Earnings Update Q1 2024

Highlights

Total revenues rose by 0.7%, driven by service revenue growth (+3.1% yoy) in local currency in all markets except Slovenia, offsetting strong decline in equipment revenues (-9.8% yoy)

Service revenue growth supported by solutions & connectivity and mobile business but impacted by negative currency effect, declining interconnection and fixed voice business

EBITDA up 4.2% in comparison to Q1 2023, despite higher core OPEX driven mainly by higher workforce and product related costs

Excluding negative FX effects, total revenues and EBITDA excl. restructuring rose by 2.2% and 5.7% respectively

Spectrum acquisition in Austria: A1 acquired in March 2024 frequencies in the 26 GHz spectrum as well as additional regional frequencies in the 3.5 GHz spectrum

Outlook confirmed for FY 2024: 3-4% revenue growth, CAPEX (ex. spectrum) of ~EUR 800 mn

In this Earnings Update, rounding differences may occur in the summing of rounded amounts due to the use of automatic calculation tools.

Please note that this presentation, besides reported values, also contains values on a pro forma basis, due to the towers spin-off in 2023. Pro forma means, data of the comparison period has been adjusted, as if the towers have already been spun-off in the respective period.

Results for Q1 2024

2

Key financial data

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

1,267

1,258

0.7%

Service revenues

1,071

1,038

3.1%

Equipment revenues

176

195

-9.8%

Other operating income

21

24

-15.6%

Wireless revenues

752

754

-0.3%

Service revenues

596

583

2.2%

Equipment revenues

156

171

-8.7%

Wireline revenues

495

480

3.1%

Service revenues

475

456

4.2%

Equipment revenues

20

24

-17.6%

EBITDA before restructuring

475

457

4.0%

EBITDA margin before restructuring

37.5%

36.3%

1.2pp

EBITDA 1)

454

436

4.2%

EBITDA margin

35.9%

34.7%

1.2pp

EBITDAaL 2)

353

389

-9.2%

EBITDAaL margin

27.9%

30.9%

-3.0pp

Depreciation, amortization, impairments

277

241

14.8%

EBIT 3)

178

195

-8.9%

EBIT margin

14.0%

15.5%

-1.5pp

Net result

117

135

-13.3%

Net margin

9.2%

10.7%

-1.5pp

Capital expenditures

233

247

-5.6%

Tangible

197

205

-4.2%

Intangible

37

42

-12.2%

Free cash flow

52

93

-44.4%

31. Mar. 2024

31. Dec. 2023

Net debt / EBITDA (12 months)

1.3

1.3

-2.9%

Net debt (exkl. leases) / EBITDAaL (12 months)

0.4

0.4

-5.2%

Customer indicators (thousand)

31. Mar. 2024

31. Dec. 2023

Mobile subscribers

25,441

24,116

5.5%

Postpaid

21,818

20,370

7.1%

Prepaid

3,623

3,746

-3.3%

RGUs 4)

6,267

6,220

0.8%

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

ARPU (in EUR) 5)

7.8

8.1

-3.2%

ARPL (in EUR) 6)

26.1

25.6

2.0%

Mobile churn

1.3%

1.3%

0.0pp

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Employees (full-time equivalent)

17,559

17,871

-1.7%

  1. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization
  2. EBITDA after Leases: EBITDA - depreciation of lease assets according to IFRS 16 - interest expenses pursuant to IFRS 16
  3. Operating income according to IFRS
  4. Revenue Generating Unit
  5. Average Revenue Per User incl. M2M Subscriber
  6. Average Revenue Per Line

Results for Q1 2024

3

Q1 2024 in a nutshell

Total revenues increased by 0.7% year-on-year to EUR 1,267 mn. The increase in service revenues more than outweighed the decline in equipment revenues. Service revenues grew by 3.1% year-on-year up to EUR 1,071 mn mainly driven by retail mobile service revenues while solutions and connectivity and retail fixed-line revenues also rose. Those drivers offset the decline in interconnection revenues. Rising service revenues also offset the declining equipment revenues driven mainly by the mobile business.

Core OPEX increased, mainly driven by higher total workforce costs and higher product-related costs. Those costs could not be fully curbed by lower electricity and advertising costs. Translating the latter results into profits, EBITDA increased by 4.2% year-on-year up to EUR 454 mn. Excluding negative FX impacts, total revenues and EBITDA excluding restructuring increased by 2.2% and 5.7% in a year-on-year comparison.

Compared to previous year's first quarter, CAPEX decreased only slightly to EUR 233mn.

Free Cash Flow (Q1 2024: EUR 53 mn) was EUR 41 mn lower vs Q1 2023, due to higher payments for leases after the tower spin-off as well as negative impacts in changes in working capital.

Since inflation is still on a high level, A1 conducts value protecting measures which are linked to the CPI. In Austria and Bulgaria, where applicable, tariffs were increased by 7.8% and 9.5% respectively.

A1 in Austria successfully participated in a frequency auction securing frequencies in the 26 GHz spectrum as well as additional regional frequencies in the 3.5 GHz spectrum. A1 acquired 400 MHz in the 26 GHz band as well as additional regional frequencies in the 3.5GHz spectrum.The new licenses for the 26 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum are valid until Decem- ber 31, 2046, and December 31, 2039, respectively. With an investment of EUR 7.2 mn in total, A1 is enhancing its capacity to provide future-oriented 5G services and solidifying its position as a provider of outstanding network quality in Austria. However, this transaction was not yet booked and hence did not translate into CAPEX.

The management board confirms the guidance for the financial year 2024 (total revenues +3-4%year-on-year, CAPEX excluding frequencies and M&A of around EUR 800mn).

Mobile subscribers and fixed-line RGUs

In the mobile communications business, the number of mobile subscribers increased by 5.5% year-on-year to a total of 25.4 mn. Without the M2M business, the subscriber base decreased slightly (-0.4%). An ongoing shift from prepaid customers to postpaid customers continued in almost all markets: The number of postpaid suscribers rose especially in Croatia and Belarus. Serbia and North Macedonia also posted growth. Altogether, this more than compensated for losses in Austria and Bulgaria. In the prepaid segment, subscriber numbers declined in all markets except for Croatia. The demand for net cubes and data boxes still lasts and hence increased by 4.3% year-on-year, driven by international markets.

In the fixed-line business, the number of revenue generating units (RGUs) increased by 0.8% year-on-year to a total of 6.27 mn. The increase in broadband and TV RGUs could more than compensate the decline in voice RGUs. A significantly strong increase could be recorded for advanced broadband RGUs. Overall, RGU growth was mainly driven by Bulgaria and Belarus, offsetting losses in Austria and Slovenia.

Results for Q1 2024

4

Group results (Q1 2024)

Total revenues increased by 0.7% to EUR 1,267 mn. The growth in service revenues more than offset a decline in equipment revenues and a rise in core OPEX. Service revenues in the mobile business rose by 2.2% while fixed-line service revenues rose by 4.2% and profited from value protecting measures, upselling and solid demand for high-bandwidth prodcuts. On top, the solutions and connectivity business continued to be a growth driver. Service revenues could be increased in local currency in all countries except Slovenia. Especially Bulgaria and Croatia could increase their total revenues by 7.4% and 7.1% respectively, due to their rising service revenues both retail mobile and fixed and solutions & connectivity. Total workforce costs excl. restructuring increased by 5.4%. Contrarily, electricity costs declined by 6.2% but staying at high levels. EBITDA increased by 4.2% up to EUR 454 mn.

Excluding negative FX effects, total revenues and EBITDA excluding restructuring rose by 2.2% and 5.7% respectively. Depreciation and amortization increased by 3.0%, as D&A on the rights of use assets increased significantly after the tower spin off, overall driving EBIT 8.9% lower year-on-year. EBIT increased by 4.2% on a pro forma level year-on-year.

The financial result amounted to negative EUR 26 mn after negative EUR 21 mn last year. This was driven by the higher interest expense on leases also related to the spin-off, while interest expense on financial debt declined. Income taxes were lower mainly due to the lower taxable income.

Overall, this resulted in a decline in net result of 13.3%. On a proforma basis, net result was higher by 10.5%.

In total, free cash flow amounted to EUR 52 mn, compared to 93 million in Q1 last year.

The decrease versus last year was mainly due to higher payments for leases after the spin-off, while capex was slightly lower compared to last year. The second driver was the negative impact of EUR 52 mn in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: negative EUR 11 mn) from changes in working capital. The difference stems from an unfavorable time shift in accounts receivables as well as the fiber subsidy received last year in Q1.

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

EBITDA

454

436

4.2%

Restructuring charges and cost of labor obligations

22

23

-1.7%

Lease paid (principal, interest and prepayments)

-97

-66

47.6%

Income taxes paid

-23

-17

33.0%

Net interest paid

3

-2

n.m.

Change working capital and other changes

-52

-11

n.m.

Capital expenditures

-233

-247

-5.6%

Social plans new funded 1)

-23

-23

-0.7%

FCF after social plans new

52

93

-44.4%

  1. Cost for social plans granted in the respective period

Results for Q1 2024

5

Net debt

As of March 31, 2024, the balance sheet total slightly increased compared to the level as of December 31, 2023 (+0.5%). Current liabilities decreased by 2.4% mainly due to the full redemption of short-term debt. Stockholders' equity increased by 2.5% mainly due net income generation. Net debt (incl. leases)/EBITDA stayed the same compared to December 31, 2023, at a ratio of 1.3. Net debt (excl. leases)/EBITDAaL stayed at the same ratio as well (0.4x).

in EUR million

31. Mar. 2024

31. Dec. 2023

Long-term debt

748

748

0.0%

Lease liability long-term

1,657

1,672

-0.9%

Short-term debt

0

60

-99.9%

Lease liability short-term

294

284

3.6%

Cash and cash equivalents

-155

-169

-7.9%

Net debt (incl. leases)

2,544

2,595

-2.0%

Net debt (incl. leases) / EBITDA

1.3x

1.3x

-2.9%

Net debt (excl. leasing)

593

639

-7.3%

Net debt excl leasing / EBITDAaL

0.4x

0.4x

-5.2%

Reported vs. proforma view

Reported

Reported

pro forma

pro forma

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

1,267

1,258

0.7%

1,267

1,255

0.9%

EBITDA

454

436

4.2%

454

439

3.4%

EBITDA after leases

353

389

-9.2%

353

346

2.0%

EBIT

178

195

-8.9%

178

170

4.2%

Net result

117

135

-13.3%

117

106

10.5%

Underlying performance

Reported

Reported

pro forma

pro forma

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

1,267

1,258

0.7%

1,267

1,255

0.9%

FX effects

18

0

n.m.

18

0

n.m.

One-off effects

0

0

n.m.

0

0

n.m.

Total revenues adjusted

1,285

1,258

2.2%

1,285

1,255

2.4%

Group EBITDA

454

436

4.2%

FX effects

8

n.m.

n.m.

One-off effects

0

0

n.m.

Restructuring charges

21

21

-0.7%

EBITDA adjusted

483

457

5.7%

454

439

3.4%

8

0

n.m.

0

0

n.m.

21

21

-0.7%

483

460

5.0%

Results for Q1 2024

6

Segment overview

Segment Austria

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

680

677

0.4%

Service revenues

605

595

1.7%

Equipment revenues

61

71

-13.8%

Other operating income

14

12

18.8%

Wireless revenues

317

314

0.8%

Service revenues

266

257

3.6%

Equipment revenues

51

58

-11.9%

Wireline revenues

349

351

-0.6%

Service revenues

339

338

0.2%

Equipment revenues

10

13

-22.4%

Total revenues excl. international business*

644

636

1.2%

Service revenues excl. international business*

570

555

2.6%

EBITDA before restructuring

257

253

1.6%

EBITDA margin before restructuring

37.8%

37.4%

0.4pp

EBITDA

236

232

1.8%

EBITDA margin

34.7%

34.2%

0.5pp

EBITDAaL

181

209

-13.6%

EBITDAaL margin

26.6%

30.9%

-4.3pp

EBITDA excl. international business*

232

228

1.6%

EBIT

79

95

-16.7%

EBIT margin

11.6%

14.0%

-0.4pp

Customer indicators (thousand)

Mobile subscribers

5,098

5,148

-1.0%

RGUs

2,807

2,917

-3.8%

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

ARPU (in EUR)

17.3

16.6

4.5%

Mobile churn

1.4%

1.2%

-0.2pp

  • International business revenues (mainly comprising transit and connectivity revenues) as reported in Austria, shown separately as it is not reflecting Austrian business perfor- mance

In Austria, major trends of previous quarters remained pretty stable. Value-protecting measures were again implemented effective as of April 1st , 2024 linked to the 7.8% CPI increase. In the first quarter of 2024, total revenues in Austria increased slightly as the increase in service revenues more than offset the declining equipment revenues. The growth in service revenues was driven by the retail mobile business, which profited from value-protecting measures undertaken last year. The solutions and connectivity business also rose while retail fixed-line revenues were flat year-on-year. The latter profited from value-securing measures, solid demand for high-bandwith products, which however were offset by the decline in RGUs with low-bandwidth as well as voice losses. Interconnection revenues registered regulatory-driven losses.

On the cost side, core OPEX rose primarily due to higher total workforce costs mainly due to the inflation-driven rises after the collective bargaining agreement. Costs for revenue-related items like content and licenses, as well as for network maintenance also increased. This was only partly mitigated by lower electricity costs. EBITDA increased as the service revenue increase together with a slightly improved equipment margin offset the higher core OPEX.

Results for Q1 2024

7

International segments

International segments comprise the segments Bulgaria, Croatia, Belarus, Slovenia, Serbia and North Macedonia. In Q1 2024, total revenues grew in the international business of A1 Group driven by 4.7% higher service revenues overcompensating the losses in equipment revenues. Service revenues rose on the back of value-protecting measures taken last year, successfull upselling, high demand for high-bandwidth broadband solutions and the growing solutions and connectivity business. Service revenue growth translated into EBITDA growth of 5.3%, despite the increase in core OPEX of 4.2% mainly driven by higher workforce costs. In constant currency, total revenues, service revenues and EBITDA from the international business rose by 4.0%, 7.8% and 9.0% year-on-year, respectively.

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

593

587

0.9%

Service revenues

470

449

4.7%

Equipment revenues

115

124

-7.7%

Other operating income

8

14

-43.4%

Wireless revenues

436

440

-0.8%

Service revenues

331

327

1.4%

Equipment revenues

105

113

-7.2%

Wireline revenues

148

133

11.4%

Service revenues

139

122

13.6%

Equipment revenues

10

11

-13.0%

EBITDA

230

218

5.3%

EBITDA margin

38.7%

37.1%

1.6pp

EBITDAaL

183

193

-5.0%

EBITDAaL margin

31.0%

32.9%

-1.9pp

EBIT

111

114

-2.6%

EBIT margin

18.8%

19.5%

-0.7pp

Customer indicators (thousand)

Mobile subscribers

14,957

14,867

0.6%

RGUs

3,461

3,304

4.8%

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

ARPU (in EUR)

7.4

7.3

0.8%

Mobile churn

1.7%

1.7%

0.0pp

Bulgaria

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

177

165

7.4%

Service Revenues

144

128

12.6%

EBITDA

77

68

12.6%

EBITDA margin

43.5%

41.5%

2.0pp

In Bulgaria, market trends remained mostly unchanged. Value-protecting measures related to inflation were implemented again, with the full impact becoming effective as of April 2024. Total revenues posted strong growth and were driven by mobile and fixed-line service revenues, as well as solid growth in ICT solutions business, while equipment revenues slightly

Results for Q1 2024

8

declined. Mobile service revenues grew by 6.5% on the back of value protecting measures and successful upselling. Trends in the fixed-line business also remained encouraging with 23.0% higher fixed-line service revenues.

Retail-fixed line service revenues saw positive trends in TV and broadband and also profited from the value-protecting meas- ures. Mobile subscriber numbers decreased slighty due to business segment optimizations. Fixed RGUs grew due to the increase in broadband and TV subscribers. Core OPEX rose mainly driven by revenue-related costs as well as total workforce costs. Overall, strong service revenue growth translated into EBITDA growth.

Croatia

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

128

120

7.1%

Service Revenues

105

96

9.6%

EBITDA

49

40

22.8%

EBITDA margin

38.3%

33.4%

4.9pp

In Q1 2024, A1 Croatia recorded solid results. On the back of previous increased investments in the fixed and mobile network and value securing measures, A1generated growth both in its mobile and fixed subscriber base as well as in revenues. Besides higher retail mobile and retail fixed-line revenues, the solutions and connectivity also posted growth, driven by ICT solutions. Core opex was higher, mainly visible through higher employee and electricity costs, as well as revenue-related costs. EBITDA growth was particularily strong in this quarter as besides solid operational results the opex development benefitted from periodization and certain delays to upcoming quarters.

Belarus

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

101

115

-12.6%

Service Revenues

77

88

-12.2%

EBITDA

45

53

-15.0%

EBITDA margin

44.6%

45.9%

-1.3pp

in BYN million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

351

340

3.1%

Service Revenues

278

268

3.6%

EBITDA

157

156

0.3%

EBITDA margin

44.6%

45.9%

-1.3pp

The geopolitical and regulatory situation in Belarus continued to weigh on the overall business environment and A1 Belarus still faces several challenges. The supply chain with key vendors has been interrupted since 2022 and A1 Belarus re-established deliveries under the new sanction framework and telco exception rules. Additionally, a highly strict price policy is in place to address inflation, restricting A1's ability to adjust prices. Despite persisting supply chain pressure, operational results were growing in Q1 2024.

The Belarusian ruble depreciated by 15.2% on period average in Q1 compared to the previous year against the euro but remains rather stable since end of the year 2023.

In Euros, total revenues in Belarus decreased by 12.6%. Both, service and equipment revenues declined. In local currency, total revenues increased by 3.1%, mainly driven by an increase in service revenues (+3.6% year-on-year).

On the cost side, in euros, core OPEX decreased by 11.4% mainly due to improvements in the areas of employee costs, content costs and bad debts. Whereas in local currency units, core OPEX increased by 4.5% year-on-year, mainly due to higher total workforce costs and corporate network costs.

In Euros, EBITDA declined by 15% but increased slightly by 0.3% in local currency.

Results for Q1 2024

9

Serbia

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

93

91

1.7%

Service Revenues

69

65

6.3%

EBITDA

32

31

2.9%

EBITDA margin

34.2%

33.8%

0.4pp

In Serbia, market conditions remained pretty unchanged. Total revenues grew mainly driven by an increase in the retail mobile business. Core OPEX increased due to higher total workforce costs as well as higher electricity costs. In this challenging environment on the cost side, EBITDA still grew.

Slovenia

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

56

62

-8.8%

Service Revenues

43

44

-1.9%

EBITDA

14

14

-3.5%

EBITDA margin

24.2%

22.8%

1.4pp

In Slovenia, a market with a very competitve environment, total revenues decreased caused by decreasing mobile equipment revenues as well as decreasing service revenues in the retail mobile business and in the retail fixed business. Core OPEX decreased mainly due to lower electricity costs and lower network maintenance costs. The latter effect led to a slight decrease in core OPEX. Overall, this resulted in a decline in EBITDA.

North Macedonia

in EUR million

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Total revenues

39

35

10.1%

Service Revenues

33

29

12.7%

EBITDA

13

12

12.6%

EBITDA margin

33.8%

33.1%

0.7pp

In North Macedonia, positive market trends continued. Service revenues increased. This was mainly caused by an increase in the mobile business but also higher ICT solutions revenues. Core OPEX increased due to an increase in total workforce costs and revenue-related higher expenses for licenses and software for resale. Summing it up, revenues outweighed core OPEX leading to an increase in EBITDA.

Results for Q1 2024

10

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

in EUR million, except per share information

Service revenues

1,071

1,038

3.1%

Equipment revenues

176

195

-9.8%

Other operating income

21

24

-15.6%

Total revenues (incl. other operating income)

1,267

1,258

0.7%

Cost of service

-366

-356

3.0%

Cost of equipment

-175

-194

-10.1%

Selling, general & administrative expenses

-269

-270

-0.2%

Other expenses

-2

-2

26.0%

Total cost and expenses

-813

-822

-1.1%

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

454

436

4.2%

Depreciation and amortization

-196

-199

-1.4%

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

-81

-42

90.7%

Impairment

0

0

Operating income (EBIT)

178

195

-8.9%

Interest income

4

3

38.3%

Interest expense

-24

-19

25.0%

Interest on employee benefits and restructuring and other financial items, net

-5

-3

38.3%

Foreign currency exchange differences, net

-1

-1

-11.5%

Equity interest in net income of­associated companies

0

0

245.1%

Financial result

-26

-21

22.5%

Earnings before income tax (EBT)

151

174

-12.8%

Income tax

-34

-39

-11.1%

Net result

117

135

-13.3%

thereof, attributable to the equity holders of the parent

117

135

-13.3%

thereof, non-controlling interests

0

0

4.8%

Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent in euro*

0.18

0.20

-13.3%

Other comprehensive income items

Effect of translation of foreign entities

2

-15

-110%

Realized result on hedging activities, net of tax

0

1

-100%

Unrealized result on debt instruments at fair value, net of tax

0

0

-87%

Items that may be reclassified to the net result

2

-14

-111%

Remeasurement of defined benefit obligations, net of tax

-2

-0

n.m.

Items that will not be reclassified to the net result

-2

-0

n.m.

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

-0

-14

-100%

Total comprehensive income (loss)

117

121

-3%

thereof, attributable to the equity holders of the parent

117

121

-3%

thereof, non-controlling interests

0

0

5%

* Basic and diluted, weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding was constantly 664,084,841

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Telekom Austria AG published this content on 16 April 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 16 April 2024 17:15:03 UTC.