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Partner Communications Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results1Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner" or the "Company") (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR), a leading Israeli communications provider, announced today its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Commenting on the third quarter 2017 results, Mr. Isaac Benbenisti, CEO of Partner noted: "Our strong entrance to the TV market, together with our significant presence in the internet and cellular markets, establishes Partner as a comprehensive communications group. The customer recruitment figures for Partner TV are high compared to our preliminary forecasts. In the last month, the sales rate has increased even more and the number of daily installations has accelerated compared to the period from August through October. In less than a month, we have completed installations in 10,000 additional households and currently the number of households that are already connected to the Partner TV service is approximately 30,000. In addition, thousands of additional households have scheduled installations by the end of the month after they have already completed joining the service. Most of the customers that have joined the TV service have chosen the service as part of our bundle and triple offerings which also includes ISP and internet infrastructure. As part of our strategic plan as a comprehensive communications group, in August we also announced the commencement of the commercial phase of our independent fiber optic infrastructure project - Partner Fiber - which provides, for the first time, a more advanced and cost-effective alternative to the existing fixed infrastructure in Israel. Partner's optic fibers have already reached tens of thousands of households throughout the country, and we are working to deploy further at an accelerated rate in several cities simultaneously. In complete alignment with the Ministry of Communications and other regulatory bodies, we will continue to offer the most advanced technology with an attractive value offering to more and more customers. In the cellular segment we added approximately 33 thousand net Post-Paid subscribers in the last quarter and recorded a net increase in our cellular subscriber base for the second consecutive quarter, despite a decline of approximately 18 thousand Pre-Paid subscribers." Mr. Dudu Mizrahi, Partner's Chief Financial Officer, commented on the third quarter 2017 results: "In the third quarter, many of the activities that the Company has been engaged in during the last year were reflected, among others, in the growth of 33 thousand Post-Paid cellular subscribers, a continued single digit cellular churn rate, a significant improvement in the equipment sales gross profit margin which stood at 27%, an improvement in the EBITDA margin compared with Q3 2016, and an additional quarter with a strong free cash flow before interest which totaled NIS 202 million. The increase in CAPEX in the quarter mainly reflected the acceleration of the Company's fiber project, which enables the Company to offer advanced services based on an independent fixed-line infrastructure both to the residential market and the business market, as well as the entrance to the TV market. In the third quarter the Company early adopted the new International Financial Reporting Standard 15 ("IFRS 15"), retroactively as from January 1, 2017 (the standard is effective from January 1, 2018, earlier application is permitted). The total increase in operating profit and profit for the first three quarters of 2017 amounted to NIS 51 million and NIS 39 million, respectively. The increase in the operating profit and profit for the third quarter 2017 alone amounted to NIS 19 million and NIS 15 million, respectively. The increase is mainly a result of costs capitalization of obtaining contracts with customers (part of payroll expenses and selling commissions). The financial steps which we executed in the past months, including among others, the early repayments of loans in an amount of approximately NIS 0.9 billion and the raising of a new traded bond series, are reflected in the significant decline in finance expenses compared to Q3 2016. The financial steps, together with the strong free cash flow presented by the Company in the current quarter, resulted in a decline in net debt to below NIS 1 billion - to NIS 887 million."
* Figures include the impact of IFRS15 retroactive implementation as from beginning of 2017.
