CENTURYLINK, INC, 10-Q filed on 11/6/2014
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information
 
 
Entity Registrant Name
CENTURYLINK, INC 
 
Entity Central Index Key
0000018926 
 
Document Type
10-Q 
 
Document Period End Date
Sep. 30, 2014 
 
Amendment Flag
false 
 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
--12-31 
 
Entity Current Reporting Status
Yes 
 
Entity Filer Category
Large Accelerated Filer 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
 
570,705,291 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2014 
 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q3 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
OPERATING REVENUES
$ 4,514 
$ 4,515 
$ 13,593 
$ 13,553 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
1,975 
1,918 
5,872 
5,587 
Selling, general and administrative
823 
1,047 
2,497 
2,679 
Depreciation and amortization
1,097 
1,135 
3,297 
3,375 
Impairment of goodwill
0 
1,100 
0 
1,100 
Total operating expenses
3,895 
5,200 
11,666 
12,741 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
619 
(685)
1,927 
812 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(325)
(329)
(981)
(970)
Other income, net
5 
9 
7 
52 
Total other income (expense)
(320)
(320)
(974)
(918)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
299 
(1,005)
953 
(106)
Income tax expense
111 
40 
369 
372 
Net income (loss)
$ 188 
$ (1,045)
$ 584 
$ (478)
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
 
 
 
 
BASIC (in dollars per share)
$ 0.33 
$ (1.76)
$ 1.03 
$ (0.79)
DILUTED (in dollars per share)
$ 0.33 
$ (1.76)
$ 1.02 
$ (0.79)
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)
$ 0.54 
$ 0.54 
$ 1.62 
$ 1.62 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
 
 
 
BASIC (in shares)
565,965 
594,587 
569,472 
606,104 
DILUTED (in shares)
567,432 
594,587 
570,640 
606,104 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$ 188 
$ (1,045)
$ 584 
$ (478)
Items related to employee benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss, net of $(2), $(8), $(6) and $(25) tax
3 
13 
9 
40 
Change in net prior service credit, net of $(2), $—, $(7) and $(1) tax
(3)
(1)
(11)
(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other, net of $-, $-. $- and $- tax
(16)
13 
(7)
(1)
Other comprehensive income
(10)
27 
13 
41 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
$ 178 
$ (1,018)
$ 597 
$ (437)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss, net
$ (2)
$ (8)
$ (6)
$ (25)
Change in net prior service credit, tax
(2)
0 
(7)
(1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other, tax
$ 0 
$ 0 
$ 0 
$ 0 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 734 
$ 168 
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $155 and $155
1,978 
1,977 
Deferred income taxes, net
715 
1,165 
Other
591 
597 
Total current assets
4,018 
3,907 
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
35,970 
34,307 
Accumulated depreciation
(17,647)
(15,661)
Net property, plant and equipment
18,323 
18,646 
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
 
 
Goodwill
20,664 
20,674 
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $4,430 and $3,641
5,146 
5,935 
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $1,632 and $1,401
1,664 
1,802 
Other
831 
823 
Total goodwill and other assets
28,305 
29,234 
TOTAL ASSETS
50,646 
51,787 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
1,169 
785 
Accounts payable
1,069 
1,111 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
 
Salaries and benefits
699 
650 
Income and other taxes
372 
339 
Interest
330 
273 
Other
224 
514 
Advance billings and customer deposits
714 
737 
Total current liabilities
4,577 
4,409 
LONG-TERM DEBT
19,982 
20,181 
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
 
 
Deferred income taxes, net
4,629 
4,753 
Benefit plan obligations, net
3,761 
4,049 
Other
1,252 
1,204 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
9,642 
10,006 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
   
   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
Preferred stock—non-redeemable, $25.00 par value, authorized 2,000 shares, issued and outstanding 7 and 7 shares
0 
0 
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 1,600,000 and 1,600,000 shares, issued and outstanding 570,678 and 583,637 shares
571 
584 
Additional paid-in capital
16,532 
17,343 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(789)
(802)
Retained earnings
131 
66 
Total stockholders' equity
16,445 
17,191 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$ 50,646 
$ 51,787 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
 
 
Accounts receivable, allowance
$ 155 
$ 155 
Customer relationships, accumulated amortization (in dollars)
4,430 
3,641 
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)
$ 1,632 
$ 1,401 
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, par value (in dollars per share)
$ 25 
$ 25 
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, authorized shares (shares)
2,000 
2,000 
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, issued shares (shares)
7 
7 
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, outstanding shares (shares)
7 
7 
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
$ 1.00 
$ 1.00 
Common stock, authorized shares (shares)
1,600,000 
1,600,000 
Common stock, shares, issued (shares)
570,678 
583,637 
Common stock, outstanding shares
570,678 
583,637 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Net income (loss)
$ 584 
$ (478)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,297 
3,375 
Impairment of goodwill
0 
1,100 
Impairment of assets
32 
0 
Deferred income taxes
301 
349 
Provision for uncollectible accounts
110 
111 
Gain on sale of intangible assets
0 
(32)
Net long-term debt premium amortization
(30)
(45)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
 
 
Accounts receivable
(111)
(105)
Accounts payable
(21)
0 
Accrued income and other taxes
38 
30 
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net
(130)
303 
Retirement benefits
(255)
(288)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net
66 
61 
Other, net
56 
27 
Net cash provided by operating activities
3,937 
4,408 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software
(2,113)
(2,211)
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets or property
0 
75 
Other, net
0 
19 
Net cash used in investing activities
(2,113)
(2,117)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
483 
1,740 
Payments of long-term debt
(162)
(1,169)
Net payments on credit facility
(140)
(620)
Dividends paid
(924)
(986)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
45 
54 
Repurchase of common stock
(558)
(1,252)
Other, net
(2)
(3)
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,258)
(2,236)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
566 
55 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
168 
211 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
734 
266 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
Income taxes (paid), net
(21)
(45)
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $34 and $30)
$ (934)
$ (915)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
 
 
Interest paid, capitalized interest
$ 34 
$ 30 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Total
COMMON STOCK
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012
 
$ 626 
$ 19,079 
$ (1,701)
$ 1,285 
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans
 
2 
50 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock
 
(35)
(1,219)
 
 
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings
 
 
(16)
 
 
Share-based compensation and other, net
 
 
60 
 
 
Dividends declared
 
 
0 
 
(980)
Other comprehensive income
41 
 
 
41 
 
Net income (loss)
(478)
 
 
 
(478)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013
16,714 
593 
17,954 
(1,660)
(173)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013
17,191 
584 
17,343 
(802)
66 
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans
 
4 
43 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock
 
(17)
(497)
 
 
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings
 
 
(15)
 
 
Share-based compensation and other, net
 
 
63 
 
 
Dividends declared
 
 
(405)
 
(519)
Other comprehensive income
13 
 
 
13 
 
Net income (loss)
584 
 
 
 
