Uniti Group Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 June (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016

OR

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number: 001-36708

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (501) 850-0820

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  o  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  x      No  o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  o    No  x

As of August 5, 2016, the registrant had 153,911,063 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prior to April 24, 2015, Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (the “Company,” “CS&L,” “we,” “us” or “our”) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Windstream Holdings, Inc. (“Windstream Holdings,” and together with its subsidiaries, “Windstream”). On April 24, 2015, Windstream contributed certain telecommunications network assets, including fiber and copper networks and other real estate (the “Distribution Systems”) and a small consumer competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business (the “Consumer CLEC Business”), to CS&L. In exchange, CS&L issued to Windstream (i) approximately 149.8 million shares of its common stock, (ii) $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2023 (the “Senior Secured Notes”), (iii) $1.11 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Notes due October 15, 2023 (the “Senior Unsecured Notes” and together with the Senior Secured Notes, the “Notes”) and (iv) approximately $2.0 billion in cash obtained from borrowings under CS&L’s senior credit facilities. The contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business and the related issuance of cash, debt and equity securities are referred to herein as the “Spin-Off.” The Spin-Off was effective on April 24, 2015.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements as defined under U.S. federal securities law. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the benefits and tax treatment of the Spin-Off; future financing plans, business strategies, growth prospects and operating and financial performance; expectations regarding the impact of the acquisition of PEG Bandwidth, LLC (“PEG Bandwidth”); expectations regarding the impact and timing of the pending acquisition of Tower Cloud, Inc. (“Tower Cloud”), including expectations regarding operational synergies with PEG Bandwidth; expectations regarding future deployment of fiber strand miles and recognition of revenue related thereto; expectations regarding levels of capital expenditures; the deductibility of goodwill for tax purposes; expectations regarding the making of distributions and the payment of dividends; and compliance with and changes in governmental regulations.

Words such as “anticipate(s),” “expect(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seek(s)” and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be realized. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to:

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Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except in the normal course of our public disclosure obligations, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Description of Business

CS&L was incorporated in the state of Maryland on September 4, 2014 as a subsidiary of Windstream. In connection with the Spin-Off, Windstream and CS&L entered into a long-term, triple-net lease (the “Master Lease”) pursuant to which CS&L leases the Distribution Systems to Windstream. The assets and liabilities of the Distribution Systems and Consumer CLEC Business were recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on a carryover basis as of the date of the Spin-Off.

CS&L is an independent, internally managed REIT engaged in the acquisition and construction of mission critical infrastructure in the communications industry. The Company is principally focused on acquiring and constructing fiber optic broadband networks, wireless communications towers, copper and coaxial broadband networks and data centers. With the acquisition of PEG Bandwidth, LLC (“PEG Bandwidth”), the Company has also become a leading provider of infrastructure solutions including cell site backhaul and dark fiber, to the telecommunications industry. Presently, CS&L’s primary source of revenue is rental revenues from leasing the Distribution Systems to Windstream Holdings pursuant to the Master Lease. CS&L intends to elect on our U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year ending December 31, 2015 to be treated as a REIT.

The Consumer CLEC Business, which was reported as an integrated operation within Windstream prior to the Spin-Off, offers voice, broadband, long-distance, and value-added services to residential customers located primarily in rural locations. Substantially all of the network assets used to provide these services to customers are contracted through interconnection agreements with other telecommunications carriers.

We have elected to treat Talk America Services, LLC (“Talk America”), and CSL Bandwidth, Inc., the indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of CS&L through which we operate the Consumer CLEC Business and PEG Bandwidth’s business, respectively, as taxable REIT subsidiaries effective as of the first day of CS&L’s initial REIT tax year, or in the case of PEG Bandwidth, the date of acquisition.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been included. Operating results from any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“Annual Report”), filed with the SEC on March 7, 2016. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been omitted from the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes since such items are disclosed in our Annual Report. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

Income Taxes—We currently have no liabilities for uncertain income tax positions. We have not yet filed our initial corporate tax return and therefore are not yet subject to examination.

