Global Crossing Reports GCUK’s Second Quarter 2011 Results

By Global Crossing Limited, PRNE
Sunday, September 11, 2011

LONDON, September 12, 2011 -

Global Crossing Limited (NASDAQ: GLBC), a leading global IP solutions provider, today announced second-quarter results for its subsidiary, Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited (GCUK).

Highlights

For the second quarter of 2011, GCUK generated revenue of 72 million pounds and Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) of 12 million pounds.  (OIBDA is a non-GAAP measure defined and reconciled below.)  The company also reported cash generated from operations of 8 million pounds before interest payments of 16 million pounds.  

“We continue to invest in advanced IP-based networking solutions and highly skilled sales resources to expand and diversify our enterprise customer base in the UK,” said John Legere, chief executive officer of Global Crossing.  “Meanwhile, we are successfully positioning for broader opportunities with UK government customers.  In fact, GCUK was recently approved as a supplier for UK Government’s Managed Telecommunications Convergence Framework, which broadens our addressable market opportunity to an additional 6 million government users.  We also received full Public Service Network certification from the UK Cabinet Office for delivery of its Government Conveyance Network and PSN Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network services to the Public Sector.”

Second Quarter Results

GCUK generated revenue of 72 million pounds in the second quarter, a sequential decrease of 2 percent and a year-over-year decrease of 7 percent.  Sequentially, GCUK revenue declined due to lower equipment sales, partially offset by higher sales of services to non-government enterprise customers.  Year-over-year, “invest and grow” revenue declined principally due to price reductions associated with recent contract renewals and extensions, accompanied by lower equipment sales.

Gross profit was 26 million pounds for the quarter, essentially flat sequentially and a decrease of 3 million pounds year-over-year.  The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by lower revenue.  

GCUK’s OIBDA for the second quarter was 12 million pounds, compared to 13 million pounds in the first quarter of 2011 and 15 million pounds in the second quarter of 2010.  The sequential and year-over-year decreases were primarily due to price reductions associated with recent contract renewals and extensions.

GCUK recorded a net loss of 5 million pounds for the second quarter, compared with a net loss of 1 million pounds in the first quarter of 2011 and a net loss of 3 million pounds in the second quarter of 2010.  The sequential increase in net loss was primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange impacts on net U.S. dollar denominated debt. The year-over-year increase in net loss was primarily due to lower OIBDA.

Cash and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2011, GCUK had cash and cash equivalents of 27 million pounds, compared with 37 million pounds on March 31, 2011 and 38 million pounds on June 30, 2010.  

GCUK’s cash and cash equivalents decreased 10 million pounds in the second quarter.  Net cash used in operating activities during the second quarter totaled 8 million pounds after interest payments of 16 million pounds.  During the quarter, GCUK recorded purchases of property, plant and equipment of 3 million pounds and principal payments on finance leases of 1 million pounds.  

International Financial Reporting Standards

GCUK’s results reported here include unaudited consolidated financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2011, March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2010; the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2011; and the audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010, all in accordance with IFRS and in pounds sterling, as published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  GCUK’s results for the second quarters of 2011 and 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 were included in Global Crossing’s consolidated results previously reported on July 27, 2011, in accordance with U.S. GAAP and in U.S. dollars.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Consistent with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Regulation G, the attached tables include a definition of OIBDA, as well as a reconciliation of such measure to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS.

ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING

Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) is a leading global IP, Ethernet, data center and video solutions provider with the world’s first integrated global IP-based network.  The company offers a full range of data, voice, collaboration, broadcast and media services delivered with superior customer service. 

Global Crossing provides services to enterprises (including approximately 40 percent of the Fortune 500); government departments and agencies; and 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs.  It delivers converged IP services to more than 700 cities in more than 70 countries, and has 17 world-class data centers in major business centers around the globe.

Please visit www.globalcrossing.com for more information about Global Crossing.

Website Access to Company Information

Global Crossing maintains a corporate website at www.globalcrossing.com, and you can find additional information about the company through the Investors pages on that website at investors.globalcrossing.com.  Global Crossing utilizes its website as a channel of distribution of important information about the company.  Global Crossing routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the company and its business, financial condition and operations on the Investors web pages.

