8-KEarnings & Results

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC 8-K Report, Financial Results (May 2, 2006)

Filed May 2, 2006For Securities:VZ

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) on May 2, 2006, primarily announces the company's financial results and condition, as detailed in an accompanying press release and financial tables dated May 2, 2006. The filing emphasizes that Verizon is providing both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-GAAP financial information. Management believes the non-GAAP measures, which exclude special and non-recurring items and present pro forma information for the combined Verizon and MCI operations, offer a clearer view of ongoing operational performance and trends, aiding in strategic planning and capital allocation assessments. Key non-GAAP metrics highlighted include Verizon Wireless's cash expense per customer and its EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) and EBITDA margin. These measures are presented to provide insights into operating expense efficiency and profitability on a more variable cost basis, excluding depreciation and amortization. The company states that these non-GAAP figures are provided to enhance investor understanding and should be considered alongside, not as a replacement for, GAAP-reported financial statements, with full reconciliations to GAAP provided.

Key Highlights

  • 1Verizon Communications Inc. filed an 8-K on May 2, 2006, to report on its financial results and condition.
  • 2The report references a press release and financial tables dated May 2, 2006, containing the detailed financial information.
  • 3Verizon is presenting both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to investors.
  • 4Non-GAAP measures are used to exclude 'special items' and 'non-recurring items' for a clearer view of operational performance and trends.
  • 5Pro forma financial information is presented to reflect the combined results of Verizon and the former MCI operations on a comparable basis.
  • 6Key non-GAAP metrics for Verizon Wireless include cash expense per customer, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin.
  • 7Management believes these non-GAAP metrics enhance the understanding of operational efficiency and profitability, particularly for the wireless segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to report Verizon Communications Inc.'s financial results and condition for the period, as detailed in an accompanying press release and financial tables. It also serves to inform investors about the company's use of both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.

Verizon is providing non-GAAP financial information to offer investors a clearer perspective on its underlying operational performance and trends. These measures exclude special, non-recurring, or non-operational items, as well as depreciation and amortization for certain metrics, which management believes are more indicative of future operating results and assist in comparing performance over time and against competitors.

Key non-GAAP metrics for Verizon Wireless highlighted in the filing include 'cash expense per customer' (focusing on the net cost of service and sales) and 'EBITDA' (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) along with its 'EBITDA margin'. These are used to assess operating efficiency and profitability on a more variable cost basis.

Management intends for the non-GAAP financial information to supplement, not replace, the GAAP-based financial statements. Investors are encouraged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Verizon states that full reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP figures are provided to allow for transparency.