FairPoint reports 2011 Q4 and 2011 full-year results

FairPoint Communications, Inc (Nasdaq: FRP) has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. The news created stock market volatility today as prices first spiked to $4.50 after opening at $4.19 and then falling to $3.58 before stabilizing around $3.90. The North Carolina firm is the principal landline phone company in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Because the company came out of bankruptcy protection early in the year, the financial results are also broken out to show the difference. While voice access lines continued to decline, though at a continuing slower pace, broadband subscriptions have increased. FairPoint emphasized its free cash flow position in 2011. FairPoint laid off 400 workers last September systemwide, or about 10 percent of its force in order to save money. Revenues and expenses were both down for the quarter compared to Q3, while revenues were down and expenses were up compared to Q4 2010.
A webcast hosted by FairPoint discussing the result can be found HERE.
Highlights
-- Consolidated EBITDAR(1) of $250.0 million and capital expenditures of $176.1 million for the full year resulted in Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2) generation of $73.9 million in 2011
-- High-speed Internet subscriber growth continued at 8.4% year-over-year, while voice access line loss slowed for the seventh consecutive quarter to 8.4% year-over-year
-- Workforce reduction effort completed according to plan
-- Net income of $172.0 million for the full year, including cancellation of debt income
"2011 was a great year for FairPoint that resulted in a platform for future revenue growth and free cash flow generation," said Paul H. Sunu, CEO of FairPoint. "I'm proud of our Company's ability to stabilize and then improve operations, while generating nearly $74 million in Unlevered Free Cash Flow. Our disciplined approach to capital spending allowed us to achieve our 2011 network plans and still grow our cash balance despite unanticipated challenges that weighed on our EBITDAR, including Hurricane Irene, an early winter storm and new property taxes in New Hampshire on our poles and conduit."
"We've invested significantly in our future by upgrading and expanding our network in northern New England. We now have more than 14,000 route miles of fiber. This next-generation network is at the core of our strategy to transform the composition of our revenue for growth, to win back business customers and to meet the growing demand for bandwidth," Sunu added.
Operating Highlights
High-speed Internet subscribers grew 8.4% year-over-year, compared to a 0.4% year-over-year increase in 2010. FairPoint added more than 24,000 high-speed Internet subscribers in 2011, compared to less than 1,300 in 2010. High-speed Internet penetration reached 30.4% of voice access lines at Dec. 31, 2011, as the Company surpassed 314,000 high-speed Internet subscribers in service.
Voice access line loss slowed for the seventh consecutive quarter, reaching 8.4% year-over-year versus a 10.3% decline in 2010.
On Sept. 8, 2011, the Company announced it would reduce its workforce by approximately 10%, with planned annual expense savings of approximately $34 million beginning in 2012. This initiative was completed as planned during the fourth quarter. FairPoint incurred $4.4 million in severance and incentive payments in the fourth quarter, bringing the total severance and incentive payments incurred to $8.0 million for the full year.
FairPoint continued its fiber-to-the-tower expansion during the quarter. As of Dec. 31, 2011, fiber had been placed to more than 800 towers.
Regulatory Highlights
On Jan. 18, 2012, the Vermont Public Service Board ("Vermont PSB") approved a new Incentive Regulation Plan ("IRP") for FairPoint. Previously, FairPoint had operated under an alternative form of regulation known as an Amended Incentive Regulation Plan, which expired on March 31, 2011. The IRP will decrease the scope of regulation for FairPoint and provide the Company with increased flexibility to compete more effectively in Vermont. Under the IRP, FairPoint's annual retail service quality penalty exposure has been decreased from $10.5 million to $1.65 million and the Company now has pricing discretion with respect to existing and new services other than basic local exchange service.
On Feb. 13, 2012, the Vermont PSB voted to allow FairPoint to redirect nearly $7 million that had been set aside for retail and wholesale service quality penalties toward further broadband expansion in the state.
On Jan. 11, 2012, the Maine Public Utility Commission ("Maine PUC") issued an order regarding the calculation of FairPoint's broadband addressability commitments in the state. The Maine PUC voted two-to-one to define broadband "addressability" in a manner that may require FairPoint to expand broadband service further than it already has in Maine. FairPoint maintains it has met its requirement to expand broadband addressability to 87% by March 31, 2013. On Jan. 31, 2012, the Company filed an appeal with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court seeking to overturn the Maine PUC order. The appeal is pending.
On Dec. 28, 2011, the New Hampshire Public Utility Commission ("New Hampshire PUC") issued an order that allows FairPoint to temporarily increase rates by $0.99 per line per month effective April 1, 2012. The temporary rate increase is intended to help offset an increase in property taxes following the New Hampshire legislature's decision not to renew an exemption from municipal pole and conduit property taxes previously afforded to telecommunications companies. Telecommunications companies had been exempt from pole and conduit tax since 1990; however, unlike other utilities, telecommunications companies in New Hampshire pay a communications service tax to the state. FairPoint estimates its annual property taxes in New Hampshire will increase by approximately $6.5 million and the Company recognized an expense of approximately $4.9 million in the fourth quarter to account for the first nine months of the tax year, which runs from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012.
On Nov. 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive and landmark order to modify the nationwide system of universal support and the intercarrier compensation system. A detailed discussion of the FCC order will be available in FairPoint's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Financial Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2011 as compared to Third Quarter 2011
