file3rdqtr10q.htm



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 September 30, 2007

or

[  ]           Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number: 1-7784


CenturyTel, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana
 
72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)


100 CenturyTel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (318) 388-9000

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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [X]
Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]
     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [  ]  No [X]

As of October 31, 2007, there were 110,382,832 shares of common stock outstanding.
 
 
 

CenturyTel, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

Page No.
 
Part I.
 
Financial Information:
 
         
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
         
   
Consolidated Statements of Income--Three Months and Nine Months
   
    Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
3
         
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income--
 
   
    Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
4
         
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets--September 30, 2007 and
 
   
    December 31, 2006
5
         
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--
 
   
    NineMonths Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
6
         
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity--
 
   
    Nine  Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
7
         
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements*
8-15
         
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 
     
    Condition and Results of Operations
16-24
         
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
25-26
         
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
27
         
Part II.
 
Other Information
 
         
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
28
         
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
28
         
  Item 5.   Other Information
 28
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
28-29
         
Signature
   
29
 
__________________________________________

* All references to “Notes” in this quarterly report refer to these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars, except per share amounts,
 
   
and shares in thousands)
 
                         
OPERATING REVENUES
  $
708,833
     
619,837
     
1,999,679
     
1,840,035
 
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
   
246,430
     
226,536
     
686,349
     
665,282
 
Selling, general and administrative
   
101,612
     
94,212
     
290,525
     
285,748
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
136,606
     
130,147
     
398,701
     
397,146
 
Total operating expenses
   
484,648
     
450,895
     
1,375,575
     
1,348,176
 
                                 
OPERATING INCOME
   
224,185
     
168,942
     
624,104
     
491,859
 
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                               
Interest expense
    (55,176 )     (47,857 )     (159,804 )     (148,582 )
Other income (expense)
   
14,761
     
2,818
     
28,131
     
130,874
 
Total other income (expense)
    (40,415 )     (45,039 )     (131,673 )     (17,708 )
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
   
183,770
     
123,903
     
492,431
     
474,151
 
Income tax expense
   
70,568
     
47,579
     
189,094
     
176,357
 
                                 
NET INCOME
  $
113,202
     
76,324
     
303,337
     
297,794
 
                                 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $
1.04
     
.66
     
2.77
     
2.53
 
                                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $
1.01
     
.64
     
2.68
     
2.44
 
                                 
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE
  $
.065
     
.0625
     
.195
     
.1875
 
AVERAGE BASIC SHARES OUTSTANDING
   
108,996
     
115,221
     
109,478
     
117,685
 
AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING
   
112,229
     
120,448
     
114,086
     
123,348
 

 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
                         
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
NET INCOME
  $
113,202
     
76,324
     
303,337
     
297,794
 
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX
                               
    Minimum pension liability adjustment net of  $75 and $50 tax
   
-
     
121
     
-
     
80
 
    Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of $322, $33, $626 and ($60) tax
   
516
     
52
     
1,004
      (96 )
    Derivative instruments:
                               
   Net gain on derivatives hedging the variability of cash flows, net of $294 tax
   
-
     
-
     
471
     
-
 
   Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net of $67, $59, $187 and $176 tax
   
107
     
94
     
300
     
282
 
    Items related to employee benefit plans*:
                               
  Change in net actuarial loss, net of $967 and $6,940 tax
   
1,552
     
-
     
11,134
     
-
 
  Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of $907 and $2,722 tax
   
1,455
     
-
     
4,367
     
-
 
  Amortization of net prior service credit, net of ($178) and ($534) tax
    (286 )    
-
      (857 )    
-
 
  Amortization of unrecognized transition asset, net of ($13) and ($41) tax
    (23 )    
-
      (67 )    
-
 
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
   
3,321
     
267
     
16,352
     
266
 
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $
116,523
     
76,591
     
319,689
     
298,060
 
 
*  Reflected in 2007 due to the December 31, 2006 adoption of SFAS 158.
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
             
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
58,714
     
25,668
 
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $19,107 and $20,905
   
233,960
     
227,346
 
Materials and supplies, at average cost
   
7,687
     
6,628
 
Other
   
27,519
     
30,475
 
    Total current assets
   
327,880
     
290,117
 
                 
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
               
Property, plant and equipment
   
8,598,777
     
7,893,760
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (5,453,958 )     (4,784,483 )
    Net property, plant and equipment
   
3,144,819
     
3,109,277
 
                 
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
               
Goodwill
   
3,997,028
     
3,431,136
 
Other
   
762,923
     
610,477
 
    Total goodwill and other assets
   
4,759,951
     
4,041,613
 
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $
8,232,650
     
7,441,007
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $
254,895
     
155,012
 
Short-term debt
   
-
     
23,000
 
Accounts payable
   
97,914
     
129,350
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
               
    Salaries and benefits
   
55,780
     
54,100
 
    Income taxes
   
40,286
     
60,522
 
    Other taxes
   
67,164
     
46,890
 
    Interest
   
76,786
     
73,725
 
    Other
   
29,522
     
23,352
 
Advance billings and customer deposits
   
57,569
     
51,614
 
    Total current liabilities
   
679,916
     
617,565
 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT
   
2,747,576
     
2,412,852
 
                 
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
   
1,440,737
     
1,219,639
 
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 350,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 111,178,960 and 113,253,889 shares
   
111,179
     
113,254
 
Paid-in capital
   
196,998
     
24,256
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
    (88,590 )     (104,942 )
Retained earnings
   
3,137,480
     
3,150,933
 
Preferred stock - non-redeemable
   
7,354
     
7,450
 
    Total stockholders’ equity
   
3,364,421
     
3,190,951
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $
8,232,650
     
7,441,007
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $
303,337
     
297,794
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
   Depreciation and amortization
   
398,701
     
397,146
 
   Gain on asset dispositions
    (10,436 )     (118,649 )
   Deferred income taxes
   
43,111
     
33,413
 
   Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
               
       Accounts receivable
   
4,987
     
20,141
 
       Accounts payable
    (36,165 )    
3,555
 
       Accrued income and other taxes
   
49,661
      (30,853 )
       Other current assets and other current liabilities, net
   
10,031
      (7,315 )
Retirement benefits
   
21,392
     
25,332
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
    (6,434 )     (7,860 )
Decrease in other noncurrent assets
   
8,053
     
4,429
 
Increase (decrease) in other noncurrent liabilities
    (14,209 )    
557
 
Other, net
   
17,404
     
4,818
 
   Net cash provided by operating activities
   
789,433
     
622,508
 
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (306,765 )    
-
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment
    (184,301 )     (213,034 )
Proceeds from redemption of Rural Telephone Bank stock
   
-
     
122,819
 
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of cash sold
   
8,231
     
5,865
 
Investment in unconsolidated cellular entity
   
-
      (5,222 )
Other, net
   
403
      (1,865 )
   Net cash used in investing activities
    (482,432 )     (91,437 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Payments of debt
    (686,345 )     (38,946 )
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
741,840
     