Key Financial Results
Key Operating Indicators
Partner Consolidated Results
Financial Review In Q3 2017, total revenues were NIS 826 million (US$ 234 million), a decrease of 3% from NIS 849 million in Q3 2016. Service revenues in Q3 2017 totaled NIS 666 million (US$ 189 million), a decrease of 5% from NIS 698 million in Q3 2016. Service revenues for the cellular segment in Q3 2017 totaled NIS 514 million (US$ 146 million), a decrease of 3% from NIS 531 million in Q3 2016. The decrease was mainly the result of the continued price erosion of cellular services (both Post-Paid and Pre-Paid) due to the continued competitive market conditions. Service revenues for the fixed-line segment in Q3 2017 totaled NIS 194 million (US$ 55 million), a decrease of 12% from NIS 220 million in Q3 2016. The decrease reflected the continuing decrease in revenues from international calls as well as other fixed line services. Equipment revenues in Q3 2017 totaled NIS 160 million (US$ 45 million), an increase of 6% from NIS 151 million in Q3 2016, largely reflecting a change in product mix. Gross profit from equipment sales in Q3 2017 was NIS 43 million (US$ 12 million), compared with NIS 28 million in Q3 2016, an increase of 54%, mainly reflecting higher profit margins from sales due to a change in the product mix. Total operating expenses ('OPEX') totaled NIS 477 million (US$ 135 million) in Q3 2017, a decrease of 16% or NIS 93 million from Q3 2016. The decrease mainly reflected a decline in expenses related to the cellular network, the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standard 15 ("IFRS 15"), a nonrecurring decrease in site-rental expenses as well as a decrease in other expenses reflecting the impact of various efficiency measures undertaken as part of a long-term plan to reduce the Company's cost base, partially offset by additional expenses relating to the Company's TV services which were launched in June 2017. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation), OPEX in Q3 2017 decreased by 14% compared with Q3 2016. Operating profit for Q3 2017 was NIS 92 million (US$ 26 million), an increase of 44% compared with NIS 64 million in Q3 2016. Adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2017 totaled NIS 239 million (US$ 68 million), an increase of 9% from NIS 220 million in Q3 2016. As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2017 was 29% compared with 26% in Q3 2016. Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was NIS 189 million (US$ 54 million), in Q3 2017, an increase of 21% from NIS 156 million in Q3 2016, reflecting the decrease in OPEX (as explained above) and the increase in gross profit from equipment sales partially offset by the decrease in service revenues and despite the fact that Q3 2017 was the first quarter (since Q2 2015) in which the Company did not record any income with respect to the settlement agreement regarding the Orange brand. As a percentage of total cellular segment revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment in Q3 2017 was 29% compared with 23% in Q3 2016. Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 50 million (US$ 14 million) in Q3 2017, a decrease of 22% from NIS 64 million in Q3 2016, reflecting the decrease in service revenues, partially offset by the decrease in OPEX and the increase in gross profit from equipment sales. As a percentage of total fixed-line segment revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment in Q3 2017 was 23%, compared with 28% in Q3 2016. Finance costs, net in Q3 2017 were NIS 15 million (US$ 4 million), a decrease of 50% compared with NIS 30 million in Q3 2016. The decrease largely reflects lower interest expenses due to the lower level of debt as a result of early repayments made in June and July 2017 as well as regular maturities, in addition to lower linkage expenses due to a lower CPI level. Income taxes for Q3 2017 were NIS 23 million (US$ 7 million), compared with NIS 15 million in Q3 2016. Profit in Q3 2017 was NIS 54 million (US$ 15 million), compared with a profit of NIS 19 million in Q3 2016, an increase of 184%. Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during Q3 2017, basic earnings per share or ADS, was NIS 0.32 (US$ 0.09), compared to basic earnings per share of NIS 0.12 in Q3 2016. Cellular Segment Operational Review At the end of Q3 2017, the Company's cellular subscriber base (including mobile data and 012 Mobile subscribers) was approximately 2.68 million including approximately 2.31 million Post-Paid subscribers or 86% of the base, and approximately 371 thousand Pre-Paid subscribers, or 14% of the subscriber base. During the third quarter of 2017, the cellular subscriber base increased by approximately 15 thousand subscribers. The Post-Paid subscriber base increased by approximately 33 thousand subscribers, while the Pre-Paid subscriber base declined by approximately 18 thousand subscribers. The quarterly churn rate for cellular subscribers in Q3 2017 was 9.3%, compared with 9.7% in Q3 2016. Total cellular market share (based on the number of subscribers) at the end of Q3 2017 was estimated to be approximately 26%, unchanged from Q3 2016. The monthly Average Revenue per User ("ARPU") for cellular subscribers in Q3 2017 was NIS 64 (US$ 18), a decrease of 3% from NIS 66 in Q3 2016. The decrease mainly reflected the