TDS Consolidated
The overall growth in operating revenues at TDS was due mainly to growth in wireless customers and ARPU at U.S. Cellular. Cash flows from operating activities were $941 million, a five percent increase from $892 million in 2006. Operating income increased 28 percent to $528 million, due to higher wireless operating revenues and margins, and due to cost reduction initiatives in the wireline business. We believe that further growth is atainable, and indicative of the value of our commitment to putting our customers first in each of our businesses. In addition, TDS as a whole continued to make progress on its key objectives in 2007, which are to:
- Grow revenues at rates greater than those of the markets in which we participate. Our target is a five- to seven-percent compound annual revenue growth rate over five years.
- Generate in each business a return on capital (ROC) greater than its cost of capital. U.S. Cellular significantly increased its ROC in 2007, while TDS Telecom’s ROC remained steady.
- Target strong, investment-grade credit ratings. As of April 7, 2008, TDS’ investment-grade credit ratings were as follows:
Rating Agency |
Rating |
Outlook |
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services |
BBB- |
Positive |
Moody’s Investors Services |
Baa3* |
Stable* |
Fitch Ratings |
BBB+ |
Stable |
* Currently on review for possible upgrade.
To offset dilution and seek to provide greater value to our shareholders, TDS repurchased 2,076,979 TDS Special Common Shares in 2007 using $126.7 million of a $250 million stock repurchase program ($123.3 million remained at the beginning of 2008).
One of our main goals in 2007 was to strengthen our accounting and financial reporting processes. The company made significant progress toward improving internal control over financial reporting. TDS reduced the material weaknesses related to personnel and accounting knowledge and fixed assets to the levels of deficiency and significant deficiency, respectively. In addition, the company made progress toward remediating the remaining material weakness, related to income tax accounting.
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