Visitors to the Investors web pages can view and print copies of Global Crossing’s SEC filings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and in respect of GCUK’s Forms 20-F and 6-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with the SEC.  Copies of the charters for each of the standing committees of Global Crossing’s Board of Directors, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Ethics Policy, press releases and analysts presentations are all available through the Investors web pages.

Please note that the information contained on any of Global Crossing’s websites is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document unless expressly incorporated by reference therein.

This press release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including: the failure to occur of any condition to the closing of the acquisition of Global Crossing by Level 3 and uncertainties as to the timing of the closing; the failure to achieve or any delay in achieving expected synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition; changes in Global Crossing’s risk profile resulting from the acquisition; limitations on Global Crossing’s financial and operational flexibility that arise under the covenants in the amalgamation agreement that could restrict it from taking advantage of opportunities to strategically enhance its business or improve its capital structure; delays or reductions in purchases from Global Crossing by customers because of their perceived uncertainty about its ability to meet their needs after closing of the acquisition; disruptions in Global Crossing’s business due to current and prospective employees experiencing uncertainty about their future roles with the company and the diversion of their time and attention from ongoing business operations; Global Crossing’s history of substantial operating losses and the fact that, in the near term, funds from operations will not satisfy cash requirements; the availability of future borrowings in an amount sufficient to pay Global Crossing’s indebtedness and to fund its other liquidity needs; legal and contractual restrictions on the inter-company transfer of funds by Global Crossing’s subsidiaries; Global Crossing’s ability to continue to connect its network to incumbent carriers’ networks or maintain Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; the consequences of any inadvertent violation of Global Crossing’s Network Security Agreement with the U.S. Government; increased competition and pricing pressures resulting from technology advances and regulatory changes; competitive disadvantages relative to competitors with superior resources; political, legal and other risks due to Global Crossing’s substantial international operations; risks associated with movements in foreign currency exchange rates; risks related to restrictions on the conversion of the Venezuelan bolivar into U.S. dollars and to the resultant buildup of a material excess bolivar cash balance, which is carried on Global Crossing’s books at the official exchange rate, attributing to the bolivar a value that is significantly greater than the value that would prevail on an open market; potential weaknesses in internal controls of acquired businesses, and difficulties in integrating internal controls of those businesses with Global Crossing’s own internal controls; exposure to contingent liabilities; and other risks referenced from time to time in Global Crossing’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:
Press Contact
Kate Rankin
+1-973-937-0417
Kate.Rankin@globalcrossing.com

Analysts/Investors Contact
Mark Gottlieb
+1-800-836-0342
glbc@globalcrossing.com

Gino Mathew
United Kingdom
+1-973-937-0133
gino.mathew@globalcrossing.com

IR/PR1


                                 6 Schedules to Follow

    SCHEDULE 1:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
    SCHEDULE 2:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    SCHEDULE 3:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    SCHEDULE 4:  SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED REVENUES
    SCHEDULE 5:  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE
                 GOVERNING THE GCUK SENIOR SECURED NOTES
    SCHEDULE 6:  RECONCILIATION OF OIBDA TO NET LOSS

    Schedule 1

    Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
    Results below are in pounds sterling in thousands

                                                  June 30,   December 31,
                                                    2011        2010
                                                    ----        ----
                                                (unaudited)

    Non-current assets
        Intangible assets, net                    10,789      10,524
        Property, plant and equipment, net       128,046     139,269
        Investment in associate                      182         218
        Retirement benefit asset                     299         299
        Trade and other receivables               39,363      38,768

                                                 178,679     189,078
                                                 -------     -------

    Current assets
        Trade and other receivables, net          58,787      49,718
        Cash and cash equivalents                 26,564      49,224

                                                  85,351      98,942

    Total assets                                 264,030     288,020
                                                 =======     =======

    Current liabilities
        Trade and other payables                 (69,510)    (72,680)
        Senior secured notes                      (1,207)    (10,857)
        Deferred revenue                         (36,289)    (39,608)
        Provisions                                (1,219)     (2,011)
        Obligations under finance leases          (6,726)     (7,111)
        Other debt obligations                         -         (18)

                                                (114,951)   (132,285)
                                                --------    --------

