UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 2, 2012
CenturyLink, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana |
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1-7784 |
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72-0651161 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
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(Commission |
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(IRS Employer |
of incorporation) |
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File Number) |
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Identification No.) |
100 CenturyLink Drive |
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Monroe, Louisiana |
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71203 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(318) 388-9000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
In this current report on Form 8-K, references to CenturyLink, we, us and our refer to CenturyLink, Inc.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
We have filed this current report on Form 8-K to update the historical and pro forma financial information that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2011, following our acquisition of Qwest Communications International Inc. on April 1, 2011. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed herewith also reflects our acquisition of SAVVIS, Inc. on July 15, 2011, and is prepared based on the assumption that we acquired Qwest International Communications Inc. and SAVVIS, Inc. on January 1, 2011.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.
The audited consolidated balance sheets of Qwest Communications International Inc. and subsidiaries (Qwest) as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders (deficit) equity and comprehensive (loss) income, and cash flows for the period from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, the period from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011 and each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010, and the notes related thereto, which were included in Part II of Qwests Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (filed March 2, 2012), are filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
Unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information reflecting our acquisitions of Qwest and Savvis, Inc, is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this current report Form 8-K.
(c) Exhibits
The exhibits to this current report on Form 8-K are listed in the Exhibit Index, which appears at the end of this report and is incorporated by reference herein.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this current report on form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned officer hereunto duly authorized.
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CENTURYLINK, INC. | |
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Dated: March 2, 2012 |
By: |
/s/ David D. Cole |
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David D. Cole |
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Senior Vice President, Controller and Operations Support |
EXHIBIT INDEX *
Exhibit |
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Description |
99.1 |
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The audited consolidated balance sheets of Qwest Communications International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders (deficit) equity and comprehensive (loss) income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the notes related thereto (incorporated by reference to Part II of Qwests Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on March 2, 2012). |
99.2 |
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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information. |
99.3 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for Qwest Communications International Inc. |
* Each exhibit listed above is filed herewith, except for Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference herein as indicated.
Exhibit 99.2
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information
Introduction
Qwest Acquisition
On April 1, 2011, CenturyLink, Inc. (CenturyLink) acquired Qwest Communications International Inc. (Qwest), a provider of data, Internet, video and voice services nationwide and globally. We entered into this acquisition, among other things, to realize certain strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification and leveraged combined networks. As of the acquisition date, Qwest served approximately 9.0 million access lines and approximately 3.0 million broadband subscribers across 14 states. Each share of Qwest common stock outstanding immediately prior to the acquisition converted into the right to receive 0.1664 shares of CenturyLink common stock, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. The aggregate consideration was $12.273 billion, based on:
· the 294 million shares of CenturyLink common stock issued to consummate the acquisition;
· the closing stock price of CenturyLink common stock as of March 31, 2011 of $41.55;
· the estimated net value of the pre-combination portion of share-based compensation awards assumed by CenturyLink of $52 million (excluding the value of restricted stock included in the number of issued shares specified above); and
· cash paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of $5 million.
We assumed approximately $12.7 billion of long-term debt in connection with our acquisition of Qwest.
Savvis Acquisition
On July 15, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Savvis, Inc. (Savvis), a provider of cloud hosting, managed hosting, colocation and network services in domestic and foreign markets. We believe this acquisition enhances our ability to be an information technology partner with our existing business customers and strengthens our opportunities to attract new business customers in the future. Each share of Savvis common stock outstanding immediately prior to the acquisition converted into the right to receive $30 per share in cash and 0.2479 shares of CenturyLink common stock. The aggregate consideration of $2.382 billion consisted of:
· cash payments of $1.732 billion;
· the 14.313 million shares of CenturyLink common stock issued to consummate the acquisition;
· the closing stock price of CenturyLink common stock at July 14, 2011 of $38.54; and
· the estimated net value of the pre-combination portion of certain share-based compensation awards assumed by CenturyLink of $98 million, of which $33 million was paid in cash.
