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Eutelsat Communications: First Half 2018-19 ResultsRegulatory News: The Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris:ETL), chaired by Dominique D'Hinnin, reviewed the financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2018.
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1 Operating income before depreciation and amortisation,
impairments and other operating income/(expenses). Commenting on the First Half, Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat Communications, said: "Eutelsat delivered a solid set of results in the First Half. While the revenues profile reflected the anticipated back-end loading in the second half, profitability remained robust and gearing was further reduced. We continued to leverage all components of cash generation, with the LEAP cost-savings plan on track, the effective application of design-to-cost to the HOTBIRD replacement, the successful €800 million bond issue in October and the disposal of our stake in EUTELSAT 25B. In addition, although it cannot be reliably measured at this stage, new provisions in the 2019 French Finance Law will likely have a significant beneficial impact on our corporate tax bill. On the commercial front, the Konnect Africa Broadband service is being progressively launched in several countries, and its initial reception reinforces our confidence in the strong potential of this activity. Elsewhere, we signed new or renewal contracts in most verticals including, in video, first deals for the recently launched CIRRUS platform as well as regular capacity contracts, and in Mobility, a multi-transponder deal for maritime connectivity. Several leads are in the pipeline for the remainder of the year. In consequence we continue to target a broadly stable topline for our operating verticals for the year as a whole, and we are confident in our ability to deliver strongly on our profitability, Discretionary Free Cash Flow and de-leveraging targets." Notes: This press release contains figures from the consolidated half-year accounts prepared under IFRS and subject to a limited review by the Auditors. They were reviewed by the Audit Committee on 13 February 2019 and approved by the Board of Directors on 14 February 2019. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Net debt / EBITDA ratio, Cash Capex and Discretionary Free-Cash-Flow are considered as Alternative Performance Indicators. Their definition and calculation can be found in appendix 3 of this document. Figures as of 31 December 2017 have been restated throughout this announcement to reflect the retrospective adoption of IFRS 15 on 1 July 2018. The impact of the application of IFRS 15 is presented in the note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. The Group adopted IFRS16 and IFRS 9 on 1 July 2018. KEY EVENTS Since the beginning of FY 2018-19, Eutelsat has taken further measures to maximise cash generation, leveraging all components of cash-flow:
At the same time Eutelsat has continued to build the foundations for its return to growth:
ANALYSIS OF REVENUES3
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3 The share of each application as a percentage of total
revenues is calculated excluding "other revenues". Total revenues for the First Half of FY 2018-19 stood at €658 million down by 4.4% at constant accounting standards. Revenues of the five Operating Verticals (ie, excluding 'Other Revenues') were down by 2.4% on a like-for-like basis excluding a negative perimeter effect of c.0.5 points (net effect of the disposal of the stake in EUTELSAT 25B and the acquisition of Noorsat) and a positive currency effect of c.0.5 points. Second Quarter revenues stood at €323 million, down 5.7% at constant accounting standards. Revenues of the five Operating Verticals stood at €326 million, down 3.0% year-on-year and by 2.2% quarter-on-quarter on a like-for-like basis. Unless otherwise stated, all variations indicated below are on a like-for-like basis, ie, at constant currency and perimeter. Core businesses Video Applications (66% of revenues) First Half Video Applications revenues were down 2.0% like-for-like to €432 million, reflecting lower Professional Video revenues in a context of continued price pressure as well as the impact of a lower contribution from Fransat. Excluding these two factors, pure Broadcast revenues were broadly stable. Second Quarter revenues stood at €215 million, down by 2.4% year-on-year but broadly stable on a quarter-on-quarter basis. At 31 December 2018, the total number of channels broadcast by Eutelsat satellites stood at 7,067, up 3.8% year-on-year. HD penetration continued to increase, standing at 1,500 channels versus 1,275 a year earlier (+17.6%), implying a penetration rate of 21.2% compared to 18.7% a year earlier. On the commercial front, contracts were signed with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation and the Association of Ethiopian Broadcasters for capacity on EUTELSAT 8 