Form 8-K

 

 

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: July 28, 2008

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-8606   23-2259884

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

   (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

140 West Street

New York, New York

   10007
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 395-1000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On a July 28, 2008, conference call with financial analysts and investors, Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) discussed its second quarter 2008 results and outlook for the second half of 2008.

Verizon expects:

 

•  

Continued mid-single digit consolidated revenue growth;

 

•  

Continued improvement in margins;

 

  •  

Verizon reiterated its long-range target of 30%-33% EBITDA margin for the wireline segment over the three to five year planning period (EBITDA – or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization – adds depreciation and amortization to operating income);

 

  •  

Margin levels could be affected in the short term if there is a significant change in volume levels or costs;

 

  •  

Verizon expects wireline EBITDA margins to be on a run rate of at least 28% in the fourth quarter;

 

•  

Its consolidated effective tax rate for 2008 to be in the 34%-36% range;

 

•  

No significant economic impact on its financial results in the second half of the year;

 

•  

Double digit earnings growth and continued strong cash flows for 2008.

In the fall management will ask the Board of Directors to consider an increase in the dividend. Verizon’s goal is to move to an annual dividend increase model.

NOTE: This report contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: materially adverse changes in economic and industry conditions and labor matters, including workforce levels and labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact, in the markets served by us or by companies in which we have substantial investments; material changes in available technology, including disruption of our suppliers’ provisioning of critical products or services; the impact of natural or man-made disasters or litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations; the final results of federal and state regulatory proceedings concerning our provision of retail and wholesale services and judicial review of those results; the effects of competition in our markets; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of fiber-to-the-premises broadband technology; the ability of Verizon Wireless to continue to obtain sufficient spectrum resources; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; and the ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions.

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.

 

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

  (Registrant)
Date: July 29, 2008  

/s/ Thomas A. Bartlett

  Thomas A. Bartlett
  Senior Vice President and Controller