EX-99.2 69 dex992.htm D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D&E Communications, Inc. unaudited interim financial statements

Exhibit 99.2

D&E Communications, Inc.

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements

As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008


D&E Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per-share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Communication service revenues

   $ 34,348      $ 35,271      $ 103,771      $ 107,954   

Communication products sold

     412        636        1,218        1,837   

Other

     695        718        2,246        2,180   
                                

Total operating revenues

     35,455        36,625        107,235        111,971   
                                

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Communication service expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)

     11,266        11,534        33,655        36,086   

Cost of communication products sold

     318        517        896        1,494   

Depreciation and amortization

     7,684        6,865        22,168        22,481   

Marketing and customer services

     3,977        4,073        11,307        11,921   

General and administrative services

     4,328        4,999        14,545        15,119   

Merger costs

     332        —          1,167        —     

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          5,500        26,200   
                                

Total operating expenses

     27,905        27,988        89,238        113,301   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     7,550        8,637        17,997        (1,330
                                

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

        

Interest expense, net of interest capitalized

     (2,699     (2,953     (8,368     (9,253

Other, net

     (408     92        238        3,625   
                                

Total other income (expense)

     (3,107     (2,861     (8,130     (5,628
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     4,443        5,776        9,867        (6,958

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

     1,224        2,069        2,824        (3,888
                                

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     3,219        3,707        7,043        (3,070

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

        

Dividends on utility preferred stock

     16        16        49        49   
                                

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ 3,203      $ 3,691      $ 6,994      $ (3,119
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)

     14,350        14,497        14,366        14,480   

Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)

     14,385        14,545        14,385        14,480   

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

        

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.22      $ 0.25      $ 0.49      $ (0.22
                                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.17      $ 0.13      $ 0.42      $ 0.38   
                                

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


D&E Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 19,601      $ 18,280   

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $642 and $466

     11,835        13,086   

Inventories-materials and supplies

     2,648        2,651   

Prepaid expenses

     4,013        9,367   

Other

     1,767        2,500   
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     39,864        45,884   
                

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    

In service

     428,563        417,209   

Under construction

     6,339        5,235   
                
     434,902        422,444   

Less accumulated depreciation

     272,581        258,642   
                
     162,321        163,802   
                

OTHER ASSETS

    

Goodwill

     138,441        138,441   

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

     86,975        97,344   

Other

     7,322        7,449   
                
     232,738        243,234   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 434,923      $ 452,920   
                

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Long-term debt maturing within one year

   $ 7,080      $ 7,076   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     10,954        10,690   

Accrued taxes

     304        543   

Accrued interest and dividends

     3,378        1,178   

Advance billings, customer deposits and other

     4,590        4,706   

Derivative financial instruments

     1,245        3,091   
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     27,551        27,284   
                

LONG-TERM DEBT

     173,743        179,054   
                

OTHER LIABILITIES

    

Deferred income taxes

     49,626        50,071   

Defined benefit plans

     18,538        34,749   

Other

     5,195        5,181   
                
     73,359        90,001   
                

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

EQUITY

    

Common shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, par value $0.16, authorized shares-100,000; issued shares-16,316 at September 30, 2009 and 16,187 at December 31, 2008; outstanding shares-14,396 at September 30, 2009 and 14,410 at December 31, 2008

     2,610        2,590   

Additional paid-in capital

     165,188        164,526   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (18,987     (21,908

Retained earnings

     30,888        29,917   

Treasury stock at cost, 1,919 shares at September 30, 2009 and 1,777 shares at December 31, 2008

     (20,875     (19,990
                

Total common shareholders’ equity

     158,824        155,135   

Noncontrolling interests:

    

Preferred stock of utility subsidiary, Series A 4 1/2%, par value $100, cumulative, callable at par at the option of the Company, authorized 20 shares, outstanding 14 shares

     1,446        1,446   
                

TOTAL EQUITY

     160,270        156,581   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 434,923      $ 452,920   
                

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


D&E Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 7,043      $ (3,070

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     22,168        22,481   

Bad debt expense

     718        457   

Deferred income taxes

     (1,975     (9,333

Stock-based compensation expense

     485        367   

Gain on retirement of property, plant and equipment

     (86     (81

Intangible asset impairment

     5,500        26,200   

Termination of lease guarantee

     —          (2,904

Note receivable and investment reserves

     450        200   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     533        841   

Inventories

     3        119   

Prepaid expenses

     5,305        (2,704

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (558     (1,531

Accrued taxes and accrued interest

     (443     (567

Advance billings, customer deposits and other

     (116     274   

Defined benefit plans

     (13,425     (4,210

Other, net

     213        150   
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     25,815        26,689   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (15,340     (18,921

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     429        626   

Collection of note receivable

     —          95   
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (14,911     (18,200
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Dividends on common stock

     (3,443     (5,214

Preferred dividends on noncontrolling interests

     (49     (49

Payments on long-term debt

     (5,306     (6,052

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock options exercised

     92        88   

Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans

     8        37   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (885     (135
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (9,583     (11,325
                

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     1,321        (2,836

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    

BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     18,280        17,845   
                

END OF PERIOD

   $ 19,601      $ 15,009   
                

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 8,365      $ 8,910   

Cash paid for income taxes (income tax refund received, net of payments)

     (1,354     8,160   

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


D&E Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     2009     2008  
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

COMMON STOCK

        

Balance at beginning of year

   16,187      $ 2,590      16,092      $ 2,575   

Common stock issued for Employee Stock Purchase, Long-Term

        

Incentive, Dividend Reinvestment, Stock Compensation

        

Plan and Policy for Non-Employee Directors

   128        20      80        13   
                            

Balance at September 30

   16,315        2,610      16,172        2,588   
                            

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

        

Balance at beginning of year

       164,526          163,560   

Common stock issued for Employee Stock Purchase, Long-Term

        

Incentive, Dividend Reinvestment, Stock Compensation Plan and Policy for Non-Employee Directors

       662          743   
                    

Balance at September 30

       165,188          164,303   
                    

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

        

