Nortel Networks has delayed the release of its financial
statements for the third time because it found more problems with
its revenue reporting for past results.
The network gear maker is being investigated by the Ontario
Securities Commission and the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) regarding the restatement of financial results back to 2001.
Due to the work involved in the restatement, the company has not
filed financial statements for any quarter this year.
As part of the ongoing investigations, Nortel, a major supplier
of wireless and wireline network infrastructure, must give a
biweekly regulatory disclosure to the Ontario Securities
Commission. Over the past two weeks, the company found what it
called revenue reporting issues that require "double-checking of
several revenue areas".
Nortel's adjustments to its financial statements come primarily
in its optical networks and enterprise networks divisions, it
said.
The company now intends to move about $2.5bn (£1.3bn) of revenue
booked in 2000, and $600m in 1999, to later years, while $250m in
2000 will be "permanently reversed".
The previous figures were incorrect because, among other
problems, legal title to products had not transferred to customers,
criteria for recognizing revenue prior to shipment had not been met
and "collectibility issues existed", Nortel said.
For the planned restatement of the 2003 results, Nortel said it
now expects the reduction from previously announced net income to
be 35% instead of 50%, and that percentage revenue growth for 2004
over 2003 to be "in the low single digits".
Nortel said it now hopes to complete the work on its financial
statements within 30 to 60 days. Nortel missed its own deadlines
for the revenue restatements in September and October.
The company added, however, that if it fails to meet a 15
December deadline for filing its 2003 annual report with the SEC,
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) "may commence suspension and
delisting procedures" of the company's shares.
Laura Rohde writes for IDG News Service