584 
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014
$ 16,445 
$ 571 
$ 16,532 
$ (789)
$ 131 
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
General
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our residential, business, governmental and wholesale customers. Our communications services include local and long-distance, broadband, private line (including special access), Multi-Protocol Label Switching ("MPLS"), data integration, managed hosting (including cloud hosting), colocation, Ethernet, network access, public access, wireless, video and other ancillary services.
Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); however, in our opinion, the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the results for the interim periods. The consolidated results of operations for the first nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that might be expected for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries over which we exercise control. All intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated.
In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded an impairment charge of $16 million in connection with negotiating a sale-leaseback transaction involving an office building. This impairment charge is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In October 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell the above noted office building and no additional impairment charge is expected to be recorded upon completion of the sale, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.
To simplify the overall presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we report immaterial amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries as follows: (i) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in other income (expense), (ii) equity attributable to noncontrolling interests in additional paid-in capital and (iii) cash flows attributable to noncontrolling interests in other, net financing activities.
We pay dividends out of retained earnings to the extent we have retained earnings on the date the dividend is declared. If the dividend is in excess of our retained earnings on the declaration date, then the excess is drawn from our additional paid-in capital.
We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenues and our segment expense reporting. See Note 7—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total revenues, total operating expenses or net income for any period.
Change in Estimates
As a result of our annual reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment, effective January 2014, we changed the estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain switch and circuit network equipment. These changes resulted in a net increase in depreciation expense of approximately $19 million and $58 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and are expected to result in a net increase in depreciation expense of approximately $78 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. This net increase in depreciation expense, net of tax, reduced consolidated net income by approximately $12 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, and $36 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted common share, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and is expected to reduce consolidated net income by approximately $48 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ending December 31, 2014.
During the fourth quarter 2013, we changed the estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain intangible assets, specifically, the Savvis trade name, which is no longer being utilized and certain Savvis cloud software, which has been replaced by cloud software acquired through our more recent acquisitions. These changes resulted in a net increase in amortization expense of approximately $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This net increase in amortization expense, net of tax, reduced consolidated net income by approximately $14 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the Savvis trade name and the Savvis cloud software have been fully amortized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09” or “new standard”). The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017, and early adoption is prohibited. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted by applying the provisions of the new standard on a retrospective basis to the periods included in the financial statements or on a modified retrospective basis which would result in the recognition of a cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2017. We have not yet decided which implementation method we will adopt.
The new standard replaces virtually all existing generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) on revenue recognition and replaces them with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition using a new five step model. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. We currently do not defer any contract acquisition costs and defer contract fulfillment costs only up to the extent of any revenue deferred.
We are studying the new standard and are in the early stages of assessing the impact the new standard will have on us and our consolidated financial statements. We cannot, however, provide any estimate of the impact of adopting the new standard at this time.
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
As of the dates indicated below, our long-term debt, including unamortized discounts and premiums, was as follows:
 
Interest Rates
 
Maturities
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
CenturyLink, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
5.000% - 7.650%
 
2015 - 2042
 
$
7,825

 
7,825

Credit facility (1)
2.160% - 4.250%
 
2017
 
585

 
725

Term loan
2.410%
 
2019
 
385

 
402

Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qwest Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
6.125% - 8.375%
 
2014 - 2054
 
7,911

 
7,411

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
6.500% - 7.750%
 
2018 - 2031
 
981

 
981

Embarq Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
7.082% - 7.995%
 
2016 - 2036
 
2,669

 
2,669

First mortgage bonds
7.125% - 8.770%
 
2017 - 2025
 
232

 
262

Other
9.000%
 
2019
 
150

 
150

Capital lease and other obligations
Various
 
Various
 
521

 
619

Unamortized discounts, net
 
 
 
 
(108
)
 
(78
)
Total long-term debt
 
 
 
 
21,151

 
20,966

Less current maturities
 
 
 
 
(1,169
)
 
(785
)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
 
 
 
 
$
19,982

 
20,181

______________________________________________________________________ 
(1) 
The outstanding amounts of our credit facility ("Credit Facility") borrowings at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $585 million and $725 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 2.160% and 2.176%, respectively. These amounts change on a regular basis.
New Issuances
On September 29, 2014, QC issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Notes due 2054, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses, of $483 million. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations and may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on or after October 1, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
Repayments
On April 1, 2014, a subsidiary of Embarq Corporation ("Embarq") paid at maturity the $30 million principal amount of its 7.46% first mortgage bonds.
Covenants
As of September 30, 2014, we believe we were in compliance with the provisions and covenants contained in our Credit Facility and other material debt agreements.
Subsequent Event
On October 1, 2014, QC paid at maturity the $600 million principal amount of its 7.50% Notes.
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Periodically, we have reductions in our workforce and have accrued liabilities for the related severance costs. These workforce reductions resulted primarily from the progression or completion of our post-acquisition integration plans, increased competitive pressures, cost reduction initiatives and reduced workload demands due to the loss of customers purchasing certain legacy services.
We report severance liabilities within accrued expenses and other liabilities-salaries and benefits in our consolidated balance sheets and report severance expenses in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. As noted in Note 7—Segment Information, we do not allocate these severance expenses to our segments.
We have recognized liabilities to reflect our estimates of the fair values of the existing lease obligations for real estate which we have ceased using, net of estimated sublease rentals. Our fair value estimates were determined using discounted cash flow methods. We recognize expense to reflect accretion of the discounted liabilities and periodically we adjust the expense when our actual subleasing experience differs from our initial estimates. We report the current portion of liabilities for ceased-use real estate leases in accrued expenses and other liabilities-other and report the noncurrent portion in deferred credits and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. We report the related expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. At September 30, 2014, the current and noncurrent portions of our leased real estate accrual were $15 million and $85 million, respectively. The remaining lease terms range from 0.3 to 11.2 years, with a weighted average of 8.5 years.
Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate during the first nine months of 2014 were as follows:
 
Severance
 
Real Estate
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
17

 
113

Accrued to expense
65

 
1

Payments, net
(63
)
 
(12
)
Reversals and adjustments
—

 
(2
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
19

 
100

Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits
Net periodic (income) expense for our qualified and non-qualified pension plans included the following components:
 
Pension Plans
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
$
19

 
22

 
58

 
70

Interest cost
151

 
137

 
453

 
407

Expected return on plan assets
(223
)
 
(224
)
 
(669
)
 
(672
)
Recognition of prior service cost
1

 
1

 
5

 
4

Recognition of actuarial loss
5

 
20

 
15

 
61

Net periodic pension benefit income
$
(47
)
 
(44
)
 
(138
)
 
(130
)

Net periodic expense (income) for our post-retirement benefit plans included the following components:
 
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
$
5

 
6

 
16

 
18

Interest cost
40

 
35

 
119

 
105

Expected return on plan assets
(8
)
 
(10
)
 
(24
)
 
(30
)
Recognition of prior service cost
4

 
—

 
13

 
—

Recognition of actuarial loss
—

 
1

 
—

 
3

Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense
$
41

 
32

 
124

 
96


We report net periodic benefit (income) expense for our qualified pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of operations.
Earnings per Common Share
Earnings per Common Share
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were calculated as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Income (Loss) (Numerator):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Earnings applicable to non-vested restricted stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Shares (Denominator):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding during period
570,545

 
598,350

 
573,661

 
609,542

Non-vested restricted stock
(4,580
)
 
(3,763
)
 
(4,189
)
 
(3,438
)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share
565,965

 
594,587

 
569,472

 
606,104

Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issuable under convertible securities
10

 
—

 
10

 
—

Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans
1,457

 
—

 
1,158

 
—

Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share
567,432

 
594,587

 
570,640

 
606,104

Basic earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.33

 
(1.76
)
 
1.03

 
(0.79
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.33

 
(1.76
)
 
1.02

 
(0.79
)

Our calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share excludes shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options when the exercise price is greater than the average market price of our common stock during the periods reflected in the table above. Such potentially issuable shares averaged 2.1 million and 2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively and 2.5 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, due to the net loss position, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 1.16 million and 1.37 million shares, respectively, which were potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive.
Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value Disclosure
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent and knowledgeable parties who are willing and able to transact for an asset or liability at the measurement date. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value and then we rank the estimated values based on the reliability of the inputs used following the fair value hierarchy set forth by the FASB.
We determined the fair values of our long-term debt, including the current portion, based on quoted market prices where available or, if not available, based on discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates.
The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows:
Input Level
 