-
 
Net payments of short-term debt
    (23,000 )    
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
45,063
     
65,339
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (338,509 )     (669,853 )
Cash dividends
    (21,841 )     (21,976 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
   
6,434
     
7,860
 
Other, net
   
2,403
     
353
 
   Net cash used in financing activities
    (273,955 )     (657,223 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
33,046
      (126,152 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
25,668
     
158,846
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
58,714
     
32,694
 
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Income taxes paid
  $
115,234
     
181,445
 
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $875 and $1,506)
  $
157,968
     
162,630
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
       
COMMON STOCK
           
Balance at beginning of period
  $
113,254
     
131,074
 
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment,
               
  incentive and benefit plans and other
   
1,614
     
2,539
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (7,393 )     (18,234 )
Conversion of debt into common stock
   
3,699
     
-
 
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock
   
5
     
21
 
Balance at end of period
   
111,179
     
115,400
 
                 
PAID-IN CAPITAL
               
Balance at beginning of period
   
24,256
     
129,806
 
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans
   
43,449
     
62,800
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (35,689 )     (137,249 )
Conversion of debt into common stock
   
142,732
     
-
 
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock
   
91
     
368
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
   
6,434
     
7,860
 
Share-based compensation and other
   
15,725
     
7,854
 
Balance at end of period
   
196,998
     
71,439
 
                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (104,942 )     (9,619 )
Change in other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
16,352
     
266
 
Balance at end of period
    (88,590 )     (9,353 )
                 
RETAINED EARNINGS
               
Balance at beginning of period
   
3,150,933
     
3,358,162
 
Net income
   
303,337
     
297,794
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (295,427 )     (514,370 )
Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48 (see Note 7)
   
478
     
-
 
Cash dividends declared
               
     Common stock - $.195 and $.1875 per share, respectively
    (21,563 )     (21,689 )
     Preferred stock
    (278 )     (287 )
Balance at end of period
   
3,137,480
     
3,119,610
 
                 
PREFERRED STOCK - NON-REDEEMABLE
               
Balance at beginning of period
   
7,450
     
7,850
 
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock
    (96 )     (389 )
Balance at end of period
   
7,354
     
7,461
 
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $
3,364,421
     
3,304,557
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(UNAUDITED)

(1)           Basis of Financial Reporting

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CenturyTel, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission; however, in the opinion of management, the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The financial information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 has not been audited by independent certified public accountants; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods have been included therein.  The results of operations for the first nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which might be expected for the entire year.

During the fourth quarter of 2006, in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effect of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Results” (“SAB 108”), we identified two misstatements that previously were deemed immaterial using the income statement approach that were deemed material upon application of the balance sheet approach.  We recorded the cumulative effect of such adjustments as an adjustment to retained earnings (as of January 1, 2006). We have adjusted our results of operations for the first three quarters of 2006 to reflect the ongoing application of the adjustments recorded pursuant to SAB 108.  Such adjustments were immaterial to each quarter.  For additional information, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

(2)           Acquisition

On April 30, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”) from Madison River Telephone Company, LLC for an initial aggregate purchase price of approximately $322 million cash.  In connection with the acquisition, we also paid all of Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest), which approximated $522 million.  At the time of this acquisition, Madison River operated approximately 164,000 predominantly rural access lines in four states with more than 30% high-speed Internet penetration and its network included access to a 2,400 route mile fiber network.

We are accounting for the acquisition of Madison River as a purchase under the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation” (“SFAS 71”).  SFAS 141 requires us to record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values.  In accordance with SFAS 71, we recorded the fixed assets of Madison River’s regulated telephone operations at historical book value since those values are used to develop the rates we charge to our customers (which are approved by regulatory authorities).

We have reflected the results of operations of the Madison River properties in our consolidated results of operations beginning May 1, 2007.

The total cost of the Madison River acquisition through September 30, 2007 is composed of the following components (amounts in thousands):
 
 Cash paid (1)   $
321,516
 
 Closing costs (2)    
5,228
 
Total purchase price   $
326,744
 
 
(1)
Reflects the cash payment of $671 we received in third quarter 2007 in accordance with the purchase agreement upon finalization of the working capital portion of the purchase price.
(2)
Closing costs primarily consist of advisory and legal fees incurred in connection with the acquisition.
 
The values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at acquisition are based on a preliminary purchase price allocation.  The final allocation of the purchase price will be based on values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as determined by an independent third-party valuation, which we expect will be completed by the end of 2007.  The actual valuation may differ significantly from the preliminary allocation.  The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a preliminary basis as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
Current assets (1)
  $
33,761
 
Net property, plant and equipment
   
241,152
 
Identifiable intangible assets
       
     Customer list
   
134,800
 
     Franchise
   
19,400
 
Goodwill
   
565,892
 
Other assets
   
10,958
 
Current liabilities (2)
    (21,496 )
Long-term debt (2)
    (520,000 )
Deferred income taxes
    (111,939 )
Other liabilities
    (25,784 )
Total purchase price
  $
326,744
 
 
(1)
Includes approximately $20.0 million of acquired cash and cash equivalents.
(2)
We paid all the long-term debt and $2.2 million of related accrued interest (included in “current liabilities” in the above table) immediately after closing.
 
 
(3)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were composed of the following:

   
Sept. 30,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Goodwill
  $
3,997,028
     
3,431,136
 
                 
Intangible assets subject to amortization
               
   Customer base
               
       Gross carrying amount
  $
159,894
     
25,094
 
       Accumulated amortization
    (13,607 )     (7,022 )
       Net carrying amount
  $
146,287
     
18,072
 
                 
   Contract rights
               
       Gross carrying amount
  $
4,186
     
4,186
 
       Accumulated amortization
    (4,186 )     (3,256 )
       Net carrying amount
  $
-
     
930
 
                 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
  $
56,090
     
36,690
 
 
Goodwill and intangible assets increased in 2007 due to the Madison River acquisition.  As of September 30, 2007, we completed the annual impairment test of goodwill required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 and determined that our goodwill is not impaired.

Total amortization expense related to the intangible assets subject to amortization for the first nine months of 2007 was $7.5 million and is expected to be $11.1 million in 2007 and $14.5 million annually thereafter through 2011.  Such amortization expense is based on the above-listed amount of intangible assets subject to amortization and is subject to change upon finalization of the Madison River purchase price allocation.


(4)
Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor health care plans that provide postretirement benefits to all qualified retired employees.

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 included the following components:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                         
Service cost
  $
1,739
     
1,746
     
5,189
     
5,237
 
Interest cost
   
5,050
     
4,745
     
15,107
     
14,235
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (620 )     (610 )     (1,861 )     (1,829 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
   
898
     
930
     
2,696
     
2,790
 
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
    (505 )     (217 )     (1,515 )     (650 )
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
  $
6,562
     
6,594
     
19,616
     
19,783
 
 

We contributed $9.6 million to our postretirement health care plan in the first nine months of 2007 and expect to contribute approximately $13 million for the full year.


