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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

or

[ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 000-51446

Graphic

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

02-0636095

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

121 South 17th Street, MattoonIllinois

61938-3987

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

  (217) 235-3311   

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - Graphic

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

02-0636095

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

121 South 17th Street, MattoonIllinois

61938-3987

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

  (217) 235-3311   

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

or

[ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 000-51446

Graphic

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

02-0636095

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

121 South 17th Street, MattoonIllinois

61938-3987

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

  (217) 235-3311   

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - Graphic

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

02-0636095

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

121 South 17th Street, MattoonIllinois

61938-3987

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

  (217) 235-3311   

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - $0.01 par value

CNSL

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer___ Smaller reporting company ____ 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. ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No X

On April 27, 2020, the registrant had 73,041,782 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

CNSL

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer___ Smaller reporting company ____ 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. ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No X

On April 27, 2020, the registrant had 73,041,782 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

CNSL

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer___ Smaller reporting company ____ 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. ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No X

On April 27, 2020, the registrant had 73,041,782 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

CNSL

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes X No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer___ Smaller reporting company ____ 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. ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No X

On April 27, 2020, the registrant had 73,041,782 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

28

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

43

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

43

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

45

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

45

Item 6.

Exhibits

46

SIGNATURES

47

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

Quarter Ended

March 31,

  

2020

 

2019

   

 

Net revenues

$

325,662

$

338,649

Operating expense:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

137,755

 

148,319

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

67,817

 

74,367

Depreciation and amortization

 

82,738

 

99,243

Income from operations

 

37,352

 

16,720

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(32,095)

 

(34,283)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

234

 

Investment income

 

10,579

 

8,601

Other, net

 

4,594

 

(1,369)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

20,664

 

(10,331)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

5,041

 

(3,145)

Net income (loss)

 

15,623

 

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

76

 

79

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

15,547

$

(7,265)

Net income (loss) per basic and diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders

$

0.22

$

(0.11)

Dividends declared per common share

$

$

0.39

See accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Quarter Ended

March 31,

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Pension and post-retirement obligations:

Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost to earnings, net of tax

 

336

 

1,026

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax

 

(11,944)

 

(6,689)

Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12

(576)

Reclassification of realized loss (gain) to earnings

 

1,608

 

(207)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

5,623

 

(13,632)

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

76

 

79

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

5,547

$

(13,711)

See accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

March 31,

December 31,

   

2020

    

2019

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

14,139

$

12,395

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

 

122,340

 

120,016

Income tax receivable

 

4,174

 

2,669

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

45,175

 

41,787

Total current assets

 

185,828

 

176,867

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,806,945

 

1,835,878

Investments

 

113,197

 

112,717

Goodwill

 

1,035,274

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

151,407

 

164,069

Other intangible assets

 

10,557

 

10,557

Other assets

 

51,925

 

54,915

Total assets

$

3,355,133

$

3,390,277

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

19,902

$

30,936

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

47,224

 

45,710

Accrued compensation

 

56,105

 

57,069

Accrued interest

14,945

7,874

Accrued expense

 

73,776

 

75,406

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

25,722

 

27,301

Total current liabilities

 

237,674

 

244,296

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

2,209,748

 

2,250,677

Deferred income taxes

 

174,489

 

173,027

Pension and other post-retirement obligations

 

293,145

 

302,296

Other long-term liabilities

 

86,418

 

72,730

Total liabilities

 

3,001,474

 

3,043,026

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

Shareholders’ equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 73,041,782 and 71,961,045 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

731

 

720

Additional paid-in capital

 

493,125

 

492,246

Accumulated deficit

 

(55,775)

 

(71,217)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

(90,868)

 

(80,868)

Noncontrolling interest

 

6,446

 

6,370

Total shareholders’ equity

 

353,659

 

347,251

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,355,133

    

$

3,390,277

See accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Accumulated

 

    

    

    

Additional 

Retained 

    

Other 

    

Non-

    

 

Common Stock

Paid-in 

Earnings

Comprehensive

controlling 

 

Shares

Amount

Capital

(Deficit)

Loss, net

Interest

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

71,187

$

712

$

513,070

$

(50,834)

$

(53,212)

$

5,918

$

415,654

Cash dividends on common stock

 

 

 

(27,356)

 

(576)

 

 

(27,932)

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

923

 

9

 

(9)

 

 

 

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

1,498

 

 

 

1,498

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(6,446)

 

(6,446)

Cumulative adjustment: adoption of ASU 2017-12

576

576

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

(7,265)

 

79

 

(7,186)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

72,110

$

721

$

487,203

$

(58,099)

$

(59,658)

$

5,997

$

376,164

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

71,961

$

720

$

492,246

$

(71,217)

$

(80,868)

$

6,370

$

347,251

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

1,081

11

 

(11)

 

 

 

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

890

 

 

 

890

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(10,000)

 

(10,000)

Cumulative adjustment: adoption of ASU 2016-13

(105)

(105)

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

15,547

 

76

 

15,623

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

73,042

$

731

$

493,125

$

(55,775)

$

(90,868)

$

6,446

$

353,659

See accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31,

    

2020

    

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

 

82,738

 

99,243

Cash distributions from wireless partnerships less than current earnings

 

(307)

 

(1,118)

Pension and post-retirement contributions in excess of expense

(8,571)

(5,980)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

890

 

1,498

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

1,196

 

1,213

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(234)

 

Other, net

 

(4,138)

 

397

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:

Accounts receivable, net

 

1,204

 

810

Income tax receivable

 

5,024

 

(3,227)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(1,826)

 

(2,419)

Accounts payable

 

(11,034)

 

(6,497)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

4,425

 

(1,737)

Net cash provided by operating activities

84,990

74,997

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net

 

(42,389)

 

(53,394)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

2,187

 

865

Proceeds from sale of investments

426

329

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(39,776)

 

(52,200)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

10,000

 

51,000

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

(2,674)

 

(3,507)

Payment on long-term debt

 

(46,588)

 

(45,588)

Repurchase of senior notes

(4,208)

Dividends on common stock

 

 

(27,577)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(43,470)

 

(25,672)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,744

 

(2,875)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

12,395

 

9,599

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

14,139

$

6,724

See accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning more than 37,500 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles.  Our business product suite includes data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately 821,000 voice connections, 786,000 data connections and 83,000 video connections.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

We are closely monitoring the impact on our business of the current outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and business partners, while assuring business continuity and reliable service and support to our customers.  While we have not seen a significant adverse impact to our financial results from COVID-19 to date, if the pandemic continues to cause significant negative impacts to economic conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely impacted.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted by the U.S. government as an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the US economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the economic effects of COVID-19.  The CARES Act includes, among other things, deferral of certain employer payroll tax payments, the delay in payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 until January 1, 2021 and certain income tax law changes including modifications to the net interest deduction limitations.  In April 2020, we began deferring the payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes and estimate that approximately $4.2 million for employer payroll tax payments otherwise due in the second quarter of 2020 will be deferred with 50% due by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 31, 2022.  At this time, we have elected not to delay the payment of our minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 and the potential deferral of employer payroll tax payments for future quarters in 2020 will continued to be assessed based on the extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.  The CARES Act is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  The adoption of the new standard did not result in a material impact to the Company.  As part of the adoption, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.1 million, net of tax, to opening retained earnings during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  The following disclosures have been made in accordance with ASU 2016-13.

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities.  We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business.  Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

4,549

$

4,421

Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13

144

Provision charged to expense

 

2,083

2,608

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(1,814)

(2,233)

Balance at end of year

$

4,962

$

4,796

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  ASU 2016-13 establishes the new “current expected credit loss” model for measuring and recognizing credit losses on financial assets based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  For additional information on the adoption of the new standard and the impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, refer to the Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses section above.

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-15 (“ASU 2018-15”), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 provides guidance on accounting for costs of implementation activities in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new guidance will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The new guidance is effective upon issuance through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 (“ASU 2019-12”), Income Taxes.  ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions and adding certain requirements to the general framework in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 (“ASU 2018-14”), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. ASU 2018-14 modifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirement of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The new guidance is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  

2.  REVENUE

Nature of Contracts with Customers

Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver goods such as equipment and/or services such as broadband, video or voice services.  Promised goods and services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the goods or services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer a good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.  The Company accounts for goods and services as separate performance obligations.  Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer.

The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring a good or service to the customer.  This amount is generally equal to the market price of the goods and/or services promised in the contract and may include promotional discounts.  The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees.  Conversely, nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, are included in the transaction price.  In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract.  We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the good or service, net of the related discount, as applicable.

Revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the good or service to the customer.

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Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Operating Revenues

Commercial and carrier:

 

 

Data and transport services (includes VoIP)

$

89,572

$

88,126

Voice services

 

45,720

 

48,070

Other

11,712

15,176

147,004

151,372

Consumer:

Broadband (VoIP and Data)

64,076

63,085

Video services

19,131

20,736

Voice services

43,176

45,879

126,383

129,700

Subsidies

18,454

18,159

Network access

31,465

36,591

Other products and services

2,356

2,827

Total operating revenues

$

325,662

$

338,649

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from our revenue contracts with customers:

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

Accounts receivable, net

$

122,340

$

132,326

Contract assets

 

19,704

 

13,897

Contract liabilities

 

52,905

 

55,212

Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract.  Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relate to sales commissions.  These costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life.  We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contract is not commensurate with the commission on the initial contract.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized expense of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs.

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which are generally deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as the option to renew without paying an upfront fee provides the customer with a material right.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company deferred and recognized revenues of $111.2 million and $94.0 million, respectively.

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods or services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.  Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30 to 60 days.

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Performance Obligations

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of March 31, 2020.  The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement.  The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:

1.The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
2.Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.

The Company has elected these practical expedients.  Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time.  For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer.  Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract.  As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

3.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities considering dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends, if declared, during the vesting term.  

The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, if the average market price during the period exceeds the exercise price, these instruments are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation.

Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period.  Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive.

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The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

76

 

79

Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities

 

15,547

 

(7,265)

Less: earnings allocated to participating securities

 

247

 

457

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities

$

15,300

$

(7,722)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

71,153

 

70,813

Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

0.22

$

(0.11)

Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 excludes 1.1 million and 0.7 million potential common shares, respectively, that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect.

4.  INVESTMENTS

Our investments are as follows:

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

2,699

$

2,474

Investments at cost:

GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest)

 

21,450

 

21,450

Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest)

 

22,950

 

22,950

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

8,882

 

8,910

Other

 

273

 

298

Equity method investments:

GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest)

 

20,399

 

20,162

Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest)

 

7,620

 

7,658

Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest)

 

28,924

 

28,815

Totals

$

113,197

$

112,717

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Investments at Cost

We own 2.34%of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”). The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas. We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership, which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.  Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we account for these investments at our initial cost less any impairment because fair value is not readily available for these investments.  No indictors of impairment existed for any of the investments during the quarters ended March 31, 2020 or 2019.  For these investments, we adjust the carrying value for any purchases or sales of our ownership interests, if any. We record distributions received from these investments as investment income in non-operating income (expense).  For the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $5.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively.  

CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers.  On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility. The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.

Equity Method

We own 20.51%of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”).  RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas.  RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory.  Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method.  Income is recognized as investment income in non-operating income (expense) on our proportionate share of earnings and cash distributions are recorded as a reduction in our investment.  For the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $4.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  

5.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments.  See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.

Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:

As of March 31, 2020

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(3,049)

 

$

$

(3,049)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

(38,209)

 

(38,209)

 

Total

$

(41,258)

$

$

(41,258)

$

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As of December 31, 2019

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,565)

 

$

$

(2,565)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

 

(24,960)

 

 

(24,960)

 

Total

$

(27,525)

$

$

(27,525)

$

We have not elected the fair value option for any of our other assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2020

As of December 31, 2019

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,221,567

$

1,943,100

$

2,262,111

$

2,125,497

Cost & Equity Method Investments

Our investments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 accounted for at cost and under the equity method consisted primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank.  It is impracticable to determine the fair value of these investments.

Long-term Debt

The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $5,250 and $5,604 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

$

1,774,875

$

1,779,109

Revolving loan

 

8,000

 

40,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $1,817 and $1,998 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

438,692

443,002

Finance leases

21,345

24,019

 

2,242,912

 

2,286,130

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(25,722)

 

(27,301)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(7,442)

(8,152)

Total long-term debt

$

2,209,748

$

2,250,677

Credit Agreement

In October 2016, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  The Credit Agreement consists of a $110.0 million revolving credit facility, an initial term loan in the aggregate amount of $900.0 million (the “Initial Term Loan”) and an incremental term loan in the aggregate amount of $935.0 million (the

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“Incremental Term Loan”), collectively (the “Term Loans”).  The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million and (b) an amount which would cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.00:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”).  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated.  

The Initial Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million with a maturity date of October 5, 2023, but is subject to earlier maturity on March 31, 2022 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in October 2022 are not repaid in full or redeemed in full on or prior to March 31, 2022. The Initial Term Loan contains an original issuance discount of 0.25% or $2.3 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan.  The Initial Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.25 million and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

The Incremental Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $935.0 million and included an original issue discount of 0.50%, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Incremental Term Loan has the same maturity date and interest rate as the Initial Term Loan and requires quarterly principal payments of $2.34 million.    

Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 5, 2021 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, in each case depending on our total net leverage ratio.  Based on our leverage ratio as of March 31, 2020, the borrowing margin for the three month period ending June 30, 2020 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan.  The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end.  As of March 31, 2020, alternate base rate borrowings of $8.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2019, borrowings of $40.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which consisted of LIBOR-based borrowings of $30.0 million and alternate base rate borrowings of $10.0 million.  Stand-by letters of credit of $18.6 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2020, $83.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.01% and 4.80% as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio or interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 or less than 2.25:1.00, respectively.  As of March 31, 2020, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.28:1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 3.74:1.00.  As of March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

Senior Notes

6.50% Senior Notes due 2022

In September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due in October 2022 (the “Existing Notes”).  The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million.  On June 8, 2015, we completed an additional offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “Senior Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were previously issued on in September 2014.  The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and

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resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest.  The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes.  

The Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.  Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the Senior Notes, and we and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.  

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased $4.5 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. In connection with the partial repurchase of the Senior Notes, we paid $4.2 million and recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.  The indenture also contains customary events of default.  As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments.  For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation.  If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.    Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of March 31, 2020:

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2020 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(3,049)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

Other long-term liabilities

(27,525)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Other long-term liabilities

(10,684)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(41,258)

Our interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates between July 2020 and July 2023.  The forward-starting interest rate swap agreement has a term of one year and becomes effective in July 2020.

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The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2019:

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2019 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(2,565)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(18,303)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(6,657)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(27,525)

The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties.  The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility.  Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties.  

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total pre-tax unrealized loss related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was $(36.5) million and $(22.5) million, respectively.  From the balance in AOCI as of March 31, 2020, we expect to recognize a loss of approximately $18.8 million in earnings in the next twelve months.

Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

(16,152)

$

(9,053)

Deferred (loss) gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

(2,175)

$

280

8. LEASES

Lessor

We have various arrangements for use of our network assets for which we are the lessor, including tower space, certain colocation, conduit and dark fiber arrangements.  These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification.  Lease income associated with these types of leases is not material.  Occasionally, we enter into arrangements where the term may be for a major part of the asset’s remaining economic life such as in indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) arrangements for dark fiber or conduit, which meet the criteria for sales-type lease classification.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not enter into any such arrangements.

9. EQUITY

Dividends

On February 18, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of approximately $0.38738 per share, paid on May 1, 2019 to stockholders of record on April 15, 2019.  On April 25, 2019, we announced the elimination of the payment of quarterly dividends on our stock beginning in the second quarter of 2019.  Future dividend payments, if any, are at the discretion of our Board of Directors.  Changes in our dividend program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, debt covenant compliance, expected cash needs and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.  

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Share-Based Compensation

Our Board of Directors may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Amended and Restated Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, stock unit grants and other equity-based awards to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Approximately 4,650,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that no more than 300,000 shares may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year.  Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 2028.

The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Restricted stock

$

848

$

927

Performance shares

 

42

 

571

Total

$

890

$

1,498

Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of March 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $17.7 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.

The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2020:

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2019

 

532,445

$

11.58

 

275,995

$

13.29

Shares granted

 

847,809

$

6.31

 

240,669

$

9.86

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(4,579)

$

11.29

(3,162)

$

12.62

Non-vested shares outstanding - March 31, 2020

 

1,375,675

$

8.21

 

513,502

$

11.40

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020:

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

(64,316)

$

(16,552)

$

(80,868)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

(11,944)

(11,944)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

336

1,608

1,944

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

336

 

(10,336)

 

(10,000)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

(63,980)

$

(26,888)

$

(90,868)

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The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

    

 

Quarter Ended March 31,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

Statement of Income

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service cost

$

(442)

$

(798)

(a)

Actuarial loss

 

(12)

 

(595)

(a)  

 

(454)

 

(1,393)

Total before tax

118

 

367

Tax benefit

$

(336)

$

(1,026)

Net of tax

Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

(2,175)

$

280

Interest expense

 

567

 

(73)

Tax benefit (expense)

$

(1,608)

$

207

Net of tax

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.

10. PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Defined Benefit Plans

We sponsor qualified defined benefit pension plans that are non-contributory covering substantially all of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements and certain salaried employees.  The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new entrants. In November 2018, a defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals under the cash balance benefit plan for certain participants under collective bargaining agreements effective as of March 31, 2019. Consequently, as of April 1, 2019 all of our defined benefit pension plans are now frozen to all current employees, and no additional monthly pension benefits will accrue under those plans.

We also have non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (the “Supplemental Plans” and, together with the defined benefit pension plans, the “Pension Plans”).  The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction of the amount that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. These plans are unfunded and have no assets.  The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.

