Verizon released its latest earnings report before opening bell this morning, posting adjusted earnings of 71 cents per share, a 7.6% year over year increase, on $33.19 billion in revenue, a 6.8% increase year over year. Analysts had been expecting earnings of 71 cents per share on revenue of $32.7 billion for the fourth quarter.
Net losses were 54 cents per share, compared to last year’s net earnings of $1.76 per share.
Key metrics from Verizon’s earnings report
The mobile carrier reported an 11% increase in wireless revenue, which rose to $23.4 billion, just edging out the FactSet consensus estimate of $22.88 billion. Verizon reported 2.1 million net retail connections, including 2 million net retail postpaid connections. The company also an 11% increase in wireless operating revenues in the fourth quarter revenue. For the full year, total revenues for the segment were $87.6 billion.
In the carrier’s wireline segment, it reported a 4.1% year over year fourth quarter increase in consumer revenues, marking the tenth quarter in a row of growth at more than 4%. Verizon saw an 11.6% increase in FiOS revenues as well, including 145,000 FiOS internet subscribers and 116,000 FiOS video net additions and a 59,000 increase in net broadband connections.
For the full year, Verizon posted net earnings of $2.42 per share, compared to 2013’s $4 per share. The mobile carrier reported adjusted earnings of $3.35 per share for the full year, an 18% year over year increase.
Verizon takes heavy non-operational charges
The charges taken during the fourth quarter amounted to $1.25 per share, including $1.12 per share in connection with year-end mark-to-market adjustments for pensions and related post-employment benefits. Verizon said 13 cents per share were related to early debt retirement and other costs.
There was a gain of $1.29 per share in last year’s fourth quarter results in connection with the annual actuarial benefit plan valuation and mark-to-market adjustments in pensions.
Verizon guides for 2015
In this morning’s earnings report, Verizon management also provided guidance for this year. They expect at least 4% growth in consolidated revenue and continued profitability. They expect the year’s adjusted EBITDA margin to be about flat with 2014.
Verizon expects to spend between $17.5 billion and $18 billion in consolidated capital spending this year.
As of this writing, shares of Verizon had dipped by about 1% in premarket trading.