Balance at beginning of year

       (21,908       (7,216

Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax

       1,719          525   

Defined benefit plans, net of tax

       1,630          449   

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax

       (428       (268
                    

Balance at September 30

       (18,987       (6,510
                    

RETAINED EARNINGS

        

Balance at beginning of year

       29,917          48,147   

Net income (loss)

       7,043          (3,070

Dividends declared on common stock: $0.42 per share for 2009 and $0.38 per share for 2008

       (6,023       (5,460

Preferred dividends on noncontrolling interests

       (49       (49
                    

Balance at September 30

       30,888          39,568   
                    

TREASURY STOCK

        

Balance at beginning of year

   (1,777     (19,990   (1,667     (19,192

Treasury stock acquired

   (142     (885   (16     (135
                            

Balance at September 30

   (1,919     (20,875   (1,683     (19,327
                            

TOTAL COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   14,396        158,824      14,489        180,622   
                

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PREFERRED STOCK OF UTILITY SUBSIDIARY

        

Balance at beginning of year and September 30

   14        1,446      14        1,446   
                            

TOTAL EQUITY

     $ 160,270        $ 182,068   
                    

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

        

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,219      $ 3,707      $ 7,043      $ (3,070

Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of income taxes of $459, $174, $1,219 and $373

     647        246        1,719        525   

Defined benefit plans, net of income taxes of $638, $108, $1,156 and $318

     900        152        1,630        449   

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of income taxes of ($129), $49, ($304) and ($191)

     (182     69        (428     (268
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

     4,584        4,174        9,964        (2,364

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (16     (16     (49     (49
                                

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   $ 4,568      $ 4,158      $ 9,915      $ (2,413
                                

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of D&E Communications, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. D&E Communications, Inc., including its subsidiary companies, is defined and referred to herein as “D&E” or the “Company.”

The accompanying financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.

The use of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. D&E believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with D&E’s financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements were issued on November 9, 2009, which is also the date through which subsequent events were evaluated. Subsequent events have been further evaluated through September 29, 2010, the date which these statements were available to be reissued to include Notes 14 and 15.

For comparative purposes, certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on net income or loss.

 

2. Merger of D&E Communications, Inc. and Windstream Corporation

On September 24, 2009, the Company announced that the shareholders of the Company approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Windstream”), pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into Delta Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Windstream (the “Merger” and the “Merger Sub,” respectively), with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving corporation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of common stock of the Company (the “Shares”) will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive $5.00 per share in cash, without interest, and 0.65 shares of Windstream common stock.

The Merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including various regulatory approvals. The expiration or early termination of the waiting period of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, was received on June 5, 2009. The required regulatory approvals of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) were received on July 31, 2009. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PA PUC”) approved the merger on November 6, 2009. The decision by the PA PUC provides the final regulatory agency approval of the merger and we anticipate closing the transaction during the week of November 9, 2009.

Factors outside of management’s control could delay or prevent completion of the proposed Merger. In the event of a termination of the Merger Agreement, the Company may be required to pay Windstream a termination fee of $5,500 in certain circumstances. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded $1,167 of transaction-related costs associated with the proposed Merger.


3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“ASC 105”). ASC 105 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the authoritative source for U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). Under the Codification, all references to US GAAP will use the new Codification numbering system prescribed by the FASB. The Codification does not change or alter existing US GAAP, thus the adoption of ASC 105 did not have any impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued guidance related to fair value measurements, which is now included in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a market-based hierarchy for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In defining fair value, the Statement emphasizes a market-based measurement approach that is based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The guidance does not require any new fair value measurements, but does generally apply to other accounting guidance that requires or permits fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued additional guidance now included in FASB ASC Topic 820, which delayed for one year the effective date of certain provisions in ASC 820 related to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Nonfinancial instruments affected by this deferral include assets and liabilities such as reporting units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC 820 for financial assets and financial liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, in particular its interest rate swap derivatives. The partial adoption of ASC 820 for these items did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 820 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. The adoption of ASC 820 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, the full adoption of ASC 820 impacts the fair value measurements used when evaluating goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the revised guidance of FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”). ASC 805, as revised, defines a business combination as a transaction or other event in which an acquirer obtains control of one or more businesses. Under ASC 805, all business combinations are accounted for by applying the acquisition method (previously referred to as the purchase method), under which the acquirer measures all identified assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair values. Certain forms of contingent consideration and certain acquired contingencies are also recorded at their acquisition date fair values. ASC 805 also requires that most acquisition related costs be expensed in the period incurred. In addition, ASC 805 amends certain guidance related to accounting for income taxes, which is now included in FASB ASC Topic 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” to require us to recognize changes to valuation allowances for acquired deferred tax assets and changes to unrecognized tax benefits related to acquired income tax uncertainties as adjustments to income tax expense, rather than as adjustments to goodwill. The adoption of ASC 805, as revised, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, ASC 805 will affect the accounting treatment for any future business combinations. Additionally, the adoption of ASC 805 affects the Company’s accounting treatment for changes to its unrecognized tax benefits and any changes will be recognized in income tax expense.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810”) for noncontrolling interests. ASC 810 requires a company to recognize noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as “minority interests”) as a separate component in the equity section of the consolidated statement of financial position. It also requires the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the noncontrolling interest be identified in the consolidated statement of operations. In addition, ASC 810 requires changes in ownership interest to be accounted for similarly, as equity transactions; and when a subsidiary is


deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary and the gain or loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary be measured at fair value. As a result of the adoption of ASC 810 for noncontrolling interests, the Company recharacterized its preferred stock of a utility subsidiary as a noncontrolling interest and a component of equity. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) for its disclosures about derivative financial instruments and hedging activities. ASC 815 requires a company with derivative instruments to disclose information that should enable financial statement users to understand how and why a company uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The adoption only affected disclosures; thus, it had no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events” (“ASC 855”). ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting and disclosure for events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. The provisions of ASC 855 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and, accordingly, the Company adopted ASC 855 effective for the period ending June 30, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855 only affected disclosures, and thus had no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 (not yet reflected in the FASB ASC), “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 amends FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities – an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46R”), to require a company to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether the company’s variable interest(s) give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), rather than the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The Statement also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, rather than only when specific events occur as previously required. SFAS 167 is effective for annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 167 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-05, “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value” (“ASU 2009-05”). This ASU amends ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” to specify the techniques to use for measuring the fair value of a liability when the quoted price for an identical liability is not available. The provisions of ASU 2009-05 are effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after issuance (August 28, 2009) and, accordingly, the Company will adopt ASU 2009-05 for the interim period beginning October 1, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2009-05 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (“ASU 2009-13”). This ASU amends ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” to provide guidance for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The provisions of ASU 2009-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2009-13 will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