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The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost for our Pension Plans for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

$

11

Interest cost

 

6,520

 

7,661

Expected return on plan assets

 

(8,645)

 

(8,671)

Net amortization loss

 

311

 

703

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

Net periodic pension benefit

$

(1,784)

$

(266)

The components of net periodic pension benefit other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations

We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees.  Certain plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed. Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred. Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured. A majority of the healthcare plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.  However, a certain healthcare plan is funded by assets that are separately designated within the Pension Plans for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits for this specific plan.  

The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic cost for our Post-retirement Plans for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

258

$

117

Interest cost

 

884

 

1,144

Expected return on plan assets

 

(46)

 

(43)

Net amortization gain

 

(299)

 

(108)

Net prior service cost amortization

 

412

 

768

Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost

$

1,209

$

1,878

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Contributions

We expect to contribute approximately $24.0 million to our Pension Plans and $8.9 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, we have contributed $5.8 million and $2.2 million of the annual contribution to the Pension Plans and Post-retirement Plans, respectively.  Under the CARES Act, the payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 may be delayed until January 1, 2021.  On April 15, 2020, we made our scheduled quarterly contribution of $4.4 million to the Pension Plan. We are continuing to monitor and assess whether to elect the deferral until January 1, 2021 of the remaining required pension contributions due in 2020 based on the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.

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11. INCOME TAXES

Our unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $4.9 million. The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective tax rate is $4.7 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.  We do not expect any material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the remainder of 2020.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense.

The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2016 through 2018. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2015 through 2018.  In addition, prior tax years may be subject to examination by federal or state taxing authorities if the Company’s net operating loss carryovers from those prior years are utilized in the future. We are currently under examination by state taxing authorities. We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the examination to have a material effect on our results or cash flows.

Our effective tax rate was 24.4% and 30.4% for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to various permanent income tax differences and differences in allocable income for the Company’s state tax filings.    

As of March 31, 2020, the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company's income tax positions. We will continue to evaluate the impact of enacted and future legislation.

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Access Charges

In 2014, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) along with MCI Communications Services, Inc. and Verizon Select Services Inc. (collectively, “Verizon”) filed lawsuits against certain subsidiaries of the Company including FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”) and many other Local Exchange Carriers (collectively, “LECs”) throughout the country challenging the switched access charges LECs assessed Sprint and Verizon, as interexchange carriers (“IXCs”), for certain calls originating from or terminating to mobile devices that are routed to or from these LECs through these IXCs.  The plaintiffs’ position is based on their interpretation of federal law, among other things, and they are seeking refunds of past access charges paid for such calls.  The disputed amounts total $4.8 million and cover periods dating back as far as 2006.  CenturyLink, Inc. and its LEC subsidiaries (collectively “CenturyLink”), requested that the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”), which has the authority to transfer the pretrial proceedings to a single court for multiple civil cases involving common questions of fact, transfer and consolidate these cases in one court.  The Panel granted CenturyLink’s request and ordered that these cases be transferred to and centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “U.S. District Court”).  

On November 17, 2015, the U.S. District Court dismissed these complaints based on its interpretation of federal law and held that LECs could assess switched access charges for the calls at issue (the “November 2015 Order”).  The November 2015 Order also allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaints to assert claims that arise under state laws independent of the dismissed claims asserted under federal law.  While Verizon did not make such a filing, on May 16, 2016, Sprint filed amended complaints and on June 30, 2016, the LEC defendants named in such complaints filed, among other things, a Joint Motion to Dismiss them, which the U.S. District Court granted on May 3, 2017.  Certain of our FairPoint LEC entities filed counterclaims against Sprint and Verizon.  

Relatedly, in 2016, numerous LECs across the country, including a number of our legacy Consolidated and FairPoint LEC entities, filed complaints in various U.S. district courts against Level 3 Communications, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Level 3”) for its failure to pay access charges for certain calls that the November 2015 Order

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held could be assessed by LECs.  The Company’s LEC entities, including FairPoint, sought from Level 3 a total amount of at least $2.3 million, excluding attorneys’ fees.  These complaint cases were transferred to and included in the above-referenced consolidated proceeding before the U.S. District Court.  Level 3 filed a Motion to Dismiss these complaints that, in part, repeated arguments, which the November 2015 Order rejected.  On March 22, 2017, the U.S. District Court denied Level 3’s Motion to Dismiss.

On March 12, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with counterclaims against Verizon and Sprint.  On March 26, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with claims against Level 3.  On May 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court granted all pending motions for summary judgment against Sprint, Verizon, and Level 3, and directed the entry of formal judgments in these cases.

On July 17, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of $0.7 million in favor of our legacy Consolidated LEC entities and against Level 3.  Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”) on July 24, 2018.  On August 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of over $1.2 million in favor of our FairPoint LEC entities and against Level 3.  Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the Fifth Circuit on August 20, 2018.  On September 21, 2018, all of our LECs entered into a settlement agreement with Level 3 to resolve the dispute with respect to all past-due amounts at issue in the litigation.  The settlement did not result in a material impact to our financial statements.  As part of the settlement, the parties filed on October 18, 2018 joint stipulations to dismiss with prejudice the related complaints by our LECs against Level 3 with the U.S. District Court and a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the Level 3 appeal against our LECs with the Fifth Circuit.  The Fifth Circuit granted this motion on October 25, 2018 by dismissing the Level 3 appeal.  

Formal judgments were entered in the Verizon and Sprint cases on June 7, 2018.  Verizon and Sprint filed notices of appeal of these judgments with the Fifth Circuit on June 28 and June 29, 2018, respectively.  Those appeals remain pending.  Absent a decision by an appellate court that overturns these orders, it could be difficult for Sprint or Verizon to succeed on its claims against us.  Therefore, we do not expect any potential settlement or judgment to have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows.

Gross Receipts Tax

Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received Assessment Notices and/or Audit Assessment Notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax, and have had audits performed for the tax years 2008 through 2016.  For our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, the total additional tax liabilities calculated by the DOR auditors for the tax years 2008 through 2016, including interest, are approximately $6.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively.  We filed Petitions for Reassessment with the DOR’s Board of Appeals for the tax years 2008 through 2016, contesting these audit assessments.  These cases remain pending and are in various stages of appeal.

In May 2017, we entered into an agreement to guarantee any potential liabilities to the DOR up to $5.0 million.  We believe that certain of the DOR’s findings regarding CCPA’s and CCES’s additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2016, for which we have filed appeals, continue to lack merit.  However, in January 2018, CCES and CCPA submitted initial settlement offers to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General proposing to settle the intrastate and interstate cases at reduced tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2013.  The settlement offers were subject to negotiation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with final approvals required from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and DOR.  The approvals have been obtained and the necessary settlement documents drafted for our review.  The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania imposed a deadline in the fourth quarter of 2019 for the parties to finalize their agreement and file stipulations for judgment.  Stipulations for judgment and directions to satisfy for the 2008 through 2013 tax years, except for the 2010 CCPA appeals, were filed in the fourth quarter of 2019, bringing the appeals to a conclusion.  The settlement resulted in a payment from us to the DOR of $2.1 million, which the Company previously reserved for.  While we continue to believe a settlement of all remaining disputed claims is possible, we cannot anticipate at this time what the ultimate resolution of these cases will be, nor can we evaluate the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or the potential losses (or gains) should such an outcome occur.

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Based on the initial settlement offers for the tax years 2008 through 2013 and the Company’s best estimate of the potential additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2018 (CCPA and CCES), we have reserved $1.5 million and $0.7 million, including interest, for our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, respectively.  We expect the filings for the tax years 2014 through 2018 to be settled at a later date similar to the initial settlement.  We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows.

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues.  While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

13. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Communications, Inc. is the primary obligor under the unsecured Senior Notes.  We and substantially all of our subsidiaries have jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  All of the subsidiary guarantors are 100% direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent, and all guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several with respect to principal, interest and liquidated damages, if any.  As such, we present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 for each of the Company (Parent), Consolidated Communications, Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer), guarantor subsidiaries and other non-guarantor subsidiaries with any consolidating adjustments.  See Note 6 for more information regarding our Senior Notes.

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

$

14,139

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

76

 

115,840

 

6,424

 

 

122,340

Income taxes receivable

 

8,609

 

4,006

 

 

 

(8,441)

 

4,174

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

89

 

 

44,995

 

180

 

(89)

 

45,175

Total current assets

 

8,698

 

18,218

 

160,838

 

6,604

 

(8,530)

 

185,828

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,742,114

 

64,831

 

 

1,806,945

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

9,064

 

104,133

 

 

 

113,197

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,553,744

 

3,549,345

 

17,372

 

 

(7,120,461)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

151,407

 

 

 

151,407

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,238,012

 

940,841

 

117,801

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

81,425

 

9,302

 

 

 

(90,727)

Other assets

 

 

 

51,449

 

476

 

 

51,925

Total assets

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

19,902

$

$

$

19,902

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

45,890

 

1,334

 

 

47,224

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

55,288

 

817

 

 

56,105

Accrued interest

14,518

427

14,945

Accrued expense

 

 

3,050

 

69,609

 

1,206

 

(89)

 

73,776

Income tax payable

7,636

805

(8,441)

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

18,350

7,223

149

25,722

Total current liabilities

 

 

35,918

 

205,975

 

4,311

 

(8,530)

 

237,674

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,195,775

 

13,946

 

27

 

 

2,209,748

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,654

 

 

 

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

241,061

 

24,155

 

(90,727)

174,489

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

278,279

 

14,866

 

 

293,145

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

38,504

 

47,130

 

784

 

 

86,418

Total liabilities

 

3,296,654

 

2,270,197

 

786,391

 

44,143

 

(3,395,911)

 

3,001,474

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

731

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

731

Other shareholders’ equity

 

346,482

 

3,553,744

 

3,328,469

 

190,837

 

(7,073,050)

 

346,482

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,345,880

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

347,213

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,446

 

 

 

6,446

Total shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,352,326

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

353,659

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

(In thousands)

December 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

12,387

$

8

$

$

$

12,395

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

78

 

112,415

 

7,523

 

 

120,016

Income taxes receivable

 

1,812

 

 

791

 

66

 

 

2,669

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

41,431

 

356

 

 

41,787

Total current assets

 

1,812

 

12,465

 

154,645

 

7,945

 

 

176,867

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,770,187

 

65,691

 

 

1,835,878

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

8,863

 

103,854

 

 

 

112,717

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,547,466

 

3,520,346

 

17,165

 

 

(7,084,977)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

164,069

 

 

 

164,069

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,289,433

 

893,394

 

113,473

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

86,447

 

5,661

 

 

 

(92,108)

Other assets

 

1,506

 

 

52,887

 

522

 

 

54,915

Total assets

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

30,936

$

$

$

30,936

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

44,436

 

1,274

 

 

45,710

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

56,356

 

713

 

 

57,069

Accrued interest

7,523

351

7,874

Accrued expense

 

50

 

2,565

 

71,659

 

1,132

 

 

75,406

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

18,350

 

8,808

 

143

 

 

27,301

Total current liabilities

 

50

 

28,438

 

212,546

 

3,262

 

 

244,296

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,235,609

 

15,001

 

67

 

 

2,250,677

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,300

 

 

 

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

240,983

 

24,152

 

(92,108)

173,027

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

285,832

 

16,464

 

 

302,296

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

25,255

 

46,656

 

819

 

 

72,730

Total liabilities

 

3,296,350

 

2,289,302

 

801,018

 

44,764

 

(3,388,408)

 

3,043,026

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

720

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

720

Other shareholders’ equity

 

340,161

 

3,547,466

 

3,301,965

 

188,135

 

(7,037,566)

 

340,161

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,319,376

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

340,881

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,370

 

 

 

6,370

Total shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,325,746

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

347,251

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

Quarter Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

317,054

$

11,662

$

(3,054)

$

325,662

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

137,034

 

3,669

 

(2,948)

 

137,755

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,078

 

 

64,846

 

1,999

 

(106)

 

67,817

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

80,258

 

2,480

 

 

82,738

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,078)

 

 

34,916

 

3,514

 

 

37,352

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(25)

 

(31,554)

 

(526)

 

10

 

 

(32,095)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,711)

 

(16)

 

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

234

 

 

 

 

234

Investment income

 

 

202

 

10,377

 

 

 

10,579

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

16,383

 

28,769

 

207

 

 

(45,359)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

4,538

 

56

 

 

4,594

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

15,280

 

12,378

 

34,801

 

3,564

 

(45,359)

 

20,664

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(267)

 

(4,005)

 

8,442

 

871

 

 

5,041

Net income (loss)

 

15,547

 

16,383

 

26,359

 

2,693

 

(45,359)

 

15,623

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

76

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

15,547

$

16,383

$

26,283

$

2,693

$

(45,359)

$

15,547

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

5,547

$

6,383

$

26,610

$

2,702

$

(35,695)

$

5,547

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Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

329,278

$

12,469

$

(3,098)

$

338,649

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

147,801

 

3,506

 

(2,988)

 

148,319

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,655

 

(193)

 

70,600

 

2,415

 

(110)

 

74,367

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

96,781

 

2,462

 

 

99,243

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,655)

 

193

 

14,096

 

4,086

 

 

16,720

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(28)

(34,088)

 

(167)

 

 

 

(34,283)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,708)

 

(19)

 

 

Investment income

 

 

190

 

8,411

 

 

 

8,601

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

(6,076)

 

7,242

 

213

 

 

(1,379)

 

Other, net

 

(3)

 

56

 

(1,408)

 

(14)

 

 

(1,369)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(7,762)

 

(11,680)

 

6,437

 

4,053

 

(1,379)

 

(10,331)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(497)

 

(5,604)

 

1,756

 

1,200

 

 

(3,145)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,265)

 

(6,076)

 

4,681

 

2,853

 

(1,379)

 

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

79

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

(7,265)

$

(6,076)

$

4,602

$

2,853

$

(1,379)

$

(7,265)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

(13,711)

$

(12,522)

$

5,560

$

2,921

$

4,041

$

(13,711)

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(354)

$

(8,877)

$

88,395

$

5,826

$

84,990

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(40,923)

 

(1,466)

 

(42,389)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

2,184

 

3

 

2,187

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

426

 

 

426

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(38,313)

 

(1,463)

 

(39,776)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(2,641)

 

(33)

 

(2,674)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(46,588)

 

 

 

(46,588)

Repurchase of senior notes

(4,208)

(4,208)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

354

 

51,422

 

(47,446)

 

(4,330)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

354

 

10,626

(50,087)

(4,363)

(43,470)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,749

(5)

1,744

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

12,387

8

12,395

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

14,139

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(178)

$

(9,043)

$

77,551

$

6,667

$

74,997

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(51,617)

 

(1,777)

 

(53,394)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

863

 

2

 

865

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

329

 

 

329

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(50,425)

 

(1,775)

 

(52,200)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

51,000

 

 

 

51,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(3,471)

 

(36)

 

(3,507)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(45,588)

 

 

 

(45,588)

Dividends on common stock

 

(27,577)

 

 

 

 

(27,577)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

27,755

 

(1,206)

 

(21,693)

 

(4,856)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

178

 

4,206

 

(25,164)

 

(4,892)

 

(25,672)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(4,837)

 

1,962

 

 

(2,875)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

9,616

 

(18)

 

1

 

9,599

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

4,779

$

1,944

$

1

$

6,724

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions.  Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those which relate to the impact on future revenue sources, pending and future regulatory orders, continued expansion of the telecommunications network and expected changes in the sources of our revenue and cost structure resulting from our entrance into new communications markets, are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans, strategies and anticipated financial results.  There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including the impact of the ongoing novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and our response to it.  Many of these circumstances are beyond our ability to control or predict.  Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on our part.  These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue” or similar expressions.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Consolidated,” the “Company,” “we” or “our”) to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this report.  A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward–looking statements is included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of this report.  Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.  Except as required under federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Throughout this MD&A, we refer to certain measures that are not measures of financial performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”).  We believe the use of these non-GAAP measures on a consolidated basis provides the reader with additional information that is useful in understanding our operating results and trends.  These measures should be viewed in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, those measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.  See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a more detailed discussion on the use and calculation of these measures.

Overview

Consolidated is a broadband and business communications provider offering a wide range of communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area.  We operate an advanced fiber network spanning over 37,500 fiber route miles across many rural areas and metro communities.  Our business product suite includes: data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  We provide wholesale solutions to wireless and wireline carriers and other service providers including data, voice, network connections and custom fiber builds and last mile connections.  We offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles.  

 

We generate the majority of our consolidated operating revenues primarily from monthly subscriptions to our broadband, data and transport services (collectively “broadband services”) marketed to business and residential customers.  Commercial and carrier services represent the largest source of our operating revenues and are expected to be key growth areas in the future.  We are focused on expanding our broadband and commercial product suite and are continually enhancing our commercial product offerings to meet the needs of our business customers.  We leverage our advanced fiber network and tailor our services by developing solutions to fit their specific needs and leveraging a value-

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based sales approach.  We continue to enhance our suite of managed and cloud services, which increases efficiency and enables greater scalability and reliability for our business customers.  In April 2020, we launched ProConnect Unified Communications to businesses in our northern New England markets.  This cloud-based collaboration solution enables users to easily make and receive calls, host video conferences and share files, message and manage features from anywhere and any device.  We anticipate future momentum in commercial and carrier services as these products gain traction as well as from the demand from customers for additional bandwidth and data-based services.    