Description of Input
Level 1
 
Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets.
Level 2
 
Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3
 
Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, excluding capital lease and other obligations, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values as of the dates indicated below:
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Input
Level
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Liabilities—Long-term debt, excluding capital lease and other obligations
2
 
$
20,630

 
21,673

 
20,347

 
20,413

Segment Information
Segment Information
Segment Information
Segment Data
We currently report the following four segments in our consolidated financial statements: consumer, business, wholesale and hosting. Each of the segments is described further below:
•
Consumer. Consists generally of providing strategic and legacy products and services to residential consumers. Our strategic products and services offered to these customers include our broadband, wireless and video services, including our PrismTM TV services. Our legacy services offered to these customers include local and long-distance services.
•
Business. Consists generally of providing strategic and legacy products and services to commercial, enterprise, global and governmental customers. Our strategic products and services offered to these customers include our private line, broadband, Ethernet, MPLS, data integration, Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") and network management services. Our legacy services offered to these customers include local and long-distance services.
•
Wholesale. Consists generally of providing strategic and legacy products and services to other communications providers. Our strategic products and services offered to these customers are mainly private line (including special access), dedicated internet access, digital subscriber line ("DSL") and MPLS. Our legacy services offered to these customers include resale of our local access services, the sale of unbundled network elements ("UNEs") which allow our wholesale customers the use of our network or a combination of our network and their own networks to provide voice and data services to their customers, long-distance and switched access services and other services, including billing and collection services, pole and floor space rentals, public access services and database services.
•
Hosting. Consists primarily of providing colocation, managed hosting and cloud hosting services to commercial, enterprise, global, governmental and wholesale customers.


Our segment results are summarized below:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Total segment revenues
$
4,264

 
4,267

 
12,836

 
12,799

Total segment expenses
2,161

 
2,089

 
6,378

 
6,056

Total segment income
$
2,103

 
2,178

 
6,458

 
6,743

Total margin percentage
49
%
 
51
%
 
50
%
 
53
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,491

 
1,503

 
4,500

 
4,508

Expenses
611

 
605

 
1,793

 
1,728

Income
$
880

 
898

 
2,707

 
2,780

Margin percentage
59
%
 
60
%
 
60
%
 
62
%
Business:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,569

 
1,544

 
4,692

 
4,574

Expenses
997

 
932

 
2,935

 
2,701

Income
$
572

 
612

 
1,757

 
1,873

Margin percentage
36
%
 
40
%
 
37
%
 
41
%
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
843

 
878

 
2,571

 
2,694

Expenses
285

 
293

 
844

 
868

Income
$
558

 
585

 
1,727

 
1,826

Margin percentage
66
%
 
67
%
 
67
%
 
68
%
Hosting:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
361

 
342

 
1,073

 
1,023

Expenses
268

 
259

 
806

 
759

Income
$
93

 
83

 
267

 
264

Margin percentage
26
%
 
24
%
 
25
%
 
26
%

Effective November 1, 2014, we implemented a new organizational structure designed to strengthen our ability to attain our operational, strategic and financial goals. The change in our organizational structure will likely result in some modifications of our segment reporting, which we expect to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2014 and report in our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014.
Recent Changes in Segment Reporting
During the first quarter of 2014, we adopted several changes with respect to the assignment of certain expenses to our segments. We have restated our previously reported segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, to conform to the current presentation. The nature of the most significant changes and the related effect on segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are as follows:
•
The method for allocating certain shared costs of consumer sales and care, including bad debt expense and credit card fees, was revised, which resulted in an increase in consumer segment expenses of $25 million and $67 million with a corresponding decrease in business segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively; and
•
Hosting segment expenses have been conformed to the reporting of our other segments’ expenses. Specifically, the progress of our integration efforts and centralization of certain administrative functions enabled us to discontinue including certain finance, information technology, legal and human resources expenses in the hosting segment, which resulted in a decrease of $16 million and $55 million in hosting segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
Product and Service Categories
We categorize our products, services and revenues among the following four categories:
•
Strategic services, which include primarily broadband, private line (including special access which we market to wholesale and business customers), MPLS (which is a data networking technology that can deliver the quality of service required to support real-time voice and video service), hosting (including cloud hosting and managed hosting), colocation, Ethernet, video (including resold satellite and our facilities-based video services), VoIP and Verizon Wireless services;
•
Legacy services, which include primarily local, long-distance, switched access, Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") (which uses regular telephone lines to support voice, video and data applications) and traditional wide area network ("WAN") services (which allow a local communications network to link to networks in remote locations);
•
Data integration, which includes the sale of telecommunications equipment located on customers' premises and related professional services, such as network management, installation and maintenance of data equipment and building of proprietary fiber-optic broadband networks for our governmental and business customers; and
•
Other revenues, which consist primarily of Universal Service Fund ("USF") revenue and surcharges. Unlike the first three revenue categories, other revenues are not included in our segment revenues.
Our operating revenues for our products and services consisted of the following categories:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Strategic services
$
2,310

 
2,212

 
6,889

 
6,562

Legacy services
1,769

 
1,892

 
5,401

 
5,767

Data integration
185

 
163

 
546

 
470

Other
250

 
248

 
757

 
754

Total operating revenues
$
4,514

 
4,515

 
13,593

 
13,553


During 2013, operating revenues attributable to portions of certain bundled services were revised from legacy services to strategic services. Specifically, the revision resulted in a reduction of legacy services revenues of $32 million and $96 million and a corresponding increase in strategic services revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The revision was in response to over-allocating a percentage of the discounts to broadband services revenues and under-allocating a percentage of the discounts to local and long-distance services revenues under bundled services arrangements, which resulted in strategic services revenues being understated and legacy services revenues being overstated.
During 2013, operating revenues attributable to certain Competitive Local Exchange Carrier ("CLEC") retail services were revised from strategic services to legacy services. Specifically, the revision resulted in a reduction of strategic services revenues of $10 million and $29 million and a corresponding increase in legacy services revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The revision was in response to recording certain legacy services revenues generated through CLEC services arrangements as strategic services revenues, which resulted in strategic services revenues being overstated and legacy services revenues being understated.
Other operating revenues include revenues from universal service funds, which allow us to recover a portion of our costs under federal and state cost recovery mechanisms, and certain surcharges to our customers, including billings for our required contributions to several USF programs. We also generate other operating revenues from leasing and subleasing of space in our office buildings, warehouses and other properties. Because we centrally manage the activities that generate these other operating revenues, we do not allocate these revenues to any of our four segments presented above.
We recognize revenues in our consolidated statements of operations for certain USF surcharges and transaction taxes that we bill to our customers. Our consolidated statements of operations also reflects the related expense for the amounts we remit to the government agencies. The total amount of such surcharges that we included in revenues aggregated approximately $128 million and $119 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately $395 million and $368 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Those USF surcharges, where we record revenue, are included in the "other" operating revenues and transaction tax surcharges are included in "legacy services" revenues. We also act as a collection agent for certain other USF and transaction taxes that we are required by government agencies to include in our bills to customers, for which we do not record any revenue or expense because we only act as a pass-through agent.
Allocations of Revenues and Expenses
Our segment revenues include all revenues from our strategic, legacy and data integration operations as described in more detail above. We assign each of our customers to a single segment and report all of the revenues we derive from that customer to that segment, with the exception of hosting revenue generated from business and wholesale customers, which is currently reported as hosting segment revenues. We report our segment expenses for our four segments as follows:
•
Direct expenses, which primarily are specific expenses incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers, along with selling, general and administrative expenses that are directly associated with specific segment customers or activities; and
•
Allocated expenses, which include network expenses, facilities expenses and other expenses such as fleet and real estate expenses.
We do not assign depreciation and amortization expense or impairments to our segments, as the related assets and capital expenditures are centrally managed and are not monitored by or reported to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") by segment. Similarly, we do not assign to our segments severance expenses, restructuring expenses and certain centrally managed administrative functions (such as finance, information technology, legal and human resources). Interest expense is also excluded from segment results because we manage our financing on a total company basis and have not allocated assets or debt to specific segments. Similarly, we exclude other income (expense) from our segment results.
The following table reconciles segment income to net income:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Total segment income
$
2,103

