ROSH HA’AYIN, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Partner Communications Company Ltd. (“Partner” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR), a leading Israeli communications provider, announced today its results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.
Commenting on the fourth quarter 2017 results, Mr. Isaac Benbenisti, CEO of Partner noted:
"We view significant accomplishments in our financial results for 2017 growth in the Company's EBITDA compared to 2016, while doubling profit, adding 79 thousand cellular Post-Paid subscribers, a record addition of TV households to Partner TV, massive deployment of fiber optic infrastructure, all this while solidifying the financial strength to leverage the Company's growth.
"Partner TV is leading the Israeli TV market in terms of household additions, and with a significant gap compared with its competitors. In the fourth quarter of 2017, an additional 29 thousand households joined Partner TV and, as of today, over 64 thousand households are connected to Partner TV, most of them customers who left HOT and Yes and chose to move to the only TV service in Israel which offers all of its customers 4K set-top boxes together with Netflix at a push of a button in the remote control. Our cooperation with Netflix continues to prove successful and we are proud of this cooperation and recognize the great value that it brings to our customers.
"Our fiber optic project, Partner Fiber, which was commercially launched in August 2017, experienced a significant increase in the pace of deployment in the fourth quarter and, as of March 2018, tens of thousands of households, across many cities throughout the country, are already able to connect to Partner’s fiber services. Last month, we launched new products that combine Partner Fiber, the fast internet infrastructure with speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, with Partner TV. We intend to continue to expand our offerings, which are based on full communication solutions on Partner's independent infrastructure, in internet, TV and cellular services.
"In the cellular space, Partner continued to increase its cellular Post-Paid subscriber base in the fourth quarter of 2017, so that 87% of our cellular subscribers were Post-Paid subscribers at year-end. In the last quarter alone, we reported net growth of 14 thousand Post-Paid subscribers, which completes an addition of 79 thousand Post-Paid subscribers in 2017, who chose to join Partner's cellular services due to, among other reasons, value offerings such as advanced cyber services which are included in various plans, unique Partner services such as wifi calling, and Israel's most advanced network deployment of LTE and LTE Advanced. In addition, as part of our strategy to offer unique value offerings to our customers, and again demonstrating our ability to partner with leading international companies, we announced at the end of December 2017 an exclusive collaboration with Apple Music, under which we offer all our Post-Paid cellular subscribers a free six-month subscription to its music services. ”
Mr. Tamir Amar, Partner's Chief Financial Officer, commented on the results:
“2017 was characterized by the strengthening of Partner's position in the communications market and its transformation into a comprehensive communications group with entry into new activities, including the entry into the television world, Partner TV, which was officially launched in June 2017, and the expansion of the deployment of an independent fiber optic infrastructure for residential customers. At the same time, the Company continued to strengthen its cellular subscriber base with growth of 79,000 Post-Paid cellular subscribers in 2017, similar to the growth seen in 2016, as well as a decline in the churn rate as a result of lower churn among Post-Paid cellular subscribers.
In addition, during 2017, the Company took a number of steps to improve the profitability of equipment sales, and accordingly, equipment sales profitability improved from 18% in 2016 to 21% in 2017, together with a significant improvement in the quality of sales as reflected by, among others, the decrease in doubtful debts expenses.
In spite of the Company's entry into television services, which was accompanied by an increase in expenses (content and internet expenses), the Company recorded a decrease of 16% in operating expenses (OPEX) in 2017 compared to 2016; without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15, operating expenses decreased by 13% (a decrease of NIS 294 million compared with 2016). The decrease resulted from close management of the Company's cost structure and its assets, including the cost savings from the network sharing agreement with Hot Mobile.
In addition, the Company strengthened its balance sheet structure with a continued decrease in net debt to NIS 0.9 billion. Net debt decreased by NIS 620 million during 2017, which, together with the early repayments and the debt recycle, led to a reduction in the average interest rate of the Company's debt and to a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1 at year-end. The change in the Company's debt structure and its reduction will result in a significant reduction of financing expenses (excluding the one-time debt repayment expenses) and provides a strong foundation to support the Company's continued development in the coming years.
The increase in CAPEX in 2017, without the impact of IFRS 15, totaled NIS 104 million compared to 2016, mainly resulting from the increased deployment of the fiber optic infrastructure and from the Company's entry into TV operations, which constitute growth potential in the Company's revenues in the coming years."
NIS Million | Q3’17 | Q4’17 | Comments | |||
Service Revenues | 666 | 630 | The decrease resulted mainly from cellular seasonal roaming revenues | |||
Equipment Revenues | 160 | 204 | The increase resulted mainly from higher cellular equipment volume and a higher average sale price | |||
Total Revenues | 826 | 834 | ||||
Gross profit from equipment sales | 43 | 40 | Change in product mix with lower profit per device | |||
OPEX | 477 | 519 | Increase in expenses mainly related to the Company's TV and internet services, periodic payroll & related expenses and a nonrecurring decrease in site-rental expenses in Q3 2017 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | 239 | 158 | ||||
Profit (loss) for the Period | 54 | (50) | The company recorded one-time expenses of NIS 65 million in Q4 2017 as a result of early loans repayments (as reported on December 5, 2017), partially offset by nonrecurring tax income of NIS 19 million | |||
Capital Expenditures (additions) | 107 | 174 | The increase resulted mainly from increase in investments related to fiber optic deployment and TV services | |||
Adjusted free cash flow (before interest payments) | 202 | 63 | The decrease resulted mainly from a decrease in EBITDA and a smaller decrease in operating assets and liabilities | |||
Net Debt | 887 | 906 |
Q3’17 | Q4’17 | Comments | ||||
Cellular Post-Paid Subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 2,306 | 2,320 | Increase of 14 thousand subscribers | |||
Cellular Pre-Paid Subscribers
(end of period, thousands) |
371 | 354 | Decrease of 17 thousand subscribers | |||
Monthly Average Revenue per Cellular User (ARPU) (NIS) | 64 | 59 | Mainly the result of higher seasonal roaming revenues in Q3 2017 | |||
