchases of common stock during the first quarter of 2020 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

Period

Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased 1, 2, 3

 

Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)

 

Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1

 

Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2020 -

January 31, 2020

85,491,992

 

$

39.06

 

84,811,852

 

234,687,593

February 1, 2020 -

February 29, 2020

2,485,427

 

 

37.74

 

-

 

234,687,593

March 1, 2020 -

March 31, 2020

59,221,415

 

 

35.32

 

56,745,363

 

177,942,230

Total

147,198,834

 

$

37.53

 

141,557,215

 

 

1

In March 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300 million shares of our common stock. In

 

December 2019, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with a third-party financial institution to

 

repurchase $4.0 billion of the Company's common stock in the first quarter of 2020. Under this agreement, we

 

repurchased approximately 104.8 million shares, which completed the March 2013 authorization. In March 2014, our

 

Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 300 million shares of our common stock. The March

 

2014 authorization has no expiration date.

2

Of the shares repurchased, 5,045,525 shares were acquired through the withholding of taxes on the vesting of

 

restricted stock and performance shares or on the exercise price of options.

3

Of the shares repurchased, 596,094 shares were acquired through reimbursements from AT&T maintained

 

Voluntary Employee Benefit Association (VEBA) trusts.

 

 

57


AT&T INC.

MARCH 31, 2020

Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

 

The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report:

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Exhibit Description

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on December 13, 2013 (Exhibit 3.1 to form 8-K filed on December 16, 2013)

3.2

 

Certificate of Designations with respect to the Preferred Stock (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2019)

3.3

 

Certificate of Designations with respect to the Series B. (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020)

3.4

 

Certificate of Designations with respect to the Series C (Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020)

4.1

 

Deposit Agreement dated February 18, 2020, among the Company, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., collectively, as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts described therein. (Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020)

4.2

 

Form of 4.000% Global Notes due 2049 (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2020)

31

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

 

31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

32

 

Section 1350 Certifications

101

 

The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.

104

 

The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

58


 

SIGNATURE

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 6, 2020

 

 

AT&T Inc.

 

 

 

/s/ John J. Stephens

John J. Stephens

Senior Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

 

59