continued price erosion in key cellular services due to the persistent competition in the cellular market. Funding and Investing Review In Q3 2017, Adjusted Free Cash Flow totaled NIS 202 million (US$ 57 million), a decrease of 6% from NIS 215 million in Q3 2016. Excluding the impact of the NIS 35 million payment received from Hot Mobile in Q3 2016, Adjusted Free Cash Flow increased by 12%. Cash generated from operations increased by 21% to NIS 306 million (US$ 87 million) in Q3 2017 from NIS 253 million in Q3 2016. The increase mainly reflected the increase in Adjusted EBITDA and the smaller decrease in operating assets and liabilities. Cash capital expenditures ('CAPEX payments'), as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, were NIS 105 million (US$ 30 million) in Q3 2017, an increase of 139% from NIS 44 million in Q3 2016. The increase mainly reflected the impact of the implementation of IFRS 15 (capitalization of part of payroll and selling commission expenses) and the increase in investments related to fiber deployment and TV services. The level of Net Debt at the end of Q3 2017 amounted to NIS 887 million (US$ 251 million), compared with NIS 1,768 million at the end of Q3 2016. Business Developments The Company's Board of Directors approved on November 20, 2017 the appointment of Mr. Tomer Bar Zeev as a member to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Tomer Bar Zeev was nominated by S.B. Israel Telecom Ltd., the Company's principal shareholder. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association and applicable law, Mr. Bar Zeev shall serve in office until the coming Annual General Meeting of shareholders. Mr. Bar Zeev is the founder and CEO of ironSource since 2010, a leading digital content company that offers monetization and distribution solutions for app developers, software developers, mobile carriers, and device manufacturers. Mr. Bar Zeev holds a BA in computer science from IDC Herziliya. An active investor in other technology startups, Mr. Bar Zeev has a deep understanding of companies in the telecommunication and technology fields.. Regulatory Developments In August 2015, the Ministry of Communications' regulation regarding access to Bezeq's passive infrastructure came into force. The purpose of this regulation is to allow other licensees to use Bezeq's passive infrastructure (such as ducts, manholes, poles, boxes etc.) in order to deploy their own high speed fiber optical cables. According to the Ministry's temporary instructions at the time (which was in force until November 1, 2015), any work inside Bezeq's passive infrastructure was to be performed by Bezeq's employees. Although the interim period has since passed, the Ministry of Communications did not effectively enforce its abovementioned decision on Bezeq. Following the enactment of the Economic Program Law for the years 2017-2018 (which set Bezeq's obligation to allow access to its passive infrastructure into law), Bezeq has begun to partially observe its duty to provide access to its passive infrastructures. Bezeq has deployed several fiber optic cables for licensees using its own personnel. On October 19, 2017, the Ministry of Communications instructed Bezeq to allow other domestic operators (including Partner) to deploy fiber optic cables with their own contractors (without the need for the use of Bezeq personnel). This change has the potential to substantially increase the speed of deployment of Partner's fiber infrastructure. IFRS 15 In the third quarter of 2017 the Company early adopted (the standard is effective from January 1, 2018, earlier application is permitted), as from January 1, 2017 (the transition date), IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model of accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes IAS 18, Revenue, and IAS 11, Construction contracts (the "previous standards"). The model includes five steps for analyzing transactions so as to determine when to recognize revenue and at what amount: 1) Identifying the contract with the customer. 2) Identifying separate performance obligations in the contract. 3) Determining the transaction price. 4) Allocating the transaction price to separate performance obligations. 5) Recognizing revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied. In accordance with the model, the Company recognizes revenue when the customer obtains control over the goods or services. Revenue is based on the consideration that the Company expects to receive for the transfer of the goods or services promised to the customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties, and where collection is probable. The Company applied IFRS 15 using the cumulative effect approach as from the transition date, without a restatement of comparative figures. As part of the initial implementation of IFRS 15, the Company has chosen to apply the expedients in the transitional provisions, according to which the cumulative effect approach is applied only for contracts not yet complete at the transition date, and therefore there is no change in the accounting treatment for contracts completed at the transition date. The Company also applied the practical expedient of examining the aggregate effect of contracts changes that occurred before the transition date, instead of examining each change separately. Contracts