VIMPELCOM LTD (ADR) AMSTERDAM, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
KEY RESULTS AND DEVELOPMENTS
-- Delivered on all 2016 financial targets and generated USD 588 million of
underlying equity free cash flow(2), as the Company returned to growth
and its transformation gained traction
-- VimpelCom and CK Hutchison completed the Italy joint venture transaction
-- Introducing a new dividend policy effective immediately, with a 2016
dividend of US 23 cents per share, including US 3.5 cents paid in
December 2016 as an interim dividend and a final dividend of US 19.5
cents expected to be paid in April 2017
-- VimpelCom to become VEON underscoring the ambition of its accelerated
digital strategy with the launch of the VEON internet platform in all
countries by the end of 2017, having successfully launched in Italy in
Q4 2016
-- Partnerships signed with STUDIO+, Deezer and Mastercard
-- VEON plans a second listing on Euronext Amsterdam in Q2 2017 to broaden
its European investor base on the back of an increasing free float
Q4 2016 RESULTS
-- Reported revenue and EBITDA positively impacted by contribution from
Warid while currencies within VimpelCom's footprint are strengthening
versus the U.S. dollar
-- Reported service revenue increased 3% YoY, organically(3) stable, with
strong results in Pakistan and Ukraine, offset by continued weakness in
Algeria; strong organic performance in mobile data revenue of +27% YoY
-- Reported EBITDA of USD 783 million; underlying(4 )EBITDA organically(3)
increased 1.2% with a margin of 38.6%
-- Profit for the period attributable to VimpelCom shareholders of USD 1.6
billion, mainly driven by the gain on the closing of the Italy joint
venture, partially offset by impairments, transformation costs and
litigation provision
FY 2017 TARGETS(7)
-- Low single digit year-on-year organic growth for total revenue
-- Low single digit year-on-year organic accretion for underlying EBITDA
margin
-- Underlying equity free cash flow(2 )of USD 700-800 million in 2017 and
more than USD 1 billion for 2018
VimpelCom Ltd. (NASDAQ: VIP), a leading global provider of telecommunications and digital services headquartered in Amsterdam and serving over 200 million customers, today announces financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended 31 December 2016.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
4Q16 4Q15 Reported Organic(3)
YoY YoY
USD million reported pro-forma reported
(incl. Warid) (excl. Warid) (excl. Warid)
Total revenue4, of which 2,354 2,275 2,296 2.5% (0.2%)
mobile and fixed service revenue 2,244 2,170 2,188 2.5% 0.1%
of which mobile data revenue 399 391 310 28.7% 26.9%
EBITDA 783 774 811 (3.4%) (2.5%)
EBITDA underlying5 910 893 898 1.3% 1.2%
EBITDA margin underlying (EBITDA underlying/total revenue) 38.6% 39.3% 39.1% (0.5p.p.) 0.6p.p.
Profit/(loss) from continued operations (273) (264) (153) n.m
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations 1,905 1,905 252 n.m
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to VIP shareholders 1,643 1,652 58 n.m
Underlying equity free cash flow(2) (156) (282) (115) 150%
Capital expenditures excl. licenses 754 679 649 16%
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 17.9% 17.4% 18.5% (0.6p.p.) (1.2%)
Net debt 7,162 6,834 5,496 30.3%
Net debt/LTM EBITDA underlying 2.0 1.9 1.4
Total mobile customers (millions)6 207.0 197.0 196.0 5.4% 0.2%
Total fixed-line broadband customers (millions)6 2.8 2.8 3.4 (18.6%) (18.6%)
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1) The change of the Company's name to VEON Ltd. is subject to approval of shareholders at a general meeting which will be held on 30 March 2017
2) Underlying equity free cash flow is defined as free cash flow from operating activities less free cash flow used in investing activities, excluding M&A transactions, transformation costs and other one-off items
3) Organic change reflects changes in revenue and EBITDA excluding foreign currency movements and other factors, such as businesses under liquidation, disposals, mergers and acquisitions, including recent Warid acquisition (see Attachment E for reconciliations)
4) The Company changed the accounting treatment for certain elements of its mobile content revenue from a gross to a net representation and revised historical results for this effect on mobile service revenue
5) Underlying EBITDA excludes transformation costs and material exceptional items, see Attachment E for reconciliations
6) Excluding Italy, including Warid
7) FY 2017 targets based on pro-forma results for 2016, including 12 months of Warid contribution; organic targets for revenue and underlying EBITDA margin are at constant currency, excluding exceptional items, e.g. transformation costs and M&A. Equity free cash flow is
calculated at the target rates for 2017 (see Attachment E)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
FY16 FY15 Reported Organic(1)
YoY YoY
USD million reported pro-forma reported
(incl. Warid) (excl. Warid) (excl. Warid)
Total revenue, of which 8,885 8,724 9,606 (7.5%) 1.0%
mobile and fixed service revenue 8,553 8,402 9,313 (8.2%) 0.5%
of which mobile data revenue 1,397 1,382 1,232 13.4% 25.9%
EBITDA 3,232 3,203 2,875 12.4% 26.6%
EBITDA underlying(2) 3,581 3,544 3,926 (8.8%) 1.4%
EBITDA margin underlying (EBITDA underlying/total revenue) 40.3% 40.6% 40.9% (0.6p.p.) 0.2p.p.
