EX-99.3 4 t-4q2021exhibit993.htm EX-99.3 DISCUSSION AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES Document

Discussion and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
 
We believe the following measures are relevant and useful information to investors as they are part of AT&T's internal management reporting and planning processes and are important metrics that management uses to evaluate the operating performance of AT&T and its segments. Management also uses these measures as a method of comparing performance with that of many of our competitors. These measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as cash from operations and cash distributions from DIRECTV (classified as investing activities) minus capital expenditures. Free cash flow after dividends is defined as cash from operations minus capital expenditures and dividends on common and preferred shares. Free cash flow dividend payout ratio is defined as the percentage of dividends paid on common and preferred shares to free cash flow. We believe these metrics provide useful information to our investors because management views free cash flow as an important indicator of how much cash is generated by routine business operations, including capital expenditures, and from our continued economic interest in the U.S. video operations as part of our DIRECTV equity method investment, and makes decisions based on it. Management also views free cash flow as a measure of cash available to pay debt and return cash to shareowners.
Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Dividend Payout Ratio
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Net cash provided by operating activities1
$11,254 $10,082 $41,957 $43,130 
Add: Distributions from DIRECTV classified as investing
         activities
1,323 — 1,323 — 
Less: Capital expenditures(3,831)(2,392)(16,527)(15,675)
Free Cash Flow8,746 7,690 26,753 27,455 
Less: Dividends paid(3,749)(3,741)(15,068)(14,956)
Free Cash Flow after Dividends$4,997 $3,949 $11,685 $12,499 
Free Cash Flow Dividend Payout Ratio42.9 %48.6 %56.3 %54.5 %
1Includes distributions from DIRECTV of $489 in the fourth quarter and $619 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Total distributions from DIRECTV were $1,812 in the fourth quarter and $1,942 for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Cash Paid for Capital Investment

In connection with capital improvements, we negotiate with some of our vendors to obtain favorable payment terms of 120 days or more, referred to as vendor financing, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported in accordance with GAAP as financing activities. We present an additional view of cash paid for capital investment to provide investors with a comprehensive view of cash used to invest in our networks, product developments and support systems. 
Cash Paid for Capital Investment
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Capital Expenditures$(3,831)$(2,392)$(16,527)$(15,675)
Cash paid for vendor financing(583)(1,001)(4,596)(2,966)
Cash paid for Capital Investment$(4,414)$(3,393)$(21,123)$(18,641)
FirstNet reimbursement(515)(920)(515)(1,063)
Gross Capital Investment$(4,929)$(4,313)$(21,638)$(19,704)

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EBITDA

Our calculation of EBITDA, as presented, may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies. For AT&T, EBITDA excludes other income (expense) – net, and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, as these do not reflect the operating results of our subscriber base or operations that are not under our control. Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates represents the proportionate share of the net income (loss) of affiliates in which we exercise significant influence, but do not control. Because we do not control these entities, management excludes these results when evaluating the performance of our primary operations. EBITDA also excludes interest expense and the provision for income taxes. Excluding these items eliminates the expenses associated with our capital and tax structures. Finally, EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization in order to eliminate the impact of capital investments. EBITDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flows from operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA service margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by service revenues.

When discussing our segment, business unit and supplemental results, EBITDA excludes equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, and depreciation and amortization from operating contribution.

These measures are used by management as a gauge of our success in acquiring, retaining and servicing subscribers because we believe these measures reflect AT&T's ability to generate and grow subscriber revenues while providing a high level of customer service in a cost-effective manner. Management also uses these measures as a method of comparing operating performance with that of many of its competitors. The financial and operating metrics which affect EBITDA include the key revenue and expense drivers for which management is responsible and upon which we evaluate performance.

We believe EBITDA Service Margin (EBITDA as a percentage of service revenues) to be a more relevant measure than EBITDA Margin (EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue) for our Mobility business unit operating margin. We also use wireless service revenues to calculate margin to facilitate comparison, both internally and externally with our wireless competitors, as they calculate their margins using wireless service revenues as well.

There are material limitations to using these non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA, EBITDA margin and EBITDA service margin, as we have defined them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Furthermore, these performance measures do not take into account certain significant items, including depreciation and amortization, interest expense, tax expense and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates. For market comparability, management analyzes performance measures that are similar in nature to EBITDA as we present it, and considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with its analysis of net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, EBITDA margin and EBITDA service margin should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA, EBITDA Margin and EBITDA Service Margin
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Net Income (Loss)$5,390 $(13,515)$21,479 $(3,821)
Additions:  
Income Tax Expense1,056 (2,038)5,468 965 
Interest Expense1,663 1,894 6,884 7,925 
Equity in Net (Income) Loss of Affiliates(447)(106)(631)(95)
Other (Income) Expense - Net(2,354)3,020 (9,853)1,431 
Depreciation and amortization5,673 6,979 22,862 28,516 
EBITDA10,981 (3,766)46,209 34,921 
Merger costs and revenue adjustments132 37 299 468 
   Employee separation costs and benefit-related (gain) loss 253 57 1,177 
Impairments188 16,365 4,904 18,880 
   Gain on spectrum transactions   (900)
Adjusted EBITDA1
$11,301 $12,889 $51,469 $54,546 
1 See page 5 for additional discussion and reconciliation of adjusted items.

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Segment and Business Unit EBITDA, EBITDA Margin and EBITDA Service Margin
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Communications Segment
Operating Contribution$6,451 $6,360 $28,279 $28,313 
Additions:  
Depreciation and amortization4,156 4,062 16,409 16,216 
EBITDA10,607 10,422 44,688 44,529 
Total Operating Revenues30,206 29,486 114,730 109,965 
Operating Income Margin21.4 %21.6 %24.6 %25.7 %
EBITDA Margin35.1 %35.3 %39.0 %40.5 %
Mobility
Operating Contribution$5,353 $5,088 $23,312 $22,372 
Additions:  
Depreciation and amortization2,050 2,008 8,122 8,086 
EBITDA7,403 7,096 31,434 30,458 
Total Operating Revenues21,146 20,119 78,254 72,564 
Service Revenues14,669 14,022 57,590 55,542 
Operating Income Margin25.3 %25.3 %29.8 %30.8 %
EBITDA Margin35.0 %35.3 %40.2 %42.0 %
EBITDA Service Margin50.5 %50.6 %54.6 %54.8 %
Business Wireline
Operating Contribution$897 $997 $3,990 $4,564 
Additions:
Depreciation and amortization1,317 1,316 5,192 5,216 
EBITDA2,214 2,313 9,182 9,780 
Total Operating Revenues5,901 6,251 23,937 25,083 
Operating Income Margin15.2 %15.9 %16.7 %18.2 %
EBITDA Margin37.5 %37.0 %38.4 %39.0 %
Consumer Wireline
Operating Contribution$201 $275 $977 $1,377 
Additions:
Depreciation and amortization789 738 3,095 2,914 
EBITDA990 1,013 4,072 4,291 
Total Operating Revenues3,159 3,116 12,539 12,318 
Operating Income Margin6.4 %8.8 %7.8 %11.2 %
EBITDA Margin31.3 %32.5 %32.5 %34.8 %
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Segment and Business Unit EBITDA, EBITDA Margin and EBITDA Service Margin
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
WarnerMedia Segment
Operating Contribution$1,573 $2,529 $7,277 $8,210 
Additions:
Equity in Net (Income) Loss of Affiliates6 13 (38)(18)
Depreciation and amortization165 177 656 671 
EBITDA1,744 2,719 7,895 8,863 
Total Operating Revenues9,873 8,554 35,632 30,442 
Operating Income Margin16.0 %29.7 %20.3 %26.9 %
EBITDA Margin17.7 %31.8 %22.2 %29.1 %

Segment and Business Unit EBITDA, EBITDA Margin and EBITDA Service Margin
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Latin America Segment
Operating Contribution$(80)$(167)$(430)$(729)
Additions:
Equity in Net (Income) Loss of Affiliates1 (6)(24)
Depreciation and amortization153 260 836 1,033 
EBITDA74 95 400 280 
Total Operating Revenues1,063 1,498 5,354 5,716 
Operating Income Margin-7.4 %-11.0 %-8.1 %-13.2 %
EBITDA Margin7.0 %6.3 %7.5 %4.9 %
Mexico  
Operating Contribution$(117)$(126)$(510)$(587)
Additions:  
Depreciation and amortization153 140 605 513 
EBITDA36 14 95 (74)
Total Operating Revenues704 736 2,747 2,562 
Operating Income Margin-16.6 %-17.1 %-18.6 %-22.9 %
EBITDA Margin5.1 %1.9 %3.5 %-2.9 %
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Adjusting Items

Adjusting items include revenues and costs we consider non-operational in nature, including items arising from asset acquisitions or dispositions. We also adjust for net actuarial gains or losses associated with our pension and postemployment benefit plans due to the often-significant impact on our results (we immediately recognize this gain or loss in the income statement, pursuant to our accounting policy for the recognition of actuarial gains and losses). Consequently, our adjusted results reflect an expected return on plan assets rather than the actual return on plan assets, as included in the GAAP measure of income.

The tax impact of adjusting items is calculated using the effective tax rate during the quarter except for adjustments that, given their magnitude, can drive a change in the effective tax rate, in these cases we use the actual tax expense or combined marginal rate of approximately 25%.   
Adjusting Items
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Operating Expenses  
Merger costs132 37 299 468 
   Employee separation costs and benefit-related (gain) loss1
 253 57 1,177 
Asset impairments and abandonment188 16,365 4,904 18,880 
Gain (loss) on spectrum transaction —  (900)
Adjustments to Operations and Support Expenses320 16,655 5,260 19,625 
   Amortization of intangible assets1,021 1,890 4,233 8,012 
Impairments 14  14 
Adjustments to Operating Expenses1,341 18,559 9,493 27,651 
Other  
   DIRECTV intangible amortization (proportionate share)434 — 826 — 
   (Gain) loss on sale of assets172 43 (660)(50)
   Debt redemption, impairments and other adjustments22 (29)235 1,735 
Actuarial (gain) loss(1,119)4,106 (4,140)4,169 
   Employee benefit-related (gain) loss1
 (149) (172)
Adjustments to Income Before Income Taxes850 22,530 5,754 33,333 
Tax impact of adjustments(40)3,186 580 4,977 
Tax-related items264 41 505 41 
Impairment attributable to noncontrolling interest — 81 105 
Adjustments to Net Income$626 $19,303 $4,588 $28,210 
1Mark-to-market gains and losses on benefit-related investments were adjusted in 2020 reflecting more significant market volatility and uncertainty experienced as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Benefit-related investment gains were approximately $160 and $430 in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and $205 and $330 in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA service margin and Adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures calculated by excluding from operating revenues, operating expenses and income tax expense certain significant items that are non-operational or non-recurring in nature, including dispositions and merger integration and transaction costs, actuarial gains and losses, significant abandonments and impairment, severance and other material gains and losses. Management believes that these measures provide relevant and useful information to investors and other users of our financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends.

Adjusted Operating Revenues, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA service margin and Adjusted diluted EPS should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. AT&T's calculation of Adjusted items, as presented, may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

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Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin,
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Dollars in millions 
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Operating Income$5,308 $(10,745)$23,347 $6,405 
Adjustments to Operating Expenses1,341 18,559 9,493 27,651 
Adjusted Operating Income6,649 7,814 32,840 34,056 
EBITDA10,981 (3,766)46,209 34,921 
Adjustments to Operations and Support Expenses320 16,655 5,260 19,625 
Adjusted EBITDA11,301 12,889 51,469 54,546 
Total Operating Revenues40,958 45,691 168,864 171,760 
Operating Income Margin13.0 %(23.5)%13.8 %3.7 %
Adjusted Operating Income Margin16.2 %17.1 %19.4 %19.8 %
Adjusted EBITDA Margin27.6 %28.2 %30.5 %31.8 %

Adjusted Diluted EPS
 Fourth QuarterYear Ended
 2021202020212020
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)$0.69 $(1.95)$2.76 $(0.75)
Amortization of intangible assets0.12 0.22 0.47 0.90 
DIRECTV intangible amortization (proportionate share)0.05 — 0.09 — 
   Impairments 0.02 2.02 0.56 2.37 
   (Gain) loss on sale of assets0.04 0.03 (0.05)0.02 
Actuarial (gain) loss 1
(0.12)0.43 (0.43)0.44 
Debt redemption, merger and other adjustments0.02 0.01 0.07 0.21 
Tax-related items(0.04)(0.01)(0.07)(0.01)
Adjusted EPS$0.78 $0.75 $3.40 $3.18 
Year-over-year growth - Adjusted4.0 %6.9 % 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
   with Dilution (000,000)
7,204 7,176 7,199 7,183 
1Includes adjustments for actuarial gains or losses associated with our postemployment benefit plans, which we immediately recognize in the income statement, pursuant to our accounting policy for the recognition of actuarial gains/losses. We recorded total net actuarial gain of $4.1 billion in 2021. As a result, adjusted EPS reflects an expected return on plan assets of $3.7 billion (based on an average expected return on plan assets of 6.75% for our pension trust and 4.50% for our VEBA trusts), rather than the actual return on plan assets of $5.9 billion gain (actual pension return of 11.4% and VEBA return of 6.3%), included in the GAAP measure of income.

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Net Debt to Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA

Net Debt to EBITDA ratios are non-GAAP financial measures frequently used by investors and credit rating agencies and management believes these measures provide relevant and useful information to investors and other users of our financial data. Our Net Debt to Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA ratio is calculated by dividing the Net Debt by the sum of the most recent four quarters Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting cash and cash equivalents and certificates of deposit and time deposits that are greater than 90 days, from the sum of debt maturing within one year and long-term debt.

Net Debt to Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA - 2021
Dollars in millions   
 Three Months Ended 
 March. 31June 30,Sept. 30,Dec. 31,Four Quarters
 
2021 1
2021 1
2021 1
2021
Adjusted EBITDA$13,564 $13,585 $13,019 $11,301 $51,469 
Less: Historical Video(1,065)(1,364)(418)— (2,847)
Add: WarnerMedia sale of DIRECTV advertising349 372 99 — 820 
Add: WarnerMedia/DIRECTV revenue share(271)(287)(78)— (636)
Less: Historical Vrio
(82)(89)(96)(38)(305)
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA12,495 12,217 12,526 11,263 48,501 
End-of-period current debt    24,630 
End-of-period long-term debt    152,724 
Total End-of-Period Debt    177,354 
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents    21,169 
Net Debt Balance    156,185 
Annualized Net Debt to Pro Forma
   Adjusted EBITDA Ratio 2
  3.22 
1Adjusted EBITDA as reported in AT&T's Form 8-K filed April 22, 2021, July 22, 2021 and October 21, 2021.
2Annualized Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio of 3.03 (excluding pro forma).
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA - 2020
Dollars in millions   
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,June 30,Sept. 30,Dec. 31,Four Quarters
 
2020 1
2020 1
2020 1
2020
Adjusted EBITDA$14,232 $14,112 $13,313 $12,889 $54,546 
End-of-period current debt    3,470 
End-of-period long-term debt    153,775 
Total End-of-Period Debt    157,245 
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents    9,740 
Net Debt Balance    147,505 
Annualized Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio  2.70 
1As reported in AT&T's Form 8-K filed April 22, 2020, July 23, 2020, and October 22, 2020.

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Supplemental Operational Measures

We provide a supplemental discussion of our business solutions operations that is calculated by combining our Mobility and Business Wireline operating units, and then adjusting to remove non-business operations. The following table presents a reconciliation of our supplemental Business Solutions results.
Supplemental Operational Measure
 Fourth Quarter
 December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
 MobilityBusiness
Wireline
Adjustments1
Business
Solutions
MobilityBusiness
Wireline
Adjustments1
Business
Solutions
Operating Revenues        
Wireless service$14,669 $ $(12,561)$2,108 $14,022 $— $(12,074)$1,948 
Wireline services 5,727  5,727 — 6,042 — 6,042 
Wireless equipment6,477  (5,447)1,030 6,097 — (5,172)925 
Wireline equipment 174  174 — 209 — 209 
Total Operating Revenues21,146 5,901 (18,008)9,039 20,119 6,251 (17,246)9,124 
Operating Expenses    
Operations and support13,743 3,687 (11,419)6,011 13,023 3,938 (10,926)6,035 
EBITDA7,403 2,214 (6,589)3,028 7,096 2,313 (6,320)3,089 
Depreciation and amortization2,050 1,317 (1,700)1,667 2,008 1,316 (1,686)1,638 
Total Operating Expenses15,793 5,004 (13,119)7,678 15,031 5,254 (12,612)7,673 
Operating Income5,353 897 (4,889)1,361 5,088 997 (4,634)1,451 
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates    — — — — 
Operating Contribution$5,353 $897 $(4,889)$1,361 $5,088 $997 $(4,634)$1,451 
1Non-business wireless reported in the Communication segment under the Mobility business unit.
  
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Operational Measure
 Year Ended
 December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
 MobilityBusiness
Wireline
Adjustments1
Business
Solutions
MobilityBusiness
Wireline
Adjustments1
Business
Solutions
Operating Revenues        
Wireless service$57,590 $ $(49,429)$8,161 $55,542 $— $(47,810)$7,732 
Wireline service 23,224  23,224 — 24,313 — 24,313 
Wireless equipment20,664  (17,250)3,414 17,022 — (14,140)2,882 
Wireline equipment 713  713 — 770 — 770 
Total Operating Revenues78,254 23,937 (66,679)35,512 72,564 25,083 (61,950)35,697 
Operating Expenses        
Operations and support46,820 14,755 (38,749)22,826 42,106 15,303 (34,927)22,482 
EBITDA31,434 9,182 (27,930)12,686 30,458 9,780 (27,023)13,215 
Depreciation and amortization8,122 5,192 (6,744)6,570 8,086 5,216 (6,802)6,500 
Total Operating Expenses54,942 19,947 (45,493)29,396 50,192 20,519 (41,729)28,982 
Operating Income23,312 3,990 (21,186)6,116 22,372 4,564 (20,221)6,715 
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates    — — — — 
Operating Contribution$23,312 $3,990 $(21,186)$6,116 $22,372 $4,564 $(20,221)$6,715 
1Non-business wireless reported in the Communication segment under the Mobility business unit.


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