West B, representing multi-transponder capacity including incremental resources. A new multi-year, multi-transponder contract has also been signed with Afghanistan Broadcasting System for capacity on the EUTELSAT 53A satellite. Elsewhere, Eutelsat will now sell capacity directly to beIN Media, reflecting the direct approach implemented in the MENA region. Finally, the first contracts have been signed for the CIRRUS platform. Thanks to these contracts and other business opportunities in the pipeline close to materialization, trends in Broadcast are set to improve in the coming quarters. Government Services (12% of revenues) First Half Government Services revenues stood at €82 million, up 1.7% on a like-for-like basis. This reflected on one hand the incremental business secured last year over Asia-Pacific at the 174°East orbital position, and on the other the lower than expected level of renewals with the US Government in the Fall 2018 campaign. Second Quarter revenues stood at €39 million, stable on a year-on-year basis, and down by 8.0% quarter-on-quarter. Fixed Data (10% of revenues) First Half Fixed Data revenues stood at €66 million, down 11.9% like-for-like. The performance of this vertical continues to reflect ongoing pricing pressure and a highly competitive environment, with Latin America the main contributor to the decline. Second Quarter revenues amounted to €33 million, down 11.7% on a year-on-year basis, and by 3.1% quarter-on-quarter. On the commercial front, a framework agreement was signed with Orange incorporating a material multi-transponder renewal which secures business on a multi-year basis, as well as setting the stage for potential incremental business in Fixed Data, Government Services and Mobile Connectivity. Connectivity Fixed Broadband (6% of revenues) First Half Fixed Broadband revenues stood at €40 million, down 5.8% like-for-like. This performance continued to reflect lower revenues for European Broadband in a context of scarcity of available capacity in certain Western Europe countries and transition to a new, self-managed distribution strategy, as well as the expiry of a contract with a Middle-East customer for a spotbeam on EUTELSAT 3B, re-contracted to Taqnia in the Mobile Connectivity vertical. Second Quarter revenues stood at €20 million, down 4.2% year-on-year and by 1.5% quarter-on-quarter. Revenue trends stand to improve in the Second Half, notably thanks to the launch and progressive ramp-up of the Konnect Africa broadband service in several countries. The commercial service was launched in November 2018 in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) with a large network of local partners ranging from telecom and television services distributors to financial services operators. In Europe, an overhaul of the standalone distribution strategy, focused on selected specialist distribution partners and telecom operators has been completed. In this context, an agreement has been signed with the Spanish telco operator, Masmovil, for the distribution of broadband services via the KA-SAT satellite, while a Preferred Partner Programme (PPP) has been launched to reinforce relations with key partners and revitalize the distribution of KA-SAT capacity. Mobile Connectivity (6% of revenues) First Half Mobile Connectivity revenues stood at €40 million, up 6.7% like-for-like. They reflected the positive impact of the new contract with Taqnia at 3°East and 70°East, the carry-over effect of the entry into service of EUTELSAT 172B at end-November 2017 and the ongoing ramp-up of capacity contracts on KA-SAT. Second Quarter revenues stood at €19.4 million, up 2.6% on a year-on-year basis, and down by 6.9% quarter-on-quarter. On the commercial front, a multi-transponder contract was signed with a leading service provider on multiple satellites for capacity dedicated to maritime connectivity. This new contract as well as the start of the UnicomAirNet contract for in-flight connectivity on EUTELSAT 172B will support revenue growth in the Second Half. Other Revenues In the First Half, Other revenues amounted to (€2.3) million versus €12.2 million a year earlier. They included a negative (€7.1) million impact from hedging operations. The lumpiness of this line means the half yearly performance cannot be extrapolated for the full year. OPERATIONAL AND UTILIZED TRANSPONDERS The number of operational transponders at 31 December 2018 stood at 1,419, up by three units year-on-year and down by eight versus end-June, principally reflecting the disposal of EUTELSAT 25B. The number of utilized transponders stood at 970, up 21 units year-on-year and stable versus end-June. The evolution versus end-June principally reflects the disposal of EUTELSAT 25B as well as the outcome of the Fall renewals in Government Services, offset by new contracts with Orange Slovensko and Ethiopian broadcasters as well as the ramp-up at 174° East. As a result, the fill rate stood at 68.3% compared to 67.0% a year earlier and 68.1% at end-June.
Note: Based on 36 MHz-equivalent transponders excluding high throughput capacity. _____________________
7 Number of transponders on satellites in stable orbit,
back-up capacity excluded. ORDER BACKLOG The order backlog9 stood at €4.6 billion at 31 December 2018 versus 4.7 billion a year earlier and 4.6 billion at end June 2018. The stability versus end-June reflects notably the inclusion of future revenues related to commitments from Orange and Thales on KONNECT VHTS as well as the new contracts in maritime and with the Ethiopian broadcasters in Video which offset the negative effects of the disposal of EUTELSAT 25B, the adoption of IFRS 15 and natural backlog consumption. The backlog was equivalent to 3.3 times 2017-18 revenues. Video Applications represented 77% of the backlog.
PROFITABILITY EBITDA stood at €518 million at 31 December 2018 compared with €546 million a year earlier, down by 5%. The EBITDA margin stood at 78.8% (79.0% at constant currency) versus 79.4% a year earlier, reflecting lower high-margin 'Other Revenues', the dilutive effect of changes in perimeter as well as costs related to the Konnect Africa project. The LEAP program is progressing in line with expectations and is well on track to deliver on its €30m target for the full year. Group share of net income stood at €150 million versus €158 million a year earlier, down 5% and representing a margin of 23%. This reflected:
CASH FLOW In H1 2018-19 Net cash flow from operating activities amounted to €379 million, €33 million lower than a year earlier. This reflected principally the decrease in EBITDA partly as a result of negative currency and perimeter impacts. Cash Capex amounted to €130 million, fully consistent with expectations. As a reminder, last year's cash capex in the first half stood at just €53 million, a level which was not representative of the full year figure. Interest and other fees paid net of interest received amounted to €24 million versus €21 million last year. As a result, Discretionary Free Cash-Flow amounted to €225 million (€235 million at constant currency and perimeter), down 34% on a reported basis and by 30% at constant currency and perimeter, reflecting predominantly the phasing of investments. This evolution should not be extrapolated for the year as a whole. FINANCIAL STRUCTURE At 31 December 2018 net debt stood at €3,304 million, up €63 million versus end-June. It reflected on one hand €225 million in discretionary free cash-flow generated in the first semester and half of the consideration for EUTELSAT 25B (€68 million), and on the other, the dividend payment of €310 million and the impact of IFRS 16 for €44 million. Other items, mainly repayments of export credit financing and financial leases, changes in the foreign exchange portion of the cross-currency swap and premia for derivatives settled represented a net amount of €1 million. The net debt to EBITDA ratio stood at 3.1 times, an improvement on end-December 2017 (3.3 times). As a reminder, December usually represents a peak in the annual net debt profile reflecting the timing of the dividend payment. The weighted average maturity of the Group's debt stood at 2.7 years, compared to 2.5 years at end-December 2017. The average cost of debt after hedging stood at 2.8% (2.9% in H1 2017-18). When restated from the repayment of the January 2019 €800m maturity, these metrics stood at 3.4 years and 2.2% respectively. Liquidity remained strong, with undrawn credit lines of €650 million and cash of €677 million on top of the €800 million earmarked for the redemption at maturity of the January 2019 bond. DIVIDEND The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of 8 November 2018 approved the payment of a dividend of €1.27 per share in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2018, up from €1.21 the previous year. The dividend was paid on 22 November 2018. FINANCIAL OUTLOOK The underlying trend of the five Operating Verticals is broadly in line with our expectations. The second half will benefit from the ramp-up of Konnect Africa (fixed broadband), the contracts with China Unicom on EUTELSAT 172B and in maritime at several orbital positions (mobile connectivity) as well as an expected improvement in Video on the back of an easing comparison basis for Fransat and new business signed (Ethiopian broadcasters, Orange Slovensko, Afghanistan Broadcasting System) and in the pipeline. The Group therefore confirms its expectation of 'broadly stable' revenues10 for the current fiscal year with a return to slight growth from FY 2019-20. All other elements of the financial outlook are also confirmed:
This outlook is based on the nominal deployment plan outlined hereunder. __________________________
9 The backlog represents future revenues from capacity or
service agreements and can include contracts for satellites under
procurement. FLEET DEPLOYMENT Nominal launch programme
Since the last quarterly update in October 2018, the launches of EUTELSAT 7C and EUTELSAT 5 WEST B are now expected in Q2 2019, versus Q1 2019 previously, with no material impact on the revenue profile. Changes in the fleet in the First Half
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting of 8 November 2018 renewed the mandates of Ross McInnes and Bpifrance Participations. The Board is composed of twelve members, 42% of whom are women (five out of twelve) and 58% of whom are independent directors (seven out of twelve). The Combined General Meeting also approved all the other resolutions, including the approval of the accounts, the dividend for the 2017-18 Financial Year, compensation of corporate officers and compensation policy. Elsewhere, Esther Gaide has been appointed chairwoman of the Audit, Risks and Compliance Committee replacing Ross McInnes who will remain a member of this Committee. Ross McInnes has been appointed chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee replacing Carole Piwnica who will remain a member of this Committee. ******* First Half 2018-19 results conference call and webcast A conference call will be held on Friday, 15 February 2019 at 9:00am CET To connect to the call, please use the following numbers:
Access code: 3700127# The presentation will also be available via webcast on our website at http://www.eutelsat.com/en/investors.html Recording available from 15 February 1:00pm to 22 February, 1.00pm CET
Access code: 3700127# Documentation Consolidated accounts are available at: www.eutelsat.com/investors/index.html Financial calendar The financial calendar below is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated.
About Eutelsat Communications Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Over 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women from 46 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service. Eutelsat Communications is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL). For more about Eutelsat please visit: www.eutelsat.com ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management's current views and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: postponement of any ground or in-orbit investments and launches including but not limited to delays of future launches of satellites; impact of financial crisis on customers and suppliers; trends in Fixed Satellite Services markets; development of Digital Terrestrial Television and High Definition television; development of satellite broadband services; Eutelsat Communications' ability to develop and market Value-Added Services and meet market demand; the effects of competing technologies developed and expected intense competition generally in its main markets; profitability of its expansion strategy; partial or total loss of a satellite at launch or in-orbit; supply conditions of satellites and launch systems; satellite or third-party launch failures affecting launch schedules of future satellites; litigation; ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships in its major businesses; and the effect of future acquisitions and investments. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this presentation to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. APPENDICES Appendix 1: Additional financial data Extract from the consolidated income statement (in € millions)
Net debt to EBITDA ratio
Change in net debt (€ millions)
Appendix 2: Quarterly revenues by application Reported Revenues The table below shows quarterly reported revenues. As a reminder, IFRS 15 was adopted from July 1st 2018.
Proforma revenues The table below shows quarterly proforma revenues for FY 2017-18. For comparability purposes with FY 2018-19 figures, they are restated from the following items:
Appendix 3: Alternative performance indicators In addition to the data published in its accounts, the Group communicates on three alternative performance indicators which it deems relevant for measuring its financial performance: EBITDA, cash capex and Discretionary free cash flow (DFCF). These indicators are the object of reconciliation with the consolidated accounts. EBITDA, EBITDA margin and Net debt / EBITDA ratio EBITDA reflects the profitability of the Group before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization. It is a key indicator in the Fixed Satellite Services Sector. The table below shows the calculation of EBITDA based on the consolidated P&L accounts for H1 2017-18 and H1 2018-19:
The EBITDA margin is the ratio of EBITDA to revenues. It is calculated as follows:
At constant currency, the EBITDA margin stood at 79.0% as of 31 December 2018. The Net debt / EBITDA ratio is the ratio of net debt to last-twelve months EBITDA. It is calculated as follows:
Cash Capex The Group on occasion operates capacity within the framework of financial leases, or finances all or part of certain satellite programs under export credit agreements, leading to outflows which are not reflected in the item "acquisition of satellites and other tangible or intangible assets". Cash Capex including these two elements is published in order to reflect the totality of Capital Expenditures undertaken in any financial year. Cash Capex therefore covers the acquisition of satellites and other tangible or intangible assets as well as payments in respect of export credit facilities and long term financial leases on third party capacity. The table below shows the calculation of Cash Capex for H1 2017-18 and 2018-19:
Discretionary free cash flow (DFCF) The Group communicates on Discretionary free cash flow which reflects its ability to generate cash after the payment of interest and taxes. DFCF generally and principally serves the dividend payment and debt reduction. Discretionary free cash flow is defined as Net cash flow from operating activities less Cash Capex as well as interest and other financial costs, net of interest income. The table below shows the calculation of Discretionary free cash flow for H1 2017-18 and 2018-19 and its reconciliation with the cash flow statement:
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14 Figures as of 31 December 2017 have been restated to
reflect the adoption of IFRS 15 from 1 July 2018. The impact of the
application of IFRS 15 standards is presented in the note 3 to the
consolidated financial statements.
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