Business Combinations—In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, we apply the acquisition method of accounting for acquisitions meeting the definition of a business combination, where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Goodwill—Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. In accordance with ASC 350-20, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we evaluate goodwill for impairment between annual impairment tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Unless circumstances otherwise dictate, the annual impairment test is performed in the fourth quarter.

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in bringing property, plant and equipment to an operational state, including all activities directly associated with the acquisition, construction, and installation of the related assets it owns. The Company also enters into leasing arrangements providing for the long‑term use of constructed fiber that is then integrated into the Company’s network infrastructure. For each lease that qualifies as a capital lease, the present value of the lease payments, which may include both periodic lease payments over the term of the lease as well as upfront payments to the lessor, is capitalized at the inception of the lease and included in property and equipment.

Certain property, plant and equipment are depreciated using a group composite depreciation method. Under this method, when property is retired, the original cost, net of salvage value, is charged against accumulated depreciation and no immediate gain or loss is recognized on the disposition of the property. For all other property, which includes amortization of capital lease assets, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the respective property. When the property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are written-off, with the corresponding gain or loss reflected in operating results.

Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment subject to the Master Lease are the responsibility of our tenant. Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment not subject to triple-net leasing arrangements are expensed as incurred.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we initiated a program whereby we acquire real property interests from third parties owning land where communications infrastructure assets are located and who desired to monetize the underlying real property. These real property interests entitle us to receive rental payments from leases on our sites. The financial results of the acquired real property interests are included in the Leasing segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we invested approximately $1.7 million for the acquisition of real property interests which are recorded into real estate investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Foreign Currency Translation—The financial statements of our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted average exchange rate for the applicable period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.

Reclassifications—Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. We determined that certain immaterial misclassifications existed in the supplemental guarantor information condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015. See Note 15.

Transaction Related Costs—The Company expenses transaction related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Transaction related costs include incremental acquisition pursuit, transaction and integration costs, including unsuccessful acquisition pursuit costs.  Pursuit and transaction costs include professional services (legal, accounting, advisory, regulatory, etc.), finder’s fees, travel expenses, and other direct expenses associated with an acquisition.  Integration costs include incremental costs

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

necessary to integrate an acquired business, including costs necessary to convert data, severance and retention bonuses payable to employees of an acquired business.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard outlines a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for entities to follow in accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it will have on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee.  This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively.  A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification.  Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASC 842 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it will have on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted ASU 2016-09 effective April 1, 2016, and will reverse compensation cost of forfeited awards as they occur. At the time of adoption, we had not experienced any forfeited awards and therefore no cumulative-effect adjustment was necessary.

Note 3. Business Combinations

Summit Wireless Infrastructure, LLC

On January 22, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Summit Wireless Infrastructure LLC (“Summit”). Summit builds, owns and operates telecommunication infrastructure serving wireless carriers in Mexico. Consideration given to acquire Summit included performance-based shares of common equity valued at $1.1 million, which will vest in full on the third anniversary of closing date, subject to Summit meeting certain performance targets, and the assumption of Summit’s existing debt. The financial results of Summit are included in the Leasing segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations and therefore, pro forma financial information has not been presented.

PEG Bandwidth, LLC

On May 2, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of PEG Bandwidth, LLC (“PEG Bandwidth”) for $323 million in cash, the issuance of 87,500 shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with a fair value of $78.6 million and 1 million shares of our common stock with an acquisition date fair value of $23.2 million. PEG Bandwidth is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions including cell site backhaul and dark fiber, to the telecommunications industry. The operating results from this acquisition are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the costs of the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired is recorded as goodwill within our Fiber Infrastructure segment. See Note 7. The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

The above purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and is subject to revision when the valuation of assets and liabilities are finalized upon receipt of the final valuation report from a third party valuation expert, and the resolution of contractual adjustments, such as working capital adjustments as contemplated in the merger agreement are completed.

