Altice Europe N.V. First Quarter 2020 Results1

Acceleration of residential service revenue growth
Total revenue +3.6%, EBITDA +1.0% and OpFCF +12%
€4.2 billion of available liquidity2

AMSTERDAM--()--Regulatory News:

Altice Europe N.V. (Euronext: ATC and ATCB) today announces financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Patrick Drahi, Altice Europe founder: The Group delivered a solid performance in the first quarter, against this challenging backdrop. In both Altice France and Altice International we achieved an acceleration in residential service revenue growth supported by strong subscriber net gains in all geographies and all segments. We continue to carefully assess the potential impacts of the pandemic but currently see no need to change our 2020 guidance. The Group continues to significantly invest in and expand its proprietary best-in-class infrastructure, commensurate with Altice Europe’s leading position in each market. We closed important partnerships which resulted in €1.8 billion of cash proceeds and achieved €4.9 billion of refinancing at record low rates for the Group. As well as locking in significant interest savings, almost €500 million of the €700 million target announced 8 months ago, we also achieved the long-standing objective of simplifying the Group capital structure through the removal of Altice Luxembourg HoldCo. The Group’s diversified capital structure has no material maturity before 2025 and available liquidity of €4.2 billion. Overall, we have achieved a solid start to 2020 and we expect to build on this over the rest of 2020.”

Altice Europe Q1 2020 Key Financial Highlights

  • Revenue grew by +3.6% YoY (+3.1% YoY on a CC basis). Residential service revenue grew by +2.5% YoY (+2.0% YoY on a CC basis).
  • EBITDA grew by +1.0% YoY (+0.7% YoY on a CC basis), EBITDA margin was 36.2% in Q1 2020.
  • Total accrued capital expenditure for Altice Europe was €722 million in Q1 2020.
  • Consequently, Operating Free Cash Flow amounted to €592 million in Q1 2020, growth of +11.6% YoY.

Altice Europe Q1 2020 Key Operational Highlights

  • Altice France achieved a solid financial performance in Q1 2020, with revenue growth in both the residential and business services segments:
    • The residential fixed base grew by +8k customers, with +64k fibre customers and 46% of the total fixed subscriber base on fibre. The residential mobile postpaid base grew by +79k customers.
    • Altice France reported revenue growth of +3.6% YoY in Q1 2020 and EBITDA growth of +1.6% YoY in Q1 2020. Residential service revenue growth accelerated to +2.3% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs. +0.8% in Q4 2019).
  • In Portugal, the Group achieved solid customer acquisition in Q1 2020, supporting an acceleration in revenue growth:
    • The residential fixed base grew by +5k customers, with fixed and mobile churn maintained at a low level once again. Fibre customer net additions were +34k, continuing to be supported by the ongoing expansion of fibre coverage. Mobile postpaid net additions were +35k.
    • MEO reported an improved revenue trend of +2.6% YoY and EBITDA grew +1.8% YoY in Q1 2020.
  • Altice International revenue grew +3.1% YoY in Q1 2020. Residential service revenue grew +3.2% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs. +2.4% in Q4 2019).

Capital Structure Key Highlights – including subsequent events

  • Total consolidated Altice Europe net debt was €31.2 billion (€28.6billion pro forma) at the end of Q1 2020. Following significant refinancing activity in January 2020 and the partial repayment of the Altice Corporate Financing facility, the Group has already achieved €470 million annual savings out of the previously stated target of €700 million annual savings, pro forma for the previously announced refinancing transactions.
  • On January 2, 2020, Altice Europe announced that its subsidiary MEO has sold its 25% equity interest in the tower company OMTEL to Cellnex. Total cash proceeds of €201 million were received in Q1 2020 (€79 million at closing and €122 million end of Q1 2020).
  • On January 9, 2020, Altice Europe announced that it had successfully priced and allocated €2.8 billion (equivalent) of new Senior Secured Notes at Altice International following significant excess demand. This consisted of €2.2 billion (equivalent) of 8-year euro and dollar Senior Secured Notes maturing in January 2028 with a weighted average cost on a fully euro swapped basis of 3.06% and €600 million of 5-year euro Senior Secured Notes maturing in January 2025 with a cost of 2.25%. These Senior Secured Notes are the lowest coupon ever raised by Altice International. The proceeds from this transaction were used by Altice International to refinance in full its €500 million and $2,060 million 2023 Senior Secured Notes and $400 million 2024 Senior Notes. In December 2019, Altice International also called the €250 million 9.0% 2023 Senior Notes which were redeemed on January 13, 2020 using cash on balance sheet.
  • On January 24, 2020, Altice Europe announced that it would significantly simplify the Group capital structure through the removal of Altice Luxembourg HoldCo, a long-standing objective for the Group. This results in a Group capital structure with direct access to cashflows from two distinct, diversified funding pools: Altice France and Altice International. As part of this transaction, Altice Europe successfully priced and allocated €2.1 billion (equivalent) of new Senior Notes at Altice France following significant excess demand. This consisted of €1.6 billion (equivalent) of 8-year euro and dollar Senior Notes maturing in January 2028 with a weighted average cost on a fully euro swapped basis of 4.0% and €500 million of 5-year euro Senior Secured Notes maturing in January 2025 with a coupon of 2.1%. The proceeds from this transaction, along with cash on balance sheet, were used to partially refinance the €750 million and $1,480 million Altice Luxembourg 2025 Senior Notes, reducing the weighted average cost of debt of the Altice Europe complex and substantially extending maturities. Additionally, the remaining €500 million (equivalent) of outstanding Altice Luxembourg 2025 Senior Notes were redeemed on March 7, 2020 using €40 million cash on balance sheet and a €500 million short term facility from BNP Paribas, which was repaid with disposal proceeds from the Fastfiber transaction. Altice Europe has exchanged the €1,400 million and $1,600 Altice Luxembourg 2027 Senior Notes into Senior Notes at a subsidiary of Altice France. Following the successful issuance and exchange the new Senior Notes have moved to Altice France Holding.
  • On April 20, 2020, Altice Europe announced the creation of Fastfiber (formerly known as Altice Portugal FTTH). Fastfiber is by far the largest FTTH wholesaler in Portugal and comprises of all MEO’s fibre assets including FTTH and dark fibre. Fastfiber is the result of a partnership that follows the successful completion of the transaction announced in December 2019 of Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of a 49.99% stake in Fastfiber. Fastfiber will sell wholesale services to all operators at the same financial terms and MEO will sell technical services to Fastfiber for the construction, maintenance and subscriber connection to the fibre network. The transaction valued Fastfiber at €4.6 billion on a 100% basis representing an EBITDA multiple of 20x. The final cash consideration received at closing was €1,573 million for the sale of 49.99% in Fastfiber with further payments as follows, on a 49.99% basis: €375 million in December 2021 and €375 million in December 2026 subject to some performance ratchets.
  • On May 14, 2020, Altice France announced that it would transfer Libération, the daily newspaper, to a non-profit foundation. Altice France would provide this foundation with the financial means to repay Liberation's debts and finance its future operations, thus ensuring its editorial, economic and financial independence in the long term.
  • On May 19, 2020, Altice Europe announced the extension of the maturity and a partial repayment of the Altice Corporate Financing facility (“ACF”). Altice Europe will repay €668 million of the ACF facility with cash available on balance sheet. After this repayment, the ACF facility will be reduced from €1,728 million to €1,060 million. The coupon has been reduced from 6.85% to 6.625%.
  • On May 19, 2020, NextRadioTV announced the launch of a restructuring plan to take into account the changing media environment and the impact of the pandemic on the advertising market. This plan, based on voluntary adherence in the first stage, aims at reducing the employee workforce and notably by 50% the use of occasional workers, freelancers and consultants.