Quarterly Cellular Churn Rate (%) | 9.3% | 9.9% | The increase resulted from an increase in Pre-Paid subscriber churn |
Key Financial Results
NIS MILLION (except EPS) | 2013 | 2014 |
20153 |
2016 |
2017 w/o |
2017 |
||||||
Revenues | 4,519 | 4,400 | 4,111 | 3,544 | 3,270 | 3,268 | ||||||
Cost of revenues | 3,510 | 3,419 | 3,472 | 2,924 | 2,627 | 2,627 | ||||||
Gross profit | 1,009 | 981 | 639 | 620 | 643 | 641 | ||||||
S,G&A | 679 | 631 | 640 | 689 | 536 | 465 | ||||||
Income with respect to settlement
agreement with Orange |
61 | 217 | 108 | 108 | ||||||||
Other income | 79 | 50 | 47 | 45 | 31 | 31 | ||||||
Operating profit | 409 | 400 | 107 | 193 | 246 | 315 | ||||||
Finance costs, net | 211 | 159 | 143 | 105 | 180 | 180 | ||||||
Income tax expenses | 63 | 79 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 21 | ||||||
Profit (loss) for the year | 135 | 162 | (40) | 52 | 61 | 114 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per share (basic, NIS) | 0.87 | 1.04 | (0.26) | 0.33 | 0.38 | 0.70 |
NIS MILLION (except EPS) | Q4’16 | Q1’17* | Q2’17* | Q3’17* | Q4’17* | |||||
Revenues | 821 | 803 | 805 | 826 | 834 | |||||
Cost of revenues | 706 | 654 | 637 | 625 | 711 | |||||
Gross profit | 115 | 149 | 168 | 201 | 123 | |||||
S,G&A | 171 | 107 | 112 | 116 | 130 | |||||
Income with respect to settlement
agreement with Orange |
54 | 54 | 54 | - | - | |||||
Other income | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | |||||
Operating profit | 8 | 105 | 118 | 92 | 0 | |||||
Finance costs, net | 23 | 23 | 54 | 15 | 88 | |||||
Income tax expenses (income) | (8) | 18 | 18 | 23 | (38) | |||||
Profit (loss) for the period | (7) | 64 | 46 | 54 | (50) | |||||
Earnings (loss) per share (basic, NIS) | (0.04) | 0.41 | 0.29 | 0.32 | (0.30) |
NIS MILLION (except EPS) | Q4'16 | Q4'17* | % Change | |||
Revenues | 821 | 834 | +2% | |||
Cost of revenues | 706 | 711 | +1% | |||
Gross profit | 115 | 123 | +7% | |||
Operating profit | 8 | 0 | N/A | |||
Loss for the period | (7) | (50) | ||||
Loss per share (basic, NIS) | (0.04) | (0.30) |
*The Company adopted IFRS 15 from the beginning of 2017. For more information see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Key Operating Indicators
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
2017 w/o |
2017 |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (NIS million) | 1,114 | 1,096 | 876 | 834 | 835 | 917 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (as a % of total revenues) | 25% | 25% | 21% | 24% | 26% | 28% | ||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow (NIS millions) | 1,041 | 520 | 566 | 758 | 599 | 599 | ||||||
Cellular Subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 2,956 | 2,837 | 2,718 | 2,686 | 2,674 | 2,674 | ||||||
Estimated Cellular Market Share (%) | 29% | 28% | 27% | 26% | 25% | 25% | ||||||
Annual Cellular Churn Rate (%) | 39% | 47% | 46% | 40% | 38% | 38% | ||||||
Average Monthly Revenue per Cellular Subscriber (ARPU) (NIS) | 83 | 75 | 69 | 65 | 62 | 62 |
Q4'16 | Q4'17* | Change | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA (NIS million) | 164 | 158 | -4% | |||
Adjusted EBITDA (as a % of total revenues) | 20% | 19% | -1 | |||
Cellular Subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 2,686 | 2,674 | -12 | |||
Quarterly Cellular Churn Rate (%) | 9.4% | 9.9% | +0.5 | |||
Monthly Average Revenue per Cellular User (ARPU) (NIS) | 62 | 59 | -3 |
*The Company adopted IFRS 15 from the beginning of 2017. For more information see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Partner Consolidated Results
Cellular Segment | Fixed-Line Segment | Elimination | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
NIS Million | 2017* | 2016 | Change % | 2017* | 2016 | Change % | 2017* | 2016 | 2017* | 2016 | Change % | |||||||||||
Total Revenues | 2,588 | 2,828 | -8% | 853 | 929 | -8% | (173) | (213) | 3,268 | 3,544 | -8% | |||||||||||
Service Revenues | 1,978 | 2,099 | -6% | 777 | 866 | -10% | (173) | (213) | 2,582 | 2,752 | -6% | |||||||||||
Equipment Revenues | 610 | 729 | -16% | 76 | 63 | +21% | - | - | 686 | 792 | -13% | |||||||||||
Operating Profit | 244 | 68 | +259% | 71 | 125 | -43% | - | - | 315 | 193 | +63% | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 710 | 562 | +26% | 207 | 272 | -24% | - | - | 917 | 834 | +10% |
Cellular Segment | Fixed-Line Segment | Elimination | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
NIS Million | Q4'17* | Q4'16 | Change % | Q4'17* | Q4'16 | Change % | Q4'17* | Q4'16 | Q4'17* | Q4'16 | Change % | |||||||||||
Total Revenues | 660 | 656 | +1% | 219 | 216 | +1% | (45) | (51) | 834 | 821 | +2% | |||||||||||
Service Revenues | 478 | 498 | -4% | 197 | 205 | -4% | (45) | (51) | 630 | 652 | -3% | |||||||||||
Equipment Revenues | 182 | 158 | +15% | 22 | 11 | +100% | - | - | 204 | 169 | +21% | |||||||||||
Operating Profit (loss) | 2 | (10) | N/A | (2) | 18 | N/A | - | - | 0 | 8 | N/A | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 124 | 109 | +14% | 34 | 55 | -38% | - | - | 158 | 164 | -4% |
* The Company adopted IFRS 15 from the beginning of 2017. For more information see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Financial Review4
In 2017, total revenues were NIS 3,268 million (US$ 943 million), a decrease of 8% from NIS 3,544 million in 2016.
Annual service revenues in 2017 totaled NIS 2,582 million (US$ 745 million), a decrease of 6% from NIS 2,752 million in 2016.
Service revenues for the cellular segment in 2017 totaled NIS 1,978 million (US$ 571 million), a decrease of 6% from NIS 2,099 million in 2016. The decrease was mainly a result of the continued downward pressures on the prices of Post-Paid and Pre-Paid cellular services as a result of the continued competition in the cellular market. In addition, cellular segment service revenues were negatively affected by a decline in revenues as a result of the termination of the Right of Use Agreement with HOT Mobile from the second quarter of 2016, for which the Company recorded revenues in an amount of approximately NIS 51 million in 2016.
Service revenues for the fixed-line segment in 2017 totaled NIS 777 million (US$ 224 million), a decrease of 10% from NIS 866 million in 2016. This decrease mainly reflected a decrease in revenues from international calling services (including the market for wholesale international traffic) which were adversely affected both by the increased penetration of internet-based solutions and increased competition from other service providers, and a decrease in inter-segment revenues.
In Q4 2017, total revenues were NIS 834 million (US$ 241 million), an increase of 2% from NIS 821 million in Q4 2016.
Service revenues in Q4 2017 totaled NIS 630 million (US$ 182 million), a decrease of 3% from NIS 652 million in Q4 2016.
Service revenues for the cellular segment in Q4 2017 totaled NIS 478 million (US$ 138 million), a decrease of 4% from NIS 498 million in Q4 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 Q4 2017 totaled NIS 197 million (US$ 57 million), a decrease of 4% from NIS 205 million in Q4 2016. The decrease reflected the continuing decrease in revenues from international calling services.
Equipment revenues in 2017 totaled NIS 686 million (US$ 198 million), a decrease of 13% from NIS 792 million in 2016, largely reflecting the downward impact of the tightening of the Company’s customer credit policy on the volume of sales.
