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: October 22, 2024
(Date of earliest event reported)
______________________________________________________________________________
Verizon Communications Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Delaware | 1-8606 | 23-2259884 |
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | | |
| 1095 Avenue of the Americas | | 10036 |
| New York, | New York | | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 395-1000
Not Applicable
(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:
☐ 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))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of Each Class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.10 | | VZ | | New York Stock Exchange |
| Common Stock, par value $0.10 | | VZ | | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
| 0.875% Notes due 2025 | | VZ 25 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.25% Notes due 2026 | | VZ 26 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.375% Notes due 2026 | | VZ 26B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 0.875% Notes due 2027 | | VZ 27E | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.375% Notes due 2028 | | VZ 28 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.125% Notes due 2028 | | VZ 28A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.350% Fixed Rate Notes due 2028 | | VZ 28C | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.875% Notes due 2029 | | VZ 29B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 0.375% Notes due 2029 | | VZ 29D | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.250% Notes due 2030 | | VZ 30 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.875% Notes due 2030 | | VZ 30A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.250% Notes due 2030 | | VZ 30D | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.625% Notes due 2031 | | VZ 31 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.500% Notes due 2031 | | VZ 31A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.000% Fixed Rate Notes due 2031 | | VZ 31D | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 0.875% Notes due 2032 | | VZ 32 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 0.750% Notes due 2032 | | VZ 32A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.500% Notes due 2032 | | VZ 32B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.300% Notes due 2033 | | VZ 33B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.75% Notes due 2034 | | VZ 34 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.750% Notes due 2034 | | VZ 34C | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.125% Notes due 2035 | | VZ 35 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.125% Notes due 2035 | | VZ 35A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.375% Notes due 2036 | | VZ 36A | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.750% Notes due 2036 | | VZ 36B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.875% Notes due 2038 | | VZ 38B | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.875% Notes due 2038 | | VZ 38C | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.500% Notes due 2039 | | VZ 39C | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.50% Fixed Rate Notes due 2039 | | VZ 39D | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.850% Notes due 2040 | | VZ 40 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.850% Fixed Rate Notes due 2041 | | VZ 41C | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
☐ Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto are a press release and financial tables, dated October 22, 2024, issued by Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon). Attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto is commentary, dated October 22, 2024, discussing Verizon's financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP Measures
Verizon’s press release, financial tables and commentary attached to the report include financial information prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) as well as non-GAAP financial information. It is management's intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of Verizon's GAAP financial information and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures in addition to the GAAP measures allows management, investors and other users of our financial information to more fully and accurately assess both consolidated and segment performance. The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and may not be directly comparable to that of other companies.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin Related Non-GAAP Measures
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information as they are widely accepted financial measures used in evaluating the profitability of a company and its operating performance in relation to its competitors.
Consolidated EBITDA is calculated by adding back interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization expense to net income.
Segment EBITDA is calculated by adding back segment depreciation and amortization expense to segment operating income. Segment EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Segment EBITDA by total segment operating revenues.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Growth Forecast
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Growth Forecast are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide relevant and useful information to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Growth Forecast are used by investors to compare a company’s operating performance to its competitors by minimizing impacts caused by differences in capital structure, taxes and depreciation and amortization policies. Further, the exclusion of non-operational items and special items enables comparability to prior period performance and trend analysis.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by excluding from Consolidated EBITDA the effect of the following non-operational items: equity in earnings and losses of unconsolidated businesses and other income and expense, net, and the following special items: severance charges, asset and business rationalization, legacy legal matter, Verizon Business Group ("Verizon Business") goodwill impairment, legal settlement, business transformation costs and non-strategic business shutdown. Severance charges recorded during 2024 relate to separations under our voluntary separation program for select U.S.-based management employees as well as other headcount reduction initiatives. Severance charges recorded during 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to involuntary separations under our existing plans. Asset and business rationalization recorded during 2024 predominately relates to the decision to cease use of certain real estate assets and exit non-strategic portions of certain businesses, as part of our continued transformation initiatives. Asset rationalization recorded during the second quarter of 2023 relates to certain real estate and non-strategic assets that we made a decision to cease use of as part of our transformation initiatives. Asset rationalization recorded during the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily relates to Verizon Business network assets that we made a decision to cease use of as part of our transformation initiatives. Legacy legal matter recorded during 2024 relates to a litigation matter associated with a legacy contract for the production of telephone directories in Costa Rica by a subsidiary of Verizon. Verizon Business goodwill impairment relates to an impairment charge recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023 as a result of Verizon's annual goodwill impairment test. Legal settlement recorded during 2023 relates to the settlement of a litigation matter regarding certain administrative fees. Business transformation costs recorded during 2023 primarily relate to costs incurred in connection with strategic partnership initiatives in our managed network support services for certain Verizon Business customers. Non-strategic business shutdown relates to the shutdown of our BlueJeans business offering in 2023.