that are renewed on a monthly basis and may be cancelled by the customer at any time, without penalty, were considered completed contracts at the transition date. The cumulative effect as of the transition date was immaterial and did not affect the financial statements. The application of IFRS 15 did not have a material effect on the measurement and timing of the Company's revenue in the reporting period, compared to the provisions of the previous standards. The main effect of the Company's application of IFRS 15 is the accounting treatment for the incremental costs of obtaining contracts with customers, which in accordance with IFRS 15, are recognized as assets when the costs are incremental to obtaining the contracts, and it is probable that the Company will recover these costs, instead of recognizing these costs in the statement of income as incurred. IFRS 15 also determines that direct costs of fulfilling a contract which the Company can specifically identify and which produce or improve the Company's resources that are used for its future performance obligation (and it is probable that the Company will recover these costs) are recognized as assets (the incremental and direct costs together: "contract costs"). Contract costs that were recognized as assets are presented in the statements of cash flows as part of cash flows used in investing activities. Direct commissions paid to resellers and sales employees for sales and upgrades, are recognized as an asset for obtaining a contract instead of an expense in the statement of income. The assets are amortized in accordance with the expected service period (mainly over 2 to 3 years), using the portfolio approach. For the effect of IFRS 15 on the financial reports, see also the section, 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' in this press release. Conference Call Details Partner will hold a conference call on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 10.00AM Eastern Time / 5.00PM Israel Time. To join the call, please dial the following numbers (at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time): International: +972.3.918.0687 North America toll-free: +1.866.860.9642 A live webcast of the call will also be available on Partner's Investors Relations website at: www.partner.co.il/en/Investors-Relations/lobby/ If you are unavailable to join live, the replay of the call will be available from November 21, 2017 until December 12, 2017, at the following numbers: International: +972.3.925.5940 North America toll-free: +1.877.456.0009 In addition, the archived webcast of the call will be available on Partner's Investor Relations website at the above address for approximately three months. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "project", "goal", "target" and similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements but are not the only way we identify these statements. Specific statements have been made regarding the Company's anticipated acceleration of the deployment of its fiber optic infrastructure. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding our future performance are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, as regards the anticipated acceleration of fiber cable deployment, whether the Ministry of Communications' instruction to Bezeq to allow other domestic operators (including Partner) to deploy fiber optic cables with their own contractors (without the need for the use of Bezeq personnel) will be respected or enforced and whether the Company will have the financial resources needed to continue to increase the number of customers served by its fiber optic infrastructure. The future results may differ materially from those anticipated herein. For further information regarding risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, the impact of current global economic conditions and possible regulatory and legal developments, and other risks we face, see "Item 3. Key Information - 3D. Risk Factors", "Item 4. Information on the Company", "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", "Item 8. Financial Information - 8A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information - 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, as well as its immediate reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The quarterly financial results presented in this press release are unaudited financial results. The results were prepared in accordance with IFRS, other than the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the section, "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures". The financial information is presented in NIS millions (unless otherwise stated) and the figures presented are rounded accordingly. The convenience translations of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) figures into US Dollars were made at the rate of exchange prevailing at September 30, 2017: US $1.00 equals NIS 3.529. The translations were made purely for the convenience of the reader. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The following non-GAAP measures are used in this report. These measures are not financial measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. Further, the measures may not be indicative of the Company's historic operating results nor are meant to be predictive of potential future results.
