Sprint Q4 Net Loss Narrows - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Sprint Corp. (S), the third largest U.S. wireless carrier, reported Tuesday that its fourth-quarter net loss was $1.04 billion or $0.26 per share, compared to a loss of $1.35 billion a year ago. Operating loss for the quarter was $576 million, as compared to an operating loss of $738 million last year.

Quarterly adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization or EBITDA of $1.15 billion improved nearly 40 percent year-over-year. The company attributed the increase to growth in Sprint platform service revenue, network savings resulting from the Nextel platform shutdown and lower net subsidy expense. These were partially offset by the loss of Nextel platform revenue and the consolidation of Clearwire's results. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 14.5 percent.

In the quarter, operating revenue increased to $9.14 billion from prior year's $9.01 billion.

Sprint said it ended the year with 53.9 million Sprint platform subscribers, after adding 58,000 postpaid subscribers, 322,000 prepaid subscribers and 302,000 wholesale and affiliate subscribers in the quarter. Sprint sold 5.6 million smartphones in the quarter.

Looking ahead, the company expects 2014 adjusted EBITDA to be between $6.5 billion and $6.7 billion. The company expects 2014 capital expenditures of approximately $8 billion.