We have not provided a reconciliation for our Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Growth Forecast because we cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the special items that could arise during 2024.
Net Unsecured Debt and Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio
Net Unsecured Debt and Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating Verizon’s ability to service its unsecured debt from continuing operations.
Net Unsecured Debt is calculated by subtracting secured debt and cash and cash equivalents from the sum of debt maturing within one year and long-term debt. Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio is calculated by dividing Net Unsecured Debt by Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. For purposes of Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is calculated for the last twelve months.
Adjusted Earnings per Common Share (Adjusted EPS) and Adjusted EPS Forecast
Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EPS Forecast are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating our operating results and understanding our operating trends without the effect of special items which could vary from period to period. We believe excluding special items provides more comparable assessment of our financial results from period to period.
Adjusted EPS is calculated by excluding from the calculation of reported EPS the effect of the following special items: amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, severance charges, asset and business rationalization, business transformation costs and non-strategic business shutdown.
We exclude the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets because the amount and timing of such charges are significantly impacted by the timing, size, number and nature of the acquisitions we consummate. While we have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and related amortization term are unique to each acquisition and can vary significantly from acquisition to acquisition. Exclusion of this amortization expense facilitates more consistent comparisons of operating results over time between our newly acquired and long-held businesses, and with both acquisitive and non-acquisitive peer companies. We believe that it is important for investors to understand that our non-GAAP financial measure adjusts for the intangible asset amortization but does not adjust the revenue that is generated in part from the use of such intangible assets.
We have not provided a reconciliation for our Adjusted EPS Forecast because we cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the special items that could arise during 2024.
Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate Attributable to Verizon Forecast (Adjusted ETR Forecast)
Adjusted ETR Forecast is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in assessing our effective income tax rate without the effect of special items which could vary from period to period. Adjusted ETR Forecast is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by net income attributable to Verizon before tax after adjusting for the effect of special items.
We have not provided a reconciliation for our Adjusted ETR Forecast because we cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the special items that could arise during 2024.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that reflects an additional way of viewing our liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows. We believe it is a more conservative measure of cash flow since capital expenditures are necessary for ongoing operations. Free cash flow has limitations due to the fact that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. For example, free cash flow does not incorporate payments made or expected to be made on finance lease obligations or cash payments for acquisitions of businesses or wireless licenses. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our entire consolidated statements of cash flows.
Free cash flow is calculated by subtracting capital expenditures (including capitalized software) from net cash provided by operating activities.
Consolidated Operating Expenses Excluding Depreciation and Amortization and Special Items
Consolidated operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization and special items is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating our operating expenses and underlying operating trends. We believe that consolidated operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization and special items is used by investors to more accurately compare a company’s operating expenses to those of its competitors by eliminating impacts caused by differences in depreciation and amortization policies. In addition, the exclusion of the effects of special items allows for better comparability of our financial results from period to period.
Consolidated operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization and special items is calculated by excluding from consolidated operating expenses the effects of depreciation and amortization expense and the following special items: severance charges, asset and business rationalization, business transformation costs and non-strategic business shutdown.
See the accompanying schedules for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
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| (d) Exhibits. | | |
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Exhibit
Number | | Description |
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| | Press release and financial tables, dated October 22, 2024, issued by Verizon Communications Inc. |
| | Commentary discussing financial and operating results of Verizon Communications Inc. for the third quarter of 2024. |
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| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL). |
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SIGNATURE
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, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | | | | | Verizon Communications Inc. |
| | | | | | (Registrant) |
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| Date: | | October 22, 2024 | | | | /s/ Mary-Lee Stillwell |
| | | | | | Mary-Lee Stillwell |
| | | | | | Senior Vice President and Controller |