Revenue was $254.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $257.9 million in the third quarter of 2011. The unfavorable variance of $3.7 million was primarily the result of a decline in access revenues of $4.4 million arising from certain billing reserves established in the fourth quarter, offset by a $1.2 million increase in voice services revenue. The increase in voice services revenue was due primarily to a $3.9 million reversal of certain service quality penalties, which was partially offset by the impact of voice access line declines in the quarter. The finalization of three regulatory developments led to the retail service quality penalty reversal: the new IRP in Vermont, the completion of a service quality penalty audit by the New Hampshire PUC and a true-up of the service quality penalty accrual in Maine.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and reorganization, were $203.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $213.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. The $9.8 million decrease in operating expenses was primarily the result of the workforce reduction, lower overtime and lower uncollectible expense offset by increases related to the New Hampshire municipal pole and conduit property taxes and severance costs. As a result of FairPoint's workforce reduction effort announced during the third quarter, salary and wage expense declined $5.7 million before a $1.1 million increase in severance and incentive payments. Overtime decreased $3.4 million from the third quarter when the Company incurred elevated costs related to Hurricane Irene. Uncollectible expense declined $3.0 million while operating taxes were unfavorably impacted by the recognition of approximately $4.9 million for the new pole and conduit property tax in New Hampshire, which was partially offset by the favorable conclusion of a property tax appeal in Maine. Non-cash other post-employment benefit ("OPEB") expense decreased by approximately $2.9 million versus the third quarter of 2011, which included a true-up to the full year expense after certain assumption changes.
Consolidated EBITDAR was $70.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $60.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. The Company made a $6.8 million cash contribution to its pension plan during the third quarter, of which approximately $6.2 million was related to operating expenses. Since cash pension contributions reduce Consolidated EBITDAR, the effect was to increase Consolidated EBITDAR by $6.2 million sequentially.
Net loss was $84.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to a net loss of $279.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. The third quarter included a non-cash goodwill and trade name impairment charge of $262.0 million.
Capital expenditures were $35.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $35.2 million in the third quarter of 2011.
FairPoint's cash position was $17.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2011, versus $9.9 million as of Sept. 30, 2011. The Company's $75 million revolving credit facility is undrawn, with $62.6 million available for additional borrowing after applying $12.4 million for outstanding letters of credit.
Fourth Quarter 2011 as compared to Fourth Quarter 2010
Revenue was $254.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $268.0 million a year earlier. The unfavorable variance of $13.8 million was primarily the result of a $12.7 million one-time benefit to revenue taken in the fourth quarter of 2010 arising from settlements reached with New Hampshire and Vermont regulators during the bankruptcy process. Other factors were largely offsetting, such as the unfavorable impact of an 8.4% decline in voice access lines, the favorable impact of an 8.4% increase in high-speed Internet subscribers and the favorable impact of a $3.9 million reversal of certain service quality penalties in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and reorganization, were $203.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $211.6 million a year earlier. The fourth quarter of 2010 was unfavorably impacted by a one-time non-cash charge of $14.8 million related to project abandonment, inventory obsolescence and other non-recurring prior period items, which was partially offset by a $7.0 million source of income (negative expense) from bad debt in the fourth quarter of 2010 related to certain bankruptcy settlements and activities. The favorable impact of the workforce reduction effort was largely offset by a decrease in capitalized labor versus a year earlier. Capitalized labor reduces operating expense and increases capital expenditures, so a decline in capital projects will generally result in lower capitalized labor and higher operating expense.
Consolidated EBITDAR was $70.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $84.0 million a year earlier. The unfavorable variance of $14.0 million was primarily the result of a $12.7 million one-time benefit to revenue mentioned earlier. Other factors were largely offsetting, such as the increase in uncollectible expense versus a year earlier and the reduction in employee expenses stemming from the workforce reduction effort completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Capital expenditures were $35.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to $40.9 million a year earlier.
The Company's net pension and employee benefit obligation increased from $434.0 million at Dec. 31, 2010, to $690.2 million at Dec. 31, 2011. A lower discount rate assumption and a higher medical cost trend assumption were the primary drivers for the increase. While this may not affect our short-term cash position, it may indicate the need for higher cash contributions in the future.
2012 Guidance
FairPoint expects to generate Unlevered Free Cash Flow (after cash pension contributions) of $90 million to $100 million in 2012 through a continued focus on improving EBITDAR margins and disciplined capital spending. FairPoint expects that full year realization of workforce reductions will be offset in part by increases in cash pension contributions and compensation expense. The Company may begin making cash contributions to its pension plan on a quarterly basis in 2012 and expects to contribute approximately $20 million for the full year. FairPoint expects to pay approximately $68 million in interest and $10 million in loan amortization in 2012.
Consistent with the first quarter of 2011, FairPoint recognized approximately $13.8 million of vacation expense on Jan. 1, 2012, which will be amortized over the balance of the year as vacation is used.
Annual Report
The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2011, which will be filed with the SEC no later than March 15, 2012. The Company's results for the quarter and fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2011, are subject to the completion of its annual report for such period.
Fresh Start Accounting