Upon completing the acquisition, we also paid $547 million to retire certain pre-existing Savvis debt and accrued interest, and paid related transaction expenses totaling $15 million. The cash payments required on or about the closing date were funded using existing cash balances, which included the net proceeds from the June 2011 issuance of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion.
Pro forma information
The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011 is based on (i) the historical consolidated results of operations of CenturyLink and its subsidiaries, including the results of Qwest and Savvis following their respective dates of acquisition; (ii) the historical consolidated results of operations of Qwest and its subsidiaries prior to being acquired on April 1, 2011 and (iii) the historical consolidated results of operations of Savvis and its subsidiaries prior to being acquired on July 15, 2011. Such pro forma information also reflects certain effects of the acquisitions of Qwest and Savvis, as further described below.
Pro forma adjustments, and the assumptions on which they are based, are described in the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information, which are referred to herein as the Notes.
The pro forma financial information related to the Qwest and Savvis acquisitions was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and is based on the assumption that both acquisitions took place as of January 1, 2011. In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, the actual consolidated financial statements of CenturyLink reflect the acquisitions only from and after the dates of acquisition. We have not yet completed our analysis of the fair value of the assets and liabilities of Qwest and Savvis, and we do not expect to complete this analysis until up to one year after each acquisitions closing date. The fair values of certain tangible assets, intangible assets, certain contingent liabilities and residual goodwill are the most significant areas not yet finalized and therefore are subject to change. The final fair value assignments could differ materially from the preliminary assignments reflected herein and result in our actual results differing materially from those presented in the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income. See the Notes below for additional information.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income included herein does not adjust for integration costs incurred by us, Qwest and Savvis during 2011, nor integration costs to be incurred by us in future periods. In addition, the unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income included herein does not give effect to any potential cost reductions or other operating efficiencies that could result from the acquisitions, including but not limited to those associated with potential (i) reductions of corporate overhead, (ii) eliminations of duplicate functions and (iii) increased operational efficiencies through the adoption of best practices and capabilities from each company.
The pro forma information has been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined operating results that would have occurred if the acquisitions of Qwest and Savvis had been consummated on the dates and in accordance with the assumptions described herein, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Our historical results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 were impacted by various one-time charges which are described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. You are urged to read the pro forma information below together with CenturyLinks, Qwests and Savvis publicly-available historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
CENTURYLINK, INC.
PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
(UNAUDITED)
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CenturyLink |
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Qwest* |
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Pro forma |
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Pro |
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Savvis** |
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Pro forma |
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Pro forma |
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In millions, except per share amounts |
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OPERATING REVENUES |
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$ |
15,351 |
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2,846 |
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(61 |
)(A) |
18,136 |
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558 |
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(2 |
)(A) |
18,692 |
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
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Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
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6,325 |
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1,178 |
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(53 |
)(A) |
7,450 |
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293 |
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7,743 |
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Selling, general and administrative |
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2,975 |
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556 |
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(11 |
)(B) |
3,520 |
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129 |
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3,649 |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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4,026 |
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533 |
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269 |
(C) |
4,828 |
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113 |
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32 |
(C) |
4,973 |
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Total Operating Expenses |
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13,326 |
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2,267 |
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205 |
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15,798 |
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535 |
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32 |
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16,365 |
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OPERATING INCOME |
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2,025 |
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579 |
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(266 |
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2,338 |
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23 |
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(34 |
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2,327 |
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OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) |
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Interest expense |
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(1,072 |
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(227 |
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64 |
(D) |
(1,235 |
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(40 |
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(31 |
)(D) |
(1,306 |
) | |
Other income (expense) |
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(5 |
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5 |
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Income tax expense |
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(375 |
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(146 |
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77 |
(E) |
(444 |
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(2 |
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26 |
(E) |
(420 |
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NET INCOME |
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$ |
573 |
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211 |
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(125 |
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659 |
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(19 |
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(39 |
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601 |
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BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE |
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$ |
1.07 |
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0.47 |
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1.08 |
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(0.60 |
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0.97 |
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DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE |
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$ |
1.07 |
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0.47 |
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1.07 |
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(0.60 |
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0.97 |
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING |
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BASIC |
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532.8 |
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440.3 |
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(367.0 |
)(F) |
606.1 |
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31.5 |
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(23.7 |
)(F) |
613.9 |
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DILUTED |
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534.1 |
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443.9 |
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(370.1 |
)(F) |
608.0 |
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31.5 |
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(23.7 |
)(F) |
615.8 |
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* Reflects the operating results of Qwest from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011.