 
2,178

 
6,458

 
6,743

Other operating revenues
250

 
248

 
757

 
754

Depreciation and amortization
(1,097
)
 
(1,135
)
 
(3,297
)
 
(3,375
)
Impairment of goodwill
—

 
(1,100
)
 
—

 
(1,100
)
Other unassigned operating expenses
(637
)
 
(876
)
 
(1,991
)
 
(2,210
)
Other income (expense)
(320
)
 
(320
)
 
(974
)
 
(918
)
Income tax expense
(111
)
 
(40
)
 
(369
)
 
(372
)
Net income (loss)
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
`
We do not have any single customer that provides more than 10% of our total consolidated operating revenues. Substantially all of our consolidated revenues come from customers located in the United States.
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
We are vigorously defending against all of the matters described below. As a matter of course, we are prepared both to litigate the matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities. In this Note, when we refer to a class action as "putative" it is because a class has been alleged, but not certified in that matter. We have established accrued liabilities for the matters described below where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable.
Pending Matters
In William Douglas Fulghum, et al. v. Embarq Corporation, et al., filed on December 28, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, a group of retirees filed a putative class action lawsuit challenging the decision to make certain modifications in retiree benefits programs relating to life insurance, medical insurance and prescription drug benefits, generally effective January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2008 (which, at the time of the modifications, was expected to reduce estimated future expenses for the subject benefits by more than $300 million). Defendants include Embarq, certain of its benefit plans, its Employee Benefits Committee and the individual plan administrator of certain of its benefits plans. Additional defendants include Sprint Nextel and certain of its benefit plans. The Court certified a class on certain of plaintiffs' claims, but rejected class certification as to other claims. On October 14, 2011, the Fulghum lawyers filed a new, related lawsuit, Abbott et al. v. Sprint Nextel et al. In Abbott, approximately 1,500 plaintiffs allege breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the changes in retiree benefits that also are at issue in the Fulghum case. The Abbott plaintiffs are all members of the class that was certified in Fulghum on claims for allegedly vested benefits (Counts I and III), and the Abbott claims are similar to the Fulghum breach of fiduciary duty claim (Count II), on which the Fulghum court denied class certification. The Court has stayed proceedings in Abbott indefinitely, except for limited discovery and motion practice as to approximately 80 of the plaintiffs. On February 14, 2013, the Fulghum court dismissed the majority of the plaintiffs' claims in that case. On July 16, 2013, the Fulghum court granted plaintiffs' request to seek interlocutory review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Embarq and the other defendants are defending the appeal, continue to vigorously contest any remaining claims in Fulghum and seek to have the claims in the Abbott case dismissed on similar grounds. We have not accrued a liability for these matters because we believe it is premature (i) to determine whether an accrual is warranted and (ii) if so, to determine a reasonable estimate of probable liability.
In December 2009, subsidiaries of CenturyLink filed two lawsuits against subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel to recover terminating access charges for VoIP traffic owed under various interconnection agreements and tariffs which originally approximated $34 million in the aggregate. In connection with the first lawsuit, a federal court in Virginia issued a ruling in our favor, which resulted in Sprint paying us approximately $24 million. The other lawsuit is pending in federal court in Louisiana. In that case, in early 2011 the Court dismissed certain of CenturyLink's claims, referred other claims to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), and stayed the litigation. In April 2012, Sprint Nextel filed a petition with the FCC, seeking a declaratory ruling that CenturyLink's access charges do not apply to VoIP originated calls, and earlier this year, CenturyLink filed a complaint with the Missouri Public Service Commission to collect the portion of the remaining unpaid charges arising in that state. We have not deferred any revenue recognition related to these matters.
On July 16, 2013, Comcast MO Group, Inc. ("Comcast") filed a lawsuit in Colorado state court against Qwest Communications International, Inc. ("Qwest"). Comcast alleges Qwest breached the parties' 1998 tax sharing agreement ("TSA") when it refused to partially indemnify Comcast for a tax liability settlement Comcast reached with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a dispute to which we were not a party. Comcast seeks approximately $80 million in damages, excluding interest. Qwest and Comcast are parties to the TSA in their capacities as successors to the TSA's original parties, U S WEST, Inc., a telecommunications company, and MediaOne Group, Inc., a cable television company, respectively. In October 2014, the state court granted summary judgment in Qwest's favor. An appeal is possible. We have not accrued a liability for this matter because we do not believe that liability is probable.
On September 13, 2006, Cargill Financial Markets, Plc ("Cargill") and Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, against Qwest, Koninklijke KPN N.V., KPN Telecom B.V., and other former officers, employees or supervisory board members of KPNQwest N.V. ("KPNQwest"), some of whom were formerly affiliated with Qwest. The lawsuit alleges that defendants misrepresented KPNQwest's financial and business condition in connection with the origination of a credit facility and wrongfully allowed KPNQwest to borrow funds under that facility. Plaintiffs allege damages of approximately €219 million (or approximately $278 million based on the exchange rate on September 30, 2014). The value of this claim will be reduced to the degree plaintiffs receive recovery from a distribution of assets from the bankruptcy estate of KPNQwest. The extent of such expected recovery is not yet known. On April 25, 2012, the court issued its judgment denying the claims asserted by Cargill and Citibank in their lawsuit. Cargill and Citibank are appealing that decision. We do not believe that liability is probable in this matter.
The terms and conditions of applicable bylaws, certificates or articles of incorporation, agreements or applicable law may obligate Qwest to indemnify its former directors, officers or employees with respect to the Cargill matter described above, and Qwest has been advancing legal fees and costs to certain former directors, officers or employees in connection with that matter.
Several putative class actions relating to the installation of fiber optic cable in certain rights-of-way were filed against Qwest on behalf of landowners on various dates and in courts located in 34 states in which Qwest has such cable (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.) For the most part, the complaints challenge our right to install our fiber optic cable in railroad rights-of-way. The complaints allege that the railroads own the right-of-way as an easement that did not include the right to permit us to install our cable in the right-of-way without the plaintiffs' consent. In general, the complaints seek damages on theories of trespass and unjust enrichment, as well as punitive damages. After previous attempts to enter into a single nationwide settlement in a single court proved unsuccessful, the parties proceeded to seek court approval of settlements on a state-by-state basis. To date, the parties have received final approval of such settlements in 30 states. The settlement administration process, including claim submission and evaluation, is continuing in relation to a number of these settlements. The parties have not yet received final approval in one state (Texas), and have not yet received either preliminary or final approval in two states where an action is pending (Massachusetts and New Mexico) and one state where an action was at one time, but is not currently, pending (Arizona). We have accrued an amount that we believe is probable for resolving these matters; however, the amount is not material to our consolidated financial statements.
CenturyLink and certain of its affiliates are defendants in one consolidated securities and four shareholder derivative actions. The actions are pending in federal court in the Western District of Louisiana. Plaintiffs in these actions have variously alleged, among other things, that CenturyLink and certain of its current and former officers and directors violated federal securities laws and/or breached fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders. Plaintiffs' complaints focus on alleged material misstatements or omissions concerning CenturyLink's financial condition and changes in CenturyLink's capital allocation strategy in early 2013. These matters are in preliminary phases and the Company intends to defend against the filed actions vigorously. We have not accrued a liability for these matters as it is premature (i) to determine whether an accrual is warranted and (ii) if so, to determine a reasonable estimate of probable liability.
Other Proceedings and Disputes
From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings incidental to our business, including patent infringement allegations, administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to our rates or services, actions relating to employee claims, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies, and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial in the coming 24 months if they are not otherwise resolved. Where applicable, we are seeking full or partial indemnification from our vendors and suppliers. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared both to litigate the matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities.
We are aware of disputes and litigation within the industry, including litigation against us, regarding the proper charges to be applied between interexchange and local exchange carriers for certain calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an interexchange carrier. Some carriers are refusing to pay these access charges and some are seeking refunds of past charges paid. As both an interexchange carrier and a local exchange carrier, we both pay and assess substantial amounts of the charges in question. The outcome of these disputes and litigation are currently not predictable. If we are required to stop assessing these charges or to pay refunds of any such charges, our financial results could be negatively affected.
Other Financial Information
Other financial information
Other Financial Information
Other Current Assets
The following table presents details of other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of the dates indicated below:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses
$
260