 

We market our residential services by leading with broadband or bundled services, which includes high-speed Internet, video and phone services.  As consumer demands for bandwidth continue to increase, our focus is on enhancing our broadband services and progressively increasing broadband speeds.  We offer data speeds of up to 1 Gbps in select markets, and up to 100 Mbps in markets where 1 Gbps is not yet available, depending on the geographical region.  As of March 31, 2020, approximately 57% of the homes we serve on our legacy Consolidated network had availability to broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps or greater.  The majority of the homes in our northern New England service areas have availability to broadband speeds of 20 Mbps or less.  Over the last two years, we upgraded broadband speeds to more than 750,000 homes and small businesses primarily across our northern New England service areas.  The upgrades enable customers to receive broadband speeds up to three times faster than what was previously available.  We continue to focus on bringing higher broadband speeds and improving customer experience by expanding the availability of 1 Gbps broadband services.  This provides our residential customers with a wider selection of services and programming, as well as provides the speeds they need to enjoy the latest in streaming video applications.  Businesses also get a boost by being able to take full advantage of cloud-based applications.

Our competitive broadband speeds enable us to continue to meet the need for higher bandwidth from the growing consumer demand for streaming live programming or in-demand content on any device.  The consumers demand for streaming services, either to augment their current video subscription plan or to entirely replace their video subscription may impact our future video subscriber base and, accordingly, reduce our video revenue as well as our video programing costs.  Total video connections decreased 9% as of March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.  We believe the trend in changing consumer viewing habits will continue to impact our business results and complement our strategy of providing consumers with higher broadband speeds to facilitate streaming content.  In 2019, we launched in our northern New England markets, CCiTV, which is a customizable, cloud-enabled video service that supports a wide variety of viewing habits.  Content can be delivered in high-definition quality to a big-screen TV, as well as to tablets and mobile devices.  CCiTV helps align our product offering with consumer habits using an app-based approach to video as well as reduce our operating costs.  We continue to work on the expansion of CCiTV to our other service areas.

 

Operating revenues also continue to be impacted by the anticipated industry-wide trend of declines in voice services, access lines and related network access revenue.  Many customers are choosing to subscribe to alternative communication services and competition for these subscribers continues to increase.  Total voice connections decreased 8% as of March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.  Competition from wireless providers, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers and cable television providers has increased in recent years in the markets we serve.  We have been able to mitigate some of the access line losses through marketing initiatives and product offerings, such as our VoIP service. 

 

As discussed in the “Regulatory Matters” section below, our operating revenues are impacted by legislative or regulatory changes at the federal and state levels, which could reduce or eliminate the current subsidies revenue we receive.  A number of proceedings and recent orders relate to universal service reform, intercarrier compensation (“ICC”) and network access charges.  There are various ongoing legal challenges to the orders that have been issued.  As a result, it is not yet possible to fully determine the impact of the regulatory changes on our operations.

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Recent Developments

We are closely monitoring the impact on our business of the current outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and business partners, while assuring business continuity and reliable service and support to our customers.  Health and safety measures implemented include transitioning to remote work-from-home policies, providing our field technicians with personal protective equipment and additional safety training, practicing social distancing and adding call aheads for work that must be performed inside customer premises.  We are proactively monitoring and augmenting our network capacity, to meet the higher demands for data usage during the pandemic as a result of increased usage from work from home and remote learning applications. As a result of the pandemic and the government issued shelter-in-place orders, the demand for bandwidth upgrades has increased for our consumer, commercial and carrier customers. Our existing network enables us to efficiently respond and adapt to the increase in internet traffic during this time.  

While we have not seen a significant adverse impact to our financial results from COVID-19 to date, the extent of the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Capital markets and the US economy have also been significantly impacted by the pandemic, and it is possible that it could result in an economic recession. Adverse economic and market conditions as a result of COVID-19 could also adversely affect the demand for our products and services and may also impact the ability of our customers to satisfy their obligations to us. If the pandemic continues to cause significant negative impacts to economic conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely impacted.  See Part II, Item 1A – “Risk Factors”.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted by the U.S. government as an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the US economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the economic effects of COVID-19.  The CARES Act includes, among other things, deferral of certain employer payroll tax payments, the delay in payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 until January 1, 2021 and certain income tax law changes including modifications to the net interest deduction limitations.  In April 2020, we began deferring the payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes and estimate that approximately $4.2 million for employer payroll tax payments otherwise due in the second quarter of 2020 will be deferred with 50% due by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 31, 2022.  At this time, we have elected not to delay the payment of our minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 and the potential deferral of employer payroll tax payments for future quarters in 2020 will continued to be assessed based on the extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business and cash flows.  The CARES Act is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Results of Operations

The following tables reflect our financial results on a consolidated basis and key operating metrics as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Financial Data

Quarter Ended March 31,

(In millions, except for percentages)

    

2020

    

2019

    

$
Change

    

%
Change

    

Operating Revenues

Commercial and carrier:

Data and transport services (includes VoIP)

$

89.6

$

88.1

$

1.5

2

%  

Voice services

 

45.7

 

48.1

 

(2.4)

(5)

Other

 

11.7

 

15.2

 

(3.5)

(23)

147.0

151.4

(4.4)

(3)

Consumer:

Broadband (Data and VoIP)

64.1

 

63.1

 

1.0

2

Video services

19.1

 

20.7

 

(1.6)

(8)

Voice services

 

43.2

 

45.9

 

(2.7)

(6)

126.4

129.7

(3.3)

(3)

Subsidies

18.4

18.1

0.3

2

Network access

31.5

36.6

(5.1)

(14)

Other products and services

 

2.4

 

2.8

 

(0.4)

(14)

Total operating revenues

 

325.7

 

338.6

 

(12.9)

(4)

Operating Expenses

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

137.8

 

148.3

 

(10.5)

(7)

Selling, general and administrative costs

 

67.8

 

74.4

 

(6.6)

(9)

Depreciation and amortization

 

82.7

 

99.2

 

(16.5)

(17)

Total operating expenses

 

288.3

 

321.9

 

(33.6)

(10)

Income from operations

 

37.4

 

16.7

 

20.7

124

Interest expense, net

 

(32.1)

 

(34.2)

 

(2.1)

(6)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

0.2

 

 

0.2

100

Other income, net

 

15.2

 

7.2

 

8.0

111

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

5.1

 

(3.1)

 

8.2

265

Net income (loss)

 

15.6

 

(7.2)

 

22.8

317

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

15.5

$

(7.3)

$

22.8

312

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$

131.6

$

130.3

$

1.3

1

%  

(1)A non-GAAP measure.  See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for additional information and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Key Operating Statistics

As of March 31,

    

2020

    

2019

    

Change

    

% Change

 

Consumer customers

574,597

616,091

(41,494)

(7)

%

Voice connections

820,620

 

887,357

 

(66,737)

(8)

Data connections

786,125

780,720

5,405

1

Video connections

82,633

 

91,269

 

(8,636)

(9)

Total connections

1,689,378

 

1,759,346

 

(69,968)

(4)

%

Operating Revenues

Commercial and Carrier

Data and Transport Services

We provide a variety of business communication services to business customers of all sizes, including many services over our advanced fiber network.  The services we offer include scalable high-speed broadband Internet access and VoIP phone services, which range from basic service plans to virtual hosted systems.  In addition to Internet and VoIP services, we also offer a variety of commercial data connectivity services in select markets including Ethernet services; private line data services; SD-WAN and MPLS.  Our networking services include point-to-point and multi-point deployments from 2.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps to accommodate the growth patterns of our business customers.  We offer a suite of cloud-based services, which includes a hosted unified communications solution that replaces the customer’s on-site phone systems and data networks, managed network security services and data protection services.  Data center and disaster recovery solutions provide a reliable and local colocation option for commercial customers.  We also offer wholesale services to regional and national interexchange and wireless carriers, including cellular backhaul and other fiber transport solutions.

Data and transport services revenues increased $1.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to continued growth in Metro Ethernet and VoIP services.

Voice Services

Voice services include basic local phone and long-distance service packages for business customers.  The plans include options for voicemail, conference calling, linking multiple office locations and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding, speed dialing and call waiting.  Services can be charged at a fixed monthly rate, a measured rate or can be bundled with selected services at a discounted rate. We are also a full service 9-1-1 provider and have installed and now maintain two turn-key, state of the art statewide next-generation emergency 9-1-1 systems.  These systems, located in Maine and Vermont, have processed over four million calls relying on the caller's location information for routing.  Next-generation emergency 9-1-1 systems are an improvement over traditional 9-1-1 and are expected to provide the foundation to handle future communication modes such as texting and video.

Voice services revenues decreased $2.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to an 8% decline in access lines as commercial customers are increasingly choosing alternative technologies, including our own VoIP product, and the broad range of features that Internet based voice services can offer.

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Other

Other services include business equipment sales and related hardware and maintenance support, video services and other miscellaneous revenues.  Other services revenues decreased $3.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in business system sales.

Consumer

Broadband Services

Broadband services include revenues from residential customers for subscriptions to our VoIP and data products.  We offer high-speed Internet access at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, depending on the nature of the network facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location.  Our VoIP digital phone service is also available in certain markets as an alternative to the traditional telephone line.  Broadband services revenues increased $1.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 despite a decrease in data and VoIP connections of 5% and 14%, respectively, primarily as a result of price increases implemented during 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

Video Services

Depending on geographic market availability, our video services range from limited basic service to advanced digital television, which includes several plans, each with hundreds of local, national and music channels including premium and Pay-Per-View channels as well as video On-Demand service.  Certain customers may also subscribe to our advanced video services, which consist of high-definition television, digital video recorders (“DVR”) and/or a whole home DVR.  Our TV Everywhere service allows our video subscribers to watch their favorite shows, movies and livestreams on any device.  In addition, we offer other in-demand streaming content including: DIRECTV®, DIRECTV NOWSM, fuboTV, Philo, HBO NOW®, FlixFling and VEMOX.

Video services revenues decreased $1.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a 10% decrease in connections as consumers are choosing to subscribe to alternative video services such as over-the-top streaming services.

Voice Services

We offer several different basic local phone service packages and long-distance calling plans, including unlimited flat-rate calling plans.  The plans include options for voicemail and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding and call waiting.  Voice services revenues decreased $2.7 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to an 8% decline in access lines.  The number of local access lines in service directly affects the recurring revenues we generate from end users and continues to be impacted by the industry-wide decline in access lines.  We expect to continue to experience erosion in voice connections due to competition from alternative technologies, including our own competing VoIP product.

Subsidies

Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality broadband services at affordable prices with higher data speeds in rural areas.  Subsidies revenues increased $0.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to annual National Exchange Carrier Association (“NECA”) cost study adjustments in the first quarter of 2020.

Network Access Services

Network access services include interstate and intrastate switched access, network special access and end user access.  Switched access revenues include access services to other communications carriers to terminate or originate long-distance calls on our network.  Special access circuits provide dedicated lines and trunks to business customers and interexchange carriers.  Network access revenues decreased $5.1 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020

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compared to the same period in 2019 primarily as a result of the continuing decline in minutes of use, voice connections and carrier circuits; however, a portion of the decrease can be attributed to carriers shifting to our fiber Metro Ethernet product, contributing to the growth in that area.

Other Products and Services

Other products and services include revenues from telephone directory publishing, video advertising, billing and support services and other miscellaneous revenues.  Other products and services revenues decreased $0.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decline in telephone directory advertising revenue.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Services and Products

Cost of services and products decreased $10.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decline in employee salaries and benefits in 2020 as a result of a reduction in headcount through cost savings initiatives.  Cost of goods sold related to equipment sales decreased from a decline in business system sales in the current year period and access expense decreased due to a decline in usage and rates.  Video programming costs also decreased as a result of a 9% decline in video connections.  In addition, contract labor costs decreased as a result of operating efficiency improvements.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $6.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decline in employee salaries and benefits in 2020, including severance costs, as a result of a reduction in headcount through cost savings initiatives. Advertising expense decreased from a decline in branding costs and radio and television advertising in the current year. However, real estate taxes increased due to property tax abatements received in 2019.  Customer acquisition costs also increased related to the amortization of sales commissions following the adoption of ASC 606.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $16.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to certain acquired assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized.  Depreciation expense also declined due to the sale of utility poles located in the state of Vermont in June 2019.  These declines in depreciation and amortization expense were offset in part by ongoing capital expenditures related to success-based capital projects for consumer and commercial services as well as network enhancements and customer service improvements.

Regulatory Matters

Our revenues are subject to broad federal and/or state regulation, which include such telecommunications services as local telephone service, network access service and toll service and are derived from various sources, including:

 

Business and residential subscribers of basic exchange services;

 

Surcharges mandated by state commissions and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”);

 

Long distance carriers for network access service;

 

Competitive access providers and commercial customers for network access service; and

 

Support payments from federal or state programs.

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The telecommunications industry is subject to extensive federal, state and local regulation.  Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, federal and state regulators share responsibility for implementing and enforcing statutes and regulations designed to encourage competition and to preserve and advance widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices.

 

At the federal level, the FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over facilities and services of local exchange carriers, such as our rural telephone companies, to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate interstate or international communications.  The FCC has the authority to condition, modify, cancel, terminate or revoke our operating authority for failure to comply with applicable federal laws or FCC rules, regulations and policies.  Fines or penalties also may be imposed for any of these violations.

 

State regulatory commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over carriers’ facilities and services to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate intrastate communications.  In particular, state regulatory agencies have substantial oversight over interconnection and network access by competitors of our incumbent local exchange companies.  In addition, municipalities and other local government agencies regulate the public rights-of-way necessary to install and operate networks.  State regulators can sanction our rural telephone companies or revoke our certifications if we violate relevant laws or regulations.

 

FCC Matters

 

In general, telecommunications service in rural areas is more costly to provide than service in urban areas.  The lower customer density means that switching and other facilities serve fewer customers and loops are typically longer, requiring greater expenditures per customer to build and maintain.  By supporting the high-cost of operations in rural markets, Universal Service Fund (“USF”) subsidies promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas.  

 

Our current annual support through the FCC’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II funding is $48.1 million through 2020.  The specific obligations associated with CAF Phase II funding include the obligation to serve approximately 124,500 locations by December 31, 2020 (with interim milestones of 40%, 60% and 80% completion by December 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively); to provide broadband service to those locations with speeds of 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream; to achieve latency of less than 100 milliseconds; to provide data of at least 100 gigabytes per month; and to offer pricing reasonably comparable to pricing in urban areas.  The Company met the milestones for 2017 through 2019 and currently is on target to achieve the 2020 milestone for all states where it operates.

We accepted CAF Phase II support in all of our operating states except Colorado and Kansas where the offered CAF Phase II support was declined.  We continued to receive annual frozen CAF Phase I support of $1.0 million in Colorado and Kansas until April 2019, when the FCC CAF Phase II auction assigned support to another provider. 

The annual FCC price cap filing was made on June 17, 2019 and became effective on July 1, 2019.  This filing reflects the phase out of CAF ICC support for our price cap companies.  There is no change for our rate of return companies.  The net impact is a decrease of $0.5 million in support funding for the July 2019 through June 2020 tariff period.

In April 2019, the FCC Chairman Pai announced plans for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”), the next phase of the CAF program. The RDOF is a $20.4 billion fund to bring speeds of 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream to unserved and underserved areas of America.  The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) at their August 2019 Open Commission Meeting.  The NPRM sought comments on broadband mapping, CAF Phase II transitioning and the auction process.  We participated in the comment process.

In January 2020, the FCC approved a report and order on the RDOF addressing the CAF Phase II transition, letter of credit and auction process.  The order prioritizes terrestrial broadband as a bridge to rural 5G networks by providing a significant weight advantage to traditional broadband providers.  Funding will occur in two phases with the first phase auctioning $16.0 billion and the second phase auctioning $4.4 billion, each to be distributed over 10 years.  The minimum speed required to receive funding is 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.  There are three additional

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tiers ranging from 50 Mbps downstream/5 Mbps upstream to 1 Gbps downstream/500 Mbps upstream.  The auction is a reverse auction process with higher weighting for those that choose a higher speed buildout requirement.  The auction process is currently scheduled to occur on October 22, 2020.  CAF Phase II funding has been extended through December 31, 2021 for price cap holding companies.  The FCC has issued the initial census block groups with locations and reserve price.  This will change as companies go through the FCC challenge process, which could increase or decrease the number of census block groups eligible and/or locations.  Although the RDOF has not been finalized, the transition in funding from CAF Phase II to the RDOF could result in a material change in the level of funding we receive from the FCC as of 2022.

 

FCC Rules for Business Data Services

   

On April 20, 2017, the FCC adopted new rules for Business Data Services (“BDS”) which went into effect on August 1, 2017.  BDS services are high speed data services provided on a point to point basis.  The rules apply to interstate BDS services in areas served by price cap carriers.  Under the new BDS rules, all packet-switched services and all transport services, channel terminations connecting wholesale customers to our networks and end user channel terminations in counties deemed competitive are competitive.  End user channel terminations for DS0, DS1 and DS3 services are non-competitive in counties deemed by the FCC to be non-competitive, but are eligible for Phase I price flexibility.  The FCC published a list of counties deemed competitive and non-competitive.  Geographic areas previously under Phase II price flexibility will not be rate regulated for any BDS services. 

 

In our price cap operations, we can continue to offer competitive BDS services under tariff or we can remove the services from tariff.  All competitive services must be de-tariffed within three years of the effective date of the BDS rules.  We have complete price flexibility for BDS services deemed competitive.  As of October 23, 2018, the FCC issued an order giving rate of return carriers the option to elect a similar regulatory framework for their BDS services beginning in July 2019 and we have elected this option for all of our rate of return companies.

BDS services are subject to vigorous competition.  We cannot determine the impact of the BDS rules on our revenues or operations.