(5)
Defined Benefit Retirement Plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans for substantially all employees.  We also sponsor a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan to provide certain officers with supplemental retirement, death and disability benefits.

Net periodic pension expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 included the following components:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                         
Service cost
  $
4,030
     
4,778
     
13,256
     
13,261
 
Interest cost
   
7,079
     
7,078
     
21,055
     
19,455
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (9,256 )     (8,163 )     (27,475 )     (24,530 )
Net amortization and deferral
   
1,612
      3,423      
5,428
      7,269  
Net periodic pension expense
  $
3,465
     
7,116
     
12,264
     
15,455
 
 
The amount of the 2007 contribution to our pension plans will be determined based on a number of factors, including the results of the 2007 actuarial valuation.  We have no required contribution to our pension plans for 2007.


(6)
Stock-based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS 123(R)”).   SFAS 123(R) requires us to recognize as compensation expense our cost of awarding employees with equity instruments by allocating the fair value of the award on the grant date over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

We currently maintain programs which allow the Board of Directors, through its Compensation Committee, to grant incentives to certain employees and our outside directors in any one or a combination of several forms, including incentive and non-qualified stock options; stock appreciation rights; restricted stock; and performance shares.  As of September 30, 2007, we had reserved approximately 6.2 million shares of common stock which may be issued in connection with outstanding incentive awards under our current incentive programs.  We also offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan whereby employees can purchase our common stock at a 15% discount based on the lower of the beginning or ending stock price during recurring six-month periods stipulated in such program.

Stock option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of CenturyTel’s shares at the date of grant.  Our outstanding options generally have a three-year vesting period and all of them expire ten years after the date of grant.  The fair value of each stock option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.  During the first nine months of 2007, 963,620 options were granted with a weighted average exercise price of $45.79 per share and a weighted average grant date fair value of $14.63 per share.

As of September 30, 2007, outstanding and exercisable stock options were as follows:
 
               
Average
       
         
Average
   
remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Number
   
exercise
   
contractual
   
intrinsic
 
   
of options
   
price
   
term (in years)
   
value
 
Outstanding
   
3,662,252
    $
36.74
     
7.0
    $
34,702,000
 
Exercisable
   
2,101,000
    $
32.90
     
5.5
    $
27,995,000
 
 
Our outstanding restricted stock awards generally vest over a five-year period (for employees) and a three-year period (for outside directors).   As of September 30, 2007, there were 861,096 shares of nonvested restricted stock outstanding at an average grant date fair value of $36.93 per share.

The total compensation cost for all share-based payment arrangements for the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 was $15.7 million and $8.9 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2007, there was $33.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the share-based payment arrangements, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3 years.


(7)
Income Tax Uncertainties

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements.  FIN 48 required us, effective January 1, 2007, to recognize and measure tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclose uncertainties in income tax positions.

Upon the initial adoption of FIN 48, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2007 (which increased retained earnings by approximately $478,000 as of such date) related to certain previously recognized liabilities that did not meet the criteria for recognition upon the adoption of FIN 48.

As of January 1, 2007, we had approximately $55.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits reflected on our balance sheet, substantially all of which is included as a component of “Deferred credits and other liabilities”.  Such amount was reflected in “Accrued income taxes” as of December 31, 2006.   As of September 30, 2007, we had approximately $58.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits reflected on our balance sheet, which includes approximately $8.0 million allocated on a preliminary basis to unrecognized tax benefits in connection with our Madison River acquisition.  If we were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded on our balance sheet, approximately $49.9 million would benefit the effective tax rate.

Our policy is to reflect accrued interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits as income tax.  We had accrued interest (presented before related tax benefits) of approximately $20.7 million as of January 1, 2007 and $29.4 million as of September 30, 2007.
 
We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state and local jurisdictions.  Our uncertain income tax positions are related to tax years that are currently under or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities.  Our open income tax years by major jurisdiction are as follows.
 
 
Jurisdiction
 
Open tax years
 
 
Federal
 
1998-current
 
 
State
     
 
    Georgia
 
2002-current
 
 
    Louisiana
 
1997-current
 
 
    Minnesota
 
2001-current
 
 
    Montana
 
2000-current
 
 
    Oregon
 
2001-current
 
 
    Wisconsin
 
2001-current
 
 
    All other states
 
2002-current
 
 
Additionally, it is possible that certain jurisdictions in which we do not believe we have an income tax filing responsibility, and accordingly did not file a return, may attempt to assess a liability.  Since the period for assessing additional liability typically begins upon the filing of a return, it is possible that certain jurisdictions could assess tax for years prior to the open tax years disclosed above.

Based on (i) the potential outcomes of these ongoing examinations, (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, (iii) the negotiated settlement of certain disputed issues, or (iv) a jurisdiction’s administrative practices, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for tax positions previously taken may materially change within the next 12 months.  However, based on the status of such examinations and the protocol of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities (which could include formal legal proceedings), we do not believe it is possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of the impact of such changes, if any, at this time.


(8)
Debt Transactions

On March 29, 2007, we publicly issued $500 million of 6.0% Senior Notes, Series N, due 2017 and $250 million of 5.5% Senior Notes, Series O, due 2013.  Our $741.8 million of net proceeds from the sale of these Senior Notes were used to pay a substantial portion of the approximately $844 million of cash that was needed in order to (i) pay the purchase price for the acquisition of Madison River on April 30, 2007 ($322 million) and (ii) pay off Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest) at closing ($522 million).  We funded the remainder of these cash outflows from borrowings under our commercial paper program and cash on hand.  See Note 2 for additional information concerning the acquisition of Madison River.

In anticipation of the debt offerings mentioned above, we had previously entered into four cash flow hedges that effectively locked in the interest rate on an aggregate of $400 million of debt.  We locked in the interest rate on (i) $200 million of 10-year debt at 5.0675% and (ii) $200 million of 10-year debt at 5.05%.  In March 2007, upon settlement of the hedges, we received an aggregate of $765,000 (reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the balance sheet), which is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the 10-year term of the debt.

In July 2007, we called for redemption on August 14, 2007 all of our $165 million aggregate principal amount 4.75% convertible senior debentures, Series K, due 2032 at a redemption price of $1,023.80 per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest through August 13, 2007.  In accordance with the indenture, holders could elect to convert their debentures into shares of CenturyTel common stock at a conversion price of $40.455 per share prior to August 10, 2007.  In lieu of cash redemption, holders of approximately $149.6 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures elected to convert their holdings into approximately 3.7 million shares of CenturyTel common stock.  The remaining $15.4 million of outstanding debentures were retired for cash (including premium and accrued and unpaid interest).  As a result, we no longer have any of the Series K debentures outstanding.  We recognized a pre-tax charge of approximately $366,000 in third quarter 2007 related to the cash redemption portion of these transactions.
 