 
266

Materials, supplies and inventory
134

 
167

Assets held for sale
54

 
26

Deferred activation and installation charges
105

 
94

Other
38

 
44

Total other current assets
$
591

 
597


Assets held for sale includes several properties that we expect to sell within the next twelve months. During the second quarter of 2014, we began discussions to sell our remaining 700 MHz A-Block wireless spectrum licenses, which we purchased in 2008 but never placed into service. As a result of changes in market conditions and prevailing spectrum prices, we recorded a second quarter 2014 impairment charge of $14 million, which is included in other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2014, we reclassified the remaining $39 million of wireless spectrum assets from other intangible assets to assets held for sale, as we anticipate completing the sale of such assets within one year. We evaluated spectrum prices using market conditions to determine a Level 3 estimate of the fair value of the wireless spectrum licenses. In July 2014, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell and assign our remaining 700 MHz A-Block wireless spectrum licenses for $39 million in cash in the aggregate. The sale closed on November 3, 2014, and we received $39 million in cash in the aggregate.
Selected Current Liabilities
Current liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets include accounts payable and other current liabilities as of the dates indicated below:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Accounts payable
$
1,069

 
1,111

Other current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued rent
$
33

 
52

Legal reserves
18

 
273

Other
173

 
189

Total other current liabilities
$
224

 
514


Included in accounts payable at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were $77 million and $88 million, respectively, representing book overdrafts and $120 million and $140 million, respectively, associated with capital expenditures. Included in legal reserves at December 31, 2013, was $235 million related to the then tentative settlement agreement with the trustees in the KPNQwest Dutch bankruptcy proceeding. In February 2014, we paid approximately €171 million (or approximately $235 million) to settle this proceeding.
Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock
Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock
Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock
In February 2013, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $2 billion of our outstanding common stock. On May 29, 2014, we completed the 2013 stock repurchase program, repurchasing over the course of the program a total of 59.5 million shares in the open market at an average purchase price of $33.63 per share. Of those aggregate amounts, we repurchased 13.7 million shares in the open market during the first half of 2014 for an aggregate market price of $433 million, or an average purchase price of $31.54 per share. All shares of common stock repurchased under our 2013 program have been retired.
In February 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a new 24-month program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $1 billion of our outstanding common stock. This new program took effect on May 29, 2014, immediately upon the completion of our predecessor 2013 stock repurchase program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased 2.9 million shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market under our 2014 stock repurchase program. These shares were repurchased for an aggregate market price of $109 million, or an average purchase price of $37.29 per share. The repurchased common stock has been retired. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately $891 million remaining available for stock repurchases under the 2014 stock repurchase program.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The tables below summarize changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at June 30, 2014
$
(661
)
 
(116
)
 
(2
)
 
(779
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
4

 
2

 
—

 
6

Net current-period other comprehensive income
4

 
2

 
(16
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
(657
)
 
(114
)
 
(18
)
 
(789
)
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
(669
)
 
(122
)
 
(11
)
 
(802
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
12

 
8

 
—

 
20

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
12

 
8

 
(7
)
 
13

Balance at September 30, 2014
$
(657
)
 
(114
)
 
(18
)
 
(789
)

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(5
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(5
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(10
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
4

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(6
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(15
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(18
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(33
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
13

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(20
)
 
 


The tables below summarize changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at June 30, 2013
$
(1,372
)
 
(288
)
 
(27
)
 
(1,687
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
13

 
13

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
13

 
1

 
—

 
14

Net current-period other comprehensive income
13

 
1

 
13

 
27

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
(1,359
)
 
(287
)
 
(14
)
 
(1,660
)
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
(1,399
)
 
(289
)
 
(13
)
 
(1,701
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
40

 
2

 
—

 
42

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
40

 
2

 
(1
)
 
41

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
(1,359
)
 
(287
)
 
(14
)
 
(1,660
)

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(21
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(1
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(22
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
8

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(14
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(64
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(4
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(68
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
26

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(42
)
 
 
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09” or “new standard”). The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017, and early adoption is prohibited. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted by applying the provisions of the new standard on a retrospective basis to the periods included in the financial statements or on a modified retrospective basis which would result in the recognition of a cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2017. We have not yet decided which implementation method we will adopt.
The new standard replaces virtually all existing generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) on revenue recognition and replaces them with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition using a new five step model. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. We currently do not defer any contract acquisition costs and defer contract fulfillment costs only up to the extent of any revenue deferred.
We are studying the new standard and are in the early stages of assessing the impact the new standard will have on us and our consolidated financial statements. We cannot, however, provide any estimate of the impact of adopting the new standard at this time.
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)
Schedule of long-term debt including unamortized discounts and premiums
As of the dates indicated below, our long-term debt, including unamortized discounts and premiums, was as follows:
 
Interest Rates
 
Maturities
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
CenturyLink, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
5.000% - 7.650%
 
2015 - 2042
 
$
7,825

 
7,825

Credit facility (1)
2.160% - 4.250%
 
2017
 
585

 
725

Term loan
2.410%
 
2019
 
385

 
402

Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qwest Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
6.125% - 8.375%
 
2014 - 2054
 
7,911

 
7,411

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
6.500% - 7.750%
 
2018 - 2031
 
981

 
981

Embarq Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
7.082% - 7.995%
 
2016 - 2036
 
2,669

 
2,669

First mortgage bonds
7.125% - 8.770%
 
2017 - 2025
 
232

 
262

Other
9.000%
 
2019
 
150

 
150

Capital lease and other obligations
Various
 
Various
 
521

 
619

Unamortized discounts, net
 
 
 
 
(108
)
 
(78
)
Total long-term debt
 
 
 
 
21,151

 
20,966

Less current maturities
 
 
 
 
(1,169
)
 
(785
)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
 
 
 
 
$
19,982

 
20,181

______________________________________________________________________ 
(1) 
The outstanding amounts of our credit facility ("Credit Facility") borrowings at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $585 million and $725 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 2.160% and 2.176%, respectively. These amounts change on a regular basis.
Severance and Leased Real Estate (Tables)
Schedule of changes in accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate
Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate during the first nine months of 2014 were as follows:
 
Severance
 
Real Estate
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
17

 
113

Accrued to expense
65

 
1

Payments, net
(63
)
 
(12
)
Reversals and adjustments
—

 
(2
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
19

 
100

Employee Benefits (Tables)
Schedule of components of net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and post-retirement benefit expense
Net periodic (income) expense for our qualified and non-qualified pension plans included the following components:
 
Pension Plans
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
$
19

 
22

 
58

 
70

Interest cost
151

 
137

 
453

 
407

Expected return on plan assets
(223
)
 
(224
)
 
(669
)
 
(672
)
Recognition of prior service cost
1

 
1

 
5

 
4

Recognition of actuarial loss
5

 
20

 
15

 
61

Net periodic pension benefit income
$
(47
)
 
(44
)
 
(138
)
 
(130
)

Net periodic expense (income) for our post-retirement benefit plans included the following components:
 
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
$
5

 
6

 
16

 
18

Interest cost
40

 
35

 
119

 
105

Expected return on plan assets
(8
)
 
(10
)
 
(24
)
 
(30
)
Recognition of prior service cost
4

 
—

 
13

 
—

Recognition of actuarial loss
—

 
1

 
—

 
3

Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense
$
41

 
32

 
124

 
96

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)
Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per common share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were calculated as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Income (Loss) (Numerator):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Earnings applicable to non-vested restricted stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Shares (Denominator):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding during period
570,545

 
598,350

 
573,661

 
609,542

Non-vested restricted stock
(4,580
)
 
(3,763
)
 
(4,189
)
 
(3,438
)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share
565,965

 
594,587

 
569,472

 
606,104

Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issuable under convertible securities
10

 
—

 
10

 
—

Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans
1,457

 
—

 
1,158

 
—

Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share
567,432

 
594,587

 
570,640

 
606,104

Basic earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.33

 
(1.76
)
 
1.03

 
(0.79
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.33

 
(1.76
)
 
1.02

 
(0.79
)

Our calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share excludes shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options when the exercise price is greater than the average market price of our common stock during the periods reflected in the table above. Such potentially issuable shares averaged 2.1 million and 2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively and 2.5 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, due to the net loss position, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 1.16 million and 1.37 million shares, respectively, which were potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive.
Fair Value Disclosure (Tables)
Schedule of carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, and input level to determine fair values
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, excluding capital lease and other obligations, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values as of the dates indicated below:
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Input
Level
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Liabilities—Long-term debt, excluding capital lease and other obligations
2
 
$
20,630

 
21,673

 
20,347

 
20,413

Segment Information (Tables)
Schedule of segment results 
Our segment results are summarized below:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Total segment revenues
$
4,264

 
4,267

 
12,836

 
12,799

Total segment expenses
2,161

 
2,089

 
6,378

 
6,056

Total segment income
$
2,103

 
2,178

 
6,458

 
6,743

Total margin percentage
49
%
 
51
%
 
50
%
 
53
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,491

 
1,503

 
4,500

 
4,508

Expenses
611

 
605

 
1,793

 
1,728

Income
$
880

 
898

 
2,707

 
2,780

Margin percentage
59
%
 
60
%
 
60
%
 
62
%
Business:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,569

 
1,544

 
4,692

 
4,574

Expenses
997

 
932

 
2,935

 
2,701

Income
$
572

 
612

 
1,757

 
1,873

Margin percentage
36
%
 
40
%
 
37
%
 
41
%
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
843

 
878

 
2,571

 
2,694

Expenses
285

 
293

 
844

 
868

Income
$
558

 
585

 
1,727

 
1,826

Margin percentage
66
%
 
67
%
 
67
%
 
68
%
Hosting:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
361

 
342

 
1,073

 
1,023

Expenses
268

 
259

 
806

 
759

Income
$
93

 
83

 
267

 
264

Margin percentage
26
%
 
24
%
 
25
%
 
26
%
Schedule of operating revenues by products and services 
Our operating revenues for our products and services consisted of the following categories:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Strategic services
$
2,310

 
2,212

 
6,889

 
6,562

Legacy services
1,769

 
1,892

 
5,401

 
5,767

Data integration
185

 
163

 
546

 
470

Other
250

 
248

 
757

 
754

Total operating revenues
$
4,514

 
4,515

 
13,593

 
13,553

Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated net income 
The following table reconciles segment income to net income:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Total segment income
$
2,103

 
2,178

 
6,458

 
6,743

Other operating revenues
250

 
248

 
757

 
754

Depreciation and amortization
(1,097
)
 
(1,135
)
 
(3,297
)
 
(3,375
)
Impairment of goodwill
—

 
(1,100
)
 
—

 
(1,100
)
Other unassigned operating expenses
(637
)
 
(876
)
 
(1,991
)
 
(2,210
)
Other income (expense)
(320
)
 
(320
)
 
(974
)
 
(918
)
Income tax expense
(111
)
 
(40
)
 
(369
)
 
(372
)
Net income (loss)
$
188

 
(1,045
)
 
584

 
(478
)
Other Financial Information (Tables)
Schedule of components of other current assets 
The following table presents details of other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of the dates indicated below:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses
$
260

 
266

Materials, supplies and inventory
134

 
167

Assets held for sale
54

 
26

Deferred activation and installation charges
105

 
94

Other
38

 
44

Total other current assets
$
591

 
597

Schedule of current liabilities including accounts payable and other current liabilities 
Current liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets include accounts payable and other current liabilities as of the dates indicated below:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in millions)
Accounts payable
$
1,069

 
1,111

Other current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued rent
$
33

 
52

Legal reserves
18

 
273

Other
173

 
189

Total other current liabilities
$
224

 
514

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of the entity's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component 
The tables below summarize changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at June 30, 2014
$
(661
)
 
(116
)
 
(2
)
 
(779
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
4

 
2

 
—

 
6

Net current-period other comprehensive income
4

 
2

 
(16
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
(657
)
 
(114
)
 
(18
)
 
(789
)
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
(669
)
 
(122
)
 
(11
)
 
(802
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
12

 
8

 
—

 
20

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
12

 
8

 
(7
)
 
13

Balance at September 30, 2014
$
(657
)
 
(114
)
 
(18
)
 
(789
)
Summary of the entity's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component 
The tables below summarize changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at June 30, 2013
$
(1,372
)
 
(288
)
 
(27
)
 
(1,687
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
13

 
13

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
13

 
1

 
—

 
14

Net current-period other comprehensive income
13

 
1

 
13

 
27

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
(1,359
)
 
(287
)
 
(14
)
 
(1,660
)
 
Pension Plans
 
Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
and Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
(1,399
)
 
(289
)
 
(13
)
 
(1,701
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
40

 
2

 
—

 
42

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
40

 
2

 
(1
)
 
41

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
(1,359
)
 
(287
)
 
(14
)
 
(1,660
)
Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component 
The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(5
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(5
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(10
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
4

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(6
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(15
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(18
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(33
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
13

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(20
)
 
 
Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component 
The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(21
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(1
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(22
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
8

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(14
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(Decrease) Increase
in Net Income
 
Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of
Operations or Footnote Where Additional
Information is Presented If The Amount is not
Recognized in Net Income in Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
$
(64
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Prior service cost
 
(4
)
 
See Note 4-Employee Benefits
Total before tax
 
(68
)
 
 
Income tax expense
 
26

 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
(42
)
 
 
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Change in estimates of economic lives of property, plant and equipment
Sep. 30, 2014
Change in estimates of economic lives of property, plant and equipment
Sep. 30, 2014
Change in estimates of economic lives of intangible assets
Dec. 31, 2014
Forecast
Change in estimates of economic lives of property, plant and equipment
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
$ 19 
$ 58 
 
$ 78 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
23 
 
Change in net income for change in accounting estimate
$ (188)
$ 1,045 
$ (584)
$ 478 
$ 12 
$ 36 
$ 14 
$ 48 
Earnings per share, basic and diluted
 
 
 
 
$ 0.02 
$ 0.06 
$ 0.02 
$ 0.08 
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - (Details 2) (Office building, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Office building
 