    Non-current liabilities
        Trade and other payables                 (22,348)    (22,874)
        Senior secured notes                    (267,772)   (262,538)
        Deferred revenue                         (73,932)    (79,099)
        Retirement benefit obligation             (1,842)     (1,842)
        Provisions                                (1,707)     (1,636)
        Obligations under finance leases          (8,088)     (8,109)

                                                (375,689)   (376,098)

    Total liabilities                           (490,640)   (508,383)

    Net liabilities                             (226,610)   (220,363)
                                                ========    ========

    Capital and reserves
        Equity share capital (101,000 shares
         outstanding at 1 pound each)                101         101
        Capital reserve                           32,520      32,330
        Accumulated deficit                     (259,231)   (252,794)

    Total equity                                (226,610)   (220,363)
                                                ========    ========

 


    Schedule 2

    Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    Results below are in pounds sterling in thousands

                                             Three Months Ended
                                             ------------------
                                 June 30,         March 31,       June 30,
                                    2011             2011           2010
                                ---------        ----------      ---------
                                (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)

    Revenue                        72,181           73,855         77,994
    Cost of sales                 (46,160)         (47,570)       (49,317)

    Gross profit                   26,021           26,285         28,677

    Distribution costs             (6,791)          (7,030)        (6,334)
    Administrative expenses       (16,601)         (17,117)       (17,316)

    Operating profit                2,629            2,138          5,027

    Finance revenue                 1,064            1,119          1,161
    Finance charges                (8,896)          (9,155)        (9,385)
    Net foreign exchange
     (loss)/gain on foreign
     currency borrowings, net         (83)           4,711           (220)

    Loss before tax                (5,286)          (1,187)        (3,417)

    Tax benefit (charge)               10               26             (5)
                                      ---              ---            ---

    Loss for the period            (5,276)          (1,161)        (3,422)
                                   ======           ======         ======

    Schedule 3

    Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    Results below are in pounds sterling in thousands

                                       For the Three Months Ended
                                       --------------------------
                               June 30,        March 31,        June 30,
                                 2011             2011            2010
                              ---------       ----------       ---------
                             (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (unaudited)
    Operating activities
    Loss for the period           (5,276)          (1,161)         (3,422)
    Adjustments for:
    Finance costs, net             7,915            3,325           8,444

    Income tax charges               (10)             (26)              5
    Depreciation of
     property, plant and
     equipment                     8,458            8,449           8,557
    Amortization of
     intangible assets               610              609             556
    Amortization of
     prepaid connection
     costs                         1,154            1,541           1,623
    Share based payment
     expense                          90              100             107
    Loss on disposal of
     property, plant and
     equipment                        19               12               -
    Equity income for
     associate                         -               36               -
    Change in long term
     deferred revenue             (1,686)          (3,481)         (4,678)
    Change in long term
     other assets and
     liabilities                  (1,342)          (1,097)           (929)
    Change in operating
     working capital:
       -Change in trade
        accounts receivable
        and accrued income        (7,278)           3,806             813
       -Change in trade
        accounts payable and
        accrued cost of
        access                     4,511           (5,115)          8,983
       -Change in other
        receivables current       (7,949)          (2,320)            765
       -Change in other
        payables current           8,745          (14,372)          1,132

    Cash generated from
     operations                    7,961           (9,694)         21,956
    Interest paid                (15,954)          (1,599)        (16,922)

    Net cash (used
     in)/provided by
     operating activities         (7,993)         (11,293)          5,034
                                  ------          -------           -----

    Investing activities
    Interest received              1,370            2,790           6,063
    Proceeds from
     disposal of
     property, plant and
     equipment                        18                -               -
    Purchase of property,
     plant and equipment          (2,598)          (4,317)         (4,304)
                                  ------           ------          ------

    Net cash used in
     investing activities         (1,210)          (1,527)          1,759
                                  ------           ------           -----

    Financing activities
    Repayment of senior
     secured notes                     -                -            (221)
    Proceeds from sale/
     leaseback                         -            2,513               -
    Repayments of capital
     elements under
     finance leases               (1,108)          (2,024)         (1,191)
    Repayment of capital
     element of other
     debt obligations                  -              (18)            (39)

    Net cash provided by/
     (used in) financing
     activities                   (1,108)             471          (1,451)
                                  ------              ---          ------
    Net
     (decrease)/increase
     in cash and cash
     equivalents                 (10,311)         (12,349)          5,342

