AT&T 10-Q 2024-06-30
Filed 2024-07-25. 8 sections, 215K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| (Mark One) | ||||||||
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024
or
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-08610
AT&T INC.
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 43-1301883
208 S. Akard St., Dallas, Texas 75202
Telephone Number: (210) 821-4105
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Name of each exchange | ||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | on which registered | ||||||
| Common Shares (Par Value $1.00 Per Share) | T | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 5.000% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A | T PRA | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 4.750% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C | T PRC | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. Floating Rate Global Notes due March 6, 2025 | T 25A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.550% Global Notes due November 18, 2025 | T 25B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.500% Global Notes due December 17, 2025 | T 25 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 0.250% Global Notes due March 4, 2026 | T 26E | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 5, 2026 | T 26D | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.900% Global Notes due December 4, 2026 | T 26A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.600% Global Notes due May 19, 2028 | T 28C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.350% Global Notes due September 5, 2029 | T 29D | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.375% Global Notes due September 14, 2029 | T 29B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.600% Global Notes due December 17, 2029 | T 29A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 0.800% Global Notes due March 4, 2030 | T 30B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.950% Global Notes due April 30, 2031 | T 31F | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.050% Global Notes due May 19, 2032 | T 32A | New York Stock Exchange |
| Name of each exchange | ||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | on which registered | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.550% Global Notes due December 17, 2032 | T 32 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.200% Global Notes due November 18, 2033 | T 33 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.375% Global Notes due March 15, 2034 | T 34 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.300% Global Notes due November 18, 2034 | T 34C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.450% Global Notes due March 15, 2035 | T 35 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.150% Global Notes due September 4, 2036 | T 36A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.600% Global Notes due May 19, 2038 | T 38C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 14, 2039 | T 39B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 7.000% Global Notes due April 30, 2040 | T 40 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due June 1, 2043 | T 43 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.875% Global Notes due June 1, 2044 | T 44 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.000% Global Notes due June 1, 2049 | T 49A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due March 1, 2050 | T 50 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.750% Global Notes due September 1, 2050 | T 50A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.350% Global Notes due November 1, 2066 | TBB | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.625% Global Notes due August 1, 2067 | TBC | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
At July 18, 2024, there were 7,170,243,877 common shares outstanding.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
| AT&T INC. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 25,006 | $ | 24,850 | $ | 49,848 | $ | 49,467 | |||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 4,791 | 5,067 | 9,977 | 10,589 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 29,797 | 29,917 | 59,825 | 60,056 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 4,815 | 5,056 | 9,958 | 10,714 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) | 6,627 | 6,771 | 13,438 | 13,444 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 7,043 | 7,009 | 14,064 | 14,184 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | 480 | — | 639 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,072 | 4,675 | 10,119 | 9,306 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 24,037 | 23,511 | 48,218 | 47,648 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | 5,760 | 6,406 | 11,607 | 12,408 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (1,699) | (1,608) | (3,423) | (3,316) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of affiliates | 348 | 380 | 643 | 918 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) — net | 682 | 987 | 1,133 | 1,922 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | (669) | (241) | (1,647) | (476) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 5,091 | 6,165 | 9,960 | 11,932 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,142 | 1,403 | 2,260 | 2,717 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | 3,949 | 4,762 | 7,700 | 9,215 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | (352) | (273) | (658) | (498) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to AT&T | $ | 3,597 | $ | 4,489 | $ | 7,042 | $ | 8,717 | |||||||||||||||
| Less: Preferred Stock Dividends | (51) | (52) | (101) | (104) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 3,546 | $ | 4,437 | $ | 6,941 | $ | 8,613 | |||||||||||||||
| Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 1.19 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 1.19 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding — Basic (in millions) | 7,196 | 7,180 | 7,194 | 7,174 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding — with Dilution (in millions) | 7,198 | 7,180 | 7,195 | 7,327 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| AT&T INC. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dollars in millions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 3,949 | $ | 4,762 | $ | 7,700 | $ | 9,215 | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Translation adjustment, net of taxes of $(69), $88, $(61) and $140 | (221) | 264 | (192) | 457 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of $(14), $0, $(14) and $0 | 127 | — | 127 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $1, $(4), $(1) and $4 | (7) | (11) | (17) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of $1, $1, $3 and $2 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $(65), $45, $(16) and $2 | (260) | 176 | (49) | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of $4, $3, $7 and $6 | 10 | 11 | 22 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