4. Note Receivable and Investment

The Company finalized an agreement on May 9, 2008 to restructure the terms of its note receivable from eCommunications Systems Corporation (“eComm”), which was received as partial consideration for the sale of the assets of our commercial voice equipment and service operations in September 2006. The Company received the scheduled payments due on this note from the date of the restructured agreement through December 2008 but has not received the scheduled payments due on the note thereafter. As a result, the Company recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $700 in the fourth quarter of 2008. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company concluded that there was a further impairment of the note receivable and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $100. The Company will continue to evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate that the note receivable may not be recoverable.


The note receivable from eComm is reported in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Note receivable

   $ 2,101      $ 2,101   

Loss reserves

     (1,174     (1,074
                

Net note receivable

   $ 927      $ 1,027   
                

Interest income on the note will only be recognized after the note principal is fully repaid.

In connection with the sale of the assets of our commercial voice equipment and services operation in September 2006, the Company received a 10% equity investment in eComm which was valued at $350. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the equity investment and determined there was an other than temporary impairment. As a result of this evaluation, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $350 on the 10% equity investment.

 

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets are primarily the result of D&E’s May 24, 2002 acquisition of Conestoga Enterprises, Inc. (“CEI”), a neighboring rural local telephone company providing integrated communications services in markets throughout the eastern half of Pennsylvania, including two rural local exchange carriers, Conestoga Telephone and Telegraph Company and Buffalo Valley Telephone Company (“CEI RLECs”). The CEI RLECs are operating units included in the Wireline segment and provide communication services to customers in specific franchise areas.

The franchise intangible assets (“franchises”) represent the value attributed to the rights of the CEI RLECs to operate as telecommunications carriers in their franchise areas as certified by the PA PUC and the economic advantage of having an established network infrastructure to provide wireline telecommunications services in the specific franchise area. Franchise value largely reflects the (i) reasonable expectation that, as a current customer leaves, a new customer at the same address will likely take its place and (ii) as potential customers inhabit new construction within the RLEC’s franchise territory, there is a reasonable expectation that they will become customers of the RLEC. At the acquisition date, the Company recognized the franchises at their estimated fair value and, based on the aforementioned regulatory, competitive, and economic factors, determined that the franchise intangible assets had indefinite lives in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). The franchise assets are evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.

ASC 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment, and between annual tests in certain circumstances, by comparing the asset’s carrying value to its fair value. Each reporting period, the Company reviews whether events have occurred or circumstances have changed that indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.

2009 Annual Impairment Evaluation

The Company completed its annual impairment evaluation as of April 30, 2009 and, as a result, determined that the estimated fair value of the franchise intangible assets was less than their carrying value. The Company therefore recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $5,500 ($3,218 after tax) in the second quarter of 2009 to reduce the carrying value of the franchise intangible assets to their estimated fair value. The decline in the estimated fair value of the franchise intangible assets was primarily the result of an increase in the discount rate from 9.75% to 12.65%, which was the rate used in the discounted cash flow model to determine fair value of the franchise intangible asset. Due to the proximity of the annual impairment assessment to the Merger announcement, the discount rate


assumption was based on, in addition to the assumptions noted below, estimates made by the Company of cash flows that could be generated by a market participant with consideration given to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

The critical assumptions as of April 30, 2009 used to estimate the fair value of our franchise intangible assets for the annual impairment evaluation were as follows:

 

Assumption

      

Estimated average long-term franchise revenue growth rate (1)

   (2.00 )% 

Franchise intangible discount rate (2)

   12.65

 

(1) Represents the estimated average long-term revenue growth rate beyond 2013 attributable to the franchise assets.
(2) The discount rate is based on the Company’s overall weighted average cost of capital. Factors inherent in determining this rate include the expected interest costs on debt, debt market conditions, the relative amounts of debt and equity capital, the risk-free rate of return, the incremental return that a market participant would expect to earn on equity capital and the level of risk inherent in franchise assets of this nature.

The Company’s annual impairment evaluation as of April 30, 2009 did not indicate any impairment of the goodwill or customer relationships intangible assets. The key factors that were estimated to determine the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets include the estimated future cash flows, the estimated weighted average cost of capital, the estimated average long-term revenue growth rate, the estimated fair value of the Company based on the calculated market value of the share exchange defined in the Merger Agreement between the Company and Windstream, and other assumptions. The Company also considers the effects of competition, the regulatory environment, our market capitalization and current economic factors in its estimates of the expected future cash flows derived from such intangibles. Such evaluations for impairment are significantly impacted by estimates of future cash flows, the market price of our stock and other factors.

In conjunction with its annual impairment evaluation as of April 30, 2009, the Company evaluated various factors to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life for the franchise intangible assets, including (i) the effects of increasing competition, (ii) changes in customer demand due to changing cultural trends and recent weak economic conditions, (iii) changes in technology, and (iv) the projected decline in cash flows attributable to its franchise assets. The Company reviewed the attrition of current wireline customers and additions of new customers within the franchise areas to estimate the pattern of economic consumption for the franchise intangible assets. As a result of this evaluation, effective May 1, 2009, the Company prospectively changed the estimated useful life of its franchise intangible assets from indefinite-lived to twenty-five years, calculated on a straight-line basis. The franchise asset amortization period is based on a linear regression analysis of the projected undiscounted cash flows of the franchise assets, key assumptions and other analytical tools used to estimate the period that the franchise assets are expected to contribute to operating cash flows. As a result of this change, beginning May 1, 2009, the Company recorded amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $595 and $892, respectively.