Gross profit from equipment sales in 2017 was NIS 142 million (US$ 41 million), compared with NIS 144 million in 2016, a decrease of 1%, reflecting a decrease in gross profit from equipment sales for the cellular segment which was partially offset by an increase in gross profit from equipment sales for the fixed-line segment.
Equipment revenues in Q4 2017 totaled NIS 204 million (US$ 59 million), an increase of 21% from NIS 169 million in Q4 2016, largely reflecting an increase in the volume of sales of cellular equipment and fixed-line business equipment.
Gross profit from equipment sales in Q4 2017 was NIS 40 million (US$ 12 million), compared with NIS 18 million in Q4 2016, an increase of 122%, mainly reflecting higher profit margins from sales due to a change in the product mix.
Total operating expenses (‘OPEX’) totaled NIS 1,946 million (US$ 561 million) in 2017. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, total operating expenses would have been NIS 2,030 million, a decrease of 13% or NIS 294 million from 2016. This decrease mainly reflected a decline in expenses related to the cellular network - largely reflecting the impact of the network sharing agreement with Hot Mobile; a decrease in international calls expenses, a decrease in bad debts and allowance for doubtful accounts expenses which was mainly a result of the impact of the tightening of the Company’s customer credit policy for handset sales; a decrease in advertising and marketing expenses; and a decrease in other expense items reflecting the impact of various efficiency measures undertaken; which were partially offset by additional expenses relating to the Company's TV and internet services. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation), OPEX in 2017 without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 would have decreased by 12% compared with 2016, mainly for the same reasons as explained above.
For Q4 2017, total operating expenses (‘OPEX’) totaled NIS 519 million (US$ 150 million). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, total operating expenses would have been NIS 547 million in Q4 2017, a decrease of 4% or NIS 23 million from Q4 2016. The decrease mainly reflected a decline in expenses related to the cellular network and a decrease in bad debts and allowance for doubtful accounts expenses in 2017 and one-time expenses totaling NIS 19 million in Q4 2016, partially offset by additional expenses relating to the Company's TV and internet services. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation), OPEX without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017 would have decreased by 3% in Q4 2017 compared with Q4 2016, mainly for the same reasons as explained above.
In 2017, the Company recorded income with respect to the settlement agreement of the Orange brand agreement in an amount of NIS 108 million (US$ 31 million) compared with NIS 217 million recorded in 2016. 2017 is the final year for which the Company will record income with respect to the settlement agreement of the Orange brand agreement.
Operating profit for 2017 was NIS 315 million (US$ 91 million). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, operating profit would have been NIS 246 million, an increase of 27% compared with NIS 193 million in 2016.
For Q4 2017, operating profit was zero. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, there would have been an operating loss of NIS 18 million in Q4 2017, compared with an operating profit of NIS 8 million in Q4 2016.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2017 totaled NIS 917 million (US$ 264 million), 28% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA would have been NIS 835 million, 26% of revenues, approximately unchanged compared with NIS 834 million in 2016, 24% of revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment in 2017 was NIS 710 million (US$ 205 million), 27% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment would have been NIS 647 million, 25% of revenues, an increase of 15% from NIS 562 million in 2016, 20% of revenues. The increase reflected the decrease in total operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of the decreases in service revenues, in income with respect to the settlement agreement with Orange, and in gross profits from cellular segment equipment sales.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 207 million (US$ 60 million) in 2017, 24% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment would have been NIS 188 million, 22% of revenues, a decrease of 31% from NIS 272 million in 2016, 29% of revenues. The decrease mainly reflected the decrease in service revenues and the increase in total operating expenses, partially offset by the increase in gross profit from equipment sales.
For Q4 2017, Adjusted EBITDA totaled NIS 158 million (US$ 46 million), 19% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA would have been NIS 132 million in Q4 2017, 16% of revenues, a decrease of 20% from NIS 164 million in Q4 2016 or 20% of revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment in Q4 2017 was NIS 124 million (US$ 36 million), 19% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment would have been NIS 108 million in Q4 2017, 16% of revenues, approximately unchanged compared with NIS 109 million in Q4 2016, 17% of revenues. The stability reflected the decrease in OPEX and the increase in gross profit from equipment sales, which were offset by the decrease in income with respect to the settlement agreement with Orange and the decrease in service revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment in Q4 2017 was NIS 34 million (US$ 10 million), 16% of revenues. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment would have been NIS 24 million in Q4 2017, 11% of revenues, a decrease of 56% from NIS 55 million in Q4 2016, 25% of revenues. The decrease mainly reflected the increase in OPEX resulting from the launch of the TV services, partly offset by a decline in expenses related to international calling services.
Finance costs, net in 2017 were NIS 180 million (US$ 52 million), an increase of 71% compared with NIS 105 million in 2016. The increase largely reflected the impact of the increase in early debt repayment expenses in 2017 compared with 2016, of NIS 82 million, which was mainly related to the early repayment of borrowings during 2017 in a total amount of NIS 1,283 million (US$ 370 million).
Finance costs, net, are expected to be significantly lower in 2018 than in 2017, both reflecting the early debt repayment expenses recorded in 2017 as well as anticipated lower interest expenses as a result of the lower average level of financial debt and a lower average debt interest rate.
For Q4 2017, finance costs, net were NIS 88 million (US$ 25 million), an increase of 65 million compared with NIS 23 million in Q4 2016. The increase reflected the one time early repayment costs of NIS 65 million recorded in Q4 2017.
Income tax expenses for 2017 were NIS 21 million (US$ 6 million). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, income tax expenses on profit would have been NIS 5 million compared with NIS 36 million in 2016. An income tax audit of the Company, concluded in 2017, resulted in one-time income of NIS 10 million in income tax expenses and in an additional one-time deferred tax income of NIS 9 million, which was recognized in income tax expenses.
Overall, the company's profit in 2017 was NIS 114 million (US$ 33 million). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, profit would have been NIS 61 million, an increase of 17% compared with profit of NIS 52 million in 2016.
For Q4 2017, loss was NIS 50 million (US$ 14 million). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, loss would have been NIS 64 million in Q4 2017, compared with a loss of NIS 7 million in Q4 2016.
Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during 2017, basic earnings per share or ADS, was NIS 0.70 (US$ 0.20). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, basic earnings per share or ADS would have been NIS 0.38 compared with NIS 0.33 in 2016.
For Q4 2017, based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during Q4 2017, basic loss per share or ADS, was NIS 0.30 (US$ 0.08). Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, basic loss per share or ADS would have been NIS 0.38 in Q4 2017, compared with basic loss per share or ADS of NIS 0.04 in Q4 2016.
Cellular Segment Operational Review
At the end of 2017, the Company's cellular subscriber base (including mobile data and 012 Mobile subscribers) was approximately 2.67 million including approximately 2.32 million Post-Paid subscribers or 87% of the base, and approximately 354,000 Pre-Paid subscribers, or 13% of the subscriber base.