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at
     beginning of period          36,875           49,224          32,918

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at end
     of period                    26,564           36,875          38,260
                                  ======           ======          ======

 


    Schedule 4

    Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited and Subsidiaries
    Summary of Consolidated Revenues
    Results below are in pounds sterling in thousands

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                ------------------
                                      June 30,      March 31,        June 30,
                                        2011           2011            2010
                                     ---------     ----------       ---------
                                    (unaudited)   (unaudited)      (unaudited)
     Revenues:
      Enterprise, carrier data and
       indirect sales channels           71,603         73,328          76,938
      Carrier voice                         470            419             931
                                            ---            ---             ---
      Revenues from third party
       customers                         72,073         73,747          77,869
      Revenues from Global Crossing
       group companies                      108            108             125
                                            ---            ---             ---
      Consolidated revenues              72,181         73,855          77,994
                                         ======         ======          ======

Schedule 5

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THE GCUK SENIOR SECURED NOTES

GCUK is required to provide the holders of its Senior Secured Notes due 2014 with quarterly information pursuant to Section 4.17(a)(2) of the indenture governing such notes.  For quarters prior to the first quarter of 2010, GCUK satisfied this requirement by providing the note holders with a quarterly report separate and apart from its quarterly earnings press releases.  Starting with the first quarter of 2010, GCUK has satisfied this requirement by providing the note holders with its quarterly earnings press releases.  This schedule of supplemental information is being included with the earnings press release to ensure that the information being provided complies with Section 4.17(a)(2) of the indenture.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

GCUK’s ability to make payments on and to refinance its indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future. This depends to a degree on general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond GCUK’s control.

Based on GCUK’s current level of operations, expected revenue growth trends and anticipated cost management and operating improvements, GCUK believes its future cash flow from operations, available cash and cash available from financing activities will be adequate to meet its future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.  However, GCUK currently expects its cash and cash equivalents to decrease in 2011 as a result of relatively flat operating performance and greater working capital requirements as compared to 2010.

There can be no assurance that GCUK’s business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations that currently anticipated operating improvements will be realized on schedule or that future borrowings will be available to GCUK in an amount sufficient to enable it to pay its indebtedness or to fund its other liquidity needs. GCUK will need to refinance all or a substantial portion of its indebtedness on or before maturity. GCUK cannot provide assurances that it will be able to refinance any of its indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

GCUK monitors its capital structure on an ongoing basis and from time to time considers financing and refinancing options to improve its capital structure and to enhance its financial flexibility. GCUK’s ability to enter into new financing arrangements is subject to restrictions in its outstanding debt instruments. In addition, the interim operating covenants in the agreement of amalgamation between Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Global Crossing Limited (GCUK’s parent company) also limit GCUK’s financial and operational flexibility unless Level 3’s consent is obtained. These covenants include, among others, agreements by Global Crossing on behalf of it and its subsidiaries (including GCUK) (i) to continue conducting their businesses in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice and in compliance with applicable law, during the interim period between the execution of the amalgamation agreement on April 10, 2011 and consummation of the amalgamation between Level 3 and Global Crossing and (ii) not to engage in certain specified kinds of transactions during that period without Level 3’s consent, including equity and debt financings, including any such financings that may be needed for general corporate purposes during the period prior to the consummation of the Amalgamation, which could be delayed due to the need for regulatory approvals or otherwise. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, at any given time GCUK may pursue a variety of financing opportunities, and its decision to proceed with any financing will depend, among other things, on prevailing market conditions, near term maturities and available terms.  In addition, from time to time GCUK reviews its operations and may consider opportunities to strategically enhance, expand or change its operations and leverage its capabilities. The aforementioned covenants in the amalgamation agreement may limit GCUK’s flexibility to take advantage of such opportunities unless Level 3’s consent is obtained. If GCUK pursues any such opportunities, it may require additional equity or debt financing, and there can be no assurance that it will be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms or at all or that Level 3 will provide any necessary consent to pursue such financings. Undertaking any such initiatives may place greater demands on GCUK’s cash flows due to increased capital and operating expenses and debt service.

At June 30, 2011, GCUK’s available liquidity consisted of 27 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.