Guidance

  • Following a solid start to the year, the Group sees no current need to change the 2020 guidance.
  • For the full year 2020, the Group expects to:
    • Accelerate residential service revenue growth in its key geographies
    • Grow Altice Europe revenue and EBITDA
    • Further delever the Telecom Perimeter, target leverage of 4.0x to 4.5x net debt to EBITDA
  • In the mid-term, the Group targets organic free cash flow3 of more than €1 billion.
  • The Group continues to assess the potential impacts of the pandemic carefully.
    • Main negative financial impacts include: delays in FTTH construction during lockdown which the Group expects to catch-up; sale of equipment while shops are closed, expected to come back at the end of Q2 2020; roaming; advertising severely affected.
    • The guidance assumes lock-downs are lifted during Q2 2020 and a gradual economic recovery thereafter.

Conference call details

The company will host a conference call and webcast today, May 20, 2020 at 6:00pm CET (5:00pm BST, 12:00pm EDT).

Dial-in Access telephone numbers:

Participant Toll Free Dial-In Number: +1 (833) 968-2322

Participant International Dial-In Number: +1 (778) 560-2842

Conference ID: 9783909

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the following website:

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2157343/1F13CE30384086B0E9F8F5FDAF36BED7

The presentation for the conference call will be made available prior to the call on our investor relations website:

http://altice.net/investor-relations

About Altice Europe

Altice Europe (ATC & ATCB), listed on Euronext Amsterdam, is a convergent leader in telecoms, content, media, entertainment and advertising. Altice Europe delivers innovative, customer-centric products and solutions that connect and unlock the limitless potential of its over 30 million customers over fibre networks and mobile broadband. Altice is also a provider of enterprise digital solutions to millions of business customers. Altice innovates with technology, research and development and enables people to live out their passions by providing original content, high-quality and compelling TV shows, and international, national and local news channels. Altice Europe delivers live broadcast premium sports events and enables its customers to enjoy the most well-known media and entertainment.

Financial Presentation

Altice Europe and its subsidiaries have operated for several years and have from time to time made significant equity investments in a number of cable and telecommunication businesses in various jurisdictions. Therefore, in order to facilitate an understanding of Altice Europe’s results of operations, we have presented and discussed the pro-forma consolidated financial information of Altice Europe – giving effect to each such significant acquisition and disposal as if such acquisitions and disposals had occurred by January 1, 2019. Therefore financials for Altice Europe for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 exclude the press magazine Groupe L’Express (following disposal on July 30, 2019).

This press release contains measures and ratios (the “Non-GAAP measures”), including Adjusted EBITDA, Capital Expenditure (“Capex”) and Operating Free Cash Flow, that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, IFRS4 or any other generally accepted accounting standards. We present Non-GAAP measures because we believe that they are of interest to the investors and similar measures are widely used by certain investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as supplemental measures of performance and liquidity. The Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies or have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our, or any of our subsidiaries’, operating results as reported under IFRS or other generally accepted accounting standards. Non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of our, or any of our subsidiaries’, performance or liquidity under IFRS or any other generally accepted accounting principles, including U.S. GAAP. In particular, you should not consider Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to (a) operating profit or profit for the period (as determined in accordance with IFRS) as a measure of our, or any of our operating entities’, operating performance, (b) cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of our, or any of our subsidiaries’, ability to meet its cash needs or (c) any other measures of performance under IFRS or other generally accepted accounting standards. In addition, these measures may also be defined and calculated differently than the corresponding or similar terms under the terms governing our existing debt.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortization, other expenses and income (capital gains, non-recurring litigation, restructuring costs) and share-based expenses and after operating lease expenses. This may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. Further, this measure should not be considered as an alternative for operating income as the effects of depreciation, amortization and impairment excluded from this measure do ultimately affect the operating results, which is also presented within the annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements.

Capital expenditure (Capex), while measured in accordance with IFRS principles is not a term that is defined in IFRS. However, Altice Europe’s management believe it is an important indicator for the Group as the profile varies greatly between activities:

  • The fixed business has fixed Capex requirements that are mainly discretionary (network, platforms, general), and variable Capex requirements related to the connection of new customers and the purchase of Customer Premise Equipment (TV decoder, modem, etc.).
  • Mobile Capex is mainly driven by investment in new mobile sites, upgrade to new mobile technology and licenses to operate; once engaged and operational, there are limited further Capex requirements.
  • Other Capex: Mainly related to costs incurred in acquiring content rights.

Operating free cash flow (OpFCF) is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less Capex. This may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. Further, this measure should not be considered as an alternative for operating cash flow as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows in accordance with IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements. It is simply a calculation of the two above mentioned non-GAAP measures.

Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for differing purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. You should exercise caution in comparing Adjusted EBITDA as reported by us to Adjusted EBITDA of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA as presented herein differs from the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” for purposes of any of the indebtedness of the Group. The financial information presented in this press release including but not limited to the quarterly financial information, pro forma financial information as well as Adjusted EBITDA and OpFCF is unaudited. In addition, the presentation of these measures is not intended to and does not comply with the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and will not be subject to review by the SEC; compliance with its requirements would require us to make changes to the presentation of this information.

Financial and Statistical Information and Comparisons

Financial and statistical information is for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, unless otherwise stated, and any year over year comparisons are for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Regulated Information

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Altice Europe Summary Financial Information

Altice Europe - Quarter ended March 31, 2020

 

 

Q1-19

Q1-20

Growth YoY (Reported)

Growth YoY (CC)

In EUR million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

2,549.9

2,642.7

+3.6%

+3.6%

Portugal

508.9

522.3

+2.6%

+2.6%

Israel

231.7

246.5

+6.4%

-0.9%

Dominican Republic

138.9

132.7

-4.5%

-1.6%

Teads

88.1

96.1

+9.0%

+6.0%

Altice TV

59.7

62.8

-

-

Corporate and Other, Eliminations

-70.5

-71.5

-

-

Total Revenue

3,506.7

3,631.5

+3.6%

+3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

France

959.6

974.6

+1.6%

+1.6%

Portugal

206.5

210.2

+1.8%

+1.8%

Israel

84.5

90.6

+7.1%

-0.2%

Dominican Republic

70.8

66.5

-6.0%

-3.3%

Teads

6.5

8.6

+32.8%

+31.1%

Altice TV

-21.6

-29.0

-

-

Corporate and Other, Eliminations

-5.1

-7.1

-

-

Total Adjusted EBITDA

1,301.1

1,314.4

+1.0%

+0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

France

581.4

518.6

-10.8%

-10.8%

Portugal

100.5

104.3

+3.8%

+3.8%

Israel

57.7

63.0

+9.2%

+1.7%

Dominican Republic

28.2

35.2

+24.8%

+28.5%

Teads

0.6

2.3

-

-

Altice TV

3.2

-

-

-

Corporate and Other, Eliminations

-0.9

-1.1

-

-

Total Accrued Capex

770.6

722.3

-6.3%

-6.9%

 

 

 

 

 

France

378.2

455.9

+20.5%

+20.5%

Portugal

106.0

105.9

-0.1%

-0.1%

Israel

26.9

27.6

+2.7%

-4.3%

Dominican Republic

42.6

31.3

-26.4%

-24.3%

Teads

5.9

6.3

+7.5%

+5.7%

Altice TV

-24.8

-29.0

-

-

Corporate and Other, Eliminations

-4.2

-6.0

-

-

Total OpFCF

530.6

592.1

+11.6%

+11.7%

 

 

Altice Europe - Quarter ended March 2020

In EUR million

France

Portugal

Israel

Dominican
Republic

Teads

Altice TV

Corporate
& Other

Eliminations

Altice Europe Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed

640.8

155.1

146.0

25.2

-

-

-

-

967.0

Mobile

899.9

117.6

54.0

75.3

-

-

-

-

1,146.8

Residential service

1,540.6

272.7

200.0

100.5

-

-

-

-

2,113.9

Equipment sales

134.8

23.3

15.2

9.1

-

-

-

-

182.4

Total residential

1,675.4

296.1

215.2

109.6

-

-

-

-

2,296.3

Business services

871.6

226.2

31.3

23.1

-

-

0.2

-

1,152.4

Media

95.6

-

-

-

96.1

62.8

-

-

254.5

Standalone Revenue

2,642.7

522.3

246.5

132.7

96.1

62.8

0.2

-

3,703.2

Eliminations

-16.1

-14.3

-0.1

-0.0

-0.4

-40.8

-

-

-71.7

Consolidated Revenue

2,626.6

508.0

246.4

132.6

95.5

22.0

0.2

-

3,631.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

974.6

210.2

90.6

66.5

8.6

-29.0

-6.0

-1.1

1,314.4

Margin (%)

36.9%

40.2%

36.7%

50.1%

9.0%

nm

nm

nm

36.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued Capex

518.6

104.3

63.0

35.2

2.3

-

-

-1.1

722.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

- Accrued Capex

455.9

105.9

27.6

31.3

6.3

-29.0

-6.0

-

592.1

 

Altice Europe - Quarter ended March 2019

 

In EUR million


France

Portugal

Israel

Dominican
Republic

Teads


Altice TV

Corporate
& Other

Eliminations

Altice Europe Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed

627.7

153.6

139.5

25.3

-

-

-

-

946.2

 

Mobile

878.6

115.6

44.9

76.8

-

-

-

-

1,115.8

 

Residential service

1,506.3

269.2

184.4

102.1

-

-

-

-

2,062.0

 

Equipment sales

133.1

20.4

18.8

10.3

-

-

-

-

182.7

 

Total residential

1,639.4

289.6

203.2

112.4

-

-

-

-

2,244.6

 

Business services

806.8

219.3

28.4

26.5

-

-

0.1

-

1,081.1

 

Media

103.7

-

-

-

88.1

59.7

-

-

251.5

 

Standalone Revenue

2,549.9

508.9

231.7

138.9

88.1

59.7

0.1

-

3,577.3

 

Eliminations

-21.2

-10.2

-0.1

-

-0.8

-38.4

-

-

-70.6

 

Consolidated Revenue

2,537.2

498.7

231.6

138.9

87.3

21.3

0.1

-

3,506.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

959.6

206.5

84.5

70.8

6.5

-21.6

-4.5

-0.6

1,301.1

Margin (%)

37.6%

40.6%

36.5%

51.0%

7.4%

nm

nm

nm

37.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued Capex

581.4

100.5

57.7

28.2

0.6

3.2

-

-0.9

770.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

- Accrued Capex

378.2

106.0

26.9

42.6

5.9

-24.8

-4.5

0.3

530.6

 

Notes to Summary Financials

  1. Segments are shown on a pro forma standalone reporting basis and Group figures are shown on a pro forma consolidated basis. Financials for Altice Europe exclude the press magazine Groupe L’Express (following disposal on July 30, 2019) from 1/1/19
  2. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortization, other expenses and income (capital gains, non-recurring litigation, restructuring costs) and share-based expenses and after operating lease expenses
  3. Teads gross revenue is presented before discounts (net revenue after discounts is recognised in the consolidated financial statements)

Altice Europe KPIs

 

Altice Europe - Quarter ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

000’s unless stated otherwise

Altice France

 

Portugal

 

Israel

 

Dominican Republic

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fibre homes passed

16,416

 

5,097

 

2,174

 

770

 

24,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED B2C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fibre unique customers

2,902

 

986

 

1,029

 

194

 

5,110

Net adds

64

 

34

 

14

 

2

 

114

Total fixed B2C unique customers

6,364

 

1,599

 

1,029

 

333

 

9,324

Net adds

8

 

5

 

14

 

4

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOBILE B2C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid subscribers

14,479

 

3,116

 

1,171

 

623

 

19,389

Net adds

79

 

35

 

2

 

1

 

116

Prepaid subscribers

1,395

 

3,103

 

185

 

2,063

 

6,746

Total mobile B2C subscribers

15,874

 

6,219

 

1,355

 

2,686

 

26,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altice Europe - Quarter ended March 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

000’s unless stated otherwise

Altice France

 

Portugal

 

Israel

 

Dominican Republic

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fibre homes passed

12,978

 

4,592

 

2,138

 

756

 

20,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED B2C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fibre unique customers

2,637

 

845

 

992

 

192

 

4,666

Net adds

63

 

41

 

3

 

0

 

107

Total fixed B2C unique customers

6,240

 

1,585

 

992

 

325

 

9,124

Net adds

28

 

4

 

3

 

7

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOBILE B2C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid subscribers

13,866

 

2,991

 

1,147

 

579

 

18,583

Net adds

117

 

33

 

7

 

11

 

167

Prepaid subscribers

1,534

 

3,375

 

160

 

2,485

 

7,554

Total mobile B2C subscribers

15,400

 

6,367

 

1,307

 

3,064

 

26,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to KPIs tables

  1. Portugal fibre homes passed figures include homes where MEO has access through wholesale fibre operators (c.0.5 million in Q1 2020)
  2. Fibre unique customers represents the number of individual end users who have subscribed for one or more of our fibre / cable based services (including pay television, broadband or telephony), without regard to how many services to which the end user subscribed. It is calculated on a unique premise basis. Fibre customers for France excludes white-label wholesale customers. For Israel, it refers to the total number of unique customer relationships, including both B2C and B2B.
  3. Mobile subscribers are equal to the net number of lines or SIM cards that have been activated on the Group’s mobile networks and excludes M2M.

Altice Europe Financial and Operational Review by Segment5

For the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2019

France (Altice France including SFR)

Altice France reported an acceleration in residential service revenue growth in Q1 2020. This performance was underpinned by benefits from a sustained operational focus and significant investments in proprietary infrastructure.

SFR continued to invest in its proprietary infrastructure to further improve customer satisfaction and enhance its position in the growing fibre wholesale market. At the end of Q1 2020, SFR had more than 16.2 million homes passed (FTTH/FTTB), an increase of more than a million homes passed compared to Q4 2019. Altice France has 4,918 fibre municipalities at the end of Q1 2020.

On the mobile network side, SFR remains No. 1 in 4G + coverage in 2019 according to the nPerf barometer, for the second consecutive year. Altice France invests in its 4G network, with 44,579 4G systems, including 1,561 new units in Q1 2020. The current 4G coverage of the SFR Mobile network reaches 99% of the national population (31,801 municipalities). At the same time, Altice France is currently deploying 4G and new radio sites in white areas. The 32 largest cities are now open in 4G+. The Group has continued to test 5G, with deployment in cities such as Nantes, Velizy and Toulouse. Within these tests the Group has achieved a record downstream speed of almost 1.3 Gbit / s, in real conditions.

Altice France continued to focus on digitalization efforts. These measures include offering customers the choice to take simple actions via digital in an "effortless" experience and improving the digital experience through use of Chat Bot and complete order tracking, for example.

  • Total Altice France revenue increased by +3.6% YoY in Q1 2020 to €2,643 million, reflecting the sustained contribution of positive net adds and improved ARPU trends.
  • Residential service revenue in Q1 2020, +2.3% YoY (vs. +0.8% in Q4 2019), as a result of sustained subscriber base growth and improved ARPU trends, although affected in March by the pandemic.
  • The residential fixed base in France grew with +8k unique customer net additions in Q1 2020 (vs. +44k in Q4 2019 and +28k in Q1 2019) with March affected by the closure of shops:
    • Fibre net additions reached +64k in Q1 2020 (vs. +78k in Q4 2019 and +63k in Q1 2019).
  • Mobile residential postpaid customer growth was supported by positive net adds from both the SFR brand and the digital RED brand with March affected by the closure of shops:
    • The mobile residential postpaid customer base increased by +79k net additions in Q1 2020 (vs. +196k in Q4 2019 and +117k in Q1 2019).
  • Business service revenue grew high single digit by +8.0% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs.+43% in Q4 2019). In Q1 2020, +192k FTTH homes were constructed by SFR FTTH, with construction activity impacted at the end of March due to the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Media revenue declined by -7.7% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs. +4.3% in Q4 2019 and +14.7% in Q1 2019) due to the pandemic after a good start to the year.
  • Altice France reported EBITDA in Q1 2020 of €975 million, +1.6% growth YoY (vs. +19.6% YoY in Q4 2019).
  • Total Altice France Capex amounted to €519 million in Q1 2020, a decrease of -10.8% YoY, related to the implications of the COVID-19 crisis.

Portugal (MEO)

MEO sustained positive commercial momentum during Q1 2020 with customer subscriber base growth, an increase in the proportion of converged customers within the total base and churn remaining at best-in-class low levels. A focus on innovation, new products, services, and customer needs coupled with ongoing network investment continue to pay off.

At the end of Q1 2020, Fastfiber (through MEO) covered approximately 4.2 million FTTH homes passed. Fastfiber comprises all of MEO’s FTTH and dark fiber assets. The sustained expansion of MEO’s fibre coverage will be continued further by Fastfiber, the partnership resulting from the FTTH transaction announced in December 2019.

  • Due to the exceptional and temporary measures to respond to COVID-19, on March 19, 2020 ANACOM decided to suspend the ongoing consultation on the draft regulation of the 5G spectrum auction.
  • Total Altice Portugal revenue grew +2.6% YoY in Q1 2020 to €522 million.
  • Total residential service revenue grew by +1.3% YoY in Q1 2020. Equipment sales were affected by shop closures.
  • MEO residential fixed subscriber base grew again, supported by strong net adds and low churn, +5k in Q1 2020 (vs. +2k in Q4 2019 and +4k in Q1 2019):
    • Fibre customer net additions in Q1 2020 were +34k (vs. +35k in Q4 2019, +41k in Q1 2019), with 62% of the total customer base taking fibre. Convergence of the customer base continues to grow (+1pp YoY), resulting in more valuable customers with higher lifetime value (convergent customers have less than half of non-convergent customers churn rate).
    • Postpaid residential mobile subscriber net additions in Q1 2020 were +35k (vs. +42k in Q4 2019, +33k in Q1 2019), supported by MEO’s ongoing network investments and steady performance and successful convergent strategy.
    • Business services revenue grew +3.2% YoY in Q1 2020. This is the result of a sustained recovery initiated in 2018, based on a continued growth of the customer base, improved gross adds and lower churn.
  • Total Altice Portugal EBITDA grew by +1.8% YoY to €210 million, driven by revenue growth coupled with stabilization, strict control and discipline of operating expenses.
  • Total Altice Portugal Capex amounted to €104 million in Q1 2020 (€100 million in Q1 2019), an increase of +3.8% YoY.

Israel (HOT)

HOT maintained improved commercial momentum in Q1 2020, with a growth of +14k net additions in Q1 2020 in the fixed customer base – growth for the fifth successive quarter. In addition, the postpaid mobile subscriber base grew by +5k net additions (excluding IDEN Customers) in Q1 2020. This performance was helped by the strong market positioning of HOT products and high customer loyalty, against a backdrop of intense price competition within the market.

Following the launch by HOT in 2019 of broadband speeds of 500MB across the entire network, customers are already connected and receiving this service and this trend is expected to continue in the context of teleworking. The 5G spectrum auction in the market has been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

  • HOT total revenue declined by -0.9% YoY in Q1 2020 on a CC basis or increased +6.4% on a reported basis to €247 million. Excluding IDEN within the business services segment (the IDEN technology has been decommissioned by the end of Q4 2019), total revenue grew by +0.1% YoY in Q1 2020 on a CC basis:
    • Residential service revenue grew by +1.0% YoY in Q1 2020 on a CC basis, despite ongoing pricing pressure.
    • Business services revenue grew by +2.7% YoY in Q1 2020 on a CC basis.
  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased -0.2% YoY on a CC basis and +7.1% on a reported basis to €91 million. Gross margins improved year over year, driven by a more favourable revenue mix.
  • Total Capex was €63 million in Q1 2020, an increase of +1.7% YoY on a CC basis.

Dominican Republic (Altice Dominicana)

Altice Dominica grew residential service revenue in Q1 2020, supported by robust subscriber trends across both fixed and mobile.

Altice Dominicana’s competitive mobile infrastructure has been recognized as leader in terms of LTE coverage, better than competitors in 24 out of 32 provinces according to Ookla Measurement Data, supported by installation of 98 LTE sites and in excess of 1,100 LTE capacity expansions in FY 2019.

  • Overall, total revenue in Dominican Republic decreased by -1.6% YoY in Q1 2020 on a CC basis, or -4.5% YoY on a reported basis to €133 million. Residential service revenue grew +1.3% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs. decline of -1.6% in Q4 2019) on a CC basis.
    • The total fixed residential subscriber base grew with +4k in Q1 2020 (vs. +3k in Q4 2019, +7k in Q1 2019), the subscriber base growing +2.4% YoY.
    • The total residential mobile subscriber base decreased by -51k net losses in Q1 2020 (vs. -51k in Q4 2019, -36k in Q1 2019) mainly driven by mobile prepaid. Residential mobile postpaid net additions was +1k in Q1 2020 (vs. +17k in Q4 2019, +11k in Q1 2019). The postpaid momentum was achieved and maintained thanks to attractive plans and handset financing strategy. The 4G population coverage was 97% at the end of Q1 2020.
    • The mobile prepaid trend slowdown was mainly impacted by the national curfew and restriction on commercial activities due to the COVID-19 crisis.
    • Business services revenue declined by -10.3% YoY in Q1 2020 (vs. -6.5% in Q4 2019 and +18.8% in Q1 2019) on a CC basis, mainly driven by a decrease in wholesale within low-margin transit revenue. The B2B transformation process continued during the first quarter of 2020, with higher focus on fixed revenues. Altice Dominicana saw an increase in mobile revenue due to strong activation coming from government institutions related to the 2020 election process.
  • Churn reduction due to government measures of non-suspension and disconnections during the COVID-19 quarantine pandemic impacting Q1 2020 at 21.8% on fixed service, -4.1pp YoY.
  • Total EBITDA in Dominican Republic declined by -3.3% YoY on a CC basis in Q1 2020, or -6.0% YoY on a reported basis to €67 million. The EBITDA margin was flat YoY at 51.0% on a reported basis, supported by a decrease in operating costs.
  • Total Capex was €35 million in Q1 2020.

Teads

Teads significant pace of growth was significantly disrupted at the end of Q1 2020, driven by the global downturn in advertising.

  • Total revenue6 for Teads increased by +9.0% YoY in Q1 2020 to €96 million (+6.0% on a CC basis), supported by steady performance in the US at the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Total EBITDA grew +32.8% YoY in Q1 2020 to €8.6 million (+31.1% on a CC basis).

Altice TV

  • Altice TV revenue was €63 million in Q1 2020, negatively impacted by the interruption of the European Champions League in March after the best start of the year (vs. €64 million in Q4 2019 and €60 million in Q1 2019).
  • EBITDA was -€29 million in Q1 2020 (vs. -€54 million in Q4 2019 and -€22 million in Q1 2019).

Shares outstanding

As at March 31, 2020, Altice Europe had 1,194,011,1477 common shares outstanding and 1,855,664 preference shares B outstanding.

Altice Europe Consolidated Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, breakdown by credit silo8

  • Altice Europe has a robust, diversified and long-term capital structure:
    • Group weighted average debt maturity of 6.3 years;
    • Reduced WACD from 5.0% at year-end 2019 to 4.8%;
    • 89% fixed interest rate;
    • No major maturities until 2025;
    • Available liquidity of €4.2 billion9.
  • Total consolidated Altice Europe net debt was €31.2 billion (€28.6 billion pro forma) at the end of Q1 2020.

Altice France (SFR)

Amount in millions
(local currency)

Actual

PF

Coupon / Margin

Maturity

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 500

500

500

2.125%

2025

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 550

550

550

2.500%

2025

 

Senior Secured Notes

USD 5,190

4,731

4,731

7.375%

2026

 

Senior Secured Notes

USD 1,750

1,595

1,595

8.125%

2027

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 1,000

1,000

1,000

5.875%

2027

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 1,000

1,000

1,000

3.375%

2028

 

Senior Secured Notes

USD 1,100

1,003

1,003

5.500%

2028

 

Term Loan

EUR 1,114

1,114

1,114

E+3.00%

2025

 

Term Loan

USD 1,381

1,259

1,259

L+2.75%

2025

 

Term Loan

USD 2,102

1,916

1,916

L+3.6875%

2026

 

Term Loan

EUR 978

978

978

E+3.00%

2026

 

Term Loan

USD 2,469

2,250

2,250

L+4.00%

2026

 

Drawn RCF

-

150

150

E+3.25%

2023

 

Drawn RCF - Opco

-

0

0

E+1.5%

2024

 

Commercial Paper

-

92

92

0.58%

2020

 

Other debt & leases

-

110

110

-

-

 

Swap Adjustment

-

-1,001

-1,001

-

-

 

Altice France Secured Debt

 

17,245

17,245

 

 

 

Exchange Altice Lux Senior Notes

EUR 1,317

1,317

1,317

8.000%

2027

 

Exchange Altice Lux Senior Notes

USD 1,562

1,424

1,424

10.500%

2027

 

Senior Notes

EUR 500

500

500

4.000%

2028

 

Senior Notes

USD 1,250

1,117

1,117

6.000%

2028

 

Swap adjustment

-

-64

-64

 

 

 

Altice France Gross Debt

 

21,539

21,539

 

 

 

Total Cash

 

-383

-383

 

 

 

Altice France Net Debt

 

21,155

21,155

 

 

 

Undrawn RCF

 

1,451

1,451

 

 

 

WACD (%)

 

 

4.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altice International

Amount in millions
(local currency)

Actual

PF

Coupon / Margin

Maturity

 

Bridge loan

EUR 500

500

-

2.500%

2020

 

Senior Secured Notes

USD 2,750

2,507

2,507

7.500%

2026

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 600

600

600

2.250%

2025

 

Senior Secured Notes

EUR 1,100

1,100

1,100

3.000%

2028

 

Senior Secured Notes

USD 1,200

1,094

1,094

5.000%

2028

 

Term Loan

USD 885

807

807

L+2.75%

2025

 

Term Loan

USD 880

802

802

L+2.75%

2026

 

Term Loan

EUR 293

293

293

E+2.75%

2026

 

Drawn RCF

-

75

-

E+3.50%

2021

 

Other debt & leases

-

35

35

-

-

 

Swap Adjustment

-

-118

-118

-

-

 

Altice International Senior Debt

 

7,694

7,119

 

 

 

Senior Notes

USD 385

351

351

7.625%

2025

 

Senior Notes

EUR 675

675

675

4.750%

2028

 

Swap Adjustment

-

-

-

-

-

 

Altice International Total Debt

 

8,720

8,145

 

 

 

Total Cash

 

-232

-1,605

 

 

 

Altice International Net Total Debt

 

8,488

6,540

 

 

 

Undrawn RCF

 

581

581

 

 

 

WACD (%)

 

 

4.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Perimeter Consolidated Debt

 

30,259

29,684

 

 

 

Total Cash

 

-616

-1,989

 

 

 

Telecom Perimeter Consolidated Net Debt

 

29,643

27,695

 

 

 

WACD (%)

 

 

4.7%

 

 

 


 

 

ACF

Amount in millions
(local currency)

Actual

PF

Coupon / Margin

Maturity

 

Corporate Facility

EUR 1,728

1,728

1,060

E+6.625%

June 2023

 

ACF Gross Debt

 

1,728

1,060

 

 

 

Total Cash

 

-82

-82

 

 

 

ACF Net Debt

 

1,646

977

 

 

 

WACD (%)

 

 

6.6%

 

 

 

 

Altice Europe Pro Forma Net Leverage Reconciliation as of March 31, 2020

In EUR million

 

Altice Group Reconciliation to Swap Adjusted Debt

 

 

Actual

PF

 

Total Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions

32,648

32,648

 

Value of Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions in Foreign Currency converted at closing FX Rate

-43,174

-43,174

 

Value of Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions in Foreign Currency converted at hedged Rate

41,991

41,991

 

Transaction Costs

285

285

 

Total Swap Adjusted Value of Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions

31,750

31,750

 

Commercial Paper

92

92

 

Overdraft, RCF drawn at Hivory Opco, cancellation call premium

9

9

 

Other debt and leases

137

137

 

PF Refinancing

-

-1,243

 

Gross Debt Consolidated

31,987

30,743

 

 

In EUR million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altice Europe N.V. (Actual)

 

 

 

 

Altice
Telecom
Perimeter

Altice
TV

Altice

Corporate
Financing

Altice Europe N.V.

 

Altice Europe N.V.

Consolidated

 

 

Gross Debt Consolidated

 

 

 

 

30,259

-

1,728

-

31,987

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

-616

-2

-82

-96

-796

 

Net Debt Consolidated

 

 

 

 

29,643

-2

1,646

-96

31,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altice Europe N.V. (Pro Forma)

 

 

 

 

Altice
Telecom
Perimeter

Altice
TV

Altice

Corporate
Financing

Altice Europe N.V.

 

Altice Europe N.V.

Consolidated

 

 

Gross Debt Consolidated

 

 

 

 

29,684

-

1,060

-

30,743

 

Cash10

 

 

 

 

-1,989

-2

-82

-96

-2,169

 

Net Debt Consolidated

 

 

 

 

27,695

-2

977

-96

28,574

 

 

In EUR million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altice Europe (Pro Forma)

Altice
France

Altice International

Altice
Telecom
Perimeter

Altice
TV

Altice

Corporate
Financing

Altice Europe

Intra-Group Eliminations

Altice Europe

Consolidated

 

Gross Debt Consolidated

21,539

8,145

29,684

-

1,060

-

-

30,743

Cash

-383

-1,605

-1,989

-2

-82

-96

-

-2,169

Net Debt Consolidated

21,155

6,540

27,695

-2

977

-96

-

28,574

LTM Standalone

4,219

1,560

5,778

-138

-

-31

-

5,610

Eliminations

-

-

-

-

-

-

-9

-9

Corporate Costs

-

-2

-2

-

-

2

-

-

LTM EBITDA Consolidated

4,219

1,557

5,776

-138

-

-28

-9

5,601

PF Press magazines

3

-

3

-

-

-

-

3

PF Tower sale and lease back

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

LTM EBITDA

4,222

1,557

5,779

-138

-

-28

-9

5,604

Gross Leverage

5.1x

5.2x

5.1x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

-

5.5x

Net Leverage

5.0x

4.2x

4.8x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

-

5.1x

L2QA EBITDA Consolidated PF

4,189

1,539

5,728

-167

-

-29

-7

5,526

Gross Leverage

5.1x

5.3x

5.2x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

5.6x

Net Leverage

5.1x

4.2x

4.8x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

0.0x

5.2x

 

Altice Europe Non-GAAP Reconciliation to unaudited GAAP measures as of March 31, 2020 year to date 11

In EUR million

March 31, 2020 (unaudited)

Revenue

3,625.4

Purchasing and subcontracting costs

-971.4

Other operating expenses

-736.9

Staff costs and employee benefits

-387.2

Total

1,529.9

Share-based expense

10.0

Rental expense operating lease

-225.5

Adjusted EBITDA

1,314.4

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

-1,273.8

Share-based expense

-10.0

Other expenses and income

79.7

Rental expense operating lease

225.5

Operating profit

335.8

 

Capital expenditure (accrued)

722.3

Capital expenditure - working capital items

376.4

Payments to acquire tangible and intangible assets

1,098.7

 

Operating free cash flow (OpFCF)

592.1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things: our future financial conditions and performance, results of operations and liquidity; our strategy, plans, objectives, prospects, growth, goals and targets; and future developments in the markets in which we participate or are seeking to participate. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “project” or “will” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will be achieved or accomplished. To the extent that statements in this press release are not recitations of historical fact, such statements constitute forward-looking statements, which, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements including risks referred to in our annual and quarterly reports.

1 All financials are shown under IFRS 15 accounting standard and IFRS 16 (from 1/1/2019). Financials for Altice Europe exclude the press magazine Groupe L’Express (following disposal on July 30, 2019)
2 €4.2 billion liquidity includes €2.0 billion of undrawn revolvers and €2.2 billion of cash. The €2.2 billion of cash includes proceeds from the sale of 49.99% of Fastfiber (payment terms: €1,573 million received on April 17, 2020, €375 million in December 2021, not including €375 million in December 2026) and reflects the repayment of the Altice Finco S.A. bridge facility (€500 million on April 17, 2020) and the Altice Financing S.A. RCF loan of €75 million repaid on April 21, 2020. Cash also includes €82 million of restricted cash for debt financing obligations at Altice Corporate Financing. Excludes €668 million repayment of Altice Corporate Financing as well as the proceeds of a potential monetization of the stake in Altice USA. Excludes funding of Covage acquisition expected in H1 2020 and any associated construction-related EBITDA
3 Excluding spectrum and significant litigations paid and received
4 Except for IFRS 15 - Revenue
5 Financials shown in this section are based on the new reporting perimeter for Altice Europe unless stated otherwise
6 Teads gross revenue is presented before discounts (net revenue after discounts is recognised in the financial statements)
7 As at March 31, 2020, Altice Europe had 1,038,479,900 common shares A (including 40,711,879 treasury shares) and 196,243,126 common shares B outstanding
8 Group net debt is pro forma for the repayment of the €500 million Altice Finco S.A. bridge facility (April 17, 2020), the repayment of the Altice Financing S.A. RCF of €75 million and the cash proceeds from the sale of 49.99% of Fastfiber (payment terms: €1,573 million received on April 17, 2020, €375 million in December 2021, not including €375 million in December 2026). Group net debt excludes €668 million repayment of Altice Corporate Financing as well as the proceeds of a potential monetization of the stake in Altice USA. Group net debt includes €96 million of cash at Altice Europe N.V. and other subsidiaries outside debt silos
9 €4.2 billion liquidity includes €2.0 billion of undrawn revolvers and €2.2 billion of cash. The €2.2 billion of cash includes proceeds from the sale of 49.99% of Fastfiber (payment terms: €1,573 million received on April 17, 2020, €375 million in December 2021, not including €375 million in December 2026) and reflects the repayment of the Altice Finco S.A. bridge facility (€500 million on April 17, 2020) and the Altice Financing S.A. RCF loan of €75 million repaid on April 21, 2020. Cash also includes €82 million of restricted cash for debt financing obligations at Altice Corporate Financing. Excludes €668 million repayment of Altice Corporate Financing as well as the proceeds of a potential monetization of the stake in Altice USA. Excludes funding of Covage acquisition expected in H1 2020 and any associated construction-related EBITDA
10 The €2.2 billion of cash includes proceeds from the sale of 49.99% of Fastfiber (payment terms: €1,573 million received on April 17, 2020, €375 million in December 2021, not including €375 million in December 2026) and reflects the repayment of the Altice Finco S.A. bridge facility (€500 million on April 17, 2020) and the Altice Financing S.A. RCF loan of €75 million repaid on April 21, 2020. Cash also includes €82 million of restricted cash for debt financing obligations at Altice Corporate Financing. Excludes €668 million repayment of Altice Corporate Financing as well as the proceeds of a potential monetization of the stake in Altice USA. Excludes funding of Covage acquisition expected in H1 2020 and any associated construction-related EBITDA
11 The difference in consolidated revenue as reported for Altice Europe in the Non-GAAP Reconciliation to GAAP measures as of March 31, 2020 year to date and the Pro Forma Financial Information for Altice Europe as disclosed in this press release is mainly due to Teads gross revenue which is presented before discounts in this press release (net revenue after discounts is recognised in the financial statements). In addition, financials for Altice Europe exclude the press magazine Groupe L’Express (following disposal on July 30, 2019)

Contacts

Altice Europe
Head of Investor Relations Altice Europe

Sam Wood: +41 79 538 66 82 / sam.wood@altice.net

Head of Communications Altice Europe
Arthur Dreyfuss: +41 79 946 4931 / arthur.dreyfuss@altice.net

Contacts

Altice Europe
Head of Investor Relations Altice Europe

Sam Wood: +41 79 538 66 82 / sam.wood@altice.net

Head of Communications Altice Europe
Arthur Dreyfuss: +41 79 946 4931 / arthur.dreyfuss@altice.net