UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 4, 2009

Comcast Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant

as Specified in its Charter)

Pennsylvania

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

001-32871		27-0000798
(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Comcast Center Philadelphia, PA		19103-2838
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (215) 286-1700

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

£

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

£

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

£

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

£

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On November 4, 2009, Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”) issued a press release reporting the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Exhibit 99.2 sets forth the reasons Comcast believes that presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures contained in the press release provides useful information to investors regarding Comcast’s financial condition and results of operations. To the extent material, Exhibit 99.2 also discloses the additional purposes, if any, for which Comcast’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the press release itself. Comcast does not intend for this Item 2.02 or Exhibit 99.1 or Exhibit 99.2 to be treated as “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into its filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01. Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Comcast Corporation press release dated November 4, 2009.
99.2		Explanation of Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

		COMCAST CORPORATION
Date: November 4, 2009		By:		/S/    LAWRENCE J. SALVA
				Lawrence J. Salva Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer                 and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 99.1

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

Investor Contacts:						Press Contacts:
Marlene S. Dooner Jane B. Kearns Michael A. Kelman		(215) 286-7392 (215) 286-4794 (215) 286-3035				D’Arcy Rudnay John Demming		(215) 286-8582 (215) 286-8011

COMCAST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

 

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Consolidated Revenue Increased 3.0%

 

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Consolidated Operating Cash Flow Increased 2.7%

 

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Consolidated Operating Income Increased 2.4%

 

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Earnings per Share of $0.33 Increased 26.9%

 

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Free Cash Flow Increased 19.8% to $1.1 Billion

 

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Repurchased 16.1 Million Common Shares for $250 Million

Philadelphia, PA – November 4, 2009 …Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, said, “The strength and resilience of our businesses combined with our continued emphasis on expenses and prudent capital management helped us achieve healthy operating and financial results in the third quarter. We continued to execute well, maintaining our focus on balancing revenue, cash flow and customer growth while at the same time investing in attractive businesses like Comcast Business Services. We also made real progress on initiatives like Wideband and All-Digital that strengthen our competitive position now and in the future. Our goal is to deliver the best consumer experience in the marketplace and we remain focused on driving meaningful innovation in all of our products and services.”

Consolidated Financial Results

Revenue increased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2009 to $8.8 billion, while Operating Cash Flow increased 2.7% to $3.3 billion and Operating Income increased 2.4% to $1.7 billion. This growth was due to solid results at all our operating segments.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue increased 4.3% to $26.6 billion, Operating Cash Flow increased 5.6% to $10.3 billion, and Operating Income increased 8.5% to $5.4 billion, all compared to the same time period in 2008.

 

		($ in millions)		3rd Quarter								Year to Date
				2008			2009			Growth		2008			2009			Growth
		Revenue
		Cable		$	8,131		$	8,356		2.8%		$	24,147		$	25,181		4.3%
		Programming			347			383		10.3%			1,076			1,128		4.8%
		Corporate & Other			71			63		(10.7%)			268			266		(0.8%)
		Total Consolidated Revenue		$	8,549		$	8,802		3.0%		$	25,491		$	26,575		4.3%
		Operating Cash Flow (OCF)
		Cable		$	3,251		$	3,314		2.0%		$	9,755		$	10,221		4.8%
		Programming			105			118		12.5%			307			343		11.9%
		Corporate & Other			(119)			(106)		10.0%			(300)			(259)		13.4%
		Total Consolidated OCF		$	3,237		$	3,326		2.7%		$	9,762		$	10,305		5.6%

For additional detail on revenue and operating expenses, customer metrics, and capital expenditures, please refer to the trending schedules on Comcast’s Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com.

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Earnings per Share¹ (EPS) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $0.33, an increase of 26.9% compared to the $0.26 reported in the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter 2009 EPS includes the recognition of income tax benefits of $251 million or $0.09 per share, partially offset by $113 million or $0.04 per share in one-time financing expenses. Third quarter 2008 EPS included income tax benefits of $80 million or $0.03 per share. Except for these items, third quarter 2009 EPS would have grown 21.7% over the comparable 2008 period.

Earnings per Share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $0.93, an increase of 29.2% compared to $0.72 reported in the prior year. Our 2009 EPS includes favorable settlements and the recognition of income tax benefits of $436 million or $0.16 per share, partially offset by $113 million or $0.04 per share in one-time financing expenses. Our 2008 EPS included a gain related to the January 2008 dissolution of the Insight Midwest partnership of $144 million or $0.05 per share and income tax benefits of $80 million or $0.03 per share. Except for these items, year-to-date EPS would have grown 26.6% over the comparable period in 2008.