The goodwill is primarily attributable to strategic opportunities that arose from the acquisition of PEG Bandwidth. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Of the $37.5 million of acquired intangible assets, $35.5 million was assigned to customer relationships (weighted average 17 year life) and $2 million was assigned to trademarks (indefinite life).

The acquired business contributed revenues of $13.8 million and operating income of $2.5 million, which excludes transaction and transition costs, to our consolidated results from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2016. We recorded transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 of $6.6 million and $9.4 million, respectively, in transaction related costs on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma summary of our financial results as if the business combination had occurred on April 24, 2015. The pro forma results include additional depreciation and amortization resulting from purchase accounting adjustments, adjustments to amortized deferred revenue, and interest expense associated with debt used to fund the acquisition. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisition. The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of April 24, 2015.

Windstream Towers

On May 12, 2016, the Company completed the previously announced transaction with Windstream pursuant to which the Company acquired 32 wireless towers owned by Windstream and operating rights for 49 wireless towers previously conveyed to the Company in the Spin-Off for a purchase price of $3 million. The financial results of this tower acquisition are included in the Leasing segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations and therefore, pro forma financial information has not been presented.

Tower Cloud, Inc.

On June 20, 2016, we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Tower Cloud, Inc. (“Tower Cloud”) for $230 million in cash and stock.  In addition to the $180 million of cash and 1.9 million shares of CS&L common stock to

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

be delivered at close, Tower Cloud shareholders may receive additional consideration contingent upon Tower Cloud achieving certain defined operational and financial milestones.

Tower Cloud is a leading provider of data transport services, with particular focus on providing infrastructure solutions to the wireless and enterprise sectors, including fiber-to-the-tower backhaul, small cell networks, and dark fiber deployments. The acquisition of Tower Cloud compliments our diversification strategy, will expand our national wireless carrier relationships, and accelerate our small cell and dark fiber businesses.  Following the close of the transaction, which is expected to close by late third quarter 2016, Tower Cloud will be reported as a component of our Fiber Infrastructure segment, where we expect to achieve significant operational synergies with PEG Bandwidth. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary terms and conditions.

Note 4. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the observability of inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair values. This hierarchy establishes market-based or observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by valuation models using management assumptions in the absence of market inputs. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the assessment date

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, a derivative liability, our outstanding notes and other debt, and accounts, interest and dividends payable.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial instruments at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, and accounts, interest and dividends payable approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

The total principal balance of our Notes and other debt was $3.82 billion at June 30, 2016, with a fair value of $3.83 billion. The estimated fair value of our Notes and other debt was based on available external pricing data and current market rates for similar debt instruments, among other factors, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. Derivative liabilities are carried at fair value. See Note 6. The fair value of an interest rate swap is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using observable, quoted LIBOR swap rates for the full term of the swap and also incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both CS&L’s own non-performance risk and non-performance risk of the respective counterparties. The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative liabilities fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however the associated credit valuation adjustments utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties. As of June 30, 2016, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall value of the derivatives. As such, the Company classifies its derivative liabilities valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Note 5. Property, Plant and Equipment

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is as follows:

Depreciation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $91.2 million and $176.7 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015 was $63.8 million.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

As of June 30, 2016, construction in progress includes approximately $1.5 million of in process capital projects that were transferred to us at the time of the Spin-Off. As Windstream completes these projects, amounts are reclassified to depreciable assets. All construction in progress at December 31, 2015 related to projects transferred to us at the time of the Spin-Off.

Note 6. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of interest rate volatility inherent in our variable rate debt, which could unfavorably impact our future earnings and forecasted cash flows. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

On April 27, 2015, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in our variable rate Senior Secured Term Loan B facility. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and have a notional value of $2.12 billion and mature on October 24, 2022. The weighted average fixed rate paid is 2.105%, and the variable rate received resets monthly to the one-month LIBOR subject to a minimum rate of 1.0%. The Company does not currently have any master netting arrangements related to its derivative contracts.