 
(9)
Reduction in Workforce

In September 2007, we announced a reduction of our workforce to be completed by mid-2008 of approximately 200 jobs, primarily due to the progress made on our Madison River integration plan and the elimination of certain customer service personnel due to reduced call volumes.  We incurred a one-time net pre-tax charge of approximately $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 (consisting of a $2.7 million charge to operating expenses, net of a $527,000 favorable revenue impact related to such expenses) in connection with the severance and related costs.  Of the $2.7 million charged to operating expenses, approximately $2.0 million is reflected in cost of services and products and $774,000 is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses.  The following table reflects the activity of the severance-related liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $
457
 
Amount accrued to expense
   
2,741
 
Amount paid
    (457 )
Balance at September 30, 2007
  $
2,741
 
 
 
(10)
Business Segments

We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our customers, including local exchange, long distance, Internet access and broadband services.  We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide our customers with a complete offering of integrated communications services.  Our operating revenues for our products and services include the following components:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                         
Voice
  $
229,862
     
218,665
     
664,435
     
657,559
 
Network access
   
248,490
     
219,897
     
726,091
     
666,883
 
Data
   
134,630
     
91,473
     
338,700
     
259,158
 
Fiber transport and CLEC
   
41,811
     
37,487
     
120,851
     
109,318
 
Other
   
54,040
     
52,315
     
149,602
     
147,117
 
Total operating revenues
  $
708,833
     
619,837
     
1,999,679
     
1,840,035
 
 
We derive our voice revenues by providing local exchange telephone and retail long distance services to our customers in our local exchange service areas.  Revenues from voice mail services previously reflected in “Other” revenues have been reclassified to “Voice” revenues for all periods presented.

We derive our network access revenues primarily from (i) providing services to various carriers and customers in connection with the use of our facilities to originate and terminate their interstate and intrastate voice transmissions and (ii) receiving universal support funds which allows us to recover a portion of our costs under federal and state cost recovery mechanisms.   In March 2006, we filed a complaint against a carrier for recovery of unpaid and underpaid access charges for calls made using the carrier’s prepaid calling cards and calls that used Internet Protocol for a portion of their transmission.  The carrier filed a counterclaim against us, asserting that we improperly billed them terminating intrastate access charges on certain wireless roaming traffic.  In April 2007, we entered into a settlement agreement with the carrier and received approximately $49 million cash from them related to the issues described above.   This amount is reflected in our second quarter 2007 results of operations as a component of “Network access” revenues.

In third quarter 2007, upon the lapse of the applicable 2003/2004 monitoring period for certain of our tariffed billings (discussed further in footnote 19 to our financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006), we recognized approximately $42.2 million of revenues (of which approximately $25.4 million is reflected in network access revenues and $16.8 million is reflected in data revenues).  Such amount represented billings from tariffs prior to July 2004 in excess of the authorized rate of return that we initially recorded as a deferred credit pending completion of such 2003/2004 monitoring period.

We derive our data revenues primarily by providing Internet access services (both high-speed (“DSL”) and dial-up services) and data transmission services over special circuits and private lines in our local exchange service areas.

Our fiber transport and CLEC revenues include revenues from our fiber transport, competitive local exchange carrier and security monitoring businesses.

We derive other revenues primarily by (i) leasing, selling, installing and maintaining customer premise telecommunications equipment and wiring, (ii) providing billing and collection services for third parties, (iii) participating in the publication of local directories and (iv) offering our video and wireless services, as well as other new product offerings.
 
 
(11)
Gain on Asset Dispositions

In third quarter 2007, we sold our interest in a real estate partnership (which owned one building) for approximately $9.0 million cash and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $10.4 million.

In April 2006, upon dissolution of the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”), we received $122.8 million in cash for redemption of our investment in stock of the RTB and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $117.8 million in the second quarter of 2006 related to this transaction.  We used the cash to reduce our indebtedness.

In May 2006, we sold the assets of our local exchange operations in Arizona for approximately $5.9 million cash and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $866,000 in the second quarter of 2006.


(12)
Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued EITF 06-3, “How Taxes Collected From Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should be Presented in the Income Statement” (“EITF 06-3”), which requires disclosure of the accounting policy for any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction.  We adopted the disclosure requirements of EITF 06-3 effective January 1, 2007.

We collect various taxes from our customers and subsequently remit such funds to governmental authorities.  Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the balance sheet.  We are required to contribute to several universal service fund programs and generally include a surcharge amount on our customers’ bills which is designed to recover our contribution costs.  Such amounts are reflected on a gross basis in our statement of income (included in both operating revenues and expenses) and aggregated approximately $30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.


(13)
Commitments and Contingencies

In Barbrasue Beattie and James Sovis, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. CenturyTel, Inc., filed on October 28, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 02-10277), the plaintiffs allege that we unjustly and unreasonably billed customers for inside wire maintenance services, and seek unspecified money damages and injunctive relief under various legal theories on behalf of a purported class of over two million customers in our telephone markets.  On March 10, 2006, the Court certified a class of plaintiffs and issued a ruling that the billing descriptions we used for these services during an approximately 18-month period between October 2000 and May 2002 were legally insufficient.  We have appealed this class certification decision and, although we cannot predict the length of time before this appeal will be adjudicated, we have held oral arguments and expect that a decision may be received within the next several months.  Our preliminary analysis indicates that we billed approximately $10 million for inside wire maintenance services under the billing descriptions and time periods specified in the District Court ruling described above.  Should other billing descriptions be determined to be inadequate or if claims are allowed for additional time periods, the amount of our potential exposure could increase significantly.  The Court’s order does not specify the award of damages, the scope of which remains subject to additional fact-finding and resolution of what we believe are valid defenses to plaintiff’s claims.  Accordingly, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount or range of possible loss at this time.  However, considering the one-time nature of any adverse claim, we do not believe that the ultimate outcome of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or on-going results of operations.

During 2006, we received approximately $122.8 million in cash from the dissolution of the RTB.  Some portion of the gain recognized in connection with the receipt of these proceeds, while not estimable at this time, may be subject to review by regulatory authorities which may result in us recording a regulatory liability.

From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings incidental to our business, including administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to rate making, actions relating to employee claims, occasional grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third party tort actions.   The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable.  However, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available insurance coverage, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
 
 

Item 2.
CenturyTel, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") included herein should be read in conjunction with MD&A and the other information included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which might be expected for the entire year.

We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services, including local and long distance voice, Internet access and broadband services, to customers in 25 states.  We currently derive our revenues from providing (i) local exchange and long distance voice services, (ii) network access services, (iii) data services, which includes both high-speed (“DSL”) and dial-up Internet services, as well as special access and private line services, (iv) fiber transport, competitive local exchange and security monitoring services and (v) other related services.   For additional information on our revenue sources, see Note 10 to our financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report.