2008 Annual Impairment Evaluation

The annual impairment evaluation in the second quarter of 2008 did not indicate any impairment of the goodwill or customer relationships intangible assets. The Company recorded an impairment of the franchise intangible assets as of April 30, 2008 due to a decline in the estimated future regulated cash flows of the CEI RLECs in the Wireline segment. The reduction in the estimated future regulated cash flows was the result of management’s estimates of reductions in access lines, and corresponding reductions in minutes of use, long distance revenues and network access revenues that are associated with access lines. In the second quarter of 2008, the Company recognized a non-cash franchise intangible asset impairment charge of $26,200 ($15,329 after tax).


The intangible assets and accumulated amortization recorded on the Company’s balance sheets are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

FCC licenses (Indefinite life)

   $ 898      $ 898   

Franchises:

    

Gross carrying amount

     53,500        59,000   

Accumulated amortization

     (892     —     
                

Franchises, net

     52,608        59,000   
                

Customer relationships:

    

Gross carrying amount

     72,006        72,006   

Accumulated amortization

     (38,537     (34,560
                

Customer relationships, net

     33,469        37,446   
                

Net intangible assets

   $ 86,975      $ 97,344   
                

Aggregate amortization expense related to the finite-lived intangible assets recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $1,920, $1,326, $4,868 and $3,977, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for the succeeding five years is as follows:

 

Year

   Amount

2010

   $ 7,442

2011

     7,442

2012

     6,626

2013

     6,042

2014

     6,042

 

6. Long-Term Debt

The following table sets forth the total long-term debt outstanding:

 

     September  30,
2009
Average
Interest Rate
    Maturity    September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Senior Secured Term Loan A

   1.80   2011    $ 26,104    $ 27,604

Senior Secured Term Loan B

   3.18   2011      135,021      136,146

Secured Term Loans

   9.00   2014      18,375      21,000

Capital lease obligation

          1,323      1,380
                  
          180,823      186,130

Less current maturities

          7,080      7,076
                  

Total long-term debt

        $ 173,743    $ 179,054
                  

Certain financial covenant calculations required by the Company’s credit facility have been affected by the non-cash intangible asset impairments recognized in the second quarter of 2009 and 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2008. The cumulative effect of these impairments on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2009 was to increase the total indebtedness to total capitalization ratio from 48.8% to 53.0% and the fixed charge coverage ratio from 1.34 to 1.73. The total indebtedness to total capitalization ratio is required to be less than 60% and the fixed charge coverage ratio is required to be greater than 1.05. The non-cash intangible asset impairment did not affect the calculation of the total leverage ratio and the proforma debt service coverage ratio. At September 30, 2009, D&E was in compliance with the covenants required by the Company’s credit facility.


7. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008 were 27.5% and 35.8%, respectively. In the third quarter of 2009, the effective income tax rate was 7.5% lower than the federal statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to a change in our unrecognized tax benefits which resulted in lowering the effective tax rate by 6.4%. In the third quarter of 2008, the effective income tax rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% by 0.8%, primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal tax benefits.

The effective income tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 28.6% and 55.9%, respectively. In 2009, the effective income tax rate was 6.4% lower than the federal statutory rate of 35%. The state income taxes, net of federal tax benefits, component of the effective income tax rate was a 3.3% decrease, primarily as a result of the deferred state tax benefit recognized on the non-cash intangible asset impairment and no corresponding current state income tax expense. Also in 2009, a change in our unrecognized tax benefits resulted in lowering the effective tax rate by 2.8%. In 2008, the effective income tax rate was 20.9% higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% and the state income taxes, net of federal tax benefits, component of the effective income tax rate was an 21.2% increase, primarily as a result of the deferred state tax benefit recognized on the non-cash intangible asset impairment, partially offset by the deferred state tax expense recognized on the termination of a lease guarantee.

 

8. Shareholders’ Equity

The Company suspended future purchases and dividend reinvestments under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Dividend Reinvestment Plan effective on October 1, 2009 in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement with Windstream.

 

9. Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share amounts are based on net income or loss attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share amounts are based on net income or loss attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period after giving effect to dilutive common stock equivalents from assumed exercises of employee stock options and contingently issuable shares. Options to purchase 177,179 and 197,783 shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and 208,236 and 337,527 shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, were not included in the computation of earnings per share assuming dilution because their effect on earnings per share would have been antidilutive.


The following table shows how earnings per share were computed for the periods presented:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009    2008    2009    2008  

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   $ 3,203    $ 3,691    $ 6,994    $ (3,119
                             

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

           

Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands)

     14,350      14,497      14,366      14,480   
                             

Net income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.22    $ 0.25    $ 0.49    $ (0.22
                             

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

           

Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands)

     14,350      14,497      14,366      14,480   

Incremental shares from assumed stock option exercises and contingently issuable shares (thousands)

     35      48      19      —     
                             

Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (thousands)

     14,385      14,545      14,385      14,480   
                             

Net income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.22    $ 0.25    $ 0.49    $ (0.22
                             

 

10. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Options

A summary of stock option activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 follows:

 

     2009    2008
     Options     Average
Weighted
Exercise
Price
   Options     Average
Weighted
Exercise
Price

Outstanding at beginning of period

   335,027      $ 10.77    270,352      $ 10.60

Granted

   —          —      67,675        11.48

Exercised

   (2,681     8.24    (500     8.24

Expired

   (18,557     10.53    —          —  
                 

Outstanding at end of period

   313,789      $ 10.80    337,527      $ 10.78
                 

There were a total of 250,539 stock options exercisable at September 30, 2009 with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.55. The weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 4.0 years for stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2009. The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2009 was $377. All stock options will become fully vested and earned upon completion of the proposed merger with Windstream.

Compensation expense related to stock options in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $39, $35, $133 and $105, respectively. The related tax benefits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $16, $15, $55 and $44, respectively. As of September 30, 2009, there was $118 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over the period from October 2009 to December 2010.