Capital Expenditures in the third quarter declined 6.1% from the prior year to $1.2 billion, or 13.9% of total revenue, reflecting a decreased level of capital intensity at our Cable segment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, capital expenditures decreased 13.1% to $3.5 billion, or 13.2% of total revenue.

Free Cash Flow (FCF) (excluding any impact from the Economic Stimulus packages) of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2009 increased 19.8% compared to $928 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting growth in Consolidated Operating Cash Flow and lower capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $3.6 billion, a 30.6% increase as compared to $2.8 billion in the same time period in 2008.

 

		($ in millions)		3rd Quarter							Year to Date
				2008		2009		Growth			2008		2009		Growth
		Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		$2,445		$2,612		6.8%			$7,373		$7,725		4.8%
		Capital Expenditures		(1,306)		(1,227)		(6.1%)			(4,037)		(3,508)		(13.1%)
		Cash Paid for Capitalized Software and Intangibles		(131)		(142)		8.4%			(376)		(383)		1.9%
		Adjustments for Payment of Tax on Nonoperating Items		88		(84)		NM			316		66		NM
		FCF (Including Economic Stimulus Packages)		$1,096		$1,159		5.7%			$3,276		$3,900		19.0%
		Impact from Economic Stimulus Packages		(168)		(47)		NM			(483)		(252)		NM
		Free Cash Flow		$928		$1,112		19.8%			$2,793		$3,648		30.6%

Note: The definition of Free Cash Flow remains unchanged and specifically excludes any impact from the 2008 or 2009 Economic Stimulus packages.

Cable Segment Results

Revenue from the Cable segment increased 2.8% to $8.4 billion for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to $8.1 billion in the third quarter of 2008. This increase reflects continued growth in high-speed Internet (HSI), Comcast Digital Voice (CDV) and Comcast Business Services, partially offset by lower advertising revenue. The monthly average total revenue per video customer increased 5.6% to $116.91 from $110.67 in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting an increasing number of customers taking multiple products and a higher contribution from Comcast Business Services.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue from the Cable segment increased 4.3% to $25.2 billion compared to $24.1 billion in 2008.

Operating Cash Flow from the Cable segment grew 2.0% to $3.3 billion in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year. Operating Cash Flow margin was 39.7%, a slight decrease from the 40.0% achieved in the third quarter of 2008. These results reflect increases in video programming, customer service and marketing expenses, partially offset by improved operating efficiencies in Comcast Digital Voice and High-Speed Internet.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Operating Cash Flow from the Cable segment increased 4.8% to $10.2 billion compared to $9.8 billion in 2008. Year-to-date Operating Cash Flow margin was 40.6%, a slight increase from the 40.4% reported in the first nine months of 2008.

 

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Customers². As of September 30, 2009, Comcast’s video, high-speed Internet and voice customers totaled 46.8 million, an increase of 3.4% compared to the third quarter of 2008.

 

		(in thousands)		Customers									Net Adds
				3Q08			3Q09			Growth			3Q09		YTD
		Video Customers		24,415			23,759			(2.7%)			(132)		(424)
		High-Speed Internet Customers		14,745			15,684			6.4%			361		755
		Voice Customers		6,133			7,379			20.3%			375		906
		Combined Video, HSI and Voice Customers		45,294			46,821			3.4%			604		1,237
		Digital Video Customers		16,758			18,005			7.4%			463		1,001
		Total Revenue Generating Units		62,051			64,826			4.5%			1,067		2,238

Programming Segment Results

The Programming segment reported third quarter 2009 revenue of $383 million, a 10.3% increase from 2008, reflecting higher affiliate and advertising revenue. Operating Cash Flow increased 12.5% to $118 million in the third quarter of 2009, reflecting the impact of timing of certain marketing and programming expenses which are expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Programming segment revenue increased 4.8% to $1.1 billion compared to the same time period in 2008. Operating Cash Flow increased to $343 million, an increase of 11.9% from the same period last year.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes corporate overhead, Comcast Interactive Media (CIM), Comcast-Spectacor, and other operations and eliminations between Comcast’s businesses. For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Corporate and Other reported a 10.7% decrease in revenue to $63 million, driven by an increase in corporate eliminations. The Operating Cash Flow loss for the third quarter of 2009 was $106 million compared to a loss of $119 million in the third quarter of 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Corporate and Other revenue reported a 0.8% decrease in revenue to $266 million from the $268 million reported in the first nine months of 2008. The Operating Cash Flow loss was $259 million compared to a loss of $300 million in the same time period in 2008.

