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Comcast Corporation Expects $2 Billion in Free Cash Flow in 2004, Previews Operating Cash Flow Guidance

Posted on: Thursday, 18 December 2003, 06:00 CST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comcast Corporation today announced that it expects to generate consolidated free cash flow in 2004 of approximately $2 billion. This substantial level of free cash flow is expected to be driven by 15-17% growth in cable operating cash flow and significantly reduced cable capital expenditures of $3.3-3.4 billion, as the company completes the upgrade of its cable systems. The Company expects to report considerable additional liquidity resources at year-end 2003, including an estimated cash position of $1.7 billion, $1.5 billion in Time Warner stock, $1.3 billion in Liberty Media stock, a 21% interest in Time Warner Cable and interests in other cable partnerships.

As a result of the company's outstanding operating performance in 2003 and strong balance sheet, its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of the Company's outstanding common equity securities. Comcast expects such repurchases to occur from time to time, in the open market or in private transactions, subject to market conditions.

Brian L. Roberts, president and CEO of Comcast Corporation said, "Our operational and integration progress will produce continued revenue and operating cash flow growth and significant free cash flow in 2004. We have strengthened our balance sheet with nearly $7 billion in debt reduction and still retain substantial additional liquidity. Our solid financial and operating performance combined with confidence in our continuing growth prospects are reflected in this stock repurchase announcement."

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect actual results from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to Comcast's Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of such risks and uncertainties.

This press release also contains non-GAAP financial measures, as defined in Regulation G, adopted by the SEC. We provide a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure on the investor relations page of our web site at http://www.cmcsa.com/, under GAAP reconciliation. For purposes of this release we define operating cash flow (OCF), as operating income before depreciation and amortization, free cash flow, as OCF net of capital expenditures, interest expense and taxes, and debt, as debt excluding notes collateralized by securities we own.

Comcast Corporation (http://www.comcast.com/) is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the provision of programming content. The Company is the largest cable company in the United States, serving more than 21 million cable subscribers. The Company's content businesses include majority ownership of Comcast Spectacor, Comcast SportsNet, E! Entertainment Television, Style, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network and G4. Comcast Class A common stock and Class A Special common stock trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively.

Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Investor Relations - Marlene S. Dooner, Vice President,+1-215-981-7392, Leslie A. Arena, Director, +1-215-981-8511, or Daniel J.Goodwin, Director, +1-215-981-7518; or Media - Timothy H. Fitzpatrick,Director, +1-215-981-8515, all of Comcast Corporation

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/http://www.cmcsa.com/

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