LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2018 / If you want access to our free earnings report on CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL), all you need to do is sign up now by clicking the following link www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=CTL. The Company reported its financial results on May 09, 2018, for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2018 (Q1 FY18). The American telecommunications Company surpassed analysts' estimates for earnings for Q1 FY18. Additionally, the Company provided its outlook for FY18. Register today and get access to over 1,000 Free Research Reports by joining our site below:

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Active-Investors.com is focused on giving you timely information and the inside line on companies that matter to you. This morning, CenturyLink most recent news is on our radar and our team decided to put out a fantastic report on the company that is now available for free below:

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Earnings Highlights and Summary

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, CenturyLink's revenues advanced 41.2% to $5.95 billion compared to $4.21 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The Company's revenue numbers lagged analysts' estimates of $5.96 billion.

During Q1 FY18, CenturyLink incurred total operating expenses of $5.20 billion compared to $3.58 billion in Q1 FY17, increasing 45.2% on a y-o-y basis. The Company posted an operating income of $750 million in Q1 FY18, up 19% from $631 million in Q1 FY17. The Company's operating margin was 12.6% in the reported quarter compared to 15% in the prior year's same period.

For the reported quarter, CenturyLink's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) declined 3.1% to $2.07 billion in the reported quarter versus $2.14 billion in the prior year's comparable quarter. The Company's adjusted EBITDA margin was 34.9% in Q1 FY18 compared to 5.4% in Q1 FY17.

CenturyLink's net income dipped 29.5% to $115 million in Q1 FY18 compared to $163 million in Q1 FY17. The Company's diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased 63.3% to $0.11 in the reported quarter compared to $0.30 in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The Company reported adjusted EPS of $0.25 in Q1 FY18, surpassing market estimates of $0.15.

Segment Details

CenturyLink operates through two segments, namely (i) Business; and (ii) Consumer.

CenturyLink's Business segment generated revenues of $4.38 billion in Q1 FY18, reflecting a growth of 69% from $2.59 billion in Q1 FY17, primarily due to acquisition of Level 3.

For the reported quarter, CenturyLink's Consumer segment's revenues declined 5% to $1.38 billion compared to $1.45 billion in the prior year's same period, due to a decrease in its Voice revenues.

Cash Matters

As of March 31, 2018, CenturyLink's cash and cash equivalents stood at $501 million compared to $551 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company had a long-term debt of $36.9 million as of March 31, 2018, compared to $37.3 million as of December 31, 2017. For the reported quarter, the Company generated cash inflow from operating activities of $1.67 billion versus $1.06 billion in the comparable quarter of last year. The Company had a free cash flow of $862 million at the end of Q1 FY18 compared to $448 million in Q1 FY17.

Outlook

For FY18, CenturyLink has reaffirmed its adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow guidance. The Company anticipates adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $8.75 billion to $8.95 billion, and free cash flow to be in band of $3.15 billion to $3.35 billion for FY18. The Company projects free cash flow after dividends to be between $850 million and $1.05 billion, and capital expenditure to be around 16% of revenues for FY18.

Additionally, CenturyLink reduced its outlook for depreciation and amortization expenses to a new range of $5.1 billion to $5.3 billion from the previous guidance of $5.4 billion to $5.5 billion, due to valuation adjustments related to purchase price accounting. The Company received an anticipated tax refund of $314 million after the close of the first quarter of 2018.

Stock Performance Snapshot

June 13, 2018 - At Wednesday's closing bell, CenturyLink's stock fell 2.28%, ending the trading session at $17.54.

Volume traded for the day: 7.20 million shares.

Stock performance in the last three-month ? up 1.21%; previous six-month period ? up 10.52%; and year-to-date ? up 5.16%

After yesterday's close, CenturyLink's market cap was at $18.86 billion.

Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 53.48.

The stock has a dividend yield of 12.31%.

The stock is part of the Technology sector, categorized under the Telecom Services - Domestic industry.

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