 

State Matters

 

California

 

In an ongoing proceeding relating to the New Regulatory Framework, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) adopted Decision 06-08-030 in 2006, which grants carriers broader pricing freedom in the provision of telecommunications services, bundling of services, promotions and customer contracts.  This decision adopted a new regulatory framework, the Uniform Regulatory Framework (“URF”), which among other things (i) eliminates price regulation and allows full pricing flexibility for all new and retail services, (ii) allows new forms of bundles and promotional packages of telecommunication services, (iii) allocates all gains and losses from the sale of assets to shareholders and (iv) eliminates almost all elements of rate of return regulation, including the calculation of shareable earnings.  In December 2010, the CPUC issued a ruling to initiate a new proceeding to assess whether, or to what extent, the level of competition in the telecommunications industry is sufficient to control prices for the four largest ILECs in the state.  Subsequently, the CPUC issued a ruling temporarily deferring the proceeding.  When the CPUC may open this proceeding is unclear and on hold at this time. The CPUC’s actions in this and future proceedings could lead to new rules and an increase in government regulation.  The Company will continue to monitor this matter.  

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FairPoint Merger Requirements

 

As part of our acquisition of FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”) in 2017, we have regulatory commitments that vary by state, some of which require capital investments in our network over several years through 2020.  The requirements include improved data speeds and other service quality improvements in select locations primarily in our northern New England, New York and Illinois markets.  In New Hampshire and Vermont, we are required to invest 13% and 14%, respectively, of total state revenues in capital improvements per year for 2018, 2019 and 2020.  For our service territory in Maine, we are required to make capital expenditures of $16.4 million per year from 2018 through 2020.  In addition, we are required to invest an incremental $1.0 million per year in each of these three states for service quality improvements.  In New York, we are required to invest $4.0 million over three years to expand the broadband network to over 300 locations.  In Illinois, we were required to invest an additional $1.0 million by the end of 2018 to increase broadband availability and speeds in areas served by the FairPoint Illinois ILECs.  We met all of the regulatory commitments for 2017 through 2019, and we currently expect to achieve all of the regulatory commitments for 2020.  Completion of our merger commitments could change should the impact of COVID-19 cause us to change our capital expenditure deployment for the remainder of 2020.

 

Other Regulatory Matters

 

We are also subject to a number of regulatory proceedings occurring at the federal and state levels that may have a material impact on our operations. The FCC and state commissions have authority to issue rules and regulations related to our business.  A number of proceedings are pending or anticipated that are related to such telecommunications issues as competition, interconnection, access charges, ICC, broadband deployment, consumer protection and universal service reform.  Some proceedings may authorize new services to compete with our existing services.  Proceedings that relate to our cable television operations include rulemakings on set top boxes, carriage of programming, industry consolidation and ways to promote additional competition.  There are various on-going legal challenges to the scope or validity of FCC orders that have been issued.  As a result, it is not yet possible to fully determine the impact of the related FCC rules and regulations on our operations.

Non-Operating Items

Other Income and Expense, Net

Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased $2.1 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a reduction in interest on our 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (“Senior Notes”), as described in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below. As of March 31, 2020, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes declined $59.5 million due to the partial repurchase of the notes from June 2019 through March 2020. The decrease in interest expense was also due to a decline in variable interest rates on borrowings under our credit facilities.    

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased $4.5 million of the aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes.  In connection with the partial repurchase of the Senior Notes, we recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Other income increased $8.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in pension and post-retirement expense of $2.3 million.  See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion regarding our pension and post-retirement plans.  In addition, during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we recognized a gain of $3.7 million on the sale of our 39 GHz wireless spectrum licenses.  Investment income also increased $2.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 from our wireless partnership interests.

Income Taxes

Income taxes increased $8.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.  Our effective tax rate was 24.4% and 30.4% for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The effective tax

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rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to various permanent income tax differences and differences in allocable income for the Company’s state tax filings.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with US GAAP, we also use certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends. These financial measures are not measures of financial performance under US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income as a measure of performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. They are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below.

EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required under our credit facility as described in the reconciliations below.  These measures are a common measure of operating performance in the telecommunications industry and are useful, with other data, as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash.

The following table is a reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands, unaudited)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Add (subtract):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

32,095

 

34,283

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

5,041

 

(3,145)

Depreciation and amortization

 

82,738

 

99,243

EBITDA

 

135,497

 

123,195

 

Adjustments to EBITDA:

Other, net (1)

(14,639)

 

(1,672)

Investment distributions (2)

 

10,064

 

7,290

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(234)

 

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

890

 

1,498

Adjusted EBITDA

$

131,578

$

130,311

(1)Includes the equity earnings from our investments, dividend income, income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, acquisition and transaction related costs, including severance, non-cash pension and post-retirement benefits and certain other miscellaneous items.

(2)Includes all cash dividends and other cash distributions received from our investments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Outlook and Overview

Our operating requirements have historically been funded from cash flows generated from our business and borrowings under our credit facilities.  We expect that our future operating requirements will continue to be funded from cash flows from operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents and, if needed, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our ability to obtain future external financing.  We anticipate that we will continue to use a substantial

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portion of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures, meet scheduled payments on long-term debt and invest in future business opportunities.

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

   

2019

Cash flows provided by (used in):

Operating activities

$

84,990

$

74,997

Investing activities

(39,776)

(52,200)

Financing activities

(43,470)

 

(25,672)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

$

1,744

$

(2,875)

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $85.0 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $10.0 million compared to the same period in 2019.  Cash flows provided by operating activities increased as a result of an increase in earnings primarily from a reduction in operating expenses through cost management initiatives and improved operating efficiencies.  Cash distributions received from our wireless partnerships also increased $2.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.    

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $39.8 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 and consisted primarily of cash used for capital expenditures.  Capital expenditures continue to be our primary recurring investing activity and were $42.4 million and $53.4 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities consists primarily of our proceeds from and principal payments on long-term borrowings, and repurchases of debt.

Long-term Debt

Credit Agreement

In October 2016, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  The Credit Agreement consists of a $110.0 million revolving credit facility, an initial term loan in the aggregate amount of $900.0 million (the “Initial Term Loan”) and an incremental term loan in the aggregate amount of $935.0 million (the “Incremental Term Loan”), collectively (the “Term Loans”).  The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million and (b) an amount which would cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.00:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”).  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated.  

The Initial Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million with a maturity date of October 5, 2023, but is subject to earlier maturity on March 31, 2022 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in October 2022 are not repaid in full or redeemed in full on or prior to March 31, 2022.  The Initial Term Loan contains an original issuance discount of 0.25% or $2.3 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan.  The Initial Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.25 million and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

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The Incremental Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $935.0 million and included an original issue discount of 0.50%, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Incremental Term Loan has the same maturity date and interest rate as the Initial Term Loan and requires quarterly principal payments of $2.34 million.    

Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 5, 2021 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, in each case depending on our total net leverage ratio.  Based on our leverage ratio as of March 31, 2020, the borrowing margin for the three month period ending June 30, 2020 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan.  The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end.  As of March 31, 2020, alternate base rate borrowings of $8.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2019, borrowings of $40.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which consisted of LIBOR-based borrowings of $30.0 million and alternate base rate borrowings of $10.0 million.  Stand-by letters of credit of $18.6 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2020, $83.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.01% and 4.80% at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio or interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 or less than 2.25:1.00, respectively.  As of March 31, 2020, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.28:1.00, and our interest coverage ratio was 3.74:1.00.  As of March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

6.50% Senior Notes due 2022

In September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due in October 2022 (the “Existing Notes”).  The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million.  On June 8, 2015, we completed an additional offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “Senior Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were previously issued on in September 2014.  The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest.  The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes.  

The Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.  Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the Senior Notes, and we and a majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.  

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased $4.5 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes.  In connection with the partial repurchase of the Senior Notes, we paid $4.2 million and recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

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Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.  The indenture also contains customary events of default.  As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

Finance Leases

We lease certain facilities and equipment under various finance leases which expire between 2020 and 2039.  As of March 31, 2020, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments was approximately $21.3 million, of which $7.4 million was due and payable within the next twelve months. The leases require total remaining rental payments of $25.5 million as of March 31, 2020.

Dividends

We paid $27.6 million in dividend payments to stockholders during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.  On April 25, 2019, we announced the elimination of the payment of quarterly dividends on our stock beginning in the second quarter of 2019 in order to focus on reducing debt and the de-leveraging of our balance sheet in order to create long-term value for our stockholders.  Future dividend payments, if any, are at the discretion of our Board of Directors.  Changes in our dividend program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, debt covenant compliance, expected cash needs and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.  

Sufficiency of Cash Resources

The following table sets forth selected information regarding our financial condition.

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands, except for ratio)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

14,139

$

12,395

Working capital (deficit)

 

(51,846)

 

(67,429)

Current ratio

 

0.78

 

0.72

Our net working capital deficit improved $15.5 million as of March 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 primarily as a result of a decline in accounts payable of $11.0 million at March 31, 2020 related to the timing of expenditures. Current assets increased $9.0 million at March 31, 2020 driven by an increase in prepaid expenses and accounts receivable.   However, working capital was also impacted by an increase in accrued interest of $7.1 million at March 31, 2020 related to the timing of the semi-annual interest payments for our Senior Notes.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with our existing cash and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient for at least the next twelve months to fund our current anticipated uses of cash.  After that, our ability to fund these expected uses of cash and to comply with the financial covenants under our debt agreements will depend on the results of future operations, performance and cash flow.  Our ability to fund these expected uses from the results of future operations will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business, regulatory, legislative and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Due to the uncertainty and unpredictability related to the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, we will continue to closely manage our cash and monitor liquidity.  

To the extent that our business plans or projections change or prove to be inaccurate, we may require additional financing or require financing sooner than we currently anticipate.  Sources of additional financing may include commercial bank borrowings, other strategic debt financing, sales of nonstrategic assets, vendor financing or the private

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or public sales of equity and debt securities.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future, that anticipated revenue growth will be realized or that future borrowings or equity issuances will be available in amounts sufficient to provide adequate sources of cash to fund our expected uses of cash.  Failure to obtain adequate financing, if necessary, could require us to significantly reduce our operations or level of capital expenditures which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the results of operations.  In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption in the capital markets, which could make obtaining additional financing more difficult and we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.

We may be unable to access the cash flows of our subsidiaries since certain of our subsidiaries are parties to credit or other borrowing agreements, or are subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, that restrict the payment of dividends or making intercompany loans and investments, and those subsidiaries are likely to continue to be subject to such restrictions and prohibitions for the foreseeable future.  In addition, future agreements that our subsidiaries may enter into governing the terms of indebtedness may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance cash in any other manner to us.

Surety Bonds

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into surety, performance and similar bonds as required by certain jurisdictions in which we provide services.  As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately $5.9 million of these bonds outstanding.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

As required, we contribute to qualified defined pension plans and non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (collectively the “Pension Plans”) and other post-retirement benefit plans, which provide retirement benefits to certain eligible employees as described in the Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I – Item 1 “Financial Statements”. Contributions are intended to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. Our funding policy is to contribute annually an actuarially determined amount consistent with applicable federal income tax regulations.

The cost to maintain our Pension Plans and future funding requirements are affected by several factors including the expected return on investment of the assets held by the Pension Plans, changes in the discount rate used to calculate pension expense and the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses. Returns generated on the Pension Plans assets have historically funded a significant portion of the benefits paid under the Pension Plans. We estimate the long-term rate of return on assets will be 6.25%.  The Pension Plans invest in marketable equity securities which are exposed to changes in the financial markets. COVID-19 has also negatively impacted the financial markets, which could significantly impact the returns on our plan assets.  If the financial markets experience a sustained downturn and returns fall below our estimate, we could be required to make material contributions to the Pension Plans, which could adversely affect our cash flows from operations.

In 2020, we expect to make contributions totaling approximately $24.0 million to our Pension Plans and $8.9 million to our other post-retirement benefit plans. As of March 31, 2020, we have contributed $5.8 million and $2.2 million to our Pension Plans and our other post-retirement benefit plans, respectively. Our contribution amounts meet the minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws.  Under the CARES Act, the payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 may be delayed until January 1, 2021.  On April 15, 2020, we made our scheduled quarterly contribution of $4.4 million to the Pension Plan. We are continuing to monitor and assess whether to elect the deferral until January 1, 2021 of our remaining required pension contributions due in 2020 based on the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.

Income Taxes

The timing of cash payments for income taxes, which is governed by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing jurisdictions, will differ from the timing of recording tax expense and deferred income taxes, which are reported in accordance with GAAP. For example, tax laws in effect regarding accelerated or “bonus” depreciation for tax reporting

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resulted in less cash payments than the GAAP tax expense. Acceleration of tax deductions could eventually result in situations where cash payments will exceed GAAP tax expense.

Regulatory Matters

We receive ongoing ICC Eligible Recovery support for our rate of return ILECs that participate in the NECA pooling process.  The support for 2020 is approximately $3.2 million and is expected to decline by 5% per year through 2021.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we recognized subsidies revenue of $0.8 million related to our ongoing ICC Eligible Recovery support.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Our judgments are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For a full discussion of our accounting estimates and assumptions that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, refer to our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I - Item 1 “Financial Statements”.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk is primarily related to the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our debt obligations.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market interest rates on our variable rate obligations.  In order to manage the volatility relating to changes in interest rates, we utilize derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to maintain a mix of fixed and variable rate debt.  We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.  Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  We calculate the potential change in interest expense caused by changes in market interest rates by determining the effect of the hypothetical rate increase on the portion of our variable rate debt that is not subject to a variable rate floor or hedged through the interest rate swap agreements.

As of March 31, 2020, the majority of our variable rate debt was subject to a 1.00% London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) floor.  Based on our variable rate debt outstanding as of March 31, 2020, a 1.00% increase in market interest rates would increase annual interest expense by approximately $5.8 million. A 1.00% decrease in current interest rates would not impact annual interest expense on our variable rate debt due to the 1.00% LIBOR floor.

As of March 31, 2020, the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements amounted to a net liability of $41.3 million.  Total pre-tax deferred losses related to our interest rate swap agreements included in accumulated other comprehensive loss was $36.5 million as of March 31, 2020.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures,

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including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. In connection with the filing of this Form 10-Q, management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020.  Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2020.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Based upon the evaluation performed by our management, which was conducted with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management, Board of Directors and Audit Committee regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues.  While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.  See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I - Item 1 “Financial Statements” for a discussion of recent developments related to these legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

We included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 a description of certain risks and uncertainties that could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the trading price of our common stock (“Risk Factors”).  The following risk factor was identified in addition to those risk factors presented in Form 10-K as of December 31, 2019.

Public health threats, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and stock price.  We may face risks associated with public health threats or outbreaks of epidemic, pandemic or communicable diseases, such as the current outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, financial markets and supply chains and has resulted in increased unemployment levels.  The outbreak has resulted in Federal, state and local governments implementing mitigation measures, including shelter-in-place orders, travel restrictions, limitations on business, school closures and other measures.  Governments have enacted fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to counteract the impacts of COVID-19.

As a critical infrastructure provider, we have continued to operate our business and provide services to our customers.  Although we are considered an essential business, the outbreak of COVID-19 and any preventive or protective actions implemented by governmental authorities may have a material adverse effect on our operations, customers and suppliers and could do so for an indefinite period of time.  Adverse economic and market conditions as a result of COVID-19 could also adversely affect the demand for our products and services and may also impact the ability of our customers to satisfy their obligations to us. In addition, concerns regarding the economic impact of COVID-19 have caused volatility in financial and other capital markets which has and may continue to adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to access capital markets.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have transitioned a substantial number of our employees to telecommuting and remote work arrangements, which may increase the risk of a security breach or cybersecurity attack on our information technology systems that could impact our business.

We cannot reasonably estimate at this time the resulting future financial impact of COVID-19 on our business, but it could have a material adverse effect to our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.  The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including the severity and duration of the outbreak, the effectiveness of actions taken to contain or mitigate its effects and any resulting economic downturn, recession or depression in the markets we serve.  

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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101

The following financial information from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101).