Profit/(loss) from continued operations (202) (194) (814) n.m
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations 2,708 2,708 263 n.m.
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to VIP shareholders 2,414 2,423 (655) n.m.
Underlying equity free cash flow4 588 568 40 n.m.
Capital expenditures excl. licenses 1,593 1,514 1,779 (10.5%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 17.9% 17.4% 18.5% (0.6p.p.) (1.2p.p.)
Operating cash flow (EBITDA underlying less capex) 1,988 2,030 2,147 (7.4%)
Operating cash flow margin (operating cash flow/total revenue) 22.4% 23.3% 22.3% 0.0p.p. 1.0p.p.
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JEAN-YVES CHARLIER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COMMENTS:
"Today is the start of a new and exciting era as VimpelCom becomes VEON. Our re-branding reflects an ambition to reinvent the company from a telecom company into a global tech leader. The launch of VEON, our new internet platform, will bring genuinely free messaging services, a fresh digital engagement model and new services from music to banking to consumers. Today we are delighted to announce global partnerships with STUDIO+, Deezer and Mastercard, each of which will be integrating new services into the platform for VEON users.
2016 was a significant year for VimpelCom as the Company's fundamental transformation accelerated resulting in a return to organic growth, significant generation of underlying equity free cash flow and a strengthened balance sheet as it met all of its financial targets. As a result of this solid turnaround of VimpelCom, I am pleased to announce a new sustainable and progressive dividend policy, a total dividend of US 23 cents per share for 2016 and the plans to secure a dual listing on the Amsterdam stock exchange to broaden our investor base."
Contents
MAIN EVENTS. 4
GROUP PERFORMANCE. 6
COUNTRY PERFORMANCE. 12
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION. 20
CONTENT OF THE ATTACHMENTS. 22
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL RESULTS
VimpelCom's results presented in this earnings release are based on IFRS and have not been audited. "EBITDA" or "reported EBITDA" presented in this document is called "Adjusted EBITDA" in the financial statements.
Certain amounts and percentages that appear in this earnings release have been subject to rounding adjustments.
As a result, certain numerical figures shown as totals, including those in tables, may not be an exact arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede or follow them.
All non-IFRS measures disclosed further in the document, i.e. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, underlying EBITDA, underlying EBITDA margin, EBIT, net debt, equity free cash flow, operating cash flow, organic growth, capital expenditures excluding licenses, last twelve months (LTM) Capex excluding licenses/Revenue, are reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures in Attachment E.
The financial results for all of 2015 and the first 10 months of 2016 reflect the classification of Wind Italy as an asset held for sale pursuant to the announcement of the signing of an agreement to form a joint venture with 3 Italia in August 2015. Following the completion of this transaction, the Italy joint venture is treated as an investment in affiliate with effect from November 2016.
All comparisons are on a year-on-year basis unless otherwise stated.
MAIN EVENTS
-- Introducing a new dividend policy
-- VimpelCom to become VEON
-- VEON plans a second listing on Euronext Amsterdam
-- VimpelCom and CK Hutchison completed the Italy joint venture transaction
-- Obtained credit facilities of up to USD 2.25 billion
-- Cancellation of GDR program and completion of Share Buy-Back by Global
Telecom Holding
-- Sale of Zimbabwe operations completed
NEW DIVIDEND POLICY APPROVED BY SUPERVISORY BOARD; FINAL 2016 DIVIDEND OF US 19.5 CENTS PER SHARE
The VimpelCom Supervisory Board has approved a new dividend policy and for the financial year ending 31 December 2016, VimpelCom intends to pay a dividend in the aggregate amount of US 23 cents per share comprised of US 3.5 cents per share paid as an interim dividend in December 2016 and US 19.5 cents per share as a final dividend.