On Jan. 24, 2011, the Company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and its Plan of Reorganization became effective. For purposes of generally accepted accounting principles, the Company adopted fresh start accounting as of Jan. 24, 2011, whereby the Company's assets and liabilities were marked to their fair value as of the date of emergence. Accordingly, the Company's consolidated statements of financial position and operations for periods after Jan. 24, 2011, will not be comparable in many respects to periods prior to the adoption of fresh start accounting.
Conference Call Information
As previously announced, FairPoint will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2011 results at 8:30 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, March 8, 2012.
Participants should call (800) 265-0241 (US/Canada) or (617) 847-8704 (international) at 8:20 a.m. (EST) and enter the passcode 24096332 when prompted. The title of the call is the Q4 2011 FairPoint Communications, Inc. Earnings Conference Call.
A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call (888) 286-8010 (US/Canada) or (617) 801-6888 (international) and enter the passcode 28536843 when prompted. The recording will be available from Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. (EST) through Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (EST).
A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will be available online at www.fairpoint.com/investors. An online replay will be available shortly thereafter.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to Consolidated EBITDAR, Unlevered Free Cash Flow and adjustments to GAAP measures to exclude the effect of special items. Management believes that Consolidated EBITDAR and Unlevered Free Cash Flow may be useful to investors in assessing the Company's operating performance and its ability to meet its debt service requirements, and the maintenance covenants contained in the Company's credit facility are based on Consolidated EBITDAR. In addition, management believes that the adjustments to GAAP measures to exclude the effect of special items may be useful to investors in understanding period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends.
However, the non-GAAP financial measures, as used herein, are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, Consolidated EBITDAR and Unlevered Free Cash Flow have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, net income or loss, operating income, cash flow or other combined income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because of these limitations, Consolidated EBITDAR, Unlevered Free Cash Flow and related ratios should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to invest in business growth or reduce indebtedness. The Company compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using Consolidated EBITDAR and Unlevered Free Cash Flow only supplementally. A reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDAR and Unlevered Free Cash Flow to net income is contained in the attachments to this press release.
About FairPoint Communications, Inc.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP) (www.FairPoint.com) is a leading communications provider of high-speed Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other broadband services to customers in communities across 18 states. Through its fast, reliable network, FairPoint delivers affordable data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers. FairPoint delivers VantagePoint(SM) services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art network provides Ethernet connections that support applications like video conferencing, e-learning and other broadband based applications. Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at www.FairPoint.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
Some statements herein or discussed on our earnings conference call are known as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained herein that are not historical facts. When used herein, the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other factors. You should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in the Company's subsequent reports filed with the SEC.
Certain information contained herein or discussed on our earnings conference call may constitute guidance as to projected financial results and the Company's future performance that represents management's estimates as of the date hereof. This guidance, which consists of forward-looking statements, is prepared by the Company's management and is qualified by, and subject to, certain assumptions. Guidance is not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and neither the Company's independent registered public accounting firm nor any other independent expert or outside party compiles or examines the guidance and, accordingly, no such person expresses any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Guidance is based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while presented with numerical specificity, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control and are based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business decisions, some of which will change. Management generally states possible outcomes as high and low ranges which are intended to provide a sensitivity analysis as variables are changed but are not intended to represent actual results, which could fall outside of the suggested ranges. The principal reason that the Company releases this data is to provide a basis for management to discuss the Company's business outlook with analysts and investors. The Company does not accept any responsibility for any projections or reports published by any such outside analysts or investors. Guidance is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions of the guidance furnished by us will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. Accordingly, the Company's guidance is only an estimate of what management believes is realizable as of the date hereof. Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. Investors should also recognize that the reliability of any forecasted financial data diminishes the farther in the future that the data is forecast. In light of the foregoing, investors are urged to put the guidance in context and not to place undue reliance on it.
(1) Consolidated EBITDAR means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring items as defined in the Company's credit facility. Consolidated EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDAR to net income is contained in the attachments to this press release.
(2) Unlevered Free Cash Flow means Consolidated EBITDAR minus capital expenditures. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of Unlevered Free Cash Flow to net income is contained in the attachments to this press release.