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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, thereunto duly authorized.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Registrant)

May 1, 2020

By:

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

C. Robert Udell Jr.,

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

May 1, 2020

By:

/s/ Steven L. Childers

Steven L. Childers,

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

47

cnsl_Ex_31_1

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

 

I, C. Robert Udell Jr., certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

May 1, 2020

 

 

 

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

 

C. Robert Udell Jr.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

cnsl_Ex_31_2

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

 

I, Steven L. Childers, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

May 1, 2020

 

 

 

/s/ Steven L. Childers

 

Steven L. Childers

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

cnsl_Ex_32_1

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

 

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

 

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), C. Robert Udell Jr. and Steven L. Childers, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., each certify that to his knowledge (i) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

 

C. Robert Udell Jr.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

May 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Steven L. Childers

 

Steven L. Childers

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

May 1, 2020

 

v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings (Deficit)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net
Non-controlling Interest
Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 712 $ 513,070 $ (50,834) $ (53,212) $ 5,918 $ 415,654
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018 71,187          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Cash dividends on common stock   (27,356) (576)     (27,932)
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures $ 9 (9)        
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) 923          
Non-cash, share-based compensation   1,498       1,498
Other comprehensive income (loss)       (6,446)   (6,446)
Cumulative adjustment of new accounting standard adoption | ASU 2017-12     576     576
Net income (loss)     (7,265)   79 (7,186)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019 $ 721 487,203 (58,099) (59,658) 5,997 376,164
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019 72,110          
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019 $ 720 492,246 (71,217) (80,868) 6,370 347,251
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019 71,961          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures $ 11 (11)        
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) 1,081          
Non-cash, share-based compensation   890       890
Other comprehensive income (loss)       (10,000)   (10,000)
Cumulative adjustment of new accounting standard adoption | ASU 2016-13     (105)     (105)
Net income (loss)     15,547   76 15,623
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020 $ 731 $ 493,125 $ (55,775) $ (90,868) $ 6,446 $ 353,659
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020 73,042          
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 18, 2019
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS        
Net revenues   $ 325,662 $ 338,649  
Operating expense:        
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)   137,755 148,319  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   67,817 74,367  
Depreciation and amortization   82,738 99,243  
Income from operations   37,352 16,720  
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense, net of interest income   (32,095) (34,283)  
Gain on extinguishment of debt   234    
Investment income   10,579 8,601  
Other, net   4,594 (1,369)  
Income (loss) before income taxes   20,664 (10,331)  
Income tax expense (benefit)   5,041 (3,145)  
Net income (loss)   15,623 (7,186)  
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   76 79  
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders   $ 15,547 $ (7,265)  
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted        
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders   $ 0.22 $ (0.11)  
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.38738   $ 0.39 $ 0.38738
v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Summary of activity for ACL

Quarter Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

4,549

$

4,421

Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13

144

Provision charged to expense

 

2,083

2,608

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(1,814)

(2,233)

Balance at end of year

$

4,962

$

4,796

v3.20.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  
Schedule of interest rate swap assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of March 31, 2020

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(3,049)

 

$

$

(3,049)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

(38,209)

 

(38,209)

 

Total

$

(41,258)

$

$

(41,258)

$

As of December 31, 2019

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,565)

 

$

$

(2,565)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

 

(24,960)

 

 

(24,960)

 

Total

$

(27,525)

$

$

(27,525)

$

Schedule of other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure

As of March 31, 2020

As of December 31, 2019

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,221,567

$

1,943,100

$

2,262,111

$

2,125,497

v3.20.1
EQUITY - Reclassification from AOCI (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
EQUITY    
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 20,664 $ (10,331)
Interest expense (32,095) (34,283)
Tax benefit (5,041) 3,145
Net income (loss) 15,623 (7,186)
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations    
EQUITY    
Prior service (cost) credit (442) (798)
Actuarial loss (12) (595)
Income (loss) before income taxes (454) (1,393)
Tax benefit 118 367
Net income (loss) (336) (1,026)
Derivative Instruments    
EQUITY    
Interest expense (2,175) 280
Tax benefit 567 (73)
Net income (loss) $ (1,608) $ 207
v3.20.1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Effect of Interest Rate Derivatives (Details) - Interest rate swaps - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments      
Derivatives      
Deferred gain (losses) included in AOCI (pretax) $ (36,500)   $ (22,500)
Loss included in AOCI to be recognized in the next 12 months (18,800)    
Cash flow hedges      
Derivatives      
Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax (16,152) $ (9,053)  
Deferred (loss) gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense $ (2,175) $ 280  
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,139 $ 12,395    
Accounts receivable, net 122,340 120,016    
Income taxes receivable 4,174 2,669    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 45,175 41,787    
Total current assets 185,828 176,867    
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,806,945 1,835,878    
Intangibles and other assets:        
Investments 113,197 112,717    
Goodwill 1,035,274 1,035,274    
Customer relationships, net 151,407 164,069    
Other intangible assets 10,557 10,557    
Other assets 51,925 54,915    
Total assets 3,355,133 3,390,277    
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable 19,902 30,936    
Advance billings and customer deposits 47,224 45,710    
Accrued compensation 56,105 57,069    
Accrued interest 14,945 7,874    
Accrued expense 73,776 75,406    
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations 25,722 27,301    
Total current liabilities 237,674 244,296    
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 2,209,748 2,250,677    
Deferred income taxes 174,489 173,027    
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations 293,145 302,296    
Other long-term liabilities 86,418 72,730    
Total liabilities 3,001,474 3,043,026    
Shareholders' equity:        
Common Stock 731 720    
Other shareholders' equity 346,482 340,161    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity 347,213 340,881    
Noncontrolling interest 6,446 6,370    
Total shareholders' equity 353,659 347,251 $ 376,164 $ 415,654
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 3,355,133 3,390,277    
Eliminations        
Current assets:        
Income taxes receivable (8,441)      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (89)      
Total current assets (8,530)      
Intangibles and other assets:        
Investments in subsidiaries (7,120,461) (7,084,977)    
Advances due to/from affiliates, net (3,296,654) (3,296,300)    
Deferred income taxes (90,727) (92,108)    
Total assets (10,516,372) (10,473,385)    
Current liabilities:        
Accrued expense (89)      
Income tax payable (8,441)      
Total current liabilities (8,530)      
Advances due to/from affiliates, net (3,296,654) (3,296,300)    
Deferred income taxes (90,727) (92,108)    
Total liabilities (3,395,911) (3,388,408)    
Shareholders' equity:        
Common Stock (47,411) (47,411)    
Other shareholders' equity (7,073,050) (7,037,566)    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity (7,120,461) (7,084,977)    
Total shareholders' equity (7,120,461) (7,084,977)    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (10,516,372) (10,473,385)    
Parent | Reportable legal entity        
Current assets:        
Income taxes receivable 8,609 1,812    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 89      
Total current assets 8,698 1,812    
Intangibles and other assets:        
Investments in subsidiaries 3,553,744 3,547,466    
Deferred income taxes 81,425 86,447    
Other assets   1,506    
Total assets 3,643,867 3,637,231    
Current liabilities:        
Accrued expense   50    
Total current liabilities   50    
Advances due to/from affiliates, net 3,296,654 3,296,300    
Total liabilities 3,296,654 3,296,350    
Shareholders' equity:        
Common Stock 731 720    
Other shareholders' equity 346,482 340,161    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity 347,213 340,881    
Total shareholders' equity 347,213 340,881    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 3,643,867 3,637,231    
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 14,136 12,387    
Accounts receivable, net 76 78    
Income taxes receivable 4,006      
Total current assets 18,218 12,465    
Intangibles and other assets:        
Investments 9,064 8,863    
Investments in subsidiaries 3,549,345 3,520,346    
Advances due to/from affiliates, net 2,238,012 2,289,433    
Deferred income taxes 9,302 5,661    
Total assets 5,823,941 5,836,768    
Current liabilities:        
Accrued interest 14,518 7,523    
Accrued expense 3,050 2,565    
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations 18,350 18,350    
Total current liabilities 35,918 28,438    
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 2,195,775 2,235,609    
Other long-term liabilities 38,504 25,255    
Total liabilities 2,270,197 2,289,302    
Shareholders' equity:        
Other shareholders' equity 3,553,744 3,547,466    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity 3,553,744 3,547,466    
Total shareholders' equity 3,553,744 3,547,466    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,823,941 5,836,768    
Guarantors        
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Ownership interest (as a percent) 100.00%      
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 8    
Accounts receivable, net 115,840 112,415    
Income taxes receivable   791    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 44,995 41,431    
Total current assets 160,838 154,645    
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,742,114 1,770,187    
Intangibles and other assets:        
Investments 104,133 103,854    
Investments in subsidiaries 17,372 17,165    
Goodwill 969,093 969,093    
Customer relationships, net 151,407 164,069    
Other intangible assets 1,470 1,470    
Advances due to/from affiliates, net 940,841 893,394    
Other assets 51,449 52,887    
Total assets 4,138,717 4,126,764    
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable 19,902 30,936    
Advance billings and customer deposits 45,890 44,436    
Accrued compensation 55,288 56,356    
Accrued interest 427 351    
Accrued expense 69,609 71,659    
Income tax payable 7,636      
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations 7,223 8,808    
Total current liabilities 205,975 212,546    
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 13,946 15,001    
Deferred income taxes 241,061 240,983    
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations 278,279 285,832    
Other long-term liabilities 47,130 46,656    
Total liabilities 786,391 801,018    
Shareholders' equity:        
Common Stock 17,411 17,411    
Other shareholders' equity 3,328,469 3,301,965    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity 3,345,880 3,319,376    
Noncontrolling interest 6,446 6,370    
Total shareholders' equity 3,352,326 3,325,746    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 4,138,717 4,126,764    
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity        
Current assets:        
Accounts receivable, net 6,424 7,523    
Income taxes receivable   66    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 180 356    
Total current assets 6,604 7,945    
Property, plant and equipment, net 64,831 65,691    
Intangibles and other assets:        
Goodwill 66,181 66,181    
Other intangible assets 9,087 9,087    
Advances due to/from affiliates, net 117,801 113,473    
Other assets 476 522    
Total assets 264,980 262,899    
Current liabilities:        
Advance billings and customer deposits 1,334 1,274    
Accrued compensation 817 713    
Accrued expense 1,206 1,132    
Income tax payable 805      
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations 149 143    
Total current liabilities 4,311 3,262    
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 27 67    
Deferred income taxes 24,155 24,152    
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations 14,866 16,464    
Other long-term liabilities 784 819    
Total liabilities 44,143 44,764    
Shareholders' equity:        
Common Stock 30,000 30,000    
Other shareholders' equity 190,837 188,135    
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity 220,837 218,135    
Total shareholders' equity 220,837 218,135    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 264,980 $ 262,899    
v3.20.1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE  
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

3.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities considering dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends, if declared, during the vesting term.  

The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, if the average market price during the period exceeds the exercise price, these instruments are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation.

Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period.  Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

76

 

79

Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities

 

15,547

 

(7,265)

Less: earnings allocated to participating securities

 

247

 

457

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities

$

15,300

$

(7,722)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

71,153

 

70,813

Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

0.22

$

(0.11)

Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 excludes 1.1 million and 0.7 million potential common shares, respectively, that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect.

v3.20.1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments.  For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation.  If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.    Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of March 31, 2020:

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2020 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(3,049)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

Other long-term liabilities

(27,525)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Other long-term liabilities

(10,684)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(41,258)

Our interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates between July 2020 and July 2023.  The forward-starting interest rate swap agreement has a term of one year and becomes effective in July 2020.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2019:

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2019 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(2,565)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(18,303)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(6,657)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(27,525)

The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties.  The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility.  Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties.  

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total pre-tax unrealized loss related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was $(36.5) million and $(22.5) million, respectively.  From the balance in AOCI as of March 31, 2020, we expect to recognize a loss of approximately $18.8 million in earnings in the next twelve months.

Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

(16,152)

$

(9,053)

Deferred (loss) gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

(2,175)

$

280

v3.20.1
INCOME TAXES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
INCOME TAXES  
INCOME TAXES

11. INCOME TAXES

Our unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $4.9 million. The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective tax rate is $4.7 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.  We do not expect any material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the remainder of 2020.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense.

The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2016 through 2018. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2015 through 2018.  In addition, prior tax years may be subject to examination by federal or state taxing authorities if the Company’s net operating loss carryovers from those prior years are utilized in the future. We are currently under examination by state taxing authorities. We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the examination to have a material effect on our results or cash flows.

Our effective tax rate was 24.4% and 30.4% for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to various permanent income tax differences and differences in allocable income for the Company’s state tax filings.    

As of March 31, 2020, the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company's income tax positions. We will continue to evaluate the impact of enacted and future legislation.

v3.20.1
INVESTMENTS - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
Investments      
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as investments at cost $ 5,300 $ 3,300  
Investments      
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 2,699   $ 2,474
Total $ 113,197   $ 112,717
GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership      
Investments      
Ownership percentage of investments at cost 2.34%   2.34%
Investments      
Investments at cost $ 21,450   $ 21,450
Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership      
Investments      
Ownership percentage of investments at cost 3.60%   3.60%
Investments      
Investments at cost $ 22,950   $ 22,950
CoBank, ACB Stock      
Investments      
Investments at cost 8,882   8,910
Other      
Investments      
Investments at cost $ 273   $ 298
GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership      
Investments      
Ownership percentage of equity method investee 20.51%   20.51%
Investments      
Equity method investments $ 20,399   $ 20,162
Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership      
Investments      
Ownership percentage of equity method investee 16.67%   16.67%
Investments      
Equity method investments $ 7,620   $ 7,658
Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership      
Investments      
Ownership percentage of equity method investee 23.67%   23.67%
Investments      
Equity method investments $ 28,924   $ 28,815
v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Activity in the entity's accounts receivable allowance    
Balance at beginning of year $ 4,549 $ 4,421
Provision charged to expense 2,083 2,608
Write-offs, less recoveries (1,814) (2,233)
Balance at end of year 4,962 $ 4,796
Adjustment | ASU 2016-13    
Activity in the entity's accounts receivable allowance    
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 $ 144  
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Net revenues $ 325,662 $ 338,649
Operating expenses:    
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 137,755 148,319
Selling, general and administrative expenses 67,817 74,367
Depreciation and amortization 82,738 99,243
Income from operations 37,352 16,720
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net of interest income (32,095) (34,283)
Gain on extinguishment of debt 234  
Investment income 10,579 8,601
Other, net 4,594 (1,369)
Income (loss) before income taxes 20,664 (10,331)
Income tax expense (benefit) 5,041 (3,145)
Net income (loss) 15,623 (7,186)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 76 79
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 15,547 (7,265)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 5,547 (13,711)
Eliminations    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Net revenues (3,054) (3,098)
Operating expenses:    
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (2,948) (2,988)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (106) (110)
Other income (expense):    
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net (45,359) (1,379)
Income (loss) before income taxes (45,359) (1,379)
Net income (loss) (45,359) (1,379)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders (45,359) (1,379)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders (35,695) 4,041
Parent | Reportable legal entity    
Operating expenses:    
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,078 1,655
Income from operations (1,078) (1,655)
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net of interest income (25) (28)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net 16,383 (6,076)
Other, net   (3)
Income (loss) before income taxes 15,280 (7,762)
Income tax expense (benefit) (267) (497)
Net income (loss) 15,547 (7,265)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 15,547 (7,265)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 5,547 (13,711)
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity    
Operating expenses:    
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (193)
Income from operations   193
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net of interest income (31,554) (34,088)
Intercompany interest income (expense) 14,727 14,727
Gain on extinguishment of debt 234  
Investment income 202 190
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net 28,769 7,242
Other, net   56
Income (loss) before income taxes 12,378 (11,680)
Income tax expense (benefit) (4,005) (5,604)
Net income (loss) 16,383 (6,076)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 16,383 (6,076)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 6,383 (12,522)
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Net revenues 317,054 329,278
Operating expenses:    
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 137,034 147,801
Selling, general and administrative expenses 64,846 70,600
Depreciation and amortization 80,258 96,781
Income from operations 34,916 14,096
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net of interest income (526) (167)
Intercompany interest income (expense) (14,711) (14,708)
Investment income 10,377 8,411
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net 207 213
Other, net 4,538 (1,408)
Income (loss) before income taxes 34,801 6,437
Income tax expense (benefit) 8,442 1,756
Net income (loss) 26,359 4,681
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 76 79
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 26,283 4,602
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 26,610 5,560
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Net revenues 11,662 12,469
Operating expenses:    
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 3,669 3,506
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,999 2,415
Depreciation and amortization 2,480 2,462
Income from operations 3,514 4,086
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net of interest income 10  
Intercompany interest income (expense) (16) (19)
Other, net 56 (14)
Income (loss) before income taxes 3,564 4,053
Income tax expense (benefit) 871 1,200
Net income (loss) 2,693 2,853
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 2,693 2,853
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 2,702 $ 2,921
v3.20.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Access Charges

In 2014, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) along with MCI Communications Services, Inc. and Verizon Select Services Inc. (collectively, “Verizon”) filed lawsuits against certain subsidiaries of the Company including FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”) and many other Local Exchange Carriers (collectively, “LECs”) throughout the country challenging the switched access charges LECs assessed Sprint and Verizon, as interexchange carriers (“IXCs”), for certain calls originating from or terminating to mobile devices that are routed to or from these LECs through these IXCs.  The plaintiffs’ position is based on their interpretation of federal law, among other things, and they are seeking refunds of past access charges paid for such calls.  The disputed amounts total $4.8 million and cover periods dating back as far as 2006.  CenturyLink, Inc. and its LEC subsidiaries (collectively “CenturyLink”), requested that the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”), which has the authority to transfer the pretrial proceedings to a single court for multiple civil cases involving common questions of fact, transfer and consolidate these cases in one court.  The Panel granted CenturyLink’s request and ordered that these cases be transferred to and centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “U.S. District Court”).  

On November 17, 2015, the U.S. District Court dismissed these complaints based on its interpretation of federal law and held that LECs could assess switched access charges for the calls at issue (the “November 2015 Order”).  The November 2015 Order also allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaints to assert claims that arise under state laws independent of the dismissed claims asserted under federal law.  While Verizon did not make such a filing, on May 16, 2016, Sprint filed amended complaints and on June 30, 2016, the LEC defendants named in such complaints filed, among other things, a Joint Motion to Dismiss them, which the U.S. District Court granted on May 3, 2017.  Certain of our FairPoint LEC entities filed counterclaims against Sprint and Verizon.  

Relatedly, in 2016, numerous LECs across the country, including a number of our legacy Consolidated and FairPoint LEC entities, filed complaints in various U.S. district courts against Level 3 Communications, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Level 3”) for its failure to pay access charges for certain calls that the November 2015 Order

held could be assessed by LECs.  The Company’s LEC entities, including FairPoint, sought from Level 3 a total amount of at least $2.3 million, excluding attorneys’ fees.  These complaint cases were transferred to and included in the above-referenced consolidated proceeding before the U.S. District Court.  Level 3 filed a Motion to Dismiss these complaints that, in part, repeated arguments, which the November 2015 Order rejected.  On March 22, 2017, the U.S. District Court denied Level 3’s Motion to Dismiss.

On March 12, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with counterclaims against Verizon and Sprint.  On March 26, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with claims against Level 3.  On May 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court granted all pending motions for summary judgment against Sprint, Verizon, and Level 3, and directed the entry of formal judgments in these cases.

