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CenturyTel Reports Fourth Quarter 2005 Earnings

February 2, 2006

MONROE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2006--CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announces operating results for fourth quarter 2005 that exceeded First Call consensus estimates.

    --  Operating revenues increased to $620.5 million from $606.2
        million in fourth quarter 2004.

    --  Operating cash flow (as defined in the attached financial
        schedules) was $308.2 million.

    --  Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $82.2 million
        compared to $85.1 million in fourth quarter 2004. Net income,
        reported under GAAP, was $78.3 million compared to $84.5
        million in fourth quarter 2004.

    --  Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, was
        $.61 in fourth quarter 2005 compared to $.62 in fourth quarter
        2004, while GAAP diluted earnings per share was $.59 in fourth
        quarter 2005 and $.62 in fourth quarter 2004.

    --  Free cash flow (as defined in the attached financial
        schedules), excluding nonrecurring items, was $85.0 million in
        fourth quarter 2005.


Fourth Quarter Highlights
(Excluding nonrecurring items)
(In thousands, except per share   Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
 amounts and customer data)          12/31/05     12/31/04    % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues                 $   620,472   $  606,234       2.3%
Operating Cash Flow (1)            $   308,197   $  318,920     (3.4)%
Net Income                         $    82,184   $   85,105     (3.4)%
Diluted Earnings Per Share         $       .61   $      .62     (1.6)%
Average Diluted Shares Outstanding     135,917      138,368     (1.8)%
Capital Expenditures               $   132,914   $  131,719       0.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Access Lines               2,214,149    2,313,626     (4.3)%
DSL Customers                          248,706      142,575      74.4%

(1) Operating Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. A
reconciliation of this item to comparable GAAP measures is included in
the attached financial schedules.

"CenturyTel achieved strong cash flows during 2005, generating more than $463 million of free cash flow for the year," Glen F. Post, III, chairman and chief executive officer, said. "Our continued focus on owning the broadband connection to our customers drove the addition of nearly 29,000 high-speed Internet subscribers during the fourth quarter and more than 106,000 for the full year 2005, an increase of nearly 75% since year end 2004."

Operating revenues rose to $620.5 million in fourth quarter 2005 from $606.2 million in fourth quarter 2004. Revenue increases resulted primarily from $13.9 million of revenues generated by the metro fiber assets acquired June 30, 2005 and $15.3 million of aggregate revenues related to increased DSL subscribers, continued growth in our fiber transport business and increased enhanced calling feature penetration. These increases more than offset anticipated revenue declines of $14.3 million attributable to lower access revenues, reduced universal service funding, and access line losses.

Operating expenses increased 7.5% to $448.1 million from $416.6 million in fourth quarter 2004, due primarily to costs associated with the metro fiber assets acquired June 30, 2005, DSL subscriber growth and expenses associated with our new video and wireless reseller initiatives.

"During 2005, we continued to position CenturyTel for the future by expanding and strengthening our broadband capabilities, acquiring strategic metro fiber assets, launching satellite television service to most of our markets and introducing wireless and switched digital television services in select markets," Post said.

Operating cash flow for fourth quarter 2005 was $308.2 million. CenturyTel achieved an operating cash flow margin of 49.7% during the quarter versus 52.6% in fourth quarter 2004. This margin decline was expected due to the growth in lower margin revenues versus the anticipated decline in higher margin revenues discussed above.

Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $82.2 million compared to $85.1 million in fourth quarter 2004. Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, was $.61 in fourth quarter 2005 and $.62 in fourth quarter 2004.

For the year 2005, operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, increased to $2.479 billion from $2.411 billion in 2004, a 2.8% increase. Operating cash flow, excluding nonrecurring items, was $1.274 billion for 2005 compared to $1.258 billion a year ago. Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, increased 4.0% to $346.3 million from $332.8 million in 2004, while diluted earnings per share increased to $2.58 from $2.38 in 2004.

Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), net income for fourth quarter 2005 was $78.3 million compared to $84.5 million for fourth quarter 2004. Diluted earnings per share for fourth quarter 2005 was $.59 compared to $.62 for fourth quarter 2004. Fourth quarter 2005 and fourth quarter 2004 results reflect after-tax charges of $3.9 million and $.6 million, respectively, related to the impairment of certain non-operating investments.

For the year 2005, prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company reported net income of $334.5 million, or $2.49 per diluted share, compared to net income of $337.2 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, for the year 2004. See the accompanying financial schedules for detail of the Company's nonrecurring items for the years 2005 and 2004.

Outlook for 2006. As previously announced, CenturyTel expects 2006 diluted earnings per share to be negatively impacted by $.14 to $.18 due to settlement revenues recognized in 2005 that are not expected to occur in 2006 and positively impacted by $.03 to $.05 from lower 2006 interest expense. We also anticipate our satellite entertainment, wireless and digital television service initiatives will negatively impact 2006 diluted earnings per share an additional $.03 to $.05. CenturyTel believes the Company can continue to drive revenue growth primarily from the further penetration of its bundled offerings and continued expansion in its fiber business. Giving effect to these items, the anticipation of access line declines of 4.5% to 5.5% in 2006, the $.04 to $.06 negative impact of expected lower universal service funding and the estimated $.02 to $.03 negative impact from the change in accounting for stock options, CenturyTel expects 2006 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.20 to $2.35.

CenturyTel expects first quarter 2006 total revenues of $605 to $615 million and diluted earnings per share of $.52 to $.56. The anticipated decline in revenues from fourth quarter 2005 is primarily due to access line declines and anticipated lower universal service funding.

The Company expects a reduction in its capital expenditures in 2006 to approximately $325 million, a $90 million decrease from 2005. Subject to incremental investments related to new initiatives that drive growth or efficiencies, CenturyTel expects to maintain capital expenditures at a similar level beyond 2006. CenturyTel also anticipates receiving approximately $120 million in cash on a pre-tax basis in the first half of 2006 from the redemption of its Rural Telephone Bank stock.

These 2006 outlook figures exclude nonrecurring items, future share repurchase initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or other similar business transactions.

Reconciliation to GAAP. This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to operating cash flow, free cash flow and adjustments to GAAP measures to exclude the effect of nonrecurring items. In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the Company's performance, we believe these measurements assist readers in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial statements. Reconciliations of additional non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed during the earnings call described below will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at www.centurytel.com. Investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Call. As previously announced, CenturyTel's management will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Central Time today. Interested parties can access the call by dialing 866.261.7147. The call will be accessible for replay through February 8, 2006, by calling 888.266.2081 and entering the conference ID number 836323. Investors can also listen to CenturyTel's earnings conference call and replay by accessing the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at www.centurytel.com prior to February 23, 2006.

In addition to historical information, this release includes certain forward-looking statements, estimates and projections that are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry; the Company's ability to effectively manage its growth, including integrating newly-acquired businesses into the Company's operations and hiring adequate numbers of qualified staff; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, the Company's products and services; the Company's ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; the Company's ability to collect its receivables from financially troubled communications companies; the Company's ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; the effect of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other uncertainties related to the Company's business are described in greater detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to identify all such factors, nor can it predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The information contained in this release is as of February 2, 2006. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements for any reason.

CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) delivers advanced communications with a personal touch. The Company, included in the S&P 500 Index, is a leading provider of consumer and business communications solutions in rural areas and small to mid-size cities in 26 states. Visit CenturyTel at www.centurytel.com.

                           CenturyTel, Inc.
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
             THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND 2004
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                     Three months ended December 31,
                                                    2005
                                    ----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-          non-
                                        As     recurring    recurring
 In thousands, except per share      reported    items        items
  amounts
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
 OPERATING
  REVENUES
  Local service                    $ 172,081                  172,081
  Network
   access                            232,570                  232,570
  Long distance                       48,126                   48,126
  Data                                80,904                   80,904
  Fiber
   transport
   and CLEC                           37,214                   37,214
  Other                               49,577                   49,577
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
                                     620,472          -       620,472
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
 OPERATING
  EXPENSES
  Cost of
   services and
   products                          212,339                  212,339
  Selling, general and
   administrative                     99,936                   99,936
  Depreciation
   and
   amortization                      135,778                  135,778
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
                                     448,053          -       448,053
                                    --------- ----------   -----------

 OPERATING
  INCOME                             172,419          -       172,419

 OTHER INCOME
  (EXPENSE)
  Interest
   expense                           (49,625)                 (49,625)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                     1,603                    1,603
  Other income
   (expense)                            (283)    (6,250)(1)     5,967
  Income tax
   expense                           (45,780)     2,400 (2)   (48,180)

                                    --------- ----------   -----------
 NET INCOME                        $  78,334     (3,850)       82,184
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

 BASIC EARNINGS
  PER SHARE                        $    0.60      (0.03)         0.63
 DILUTED
  EARNINGS PER
  SHARE                            $    0.59      (0.03)         0.61

 AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                              130,730                  130,730
  Diluted                            135,917                  135,917

DIVIDENDS PER
 COMMON SHARE                      $    0.06                     0.06

                 Three months ended December 31,
                               2004
                --------------------------------
                                         As                 Increase
                         Less non-     adjusted             (decrease)
                          recurring    excluding Increase   excluding
                   As       items        non-    (decrease)    non-
In thousands,    reported              recurring    as      recurring
 except per                              items    reported    items
 share amounts
                -------------------   --------------------------------
OPERATING
 REVENUES
 Local service $ 178,035                178,035      (3.3%)     (3.3%)
 Network
  access         242,017                242,017      (3.9%)     (3.9%)
 Long distance    46,938                 46,938        2.5%       2.5%
 Data             72,410                 72,410       11.7%      11.7%
 Fiber
  transport
  and CLEC        19,543                 19,543       90.4%      90.4%
 Other            47,291                 47,291        4.8%       4.8%
                -------------------   ----------
                 606,234         -      606,234        2.3%       2.3%
                -------------------   ----------

OPERATING
 EXPENSES
 Cost of
  services and
  products       192,638                192,638       10.2%      10.2%
 Selling,
  general and
  administrative  94,676                 94,676        5.6%       5.6%
 Depreciation
  and
  amortization   129,304                129,304        5.0%       5.0%
                -------------------   ----------
                 416,618         -      416,618        7.5%       7.5%
                -------------------   ----------

OPERATING
 INCOME          189,616         -      189,616      (9.1%)     (9.1%)

OTHER INCOME
 (EXPENSE)
 Interest
  expense        (53,245)               (53,245)     (6.8%)     (6.8%)
 Income from
  unconsolidated
  cellular
  entity             953                    953       68.2%      68.2%
 Other income
  (expense)         (268)   (1,000)(3)      732        5.6%     715.2%
 Income tax
  expense        (52,567)      384 (4)  (52,951)    (12.9%)     (9.0%)

                -------------------   ----------
NET INCOME     $  84,489      (616)      85,105      (7.3%)     (3.4%)
                ===================   ==========

BASIC EARNINGS
 PER SHARE     $    0.63         -         0.64      (4.8%)     (1.6%)
DILUTED
 EARNINGS PER
 SHARE         $    0.62         -         0.62      (4.8%)     (1.6%)

AVERAGE SHARES
 OUTSTANDING
 Basic           133,324                133,324      (1.9%)     (1.9%)
 Diluted         138,368                138,368      (1.8%)     (1.8%)

DIVIDENDS PER
 COMMON SHARE  $  0.0575                 0.0575        4.3%       4.3%

NONRECURRING
 ITEMS
 (1)  -  Impairment of nonoperating investment.
 (2)  -  Tax effect of item (1).
 (3)  -  Impairment of separate nonoperating investment.
 (4)  -  Tax effect of item (3).


                           CenturyTel, Inc.
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND 2004
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                    Twelve months ended December 31,
                                                   2005
                                   -----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-         non-
                                       As      recurring    recurring
In thousands, except per share      reported     items        items
 amounts
                                   ---------- ----------   ----------

OPERATING REVENUES
 Local service                    $  702,400                 702,400
 Network access                      959,838                 959,838
 Long distance                       189,872                 189,872
 Data                                318,770                 318,770
 Fiber transport and CLEC            115,454                 115,454
 Other                               192,918                 192,918
                                   ---------- ----------   ----------
                                   2,479,252          -    2,479,252
                                   ---------- ----------   ----------

OPERATING EXPENSES
 Cost of services and products       821,929      5,853 (1)  816,076
 Selling, general and
  administrative                     388,989                 388,989
 Depreciation and amortization       531,931                 531,931
                                   ---------- ----------   ----------
                                   1,742,849      5,853    1,736,996
                                   ---------- ----------   ----------

OPERATING INCOME                     736,403     (5,853)     742,256

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 Interest expense                   (201,801)    (1,196)(2) (200,605)
 Income from unconsolidated
  cellular entity                      4,910                   4,910
 Other income (expense)               (1,742)   (14,253)(3)   12,511
 Income tax expense                 (203,291)     9,511 (4) (212,802)

                                   ---------- ----------   ----------
NET INCOME                        $  334,479    (11,791)     346,270
                                   ========== ==========   ==========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE          $     2.55      (0.09)        2.64
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE        $     2.49      (0.09)        2.58

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Basic                               130,841                 130,841
 Diluted                             136,087                 136,087

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE        $     0.24                    0.24

                Twelve months ended December 31,
                              2004
               ---------------------------------
                                         As                 Increase
                         Less non-     adjusted             (decrease)
                          recurring    excluding Increase   excluding
                  As        items        non-    (decrease)    non-
                reported               recurring    as      recurring
In thousands,                            items    reported    items
 except per
 share amounts  -------------------   --------------------------------


OPERATING
 REVENUES
 Local service $ 716,028                716,028      (1.9%)     (1.9%)
 Network access  966,011    (3,091)(5)  969,102      (0.6%)     (1.0%)
 Long distance   186,997                186,997        1.5%       1.5%
 Data            275,777      (422)(5)  276,199       15.6%      15.4%
 Fiber
  transport and
  CLEC            74,409                 74,409       55.2%      55.2%
 Other           188,150                188,150        2.5%       2.5%
               --------------------   ----------
               2,407,372    (3,513)   2,410,885        3.0%       2.8%
               --------------------   ----------
OPERATING
 EXPENSES
 Cost of
  services and
  products       755,413                755,413        8.8%       8.0%
 Selling,
  general and
  administrative 397,102                397,102      (2.0%)     (2.0%)
 Depreciation
  and
  amortization   500,904   (13,221)(5)  514,125        6.2%       3.5%
                -------------------   ----------
               1,653,419   (13,221)   1,666,640        5.4%       4.2%
               --------------------   ----------
OPERATING
 INCOME          753,953     9,708      744,245      (2.3%)     (0.3%)

OTHER INCOME
 (EXPENSE)
 Interest
  expense       (211,051)              (211,051)     (4.4%)     (4.9%)
 Income from
  unconsolidated
  cellular
  entity           7,067                  7,067     (30.5%)    (30.5%)
 Other income
  (expense)       (2,597)   (2,500)(6)      (97)    (32.9%)(12,997.9%)
 Income tax
  expense       (210,128)   (2,767)(7) (207,361)     (3.3%)       2.6%

               --------------------   ----------
NET INCOME     $ 337,244     4,441      332,803      (0.8%)       4.0%
               ====================   ==========

BASIC EARNINGS
 PER SHARE     $    2.45      0.03         2.42        4.1%       9.1%
DILUTED
 EARNINGS PER
 SHARE         $    2.41      0.03         2.38        3.3%       8.4%

AVERAGE SHARES
 OUTSTANDING
 Basic           137,215                137,215      (4.6%)     (4.6%)
 Diluted         142,144                142,144      (4.3%)     (4.3%)

DIVIDENDS PER
 COMMON SHARE  $    0.23                   0.23        4.3%       4.3%

NONRECURRING
 ITEMS
 (1)  -  Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
 (2)  -  Write-off of unamortized deferred debt costs associated with
  purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J
  notes.
 (3)  -  Includes (i) a $16.2 million impairment of nonoperating
  investment and a $4.8 million debt extinguishment charge related to
  purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J
  notes, net of (ii) a $3.5 million gain on sale of nonoperating
  investment and $3.2 million of interest income related to the
  settlement of various income tax audits.
 (4)  -  Includes (i) $1.3 million tax benefit related to the
  settlement of various income tax audits and (ii) $8.2 million net
  tax benefit of items (1), (2) and (3).
 (5)  -  Adjustment for overdepreciated assets, including related
  revenue effect.
 (6)  -  Impairment of separate nonoperating investment.
 (7)  -  Tax effect of items (5) and (6).


                            CenturyTel, Inc.
                       CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                          December 31,   December 31,
                                             2005           2004
                                         -------------- --------------
                                                 (in thousands)
                  ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents             $      158,846        167,215
  Other current assets                         264,170        252,632
                                         -------------- --------------
     Total current assets                      423,016        419,847
                                         -------------- --------------

NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
  Property, plant and equipment              7,801,377      7,431,017
  Accumulated depreciation                  (4,496,891)    (4,089,616)
                                         -------------- --------------
     Net property, plant and equipment       3,304,486      3,341,401
                                         -------------- --------------

GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
  Goodwill                                   3,432,649      3,433,864
  Other                                        602,556        601,841
                                         -------------- --------------
      Total goodwill and other assets        4,035,205      4,035,705
                                         -------------- --------------


TOTAL ASSETS                            $    7,762,707      7,796,953
                                         ============== ==============

          LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Current maturities of long-term debt  $      276,736        249,617
  Other current liabilities                    469,494        442,001
                                         -------------- --------------
      Total current liabilities                746,230        691,618

LONG-TERM DEBT                               2,376,070      2,762,019
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES       1,023,134        933,551
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                         3,617,273      3,409,765
                                         -------------- --------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            $    7,762,707      7,796,953
                                         ============== ==============


                           CenturyTel, Inc.
             RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                    Three months ended December 31,
                                                   2005
                                   -----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-          non-
 In thousands                           As     recurring    recurring
                                     reported    items        items
                                    --------------------   -----------
 Operating cash flow and cash flow
  margin
  Operating income                 $ 172,419          -       172,419
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      135,778          -       135,778
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
  Operating cash flow              $ 308,197          -       308,197
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Revenues                         $ 620,472          -       620,472
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Operating income margin (operating
   income divided by revenues)          27.8%                    27.8%
                                    =========              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided by
   revenues)                            49.7%                    49.7%
                                    =========              ===========

 Free cash flow (prior to debt
  service requirements and
  dividends)
  Net income                       $  78,334     (3,850)(1)    82,184
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      135,778          -       135,778
  Less:  Capital expenditures       (132,914)         -      (132,914)
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
  Free cash flow                   $  81,198     (3,850)       85,048
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Free cash flow                   $  81,198
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    (1,603)
  Deferred income taxes               36,112
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities                (2,366)
  Increase in other noncurrent
   assets                             (1,177)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities                142
  Retirement benefits                (30,804)
  Other, net                          (1,467)
  Add:  Capital expenditures         132,914
                                    ---------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                      $ 212,949
                                    =========

                                    Three months ended December 31,
                                                   2004
                                   -----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-          non-
 In thousands                           As     recurring    recurring
                                     reported    items        items
                                    --------------------   -----------
 Operating cash flow and cash flow
  margin
  Operating income                 $ 189,616          -       189,616
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      129,304          -       129,304
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
  Operating cash flow              $ 318,920          -       318,920
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Revenues                         $ 606,234          -       606,234
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Operating income margin (operating
   income divided by revenues)          31.3%                    31.3%
                                    =========              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided by
   revenues)                            52.6%                    52.6%
                                    =========              ===========

 Free cash flow (prior to debt
  service requirements and
  dividends)
  Net income                       $  84,489       (616)(2)    85,105
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      129,304          -       129,304
  Less:  Capital expenditures       (131,719)         -      (131,719)
                                    --------- ----------   -----------
  Free cash flow                   $  82,074       (616)       82,690
                                    ========= ==========   ===========

  Free cash flow                   $  82,074
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                      (953)
  Deferred income taxes               (1,034)
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities                12,430
  Increase in other noncurrent
   assets                             (8,185)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities             (1,524)
  Retirement benefits                  3,954
  Other, net                           1,556
  Add:  Capital expenditures         131,719
                                    ---------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                      $ 220,037
                                    =========

 NONRECURRING ITEMS
  (1)  -  Impairment of nonoperating investment (presented on an
   after-tax basis).
  (2)  -  Impairment of separate nonoperating investment (presented on
   an after-tax basis).