Performance Restricted Shares

A summary of performance restricted share award activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 follows:

 

     2009    2008
     Shares    Weighted
-Average
Grant-

Date Fair
Value
   Shares     Weighted
-Average
Grant-

Date Fair
Value

Non-vested at beginning of period

   48,862    $ 11.95    51,667      $ 9.98

Granted

   42,870      7.01    31,195        11.48

Forfeited

   —        —      (2,500     3.20
                

Non-vested at end of period

   91,732    $ 9.64    80,362      $ 10.77
                

The vesting period for the grants is three years. For shares granted in 2009, participants are issued restricted shares of common stock with reinvested dividend and voting rights. For share grants in 2008 and prior years, each performance restricted share is equal to one share of common stock for dividend (but not voting) purposes, and the participant is entitled to dividend equivalent shares, which are reinvested in additional performance restricted shares. Performance restricted shares and dividend equivalents are forfeited if the performance target is not met during the performance period. At the end of the vesting period for shares granted in 2008 and prior years, any performance restricted shares that have been earned will be converted to shares of common stock through the issuance of shares. All performance restricted shares will become fully vested and earned upon completion of the proposed merger with Windstream.

The fair value of non-vested performance restricted shares recognized as compensation expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $74, $65, $241 and $196, respectively. The related tax benefits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $31, $27, $100 and $81, respectively. As of September 30, 2009, there was $394 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to performance restricted shares, which is expected to be recognized over the period from October 2009 to December 2011.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, 44,471 vested performance restricted shares, including dividend equivalents, were converted to shares of common stock.

2001 Stock Compensation Plan and Policy for Non-Employee Directors

The Company issued 14,920 and 8,709 common shares with a fair value of $87 and $79 to certain non-employee directors in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The fair value of shares issued to non-employee directors recognized as expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $5, $22, $112 and $66, respectively. The related tax benefits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $2, $9, $46 and $27, respectively.

 

11. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

a. Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.


b. Debt — The fair value of long-term debt was estimated based on the current incremental borrowing rates of similar debt trading in the secondary markets.

c. Interest rate swaps — The fair value has been calculated by the counterparties using appropriate valuation methodologies.

The estimated fair value of our financial instruments is as follows:

 

     September 30, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Carrying
Value
   Fair Value    Carrying
Value
   Fair Value

Financial assets:

           

Cash & cash equivalents

   $ 19,601    $ 19,601    $ 18,280    $ 18,280

Financial liabilities:

           

Fixed rate long-term debt:

           

Secured term loans

     18,375      20,571      21,000      22,328

Capital lease obligation

     1,323      1,509      1,380      1,367

Variable rate long-term debt:

           

Term loan A

     26,104      25,068      27,604      26,610

Term loan B

     135,021      131,158      136,146      132,752

Interest rate swaps

     1,336      1,336      3,661      3,661

Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. When determining fair value measurements, we consider assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, rather than entity-specific assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value into three levels, as follows:

 

   

Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

   

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data.

 

   

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that represent an entity’s own assumptions based on items that market participants would consider in determining fair value.


The fair value of our financial instruments measured on a recurring basis was determined using the following inputs:

 

     Fair Value Measurements Using
     Total    Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

At September 30, 2009:

           

Interest rate swaps

   $ 1,336    $ —      $ 1,336    $ —  

At December 31, 2008:

           

Interest rate swaps

   $ 3,661    $ —      $ 3,661    $ —  

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements was derived from models using LIBOR rates, which were observable at quoted intervals for the full term of the agreements.

As discussed in Note 5, the Company recognized a non-cash franchise intangible asset impairment charge of $5,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The fair values of our nonfinancial assets, measured on a non-recurring basis, are determined using significant unobservable (level 3) inputs.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes interest rate swap derivatives to manage interest rate risk and changes in market conditions related to interest rate payments on its variable rate debt obligations. These swap agreements provide for the exchange of variable rate payments for fixed rate payments without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts by agreeing to pay an amount equal to a specified fixed rate of interest times the notional principal amount and to receive in turn an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest times the same notional amount.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $57,000 and maturity dates ranging from July 2010 to October 2010. The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value for the effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative that is designated as, and meets all the required criteria for, a cash flow hedge are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. Amounts reclassified into earnings related to interest rate swap agreements are included in interest expense. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative is recognized in earnings within other income or expense.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009 as follows:

 

     Fair Value

Interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges:

  

Current liabilities – derivative financial instruments

   $ 1,244

Other liabilities – other

     92
      

Total

   $ 1,336
      


The effect of derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges on our consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in AOCI  on
Derivative

(Effective Portion)
    Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI  into
Income

(Effective Portion)
   Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI  into
Income

(Effective Portion)
 

Interest rate swaps

   $ (731   Interest expense    $ (2,937

No hedge ineffectiveness has been recorded for existing derivative instruments based on calculations in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that subject D&E to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables, a note receivable and interest rate swap agreements. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are primarily limited due to the large number of residential and business customers in D&E’s customer base. While D&E may be exposed to credit losses due to the nonperformance of the counterparty to the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, the Company considers the risk remote.