Over 2017, the cellular subscriber base declined by approximately 12,000. The Pre-Paid subscriber base decreased by approximately 91,000, while the Post-Paid subscriber base increased by approximately 79,000. The decrease in the Pre-Paid subscriber base was largely attributed to Pre-Paid subscribers moving to Post-Paid subscriber packages as a result of the significant price difference of these products, as well as to increased competition for Pre-Paid subscribers.
The annual churn rate for cellular subscribers in 2017 was 38%, a decrease of 2 percentage points compared with 40% in 2016, and 46% in 2015.
The monthly Average Revenue per User (“ARPU”) for cellular subscribers in 2017 was NIS 62 (US$ 18), a decrease of 5% from NIS 65 in 2016. The decrease mainly reflected the continued price erosion in cellular services due to the persistent competition in the cellular market, as well as a decrease in revenues as a result of the termination of the Right of Use Agreement with HOT Mobile from the second quarter of 2016.
Total cellular market share (based on the number of subscribers) at the end of 2017 was estimated to be approximately 25%, a slight decrease from 26% at 2016 year-end.
During Q4 2017, the cellular subscriber base declined by approximately 3,000 subscribers. The Post-Paid subscriber base increased by approximately 14,000 subscribers, while the Pre-Paid subscriber base declined by approximately 17,000 subscribers.
The quarterly churn rate for cellular subscribers in Q4 2017 was 9.9%, compared with 9.4% in Q4 2016.
For Q4 2017, ARPU for cellular subscribers was NIS 59 (US$ 17), a decrease of 5% from NIS 62 in Q4 2016.
Funding and Investing Review
In 2017, Adjusted Free Cash Flow totaled NIS 599 million (US$ 173 million), an increase of 21% from NIS 758 million in 2016.
Cash generated from operations totaled NIS 973 million (US$ 281 million) in 2017. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, cash generated from operations would have been NIS 897 million compared with NIS 945 million in 2016, a decrease of 5%. The decrease mainly reflected the payment by HOT Mobile in 2016 of the lump sum of NIS 250 million under the Network Sharing Agreement, partially offset by an increase in trade payables balances and by a larger decrease in trade receivables, which was mainly related to the decrease in the volume of equipment sales under long-term payment plans in 2017 compared with 2016.
Cash capital expenditures (CAPEX payments), as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, were NIS 376 million (US$ 108 million) in 2017. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, cash capital expenditures would have been NIS 300 million, an increase of 53% from NIS 196 million in 2016. The increase mainly reflected the increase in investments related to fiber deployment and TV services.
For Q4 2017, Adjusted Free Cash Flow totaled NIS 63 million (US$ 18 million), a decrease of 77% from NIS 269 million in Q4 2016. Excluding the impact of the NIS 180 million payment received from Hot Mobile in Q4 2016 as part of lump sum, Adjusted Free Cash Flow decreased by 29%.
Cash generated from operations totaled NIS 176 million (US$ 51 million) in Q4 2017. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, cash generated from operations would have been NIS 151 million in Q4 2017, a decrease of 52% from NIS 313 million in Q4 2016. The decrease mainly reflected the one-time payment received from HOT Mobile in an amount of NIS 180 million in Q4 2016 as explained above.
Cash capital expenditures (‘CAPEX payments’), as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, were NIS 113 million (US$ 33 million) in Q4 2017. Without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 in 2017, cash capital expenditures would have been NIS 88 million in Q4 2017, an increase of 87% from NIS 47 million in Q4 2016. The increase mainly reflected the increase in investments related to fiber deployment and TV services.
The level of Net Debt at the end of 2017 amounted to NIS 906 million (US$ 261 million), compared with NIS 1,526 million at the end of 2016.
Conference Call Details
Partner will hold a conference call on Thursday, March 29, 2018 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: +972.3.918.0610
North America toll-free: +1.888.407.2553
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 March 29, 2018 until April 19, 2018, at the following numbers:
International: +972.3.925.5925
North America toll-free: +1.888.782.4291
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 intention to continue to expand its offering of full communication solutions over its independent infrastructure, the Company's future development as a result of the change in the Company's debt structure and its reduction and the growth potential in the Company’s revenues as a result of the increased deployment of the Company's fiber optic infrastructure and from the Company's entry in TV operations. 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, with respect to- the increased fiber cable deployment, whether the Ministry of Communications’ instruction to Bezeq to allow other domestic operators (including Partner) to deploy fiber optic cables using Bezeq's passive infrastructure (including use of the manholes that are situated in front of buildings) 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 December 31, 2017: US $1.00 equals NIS 3.467. 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.
Non-GAAP |
Calculation |
Most Comparable IFRS |
||
Adjusted EBITDA*
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) |
Adjusted EBITDA:
Profit (Loss) add Income tax expenses, Finance costs, net, Depreciation and amortization expenses (including amortization of intangible assets, deferred expenses-right of use and impairment charges), Other expenses (mainly amortization of share based compensation)
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%): Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total revenues |
Profit (Loss) | ||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow** |
Adjusted Free Cash Flow:
Cash flows from operating activities deduct Cash flows from investing activities add Short-term investment in (proceeds from) deposits |
Cash flows from operating activities
deduct Cash flows from investing activities |
||
Total Operating Expenses (OPEX) |
Total Operating Expenses:
Cost of service revenues add Selling and marketing expenses add General and administrative expenses deduct Depreciation and amortization expenses, Other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation) |
Sum of:
Cost of service revenues, Selling and marketing expenses, General and administrative expenses |
||
Net Debt |
Net Debt:
Current maturities of notes payable and borrowings add Notes payable add Borrowings from banks and others deduct Cash and cash equivalents deduct Short-term deposits |
Sum of:
Current maturities of notes payable and borrowings, Notes payable, Borrowings from banks and others |
||
Various line items “without the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15” | Line item less the amount of the impact of the early adoption of IFRS 15 | The corresponding line item as reported in the Company’s financial statements and in this press release |
* Adjusted EBITDA is fully comparable with EBITDA measure which was provided in reports for prior periods.
**Adjusted Free Cash Flow measure is fully comparable to Free Cash Flow measure which was provided in reports for prior periods.
About Partner Communications
Partner Communications Company Ltd. is a leading Israeli provider of communications services (cellular, fixed-line telephony, internet 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.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
New Israeli Shekels |
|
Convenience |
||||
December 31, | ||||||
2016 | 2017* | 2017* | ||||
In millions | ||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 716 | 867 | 250 | |||
Short-term deposits | 452 | 150 | 43 | |||
Trade receivables | 990 | 808 | 233 | |||
Other receivables and prepaid expenses | 57 | 48 | 14 | |||
Deferred expenses – right of use | 28 | 43 | 12 | |||
Inventories | 96 | 93 | 27 | |||
2,339 | 2,009 | 579 | ||||
NON CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
Trade receivables | 333 | 232 | 68 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other | 2 | 5 | 1 | |||
Deferred expenses – right of use | 75 | 133 | 38 | |||
Property and equipment | 1,207 | 1,180 | 340 | |||
Intangible and other assets | 793 | 697 | 201 | |||
Goodwill | 407 | 407 | 117 | |||
Deferred income tax asset | 41 | 55 | 17 | |||
2,858 | 2,709 | 782 | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 5,197 | 4,718 | 1,361 |
* See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
|
Convenience |
|||||
December 31, | ||||||
2016 | 2017*** | 2017*** | ||||
In millions | ||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||
Current maturities of notes payable and borrowings | 498 | 705 | 203 | |||
Trade payables | 681 | 787 | 227 | |||
Payables in respect of employees | 101 | 91 | 26 | |||
Other payables (mainly institutions) | 28 | 31 | 9 | |||
Income tax payable | 45 | 50 | 14 | |||
Deferred income with respect to settlement | ||||||
agreement with Orange | 108 | |||||
Deferred revenues from HOT mobile | 31 | 31 | 9 | |||
Other deferred revenues | 38 | 41 | 12 | |||
Provisions | 77 | 75 | 22 | |||
1,607 | 1,811 | 522 | ||||
NON CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||
Notes payable | 646 | 975 | 281 | |||
Borrowings from banks and others | 1,550 | 243 | 69 | |||
Liability for employee rights upon retirement, net | 39 | 40 | 12 | |||
Dismantling and restoring sites obligation | 35 | 27 | 9 | |||
Deferred revenues from HOT mobile | 195 | 164 | 47 | |||
Other non-current liabilities | 14 | 24 | 7 | |||
2,479 | 1,473 | 425 | ||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 4,086 | 3,284 | 947 | |||
EQUITY | ||||||
Share capital – ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 par value: | ||||||
authorized – December 31, 2016 and 2017 – 235,000,000 | ||||||
shares; issued and outstanding - | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||
December 31, 2016 – *156,993,337 shares | ||||||
December 31, 2017 – *168,243,913 shares | ||||||
Capital surplus | 1,034 | 1,164 | 336 | |||
Accumulated retained earnings | 358 | 491 | 142 | |||
Treasury shares, at cost – | ||||||
December 31, 2016 – **3,603,578 shares | ||||||
December 31, 2017 – **2,850,472 shares | (283) | (223) | (65) | |||
TOTAL EQUITY | 1,111 | 1,434 | 414 | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | 5,197 | 4,718 | 1,361 |
* Net of treasury shares.
** Including, restricted shares in amount of 1,376,381 and 2,061,201 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively held by trustee under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan, such shares will become outstanding upon completion of vesting conditions.
*** See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Convenience | |||||||||||
translation | |||||||||||
New Israeli Shekels | into U.S. dollars | ||||||||||
Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017* | 2017* | ||||||||
In millions (except earnings per share) | |||||||||||
Revenues, net | 4,111 | 3,544 | 3,268 | 943 | |||||||
Cost of revenues | 3,472 | 2,924 | 2,627 | 758 | |||||||
Gross profit | 639 | 620 | 641 | 185 | |||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 417 | 426 | 269 | 78 | |||||||
General and administrative expenses | 223 | 263 | 196 | 56 | |||||||
Income with respect to settlement | |||||||||||
agreement with Orange | 61 | 217 | 108 | 31 | |||||||
Other income, net | 47 | 45 | 31 | 9 | |||||||
Operating profit | 107 | 193 | 315 | 91 | |||||||
Finance income | 13 | 13 | 4 | 1 | |||||||
Finance expenses | 156 | 118 | 184 | 53 | |||||||
Finance costs, net | 143 | 105 | 180 | 52 | |||||||
Profit (loss) before income tax | (36) | 88 | 135 | 39 | |||||||
Income tax expenses | 4 | 36 | 21 | 6 | |||||||
Profit (loss) for the year | (40) | 52 | 114 | 33 | |||||||
Earnings (loss) per share | |||||||||||
Basic | (0.26) | 0.33 | 0.70 | 0.20 | |||||||
Diluted | (0.26) | 0.33 | 0.69 | 0.20 |
* See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
Convenience |
||||||||
Year ended December 31 | |||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017** | 2017** | ||||||
In millions | |||||||||
Profit (loss) for the year |
(40) | 52 | 114 | 33 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), items | |||||||||
that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | |||||||||
Remeasurements of post-employment benefit | |||||||||
obligations | 5 | (8) | (2) | * | |||||
Income taxes relating to remeasurements of | |||||||||
post-employment benefit obligations | (1) | 2 | 1 | * | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||
for the year, net of income taxes | 4 | (6) | (1) | * | |||||
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||||
(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR | (36) | 46 | 113 | 33 |
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
** See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
SEGMENT INFORMATION & ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION
New Israeli Shekels | ||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2017* | ||||||||
In millions | ||||||||
Cellular segment | Fixed-line segment |
Elimination |
Consolidated |
|||||
Segment revenue - Services | 1,960 | 622 | 2,582 | |||||
Inter-segment revenue - Services | 18 | 155 | (173) | |||||
Segment revenue - Equipment | 610 | 76 | 686 | |||||
Total revenues | 2,588 | 853 | (173) | 3,268 | ||||
Segment cost of revenues - Services | 1,470 | 613 | 2,083 | |||||
Inter-segment cost of revenues- Services | 154 | 19 | (173) | |||||
Segment cost of revenues - Equipment | 490 | 54 | 544 | |||||
Cost of revenues | 2,114 | 686 | (173) | 2,627 | ||||
Gross profit | 474 | 167 | 641 | |||||
Operating expenses (3) | 367 | 98 | 465 | |||||
Income with respect to settlement | ||||||||
agreement with Orange | 108 | 108 | ||||||
Other income, net | 29 | 2 | 31 | |||||
Operating profit | 244 | 71 | 315 | |||||
Adjustments to presentation of segment | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||
–Depreciation and amortization | 445 | 135 | ||||||
–Other (1) | 21 | 1 | ||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 710 | 207 |
New Israeli Shekels | ||
Year ended December 31, 2017* | ||
In millions | ||
Reconciliation of segments subtotal Adjusted EBITDA to profit for the year |
||
Segments subtotal Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 917 | |
Depreciation and amortization | (580) | |
Finance costs, net | (180) | |
Income tax expenses | (21) | |
Other (1) | (22) | |
Profit for the year | 114 |
* See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In 2017 costs of obtaining contracts with customers were capitalized in amounts of NIS 64 million and NIS 20 million for the cellular segment and the fixed-line segment, respectively. The adoption of IFRS15 resulted in an increase in amortization expenses in 2017 for the cellular segment and the fixed-line segment in amounts of NIS 11 million and NIS 2 million, respectively.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
SEGMENT INFORMATION & ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION
New Israeli Shekels | ||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||
In millions | ||||||||
Cellular |
Fixed-line |
Elimination |
Consolidated |
|||||
Segment revenue - Services | 2,080 | 672 | 2,752 | |||||
Inter-segment revenue - Services | 19 | 194 | (213) | |||||
Segment revenue - Equipment | 729 | 63 | 792 | |||||
Total revenues | 2,828 | 929 | (213) | 3,544 | ||||
Segment cost of revenues - Services | 1,659 | 617 | 2,276 | |||||
Inter-segment cost of revenues- Services | 192 | 21 | (213) | |||||
Segment cost of revenues - Equipment | 596 | 52 | 648 | |||||
Cost of revenues | 2,447 | 690 | (213) | 2,924 | ||||
Gross profit | 381 | 239 | 620 | |||||
Operating expenses (3) | 571 | 118 | 689 | |||||
Income with respect to settlement | ||||||||
agreement with Orange | 217 | 217 | ||||||
Other income, net | 41 | 4 | 45 | |||||
Operating profit | 68 | 125 | 193 | |||||
Adjustments to presentation of segment | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||
–Depreciation and amortization | 447 | 148 | ||||||
–Other (1) | 47 | (1) | ||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 562 | 272 |
New Israeli Shekels | ||
Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||
In millions | ||
Reconciliation of segments subtotal Adjusted EBITDA to profit for the year |
||
Segments subtotal Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 834 | |
Depreciation and amortization | (595) | |
Other (1) | (46) | |
Finance costs, net | (105) | |
Income tax expenses | (36) | |
Profit for the year | 52 |
(1) Mainly amortization of employee share based compensation.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA as reviewed by the CODM represents Earnings Before Interest (finance costs, net), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (including amortization of intangible assets, deferred expenses-right of use and impairment charges) and Other expenses (mainly amortization of share based compensation). Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of the Group's historic operating results nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. The usage of the term "Adjusted EBITDA" is to highlight the fact that the Amortization includes amortization of deferred expenses – right of use and amortization of employee share based compensation and impairment charges; it is fully comparable to EBITDA information which has been previously provided for prior periods.
(3) Operating expenses include selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
New Israeli shekels | Convenience translation into U.S. dollars | |||||||||||
12 month period ended December 31, |
3 month period ended December 31 |
12 month period ended December 31, |
3 month period ended December 31, |
|||||||||
2016 | 2017** | 2016 | 2017** | 2017** | 2017** | |||||||
(Audited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
In millions | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||
Cash generated from operations (Appendix) | 975 | 1,002 | 323 | 198 | 288 | 57 | ||||||
Income tax paid | (30) | (29) | (10) | (22) | (8) | (6) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 945 | 973 | 313 | 176 | 280 | 51 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Acquisition of property and equipment | (127) | (223) | (30) | (77) | (64) | (22) | ||||||
Acquisition of intangible and other assets | (69) | (153) | (17) | (36) | (44) | (11) | ||||||
Proceeds from (investment in) short-term deposits, net | (452) | 302 | (452) | 87 | ||||||||
Interest received | 2 | 2 | * | 1 | * | |||||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 7 | * | 3 | * | * | * | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (639) | (72) | (496) | (113) | (20) | (33) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Share issuance | 190 | 55 | ||||||||||
Repayment of current borrowings | (52) | |||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, net of issuance costs | 650 | 398 | 187 |
115 |
||||||||
Interest paid |
(108) |
(165) |
(28) |
(80) | (48) | (23) | ||||||
Non-current borrowings received |
250 |
350 |
250 |
350 | 101 |
101 |
||||||
Repayment of non-current borrowings |
(15) |
(1,332) |
(4) |
(431) | (384) | (124) | ||||||
Repayment of notes payables |
(643) |
(443) | (408) | (443) | (128) | (128) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(516) |
(750) |
(242) |
(206) |
(217) |
(59) |
||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(210) |
151 |
(425) |
(143) |
43 |
(41) |
||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
926 | 716 |
1,141 |
1,010 |
207 |
291 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | 716 | 867 | 716 | 867 | 250 | 250 |
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
** See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Appendix - Cash generated from operations and supplemental information
New Israeli shekels | Convenience translation into U.S. dollars | |||||||||||
12 month period ended December 31, |
3 month period ended December 31, |
12 month period ended December 31, |
3 month period ended December 31, |
|||||||||
2016 | 2017** | 2016 | 2017** | 2017** | 2017** | |||||||
(Audited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
In millions | ||||||||||||
Cash generated from operations: | ||||||||||||
Profit (loss) for the period | 52 | 114 | (7) | (50) | 33 | (14) | ||||||
Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 565 | 540 | 138 | 141 | 156 | 41 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred expenses - Right of use | 30 | 40 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 4 | ||||||
Employee share based compensation expenses | 45 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1 | ||||||
Liability for employee rights upon retirement, net | (3) | (1) | 2 | * | 1 | |||||||
Finance costs, net | 1 | (2) | (1) | 1 | (1) | * | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments | * | * | * | 1 | * | * | ||||||
Interest paid | 108 | 165 | 28 | 80 | 47 | 23 | ||||||
Interest received | (2) | (2) | * | * | (1) | * | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 10 | (13) | (2) | (27) | (4) | (8) | ||||||
Income tax paid | 30 | 29 | 10 | 22 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
Capital loss (gain) from property and equipment | * | * | (1) | * | * | * | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable: | ||||||||||||
Trade | 226 | 283 | 104 | 7 | 82 | 2 | ||||||
Other | (9) | 6 | (17) | 11 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accruals: | ||||||||||||
Trade | (38) | 69 | (35) | 24 | 20 | 7 | ||||||
Other payables | * | (3) | 38 | 46 | (1) | 13 | ||||||
Provisions | * | (2) | 6 | (3) | (1) | (1) | ||||||
Deferred revenues with respect to settlement agreement with Orange | (217) | (108) | (54) | (31) | ||||||||
Deferred revenues from HOT mobile | 227 | (31) | 173 | (8) | (9) | (2) | ||||||
Other deferred revenues | 10 | 3 | 4 | (2) | 1 | (1) | ||||||
Increase in deferred expenses - Right of use | (80) | (113) | (28) | (27) | (33) | (8) | ||||||
Current income tax liability | (4) | 5 | (15) | (33) | 1 | (9) | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in inventories | 24 | 3 | (36) | (3) | 1 | (1) | ||||||
Cash generated from operations | 975 | 1,002 | 323 | 198 | 288 | 57 |
* Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
** See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Effect of IFRS15 implementation:
The tables below summarize the effects of adoption of IFRS15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, on the consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2017 and on the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the twelve and three months periods ended as of the same date. See also report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS15.
Effect of change on consolidated statement of financial position:
New Israeli Shekels in millions | ||||||
As of December 31, 2017 | ||||||
Previous |
Effect of |
According to |
||||
(Audited) | ||||||
Current assets - other receivables and prepaid expenses - Contract assets | - | 2 | 2 | |||
Non-current assets - Costs to obtain contracts recognized in intangible assets, net – non-current assets | - | 71 | 71 | |||
Deferred income tax asset | 71 | (16) | 55 | |||
Current liabilities - other deferred revenues – Contract liabilities | 36 | 4 | 40 | |||
Equity | 1,381 | 53 | 1,434 |
Effect of change on consolidated statement of income:
New Israeli Shekels in millions | ||||||||||||
12 months ended December 31, 2017 | 3 months ended December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||
Previous |
|
|
Previous |
|
|
|||||||
(Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 340 | (71) | 269 | 100 | (20) | 80 | ||||||
Operating profit | 246 | 69 | 315 | (18) | 18 | 0 | ||||||
Profit (loss) before income tax | 66 | 69 | 135 | (106) | 18 | (88) | ||||||
Income tax expenses (income) | 5 | 16 | 21 | (42) | 4 | (38) | ||||||
Profit (loss) for the period | 61 | 53 | 114 | (64) | 14 | (50) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expenses | 567 | 13 | 580 | 145 | 8 | 153 | ||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.38 | 0.32 | 0.70 | (0.38) | 0.08 | (0.30) | ||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | 0.37 | 0.32 | 0.69 | (0.38) | 0.08 | (0.30) |
Effect of change on consolidated statement cash flows:
New Israeli Shekels in millions | ||||||||||||
12 months ended December 31, 2017 | 3 months ended December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||
Previous |
|
|
Previous |
|
|
|||||||
(Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 897 | 76 | 973 | 151 | 25 | 176 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 4 | (76) | (72) | (88) | (25) | (113) |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
Adjusted Free Cash Flow |
New Israeli Shekels |
Convenience |
Convenience |
|||||||||
12 months
period ended |
12 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
12 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
|||||||
2017* | 2016 | 2017* | 2016 | 2017* | 2017* | |||||||
(Audited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
In millions | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 973 | 945 | 176 | 313 | 280 | 51 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (72) | (639) | (113) | (496) | (20) | (33) | ||||||
Proceeds from (investment in) short-term deposits | (302) | 452 | 452 | (87) | ||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow | 599 | 758 | 63 | 269 | 173 | 18 | ||||||
Interest paid | (165) | (108) | (80) | (28) | (47) | (23) | ||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow After Interest |
434 |
650 |
(17) |
241 |
126 |
(5) |
Total Operating Expenses (OPEX) |
|
Convenience |
Convenience |
|||||||||
12 months
period ended |
12 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
12 months
period ended |
3 months
period ended |
|||||||
2017* | 2016 | 2017* | 2016 | 2017* | 2017* | |||||||
(Audited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
In millions | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues – Services | 2,083 | 2,276 | 547 | 555 | 601 |
158 |
||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 269 | 426 | 80 | 96 | 78 | 23 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | 196 | 263 | 50 | 75 | 56 | 14 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (580) | (595) | (153) | (147) | (168) | (44) | ||||||
Other (1) | (22) | (46) | (5) | (9) | (6) | (1) | ||||||
OPEX |
1,946 |
2,324 | 519 |
570 |
561 | 150 |
(1) Mainly amortization of employee share based compensation
* See appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F regarding the early adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Key Financial and Operating Indicators (unaudited)**
NIS M unless otherwise stated | Q4' 15 | Q1' 16 | Q2' 16 | Q3' 16 | Q4' 16 | Q1' 17* | Q2' 17* | Q3' 17* | Q4' 17* | 2016 | 2017* | |||||||||||||
Cellular Segment Service Revenues | 550 | 543 | 527 | 531 | 498 | 489 | 497 | 514 | 478 | 2,099 | 1,978 | |||||||||||||
Cellular Segment Equipment Revenues | 269 | 244 | 188 | 139 | 158 | 145 | 145 | 138 | 182 | 729 | 610 | |||||||||||||
Fixed-Line Segment Service Revenues | 223 | 222 | 219 | 220 | 205 | 194 | 192 | 194 | 197 | 866 | 777 | |||||||||||||
Fixed-Line Segment Equipment Revenues | 22 | 23 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 14 | 22 | 22 | 63 | 76 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation for consolidation | (57) | (55) | (54) | (53) | (51) | (43) | (43) | (42) | (45) | (213) | (173) | |||||||||||||
Total Revenues | 1,007 | 977 | 897 | 849 | 821 | 803 | 805 | 826 | 834 | 3,544 | 3,268 | |||||||||||||
Gross Profit from Equipment Sales | 61 | 56 | 42 | 28 | 18 | 26 | 33 | 43 | 40 | 144 | 142 | |||||||||||||
Operating Profit (Loss) | (48) | 54 | 67 | 64 | 8 | 105 | 118 | 92 | 0 | 193 | 315 | |||||||||||||
Cellular Segment Adjusted EBITDA | 152 | 142 | 155 | 156 | 109 | 187 | 210 | 189 | 124 | 562 | 710 | |||||||||||||
Fixed-Line Segment Adjusted EBITDA | 65 | 80 | 73 | 64 | 55 | 64 | 59 | 50 | 34 | 272 | 207 | |||||||||||||
Total Adjusted EBITDA | 217 | 222 | 228 | 220 | 164 | 251 | 269 | 239 | 158 | 834 | 917 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) | 22% | 23% | 25% | 26% | 20% | 31% | 33% | 29% | 19% | 24% | 28% | |||||||||||||
OPEX | 608 | 612 | 572 | 570 | 570 | 478 | 472 | 477 | 519 | 2,324 | 1,946 | |||||||||||||
Impairment charges on operating profit | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income with respect to settlement agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
with Orange | 38 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 217 | 108 | |||||||||||||||
Finance costs, net | 39 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 23 | 23 | 54 | 15 | 88 | 105 | 180 | |||||||||||||
Profit (loss) | (65) | 14 | 26 | 19 | (7) | 64 | 46 | 54 | (50) | 52 | 114 | |||||||||||||
Capital Expenditures (cash) | 56 | 48 | 57 | 44 | 47 | 82 | 76 | 105 | 113 | 196 | 376 | |||||||||||||
Capital Expenditures (additions) | 86 | 34 | 40 | 44 |
84 |
58 | 78 | 107 | 174 | 202 | 417 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow | 230 | 114 | 160 | 215 | 269 | 126 | 208 | 202 | 63 | 758 | 599 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow (After Interest) | 172 | 89 | 119 | 201 | 241 | 109 | 150 | 192 | (17) | 650 | 434 | |||||||||||||
Net Debt | 2,175 | 2,079 | 1,964 | 1,768 | 1,526 | 1,415 | 1,081 | 887 | 906 | 1,526 | 906 | |||||||||||||
Cellular Subscriber Base (Thousands) | 2,718 | 2,692 | 2,700 | 2,693 | 2,686 | 2,658 | 2,662 | 2,677 | 2,674 | 2,686 | 2,674 | |||||||||||||
Post-Paid Subscriber Base (Thousands) | 2,156 | 2,174 | 2,191 | 2,215 | 2,241 | 2,259 | 2,273 | 2,306 | 2,320 | 2,241 | 2,320 | |||||||||||||
Pre-Paid Subscriber Base (Thousands) | 562 | 518 | 509 | 478 | 445 | 399 | 389 | 371 | 354 | 445 | 354 | |||||||||||||
Cellular ARPU (NIS) | 67 | 67 | 65 | 66 | 62 | 61 | 62 | 64 | 59 | 65 | 62 | |||||||||||||
Cellular Churn Rate (%) | 11.1% | 11.2% | 9.8% | 9.7% | 9.4% | 9.8% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 9.9% | 40% | 38% | |||||||||||||
Number of Employees (FTE) | 2,882 | 2,827 | 2,740 | 2,742 | 2,686 | 2,580 | 2,582 | 2,696 | 2,797 | 2,686 | 2,797 |
* Figures include impact of the early adoption of IFRS15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See also appendix 'Effect of IFRS15 implementation' and report 20-F.
** See footnote 2 regarding use of non-GAAP measures.
Disclosure for notes holders as of December 31, 2017
Information regarding the notes series issued by the Company, in million NIS
Series |
Original issuance |
Principal on |
As of 31.12.2017 | Interest rate | Principal repayment dates | Interest repayment dates | Linkage | Trustee contact details | ||||||||||||||||
Principal |
Linked principal |
Interest |
Market |
From | To | |||||||||||||||||||
C |
25.04.10
24.02.11* |
200
444 |
196 | 213 | ** | 218 |
3.35%
+ CPI |
30.12.16 | 30.12.18 | 30.6, 30.12 | Linked to CPI |
Hermetic Trust (1975) Ltd.
Merav Offer. 113 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv. Tel: 03-5544553. |
||||||||||||
D |
25.04.10
04.05.11* |
400
146 |
437 | 437 | ** | 443 |
1.294%
|
30.12.17 | 30.12.21 |
30.3, 30.6, |
Variable |
Hermetic Trust (1975) Ltd. Merav Offer. 113 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv. Tel: 03-5544553. | ||||||||||||
F
(1) |
20.07.17
12.12.17 |
255
389 |
644 | 644 | ** | 659 | 2.16% | 25.06.20 | 25.06.24 | 25.6, 25.12 | Not Linked |
Hermetic Trust (1975) Ltd.
Merav Offer. 113 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv. Tel: 03-5544553. |
(1) In July 2017, the Company issued Series F Notes in a principal amount of NIS 255 million. In December 11, 2017, the Company issued an additional Series F Notes in a principal amount of NIS 389 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 December 31, 2017, the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 1.0. Additional stipulations regarding Series F Notes mainly include: 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.
The Company has additional financial covenants regarding its borrowings from financial institutions. See note 15 to the Company's 2017 annual financial statements.
In the reporting period, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and obligations and no cause for early repayment occurred.
In September 2017, December 2017 and January 2018, the Company entered into agreements with Israeli institutional investors to issue in December 2018, December 2019 and December 2019, respectively, in the framework of a private placement, additional Series F notes, in an aggregate principal amount of NIS 150 million, NIS 127 million and NIS 100 million, respectively. S&P Maalot has rated the additional deferred issuances with an 'ilA+' rating. For additional details see the Company's press releases dated September 13 and 17, 2017, December 27, 2017 and January 9, 2018.
(2) 'MAKAM' is a variable interest based on the yield of 12 month government bonds issued by the government of Israel. The interest rate is updated on a quarterly basis.
(*) On these dates additional Notes of the series were issued. The information in the table refers to the full series.
(**) Representing an amount of less than NIS 1 million.
Disclosure for Notes holders as of December 31, 2017 (cont.)
Notes Rating Details*
Series | Rating Company |
Rating as of |
Rating |
Recent date of |
Additional ratings between the original issuance date and the recent date of rating (2) | |||||||
Date | Rating | |||||||||||
C | S&P Maalot | ilA+ | ilAA- | 07/2017 |
07/2010, 09/2010,
|
ilAA-/Stable, ilAA-/Stable,
|
||||||
D | S&P Maalot | ilA+ | ilAA- | 07/2017 | ||||||||
E | S&P Maalot | ilA+ | ilAA- | 07/2017 | ||||||||
F | S&P Maalot | ilA+ | ilA+ | 01/2018 |
07/2017, 09/2017
|
ilA+/Stable, ilA+/Stable
|
(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 December 31, 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).
Principal payments |
Gross interest |
|||||||||||
ILS linked |
ILS not linked |
Euro | Dollar | Other | ||||||||
First year | 212,725 | 109,228 | - | - | - | 26,764 | ||||||
Second year | - | 109,228 | - | - | - | 18,206 | ||||||
Third year | - | 238,035 | - | - | - | 15,384 | ||||||
Fourth year | - | 238,035 | - | - | - | 11,170 | ||||||
Fifth year and on | - | 386,420 | - | - | - | 12,520 | ||||||
Total | 212,725 | 1,080,946 | - | - | - | 84,044 |
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).
Principal payments |
Gross interest |
|||||||||||
ILS linked |
ILS not linked |
Euro | Dollar | Other | ||||||||
First year | - | 375,000 | - | - | - | 34,627 | ||||||
Second year | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
Third year | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
Fourth year | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
Fifth year and on | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
Total | - | 375,000 | - | - | - | 34,627 |
c. Credit from banks in Israel based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
Principal payments |
Gross interest |
|||||||||||
ILS linked |
ILS not linked |
Euro | Dollar | Other | ||||||||
First year | - | 7,353 | - | - | - | 6,212 | ||||||
Second year | - | 52,132 | - | - | - | 5,448 | ||||||
Third year | - | 52,132 | - | - | - | 4,182 | ||||||
Fourth year | - | 52,132 | - | - | - | 2,915 | ||||||
Fifth year and on | - | 86,251 | - | - | - | 2,389 | ||||||
Total | - | 250,000 | - | - | - | 21,146 |
d. Credit from banks abroad based on the Company's "Solo" financial data – None.
Summary of Financial Undertakings (according to repayment dates) as of December 31, 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).
Principal payments |
Gross interest |
|||||||||||
ILS linked |
ILS not linked |
Euro | Dollar | Other | ||||||||
First year | 212,725 | 491,581 | - | - | - | 67,603 | ||||||
Second year | - | 161,360 | - | - | - | 23,654 | ||||||
Third year | - | 290,167 | - | - | - | 19,566 | ||||||
Fourth year | - | 290,167 | - | - | - | 14,085 | ||||||
Fifth year and on | - | 472,671 | - | - | - | 14,909 | ||||||
Total | 212,725 | 1,705,946 | - | - | - | 139,817 |
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).
g. Off-balance sheet Credit exposure of all the Company's consolidated companies, excluding companies that are reporting corporations and excluding the Company's data presented in section f above – None.
h. Total balances of the credit from banks, non-bank credit and notes of all the consolidated companies, excluding companies that are reporting corporations and excluding Company's data presented in sections a - d above - None.
i. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by the parent company or a controlling shareholder and balances of notes offered by the Company held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder - None.
j. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by companies held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder, which are not controlled by the Company, and balances of notes offered by the Company held by companies held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder, which are not controlled by the Company – None.
k. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by consolidated companies and balances of notes offered by the Company held by the consolidated companies - None.
1 The quarterly financial results are unaudited. Fourth quarter and annual results for 2017 include the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 unless otherwise stated; fourth quarter and annual results for 2016 were prior to, and do not reflect, the adoption of IFRS 15. See discussion below.
2 For the definition of this and other Non-GAAP financial measures, see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this press release.
3 In Q4 2015, the Company recorded an impairment charge on its fixed-line assets which reduced operating profit by NIS 98 million and profit by NIS 72 million in 2015.
4 The Company adopted IFRS 15 from the beginning of 2017. For more information see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.