The following table summarizes the fair value and the presentation in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, all of the interest rate swaps were valued in net unrealized loss positions and recognized as liability balances within the derivative liability balance. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the amount recorded in other comprehensive income related to the unrealized loss on derivative instruments was $27 million and $73.4 million, respectively. The amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income into interest expense on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $5.9 million and $11.9 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, there was no ineffective portion of the change in fair value derivatives.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, beginning July 1, 2016, we estimate that $23.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill occurring during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, are as follows:

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

The carrying value of the intangible assets is as follows:

Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $1.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $4.3 million for the full year of 2016, $4.7 million in 2017, $4.1 million in 2018, $3.6 million in 2019, $2.9 million in 2020 and $2.5 million in 2021.

Note 8. Notes and Other Debt

Notes and other debt is as follows:

Notes and other debt at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

On April 22, 2016, the Company borrowed $321 million under our $500 million senior secured revolving credit facility maturing April 24, 2020 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) to fund the cash portion of consideration paid to acquire PEG Bandwidth and related transaction costs. See Note 3.

On June 9, 2016, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiary CSL Capital, LLC (“CSL Capital”), co-issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes (the “add-on Notes”) as an add-on to the Company’s existing Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2023 (the “Senior Secured Notes”).  The add-on Notes were issued at an issue price of 99.25%, are subject to the same customary covenant requirements as the existing Senior Secured Notes, and are guaranteed by each of CS&L’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under CS&L’s senior credit facilities.  The issuance of the add-on Notes was not

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“the Securities Act), but was exempt from registration under Rule 144A, Regulation S and other applicable exemptions of the Securities Act.  Proceeds from the issuance of the add-on Notes were used to repay existing borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On April 24, 2015 we, along with CSL Capital, co-issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes and $1.11 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due October 15, 2023 (the “Senior Unsecured Notes” and together with the Senior Secured Notes, the “Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes were issued at an issue price of 100% of par value, while the Senior Unsecured Notes were issued at an issue price of 97.055% of par value. The Notes are guaranteed by each of CS&L’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under CS&L’s senior credit facilities. The Notes were issued to Windstream Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Windstream Holdings, as partial consideration for the contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business in connection with the Spin-Off. As such, CS&L did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Notes. The issuance of the Notes and their exchange by Windstream Services for certain of its outstanding indebtedness were not registered under the Securities Act, but were exempt from registration under Rule 144A, Regulation S and other applicable exemptions of the Securities Act. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the sale of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Company subsequently filed with the SEC a registration statement relating to an exchange offer pursuant to which 8.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Exchange Notes”) that were registered with the SEC, were offered in exchange for Senior Unsecured Notes tendered by the holders of those notes. The terms of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical to the terms of the Senior Unsecured Notes in all material respects, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provision applicable to the Senior Unsecured Notes do not apply to the Exchange Notes. The exchange offer was launched on August 5, 2015, and completed on September 2, 2015, with all outstanding Senior Unsecured Notes being tendered and exchanged for Exchange Notes.

The Notes contain customary high yield covenants limiting our ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; incur or guarantee secured indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock; make certain investments or other restricted payments; sell assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets; and create restrictions on the ability of CS&L, CSL Capital and our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends. The covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions. As of June 30, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Notes.

In addition, on April 24, 2015, the Company and CSL Capital entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a $2.14 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B facility due October 24, 2022 (the “Term Loan Facility”) and the Revolving Credit Facility (together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Facilities”). The term loans under the Facilities were issued at an issue price of 98.00% of par value, bear interest at a rate equal to a Eurodollar rate, subject to a 1.0% floor, plus an applicable margin equal to 4.00%, and are subject to amortization of 1.0% per annum. The loans have been incurred by the Company and CSL Capital, are guaranteed by certain of CS&L’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), and are secured by substantially all of the assets of CS&L, CSL Capital and the Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions, which assets also secure the Senior Secured Notes. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.25% based on our consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.

