10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2006

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2006

Filed August 4, 2006For Securities:VZ

Summary

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) reported strong revenue growth in the second quarter and first half of 2006, primarily driven by the successful integration of the MCI merger and continued expansion in its domestic wireless business. Consolidated revenues increased by 25.6% year-over-year for the quarter, reaching $22.7 billion, while net income stood at $1.61 billion. The company demonstrated robust operational execution, highlighted by significant increases in broadband connections and wireless customer additions. The report also details ongoing strategic initiatives, including the planned disposition of Information Services and the sale of certain international operations. While the company incurred substantial integration and restructuring costs related to the MCI merger, these were offset by strategic progress and operational efficiencies. Verizon continues to invest heavily in growth areas such as fiber optics (FiOS) and wireless data, signaling a strategic shift towards higher-growth segments of the telecommunications market.

Key Highlights

  • 1Consolidated revenues increased by 25.6% to $22.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to $18.1 billion in the prior year period, largely due to the MCI merger and growth in Domestic Wireless.
  • 2Net income for the quarter was $1.61 billion ($0.55 per diluted share), a decrease from $2.11 billion ($0.75 per diluted share) in the same period last year, impacted by merger-related costs and other factors.
  • 3The Wireline segment revenues grew by 35.3% to $12.8 billion, primarily driven by the inclusion of MCI's operations and growth in broadband and long-distance services.
  • 4Domestic Wireless segment revenues increased by 18.0% to $9.3 billion, supported by a 15.8% increase in customers and strong growth in data revenues.
  • 5The company incurred $76 million in merger integration costs and $300 million in severance charges during the quarter.
  • 6Capital expenditures were $8.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2006, up from $7.5 billion in the prior year, reflecting continued investment in network expansion, particularly FiOS and wireless infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver of the 25.6% increase in consolidated revenues to $22.7 billion was the acquisition and integration of MCI, which closed in January 2006. This significantly boosted the Wireline segment's revenue, alongside continued strong performance in the Domestic Wireless segment.

While the MCI merger fueled significant revenue growth, it also led to increased expenses. The company incurred $76 million in merger integration costs and $300 million in severance charges during the quarter. These, along with other operating expenses related to the acquired business, contributed to a year-over-year decrease in net income from $2.11 billion to $1.61 billion.

Verizon is strategically focusing on high-growth areas such as wireless data, broadband (DSL and FiOS), and services for business customers. The strong performance in the Domestic Wireless segment, with significant customer and data revenue growth, and the expansion of broadband connections in the Wireline segment, indicate a positive outlook for these key growth drivers.

Verizon has reached definitive agreements to sell its Caribbean and Latin American telecommunications operations (Verizon Dominicana, TELPRI, and CANTV) and is reviewing strategic alternatives for its Information Services segment, including a potential spin-off of its domestic print and Internet yellow pages directories.