 

12. Employee Benefit Plans

The costs for the Company’s pension plans and postretirement benefits other than pensions consisted of the following components:

 

     .1 Pension Benefits     .2 Postretirement Benefits  
     Three months ended September 30,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

        

Service cost

   $ 325      $ 390      $ —        $ 1   

Interest cost

     1,074        1,061        33        40   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,230     (1,077     (5     (7

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          (33     (41     (41

Amortization of net loss

     161        313        11        20   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

   $ 330      $ 654      $ (2   $ 13   
                                

 

     .3 Pension Benefits     .4 Postretirement Benefits  
     Nine months ended September 30,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

        

Service cost

   $ 1,008      $ 1,170      $ —        $ 2   

Interest cost

     3,236        3,184        97        113   

Expected return on plan assets

     (3,686     (3,166     (14     (22

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          (99     (122     (122

Amortization of net loss

     516        938        33        49   

Curtailment gain – plan freeze

     (982     —          —          —     
                                

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

   $ 92      $ 2,027      $ (6   $ 20   
                                

On January 29, 2009, the Company approved an amendment to the D&E Communications, Inc. Employees’ Retirement Plan which will discontinue future benefit accruals to all active participants effective January 1, 2010. Following this amendment, all active participants will continue to have an accrued benefit


reflective of their service credit and eligible wages through December 31, 2009. As a result of this amendment, the Company recognized a curtailment gain of $982 in the first quarter of 2009. This amendment did not have any effect on the Company’s pension plan for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The Company entered into a new collective bargaining agreement for certain employees which became effective July 12, 2009. As a result of this agreement, the Company has amended the Conestoga Telephone & Telegraph Company Pension Plan for Members of Local 1671, which will discontinue future benefit accruals to all active participants effective January 1, 2010. The plan has also been amended to exclude from membership any collective bargaining employees hired after July 12, 2009. The assets and liabilities of this pension plan have been remeasured to reflect these amendments and, as such, the Company reduced its pension expense in the third quarter of 2009 by $43 and will record a reduction in its pension expense in the fourth quarter of 2009 of $51.

Also, as a result of the July 12, 2009 agreement, the Company amended its union healthcare plan to exclude all retiree medical eligible employees who retire after December 31, 2009 from eligibility for postretirement healthcare coverage. As such, the Company’s 2009 postretirement benefit expense will be reduced by approximately $5 in the fourth quarter of 2009 due to this plan change. As part of the plan liability remeasurement to reflect this amendment, the subsequent applications for retirement of three employees were reflected. As a result of this amendment, the Company will also recognize a curtailment gain of $114 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

In addition, any active non-vested participant in the non-union pension plan, union pension plan or 401(k) plans prior to the proposed merger with Windstream will become fully vested in their accrued benefits under these plans upon completion of the merger.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, D&E contributed $13,460 to its defined benefit pension plans and made no contribution to its other postretirement benefit plan. On October 15, 2009, the Company contributed $840 to its defined benefit pension plans. The Company presently anticipates that no additional contributions to its defined benefit plans will be made during the remainder of 2009.

 

13. Business Segment Data

D&E’s business segments are: Wireline, Systems Integration, and Corporate and Other. The measure of profitability that management uses to evaluate performance of its business segments is operating income (loss).

Financial results for D&E’s business segments are as follows:

 

     External Revenues    Intersegment Revenues     Operating Income (Loss)  
     Three months ended
September 30,
   Three months ended
September 30,
    Three months ended
September 30,
 

Segment

   2009    2008    2009    2008     2009     2008  

Wireline

   $ 34,162    $ 35,257    $ —      $ 10      $ 7,744      $ 8,875   

Systems Integration

     844      913      —        —          65        (17

Corporate and Other

     449      455      —        —          (259     (221

Eliminations

     —        —        —        (10     —          —     
                                             

Total

   $ 35,455    $ 36,625    $ —      $ —        $ 7,550      $ 8,637   
                                             


     External Revenues    Intersegment Revenues     Operating Income (Loss)  
     Nine months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 

Segment

   2009    2008    2009     2008     2009     2008  

Wireline

   $ 103,709    $ 107,967    $ 9      $ 29      $ 18,994      $ (215

Systems Integration

     2,205      2,707      —          —          (114     (170

Corporate and Other

     1,321      1,297      —          —          (883     (945

Eliminations

     —        —        (9     (29     —          —     
                                              

Total

   $ 107,235    $ 111,971    $ —        $ —        $ 17,997      $ (1,330
                                              

 

     Segment Assets  

Segment

   September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Wireline

   $ 431,994      $ 441,189   

Systems Integration

     1,033        1,245   

Corporate and Other

     448,332        451,567   

Eliminations

     (446,436     (441,081
                

Total

   $ 434,923      $ 452,920   
                

The following table shows a reconciliation of the results for the business segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated financial statements as follows:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Operating income (loss) from reportable segments

   $ 7,809      $ 8,858      $ 18,880      $ (385

Corporate and other operating loss

     (259     (221     (883     (945

Interest expense

     (2,699     (2,953     (8,368     (9,253

Other, net

     (408     92        238        3,625   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 4,443      $ 5,776      $ 9,867      $ (6,958
                                

 

14. Supplemental Guarantor Information:

Effective with the merger with and into Windstream Corporation on November 10, 2009, the Company and certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries became guarantors (the “Guarantors”) of Windstream’s 2017 Notes (the “guaranteed notes’). These guarantees are full and unconditional as well as joint and several. Certain Guarantors may be subject to restrictions on their ability to distribute earnings to the Company. The remaining subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantors”) of D&E are not guarantors of the guaranteed notes.

The following information presents condensed consolidated and combined statements of income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and condensed consolidated and combined statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 of the parent company, the Guarantors, and the Non-Guarantors. Investments consist of investments in net assets of subsidiaries held by the parent company and other subsidiaries, and have been presented using the equity method of accounting.


     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

OPERATING REVENUES

          

Communication service revenues

   $ —        $ 14,375      $ 96,632      $ (7,236   $ 103,771   

Communication products sold

     —          818        400        —          1,218   

Other

     8,213        (73     2,367        (8,261     2,246   
                                        

Total operating revenues

     8,213        15,120        99,399        (15,497     107,235   
                                        

OPERATING EXPENSES

          

Communication service expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)

     —          5,212        35,652        (7,209     33,655   

Cost of communication products sold

     —          634        262        —          896   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          1,654        20,514        —          22,168   

Marketing and customer services

     544        3,640        7,674        (551     11,307   

General and administrative services

     6,502        1,276        13,337        (6,570     14,545   

Merger costs

     1,167        115        1,052        (1,167     1,167   

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          5,500        —          5,500   
                                        

Total operating expenses

     8,213        12,531        83,991        (15,497     89,238   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     —          2,589        15,408        —          17,997   
                                        

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

          

Equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated subs

     6,843        (290     7,421        (13,974     —     

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

     (8,382     3        11        —          (8,368

Interest expense - intercompany

     (2,668     (1,124     (27,528     31,320        —     

Other, net

     11,050        19,853        660        (31,325     238   
                                        

Total other income (expense)

     6,843        18,442        (19,436     (13,979     (8,130

Income (loss) before income taxes

     6,843        21,031        (4,028     (13,979     9,867   

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

     (151     7,207        (4,232     —          2,824   
                                        

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     6,994        13,824        204        (13,979     7,043   

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

     —          —          49        —          49   
                                        

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ 6,994      $ 13,824      $ 155      $ (13,979   $ 6,994   
                                        


     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

OPERATING REVENUES

          

Communication service revenues

   $ —        $ 17,570      $ 96,338      $ (5,954   $ 107,954   

Communication products sold

     —          1,051        786        —          1,837   

Other

     7,646        (81     2,322        (7,707     2,180   
                                        

Total operating revenues

     7,646        18,540        99,446        (13,661     111,971   
                                        

OPERATING EXPENSES

          

Communication service expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)

     —          9,390        32,623        (5,927     36,086   

Cost of communication products sold

     —          849        645        —          1,494   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          1,627        20,854        —          22,481   

Marketing and customer services

     705        4,365        7,560        (709     11,921   

General and administrative services

     6,941        1,497        13,706        (7,025     15,119   

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          26,200        —          26,200   
                                        

Total operating expenses

     7,646        17,728        101,588        (13,661     113,301   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     —          812        (2,142     —          (1,330

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

          

Equity in income (loss) of affiliates

     (3,080     (11,914     11,524        3,470        —     

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

     (9,350     10        87        —          (9,253

Interest expense - intercompany

     (3,824     (1,572     (38,921     44,317        —     

Other, net

     13,174        30,974        3,802        (44,325     3,625   
                                        

Total other income (expense)

     (3,080     17,498        (23,508     3,462        (5,628

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (3,080     18,310        (25,650     3,462        (6,958

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

     39        10,553        (14,480     —          (3,888
                                        

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     (3,119     7,757        (11,170     3,462        (3,070

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

     —          —          49        —          49   
                                        

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (3,119   $ 7,757      $ (11,219   $ 3,462      $ (3,119
                                        


     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
As of September 30, 2009
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

          

CURRENT ASSETS

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 16,011      $ 94      $ 3,496      $ —        $ 19,601   

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $642

     —          377        11,458        —          11,835   

Accounts and notes receivable - affiliates

     —          689,596        —          (689,596     —     

Inventories-materials and supplies

     —          158        2,490        —          2,648   

Prepaid expenses

     853        119        3,041        —          4,013   

Other

     697        56        1,014        —          1,767   
                                        

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     17,561        690,400        21,499        (689,596     39,864   
                                        

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     —          5,208        157,113        —          162,321   

OTHER ASSETS

          

Investments in affiliates

     437,338        84,938        359,128        (881,404     —     

Goodwill

     —          —          138,441        —          138,441   

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

     —          898        86,077        —          86,975   

Other

     2,896        1,598        2,828        —          7,322   
                                        

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 457,795      $ 783,042      $ 765,086      $ (1,571,000   $ 434,923   
                                        

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

          

CURRENT LIABILITIES

          

Long-term debt maturing within one year

   $ 7,000      $ —        $ 80      $ —        $ 7,080   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,857        121        8,976        —          10,954   

Accounts and notes payable - affiliates

     114,398        —          573,993        (688,391     —     

Accrued taxes

     (844     904        244        —          304   

Accrued interest and dividends

     3,356        —          1,227        (1,205     3,378   

Advance billings, customer deposits and other

     —          66        4,524        —          4,590   

Derivative financial instruments

     1,245        —          —          —          1,245   
                                        

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     127,012        1,091        589,044        (689,596     27,551   
                                        

LONG-TERM DEBT

     172,500        —          1,243        —          173,743   

OTHER LIABILITIES

          

Deferred income taxes

     (1,160     (111     51,116        (219     49,626   

Defined benefit plans

     —          —          18,538        —          18,538   

Other

     92        488        4,615        —          5,195   
                                        

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

          

EQUITY

          

Common shareholders’ equity:

          

Common stock

     2,610        231        39,415        (39,646     2,610   

Additional paid-in capital

     165,188        752,433        97,799        (850,232     165,188   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (18,987     —          (18,208     18,208        (18,987

Retained earnings

     30,888        28,910        (19,922     (8,988     30,888   

Treasury stock

     (20,348     —          —          (527     (20,875
                                        

Total common shareholders’ equity

     159,351        781,574        99,084        (881,185     158,824   

Noncontrolling interests:

          

Preferred stock of utility subsidiary

     —          —          1,446        —          1,446   
                                        

TOTAL EQUITY

     159,351        781,574        100,530        (881,185     160,270   
                                        

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 457,795      $ 783,042      $ 765,086      $ (1,571,000   $ 434,923   
                                        


     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2008
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

          

CURRENT ASSETS

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 15,698      $ 101      $ 2,481      $ —        $ 18,280   

Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserves of $466

     —          523        12,563        —          13,086   

Accounts and notes receivable - affiliates

     —          687,951        —          (687,951     —     

Inventories-material and supplies

     —          122        2,529        —          2,651   

Prepaid expenses

     7,168        248        1,951        —          9,367   

Other

     1,348        71        1,081        —          2,500   
                                        

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     24,214        689,016        20,605        (687,951     45,884   
                                        

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     —          4,908        158,894        —          163,802   

OTHER ASSETS

          

Investments in affiliates

     433,817        85,227        361,938        (880,982     —     

Goodwill

     —          —          138,441        —          138,441   

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

     —          898        96,446        —          97,344   

Other

     2,976        2,007        2,466        —          7,449   
                                        

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 461,007      $ 782,056      $ 778,790      $ (1,568,933     452,920   
                                        

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

          

CURRENT LIABILITIES

          

Long-term debt maturing within one year

   $ 7,000      $ —        $ 76      $ —        $ 7,076   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,261        149        9,280        —          10,690   