We are subject to customary covenants under the Credit Agreement, including an obligation to maintain a consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00. We are permitted, subject to customary conditions, to incur incremental term loan borrowings and/or increased commitments under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount equal to $150 million plus an unlimited amount, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increases, our consolidated total leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00 and our consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 4.00 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement.

The Company transferred $1.04 billion of cash proceeds under the Facilities to Windstream Services, the Company’s parent immediately preceding the Spin-Off, as partial consideration for the contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business in connection with the Spin-Off.

Deferred financing costs were incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the Facilities. These costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related indebtedness, and are included in interest expense in our Condensed

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Income. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized $1.9 million and $3.7 million of non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of deferred financing costs, respectively. For the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015, we recognized $1.3 million of non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of deferred financing costs.

Note 9. Capital Stock

On May 2, 2016, we issued 1 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as partial consideration for all outstanding equity interests of PEG Bandwidth. See Note 3.  In addition, we issued 87,500 shares of the Company’s 3% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value (“Series A Shares”), with a liquidation value of $87.5 million. The Series A Shares are non-voting and entitle the holders to receive cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 3.0%, payable in cash. Holders of the Series A Shares have the option to convert at any time after three years, or are mandatorily convertible after eight years at a conversion rate of 28.5714 shares of common stock per Series A Share, subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events not to exceed a conversion rate of 50.5305 shares of common stock per Series A Share. The Series A Shares provide us the option to cash or share settle, and it is our policy to settle in cash upon conversion. Upon liquidation, each holder of the Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive the liquidation preference per share of $1,000 plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares. The Series A Shares are recorded at inception on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as mezzanine equity at fair value determined using a Black Scholes model, as of the date of issuance. Amortization of the difference between the liquidation value and the fair value at issuance is recorded as preferred dividends and a component of shareholders’ deficit.

On June 24, 2016, in connection with Windstream’s disposition of a portion of its retained ownership interest in CS&L pursuant to the public offering (See Note 10), we issued 2.2 million additional shares of our common stock.  The shares were sold at a public offering price of $26.01, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $54.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, which were used to repay existing borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Note 10. Related Party Transactions

In connection with the Spin-Off, we issued approximately 149.8 million shares of our common stock to Windstream Services as partial consideration for the contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business. Windstream Holdings distributed approximately 80.4% of the CS&L shares it received to existing stockholders of Windstream Holdings and retained a passive ownership interest of approximately 19.6% of the common stock of CS&L. As a result of this ownership Windstream was deemed to be a related party.

On June 15, 2016 Windstream Holdings disposed of 14.7 million shares of our common stock, representing approximately half of its retained ownership interest, to certain creditors of Windstream in exchange for satisfaction of certain Windstream debt.  The Company did not receive any proceeds resulting from the disposition of these shares.  

On June 24, 2016, Windstream Holdings disposed of its remaining 14.7 million shares of our common stock as part of a public offering by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”).  Prior to the closing of the offering, Windstream exchanged these shares for certain indebtedness with certain of its creditors in a debt-for-equity exchange.  Following the debt-for-equity exchange, Citigroup acquired the shares from such creditors and sold the shares pursuant to the offering. The Company did not receive any proceeds resulting from the disposition of these shares.  

Following Windstream’s disposition of its retained interest in CS&L, Windstream is no longer deemed a related party under applicable accounting regulations.  Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the following transactions with Windstream during the periods in which Windstream was deemed a related party:

Revenues – The Company records leasing revenue pursuant to the Master Lease. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized leasing revenues of $169.0 million and $337.6 million, respectively related to the Master Lease. For the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015, we recognized $124.2 million of revenue related to the Master Lease.

