Qwest Communications
International Inc. today disclosed its second quarter results, posting
revenues of $393.7 million, and a net loss of $15.6 million or $0.06 per
share.
Qwest said the earnings amounted to a gain of $165 million or a 72% increase over year-ago results, while net losses were lower than
predicted by Wall Street. First Call Corp. forecasted Qwest’s second quarter losses would equal $0.10 per share. Net loss results were $5.6 million or $0.03 per share for the same period last year.
The company said its communications services earnings soared from $24.0
million to $239.8 million over the same quarter 1997, a ten-fold increase.
Earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in second quarter 1998 amounted to $24.1 million, a $27.1 million gain over 1997. One-time, merger-related charges totaled $880.5 million, as previously announced.
Quarterly financials also include one-month operations results from second quarter acquisition LCI International. Qwest said synergies formed between Qwest and LCI are predicted to record more than $1.2 billion in cost savings and contribution from incremental revenue over a four-year period, with capital savings estimated to be more than $600 million.
In addition, pro forma revenue derived from business and wholesale clients
contributed to roughly 70% of revenue, Qwest said, and consumer revenue
equaled about 30%. Overall, data services reportedly increased by approximately 40% from the same quarter 1997.
“Qwest is pleased with its strong second quarter results. The demand for
broadband capacity on the Qwest network continues to increase, and we have
capitalized upon this growing demand. The company continues to expand
organically and through strategic acquisitions,” said Robert S. Woodruff,
executive vice president and CFO of Qwest.
“The acquisition of LCI
International was completed in just 88 days, and the integration of the two
companies is progressing very well, with operating and capital synergies
expected to be better than originally announced.”