Showing the first 8K of 157K characters. Open the full section
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
| Consumer Wireline Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | Six-Month Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband | $ | 2,741 | $ | 2,561 | 7.0 | % | $ | 5,463 | $ | 5,088 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legacy voice and data services | 323 | 383 | (15.7) | 665 | 779 | (14.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other service and equipment | 283 | 307 | (7.8) | 569 | 623 | (8.7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | 3,347 | 3,251 | 3.0 | 6,697 | 6,490 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 2,249 | 2,226 | 1.0 | 4,505 | 4,510 | (0.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 914 | 857 | 6.7 | 1,795 | 1,718 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 3,163 | 3,083 | 2.6 | 6,300 | 6,228 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 184 | $ | 168 | 9.5 | % | $ | 397 | $ | 262 | 51.5 | % |
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Consumer Wireline:
| Connections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband Connections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Broadband and DSL Connections | 13,962 | 13,895 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband1 | 13,836 | 13,695 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiber Broadband Connections | 8,798 | 7,738 | 13.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voice Connections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail Consumer Switched Access Lines | 1,468 | 1,829 | (19.7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer VoIP Connections | 1,794 | 2,126 | (15.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections | 3,262 | 3,955 | (17.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1Includes AT&T Internet Air. |
| Broadband Net Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | Six-Month Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Broadband and DSL Net Additions | 32 | (54) | — | % | 72 | (96) | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband Net Additions1 | 52 | (35) | — | 107 | (58) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiber Broadband Net Additions | 239 | 251 | (4.8) | % | 491 | 523 | (6.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1Includes AT&T Internet Air. |
Broadband revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, driven by an increase in fiber customers, which we expect to continue as we invest further in building our fiber footprint, and higher ARPU due to prior-year promotional pricing, partially offset by declines in copper-based broadband services.
Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in demand for these services in favor of other technologies, such as wireless and fiber services.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Other service and equipment revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in the number of VoIP customers.
Operations and support expenses increased in the second quarter and decreased for the first six months of 2024. Expense increases in the second quarter were primarily due to higher network-related costs as our fiber build scales, largely offset by lower customer support costs. Expense decreases for the first six months were driven by lower customer support costs and operating taxes that were offset by higher network-related costs.
Depreciation expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.
Operating income increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Consumer Wireline operating income margin in the second quarter increased from 5.2% in 2023 to 5.5% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 4.0% in 2023 to 5.9% in 2024. Our Consumer Wireline EBITDA margin in the second quarter increased from 31.5% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 30.5% in 2023 to 32.7% in 2024.
| LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT | Second Quarter | Six-Month Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Percent Change | 2024 | 2023 | Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 699 | $ | 635 | 10.1 | % | $ | 1,389 | $ | 1,226 | 13.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 404 | 332 | 21.7 | 777 | 624 | 24.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Segment Operating Revenues | 1,103 | 967 | 14.1 | 2,166 | 1,850 | 17.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 925 | 821 | 12.7 | 1,808 | 1,559 | 16.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 172 | 185 | (7.0) | 349 | 360 | (3.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Segment Operating Expenses | 1,097 | 1,006 | 9.0 | 2,157 | 1,919 | 12.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) | $ | 6 | $ | (39) | — | % | $ | 9 | $ | (69) | — | % |
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mexico:
| Subscribers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mexico Wireless Subscribers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Postpaid | 5,494 | 5,030 | 9.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid | 16,809 | 16,196 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reseller | 333 | 463 | (28.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Mexico Wireless Subscribers | 22,636 | 21,689 | 4.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
| Mexico Wireless Net Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | Six-Month Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mexico Wireless Net Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Postpaid | 142 | 56 | — | % | 258 | 105 | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid | 67 | 50 | 34.0 | 146 | (8) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reseller | (32) | (30) | (6.7) | (84) | (11) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Mexico Wireless Net Additions | 177 | 76 | — | % | 320 | 86 | — | % |
Service revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. The increase in the second quarter was primarily due to growth in subscribers and ARPU, as well as favorable foreign exchange impacts. The increase for the first six months reflects favorable exchange rates primarily from the first quarter of 2024, with subscriber and ARPU growth also contributing to higher revenues.
Equipment revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by higher equipment sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts.
Operations and support expenses increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to increased equipment and selling costs resulting from higher sales and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. Approximately 4% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by lower in-service assets, partially offset by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Operating income improved in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Mexico operating income margin in the second quarter increased from (4.0)% in 2023 to 0.5% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from (3.7)% in 2023 to 0.4% in 2024. Our Mexico EBITDA margin in the second quarter increased from 15.1% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 15.7% in 2023 to 16.5% in 2024.
COMPETITIVE AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Overview AT&T subsidiaries operating within the United States are subject to federal and state regulatory authorities. AT&T subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the markets where service is provided.
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act), Congress established a national policy framework intended to bring the benefits of competition and investment in advanced telecommunications facilities and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition and reducing or eliminating regulatory burdens that harm consumer welfare. Nonetheless, since then, the FCC and some state regulatory commissions have maintained, re-imposed or expanded certain regulatory requirements that were imposed decades ago on our traditional wireline subsidiaries when they operated as legal monopolies. Recently, the FCC’s regulatory approach has depended on control of the executive branch, eliminating a variety of antiquated and unnecessary regulations in a number of areas, while imposing or re-imposing regulations in other areas. We continue to support regulatory and legislative measures and efforts, at both the state and federal levels, to reduce inappropriate regulatory burdens that inhibit our ability to compete effectively and offer needed services to our customers, including initiatives to transition services from traditional networks to all IP-based networks. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that legacy regulations are not further extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition.
Until 2015, the FCC classified fixed and mobile consumer broadband internet access services as information services subject to minimal regulation. In 2015, the FCC reclassified such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC and imposed “net neutrality rules.” Since then, the FCC has twice reversed course, most recently again reclassifying such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC in an order adopted on April 25, 2024, and scheduled to take effect on July 22, 2024. Multiple trade associations and other parties have challenged the FCC’s
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
reclassification decision in appeals consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The trade associations have petitioned the Sixth Circuit to stay the FCC’s order. On July 12, 2024, the Sixth Circuit issued a temporary administrative stay of the FCC order until August 5, 2024, and requested additional briefing from the parties on the impact of the recent United States Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo.
Since 2018, some states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders that established state net neutrality rules, including California and Vermont. We expect additional states may seek to impose net neutrality and other requirements on broadband in the future.
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. The legislation appropriates $65,000 to support broadband deployment and adoption. The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) is responsible for distributing more than $48,000 of this funding, including $42,500 in state grants for broadband deployment projects in unserved and underserved areas through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Programs. NTIA and states are in the process of administering these grants. Where appropriate, AT&T has applied for, and in some cases has been awarded, and may continue to apply for grants under this or other government infrastructure programs. The IIJA also appropriated $14,200 for establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an FCC-administered monthly, low-income broadband benefit program, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit program (established in December 2020 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Qualifying customers can receive up to thirty dollars per month (or seventy-five dollars per month for those on Tribal lands) to assist with their internet bill. AT&T participated in the ACP program. On March 4, 2024, the FCC announced that absent additional funding from Congress, April 2024 would be the last fully funded month for the ACP benefit. The ACP has now ended.
On November 15, 2023, the FCC adopted rules to “facilitate” equal access to broadband and prevent digital discrimination in broadband access. The rules, which became effective March 22, 2024, prohibit covered entities from implementing policies or practices not justified by genuine issues of technical or economic feasibility, that differentially impact consumers’ access to broadband internet access service based on prohibited characteristics (including income level, race, and ethnicity) or that have such differential impact, whether intentional or not. The rules broadly apply prospectively to all aspects of an ISP’s service that could impact a consumer’s ability to access broadband, including deployment, marketing, and credit checks, among other things. We may be required to answer complaints alleging that the company has violated the FCC rules and those complaints may seek relief, including changes to our business practices or civil forfeitures that could result in significant costs or reputational harm. It is currently uncertain how the FCC will implement and enforce these new rules. Several business and consumer-oriented associations have filed appeals challenging the rules and those appeals have been consolidated in the Eighth Circuit.
Privacy-related legislation continues to be adopted or considered in a number of jurisdictions. Legislative, regulatory and litigation actions could result in increased costs of compliance, further regulation or claims against broadband internet access service providers and others, and increased uncertainty in the value and availability of data.
During 2020-2021, we deployed 5G nationwide on “low band” spectrum on macro towers. Executing on recent spectrum purchases, we announced ongoing construction and continuing deployment of 5G on 3.45 GHz and C-band spectrum in 2022 and beyond. Additional spectrum will be needed industrywide for 5G and future services. In 2023, the federal government released a national spectrum strategy that focused on spectrum sharing but did not include specific timelines to make additional spectrum bands available for 5G and future generations of service. As a result, the federal government’s ability and intent to make sufficient spectrum available to the industry in needed timeframes remains uncertain.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
| For six months ended June 30, | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 16,640 | $ | 16,600 | |||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (6,977) | (9,241) | |||||||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (13,293) | (1,530) | |||||||||
| June 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,093 | $ | 6,722 | |||||||
| Total debt | 130,604 | 137,331 |
We had $3,093 in cash and cash equivalents available at June 30, 2024, decreasing $3,629 since December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $1,094 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $1,999. Approximately $1,397 of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign entities in accounts predominantly outside of the U.S. and may be subject to restrictions on repatriation.
For the first six months of 2024, cash inflows were primarily provided by cash receipts from operations, including cash from our sale and transfer of our receivables to third parties, issuance of commercial paper and distributions from DIRECTV. These inflows were exceeded by cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses. The cash generated from operating activities was used to repay short-term borrowings and long-term debt, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, and dividend payments to stockholders. We maintain availability under our credit facilities and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
During the first six months of 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $16,640, compared to $16,600 for the first six months of 2023, reflecting operational growth and timing of working capital associated with device payments, as well as the first-quarter 2024 expansion of committed, cost-efficient receivable sales programs.
We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for operating items to optimize the use of our cash. Among other things, we seek to make payments on 90-day or greater terms, while providing the suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payments at their cost (referred to as supplier financing program). In addition, for payments to suppliers of handset inventory, as part of our working capital initiatives, we have arrangements that allow us to extend the stated payment terms by up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (referred to as direct supplier financing). The net impact of direct supplier financing, including principal and interest payments, was to decrease cash from operating activities approximately $2,120 and $2,100 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All supplier financing payments are due within one year. (See Note 10)
Cash Used in Investing Activities
For the first six months of 2024, cash used in investing activities totaled $6,977 and consisted primarily of $8,118 (including interest during construction) for capital expenditures. During the first six months of 2024, we also paid $266 in cash on FirstNet sustainability payment. During the first six months of 2024, we received a return of investment of $586 from DIRECTV representing distributions in excess of cumulative equity in earnings from DIRECTV (see Note 9).
For capital improvements, we have negotiated favorable vendor payment terms of 120 days or more (referred to as vendor financing) with some of our vendors, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported as financing activities. For the first six months of 2024, vendor financing payments were $1,391, compared to $3,756 for the first six months of 2023. Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2024 were $8,118, and when including $1,391 cash paid for vendor financing, capital investment was $9,509 ($2,852 lower than the prior-year comparable period).
The vast majority of our capital expenditures are spent on our networks, including product development and related support systems. During the first six months of 2024, we placed $523 of productive assets (primarily software) in service under vendor
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
financing arrangements (compared to $1,341 in the prior-year comparable period). The amount of capital expenditures is influenced by demand for services and products, capacity needs and network enhancements.
Cash Provided by or Used in Financing Activities
For the first six months of 2024, cash used in financing activities totaled $13,293 and was comprised of debt issuances and repayments, payments of dividends and vendor financing payments.
A tabular summary of our debt activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 is as follows:
| First Quarter | Second Quarter | Six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Net commercial paper borrowings | $ | 428 | $ | 262 | $ | 690 | ||||||||
| Repayments | ||||||||||||||
| USD notes | $ | (2,300) | $ | (1,615) | $ | (3,915) | ||||||||
| EUR notes | (2,181) | (32) | (2,213) | |||||||||||
| CAD notes | — | (442) | (442) | |||||||||||
| Other | (204) | (136) | (340) | |||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | $ | (4,685) | $ | (2,225) | $ | (6,910) |
The weighted average interest rate of our long-term debt portfolio, including credit agreement borrowings and the impact of derivatives, was approximately 4.2% as of June 30, 2024 and as of December 31, 2023. We had $126,253 of total notes and debentures outstanding at June 30, 2024. This also included Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, and Australian dollar denominated debt that totaled approximately $32,113.
At June 30, 2024, we had $5,249 of debt maturing within one year, consisting of $2,693 of commercial paper borrowings and $2,556 of long-term debt issuances. The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding short-term borrowings was approximately 5.5% as of June 30, 2024 and 6.0% as of December 31, 2023.
For the first six months of 2024, we paid $1,391 of cash under our vendor financing program, compared to $3,756 in the prior-year comparable period. Total vendor financing payables included in our June 30, 2024 consolidated balance sheet were $1,827, with $883 due within one year (in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”) and the remainder predominantly due within five years (in “Other noncurrent liabilities”).
At June 30, 2024, we had approximately 144 million shares remaining from our share repurchase authorizations approved by the Board of Directors in 2014.
We paid dividends on common and preferred shares of $4,133 during the first six months of 2024, compared with $4,097 for the first six months of 2023.
Dividends on common stock declared by our Board of Directors totaled $0.5550 per share in the first six months of 2024 and 2023. Our dividend policy considers the expectations and requirements of stockholders, capital funding requirements of AT&T and long-term growth opportunities.
Credit Facilities
The following summary of our various credit and loan agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to each agreement filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We use credit facilities as a tool in managing our liquidity status. We currently have one $12,000 revolving credit agreement that terminates on November 18, 2028 (Revolving Credit Agreement). No amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2024.
We also utilize other external financing sources, which include various credit arrangements supported by government agencies to support network equipment purchases as well as a commercial paper program.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Our Revolving Credit Agreement contains covenants that are customary for an issuer with investment grade senior debt credit rating as well as a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of not more than 3.75-to-1. As of June 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants for our credit facilities.
Collateral Arrangements
Most of our counterparty collateral arrangements require cash collateral posting by AT&T only when derivative market values exceed certain thresholds. Under these arrangements, which cover the majority of our approximate $37,100 derivative portfolio, counterparties are still required to post collateral. During the first six months of 2024, we posted approximately $15 of cash collateral, on a net basis. Cash postings under these arrangements vary with changes in credit ratings and netting agreements. (See Note 7)
Other
Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt maturing within one year), redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity. Our capital structure does not include debt issued by our equity method investments. At June 30, 2024, our debt ratio was 51.8%, compared to 54.8% at June 30, 2023 and 53.5% at December 31, 2023. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors that affect total capital, and reflects our recent debt issuances, repayments and reclassifications related to redemption of noncontrolling interests.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Asset Valuations and Impairments As discussed in Note 1 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets are tested for impairment at least annually as of October 1, generally utilizing a quantitative approach. While an interim quantitative impairment was not warranted in the second quarter of 2024, because of the industry-wide secular decline of legacy voice, which has led to a faster-than-anticipated rate of decline for our legacy voice services in our Business Wireline reporting unit, and the potential of sustained higher discount rates, it is possible that the book values of one or more of our reporting units will exceed their respective fair values, which may result in the recognition of a noncash impairment of goodwill and/or indefinite-lived intangible assets in the third or fourth quarters of 2024 that could be material.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At June 30, 2024, we had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $1,750 and a fair value of $(1).
We have fixed-to-fixed and floating-to-fixed cross-currency swaps on foreign currency-denominated debt instruments with a U.S. dollar notional value of $35,351 to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These derivatives have been designated as cash flow or fair value hedges with a net fair value of $(3,673) at June 30, 2024. We had no rate locks at June 30, 2024.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2024.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially. Many of these factors are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section herein and in our most recent Form 10-K. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The following factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
-
Adverse economic and political changes, including inflation and rising interest rates, war or other hostilities, and public health emergencies, and our ability to access financial markets at favorable rates and terms.
-
Increases in our benefit plans’ costs, including due to worse-than-assumed investment returns and discount rates, mortality assumptions, medical cost trends, or healthcare laws or regulations.
-
The final outcome of FCC and other federal, state or foreign government agency proceedings (including judicial review of such proceedings) and legislative and regulatory efforts involving issues important to our business, including, without limitation, pending Notices of Apparent Liability; the transition from legacy technologies to IP-based infrastructure, including the withdrawal of legacy TDM-based services; universal service; broadband deployment; wireless equipment siting regulations and, in particular, siting for 5G service; E911 services; rules concerning digital discrimination; competition policy; privacy; net neutrality; copyright protection; availability of new spectrum on fair and balanced terms; and wireless and satellite license awards and renewals, and our response to such legislative and regulatory efforts.
-
Enactment of or changes to state, local, federal and/or foreign tax laws and regulations, and actions by tax agencies and judicial authorities that reduce our incentive to invest in our networks, and the resolution of disputes with any taxing jurisdictions, pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments.
-
U.S. and foreign laws and regulations regarding intellectual property rights protection and privacy, personal data protection and user consent, which are complex and rapidly evolving.
-
Our ability to compete in an increasingly competitive industry and against competitors that can offer product/service offerings at lower prices due to lower cost structures and regulatory and legislative actions adverse to us, including non-regulation of comparable alternative technologies and/or government-owned or subsidized networks, and our response to such competition and emerging technologies.
-
Disruption in our supply chain for a number of reasons, including, difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technology, an inability to secure component parts, lack of suppliers, general business disruption, workforce shortage, natural disasters, safety issues, vendor fraud, and economic and political instability, including disruptions in the capital markets, the outbreak of war or other hostilities, and public health emergencies.
-
The development and delivery of attractive and profitable wireless and broadband offerings and devices, including our ability to match speeds offered by competitors; the impact of regulatory and build-out requirements; and the availability, cost and/or reliability of technologies required to provide such offerings.
-
Our ability to adequately fund additional wireless spectrum and network development, deployment and maintenance; and regulations and conditions relating to spectrum use, licensing, obtaining additional spectrum, technical standards and deployment and usage, including network management rules.
-
Our ability to manage growth in wireless data services, including network quality and acquisition of adequate spectrum at reasonable costs and terms.
-
The outcome of pending, threatened or potential litigation and arbitration, including, without limitation, patent and product safety claims by or against third parties or claims based on alleged misconduct by employees.
-
The impact from major equipment, software or other failures or errors that disrupt our networks or cyber incidents; the effect of security breaches related to the network or customer information; our inability to obtain handsets, equipment/software or have handsets, equipment/software serviced in a timely and cost-effective manner from suppliers; or severe weather conditions or other natural disasters including earthquakes and forest fires, public health emergencies, energy shortages, wars or terrorist attacks.
-
The issuance by the FASB or other accounting oversight bodies of new or revised accounting standards.
-
The uncertainty surrounding further congressional action regarding spending and taxation, which may result in changes in government spending and affect the ability and willingness of businesses and consumers to spend in general.