General and Administrative Expenses – We were party to a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) pursuant to which Windstream and its affiliates provided, on an interim basis, various services, including but not limited to information technology services, payment processing and collection services, financial and tax services, regulatory compliance and other support services. On April 1, 2016, the TSA ceased and we incurred $19,000 of related TSA expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015, we incurred $33,000 of such expenses.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

Operating Expenses – We are party to a Wholesale Master Services Agreement (“Wholesale Agreement”) and a Master Services Agreement with Windstream related to the Consumer CLEC Business. Under the Wholesale Agreement, Windstream provides us transport services (local and long distance telecommunications service), provisioning services (directory assistance, directory listing, service activation and service changes), and repair services (routine and emergency network maintenance, network audits and network security). Under the Master Services Agreement, Windstream provides billing and collections services to CS&L. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred expenses of $3.2 million and $0.4 million related to the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred expenses of $6.6 million and $0.9 million related to the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement, respectively. For the period from April 24, 2015 to June 30, 2015 we incurred expenses of $2.8 million and $0.3 million related to the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement, respectively.

Accounts Receivable – As of December 31, 2015, there were $1.7 million accounts receivable from Windstream related to the collection of Consumer CLEC Business revenues, net of amounts owed to Windstream under the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement recorded in accounts receivable on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Dividend Payable – At December 31, 2015, there was a $17.6 million dividend payable to Windstream related to the dividend declared on November 6, 2015, based on Windstream ownership of CS&L shares as of the December 31, 2015 record date. This amount was paid to Windstream on January 15, 2016 along with the dividends payable to all common shareholders.

Employee Matters Agreement – We are party to an Employee Matters Agreement (“Employee Matters Agreement”) with Windstream that governs the respective compensation and employee benefit obligations of the Company and Windstream in connection with and following the Spin-Off. Under the Employee Matters Agreement, if requested by a Windstream employee, the Company is required to withhold shares to satisfy the employee’s tax obligations arising from the recognition of income and the vesting of shares related to awards of CS&L restricted stock held by the employee that were granted in connection with the Spin-Off. In that case, the Company must pay to Windstream an amount of cash equal to the amount required to be withheld to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations or, at the request of Windstream, remit such cash directly to the applicable taxing authorities. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we withheld 91,412 common shares to satisfy these minimum statutory tax-withholding obligations and delivered $1.9 million to Windstream for remittance to the applicable taxing authorities.

Tower Purchase – In May, 2016, we completed the previously announced transaction with Windstream to acquire 32 wireless towers owned by Windstream and operating rights for 49 wireless towers previously conveyed to the Company in the Spin-Off for a purchase price of approximately $3 million.

Lease Amendment – During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we amended the Master Lease with Windstream (the “Master Lease Amendment”) to allow for the transfer of ownership rights or exchanges of indefeasible rights of use (an “IRU”) and other long term rights in certain fiber and associated assets constituting leased property under the Master Lease. We will enter into such transactions pursuant to certain fiber exchange agreements under which we will grant to a third party ownership rights in certain fiber assets or an IRU in certain fiber assets that constitute leased property under the Master Lease in exchange for CS&L receiving ownership rights in certain fiber assets or an IRU in certain fiber assets of the third party, which we will then lease to Windstream as leased property under the Master Lease. Under the terms of the Master Lease Amendment, Windstream is responsible for any taxes imposed on CS&L  related to the sale, exchange or other disposition of the fiber assets delivered to a third party or the granting of rights to the leased property that arise from fiber exchange agreements. As of June 30, 2016, no such transactions have been consummated. The Master Lease Amendment also permits us to install, own and operate certain wireless communication towers, antennas and related equipment on designated portions of the leased property.

Note 11. Earnings Per Share

Our restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to dividends at the same rate as common stock. As participating securities, we included these instruments in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method described in FASB ASC 260, Earnings per Share.

We also have outstanding performance-based restricted stock units that contain forfeitable rights to receive dividends. Therefore, the awards are considered non-participating restrictive shares and are not dilutive under the two-class method until performance conditions are met.

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Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(unaudited)

The earnings per share impact of the Series A Share (See Note 9) is calculated using the net share settlement method, whereby the redemption value of the instrument is assumed to be settled in cash and only the conversion premium, if any, is assumed to be settled in shares. The Series A Shares provide CS&L the option to cash or share settle the instrument, and it is our policy to settle the instrument in cash upon conversion.

The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method: