MONROE, La., June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CenturyTel, Inc.
(NYSE: CTL) has completed its $1 billion share repurchase program authorized
by its board of directors in February 2006. Under the program, CenturyTel
repurchased approximately 25.8 million shares of its common stock, or nearly
20 percent of shares outstanding at December 31, 2005, at an average price of
$39.81 per share.
"CenturyTel's strong balance sheet and solid cash flows provided the
financial flexibility and liquidity to complete our $1 billion share
repurchase program while also completing the $830 million acquisition of
Madison River Communications Corp. earlier this year," Glen F. Post, chairman
and chief executive officer, said. "We are pleased to have been able to return
nearly $1.8 billion to shareholders since early 2004 through the repurchase of
approximately 45 million shares of our common stock and the payment of cash
dividends."
CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) is a leading provider of communications, high speed
Internet and entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through our
broadband and fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index,
CenturyTel delivers advanced communications with a personal touch to customers
in 25 states. Visit us at http://www.centurytel.com.
SOURCE CenturyTel, Inc.
Contact: Tony Davis of CenturyTel, Inc., +1-318-388-9525, tony.davis@centurytel.com