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
 
Impairment of office building
$ 16 
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
CenturyLink, Inc.
Senior notes
Dec. 31, 2013
CenturyLink, Inc.
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
CenturyLink, Inc.
Term Loan
Dec. 31, 2013
CenturyLink, Inc.
Term Loan
Sep. 30, 2014
CenturyLink, Inc.
Minimum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
CenturyLink, Inc.
Maximum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes
Dec. 31, 2013
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Corporation
Minimum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Corporation
Maximum
Senior notes
Sep. 29, 2014
Qwest Corporation
Notes, 6.875 percent due 2054
Senior notes
Oct. 1, 2014
Qwest Corporation
Notes, 7.500 percent due 2014
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes
Dec. 31, 2013
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Minimum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Maximum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Senior notes
Dec. 31, 2013
Embarq
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
First mortgage bonds
Dec. 31, 2013
Embarq
First mortgage bonds
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Other
Dec. 31, 2013
Embarq
Other
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Minimum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Minimum
First mortgage bonds
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Maximum
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Embarq
Maximum
First mortgage bonds
Apr. 1, 2014
Embarq
Notes, 7.460 percent due 2014
First mortgage bonds
Oct. 1, 2014
Subsequent event type
Qwest Corporation
Notes, 7.500 percent due 2014
Senior notes
Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
CenturyLink, Inc.
Credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
CenturyLink, Inc.
Credit facility
Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
CenturyLink, Inc.
Minimum
Credit facility
Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
CenturyLink, Inc.
Maximum
Credit facility
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total long-term debt
 
 
$ 7,825 
$ 7,825 
$ 385 
$ 402 
 
 
$ 7,911 
$ 7,411 
 
 
 
 
$ 981 
$ 981 
 
 
$ 2,669 
$ 2,669 
$ 232 
$ 262 
$ 150 
$ 150 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 585 
$ 725 
 
 
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
500 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.16% 
2.176% 
 
 
Capital lease and other obligations
521 
619 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized (discounts) premiums and other, net
108 
78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total long-term debt
21,151 
20,966 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less current maturities
(1,169)
(785)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
19,982 
20,181 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stated interest rate (as a percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.00% 
7.65% 
 
 
6.125% 
8.375% 
6.875% 
7.50% 
 
 
6.50% 
7.75% 
 
 
 
 
9.00% 
 
7.082% 
7.125% 
7.995% 
8.77% 
7.46% 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate at period end (percent)
 
 
 
 
2.41% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate at period end (percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.16% 
4.25% 
Proceeds from issuance of senior long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
483 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 30 
$ 600 
 
 
 
 
Severance and Leased Real Estate (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Severance
 
Restructuring reserve
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
$ 17 
Accrued to expense
65 
Payments, net
(63)
Reversals and adjustments
0 
Balance at the end of the period
19 
Leased real estate
 
Leased Real Estate
 
Current portion of leased real estate accrual
15 
Noncurrent portion of leased real estate accrual
85 
Restructuring reserve
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
113 
Accrued to expense
1 
Payments, net
(12)
Reversals and adjustments
(2)
Balance at the end of the period
$ 100 
Ceased-use leased real estate accrual |
Leased real estate |
Minimum
 
Leased Real Estate
 
Remaining lease terms
4 months 
Ceased-use leased real estate accrual |
Leased real estate |
Maximum
 
Leased Real Estate
 
Remaining lease terms
11 years 2 months 
Ceased-use leased real estate accrual |
Leased real estate |
Weighted average
 
Leased Real Estate
 
Weighted average lease terms
8 years 6 months 
Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Pension plans
 
 
 
 
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$ 19 
$ 22 
$ 58 
$ 70 
Interest cost
151 
137 
453 
407 
Expected return on plan assets
(223)
(224)
(669)
(672)
Recognition of prior service cost
1 
1 
5 
4 
Recognition of actuarial loss
5 
20 
15 
61 
Net periodic benefit (income) expense
(47)
(44)
(138)
(130)
Post-retirement benefit plans
 
 
 
 
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
 
 
 
 
Service cost
5 
6 
16 
18 
Interest cost
40 
35 
119 
105 
Expected return on plan assets
(8)
(10)
(24)
(30)
Recognition of prior service cost
4 
0 
13 
0 
Recognition of actuarial loss
0 
1 
0 
3 
Net periodic benefit (income) expense
$ 41 
$ 32 
$ 124 
$ 96 
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Income (Numerator):
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$ 188 
$ (1,045)
$ 584 
$ (478)
Earnings applicable to non-vested restricted stock
0 
0 
0 
0 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share
188 
(1,045)
584 
(478)
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$ 188 
$ (1,045)
$ 584 
$ (478)
Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
Outstanding during period (in shares)
570,545,000 
598,350,000 
573,661,000 
609,542,000 
Non-vested restricted stock (in shares)
(4,580,000)
(3,763,000)
(4,189,000)
(3,438,000)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share (in shares)
565,965,000 
594,587,000 
569,472,000 
606,104,000 
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Shares issuable under convertible securities (in shares)
10,000 
0 
10,000 
0 
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans (in shares)
1,457,000 
0 
1,158,000 
0 
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in shares)
567,432,000 
594,587,000 
570,640,000 
606,104,000 
Basic earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.33 
$ (1.76)
$ 1.03 
$ (0.79)
Diluted earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.33 
$ (1.76)
$ 1.02 
$ (0.79)
Stock option awards
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)
2,100,000 
2,700,000 
2,500,000 
2,500,000 
Share-based payments and convertible debt securities
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)
 
1,160,000 
 
1,370,000 
Fair Value Disclosure (Details) (Fair value inputs, Level 2, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying amount
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Liabilities - Long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations
$ 20,630 
$ 20,347 
Fair value
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Liabilities - Long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations
$ 21,673 
$ 20,413 
Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
segment
Sep. 30, 2013
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Number of operating segments (segments)
 
 
4 
 
Operating revenue
$ 4,514 
$ 4,515 
$ 13,593 
$ 13,553 
Expenses
3,895 
5,200 
11,666 
12,741 
Total segment income
619 
(685)
1,927 
812 
Operating segments
 
 
 
 
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
4,264 
4,267 
12,836 
12,799 
Expenses
2,161 
2,089 
6,378 
6,056 
Total segment income
2,103 
2,178 
6,458 
6,743 
Margin percentage (percent)
49.00% 
51.00% 
50.00% 
53.00% 
Consumer
 
 
 
 
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
1,491 
1,503 
4,500 
4,508 
Expenses
611 
605 
1,793 
1,728 
Total segment income
880 
898 
2,707 
2,780 
Margin percentage (percent)
59.00% 
60.00% 
60.00% 
62.00% 
Intersegment expense reclassification adjustment
 
25 
 
67 
Business
 
 
 
 
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
1,569 
1,544 
4,692 
4,574 
Expenses
997 
932 
2,935 
2,701 
Total segment income
572 
612 
1,757 
1,873 
Margin percentage (percent)
36.00% 
40.00% 
37.00% 
41.00% 
Intersegment expense reclassification adjustment
 
(25)
 
(67)
Wholesale
 
 
 
 
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
843 
878 
2,571 
2,694 
Expenses
285 
293 
844 
868 
Total segment income
558 
585 
1,727 
1,826 
Margin percentage (percent)
66.00% 
67.00% 
67.00% 
68.00% 
Hosting
 
 
 
 
Segment information
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
361 
342 
1,073 
1,023 
Expenses
268 
259 
806 
759 
Total segment income
93 
83 
267 
264 
Margin percentage (percent)
26.00% 
24.00% 
25.00% 
26.00% 
Intersegment expense reclassification adjustment
 
$ (16)
 
$ (55)
Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
category
Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues by products and services
 
 
 
 
Number of groups of products and services (categories)
 