* Adjusted EBITDA is fully comparable with EBITDA measure which was
provided in reports for prior periods. About Partner Communications Partner Communications Company Ltd. is a leading Israeli provider of telecommunications services (cellular, fixed-line telephony, internet services and television services). Partner's ADSs are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market™ and its shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR). For more information about Partner, see: http://www.partner.co.il/en/Investors-Relations/lobby
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
* Net of treasury shares.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
(1) Mainly amortization of employee share based compensation.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD. Appendix - Cash generated from operations and supplemental information
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, trade and other payables include NIS 102 million ($29 million) and NIS 96 million, respectively, in respect of acquisition of intangible assets and property and equipment; payments in respect thereof are presented in cash flows from investing activities. These balances are recognized in the cash flow statements upon payment. Effect of IFRS15 implementation: The tables below summarize the effects on the interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position as at September 30, 2017 and on the interim condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the nine and three months periods ended as of the same date. Effect of change on interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position:
Effect of change on interim condensed consolidated statement of income:
Effect of change on interim condensed consolidated statement cash flows:
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
(1) Mainly amortization of employee share based compensation Key Financial and Operating Indicators (unaudited)*
* See footnote 2 regarding use of non-GAAP measures. Disclosure for notes holders as of September 30, 2017 Information regarding the notes series issued by the Company, in million NIS
(1) In July 2017, the Company issued Series F Notes in a principal
amount of NIS 255 million. Regarding Series F Notes, the Company is
required to comply with a financial covenant that the ratio of Net Debt
to Adjusted EBITDA shall not exceed 5. Compliance will be examined and
reported on a quarterly basis. For the definitions of Net Debt and
Adjusted EBITDA see 'Use of non-GAAP measures' section above. For the
purpose of the covenant, Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as the sum total
for the last 12 month period, excluding adjustable one-time items. As of
September 30, 2017, the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 1.0.
Additional stipulations regarding Series F Notes are as follows:
shareholders' equity shall not decrease below NIS 400 million; the
Company shall not create floating liens subject to certain terms; the
Company has the right for early redemption under certain conditions; the
Company shall pay additional annual interest of 0.5% in the case of a
two-notch downgrade in the Notes rating and an additional annual
interest of 0.25% for each further single-notch downgrade, up to a
maximum additional interest of 1%; the Company shall pay additional
annual interest of 0.25% during a period in which there is a breach of
the financial covenant. Disclosure for Notes holders as of September 30, 2017 (cont.) Notes Rating Details*
(1) In July 2017, S&P Maalot affirmed the Company's rating of "ilA+/Stable". (2) For details regarding the rating of the notes see the S&P Maalot report dated July 2, 2017 and July 27, 2017. * A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to suspension, revision or withdrawal at any time, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating Summary of Financial Undertakings (according to repayment dates) as of September 30, 2017 a. Notes issued to the public by the Company and held by the public, excluding such notes held by the Company's parent company, by a controlling shareholder, by companies controlled by them, or by companies controlled by the Company, based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
b. Private notes and other non-bank credit, excluding such notes held by the Company's parent company, by a controlling shareholder, by companies controlled by them, or by companies controlled by the Company, based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
c. Credit from banks in Israel based on the Company's "Solo" financial data - None. d. Credit from banks abroad based on the Company's "Solo" financial data - None. Summary of Financial Undertakings (according to repayment dates) as of September 30, 2017 (cont.) e. Total of sections a - d above, total credit from banks, non-bank credit and notes based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
f. Off-balance sheet Credit exposure based on the Company's "Solo"
financial data (in thousand NIS) - 50,000 (Guarantees on behalf of an
associate, without expiration date). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171120006233/en/ |