Deutsche Telekom resists writedowns
By Richard Waters in New York
Published: May 9 2002 20:45 | Last Updated: May 9 2002 20:58
Deutsche Telekom has emerged as the only big company to resist writing off billions of dollars against profits after making costly acquisitions during the communications and media industry bubble.
The German telecoms group's unusual approach puts it at odds with other acquisitive media and communications companies and has raised eyebrows in accounting circles, where such write-downs are seen as practically automatic.
The company's approach, which is technically allowed under accounting rules, has removed a potential source of pressure on Ron Sommer, the embattled chief executive.
Jean-Marie Messier, chairman of Vivendi Universal, French media and utilities company, faced protests when his company registered a E15.7bn ($14.13bn; £10.72bn) charge earlier this year.
The parade of companies suffering giant writedowns from acquisitions continued this week as ClearChannel, US radio station group, registered a $17bn (£11.6bn) charge.
Others have included JDS Uniphase, the biggest maker of optical equipment, which has written off $48bn, and AOL Time Warner, which wrote off $54bn.
Deutsche Telekom has faced questions over its accounting arising from its acquisitions last year of US mobile companies VoiceStream and Powertel for more than $25bn. The collapse in the value of wireless companies since then has led most analysts to conclude that the US business is now worth only $5bn-$10bn.
Other media and communications companies have responded to the stock market slump, and to a new US accounting rule dealing with the subject, by writing off much of the goodwill associated with their acquisitions. A similar move by DT could lead to a charge against profits of more than $15bn.
However, the German telecoms company, which reported preliminary profits last month, has resisted taking a charge.
"That is surprising, given what has happened in the [stock] market," said Tim Lucas, a former official at the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which drew up the rule.
"VoiceStream is absolutely performing to our expectations," Deutsche Telekom said.
However, companies are expected to use the stock market's view as one indicator when reaching their own valuations, said Mr Lucas.
Gruß Pichel
By Richard Waters in New York
Published: May 9 2002 20:45 | Last Updated: May 9 2002 20:58
Deutsche Telekom has emerged as the only big company to resist writing off billions of dollars against profits after making costly acquisitions during the communications and media industry bubble.
The German telecoms group's unusual approach puts it at odds with other acquisitive media and communications companies and has raised eyebrows in accounting circles, where such write-downs are seen as practically automatic.
The company's approach, which is technically allowed under accounting rules, has removed a potential source of pressure on Ron Sommer, the embattled chief executive.
Jean-Marie Messier, chairman of Vivendi Universal, French media and utilities company, faced protests when his company registered a E15.7bn ($14.13bn; £10.72bn) charge earlier this year.
The parade of companies suffering giant writedowns from acquisitions continued this week as ClearChannel, US radio station group, registered a $17bn (£11.6bn) charge.
Others have included JDS Uniphase, the biggest maker of optical equipment, which has written off $48bn, and AOL Time Warner, which wrote off $54bn.
Deutsche Telekom has faced questions over its accounting arising from its acquisitions last year of US mobile companies VoiceStream and Powertel for more than $25bn. The collapse in the value of wireless companies since then has led most analysts to conclude that the US business is now worth only $5bn-$10bn.
Other media and communications companies have responded to the stock market slump, and to a new US accounting rule dealing with the subject, by writing off much of the goodwill associated with their acquisitions. A similar move by DT could lead to a charge against profits of more than $15bn.
However, the German telecoms company, which reported preliminary profits last month, has resisted taking a charge.
"That is surprising, given what has happened in the [stock] market," said Tim Lucas, a former official at the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which drew up the rule.
"VoiceStream is absolutely performing to our expectations," Deutsche Telekom said.
However, companies are expected to use the stock market's view as one indicator when reaching their own valuations, said Mr Lucas.
Gruß Pichel