On April 30, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”).  See Note 2 for additional information.  We have reflected the results of operations of the Madison River properties in our consolidated results of operations beginning May 1, 2007.

As discussed in Note 10, we recognized approximately $49.0 million of  “network access” revenues in the second quarter of 2007 in connection with a settlement and approximately $42.2 million of revenues in the third quarter of 2007 in connection with the lapse of a regulatory monitoring period.  Neither of these favorable revenue items in 2007 are expected to reoccur in the future.

Effective January 1, 2007, we changed our relationship with our provider of satellite television service from a revenue sharing arrangement to an agency relationship and, in connection therewith, we received in the second quarter of 2007 a non-recurring reimbursement of $5.9 million, of which $4.1 million was reflected as a reduction of cost of services and the remainder was reflected as revenues.  This change has also resulted in us recognizing lower recurring revenues and lower recurring operating costs compared to our prior method of accounting for this arrangement.

In the third quarter of 2007, we recorded a one-time pre-tax gain of approximately $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership.  In the second quarter of 2006, we (i) recorded a one-time pre-tax gain of approximately $117.8 million upon redemption of our investment in the stock of the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”) and (ii) sold our local exchange operations in Arizona.
 
In addition to historical information, this management’s discussion and analysis includes certain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control.  Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect.  Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to:  the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry; our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities, including successfully integrating newly-acquired businesses into our operations and retaining and hiring key personnel; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our continued access to credit markets on favorable terms; our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled communications companies; our ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; the effects of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in this report or other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy.These and other uncertainties related to the business are described in greater detail in Item 1A to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements.  You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements for any reason.
 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared
to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Net income was $113.2 million and $76.3 million for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 was $1.01 and $0.64, respectively.   We recorded $42.2 million of non-recurring operating revenues in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of a regulatory monitoring period (see Note 10).  The decline in the number of average diluted shares outstanding is attributable to share repurchases that have occurred after September 30, 2006.
 
   
Three months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars, except per share amounts,
 
   
and shares in thousands)
 
             
Operating income
  $
224,185
     
168,942
 
Interest expense
    (55,176 )     (47,857 )
Other income (expense)
   
14,761
     
2,818
 
Income tax expense
    (70,568 )     (47,579 )
Net income
  $
113,202
     
76,324
 
                 
Basic earnings per share
  $
1.04
     
0.66
 
                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $
1.01
     
0.64
 
                 
Average basic shares outstanding
   
108,996
     
115,221
 
                 
Average diluted shares outstanding
   
112,229
     
120,448
 
 
Operating income increased $55.2 million (32.7%) as an $89.0 million (14.4%) increase in operating revenues was partially offset by a $33.8 million (7.5%) increase in operating expenses.
 
Operating Revenues
 
   
Three months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Voice
  $
229,862
     
218,665
 
Network access
   
248,490
     
219,897
 
Data
   
134,630
     
91,473
 
Fiber transport and CLEC
   
41,811
     
37,487
 
Other
   
54,040
     
52,315
 
    $
708,833
     
619,837
 
 
Of the $11.2 million (5.1%) increase in voice revenues, approximately $16.4 million was attributable to the Madison River properties acquired April 30, 2007.  The remaining $5.2 million decrease was primarily due to a $5.1 million decrease due to a 5.4% decline in the average number of access lines (normalized for acquisitions, dispositions and previously-disclosed adjustments made during 2006).

Normalized for the adjustments mentioned above, access lines declined 32,400 (1.6%) during the third quarter of 2007 compared to a decline of 29,300 (1.4%) during the third quarter of 2006.  We believe the decline in the number of access lines during 2007 and 2006 is primarily due to the displacement of traditional wireline telephone services by other competitive services.  Based on current conditions and anticipated competition, we expect access lines to decline between 5.0% and 6.0% for 2007.

Network access revenues increased $28.6 million (13.0%) in the third quarter of 2007 primarily due to the $25.4 million of one-time revenue recorded in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of the above-mentioned regulatory monitoring period and $13.0 million of revenues contributed by Madison River.  Such increases were partially offset by (i) a $5.8 million decrease in intrastate revenues due to a reduction in intrastate minutes (partially due to the displacement of minutes by wireless, electronic mail and other optional calling services) and (ii) a $4.6 million reduction in the partial recovery of lower operating costs through revenue sharing arrangements and return on rate base. We believe that intrastate minutes will continue to decline in 2007, although we cannot estimate the magnitude of such decrease.

Data revenues increased $43.2 million (47.2%) substantially due to (i) $16.8 million of one-time revenue recorded in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of the above-mentioned regulatory monitoring period, (ii) a $15.5 million increase in DSL-related revenues due primarily to growth in the number of DSL customers and (iii) $13.2 million of revenues contributed by Madison River.  Such increases were partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in special access revenues and a $1.3 million decrease in dial-up Internet revenues due to a decline in the number of dial-up customers.

Fiber transport and CLEC revenues increased $4.3 million (11.5%), of which $1.8 million was contributed by Madison River and $1.7 million was due to growth in our incumbent fiber transport business.

        Other revenues increased $1.7 million (3.3%) primarily due to $5.1 million of revenues contributed by Madison River.  Such increase was partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in revenues from the above-described change in the arrangement with our provider of satellite television service.
 
Operating Expenses
 
   
Three months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
  $
246,430
     
226,536
 
Selling, general and administrative
   
101,612
     
94,212
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
136,606
     
130,147
 
    $
484,648
     
450,895
 
 
Cost of services and products increased $19.9 million (8.8%) primarily due to (i) $20.2 million of costs incurred by the Madison River properties and (ii) a $4.9 million increase in DSL-related expenses primarily due to growth in the number of DSL customers.  Such increases were partially offset by (i) a $4.1 million decrease in expenses associated with our satellite television service offering due to a change in our arrangement as mentioned above and (ii) a $4.4 million decrease in salaries and benefits (due to fewer incumbent employees resulting from our 2006 workforce reduction which was partially offset by costs incurred in third quarter 2007 associated with our 2007 workforce reduction).

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.4 million (7.9%) primarily due to $5.4 million of costs incurred by Madison River and a $3.2 million increase in salaries and benefits.

Depreciation and amortization increased $6.5 million (5.0%) due to $12.4 million of depreciation and amortization incurred by Madison River and a $3.7 million increase due to higher levels of plant in service.  Such increases were substantially offset by a $8.7 million reduction in depreciation expense due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $7.3 million (15.3%) in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 primarily due to an increase in average debt outstanding caused by the March 2007 issuance of $750 million of senior notes used to fund the Madison River acquisition (see Note 8).

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) includes the effects of certain items not directly related to our core operations, including gains/losses from nonoperating asset dispositions and impairments, our share of the income from our 49% interest in a cellular partnership, interest income and allowance for funds used during construction.  Other income (expense) was $14.8 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2006.  The third quarter of 2007 included a pre-tax gain of approximately $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership.

