
SBC Sees Charges
SBC
(SBC)
said late Tuesday that it would take $250 million worth of fourth-quarter charges to cover severance and pension costs.
SBC said severance expenses linked to its ongoing job-cutting program will amount to $150 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, while costs of changing assumptions on the management pension plan will total $100 million. SBC said that it cut 6,000 jobs in 2004 and that it could cut at least 4,000 more this year.
SBC said the charges should trim fourth-quarter earnings by a nickel a share. The company, which is due to post fourth-quarter numbers Jan. 26, is expected to earn 33 cents a share on revenue of $13.7 billion, going by the Thomson First Call consensus.
The San Antonio, Texas-based telco said it would recognize additional charges for integration costs in the quarter as its 60%-owned Cingular Wireless unit folds in newly acquired AT&T Wireless.
SBC fell 18 cents Tuesday to $24.72.