-
Our ability to realize or sustain the expected benefits of our business transformation initiatives, which are designed to reduce costs, enable legacy rationalization, streamline distribution, remove redundancies and simplify and improve processes and support functions.
-
Our ability to successfully complete divestitures, as well as achieve our expectations regarding the financial impact of completed and/or pending transactions.
Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in this report and our most recent Form 10-K, although not enumerated here, also could materially affect our future earnings.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We discuss in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 various risks that may materially affect our business. We use this section to update this discussion to reflect material developments since our Form 10-K was filed.
Cyberattacks impacting our networks, systems or data or those of our suppliers or vendors may have a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations.
Cyberattacks – including through the use of malware, computer viruses, distributed denial of services attacks, ransomware attacks, credential harvesting, social engineering and other means for obtaining unauthorized access to or disrupting the operation of our networks and systems or accessing our data and those of our suppliers, vendors and other service providers – could have a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations. Cyberattacks can cause equipment or network failures, copying or loss of information, including sensitive personal information of customers or employees or proprietary information, as well as disruptions to our or our customers’, suppliers’ or vendors’ operations, which could result in significant expenses, potential investigations and legal liability, a loss of current or future customers and reputational damage. As our networks evolve, they are becoming increasingly reliant on software and cloud technologies to handle growing demands for data consumption. Cyberattacks against the Company and its suppliers and vendors have occurred in the past, will continue to occur in the future and are increasing in frequency, scope and potential harm over time. For example, in July 2024, the Company disclosed a cybersecurity incident on Item 1.05 of Form 8-K relating to the copying of mobile customer call data.
Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of our systems and those of our suppliers, vendors and other service providers, the process of enhancing our protective measures can itself create a risk of systems disruptions and security issues. Further, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by cybercriminals may increase the frequency and severity of cybersecurity attacks against us or our suppliers, vendors and other service providers. In addition, despite our efforts to detect unlawful intrusions, an attack may persist for an extended period of time before being detected, and, following detection, it may take considerable time for us to obtain sufficient information about the nature, scope and timing of the incident as well as the impact or reasonably likely impact on us. Indeed, as cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, a post-attack investigation may not be able to ascertain the entire scope of the attack’s impact.
Extensive and costly efforts are undertaken to develop and test systems before deployment and to conduct ongoing monitoring and updating to prevent and withstand such attacks. While, to date, we have not been subject to a cyberattack that has had a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations, the preventive actions we take, or our suppliers or vendors take, to reduce the risks associated with cyberattacks may be insufficient to repel or mitigate the effects of a major cyberattack in the future.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) A summary of our repurchases of common stock during the second quarter of 2024 is as follows:
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased****1, 2 | Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs****1 | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024 | 57,168 | $ | 17.38 | — | 143,731,972 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 | 22,588 | 17.34 | — | 143,731,972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 | 11,225 | 18.05 | — | 143,731,972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 90,981 | $ | 17.45 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved an authorization to repurchase up to 300 million shares of our common stock. The authorization has no expiration date. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2These shares were acquired through the withholding of taxes on the vesting of restricted stock and performance shares or in respect of the exercise price of options. |
Item 5. Other Information
(c) During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f)) of the Company adopted or terminated a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of securities of the Company intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) and/or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
AT&T INC.
JUNE 30, 2024
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report:
| Exhibit | ||||||||
| Number | Exhibit Description | |||||||
| 10.1 | AT&T Cash Deferral Plan as amended May 16, 2024 | |||||||
| 10.2 | AT&T Stock Purchase and Deferral Plan as amended May 16, 2024 | |||||||
| 10.3 | AT&T Inc. Health Plan effective January 1, 2025 | |||||||
| 31 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications | |||||||
| 31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer | ||||||||
| 31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer | ||||||||
| 32 | Section 1350 Certifications | |||||||
| 101 | The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags. | |||||||
| 104 | The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |||||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| AT&T Inc. | |||||
| July 25, 2024 | /s/ Pascal Desroches | ||||
| Pascal Desroches | |||||
| Senior Executive Vice President | |||||
| and Chief Financial Officer | |||||