Income Tax Expense

The effective income tax rate was 38.4% for both the three months ended September 30, 2007 and the three months ended September 30, 2006.
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared
to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Net income was $303.3 million and $297.8 million for the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 was $2.68 and $2.44, respectively.  We recorded an aggregate of $91.2 million of one-time operating revenues in 2007 (of which $49.0 million related to the settlement of a dispute with a carrier and $42.2 million related to the expiration of the above-described regulatory monitoring period) (see Note 10).  Included in net income (and diluted earnings per share) for the first nine months of 2006 was approximately $72.4 million ($.58 per share) related to nonrecurring gains, substantially all of which related to the redemption of our RTB stock.  The decline in the number of average diluted shares outstanding is attributable to share repurchases that have occurred since the beginning of 2006.
 
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars, except per share amounts,
 
   
and shares in thousands)
 
             
Operating income
  $
624,104
     
491,859
 
Interest expense
    (159,804 )     (148,582 )
Other income (expense)
   
28,131
     
130,874
 
Income tax expense
    (189,094 )     (176,357 )
Net income
  $
303,337
     
297,794
 
                 
Basic earnings per share
  $
2.77
     
2.53
 
                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $
2.68
     
2.44
 
                 
Average basic shares outstanding
   
109,478
     
117,685
 
                 
Average diluted shares outstanding
   
114,086
     
123,348
 

Operating income increased $132.2 million (26.9%) due to a $159.6 million (8.7%) increase in operating revenues partially offset by a $27.4 million (2.0%) increase in operating expenses.
 
Operating Revenues
 
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Voice
  $
664,435
     
657,559
 
Network access
   
726,091
     
666,883
 
Data
   
338,700
     
259,158
 
Fiber transport and CLEC
   
120,851
     
109,318
 
Other
   
149,602
     
147,117
 
    $
1,999,679
     
1,840,035
 
 
The $6.9 million (1.0%) increase in voice revenues is primarily due to $27.4 million of revenues attributable to the Madison River properties acquired April 30, 2007.  Such increase was partially offset by (i) a $15.5 million decrease due to a 5.1% decline in the average number of access lines (normalized for acquisitions, dispositions and previously-disclosed adjustments made during 2006) and (ii) a $3.9 million decline as a result of a decrease in revenues associated with extended area calling plans.

Normalized for the adjustments mentioned above, access lines declined 85,600 (4.1%) during the first nine months of 2007 compared to a decline of 77,200 (3.5%) during the first nine months of 2006.  We believe the decline in the number of access lines during 2007 and 2006 is primarily due to the displacement of traditional wireline telephone services by other competitive services.  Based on current conditions and anticipated competition, we expect access lines to decline between 5.0% and 6.0% for 2007.

Network access revenues increased $59.2 million (8.9%) in the first nine months of 2007 primarily due to (i) the $49.0 million of one-time revenue recorded in second quarter 2007 upon settlement of a dispute with a carrier; (ii) $25.4 million of one-time revenues recorded in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of the above-described regulatory monitoring period and (iii) $21.3 million of revenues contributed by Madison River.  Such increases were partially offset by a $36.5 million decrease in recurring network access revenues for our incumbent telephone operations, principally due to (i) a $15.7 million decrease in the partial recovery of lower operating costs through revenue sharing arrangements and return on rate base and (ii) a $15.2 million decrease in intrastate revenues due to a reduction in intrastate minutes (partially due to the displacement of minutes by wireless, electronic mail and other optional calling services).  We believe that intrastate minutes will continue to decline in 2007, although we cannot estimate the magnitude of such decrease.

Data revenues increased $79.5 million (30.7%) substantially due to (i) a $51.5 million increase in DSL-related revenues due primarily to growth in the number of DSL customers; (ii) $21.7 million of revenues contributed by Madison River and (iii) $16.8 million of one-time revenues recorded in third quarter 2007 upon expiration of the above-described regulatory monitoring period.  Such increases were partially offset by a $8.1 million decrease in special access revenues primarily due to certain customers disconnecting circuits and a $3.7 million decrease in dial-up Internet revenues due to a decline in the number of dial-up customers.

Fiber transport and CLEC revenues increased $11.5 million (10.5%), of which $10.1 million was due to growth in our incumbent fiber transport business and $3.0 million was contributed by Madison River.  Such increases were partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in CLEC revenues primarily due to customer disconnects.

Other revenues increased $2.5 million (1.7%).  Such increase was primarily due to $8.1 million of revenues contributed by Madison River.   In connection with receiving a one-time reimbursement as a result of our above-described change in accounting for our relationship with our satellite television service provider, we recorded a $1.9 million one-time increase to revenues in 2007. The impact of the change in the arrangement resulted in a $5.6 million decrease in recurring revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 2006.   In addition, our inside wire maintenance revenues decreased $2.1 million in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
Operating Expenses
 
   
Nine months
 
   
ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
  $
686,349
     
665,282
 
Selling, general and administrative
   
290,525
     
285,748
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
398,701
     
397,146
 
    $
1,375,575
     
1,348,176
 
 
Cost of services and products increased $21.1 million (3.2%) primarily due to (i) $32.3 million of costs incurred by our Madison River properties; (ii) a $17.1 million increase in DSL-related expenses due to growth in the number of DSL customers; (iii) a $6.4 million increase in expenses associated with pole attachments primarily due to rate increases and (iv) a $4.4 million increase due to growth in our incumbent fiber transport business.  Such increases were substantially offset by (i) a $21.6 million decrease in salaries and benefits due to fewer incumbent employees resulting from our 2006 workforce reduction; (ii) a $14.4 million decrease in expenses associated with our satellite television service offering due to a change in our arrangement as mentioned above (such reduction includes a $4.1 million one-time reimbursement of costs received from the service provider in the second quarter of 2007 in connection with the change in the arrangement) and (iii) a $3.9 million decrease in access expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.8 million (1.7%) primarily due to (i) $9.9 million of costs incurred by Madison River and (ii) a $7.9 million increase in salaries and benefits.  Such increases were partially offset by (i) a $7.5 million reduction in bad debt expense and (ii) a $4.6 million decrease in information technology expenses.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.6 million (0.4%) primarily due to $19.6 million of depreciation and amortization incurred by Madison River and an $11.2 million increase due to higher levels of plant in service.  Such increases were substantially offset by a $23.3 million reduction in depreciation expense due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated and a $2.4 million reduction due to depreciation rate reductions in certain jurisdictions.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense increased $11.2 million (7.6%) in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the first nine months of 2006.  A $15.4 million increase due to increased average debt outstanding (primarily due to the $750 million of senior notes issued in March 2007 to fund the Madison River acquisition) was partially offset by a $3.9 million decrease due to lower average interest rates.
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
Other income (expense) includes the effects of certain items not directly related to our core operations, including gains/losses from nonoperating asset dispositions and impairments, our share of the income from our 49% interest in a cellular partnership, interest income and allowance for funds used during construction.  Other income (expense) was $28.1 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $130.9 million for the first nine months of 2006.  The first nine months of 2007 include a non-recurring pre-tax gain of $10.4 million related to the sale of our interest in a real estate partnership.   The first nine months of 2006 included nonrecurring pre-tax gains of $118.6 million, substantially all of which relates to the redemption of our RTB stock upon dissolution of the RTB.   Our share of income from our 49% interest in a cellular partnership increased $2.9 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to 2006 (primarily due to one-time favorable adjustments in 2007).