** Reflects the operating results of Savvis from January 1, 2011 through July 14, 2011.
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information.
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information
(1) Basis of Preliminary Assignment of Aggregate Consideration
Qwest Acquisition
We have recognized the assets and liabilities of Qwest based on our preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values. The determination of the fair values of many of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities (including tangible and intangible assets and the related determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment. As such, we have not completed our valuation analysis and calculations with respect to such assets and liabilities in sufficient detail necessary to arrive at the final estimates of fair value. The fair values of certain tangible assets, intangible assets, certain contingent liabilities and residual goodwill are the most significant areas not yet finalized and therefore are subject to change. We expect to complete our final fair value determinations no later than the first quarter of 2012. Our final fair value determinations may be significantly different than those reflected in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2011.
Based on our preliminary estimate, the aggregate consideration exceeds the aggregate estimated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities by $10.106 billion, which amount has been recognized as goodwill. This goodwill is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification and leveraged combined networks that we expect to realize. None of the goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.
The following is our preliminary assignment of the aggregate consideration for the acquisition of Qwest:
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April 1, 2011 |
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(Dollars in millions) |
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Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets |
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$ |
2,128 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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9,554 |
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Identifiable intangible assets |
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Customer relationships |
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7,625 |
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Capitalized software |
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1,702 |
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Other |
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189 |
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Other noncurrent assets |
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373 |
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Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt |
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(2,428 |
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Current maturities of long-term debt |
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(2,422 |
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Long-term debt |
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(10,253 |
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Deferred credits and other liabilities |
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(4,301 |
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Goodwill |
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10,106 |
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Aggregate consideration |
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$ |
12,273 |
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Savvis Acquisition
We have recognized the assets and liabilities of Savvis based on our preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values. The determination of many of the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities (including tangible and intangible assets and the related determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment. As such, we have not completed our valuation analysis and calculations with respect to such assets and liabilities in sufficient detail necessary to arrive at the final estimates of fair value. The fair values of certain tangible assets, intangible assets, certain contingent liabilities and residual goodwill are the most significant areas not yet finalized and therefore are subject to change. We expect to complete our final fair value determinations no later than the second quarter of 2012. Our final fair value determinations may be significantly different than those reflected in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2011.
Based on our preliminary estimate, the aggregate consideration exceeds the aggregate estimated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities by $1.357 billion, which has been recognized as goodwill. This goodwill is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale and product and market diversification that we expect to realize. None of the goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.
The following is our preliminary assignment of the aggregate consideration for the acquisition of Savvis:
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July 15, 2011 |
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(Dollars in |
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Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets |
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$ |
213 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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1,335 |
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Identifiable intangible assets |
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Customer relationships |
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794 |
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Other |
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51 |
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Other noncurrent assets |
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27 |
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Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt |
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(129 |
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Current maturities of long-term debt |
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(38 |
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Long-term debt |
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(840 |
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Deferred credits and other liabilities |
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(388 |
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Goodwill |
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1,357 |
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Aggregate consideration |
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$ |
2,382 |
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(2) Pro Forma Adjustments
The following pro forma adjustments have been reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income. These adjustments give effect to pro forma events that are (i) directly attributable to the acquisitions of Qwest and Savvis, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined company. All adjustments are based on current assumptions, and, as described in Note 1, are subject to change upon completion of the final purchase price allocation based on the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired.
(A) To reflect the elimination of (i) operating revenues and operating expenses previously recognized by Qwest and Savvis associated with existing deferred revenues and costs from installation activities and capacity leases that were assigned no value in the purchase price allocation process ($45 million of operating revenues and $37 million of operating expenses at Qwest and $2 million of operating revenues at Savvis) and (ii) operating revenues and operating expenses from pre-existing relationships between CenturyLink and Qwest that are subject to elimination subsequent to the acquisition ($16 million of operating revenues and operating expenses).