 
4 
 
Number of groups of products and services included in segment revenue (categories)
 
 
3 
 
Operating revenue
$ 4,514 
$ 4,515 
$ 13,593 
$ 13,553 
Surcharge amount on customers' bills
128 
119 
395 
368 
Strategic services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues by products and services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
2,310 
2,212 
6,889 
6,562 
Products and services categories reclassification adjustment
 
32 
 
96 
Legacy services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues by products and services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
1,769 
1,892 
5,401 
5,767 
Products and services categories reclassification adjustment
 
10 
 
29 
Data integration
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues by products and services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
185 
163 
546 
470 
Other
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues by products and services
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$ 250 
$ 248 
$ 757 
$ 754 
Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Total segment income
$ 619 
$ (685)
$ 1,927 
$ 812 
Depreciation and amortization
(1,097)
(1,135)
(3,297)
(3,375)
Impairment of goodwill
0 
(1,100)
0 
(1,100)
Other unassigned operating expenses
(823)
(1,047)
(2,497)
(2,679)
Other income (expense), net
(320)
(320)
(974)
(918)
Income tax expense
(111)
(40)
(369)
(372)
Net income (loss)
188 
(1,045)
584 
(478)
Operating segments
 
 
 
 
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Total segment income
2,103 
2,178 
6,458 
6,743 
Segment Reconciling Items
 
 
 
 
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Other operating revenues
250 
248 
757 
754 
Depreciation and amortization
(1,097)
(1,135)
(3,297)
(3,375)
Impairment of goodwill
0 
(1,100)
0 
(1,100)
Other unassigned operating expenses
(637)
(876)
(1,991)
(2,210)
Other income (expense), net
(320)
(320)
(974)
(918)
Income tax expense
$ (111)
$ (40)
$ (369)
$ (372)
Commitments and Contingencies (Details)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
24 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2007
William Douglas Fulghum, et al. v. Embarq Corporation
Embarq
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Abbott et al. v. Sprint Nextel et al.
Embarq
plaintiff
Dec. 31, 2013
Pending litigation related to Federal Communications Act
CenturyLink, Inc.
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2009
Pending litigation related to Federal Communications Act
CenturyLink, Inc.
USD ($)
Jul. 17, 2013
Comcast
Qwest Communications International Inc.
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Cargill Financial Markets, Plc and Citibank, N.A.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Cargill Financial Markets, Plc and Citibank, N.A.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
EUR (€)
Sep. 30, 2014
Fiber-optic cable installation
Qwest Communications International Inc.
state
Sep. 30, 2014
Securities actions
CenturyLink, Inc.
security
Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative actions
CenturyLink, Inc.
lawsuit
Loss Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charges claimed against Sprint Nextel
 
 
 
$ 34 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from Legal Settlements
 
 
24 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of modifications made to Embarq's benefits program, greater than
300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of plaintiffs have alleged breach of fiduciary duty (plaintiffs)
 
1,500 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Litigation Matters Assumed in Qwest Acquisition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Damages sought by plaintiff
 
 
 
 
$ 80 
$ 278 
€ 219 
 
 
 
Number of states in which service is provided (states)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34 
 
 
Number of states in which final approval of settlements received (states)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30 
 
 
Number of states with final approval pending
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
Number of states in which preliminary or final approval of settlements have not yet been received (states)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
Number of states in which actions are not currently pending
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
Number of securities actions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
Number of shareholder derivative actions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 
Other Financial Information (Details) (Wireless spectrum licenses, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Wireless spectrum licenses
 
 
Schedule of Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held for Sale
 
 
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets
$ 14 
$ 14 
Other Financial Information (Details 2) (Qwest Communications International Inc., KPNQwest)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended
Feb. 27, 2014
USD ($)
Feb. 27, 2014
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Loss Contingencies
 
 
 
Legal reserve, KPNQwest litigation settlement
 
 
$ 235 
Payments for legal settlements
$ 235 
€ 171 
 
Other Financial Information - Current Assets and Current Liabilities (Details 3) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Wireless spectrum licenses
Sep. 30, 2013
Wireless spectrum licenses
Jul. 28, 2014
Wireless spectrum licenses
Nov. 3, 2014
Wireless spectrum licenses
Subsequent event type
Sep. 30, 2014
Wireless spectrum licenses
Fair value inputs, Level 3
Schedule of Other Current Assets and Selected Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets
 
 
$ 14 
$ 14 
 
 
 
Other Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses
260 
266 
 
 
 
 
 
Materials, supplies and inventory
134 
167 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets held for sale
54 
26 
 
 
 
 
39 
Deferred activation and installation charges
105 
94 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
38 
44 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other current assets
591 
597 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
1,069 
1,111 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued rent
33 
52 
 
 
 
 
 
Legal reserves
18 
273 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
173 
189 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other current liabilities
224 
514 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book overdraft balance
77 
88 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid
120 
140 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales Price per Sales Agreement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale price specified in definitive sales agreement
 
 
 
 
39 
 
 
Disposed long-lived assets, contract sales price
 
 
 
 
 
$ 39 
 
Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended 16 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Share repurchase program authorized February 2013
May 31, 2014
Share repurchase program authorized February 2013
Feb. 28, 2013
Share repurchase program authorized February 2013
Feb. 27, 2014
Share repurchase program authorized February 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Share repurchase program authorized February 2014
Feb. 28, 2014
Share repurchase program authorized February 2014
Schedule of Stock Repurchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock repurchases, aggregate authorized amount
 
 
$ 2,000,000,000 
 
 
$ 1,000,000,000 
Number of shares repurchased (shares)
13.7 
 
 
 
2.9 
 
Aggregate market price of shares repurchased
433,000,000 
 
 
 
109,000,000 
 
Average purchase price at which shares were repurchased (in dollars per share)
$ 31.54 
 
 
 
$ 37.29 
 
Stock repurchased and retired during program period, shares
 
59.5 
 
 
 
 
Stock repurchased and retired during program period, average cost per share
 
$ 33.63 
 
 
 
 
Stock repurchase program, period in force
 
 
 
24 months 
 
 
Stock repurchases, remaining authorized amount
 
 
 
 
$ 891,000,000 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
$ (779)
$ (1,687)
$ (802)
$ (1,701)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(16)
13 
(7)
(1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
6 
14 
20 
42 
Other comprehensive income
(10)
27 
13 
41 
Balance at the end of the period
(789)
(1,660)
(789)
(1,660)
Defined benefit plan |
Pension plans
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
(661)
(1,372)
(669)
(1,399)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
0 
0 
0 
0 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
4 
13 
12 
40 
Other comprehensive income
4 
13 
12 
40 
Balance at the end of the period
(657)
(1,359)
(657)
(1,359)
Defined benefit plan |
Post-retirement benefit plans
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
(116)
(288)
(122)
(289)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
0 
0 
0 
0 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
2 
1 
8 
2 
Other comprehensive income
2 
1 
8 
2 
Balance at the end of the period
(114)
(287)
(114)
(287)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
Balance at the beginning of the period
(2)
(27)
(11)
(13)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(16)
13 
(7)
(1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
0 
0 
0 
0 
Other comprehensive income
(16)
13 
(7)
(1)
Balance at the end of the period
$ (18)
$ (14)
$ (18)
$ (14)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
$ 299 
$ (1,005)
$ 953 
$ (106)
Income tax expense
111 
40 
369 
372 
Net income (loss)
188 
(1,045)
584 
(478)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
(5)
(21)
(15)
(64)
Prior service cost
(5)
(1)
(18)
(4)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
(10)
(22)
(33)
(68)
Income tax expense
(4)
(8)
(13)
(26)
Net income (loss)
$ (6)
$ (14)
$ (20)
$ (42)