Income Tax Expense
 
The effective income tax rate was 38.4% and 37.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.   Income tax expense was reduced by approximately $6.4 million in the first nine months of 2006 due to the resolution of various income tax audit issues.
 
 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


Excluding cash used for acquisitions, we rely on cash provided by operations to fund our operating and capital expenditures.  Our operations have historically provided a stable source of cash flow which has helped us continue our long-term program of capital improvements.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $789.4 million during the first nine months of 2007 compared to $622.5 million during the first nine months of 2006.  Our accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows identify major differences between net income and net cash provided by operating activities for each of these periods.  As relief from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, certain of our affected subsidiaries were granted a deferral from making their remaining 2005 estimated federal income and excise tax payments until 2006.  In the first nine months of 2006, we made payments of approximately $75 million to satisfy our remaining 2005 estimated payments.  For additional information relating to our operations, see Results of Operations.

Net cash used in investing activities was $482.4 million and $91.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  We used $306.8 million of cash (net of approximately $20.0 million of acquired cash) to purchase Madison River Communications Corp. (“Madison River”) on April 30, 2007 (see below and Note 2 for additional information).  Payments for property, plant and equipment were $28.7 million less in the first nine months of 2007 than in the comparable period during 2006.   Our budgeted capital expenditures for 2007 total approximately $325 million.  We received approximately $128.7 million cash from asset dispositions in 2006, of which approximately $122.8 million was from the redemption of our RTB stock upon dissolution of the RTB and $5.9 million was from the sale of our local exchange operations in Arizona.

Net cash used in financing activities was $274.0 million during the first nine months of 2007 compared to $657.2 million during the first nine months of 2006.  In late March 2007, we publicly issued an aggregate of $750 million of Senior Notes (see Note 8 for additional information).  The net proceeds from the issuance of such Senior Notes aggregated approximately $741.8 million and were used (along with cash on hand and approximately $50 million of borrowings under our commercial paper program) to (i) finance the purchase price for the April 30, 2007 acquisition of Madison River ($322 million) and (ii) pay off Madison River’s existing indebtedness (including accrued interest) at closing ($522 million).  We invested the cash proceeds from the debt offering in short-term cash equivalents prior to the acquisition of Madison River.

We repurchased 7.4 million shares (for $338.5 million) and 18.2 million shares (for $669.9 million) in the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The 2006 repurchases include 14.36 million shares repurchased (for a total price of approximately $500 million) under accelerated share repurchase agreements with investment banks.  We initially funded the accelerated share repurchase agreements principally through borrowings under our $750 million credit facility and cash on hand and subsequently refinanced the credit facility borrowings through the issuance of short-term commercial paper.

As described further in Note 8, we called for redemption on August 14, 2007, all of our $165 million aggregate principal amount of Series K convertible senior debentures, subject to the right of holders to convert their debentures into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $40.455.  In lieu of cash redemption, holders of approximately $149.6 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures elected to convert their holdings into approximately 3.7 million shares of CenturyTel common stock.  The remaining $15.4 million of outstanding debentures were retired for cash (including premium and accrued and unpaid interest).

We have available a five-year, $750 million revolving credit facility which expires in December 2011.  Up to $150 million of the credit facility can be used for letters of credit, which reduces the amount available for other extensions of credit.  Available borrowings under our credit facility are also effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program.  Our commercial paper program borrowings are effectively limited to the total amount available under our credit facility.  As of September 30, 2007, we had no amounts outstanding under our credit facility or commercial paper program.
 
 
OTHER MATTERS

Accounting for the Effects of Regulation
 
We currently account for our regulated telephone operations (except for the properties acquired from Verizon in 2002) in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation” (“SFAS 71”).  While we continuously monitor the ongoing applicability of SFAS 71 to our regulated telephone operations due to the changing regulatory, competitive and legislative environments, we believe that SFAS 71 still applies.  However, it is possible that changes in regulation or legislation or anticipated changes in competition or in the demand for regulated services or products could result in our telephone operations not being subject to SFAS 71 in the future.  In that event, implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 101 ("SFAS  101"),  "Regulated Enterprises  - Accounting for the Discontinuance of Application of FASB Statement No. 71," would require the write-off of previously established regulatory assets and liabilities.  SFAS 101 further provides that the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment are to be adjusted only to the extent the assets are impaired and that impairment shall be judged in the same manner as for nonregulated enterprises.

If our regulated operations cease to qualify for the application of SFAS 71, we do not expect to record an impairment charge related to the carrying value of the property, plant and equipment of our regulated telephone operations.  Additionally, upon the discontinuance of SFAS 71, we would be required to revise the lives of our property, plant and equipment to reflect the estimated useful lives of the assets.  We do not expect such revisions in asset lives, or the elimination of other regulatory assets and liabilities, to have a material unfavorable impact on our results of operations.  For regulatory purposes, the accounting and reporting of our telephone subsidiaries would not be affected by the discontinued application of SFAS 71.
 
Recent Competitive Developments
 
As of September 30, 2007, we believe that between 32-37% of our access lines faced competition from cable voice offerings, and we expect that figure to increase to approximately 45% within the next 12 to 18 months.   During October 2007, we commenced offering switched digital television service to a second market, and we intend to continue to monitor the results of our initial operations in both markets.
 
Other Anticipated Events
 
As previously mentioned above, we recorded an aggregate of $91.2 million of revenues in 2007 upon settlement of a dispute with a carrier and the lapse of a regulatory monitoring period, neither of which we expect to reoccur in the future.  Additionally, lower Universal Service Fund receipts are expected to negatively impact 2008 diluted earnings per share by $.08 to $.10.
 
The disclosures presented under this heading exclude the potential impact of any future acquisitions, divestitures, share repurchases after October 31, 2007, or other unusual or unanticipated events.  Please see the factors listed above at the beginning of MD&A that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described above.
 
 
CenturyTel, Inc.
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
 
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our long-term debt obligations.  We have estimated our market risk using sensitivity analysis.  Market risk is defined as the potential change in the fair value of a fixed-rate debt obligation due to a hypothetical adverse change in interest rates.  Fair value on long-term debt obligations is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis, using the rates and maturities of these obligations compared to terms and rates currently available in the long-term financing markets.  The results of the sensitivity analysis used to estimate market risk are presented below, although the actual results may differ from these estimates.     
 