On July 17, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of $0.7 million in favor of our legacy Consolidated LEC entities and against Level 3.  Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”) on July 24, 2018.  On August 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of over $1.2 million in favor of our FairPoint LEC entities and against Level 3.  Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the Fifth Circuit on August 20, 2018.  On September 21, 2018, all of our LECs entered into a settlement agreement with Level 3 to resolve the dispute with respect to all past-due amounts at issue in the litigation.  The settlement did not result in a material impact to our financial statements.  As part of the settlement, the parties filed on October 18, 2018 joint stipulations to dismiss with prejudice the related complaints by our LECs against Level 3 with the U.S. District Court and a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the Level 3 appeal against our LECs with the Fifth Circuit.  The Fifth Circuit granted this motion on October 25, 2018 by dismissing the Level 3 appeal.  

Formal judgments were entered in the Verizon and Sprint cases on June 7, 2018.  Verizon and Sprint filed notices of appeal of these judgments with the Fifth Circuit on June 28 and June 29, 2018, respectively.  Those appeals remain pending.  Absent a decision by an appellate court that overturns these orders, it could be difficult for Sprint or Verizon to succeed on its claims against us.  Therefore, we do not expect any potential settlement or judgment to have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows.

Gross Receipts Tax

Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received Assessment Notices and/or Audit Assessment Notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax, and have had audits performed for the tax years 2008 through 2016.  For our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, the total additional tax liabilities calculated by the DOR auditors for the tax years 2008 through 2016, including interest, are approximately $6.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively.  We filed Petitions for Reassessment with the DOR’s Board of Appeals for the tax years 2008 through 2016, contesting these audit assessments.  These cases remain pending and are in various stages of appeal.

In May 2017, we entered into an agreement to guarantee any potential liabilities to the DOR up to $5.0 million.  We believe that certain of the DOR’s findings regarding CCPA’s and CCES’s additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2016, for which we have filed appeals, continue to lack merit.  However, in January 2018, CCES and CCPA submitted initial settlement offers to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General proposing to settle the intrastate and interstate cases at reduced tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2013.  The settlement offers were subject to negotiation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with final approvals required from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and DOR.  The approvals have been obtained and the necessary settlement documents drafted for our review.  The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania imposed a deadline in the fourth quarter of 2019 for the parties to finalize their agreement and file stipulations for judgment.  Stipulations for judgment and directions to satisfy for the 2008 through 2013 tax years, except for the 2010 CCPA appeals, were filed in the fourth quarter of 2019, bringing the appeals to a conclusion.  The settlement resulted in a payment from us to the DOR of $2.1 million, which the Company previously reserved for.  While we continue to believe a settlement of all remaining disputed claims is possible, we cannot anticipate at this time what the ultimate resolution of these cases will be, nor can we evaluate the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or the potential losses (or gains) should such an outcome occur.

Based on the initial settlement offers for the tax years 2008 through 2013 and the Company’s best estimate of the potential additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2018 (CCPA and CCES), we have reserved $1.5 million and $0.7 million, including interest, for our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, respectively.  We expect the filings for the tax years 2014 through 2018 to be settled at a later date similar to the initial settlement.  We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows.

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues.  While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

v3.20.1
INVESTMENTS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
INVESTMENTS  
INVESTMENTS

4.  INVESTMENTS

Our investments are as follows:

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

2,699

$

2,474

Investments at cost:

GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest)

 

21,450

 

21,450

Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest)

 

22,950

 

22,950

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

8,882

 

8,910

Other

 

273

 

298

Equity method investments:

GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest)

 

20,399

 

20,162

Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest)

 

7,620

 

7,658

Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest)

 

28,924

 

28,815

Totals

$

113,197

$

112,717

Investments at Cost

We own 2.34%of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”). The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas. We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership, which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.  Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we account for these investments at our initial cost less any impairment because fair value is not readily available for these investments.  No indictors of impairment existed for any of the investments during the quarters ended March 31, 2020 or 2019.  For these investments, we adjust the carrying value for any purchases or sales of our ownership interests, if any. We record distributions received from these investments as investment income in non-operating income (expense).  For the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $5.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively.  

CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers.  On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility. The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.

Equity Method

We own 20.51%of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”).  RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas.  RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory.  Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method.  Income is recognized as investment income in non-operating income (expense) on our proportionate share of earnings and cash distributions are recorded as a reduction in our investment.  For the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $4.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  

v3.20.1
LEASES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
LEASES  
LEASES

8. LEASES

Lessor

We have various arrangements for use of our network assets for which we are the lessor, including tower space, certain colocation, conduit and dark fiber arrangements.  These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification.  Lease income associated with these types of leases is not material.  Occasionally, we enter into arrangements where the term may be for a major part of the asset’s remaining economic life such as in indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) arrangements for dark fiber or conduit, which meet the criteria for sales-type lease classification.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not enter into any such arrangements.

v3.20.1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders    
Net income (loss) $ 15,623 $ (7,186)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 76 79
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 15,547 (7,265)
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities 247 457
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities $ 15,300 $ (7,722)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 71,153 70,813
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:    
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted $ 0.22 $ (0.11)
Common shares excluded from computation of potentially dilutive shares because of anti-dilutive effect 1,100 700
v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Business (Details)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Jun. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
item
state
mi
Number of states | state       23
Number of fiber route miles | mi       37,500
Number of voice connections       821,000
Number of data connections       786,000
Number of video connections       83,000
Forecast        
Deferred payroll taxes | $     $ 4.2  
Percentage of deferred payroll taxes due 50.00% 50.00%    
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income (loss) $ 15,623 $ (7,186)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 82,738 99,243
Cash distributions from wireless partnerships in less than current earnings (307) (1,118)
Pension and post-retirement contributions in excess of expense (8,571) (5,980)
Stock-based compensation expense 890 1,498
Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,196 1,213
Gain on extinguishment of debt (234)  
Other, net (4,138) 397
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:    
Accounts receivable, net 1,204 810
Income tax receivable 5,024 (3,227)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,826) (2,419)
Accounts payable (11,034) (6,497)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,425 (1,737)
Net cash provided by operating activities 84,990 74,997
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net (42,389) (53,394)
Proceeds from sale of assets 2,187 865
Distributions from investments 426 329
Net cash used in investing activities (39,776) (52,200)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 10,000 51,000
Payment of finance lease obligations (2,674) (3,507)
Payment on long-term debt (46,588) (45,588)
Repurchase of senior notes (4,208)  
Dividends on common stock   (27,577)
Net cash used in financing activities (43,470) (25,672)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 1,744 (2,875)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12,395 9,599
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 14,139 $ 6,724
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)    
Net income (loss) $ 15,623 $ (7,186)
Pension and post-retirement obligations:    
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost to earnings, net of tax 336 1,026
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:    
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax (11,944) (6,689)
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12   (576)
Reclassification of realized loss (gain) to earnings 1,608 (207)
Comprehensive income (loss) 5,623 (13,632)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 76 79
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 5,547 $ (13,711)
v3.20.1
REVENUE (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
REVENUE  
Schedule of disaggregation of revenue

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Operating Revenues

Commercial and carrier:

 

 

Data and transport services (includes VoIP)

$

89,572

$

88,126

Voice services

 

45,720

 

48,070

Other

11,712

15,176

147,004

151,372

Consumer:

Broadband (VoIP and Data)

64,076

63,085

Video services

19,131

20,736

Voice services

43,176

45,879

126,383

129,700

Subsidies

18,454

18,159

Network access

31,465

36,591

Other products and services

2,356

2,827

Total operating revenues

$

325,662

$

338,649

Schedule of receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

Accounts receivable, net

$

122,340

$

132,326

Contract assets

 

19,704

 

13,897

Contract liabilities

 

52,905

 

55,212

v3.20.1
LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT  
Schedule of components of long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $5,250 and $5,604 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

$

1,774,875

$

1,779,109

Revolving loan

 

8,000

 

40,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $1,817 and $1,998 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

438,692

443,002

Finance leases

21,345

24,019

 

2,242,912

 

2,286,130

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(25,722)

 

(27,301)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(7,442)

(8,152)

Total long-term debt

$

2,209,748

$

2,250,677

v3.20.1
EQUITY - Changes in AOCI (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component    
Balance at the beginning of the period $ (80,868)  
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (11,944)  
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12   $ (576)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 1,944  
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (10,000) $ (6,446)
Balance at the end of the period (90,868)  
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component    
Balance at the beginning of the period (64,316)  
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 336  
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 336  
Balance at the end of the period (63,980)  
Derivative Instruments    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component    
Balance at the beginning of the period (16,552)  
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (11,944)  
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 1,608  
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (10,336)  
Balance at the end of the period $ (26,888)  
v3.20.1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Interest Rate Swaps (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
item
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Derivatives      
Number of swap agreements that provide for the entity or the counterparties to post collateral | item   0  
Interest rate swaps      
Derivatives      
Total fair value, derivative asset (liability)   $ (41,258) $ (27,525)
Accrued Expense | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)      
Derivatives      
Notional amount   705,000 705,000
Accrued expense   (3,049) (2,565)
Other long-term liabilities | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)      
Derivatives      
Notional amount   500,000 500,000
Other long-term liabilities   (27,525) (18,303)
Other long-term liabilities | Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)      
Derivatives      
Notional amount   705,000 705,000
Other long-term liabilities   $ (10,684) $ (6,657)
Forecast | Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)      
Derivatives      
Term of derivative contract 1 year    
v3.20.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Litigation (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 108 Months Ended 171 Months Ended
Aug. 15, 2018
USD ($)
Jul. 17, 2018
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
item
subsidiary
Mar. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
May 31, 2017
USD ($)
Litigation and Contingencies                
Revenue recorded     $ 325,662 $ 338,649        
Number of subsidiaries that received assessment notice | subsidiary     2          
Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Litigation amount accrued     $ 1,500       $ 1,500  
Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Litigation amount accrued     $ 700       700  
Sprint, MCI Communication Services, and Verizon                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Disputed amount             $ 4,800  
Number of courts | item     1          
Level 3 Communications                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Disputed amount         $ 2,300      
Amount awarded   $ 700            
FairPoint Communications, Inc | Level 3 Communications                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Amount awarded $ 1,200              
Subsidies                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Revenue recorded     $ 18,454 $ 18,159        
Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Maximum                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Potential liability amount guaranteed               $ 5,000
Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors           $ 6,100    
Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)                
Litigation and Contingencies                
Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors           $ 7,400    
v3.20.1
INVESTMENTS - Equity Method (Details)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
item
Mar. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
item
INVESTMENTS      
Number of entity's investments which is accounted for using equity method | item 3   3
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as equity method investees | $ $ 4.8 $ 4.0  
v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]    
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings   $ (576)
ASU 2016-13 | Adjustment    
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]    
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings $ (100)  
v3.20.1
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Defined Benefit Plans  
Post-retirement benefit obligation  
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

$

11

Interest cost

 

6,520

 

7,661

Expected return on plan assets

 

(8,645)

 

(8,671)

Net amortization loss

 

311

 

703

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

Net periodic pension benefit

$

(1,784)

$

(266)

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations  
Post-retirement benefit obligation  
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

258

$

117

Interest cost

 

884

 

1,144

Expected return on plan assets

 

(46)

 

(43)

Net amortization gain

 

(299)

 

(108)

Net prior service cost amortization

 

412

 

768

Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost

$

1,209

$

1,878

v3.20.1
LONG-TERM DEBT
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT  
LONG-TERM DEBT

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $5,250 and $5,604 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

$

1,774,875

$

1,779,109

Revolving loan

 

8,000

 

40,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $1,817 and $1,998 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

438,692

443,002

Finance leases

21,345

24,019

 

2,242,912

 

2,286,130

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(25,722)

 

(27,301)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(7,442)

(8,152)

Total long-term debt

$

2,209,748

$

2,250,677

Credit Agreement

In October 2016, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  The Credit Agreement consists of a $110.0 million revolving credit facility, an initial term loan in the aggregate amount of $900.0 million (the “Initial Term Loan”) and an incremental term loan in the aggregate amount of $935.0 million (the

“Incremental Term Loan”), collectively (the “Term Loans”).  The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million and (b) an amount which would cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.00:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”).  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated.  

The Initial Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million with a maturity date of October 5, 2023, but is subject to earlier maturity on March 31, 2022 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in October 2022 are not repaid in full or redeemed in full on or prior to March 31, 2022. The Initial Term Loan contains an original issuance discount of 0.25% or $2.3 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan.  The Initial Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.25 million and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

The Incremental Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $935.0 million and included an original issue discount of 0.50%, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Incremental Term Loan has the same maturity date and interest rate as the Initial Term Loan and requires quarterly principal payments of $2.34 million.    

Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 5, 2021 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, in each case depending on our total net leverage ratio.  Based on our leverage ratio as of March 31, 2020, the borrowing margin for the three month period ending June 30, 2020 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan.  The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end.  As of March 31, 2020, alternate base rate borrowings of $8.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2019, borrowings of $40.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which consisted of LIBOR-based borrowings of $30.0 million and alternate base rate borrowings of $10.0 million.  Stand-by letters of credit of $18.6 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2020, $83.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.01% and 4.80% as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio or interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 or less than 2.25:1.00, respectively.  As of March 31, 2020, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.28:1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 3.74:1.00.  As of March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

Senior Notes

6.50% Senior Notes due 2022

In September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due in October 2022 (the “Existing Notes”).  The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million.  On June 8, 2015, we completed an additional offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “Senior Notes”).  The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were previously issued on in September 2014.  The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and

resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest.  The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes.  

The Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.  Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the Senior Notes, and we and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.  

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased $4.5 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. In connection with the partial repurchase of the Senior Notes, we paid $4.2 million and recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.  The indenture also contains customary events of default.  As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

v3.20.1
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS  
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

10. PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Defined Benefit Plans

We sponsor qualified defined benefit pension plans that are non-contributory covering substantially all of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements and certain salaried employees.  The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new entrants. In November 2018, a defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals under the cash balance benefit plan for certain participants under collective bargaining agreements effective as of March 31, 2019. Consequently, as of April 1, 2019 all of our defined benefit pension plans are now frozen to all current employees, and no additional monthly pension benefits will accrue under those plans.

We also have non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (the “Supplemental Plans” and, together with the defined benefit pension plans, the “Pension Plans”).  The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction of the amount that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. These plans are unfunded and have no assets.  The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost for our Pension Plans for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

$

11

Interest cost

 

6,520

 

7,661

Expected return on plan assets

 

(8,645)

 

(8,671)

Net amortization loss

 

311

 

703

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

Net periodic pension benefit

$

(1,784)

$

(266)

The components of net periodic pension benefit other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations

We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees.  Certain plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed. Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred. Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured. A majority of the healthcare plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.  However, a certain healthcare plan is funded by assets that are separately designated within the Pension Plans for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits for this specific plan.  

The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic cost for our Post-retirement Plans for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Service cost

$

258

$

117

Interest cost

 

884

 

1,144

Expected return on plan assets

 

(46)

 

(43)

Net amortization gain

 

(299)

 

(108)

Net prior service cost amortization

 

412

 

768

Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost

$

1,209

$

1,878

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Contributions

We expect to contribute approximately $24.0 million to our Pension Plans and $8.9 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2020.  As of March 31, 2020, we have contributed $5.8 million and $2.2 million of the annual contribution to the Pension Plans and Post-retirement Plans, respectively.  Under the CARES Act, the payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 may be delayed until January 1, 2021.  On April 15, 2020, we made our scheduled quarterly contribution of $4.4 million to the Pension Plan. We are continuing to monitor and assess whether to elect the deferral until January 1, 2021 of the remaining required pension contributions due in 2020 based on the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.

v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Business and Basis of Accounting

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning more than 37,500 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles.  Our business product suite includes data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately 821,000 voice connections, 786,000 data connections and 83,000 video connections.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

Recent Developments

We are closely monitoring the impact on our business of the current outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and business partners, while assuring business continuity and reliable service and support to our customers.  While we have not seen a significant adverse impact to our financial results from COVID-19 to date, if the pandemic continues to cause significant negative impacts to economic conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely impacted.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted by the U.S. government as an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the US economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the economic effects of COVID-19.  The CARES Act includes, among other things, deferral of certain employer payroll tax payments, the delay in payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 until January 1, 2021 and certain income tax law changes including modifications to the net interest deduction limitations.  In April 2020, we began deferring the payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes and estimate that approximately $4.2 million for employer payroll tax payments otherwise due in the second quarter of 2020 will be deferred with 50% due by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 31, 2022.  At this time, we have elected not to delay the payment of our minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 and the potential deferral of employer payroll tax payments for future quarters in 2020 will continued to be assessed based on the extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.  The CARES Act is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  The adoption of the new standard did not result in a material impact to the Company.  As part of the adoption, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.1 million, net of tax, to opening retained earnings during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  The following disclosures have been made in accordance with ASU 2016-13.

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities.  We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business.  Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

4,549

$

4,421

Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13

144

Provision charged to expense

 

2,083

2,608

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(1,814)

(2,233)

Balance at end of year

$

4,962

$

4,796

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  ASU 2016-13 establishes the new “current expected credit loss” model for measuring and recognizing credit losses on financial assets based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  For additional information on the adoption of the new standard and the impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, refer to the Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses section above.