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per unit)

4Q11
Reported
3Q11
Reported
2Q11
Reported
1Q11
Reported
4Q10
Reported

Summary Income Statement:

Revenue:

Voice services

$ 121,616
$ 120,388
$ 127,085
$ 124,225
$ 136,664

Access

90,204
94,646
93,128
91,358
92,128

Data and Internet services

29,382
30,049
29,849
28,495
27,504

Other services

12,960
12,829
12,574
10,702
11,696

Total revenue

254,162
257,912
262,636
254,780
267,992

Operating expenses:

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and reorganization

203,717
213,483
202,784
216,582
211,598

Depreciation and amortization

91,951
91,547
90,614
84,294
74,606

Reorganization (income) expense (post-emergence) (1)

(1,743)
(3,735)
2,510
2,736
-

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

-
262,019
-
-
-

Total operating expenses

293,925
563,314
295,908
303,612
286,204

Loss from operations

(39,763)
(305,402)
(33,272)
(48,832)
(18,212)

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

(17,173)
(17,147)
(16,996)
(21,812)
(35,187)

Other income (expense), net

472
488
350
349
377

Total other income (expense)

(16,701)
(16,659)
(16,646)
(21,463)
(34,810)

Loss before reorganization items and income taxes

(56,464)
(322,061)
(49,918)
(70,295)
(53,022)

Reorganization items (1)

-
-
-
897,313
(15,552)

Income (loss) before income taxes

(56,464)
(322,061)
(49,918)
827,018
(68,574)

Income tax benefit (expense)

(27,520)
42,620
22,821
(264,534)
(6,413)

Net (loss) income

$ (83,984)
$ (279,441)
$ (27,097)
$ 562,484
$ (74,987)

ConsolidatedEBITDARandUnleveredFreeCashFlowReconciliation:

Net (loss) income

$ (83,984)
$ (279,441)
$ (27,097)
$ 562,484
$ (74,987)

Income tax (benefit) expense

27,520
(42,620)
(22,821)
264,534
6,413

Interest expense

17,173
17,147
16,996
21,812
35,187

Depreciation and amortization

91,951
91,547
90,614
84,294
74,606

Non-cash pension and OPEB expense (2a)

12,984
9,592
10,583
10,686
10,992

Other non-cash items, net (2b)

(53)
260,518
(138)
(912,270)
16,096

Restructuring costs (2c)

275
844
2,608
17,326
14,948

Restatement impact, net (2d)

-
-
-
-
-

All other allowed adjustments, net (2e)

4,112
2,866
(246)
219
732

Consolidated EBITDAR

$ 69,978
$ 60,453
$ 70,499
$ 49,085
$ 83,987

Consolidated EBITDAR margin

27.5%
23.4%
26.8%
19.3%
31.3%

Capital expenditures

$ 35,110
$ 35,169
$ 52,121
$ 53,725
$ 40,868

Unlevered Free Cash Flow

$ 34,868
$ 25,284
$ 18,378
$ (4,640)
$ 43,119

Select Operating and Financial Metrics:

Residential access lines

645,453
662,562
680,189
695,916
712,591

Business access lines

311,241
314,290
317,584
322,106
327,812

Wholesale access lines (3)