Share Repurchase

In the third quarter of 2009, Comcast repurchased 16.1 million of its common shares for $250 million. Year-to-date, Comcast has repurchased 31.6 million of its common shares for $465 million. As of September 30, 2009, Comcast had approximately $3.6 billion of availability remaining under its share repurchase authorization, and may repurchase stock from time to time subject to market conditions.

Dividend

During the first ten months of 2009, Comcast paid four cash dividends totaling $761 million. Comcast paid quarterly cash dividends of $180 million on January 28, 2009, $195 million on April 29, 2009, $194 million on July 29, 2009 and $193 million on October 28, 2009.

Notes:

 

1	Earnings per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.

 

2	Customer data is presented on a pro forma basis. Pro forma customer data includes 7,000 video customers acquired through an acquisition in November 2008. The impact of this acquisition on segment operating results was not material.

Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

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Conference Call Information

Comcast Corporation will host a conference call with the financial community today, November 4, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The conference call will be broadcast live on Comcast’s Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com. Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (800) 263-8495 with the conference ID number 31876445. A replay of the call will be available on the Investor Relations website starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 and will be available until Monday, November 9, 2009 at midnight Eastern Time (ET). To access the rebroadcast, please dial (800) 642-1687 and enter conference ID number 31876445. To automatically receive Comcast financial news by email, please visit www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com and subscribe to email alerts.

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Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to Comcast’s periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a description of such risks and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Comcast’s Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC. All percentages are calculated on whole numbers. Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

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About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.8 million video customers, 15.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.4 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

 

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TABLE 1 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

		(in millions, except per share data)		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
				2008				2009				2008				2009
		Revenue		$	8,549			$	8,802			$	25,491			$	26,575
		Operating expenses			3,345				3,490				10,040				10,600
		Selling, general and administrative expenses			1,967				1,986				5,689				5,670
					5,312				5,476				15,729				16,270
		Operating cash flow			3,237				3,326				9,762				10,305
		Depreciation expense			1,332				1,362				4,093				4,148
		Amortization expense			235				253				694				760
					1,567				1,615				4,787				4,908
		Operating income			1,670				1,711				4,975				5,397
		Other income (expense)
		Interest expense			(601	)			(707	)			(1,840	)			(1,828	)
		Investment income (loss), net			74				148				83				218
		Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates, net			3				(17	)			(36	)			(44	)
		Other income (expense)			11				2				295				13
					(513	)			(574	)			(1,498	)			(1,641	)
		Income before income taxes			1,157				1,137				3,477				3,756
		Income tax expense			(401	)			(203	)			(1,364	)			(1,088	)
		Net income from consolidated operations			756				934				2,113				2,668
		Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			15				10				22				15
		Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation		$	771			$	944			$	2,135			$	2,683
		Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation stockholders		$	0.26			$	0.33			$	0.72			$	0.93
		Dividends declared per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation stockholders		$	0.06			$	0.07			$	0.19			$	0.20
		Diluted weighted-average number of common shares			2,920				2,877				2,973				2,890

 

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TABLE 2 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

 

 

		(in millions)		December 31,         2008			September 30,         2009
		ASSETS
		Current Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,195		$	862
		Investments			59			56
		Accounts receivable, net			1,626			1,639
		Other current assets			836			849
		Total current assets			3,716			3,406
		Investments			4,783			5,699
		Property and equipment, net			24,444			23,605
		Franchise rights			59,449			59,442
		Goodwill			14,889			14,934
		Other intangible assets, net			4,558			4,209
		Other noncurrent assets, net			1,178			1,168
				$	113,017		$	112,463
		LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
		Current Liabilities
		Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors		$	3,393		$	3,133
		Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			3,268			3,005
		Current portion of long-term debt			2,278			954
		Total current liabilities			8,939			7,092
		Long-term debt, less current portion			30,178			28,493
		Deferred income taxes			26,982			27,566
		Other noncurrent liabilities			6,171			6,763
		Redeemable noncontrolling interests			171			168
		Equity
		Comcast Corporation stockholders’ equity			40,450			42,311
		Noncontrolling interests			126			70
		Total Equity			40,576			42,381
				$	113,017		$	112,463

 

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TABLE 3 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