Accounts and notes payable - affiliates

     114,832        —          571,642        (686,474     —     

Accrued taxes

     423        (313     433        —          543   

Accrued interest and dividends

     1,172        —          1,483        (1,477     1,178   

Advance billings, customer deposits and other

     —          124        4,582        —          4,706   

Derivative financial instruments

     3,091        —          —          —          3,091   
                                        

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     127,779        (40     587,496        (687,951     27,284   
                                        

LONG-TERM DEBT

     177,750        —          1,304        —          179,054   

OTHER LIABILITIES

          

Deferred income taxes

     (755     (55     51,100        (219     50,071   

Defined benefit plans

     —          —          34,749        —          34,749   

Other

     571        740        3,870        —          5,181   
                                        

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

          

EQUITY

          

Common shareholders’ equity:

          

Common stock

     2,590        232        39,414        (39,646     2,590   

Additional paid-in capital

     164,526        752,813        97,799        (850,612     164,526   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (21,908     —          (19,838     19,838        (21,908

Retained earnings

     29,917        28,366        (18,550     (9,816     29,917   

Treasury stock

     (19,463     —          —          (527     (19,990
                                        

Total common shareholders’ equity

     155,662        781,411        98,825        (880,763     155,135   

Noncontrolling interests:

          

Preferred stock of utility subsidiary

     —          —          1,446        —          1,446   
                                        

TOTAL EQUITY

     155,662        781,411        100,271        (880,763     156,581   
                                        

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 461,007      $ 782,056      $ 778,790      $ (1,568,933   $ 452,920   
                                        


     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,994      $ 13,824      $ 204      $ (13,979   $ 7,043   

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

          

Depreciation and amortization

       1,654        20,514        —          22,168   

Bad debt expense

     —          110        608        —          718   

Deferred income taxes

     (670     (56     (1,249     —          (1,975

Stock-based compensation expense

     485        —          —          —          485   

(Gain) loss on retirement of property, plant and equipment

     —          (113     27          (86

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          5,500          5,500   

Equity in (income) loss of affiliates

     (6,843     290        (7,420     13,973        —     

Note receivable and investment reserve

     —          450        —          —          450   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

     4,874        (3,516     (9,846     —          (8,488
                                        

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

     4,840        12,643        8,338        (6     25,815   
                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

          

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     —          (1,809     (13,531     —          (15,340

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     —          119        310        —          429   

Dividends from affiliates

     4,957          9,850        (14,807     —     

Return of capital from affiliates

     —          —          380        (380     —     
                                        

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     4,957        (1,690     (2,991     (15,187     (14,911
                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

Dividends on common stock

     (3,449     (13,280     (1,527     14,813        (3,443

Preferred dividends on noncontrolling interests

     —          —          (49       (49

Payments on long-term debt

     (5,250     —          (56     —          (5,306

(Advances to) repayments from affiliates

     —          2,700        (2,700     —          —     

Return of capital to affiliates

     —          (380     —          380        —     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock options exercised

     92        —          —          —          92   

Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans

     8        —          —          —          8   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (885     —          —          —          (885
                                        

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (9,484     (10,960     (4,332     15,193        (9,583
                                        

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     313        (7     1,015        —          1,321   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

          

BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     15,698        101        2,481        —          18,280   
                                        

END OF PERIOD

   $ 16,011      $ 94      $ 3,496      $ —        $ 19,601   
                                        


     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 

(Thousands)

   Parent
Guarantor
    Subsidiary
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,119   $ 7,757      $ (11,170   $ 3,462      $ (3,070

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

          

Depreciation and amortization

     —          1,627        20,854        —          22,481   

Bad debt expense

     —          58        399        —          457   

Deferred income taxes

     (513     (36     (8,784     —          (9,333

Stock-based compensation expense

     367        —          —          —          367   

(Gain) loss on retirement of property, plant and equipm

     —          (91     10        —          (81

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          26,200        —          26,200   

Equity in (income) loss of affiliates

     3,080        11,914        (11,524     (3,470     —     

Termination of lease guarantee

     —          —          (2,904     —          (2,904

Note receivable and investment reserve

     —          200        —          —          200   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

     1,180        (9,721     913        —          (7,628
                                        

Net Cash Provided By Operations Activities

     995        11,708        13,994        (8     26,689   
                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

          

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     —          (1,412     (17,509     —          (18,921

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     —          134        492        —          626   

Collection of note receivable

     —          95        —          —          95   

Dividends from affiliates

     4,791        2,500        13,230        (20,521     —     

Return of Capital from affiliate

     3,158        3,158        —          (6,316     —     
                                        

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     7,949        4,475        (3,787     (26,837     (18,200
                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

Dividends on common stock

     (5,222     (15,730     (4,791     20,529        (5,214

Preferred dividends on noncontrolling interests

     —          —          (49     —          (49

Payments on long term debt

     (6,000     —          (52     —          (6,052

(Advances to) repayments from affiliates

     —          2,700        (2,700     —          —     

Return of Capital to affiliates

     —          (3,158     (3,158     6,316        —     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock options exercised

     88        —          —          —          88   

Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans

     37        —          —          —          37   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (135     —          —          —          (135
                                        

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (11,232     (16,188     (10,750     26,845        (11,325
                                        

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (2,288     (5     (543     —          (2,836

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

          

BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     13,565        96        4,184        —          17,845   
                                        

END OF PERIOD

   $ 11,277      $ 91      $ 3,641      $ —        $ 15,009   
                                        

 

15. Subsequent Events

On November 10, 2009, Windstream closed its previously announced merger with D&E, pursuant to which Windstream agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of D&E. In accordance with the merger agreement, D&E shareholders received 0.650 shares of Windstream common stock and $5.00 in cash per each share of D&E common stock. Windstream issued approximately 9.4 million shares of its common stock valued at approximately $95 million, based on Windstream’s closing stock price of $10.06 on November 9, 2009, and paid approximately $74 million in cash as part of the transaction. Windstream also repaid outstanding debt of D&E of approximately $164 million, net of cash acquired.