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-15 (“ASU 2018-15”), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 provides guidance on accounting for costs of implementation activities in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new guidance will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The new guidance is effective upon issuance through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 (“ASU 2019-12”), Income Taxes.  ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions and adding certain requirements to the general framework in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 (“ASU 2018-14”), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. ASU 2018-14 modifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirement of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The new guidance is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  

v3.20.1
INVESTMENTS (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
INVESTMENTS  
Schedule of investments

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

2,699

$

2,474

Investments at cost:

GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest)

 

21,450

 

21,450

Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest)

 

22,950

 

22,950

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

8,882

 

8,910

Other

 

273

 

298

Equity method investments:

GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest)

 

20,399

 

20,162

Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest)

 

7,620

 

7,658

Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest)

 

28,924

 

28,815

Totals

$

113,197

$

112,717

v3.20.1
EQUITY (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
EQUITY  
Summary of total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Restricted stock

$

848

$

927

Performance shares

 

42

 

571

Total

$

890

$

1,498

Summary of RSA and PSA activity

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2019

 

532,445

$

11.58

 

275,995

$

13.29

Shares granted

 

847,809

$

6.31

 

240,669

$

9.86

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(4,579)

$

11.29

(3,162)

$

12.62

Non-vested shares outstanding - March 31, 2020

 

1,375,675

$

8.21

 

513,502

$

11.40

Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

(64,316)

$

(16,552)

$

(80,868)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

(11,944)

(11,944)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

336

1,608

1,944

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

336

 

(10,336)

 

(10,000)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

(63,980)

$

(26,888)

$

(90,868)

Summary of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss

    

 

Quarter Ended March 31,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

Statement of Income

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service cost

$

(442)

$

(798)

(a)

Actuarial loss

 

(12)

 

(595)

(a)  

 

(454)

 

(1,393)

Total before tax

118

 

367

Tax benefit

$

(336)

$

(1,026)

Net of tax

Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

(2,175)

$

280

Interest expense

 

567

 

(73)

Tax benefit (expense)

$

(1,608)

$

207

Net of tax

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
v3.20.1
REVENUE
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
REVENUE  
REVENUE

2.  REVENUE

Nature of Contracts with Customers

Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver goods such as equipment and/or services such as broadband, video or voice services.  Promised goods and services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the goods or services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer a good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.  The Company accounts for goods and services as separate performance obligations.  Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer.

The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring a good or service to the customer.  This amount is generally equal to the market price of the goods and/or services promised in the contract and may include promotional discounts.  The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees.  Conversely, nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, are included in the transaction price.  In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract.  We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the good or service, net of the related discount, as applicable.

Revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the good or service to the customer.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Operating Revenues

Commercial and carrier:

 

 

Data and transport services (includes VoIP)

$

89,572

$

88,126

Voice services

 

45,720

 

48,070

Other

11,712

15,176

147,004

151,372

Consumer:

Broadband (VoIP and Data)

64,076

63,085

Video services

19,131

20,736

Voice services

43,176

45,879

126,383

129,700

Subsidies

18,454

18,159

Network access

31,465

36,591

Other products and services

2,356

2,827

Total operating revenues

$

325,662

$

338,649

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from our revenue contracts with customers:

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

Accounts receivable, net

$

122,340

$

132,326

Contract assets

 

19,704

 

13,897

Contract liabilities

 

52,905

 

55,212

Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract.  Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relate to sales commissions.  These costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life.  We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contract is not commensurate with the commission on the initial contract.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized expense of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs.

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which are generally deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as the option to renew without paying an upfront fee provides the customer with a material right.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company deferred and recognized revenues of $111.2 million and $94.0 million, respectively.

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods or services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.  Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30 to 60 days.

Performance Obligations

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of March 31, 2020.  The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement.  The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:

1.The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
2.Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.

The Company has elected these practical expedients.  Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time.  For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer.  Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract.  As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

v3.20.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 100,000,000 100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding 73,041,782 71,961,045
v3.20.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Apr. 27, 2020
Document and Entity Information    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2020  
Entity File Number 000-51446  
Entity Registrant Name CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 02-0636095  
Entity Central Index Key 0001304421  
Entity Address, Address Line One 121 South 17th Street  
Entity Address, City or Town Mattoon  
Entity Address, State or Province IL  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 61938-3987  
City Area Code 217  
Local Phone Number 235-3311  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock - $0.01 par value  
Trading Symbol CNSL  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   73,041,782
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
v3.20.1
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of net periodic pension cost (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans    
Components of net periodic pension costs    
Service cost   $ 11
Interest cost $ 6,520 7,661
Expected return on plan assets (8,645) (8,671)
Net amortization loss (gain) 311 703
Net prior service cost amortization 30 30
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) (1,784) (266)
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations    
Components of net periodic pension costs    
Service cost 258 117
Interest cost 884 1,144
Expected return on plan assets (46) (43)
Net amortization loss (gain) (299) (108)
Net prior service cost amortization 412 768
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ 1,209 $ 1,878
v3.20.1
EQUITY (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 18, 2019
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Stock-based compensation plans        
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.38738   $ 0.39 $ 0.38738
Shares of common stock authorized for issuance   4,650,000    
Unrecognized share-based compensation        
Unrecognized compensation cost   $ 17.7    
Weighted-average period of recognition   1 year 9 months 18 days    
Maximum        
Stock-based compensation plans        
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year   300,000    
Restricted stock        
Shares        
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period   532,445    
Shares granted   847,809    
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired   (4,579)    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period   1,375,675    
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 11.58    
Shares granted (in dollars per share)   6.31    
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)   11.29    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 8.21    
Performance shares        
Shares        
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period   275,995    
Shares granted   240,669    
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired   (3,162)    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period   513,502    
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 13.29    
Shares granted (in dollars per share)   9.86    
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)   12.62    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 11.40    
v3.20.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments Not Carried at FV (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Carrying Value    
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term debt $ 2,221,567 $ 2,262,111
Fair Value    
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term debt $ 1,943,100 $ 2,125,497
v3.20.1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  
Schedule of outstanding interest rate swaps

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of March 31, 2020:

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2020 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(3,049)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

Other long-term liabilities

(27,525)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Other long-term liabilities

(10,684)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(41,258)

Our interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates between July 2020 and July 2023.  The forward-starting interest rate swap agreement has a term of one year and becomes effective in July 2020.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2019:

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2019 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

Accrued expense

$

(2,565)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(18,303)

Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

$

705,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(6,657)

Total Fair Values

 

$

(27,525)

Schedule of gains and losses on cash flow hedge transactions

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

(16,152)

$

(9,053)

Deferred (loss) gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

(2,175)

$

280

v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

13. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Communications, Inc. is the primary obligor under the unsecured Senior Notes.  We and substantially all of our subsidiaries have jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  All of the subsidiary guarantors are 100% direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent, and all guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several with respect to principal, interest and liquidated damages, if any.  As such, we present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 for each of the Company (Parent), Consolidated Communications, Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer), guarantor subsidiaries and other non-guarantor subsidiaries with any consolidating adjustments.  See Note 6 for more information regarding our Senior Notes.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

$

14,139

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

76

 

115,840

 

6,424

 

 

122,340

Income taxes receivable

 

8,609

 

4,006

 

 

 

(8,441)

 

4,174

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

89

 

 

44,995

 

180

 

(89)

 

45,175

Total current assets

 

8,698

 

18,218

 

160,838

 

6,604

 

(8,530)

 

185,828

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,742,114

 

64,831

 

 

1,806,945

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

9,064

 

104,133

 

 

 

113,197

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,553,744

 

3,549,345

 

17,372

 

 

(7,120,461)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

151,407

 

 

 

151,407

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,238,012

 

940,841

 

117,801

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

81,425

 

9,302

 

 

 

(90,727)

Other assets

 

 

 

51,449

 

476

 

 

51,925

Total assets

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

19,902

$

$

$

19,902

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

45,890

 

1,334

 

 

47,224

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

55,288

 

817

 

 

56,105

Accrued interest

14,518

427

14,945

Accrued expense

 

 

3,050

 

69,609

 

1,206

 

(89)

 

73,776

Income tax payable

7,636

805

(8,441)

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

18,350

7,223

149

25,722

Total current liabilities

 

 

35,918

 

205,975

 

4,311

 

(8,530)

 

237,674

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,195,775

 

13,946

 

27

 

 

2,209,748

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,654

 

 

 

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

241,061

 

24,155

 

(90,727)

174,489

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

278,279

 

14,866

 

 

293,145

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

38,504

 

47,130

 

784

 

 

86,418

Total liabilities

 

3,296,654

 

2,270,197

 

786,391

 

44,143

 

(3,395,911)

 

3,001,474

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

731

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

731

Other shareholders’ equity

 

346,482

 

3,553,744

 

3,328,469

 

190,837

 

(7,073,050)

 

346,482

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,345,880

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

347,213

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,446

 

 

 

6,446

Total shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,352,326

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

353,659

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

(In thousands)

December 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

12,387

$

8

$

$

$

12,395

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

78

 

112,415

 

7,523

 

 

120,016

Income taxes receivable

 

1,812

 

 

791

 

66

 

 

2,669

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

41,431

 

356

 

 

41,787

Total current assets

 

1,812

 

12,465

 

154,645

 

7,945

 

 

176,867

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,770,187

 

65,691

 

 

1,835,878

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

8,863

 

103,854

 

 

 

112,717

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,547,466

 

3,520,346

 

17,165

 

 

(7,084,977)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

164,069

 

 

 

164,069

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,289,433

 

893,394

 

113,473

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

86,447

 

5,661

 

 

 

(92,108)

Other assets

 

1,506

 

 

52,887

 

522

 

 

54,915

Total assets

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

30,936

$

$

$

30,936

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

44,436

 

1,274

 

 

45,710

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

56,356

 

713

 

 

57,069

Accrued interest

7,523

351

7,874

Accrued expense

 

50

 

2,565

 

71,659

 

1,132

 

 

75,406

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

18,350

 

8,808

 

143

 

 

27,301

Total current liabilities

 

50

 

28,438

 

212,546

 

3,262

 

 

244,296

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,235,609

 

15,001

 

67

 

 

2,250,677

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,300

 

 

 

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

240,983

 

24,152

 

(92,108)

173,027

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

285,832

 

16,464

 

 

302,296

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

25,255

 

46,656

 

819

 

 

72,730

Total liabilities

 

3,296,350

 

2,289,302

 

801,018

 

44,764

 

(3,388,408)

 

3,043,026

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

720

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

720

Other shareholders’ equity

 

340,161

 

3,547,466

 

3,301,965

 

188,135

 

(7,037,566)

 

340,161

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,319,376

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

340,881

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,370

 

 

 

6,370

Total shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,325,746

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

347,251

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

Quarter Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

317,054

$

11,662

$

(3,054)

$

325,662

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

137,034

 

3,669

 

(2,948)

 

137,755

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,078

 

 

64,846

 

1,999

 

(106)

 

67,817

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

80,258

 

2,480

 

 

82,738

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,078)

 

 

34,916

 

3,514

 

 

37,352

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(25)

 

(31,554)

 

(526)

 

10

 

 

(32,095)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,711)

 

(16)

 

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

234

 

 

 

 

234

Investment income

 

 

202

 

10,377

 

 

 

10,579

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

16,383

 

28,769

 

207

 

 

(45,359)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

4,538

 

56

 

 

4,594

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

15,280

 

12,378

 

34,801

 

3,564

 

(45,359)

 

20,664

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(267)

 

(4,005)

 

8,442

 

871

 

 

5,041

Net income (loss)

 

15,547

 

16,383

 

26,359

 

2,693

 

(45,359)

 

15,623

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

76

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

15,547

$

16,383

$

26,283

$

2,693

$

(45,359)

$

15,547

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

5,547

$

6,383

$

26,610

$

2,702

$

(35,695)

$

5,547

Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

329,278

$

12,469

$

(3,098)

$

338,649

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

147,801

 

3,506

 

(2,988)

 

148,319

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,655

 

(193)

 

70,600

 

2,415

 

(110)

 

74,367

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

96,781

 

2,462

 

 

99,243

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,655)

 

193

 

14,096

 

4,086

 

 

16,720

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(28)

(34,088)

 

(167)

 

 

 

(34,283)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,708)

 

(19)

 

 

Investment income

 

 

190

 

8,411

 

 

 

8,601

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

(6,076)

 

7,242

 

213

 

 

(1,379)

 

Other, net

 

(3)

 

56

 

(1,408)

 

(14)

 

 

(1,369)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(7,762)

 

(11,680)

 

6,437

 

4,053

 

(1,379)

 

(10,331)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(497)

 

(5,604)

 

1,756

 

1,200

 

 

(3,145)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,265)

 

(6,076)

 

4,681

 

2,853

 

(1,379)

 

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

79

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

(7,265)

$

(6,076)

$

4,602

$

2,853

$

(1,379)

$

(7,265)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

(13,711)

$

(12,522)

$

5,560

$

2,921

$

4,041

$

(13,711)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(354)

$

(8,877)

$

88,395

$

5,826

$

84,990

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(40,923)

 

(1,466)

 

(42,389)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

2,184

 

3

 

2,187

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

426

 

 

426

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(38,313)

 

(1,463)

 

(39,776)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(2,641)

 

(33)

 

(2,674)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(46,588)

 

 

 

(46,588)

Repurchase of senior notes

(4,208)

(4,208)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

354

 

51,422

 

(47,446)

 

(4,330)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

354

 

10,626

(50,087)

(4,363)

(43,470)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,749

(5)

1,744

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

12,387

8

12,395

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

14,139

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(178)

$

(9,043)

$

77,551

$

6,667

$

74,997

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(51,617)

 

(1,777)

 

(53,394)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

863

 

2

 

865

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

329

 

 

329

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(50,425)

 

(1,775)

 

(52,200)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

51,000

 

 

 

51,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(3,471)

 

(36)

 

(3,507)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(45,588)

 

 

 

(45,588)

Dividends on common stock

 

(27,577)

 

 

 

 

(27,577)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

27,755

 

(1,206)

 

(21,693)

 

(4,856)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

178

 

4,206

 

(25,164)

 

(4,892)

 

(25,672)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(4,837)

 

1,962

 

 

(2,875)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

9,616

 

(18)

 

1

 

9,599

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

4,779

$

1,944

$

1

$

6,724

v3.20.1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE  
Schedule of basic and diluted EPS

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income (loss)

$

15,623

$

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

76

 

79

Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities

 

15,547

 

(7,265)

Less: earnings allocated to participating securities

 

247

 

457

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities

$

15,300

$

(7,722)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

71,153

 

70,813

Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

0.22

$

(0.11)

v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,139 $ 12,395
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 122,340 120,016
Income tax receivable 4,174 2,669
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 45,175 41,787
Total current assets 185,828 176,867
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,806,945 1,835,878
Investments 113,197 112,717
Goodwill 1,035,274 1,035,274
Customer relationships, net 151,407 164,069
Other intangible assets 10,557 10,557
Other assets 51,925 54,915
Total assets 3,355,133 3,390,277
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 19,902 30,936
Advance billings and customer deposits 47,224 45,710
Accrued compensation 56,105 57,069
Accrued interest 14,945 7,874
Accrued expense 73,776 75,406
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations 25,722 27,301
Total current liabilities 237,674 244,296
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 2,209,748 2,250,677
Deferred income taxes 174,489 173,027
Pension and other post-retirement obligations 293,145 302,296
Other long-term liabilities 86,418 72,730
Total liabilities 3,001,474 3,043,026
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:    
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 73,041,782 and 71,961,045 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 731 720
Additional paid-in capital 493,125 492,246
Accumulated deficit (55,775) (71,217)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (90,868) (80,868)
Noncontrolling interest 6,446 6,370
Total shareholders' equity 353,659 347,251
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 3,355,133 $ 3,390,277
v3.20.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning more than 37,500 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles.  Our business product suite includes data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately 821,000 voice connections, 786,000 data connections and 83,000 video connections.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

We are closely monitoring the impact on our business of the current outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and business partners, while assuring business continuity and reliable service and support to our customers.  While we have not seen a significant adverse impact to our financial results from COVID-19 to date, if the pandemic continues to cause significant negative impacts to economic conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely impacted.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted by the U.S. government as an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the US economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the economic effects of COVID-19.  The CARES Act includes, among other things, deferral of certain employer payroll tax payments, the delay in payment of minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 until January 1, 2021 and certain income tax law changes including modifications to the net interest deduction limitations.  In April 2020, we began deferring the payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes and estimate that approximately $4.2 million for employer payroll tax payments otherwise due in the second quarter of 2020 will be deferred with 50% due by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 31, 2022.  At this time, we have elected not to delay the payment of our minimum required pension contributions due in 2020 and the potential deferral of employer payroll tax payments for future quarters in 2020 will continued to be assessed based on the extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on our business.  The CARES Act is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  The adoption of the new standard did not result in a material impact to the Company.  As part of the adoption, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.1 million, net of tax, to opening retained earnings during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  The following disclosures have been made in accordance with ASU 2016-13.

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities.  We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business.  Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

4,549

$

4,421

Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13

144

Provision charged to expense

 

2,083

2,608

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(1,814)

(2,233)

Balance at end of year

$

4,962

$

4,796

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective method.  ASU 2016-13 establishes the new “current expected credit loss” model for measuring and recognizing credit losses on financial assets based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  For additional information on the adoption of the new standard and the impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, refer to the Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses section above.