(B) To reflect a reduction of pension and postretirement benefit expense due to eliminating the amortization of previously unrecognized prior service costs and net actuarial losses recognized by Qwest in the three months ended March 31, 2011. Such unrecognized items were eliminated at the acquisition date.
(C) To reflect the following changes in depreciation and amortization expense:
(i) amortization expense associated with customer relationship assets not recorded prior to the acquisition, assuming an estimated useful life of 10 years utilizing (i) an accelerated (sum-of-the-years digits) amortization method for the Qwest relationships with consumer and small business customers and (ii) straight-line amortization for all other Qwest and Savvis customer relationships, which corresponds to an increase in amortization
expense of $260 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 for Qwest and to an increase in amortization expense of $39 million for the six and a half months ended July 14, 2011 for Savvis;
(ii) depreciation expense changes associated with adjusting the property plant and equipment of the acquired companies to their estimated fair values at the respective acquisition dates and reassessing their estimated remaining economic lives, which corresponds to a decrease of depreciation expense of $74 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 for Qwest and to a decrease of depreciation expense of $12 million for the six and a half months ended July 14, 2011 for Savvis;
(iii) amortization expense changes associated with adjusting the software of the acquired companies to their estimated fair values at the respective acquisition dates and reassessing their estimated remaining economic lives of up to seven years, which corresponds to an increase in straight-line amortization expense of $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 for Qwest and to an increase in amortization expense of $1 million for the six and a half months ended July 14, 2011 for Savvis; and
(iv) amortization expense associated with adjusting definite-lived intellectual property assets to their estimated fair values, applying estimated useful lives ranging from 4 to 8 years and utilizing both accelerated and straight-line amortization, which corresponds to an increase in amortization expense of $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 for Qwest and to an increase in amortization expense of $4 million for the six and a half months ended July 14, 2011 for Savvis.
(D) To reflect a reduction in interest expense from the accretion of the adjustment associated with reflecting Qwests long-term debt based on its estimated fair value pursuant to the acquisition method of accounting and, for Savvis, the incremental net interest expense from financing the cash portion of the purchase price of Savvis and to retire certain Savvis debt at closing.
(E) To reflect the tax effects of Items (A), (B), (C) and (D) using an estimated effective income tax rate of 38.0%.
(F) To reflect (i) the elimination of Qwests and Savvis basic and diluted common shares outstanding, net of (ii) the assumed issuance of basic and diluted common shares as a result of the acquisition transactions calculated by multiplying Qwests basic and diluted common shares outstanding by the 0.1664 exchange ratio and multiplying Savvis basic and diluted common shares outstanding by the 0.2479 exchange ratio, respectively.
In calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share on a pro forma combined basis for the year ended December 31, 2011, $3 million (which represents the earnings
Exhibit 99.3
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
CenturyLink, Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No. 333-165607) on Form S-3, the Registration Statements (No. 33-60061, No. 333-160391, No. 333-37148, No. 333-60806, No. 333-150157, No. 333-124854, No. 333-174291, No. 333-167339, No. 333-150188, and No. 333-174571) on Form S-8, and the Registration Statements (No. 33-48956, No. 333-17015, No. 333-167339, No. 333-174291, and No. 333-155521) on Form S-4 of CenturyLink, Inc. of our report dated March 2, 2012, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Qwest Communications International Inc. as of December 31, 2011 (Successor date) and December 31, 2010 (Predecessor date), and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders equity (deficit), and cash flows for the periods from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 (Successor period), and from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011 and each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010 (Predecessor periods), which report appears in the Form 8-K of CenturyLink, Inc. dated March 2, 2012.
Our report refers to the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Qwest Communications International Inc. by CenturyLink, Inc. effective April 1, 2011, and states that the consolidated financial information of Qwest Communications International Inc. after the acquisition is stated on a different cost basis than for the periods before the acquisition and, therefore, is not comparable.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Denver, Colorado
March 2, 2012