                At September 30, 2007, the fair value of our long-term debt was estimated to be $2.9 billion based on the overall weighted average rate of our debt of 6.7% and an overall weighted maturity of 8 years compared to terms and rates currently available in long-term financing markets.  Market risk is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value of our long-term debt resulting from a hypothetical increase of 67 basis points in interest rates (ten percent of our overall weighted average borrowing rate).  Such an increase in interest rates would result in approximately a $116 million decrease in fair value of our long-term debt at September 30, 2007.  As of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to interest rate swaps currently in place, approximately 83% of our long-term debt obligations were fixed rate.
 
We seek to maintain a favorable mix of fixed and variable rate debt in an effort to limit interest costs and cash flow volatility resulting from changes in rates.  From time to time, we use derivative instruments to (i) lock-in or swap our exposure to changing or variable interest rates for fixed interest rates or (ii) to swap obligations to pay fixed interest rates for variable interest rates.  We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative instrument activities.  We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  Management periodically reviews our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and implements strategies to manage the exposure.
 
At September 30, 2007, we had outstanding four fair value interest rate hedges associated with the full $500 million aggregate principal amount of our Series L senior notes, due 2012, that pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.875%.  These hedges are  “fixed to variable” interest rate swaps that effectively convert our fixed rate interest payment obligations under these notes into obligations to pay variable rates that range from the six-month London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.229% to the six-month LIBOR plus 3.67%, with settlement and rate reset dates occurring each six months through the expiration of the hedges in August 2012.  During the first nine months of 2007, we realized an average interest rate under these hedges of 8.9%.  Interest expense was increased by $3.7 million during the first nine months of 2007 as a result of these hedges.  The aggregate fair market value of these hedges was $12.4 million at September 30, 2007 and is reflected both as a liability and as a decrease in our underlying long-term debt on the September 30, 2007 balance sheet.  With respect to each of these hedges, market risk is estimated as the potential change in the fair value of the hedge resulting from a hypothetical 10% increase in the forward rates used to determine the fair value.  A hypothetical 10% increase in the forward rates would result in a $10.8 million decrease in the fair value of these hedges at September 30, 2007, and would also increase our interest expense.
 
In third quarter 2007, we entered into a hedge transaction that effectively locked-in the interest rate for the six-month period ended February 2008 related to the $500 million of Series L notes that previously were effectively converted to variable rate notes pursuant to the “fixed to variable” interest rate swaps described above.  Such transaction does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and therefore will be reflected at its fair value as an asset or liability (with a corresponding adjustment through the income statement) at the end of each quarterly reporting period through February 2008.  The impact of this transaction to third quarter 2007 results of operations was not material.  We do not currently expect the income statement impact on future reporting periods to be material, although we cannot provide assurance to this effect.
 
In anticipation of the issuance of Senior Notes in connection with the Madison River acquisition, we entered into four cash flow hedges that effectively locked in the interest rate on an aggregate of $400 million of debt.  The issuance of these Senior Notes was completed in late March 2007 with the issuance of $500 million of 6.0% Senior Notes, due 2017, and $250 million of 5.5% Senior Notes, due 2013.  We locked in the interest rate on (i) $200 million of 10-year debt at 5.0675% and (ii) $200 million of 10-year debt at 5.05%.  In March 2007, upon settlement of the hedges, we received an aggregate of $765,000 cash, which is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the 10-year term of the debt.
 
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of fair value of financial instruments.  Actual values may differ from those presented if market conditions vary from assumptions used in the fair value calculations.  The analysis above incorporates only those risk exposures that existed as of September 30, 2007.
 
 
Item 4.
CenturyTel, Inc.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is timely recorded, processed, summarized and reported as required.  Our Chief Executive Officer, Glen F. Post, III, and our Chief Financial Officer, R. Stewart Ewing, Jr., have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007.  Based on the evaluation, Messrs. Post and Ewing concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures have been effective in providing reasonable assurance that they have been timely alerted of material information required to be filed in this quarterly report.  Since the date of Messrs. Post’s and Ewing’s most recent evaluation, there have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls.  The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.  Because of inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to error or fraud could occur and not be detected.
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

CenturyTel, Inc.


Item 1.               Legal Proceedings.

See Note 13 included in Part I, Item 1, of this report.

Item 2.               Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In August 2007, our board of directors authorized a $750 million share repurchase program which expires on September 30, 2009, unless extended by the board.  The following table reflects the repurchases of our common stock during the third quarter of 2007 under our $750 million program announced in August 2007.  All of these repurchases were effected in open-market transactions in accordance with our stock repurchase program.
 
       
Total
 
Approximate
       
Number of
 
Dollar Value
       
Shares
 
of Shares
       
Purchased as
 
that
       
Part of Publicly
 
May Yet Be
 
Total Number
   
Announced
 
Purchased
 
of Shares
 
Average Price
Plans or
 
Under the Plans
Period
Purchased
 
Per Share
Programs
 
or Programs
             
July 1 – July 31, 2007
-
$
 -
-
$
 -
August 1 – August 31, 2007
104,000
$
47.63
104,000
$
745,046,019
September 1 – September 30, 2007
682,000
$
46.11
682,000
$
713,601,120
             
Total
786,000
$
46.31
786,000
   
 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

In addition to the above repurchases, we also withheld 1,315 shares of stock at an average price of $46.73 per share to pay taxes due upon vesting of restricted stock for certain of our employees in September 2007.

Item 5.
Other Information

During the preceding quarter, our Board, acting upon a recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, increased the mandatory retirement age for our directors from 72 to 75.  For additional information, see Section 1 of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, an amended copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 3 hereto.

 
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 

A.  
Exhibits

 
3
Corporate Governance Guidelines, as amended through August 21, 2007.

             11  
Computations of Earnings Per Share.

                31.1  
Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

                 31.2  
Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
32
Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
B.
Reports on Form 8-K

The following items were reported in the Form 8-K filed July 13, 2007:

Items 8.01 and 9.01 - Other Events and Financial Statements and Exhibits.  News release announcing a call for redemption of our 4.75% Convertible Senior Debentures, Series K, due 2032. 

The following items were reported in the Form 8-K filed August 2, 2007:

Items 2.02 and 9.01 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition and Financial Statements and Exhibits.  Press release announcing second quarter 2007 results of operations.

The following items were reported in the Form 8-K filed August 14, 2007:

Items 8.01 and 9.01 - Other Events and Financial Statements and Exhibits.  News release announcing the completion of the redemption of our 4.75% Convertible Senior Debentures, Series K, due 2032. 

The following items were reported in the Form 8-K filed August 22, 2007:

Items 8.01 and 9.01 - Other Events and Financial Statements and Exhibits.  News release announcing that CenturyTel’s Board of Directors approved a $750 million stock repurchase program and a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.065 per share.  
 
 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
CenturyTel, Inc.
     
     
Date: November 7, 2007
 
/s/ Neil A. Sweasy
   
Neil A. Sweasy
   
Vice President and Controller
   
(Principal Accounting Officer)