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-15 (“ASU 2018-15”), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 provides guidance on accounting for costs of implementation activities in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new guidance will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The new guidance is effective upon issuance through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 (“ASU 2019-12”), Income Taxes.  ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions and adding certain requirements to the general framework in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 (“ASU 2018-14”), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. ASU 2018-14 modifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirement of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The new guidance is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  

v3.20.1
EQUITY - Compensation costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Stock-based compensation plans    
Stock-based compensation expense $ 890 $ 1,498
Restricted stock    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Stock-based compensation expense 848 927
Performance shares    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Stock-based compensation expense $ 42 $ 571
v3.20.1
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 21, 2016
Jun. 08, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Debt                  
Total long-term debt and finance leases             $ 2,242,912   $ 2,286,130
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases             (25,722)   (27,301)
Total long-term debt             2,209,748   2,250,677
Less: deferred debt issuance costs             $ (7,442)   (8,152)
Leverage ratio       3.00     4.28    
Deferred debt issuance costs             $ 7,442   8,152
Dividend declared               $ 27,932  
Interest coverage ratio             3.74    
Repayments of senior notes             $ 4,208    
Gain on extinguishment of debt             $ 234    
Minimum                  
Debt                  
Interest coverage ratio             2.25    
Maximum                  
Debt                  
Leverage ratio for an event of default             5.25    
Senior Notes 6.50 Percent Due 2022                  
Debt                  
Total long-term debt and finance leases             $ 438,692   443,002
Unamortized discount             $ 1,817   $ 1,998
Aggregate principal amount   $ 300,000     $ 200,000        
Interest rate (as a percent)   6.50%     6.50%   6.50%   6.50%
Issue price as a percentage of par   98.26%              
Yield to maturity (as a percent)   6.80%              
Gross proceeds   $ 294,800     $ 200,000        
Repayments of senior notes             $ 4,500    
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Weighted average                  
Debt                  
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)             4.01%   4.80%
Term Loan                  
Debt                  
Total long-term debt and finance leases             $ 1,774,875   $ 1,779,109
Unamortized discount       $ 2,300     5,250   5,604
Aggregate principal amount       $ 900,000          
Quarterly principal payments required             $ 2,250    
Issue discount (as a percentage)       0.25%          
Term Loan | LIBOR                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             3.00%    
Term Loan | LIBOR | Minimum                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             1.00%    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan                  
Debt                  
Total long-term debt and finance leases             $ 8,000   40,000
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility       $ 110,000          
Amounts outstanding             8,000   40,000
Stand-by letter of credit outstanding             18,600    
Available borrowing capacity             $ 83,400    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR                  
Debt                  
Amounts outstanding                 30,000
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Minimum                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             2.50%    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Maximum                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             3.25%    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Weighted average | Forecast                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)           3.00%      
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate                  
Debt                  
Amounts outstanding                 10,000
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Minimum                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             1.50%    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Maximum                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)             2.25%    
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Weighted average | Forecast                  
Debt                  
Margin (as a percent)           2.00%      
Finance leases                  
Debt                  
Total long-term debt and finance leases             $ 21,345   $ 24,019
Incremental Term Loan Facility                  
Debt                  
Aggregate principal amount       935,000          
Quarterly principal payments required     $ 2,340            
Issue discount (as a percentage) 0.50%                
Incremental Term Loan Facility | Maximum                  
Debt                  
Additional borrowing capacity       $ 300,000          
v3.20.1
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Contributions (Details)
3 Months Ended
Apr. 15, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
item
employee
Defined Benefit Plans    
Defined benefit plans    
New benefits accrued   $ 0
Expected contribution to pension plan   24,000,000.0
Employer contributions   $ 5,800,000
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations    
Defined benefit plans    
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant | employee   0
Assets in unfunded plans   $ 0
Expected contribution to pension plan   8,900,000
Employer contributions   $ 2,200,000
Supplemental Plans    
Defined benefit plans    
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant | item   0
Assets in unfunded plans   $ 0
Forecast | Defined Benefit Plans    
Defined benefit plans    
Employer contributions $ 4,400,000  
v3.20.1
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
INCOME TAXES      
Unrecognized tax benefits $ 4.9   $ 4.9
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate $ 4.7   $ 4.7
Effective tax rate (as a percent) 24.40% 30.40%  
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 84,990 $ 74,997
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (42,389) (53,394)
Proceeds from sale of assets 2,187 865
Distributions from investments 426 329
Net cash used in investing activities (39,776) (52,200)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 10,000 51,000
Payment of finance lease obligations (2,674) (3,507)
Payment on long-term debt (46,588) (45,588)
Repurchase of senior notes (4,208)  
Dividends on common stock   (27,577)
Net cash used in financing activities (43,470) (25,672)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 1,744 (2,875)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12,395 9,599
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 14,139 6,724
Parent    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (354) (178)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Dividends on common stock   (27,577)
Transactions with affiliates, net 354 27,755
Net cash used in financing activities 354 178
Subsidiary Issuer    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (8,877) (9,043)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 10,000 51,000
Payment on long-term debt (46,588) (45,588)
Repurchase of senior notes (4,208)  
Transactions with affiliates, net 51,422 (1,206)
Net cash used in financing activities 10,626 4,206
Change in cash and cash equivalents 1,749 (4,837)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12,387 9,616
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 14,136 4,779
Guarantors    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 88,395 77,551
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (40,923) (51,617)
Proceeds from sale of assets 2,184 863
Distributions from investments 426 329
Net cash used in investing activities (38,313) (50,425)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Payment of finance lease obligations (2,641) (3,471)
Transactions with affiliates, net (47,446) (21,693)
Net cash used in financing activities (50,087) (25,164)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (5) 1,962
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8 (18)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 3 1,944
Non-Guarantors    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 5,826 6,667
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,466) (1,777)
Proceeds from sale of assets 3 2
Net cash used in investing activities (1,463) (1,775)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Payment of finance lease obligations (33) (36)
Transactions with affiliates, net (4,330) (4,856)
Net cash used in financing activities $ (4,363) (4,892)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 1
v3.20.1
REVENUE (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues $ 325,662 $ 338,649
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities    
Accounts receivable, net 122,340 132,326
Contract assets 19,704 13,897
Contract liabilities 52,905 55,212
Recognized expenses related to deferred contract acquisition costs. 2,100 1,200
Recognized revenue related to deferred revenue $ 111,200 94,000
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Remaining Performance Obligation true  
Minimum    
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities    
Payment term 30 days  
Maximum    
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities    
Payment term 60 days  
Commercial and carrier    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues $ 147,004 151,372
Commercial and carrier - Data and transport services (including VoIP)    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 89,572 88,126
Commercial and carrier - Voice services    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 45,720 48,070
Commercial and carrier - Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 11,712 15,176
Subsidies    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 18,454 18,159
Consumer    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 126,383 129,700
Consumer - Broadband (VoIP and Data)    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 64,076 63,085
Consumer - Video services    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 19,131 20,736
Consumer - Voice services    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 43,176 45,879
Network access    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues 31,465 36,591
Other products and services    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total operating revenues $ 2,356 $ 2,827
v3.20.1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheets

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

$

14,139

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

76

 

115,840

 

6,424

 

 

122,340

Income taxes receivable

 

8,609

 

4,006

 

 

 

(8,441)

 

4,174

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

89

 

 

44,995

 

180

 

(89)

 

45,175

Total current assets

 

8,698

 

18,218

 

160,838

 

6,604

 

(8,530)

 

185,828

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,742,114

 

64,831

 

 

1,806,945

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

9,064

 

104,133

 

 

 

113,197

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,553,744

 

3,549,345

 

17,372

 

 

(7,120,461)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

151,407

 

 

 

151,407

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,238,012

 

940,841

 

117,801

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

81,425

 

9,302

 

 

 

(90,727)

Other assets

 

 

 

51,449

 

476

 

 

51,925

Total assets

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

19,902

$

$

$

19,902

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

45,890

 

1,334

 

 

47,224

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

55,288

 

817

 

 

56,105

Accrued interest

14,518

427

14,945

Accrued expense

 

 

3,050

 

69,609

 

1,206

 

(89)

 

73,776

Income tax payable

7,636

805

(8,441)

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

18,350

7,223

149

25,722

Total current liabilities

 

 

35,918

 

205,975

 

4,311

 

(8,530)

 

237,674

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,195,775

 

13,946

 

27

 

 

2,209,748

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,654

 

 

 

 

(3,296,654)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

241,061

 

24,155

 

(90,727)

174,489

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

278,279

 

14,866

 

 

293,145

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

38,504

 

47,130

 

784

 

 

86,418

Total liabilities

 

3,296,654

 

2,270,197

 

786,391

 

44,143

 

(3,395,911)

 

3,001,474

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

731

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

731

Other shareholders’ equity

 

346,482

 

3,553,744

 

3,328,469

 

190,837

 

(7,073,050)

 

346,482

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,345,880

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

347,213

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,446

 

 

 

6,446

Total shareholders’ equity

 

347,213

 

3,553,744

 

3,352,326

 

220,837

 

(7,120,461)

 

353,659

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,643,867

$

5,823,941

$

4,138,717

$

264,980

$

(10,516,372)

$

3,355,133

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

(In thousands)

December 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

$

12,387

$

8

$

$

$

12,395

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

78

 

112,415

 

7,523

 

 

120,016

Income taxes receivable

 

1,812

 

 

791

 

66

 

 

2,669

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

41,431

 

356

 

 

41,787

Total current assets

 

1,812

 

12,465

 

154,645

 

7,945

 

 

176,867

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,770,187

 

65,691

 

 

1,835,878

Intangibles and other assets:

Investments

 

 

8,863

 

103,854

 

 

 

112,717

Investments in subsidiaries

 

3,547,466

 

3,520,346

 

17,165

 

 

(7,084,977)

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

969,093

 

66,181

 

 

1,035,274

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

164,069

 

 

 

164,069

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,470

 

9,087

 

 

10,557

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

 

2,289,433

 

893,394

 

113,473

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

86,447

 

5,661

 

 

 

(92,108)

Other assets

 

1,506

 

 

52,887

 

522

 

 

54,915

Total assets

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

$

$

30,936

$

$

$

30,936

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

 

 

44,436

 

1,274

 

 

45,710

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

56,356

 

713

 

 

57,069

Accrued interest

7,523

351

7,874

Accrued expense

 

50

 

2,565

 

71,659

 

1,132

 

 

75,406

Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

18,350

 

8,808

 

143

 

 

27,301

Total current liabilities

 

50

 

28,438

 

212,546

 

3,262

 

 

244,296

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

 

2,235,609

 

15,001

 

67

 

 

2,250,677

Advances due to/from affiliates, net

 

3,296,300

 

 

 

 

(3,296,300)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

240,983

 

24,152

 

(92,108)

173,027

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

285,832

 

16,464

 

 

302,296

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

25,255

 

46,656

 

819

 

 

72,730

Total liabilities

 

3,296,350

 

2,289,302

 

801,018

 

44,764

 

(3,388,408)

 

3,043,026

Shareholders’ equity:

Common Stock

 

720

 

 

17,411

 

30,000

 

(47,411)

 

720

Other shareholders’ equity

 

340,161

 

3,547,466

 

3,301,965

 

188,135

 

(7,037,566)

 

340,161

Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,319,376

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

340,881

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

6,370

 

 

 

6,370

Total shareholders’ equity

 

340,881

 

3,547,466

 

3,325,746

 

218,135

 

(7,084,977)

 

347,251

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,637,231

$

5,836,768

$

4,126,764

$

262,899

$

(10,473,385)

$

3,390,277

Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of operations

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

Quarter Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

317,054

$

11,662

$

(3,054)

$

325,662

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

137,034

 

3,669

 

(2,948)

 

137,755

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,078

 

 

64,846

 

1,999

 

(106)

 

67,817

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

80,258

 

2,480

 

 

82,738

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,078)

 

 

34,916

 

3,514

 

 

37,352

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(25)

 

(31,554)

 

(526)

 

10

 

 

(32,095)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,711)

 

(16)

 

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

234

 

 

 

 

234

Investment income

 

 

202

 

10,377

 

 

 

10,579

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

16,383

 

28,769

 

207

 

 

(45,359)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

4,538

 

56

 

 

4,594

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

15,280

 

12,378

 

34,801

 

3,564

 

(45,359)

 

20,664

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(267)

 

(4,005)

 

8,442

 

871

 

 

5,041

Net income (loss)

 

15,547

 

16,383

 

26,359

 

2,693

 

(45,359)

 

15,623

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

76

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

15,547

$

16,383

$

26,283

$

2,693

$

(45,359)

$

15,547

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

5,547

$

6,383

$

26,610

$

2,702

$

(35,695)

$

5,547

Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

$

$

$

329,278

$

12,469

$

(3,098)

$

338,649

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

147,801

 

3,506

 

(2,988)

 

148,319

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,655

 

(193)

 

70,600

 

2,415

 

(110)

 

74,367

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

96,781

 

2,462

 

 

99,243

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,655)

 

193

 

14,096

 

4,086

 

 

16,720

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(28)

(34,088)

 

(167)

 

 

 

(34,283)

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

14,727

 

(14,708)

 

(19)

 

 

Investment income

 

 

190

 

8,411

 

 

 

8,601

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net

 

(6,076)

 

7,242

 

213

 

 

(1,379)

 

Other, net

 

(3)

 

56

 

(1,408)

 

(14)

 

 

(1,369)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(7,762)

 

(11,680)

 

6,437

 

4,053

 

(1,379)

 

(10,331)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(497)

 

(5,604)

 

1,756

 

1,200

 

 

(3,145)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,265)

 

(6,076)

 

4,681

 

2,853

 

(1,379)

 

(7,186)

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

79

Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

$

(7,265)

$

(6,076)

$

4,602

$

2,853

$

(1,379)

$

(7,265)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

(13,711)

$

(12,522)

$

5,560

$

2,921

$

4,041

$

(13,711)

Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of cash flows

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(354)

$

(8,877)

$

88,395

$

5,826

$

84,990

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(40,923)

 

(1,466)

 

(42,389)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

2,184

 

3

 

2,187

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

426

 

 

426

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(38,313)

 

(1,463)

 

(39,776)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(2,641)

 

(33)

 

(2,674)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(46,588)

 

 

 

(46,588)

Repurchase of senior notes

(4,208)

(4,208)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

354

 

51,422

 

(47,446)

 

(4,330)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

354

 

10,626

(50,087)

(4,363)

(43,470)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,749

(5)

1,744

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

12,387

8

12,395

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

14,136

$

3

$

$

14,139

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

    

Parent

    

Subsidiary Issuer

    

Guarantors

    

Non-Guarantors

    

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$

(178)

$

(9,043)

$

77,551

$

6,667

$

74,997

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(51,617)

 

(1,777)

 

(53,394)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

863

 

2

 

865

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

329

 

 

329

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(50,425)

 

(1,775)

 

(52,200)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

51,000

 

 

 

51,000

Payment of finance lease obligation

 

 

 

(3,471)

 

(36)

 

(3,507)

Payment on long-term debt

 

 

(45,588)

 

 

 

(45,588)

Dividends on common stock

 

(27,577)

 

 

 

 

(27,577)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

27,755

 

(1,206)

 

(21,693)

 

(4,856)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

178

 

4,206

 

(25,164)

 

(4,892)

 

(25,672)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(4,837)

 

1,962

 

 

(2,875)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

9,616

 

(18)

 

1

 

9,599

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

$

4,779

$

1,944

$

1

$

6,724

v3.20.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments (Details) - Recurring - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Measurements    
Current interest rate swap liabilities $ (3,049) $ (2,565)
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities (38,209) (24,960)
Total (41,258) (27,525)
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value Measurements    
Current interest rate swap liabilities (3,049) (2,565)
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities (38,209) (24,960)
Total $ (41,258) $ (27,525)
v3.20.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

5.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments.  See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.

Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:

As of March 31, 2020

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(3,049)

 

$

$

(3,049)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

(38,209)

 

(38,209)

 

Total

$

(41,258)

$

$

(41,258)

$

As of December 31, 2019

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Current interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,565)

 

$

$

(2,565)

 

$

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

 

(24,960)

 

 

(24,960)

 

Total

$

(27,525)

$

$

(27,525)

$

We have not elected the fair value option for any of our other assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2020

As of December 31, 2019

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,221,567

$

1,943,100

$

2,262,111

$

2,125,497

Cost & Equity Method Investments

Our investments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 accounted for at cost and under the equity method consisted primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank.  It is impracticable to determine the fair value of these investments.

Long-term Debt

The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

v3.20.1
EQUITY
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
EQUITY  
EQUITY

9. EQUITY

Dividends

On February 18, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of approximately $0.38738 per share, paid on May 1, 2019 to stockholders of record on April 15, 2019.  On April 25, 2019, we announced the elimination of the payment of quarterly dividends on our stock beginning in the second quarter of 2019.  Future dividend payments, if any, are at the discretion of our Board of Directors.  Changes in our dividend program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, debt covenant compliance, expected cash needs and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.  

Share-Based Compensation

Our Board of Directors may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Amended and Restated Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, stock unit grants and other equity-based awards to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Approximately 4,650,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that no more than 300,000 shares may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year.  Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 2028.

The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Quarter Ended

March 31,

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

 

Restricted stock

$

848

$

927

Performance shares

 

42

 

571

Total

$

890

$

1,498

Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of March 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $17.7 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.

The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2020:

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2019

 

532,445

$

11.58

 

275,995

$

13.29

Shares granted

 

847,809

$

6.31

 

240,669

$

9.86

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(4,579)

$

11.29

(3,162)

$

12.62

Non-vested shares outstanding - March 31, 2020

 

1,375,675

$

8.21

 

513,502

$

11.40

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020:

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

(64,316)

$

(16,552)

$

(80,868)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

(11,944)

(11,944)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

336

1,608

1,944

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

336

 

(10,336)

 

(10,000)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

(63,980)

$

(26,888)

$

(90,868)

The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

    

 

Quarter Ended March 31,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2020

    

2019

    

Statement of Income

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service cost

$

(442)

$

(798)

(a)

Actuarial loss

 

(12)

 

(595)

(a)  

 

(454)

 

(1,393)

Total before tax

118

 

367

Tax benefit

$

(336)

$

(1,026)

Net of tax

Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

(2,175)

$

280

Interest expense

 

567

 

(73)

Tax benefit (expense)

$

(1,608)

$

207

Net of tax

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.