Singapore Telecommunications : Singtel delivers strong Q4 and full year earnings; proposes increased dividends

Quarter ended 31 March 2015

· Operating revenue up 5% to S$4.34 billion; up 9% in constant currency

· Regional mobile associates pre-tax earnings grow 12%; up 8% in constant currency

· Net profit up 5% to S$939 million; up 5% in constant currency

Financial year ended 31 March 2015

· Net profit increases 4% to S$3.78 billion; up 6% in constant currency

· Strong free cash flow; up 9% to S$3.55 billion

· Proposed final dividend per share of 10.7 cents; total dividend per share up 4% to 17.5 cents

Singapore, 14 May, 2015 - Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) reported a strong fourth quarter with net profit up 5% to S$939 million. These results reflected the underlying strength and resilience of its core business and startup losses in business transformation.

The Group and its associates successfully captured the strong growth in mobile data services, with strategic investments in networks, distribution, customer initiatives and support.

Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel Group CEO said, 'This quarter's performance underscores the strong execution of our core business. We have taken bold measures in the face of industry challenges. We aspire to be a significant global player in cyber security and our acquisition of Trustwave augments our organic initiatives.

'In the digital space, we are sharpening our focus in three key areas - digital marketing, regional premium video and advanced analytics. Our unique telco assets put us in the right place to seize opportunities in today's digital age as these services become integral in our day-to-day lives.'

In the Consumer segment, Optus gained momentum in Australia. With its popular data plans and a keen focus on customer experience, Optus won new customers and delivered strong top line growth. In the Enterprise segment, the Group recorded higher revenue from the carriage business, as well as increased contribution from cloud and managed ICT services.

To capitalise on the potential of mobile data services in the emerging markets, the regional mobile associates continued to invest in spectrum and build next generation data networks. During the quarter, Airtel acquired significant wireless spectrum in the auctions and firmly established its position as the leading 3G and 4G service provider in India. The Group's share of regional mobile associates' pre-tax earnings grew 12% to S$623 million[1], on strong growth in customers and mobile data services.

Consolidated operating revenue for the Group rose 5% to S$4.34 billion despite the weaker Australian dollar. This would have grown 9% in constant currency terms. EBITDA dipped 2% to S$1.27 billion and would have risen 2% in constant currency terms.

The Group and its regional mobile associates registered robust customer growth with increased smartphone penetration and data usage. As at 31 March 2015, the Group's combined mobile customer base was up 8% to 555 million from a year ago.

Group Consumer revenue gained 6%. Revenue growth in Singapore and Australia rose strongly, driven by higher mobile data uptake and equipment sales. Group Consumer EBITDA was stable, despite the weaker Australian dollar.

Singapore Consumer held its market leadership. Revenue rose 11% as equipment sales posted a 85% growth with higher re-contracting activities and demand for data continued to climb. A majority of its customers on the Combo plan actively used the Singtel premium Wi-Fi service. Mobile data revenue grew 19% and mitigated continued declines in roaming, voice and SMS usage.

Singapore Consumer home revenue was up 4% with enhanced content packages and speed upgrades. It has migrated more than 70% of broadband customers onto fibre as at end March 2015.

Australia Consumer revenue jumped 12% with growth in mobile handset customers and higher ARPU (average revenue per user). EBITDA rose 9% boosted by strong mobile service revenue growth and higher take-up of device repayment plans[3], which resulted in lower selling costs.

With the growing popularity of the My Plan offers, outgoing mobile service revenue grew 4% with 59,000[4] new mobile handset customers.

Optus 4G network reached 86% of population coverage as at the end of April 2015.

Group Enterprise revenue and EBITDA improved 1% respectively on steady performance from the Singapore and Australia operations.

Group Enterprise entrenched its leadership position in the managed services market. It expanded its suite of managed ICT services and actively stepped up on growth initiatives in cyber security, smart city and cloud services.

Singtel announced a series of initiatives to grow its cyber security business, including the acquisition of US-based Trustwave and the opening of the Singtel-FireEye Advanced Security Operations Centre in March 2015. It also introduced the cyber security cadet scholarship programme, in partnership with the Singapore Polytechnic to nurture and build talent in digital security.

Through these investments, Singtel will gain deep expertise in technology, threat intelligence and significant talent, to achieve its goal to be a leading global managed security services provider.

NCS launched SURF (Solutions for Urbanised Future) and is in collaboration with 15 technology partners to drive smart city innovations in Singapore.

Optus Business clinched a 5-year contract to build and operate the Wi-Fi network for Australia's largest shopping centre chain, Westfield Shopping Centres.

Group Digital Life nearly tripled its revenue, with Amobee's investments in Adconion and Kontera. During the quarter, Amobee rolled out Brand Intelligence, a proprietary and patented technology that analyses online content and sentiment to help brands effectively reach their target audience.

In May 2015, the Group launched its premium video service, HOOQ, in Thailand, shortly after its debut in the Philippines.

Financial Year ended 31 March 2015

The Group met its guidance for the financial year ended 31 March 2015. Group net profit was up 4% to S$3.78 billion and underlying net profit grew 5% to S$3.78 billion. In constant currency terms, net profit would have grown 6% and underlying net profit up 8%.

Operating revenue increased 2% to S$17.22 billion but would have risen 5% in constant currency terms. EBITDA was down slightly by 1% to S$5.09 billion but would have grown 1% in constant currency terms.

The regional mobile associates' strong performance drove earnings growth with significant improvement in pre-tax and post-tax contributions by Airtel India, Globe and Telkomsel. The regional mobile associates' pre-tax earnings contribution jumped 18% to S$2.49 billion[5], and would have grown 22% in constant currency terms.

Free cash flow rose 9% to S$3.55 billion with increased cashflows from Singapore, Australia and the associates.

The Board is recommending a final ordinary dividend per share of 10.7 cents, bringing the total ordinary dividend per share for the year to 17.5 cents, representing a payout of approximately S$2.79 billion, an increase of 4% from the previous year.

'We are committed to growing shareholder returns. We are pleased to announce an increase in dividends, underpinned by the resilience of our operations and confidence in our future,' said Ms Chua.

For the Group's guidance for the financial year ending 31 March 2016, please refer to Appendix 2.

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[1] For the quarter ended 31 March 2015, post-tax profit contributions from the regional mobile associates grew 20% to S$428 million.

[2] Combined mobile customer base refers to the total number of mobile customers in Singtel, Optus and the regional mobile associates.

[3] Plans that enable customers to pay for devices in full or in part through monthly instalment payments over 24 months.

[4] Including Enterprise customers, total Optus postpaid handset customers grew 64,000 to 4.62 million.

[5] For the financial year ended 31 March 2015, post-tax profit contributions from the regional mobile associates grew 19% to S$1.66 billion.