                           CenturyTel, Inc.
             RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                    Twelve months ended December 31,
                                                   2005
                                   -----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-          non-
 In thousands                          As     recurring     recurring
                                    reported     items        items
                                   ---------------------   -----------
 Operating cash flow and cash flow
  margin
  Operating income                $  736,403     (5,853)(1)   742,256
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      531,931          -       531,931
                                   ---------- ----------   -----------
  Operating cash flow             $1,268,334     (5,853)    1,274,187
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Revenues                        $2,479,252          -     2,479,252
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                            29.7%                    29.9%
                                   ==========              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided by
   revenues)                            51.2%                    51.4%
                                   ==========              ===========

 Free cash flow (prior to debt
  service requirements and
  dividends)
  Net income                      $  334,479    (11,791)(2)   346,270
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      531,931          -       531,931
  Less:  Capital expenditures       (414,872)         -      (414,872)
                                   ---------- ----------   -----------
                                  $  451,538    (11,791)      463,329
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Free cash flow                  $  451,538
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    (4,910)
  Deferred income taxes               69,530
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities                27,001
  Increase in other noncurrent
   assets                             (5,384)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities              2,638
  Retirement benefits                (16,815)
  Other, net                           7,848
  Add:  Capital expenditures         414,872
                                   ----------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                     $  946,318
                                   ==========

                                    Twelve months ended December 31,
                                                   2004
                                   -----------------------------------
                                                               As
                                                             adjusted
                                                 Less       excluding
                                                 non-          non-
 In thousands                          As     recurring     recurring
                                    reported     items        items
                                   ---------------------   -----------
 Operating cash flow and cash flow
  margin
  Operating income                   753,953      9,708 (3)   744,245
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      500,904    (13,221)(3)   514,125
                                   ---------- ----------   -----------
  Operating cash flow              1,254,857     (3,513)    1,258,370
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Revenues                         2,407,372     (3,513)(3) 2,410,885
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                            31.3%                    30.9%
                                   ==========              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided by
   revenues)                            52.1%                    52.2%
                                   ==========              ===========

 Free cash flow (prior to debt
  service requirements and
  dividends)
  Net income                         337,244      4,441 (4)   332,803
  Add:  Depreciation and
   amortization                      500,904    (13,221)(3)   514,125
  Less:  Capital expenditures       (385,316)         -      (385,316)
                                   ---------- ----------   -----------
                                     452,832     (8,780)      461,612
                                   ========== ==========   ===========

  Free cash flow                     452,832
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    (7,067)
  Deferred income taxes               74,374
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities                58,322
  Increase in other noncurrent
   assets                            (34,740)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities             (6,220)
  Retirement benefits                 26,954
  Other, net                           6,060
  Add:  Capital expenditures         385,316
                                   ----------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                        955,831
                                   ==========

 NONRECURRING ITEMS
  (1)  -  Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
   (presented on a pre-tax basis).
  (2)  -  Includes (i) a $10.0 million after-tax impairment of
   nonoperating investment, a $3.7 million after-tax expense related
   to purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J
   notes and a $3.6 million after-tax expense associated with
   Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, net of (ii) a $3.3 million net benefit
   related to the settlement of various income tax audits and a $2.2
   million after-tax gain on sale of nonoperating investment.
  (3)  -  Adjustment for overdepreciated assets, including related
   revenue effect (presented on a pre-tax basis).
  (4)  -  Adjustment for overdepreciated assets, including related
   revenue effect, and impairment of separate nonoperating investment
   (presented on an after-tax basis).



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    CONTACT: CenturyTel, Inc.

             Media:
             Patricia Cameron, 318-388-9674
             patricia.cameron@centurytel.com
             or
             Investors:
             Tony Davis, 318-388-9525
             tony.davis@centurytel.com

    SOURCE: CenturyTel, Inc.