		(in millions)			Nine Months Ended September 30,
					2008				2009
		OPERATING ACTIVITIES
		Net income from consolidated operations		$	2,113			$	2,668
		Adjustments to reconcile net income from consolidated operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation			4,093				4,148
		Amortization			694				760
		Share-based compensation			195				192
		Noncash interest expense (income), net			164				125
		Equity in net (income) losses of affiliates, net			36				44
		(Gains) losses on investments and noncash other (income) expense, net			(287	)			(146	)
		Deferred income taxes			609				572
		Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
		Change in accounts receivable, net			4				(11	)
		Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors			(21	)			(73	)
		Change in other operating assets and liabilities			(227	)			(554	)
		Net cash provided by operating activities			7,373				7,725
		FINANCING ACTIVITIES
		Proceeds from borrowings			3,513				1,843
		Repurchases and repayments of debt			(1,143	)			(4,709	)
		Repurchases of common stock			(2,800	)			(438	)
		Dividends paid			(367	)			(568	)
		Issuances of common stock			53				1
		Other			(148	)			(186	)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(892	)			(4,057	)
		INVESTING ACTIVITIES
		Capital expenditures			(4,037	)			(3,508	)
		Cash paid for software and other intangible assets			(376	)			(383	)
		Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(700	)			(36	)
		Proceeds from sales of investments			452				31
		Purchases of investments			(67	)			(142	)
		Other			(2	)			37
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(4,730	)			(4,001	)
		Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			1,751				(333	)
		Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			963				1,195
		Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	2,714			$	862

 

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Exhibit 99.2 – Explanation of Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

This Exhibit 99.2 to the accompanying Current Report on Form 8-K for Comcast Corporation (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) sets forth the reasons we believe that presentation of financial measures not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) contained in the earnings press release filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K provides useful information to investors regarding Comcast’s financial condition and results of operations. To the extent material, this Exhibit also discloses the additional purposes, if any, for which Comcast’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the earnings press release itself.

Operating Cash Flow is the primary basis used to measure the operational strength and performance of our businesses. Free Cash Flow and Unlevered Free Cash Flow are additional performance measures used as indicators of our ability to service and repay debt, make investments and return capital to investors, through stock repurchases and dividends. We also adjust certain historical data on a pro forma basis following certain acquisitions or dispositions to enhance comparability.

Operating Cash Flow is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortization, excluding impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on sale of assets, if any. As such, it eliminates the significant level of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital intensive nature of our businesses and intangible assets recognized in business combinations, and is unaffected by our capital structure or investment activities. Our management and Board of Directors use this financial measure in evaluating our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of all of our operating segments. This metric is used to allocate resources and capital to our operating segments and is a significant performance measure in our annual incentive compensation programs. We believe that Operating Cash Flow is also useful to investors as it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with other companies in our industries, although our measure of Operating Cash Flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

As Operating Cash Flow is the measure of our business segment profit or loss, we reconcile it to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, in the business segment footnote of our quarterly and annual financial statements. Therefore, we believe our measure of Operating Cash Flow for our business segments is not a “non-GAAP financial measure” as contemplated by Regulation G adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consolidated Operating Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as “Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities” (as stated in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows) reduced by capital expenditures and cash paid for intangible assets; and adjusted for any payments related to certain nonoperating items, net of estimated tax benefits (such as income taxes on investment sales and nonrecurring payments related to income tax and litigation contingencies of acquired companies). Unlevered Free Cash Flow is Free Cash Flow before cash paid interest. We believe that Free Cash Flow and Unlevered Free Cash Flow are also useful to investors as the basis for comparing our performance and coverage ratios with other companies in our industries, although our measure of Free Cash Flow and Unlevered Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

Pro forma data is used by management to evaluate performance when certain acquisitions or dispositions occur. Historical data reflects results of acquired businesses only after the acquisition dates while pro forma data enhances comparability of financial information between periods by adjusting the data as if the acquisitions or dispositions occurred at the beginning of the prior year. Our pro forma data is only adjusted for the timing of acquisitions or dispositions and does not include adjustments for costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. We believe our pro forma data is not a non-GAAP financial measure as contemplated by Regulation G.

In certain circumstances we also present “adjusted” data, to exclude certain gains, losses or other charges, net of tax (such as from the sales of investments or dispositions of businesses). This “adjusted” data is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe, among other things, that the “adjusted” data may help investors evaluate our ongoing operations and can assist in making meaningful period-over-period comparisons.

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Exhibit 99.2 – Explanation of Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures, cont’d

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as substitutes for operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation, net cash provided by operating activities or other measures of performance or liquidity reported in accordance with GAAP.

Additionally, in the opinion of management, our pro forma data is not necessarily indicative of future results or what results would have been had the acquired businesses been operated by us after the assumed earlier date.

We provide reconciliations of Free Cash Flow in Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and of Consolidated Operating Cash Flow in Table 1 set forth in Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.