76,065
80,025
82,231
84,667
87,142

Total switched access lines

1,032,759
1,056,877
1,080,004
1,102,689
1,127,545

% change y-o-y

-8.4%
-8.8%
-9.3%
-9.6%
-10.3%

% change q-o-q

-2.3%
-2.1%
-2.1%
-2.2%
-2.7%

High-speed data subscribers (4)

314,135
312,475
305,155
297,491
289,745

% change y-o-y

8.4%
8.2%
5.4%
4.8%
0.4%

% change q-o-q

0.5%
2.4%
2.6%
2.7%
0.3%

penetration of access lines

30.4%
29.6%
28.3%
27.0%
25.7%

Access line equivalents

1,346,894
1,369,352
1,385,159
1,400,180
1,417,290

% change y-o-y

-5.0%
-5.4%
-6.4%
-6.8%
-8.3%

% change q-o-q

-1.6%
-1.1%
-1.1%
-1.2%
-2.1%

(1) Following FairPoint's emergence from Chapter 11 on January 24, 2011, all reorganization items are reported in total operating expenses.

During Chapter 11, all reorganization items were reported below operating income in Reorganization Items.

(2) For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDAR, FairPoint's credit facility allows it to adjust for:

a) aggregate pension and other post-employment benefits expense (OPEB), net of pension contributions and OPEB cash benefit payments in the period,

b) other non-cash items except to the extent they will require a cash payment in a future period,

c) costs related to the restructuring, including professional fees for advisors and consultants,

d) the impact from any restatement of financial statements for the periods ending on or prior to January 24, 2011, and

e) other items including success bonuses, severance, non-cash gains/losses, non-operating dividend and interest income and other extraordinary gains/losses.

(3) Wholesale access lines include Resale and UNE-P, but exclude UNE-L and special access circuits.

(4) High-speed data subscribers include DSL, fiber-to-the-premise, cable modem and fixed wireless broadband.

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2011 and 2010

(in thousands, except share data)

Successor Company

Predecessor Company

December 31,

December 31,

2011

2010

Assets

Current assets:

Cash

$
17,350

$
105,497

Restricted cash

24,446

2,420

Accounts receivable, net

104,298

125,170

Materials and supplies

935

22,193

Prepaid expenses

18,346

18,841

Other current assets

2,377

6,092

Deferred income tax, net

17,915

31,400

Total current assets

185,667

311,613

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,663,065

1,859,700

Goodwill

595,120

Intangible assets, net

128,145

189,247

Prepaid pension asset

2,960

Debt issue costs, net

1,779

119

Restricted cash

651

1,678

Other assets

10,338

13,357

Total assets

$
1,989,645

$
2,973,794

Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

Liabilities not subject to compromise:

Current portion of long-term debt
$
10,000

$

Current portion of capital lease obligations

1,252

1,321

Accounts payable

65,184

66,557

Claims payable and estimated claims accrual

22,839

Accrued interest payable

508

3

Other accrued liabilities

54,348

63,279

Total current liabilities

154,131

131,160

Capital lease obligations

2,690

3,943

Accrued pension obligation

157,961

92,246

Employee benefit obligations

531,634

344,463

Deferred income taxes

245,369

67,381

Unamortized investment tax credits

4,310

Other long-term liabilities

14,003

12,398

Long-term debt, net of current portion

990,000

Total long-term liabilities

1,941,657

524,741

Total liabilities not subject to compromise

2,095,788

655,901

Liabilities subject to compromise

2,905,311

Total liabilities

2,095,788

3,561,212

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 21)

Stockholders' deficit:

Predecessor Company common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares

authorized, 89,440,334 shares issued and outstanding at

December 31, 2010

894

Additional paid-in capital, Predecessor Company

725,786

Successor Company common stock, $0.01 par value, 37,500,000 shares

authorized, 26,197,142 shares issued and outstanding at

December 31, 2011

262

Additional paid-in capital, Successor Company

502,034

Retained deficit

(414,945)

(1,101,294)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(193,494)

(212,804)

Total stockholders' deficit

(106,143)

(587,418)

Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
$
1,989,645

$
2,973,794

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

341 Days ended December 31, 2011, 24 Days ended January 24, 2011

and Years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

(in thousands, except per share data)

Successor

Company

Predecessor Company

Three Hundred Forty-

Twenty-Four

One Days Ended

Days Ended

Year Ended December 31,

December 31, 2011

January 24, 2011

2010

2009

Revenues

$
963,112
$
66,378
$
1,070,986
$
1,119,090

Operating expenses:

Cost of services and sales, excluding depreciation

and amortization

438,619

38,766

525,728

515,394

Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding

depreciation and amortization

332,020

27,161

365,373

417,512

Depreciation and amortization

336,891

21,515

289,824

275,334

Reorganization related (income) expense

(232)

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

262,019

Total operating expenses

1,369,317

87,442

1,180,925

1,208,240

Loss from operations

(406,205)

(21,064)

(109,939)

(89,150)

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

(63,807)

(9,321)

(140,896)

(204,919)

Gain on derivative instruments

12,320

Gain on early retirement of debt

12,357

Other

1,791

(132)

2,715

2,000

Total other expense

(62,016)

(9,453)

(138,181)

(178,242)

Loss before reorganization items and income taxes

(468,221)

(30,517)

(248,120)

(267,392)

Reorganization items

897,313

(41,120)

(53,018)

(Loss) income before income taxes

(468,221)

866,796

(289,240)

(320,410)

Income tax benefit (expense)

53,276

(279,889)

7,661

79,014

Net (loss) income
$
(414,945)
$
586,907
$
(281,579)
$
(241,396)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

25,838

89,424

89,424

89,271

Diluted

25,838

89,695

89,424

89,271

(Loss) earnings per share:

Basic

$
(16.06)
$
6.56
$
(3.15)
$
(2.70)

Diluted

$
(16.06)
$
6.54
$
(3.15)
$
(2.70)

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

341 Days ended December 31, 2011, 24 Days ended January 24, 2011

and the Years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

(in thousands)

Successor Company

Predecessor Company

Three Hundred Forty-

Twenty-Four

One Days Ended

Days Ended

Year Ended December 31,

December 31, 2011

January 24, 2011

2010

2009

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net (loss) income

$
(414,945)

$
586,907
$
(281,579)
$
(241,396)

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

(used in) operating activities:

Deferred income taxes

(52,203)

279,868

(7,915)

(78,722)

Provision for uncollectible revenue

18,344

3,454

20,525

48,402

Depreciation and amortization

336,891

21,515

289,824

275,334

Non-cash interest expense

31,137

Post-retirement accruals

35,183

2,654

33,216

34,151

Pension accruals

5,021

986

10,017

24,274

Gain on derivative instruments

(12,320)

Gain on early retirement of debt, excluding cash fees

(12,477)

Loss on abandoned projects

15,132

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

262,019

Other non-cash items

(288)

97

4,045

4,468

Changes in assets and liabilities arising from operations:

Accounts receivable

7,863

(7,752)

12,706

(24,799)

Prepaid and other assets

(1,926)

(3,423)

(6,834)

19,063

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(12,303)

26,627

(10,802)

(12,435)

Accrued interest payable

508

9,017

137,111

61,312

Other assets and liabilities, net

67

177

(3,816)

(9,633)

Reorganization adjustments:

Non-cash reorganization income

(7,308)

(917,358)

(20,004)

43,964

Claims payable and estimated claims accrual

(66,712)

(1,096)

Restricted cash - cash claims reserve

59,888

(82,764)

Total adjustments

585,044

(667,998)

473,205

391,719

Netcashprovidedby(usedin)operatingactivities

170,099

(81,091)

191,626

150,323

Cash flows from investing activities:

Net capital additions

(163,648)

(12,477)

(197,795)

(178,752)

Distributions from investments

798

527

1,361

Net cash used in investing activities

(162,850)

(12,477)

(197,268)

(177,391)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Loan origination costs

(884)

(1,500)

(1,475)

(3,046)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

5,513

50,000

Repayments of long-term debt

(20,848)

Restricted cash

1,843

34

(62)

65,114

Repayment of capital lease obligations

(1,120)

(201)

(2,192)

(2,126)

Dividends paid to stockholders

(22,996)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(161)

(1,667)

1,784

66,098

Net change

7,088

(95,235)

(3,858)

39,030

Cash, beginning of period

10,262

105,497

109,355

70,325

Cash, end of period

$
17,350

$
10,262
$
105,497
$
109,355

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

62,290

1,005

106,861

Income tax paid, net of refunds

218

361

(563)

Non-cash issuance of Senior Notes

18,911

Capital additions included in accounts payable, claims

payable and estimated claims accrual or liabilities subject

to compromise at period-end

854

1,818

1,961

31,621

Reorganization costs paid

20,069

11,110

41,699

1,182

SOURCE FairPoint Communications, Inc. CHARLOTTE, N.C.,March 7, 2012/PRNewswire/ --