8-KRegulation FD

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Jan 8, 2010)

Filed January 8, 2010For Securities:VZ

Summary

This Form 8-K filing from Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), dated January 7, 2010, provides a financial performance update as of January 6, 2010. The key takeaway for investors is that Verizon expects 2009 adjusted EPS to be between $0.13 to $0.15 lower than 2008's $2.54, while full-year revenues are anticipated to be higher. The company also projected strong fourth-quarter 2009 wireless retail postpaid net customer additions exceeding 1 million and a notable increase in net additions from the wireless reseller channel. Looking ahead to 2010, Verizon anticipates modest year-over-year growth in adjusted EPS, excluding strategic transaction impacts. Crucially, Verizon Wireless plans to launch its 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) service in 25 to 30 markets, covering 100 million points of presence, by the end of 2010, with a goal of reaching 80-90% of the contiguous U.S. within 24 months of launch. The company's strategic focus remains on revenue growth, churn reduction, and enhanced profitability and cash flow across all segments, aiming for an average annual investor return of approximately 10% through a combination of dividend and earnings growth.

Key Highlights

  • 1Verizon projects 2009 adjusted EPS to be $0.13-$0.15 lower than 2008's $2.54, but expects 2009 revenues to be higher than 2008.
  • 2Fourth quarter 2009 is expected to see over 1 million wireless retail postpaid net customer additions, with a significant increase from the wireless reseller channel.
  • 3Verizon aims for an average annual investor return of approximately 10% through dividend and earnings growth.
  • 4Modest year-over-year adjusted EPS growth is anticipated for 2010, excluding impacts from strategic transactions.
  • 5Verizon Wireless plans to launch 4G LTE service in 25-30 markets covering 100 million POPs by the end of 2010.
  • 6The company's long-term vision includes providing 4G LTE service to 80-90% of the contiguous U.S. within 24 months of initial launch.
  • 7Fourth quarter 2009 wireless operating income margins are expected to be lower than Q3 2009 due to subscriber growth and device upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verizon estimates that its 2009 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) will be approximately 13 to 15 cents lower than the 2008 adjusted EPS of $2.54. However, the company expects its full-year 2009 revenues to be higher than those in 2008.

Verizon's business plan is focused on growing revenues, reducing customer churn, and increasing profitability and cash flow across all its business units. The company's long-term goal is to provide investors with an average annual return of approximately 10% through a combination of dividend growth and earnings growth.

Verizon Wireless expects to begin providing 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) service in 25 to 30 markets, covering 100 million points of presence (POPs), by the end of 2010. Within 24 months following the commencement of LTE service, Verizon Wireless anticipates offering LTE service to 80 to 90 percent of the contiguous United States.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, Verizon expects to achieve over 1 million wireless retail postpaid net customer additions and a significantly larger number of net customer additions from the wireless reseller channel compared to prior periods. However, due to strong subscriber growth and device upgrades, wireless operating income margins are expected to be lower in Q4 2009 than in Q3 2009. The Wireline segment's EBITDA margin is not expected to improve in Q4 2009 compared to Q3 2009, due to ongoing access line losses and economic conditions affecting business markets.