In the long term, GCUK expects its operating results and cash flows to improve as a result of growth of its revenues, including the economies of scale expected to result from such growth, and from ongoing cost management initiatives, including initiatives to optimize the access network and effectively lower unit prices. Thus, in the long term, GCUK expects to generate positive cash flow from operating activities in an amount sufficient to fund all investing and financing requirements, subject to the need to refinance the GCUK Senior Secured Notes. However, its ability to improve cash flows is subject to the risks and uncertainties, such as the variability of quarterly cash flows, discussed below.

In the short term, GCUK expects cash provided by operating activities to exceed purchases of property and equipment.This expectation is based in part on the raising of financing for certain property and equipment from vendors and other third parties in similar amounts to 2010.  Its ability to arrange such financings is subject to negotiating acceptable terms from equipment vendors and financing parties.  In addition, GCUK’s short term liquidity and more specifically its quarterly cash flows are subject to considerable variability as a result of the timing of interest payments as well as the following factors.

  • Working capital variability significantly impacts its cash flows and can cause its intra-quarter cash balances to drop to levels significantly lower than those levels prevailing at the end of a quarter.
  • The UK government’s austerity measures aimed at reducing costs in a wide range of areas, including telecommunications could have a negative effect on GCUK’s future revenue performance.
  • Within 120 days after each calendar year, GCUK must offer to purchase a portion of the Senior Secured Notes at 100% of their principal amount using 50% of the Operating Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) for that year. In respect of 2010, it offered to purchase 11 million of the Notes, excluding accrued interest.  No Notes were tendered.

If the current year to date results were the results for the full year to December 31, 2011, the Company would be obliged to make an Annual Repurchase Offer of approximately 1 million, inclusive of accrued but unpaid interest.

  • GCUK’s liquidity may also be adversely affected if it is found liable in respect of contingent legal, tax and other liabilities. The amount and timing of the resolution of these contingencies remain uncertain.

Schedule 6

Global Crossing (UK) Telecommunications Limited and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Profit to OIBDA
Results below are in pounds sterling in thousands

Pursuant to the SEC’s Regulation G, the following table provides a reconciliation of net (loss)profit under IFRS to OIBDA, which is considered a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measure.

OIBDA is defined as operating profit before depreciation and amortization and foreign exchange (losses) gains on operating working capital movements, based upon our consolidated statements of operations. OIBDA differs from operating profit, in that it excludes depreciation and amortization. Such excluded expenses primarily reflect the non-cash impacts of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods. In addition, OIBDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for reinvestment, distributions or other discretionary uses.

Management uses OIBDA as an important part of our internal reporting and planning processes and as a key measure to evaluate profitability and operating performance, make comparisons between periods, and to make resource allocation decisions. Management believes that the investment community uses similar performance measures to compare performance of competitors in our industry.

There are material limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. Our calculation of OIBDA may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies, and may not be comparable to those other measures. Additionally, OIBDA does not include certain significant items such as depreciation and amortization, finance revenue, finance charges, foreign exchange (losses) gains, income taxes and other non-operating profit or loss items. OIBDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes that OIBDA is useful to our investors as it is a relevant indicator of operating performance, especially in a capital-intensive industry such as telecommunications. OIBDA provides investors with an indication of the underlying performance of our everyday business operations. It excludes the effect of items associated with our capitalization and tax structures, such as interest income, interest expense and income taxes, and of other items not associated with our everyday operations.


                                              Three Months Ended
                                              ------------------
                                    June 30,        March 31,      June 30,
                                      2011             2011          2010
                                   ---------       ----------     ---------
                                  (unaudited)      (unaudited)   (unaudited)

    Net loss                           (5,276)          (1,161)       (3,422)
    Tax (benefit)/charge                  (10)             (26)            5
    Finance revenue                    (1,064)          (1,119)       (1,161)
    Finance charges                     8,896            9,155         9,385
    Net foreign exchange loss/
     (gain) on foreign currency
     borrowings, net                       83           (4,711)          220
                                          ---           ------           ---
    Operating profit                    2,629            2,138         5,027
    Depreciation and amortization       9,750           10,127        10,105
    Other foreign exchange gain/
     (loss), loss on disposal of
     fixed assets and other
     income                                55              370           (17)
                                          ---              ---           ---
    OIBDA                              12,434           12,635        15,115
                                       ======           ======        ======

 

.

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :