CTL  Centurytel Inc.

Exchange

NYSE

Sector

Public Utilities

Industry

Telecommunications Equipment

Market Cap.

22.918B

Inconsistent Net Profit Margins over the past 10 years

CTL potentially has a competitive advantage, however inconsistent profit margins are a cause for concern. Look at reasons for this inconsistency to determine the likelihood of future sustainability.

$15.50 of every $100 of Revenue have been pure profit, on average over the past 10 years.
Figures in USD. Fiscal year ends in December
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Net Income 801.62M 344.71M 337.24M 334.48M 370.03M 418.37M 365.73M 511.25M 947.71M 573.00M
divided by
Revenue 1.97B 2.38B 2.41B 2.48B 2.45B 2.66B 2.60B 4.97B 7.04B 15.35B
Net Profit Margin 40.65% 14.48% 14.01% 13.49% 15.12% 15.75% 14.07% 10.28% 13.46% 3.73%

Strong Pricing Power over the past 10 years

CTL has maintained substantial gross margins, suggesting that they have been able to set prices without consideration of the cost of goods sold. This potentially leaves flexibility in inflationary environments to raise prices on consumers and maintain profitability.

$65.96 of every $100 worth of sales have been Gross Profit, on average over the past 10 years.
Figures in USD. Fiscal year ends in December
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Gross Profit 998.31M 1.22B 1.65B 1.66B 1.56B 1.72B 1.64B 3.22B 4.63B 15.35B
divided by
Revenue 1.97B 2.38B 2.41B 2.48B 2.45B 2.66B 2.60B 4.97B 7.04B 15.35B
Gross Margin 50.62% 51.29% 68.62% 66.85% 63.70% 64.71% 63.25% 64.78% 65.77% 100.00%

High Capital Intensity over the past 10 years

CTL spends large amounts of capital buying new equipment or investing in new facilities to stay competitive. Over the long term, those costs may have to be fuelled by debt. Look at the growth of Shareholders' Equity to see if this strategy is having a positive or negative impact.

129.72% of Profits are being spent on Capital Expenditures, like Property, Plant, & Equipment, required to run the business.
Figures in USD. Fiscal year ends in December
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Capital Expenditure 386.27M 377.94M 385.32M 414.87M 314.07M 326.05M 286.82M 756.54M 863.77M 2.41B
divided by
Net Income 801.62M 344.71M 337.24M 334.48M 370.03M 418.37M 365.73M 511.25M 947.71M 573.00M
Capital Expenditure Ratio 48.19% 109.64% 114.25% 124.04% 84.88% 77.93% 78.42% 147.98% 91.14% 420.77%