The record date for the Company's shareholders entitled to receive the final dividend payment has been set for 30 March 2017. It is expected that the final dividend will be paid in April 2017. The Company will make appropriate tax withholdings of up to 15% when the dividend is paid to the Company's share depositary, The Bank of New York Mellon.
Thereafter, VimpelCom is committed to paying a sustainable and progressive dividend based on the evolution of the Company's equity free cash flow.
Equity free cash flow shall be defined as net cash flow from operating activities less net cash used in investing activities, as reported in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
VIMPELCOM TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO VEON
VimpelCom is rebranding to VEON after a significant turnaround and today announces that it will change its name to VEON, subject to shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on 30 March 2017.
The company has been significantly restructured and is returning to growth after years of decline. It has strengthened its portfolio with number one and strong number two positions in the vast majority of the markets in which it operates and has returned to organic growth in each of revenue, underlying EBITDA and cash flow and has resumed a meaningful dividend policy. The Group's global culture and compliance structure have been overhauled and it has set a firm and ambitious digital vision and strategy that is catapulting the business firmly into the technology space.
The Company today is not the Company that it was 24 months ago and it is at this point that it is making its transition from a legacy telecoms business into its new future as a technology company, VEON.
Our Supervisory Board approved calling a special general meeting of shareholders on 30 March 2017 to approve the name change and amendments to the Company's bye-laws.
VIMPELCOM LAUNCHES VEON, A NEW INTERNET PLATFORM TO MEET CONSUMERS FUTURE DIGITAL NEEDS
Following the successful launch in Italy, VimpelCom plans to roll out its new internet platform, VEON, across all its markets. VEON is a revolutionary internet platform that integrates powerful data analytics and artificial intelligence to finally put the user in control. With zero-rating as fundamental component of the service, VEON allows the user to stay connected for free, no matter the status of their data plan - even when they are out of credit.
VEON is developing partnerships with some of the world's most popular, proven consumer and business brands, and also with local brands to transform the personal internet experience for customers in frontier markets: from transport to music; financial services to retail; and video to business innovation.
VimpelCom is also announcing partnerships with STUDIO+, Deezer and Mastercard today.
VEON PLANS A SECOND LISTING ON EURONEXT IN AMSTERDAM IN Q2 2017
Following the doubling of its free float to 20.1% in Q3 2016, VEON is planning a second listing(1) in Q2 2017 on Euronext Amsterdam, where the Company has its headquarters with more than 500 staff including the global leadership team. The Company will list under its new name VEON (which is subject to shareholder approval) with a new ticker code VEON. Through this second listing, the Company aims to broaden its investor base, with potential inclusion in European indices and extended stock coverage.
The expected listing will be of the Company's common shares, which may be exchanged for the Company's shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The ticker for the Company's listing on NASDAQ will also change to VEON.
VIMPELCOM AND CK HUTCHISON COMPLETE ITALY JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTION
VimpelCom and CK Hutchison announced on 7 November 2016 that they had completed the transaction to combine their businesses to create the leading converged operator in Italy. WIND and 3 Italia are now formally under the joint ownership of VimpelCom and CK Hutchison. Maximo Ibarra, the former Chief Executive Officer of WIND, leads the joint venture as the Chief Executive Officer, supported by Dina Rivera, who serves as Merger Integration Officer, and Stefano Invernizzi, who serves as Chief Financial Officer.
VIMPELCOM SUCCESSFULLY ENTERS INTO A MULTI-CURRENCY TERM LOAN AND REVOLVING FACILITIES AGREEMENT OF UP TO USD 2.25 BILLION
VimpelCom has successfully entered into a new multi-currency term loan and revolving facilities agreement (the "TL/RCF") of up to USD 2.25 billion for VimpelCom Holdings B.V. ("VIP Holdings"). The TL/RCF replaced the now cancelled USD 1.8 billion revolving credit facility signed in 2014. The term loan facility has a five-year tenor and the revolving credit facility has an initial tenor of three years, with VIP Holdings having the right to request two one-year extensions to the tenor of the revolving credit facility, subject to lender consent. Several international banks have committed to the TL/RCF in an aggregate amount of USD 2.108 billion. The TL/RCF includes an option to increase the amount of the facility up to the full amount of USD 2.25 billion, which would consist of a term loan facility of USD 562,500,000 and a revolving credit facility of USD 1,687,500,000. VIP Holdings will have the option to make each drawdown under the facilities in either U.S. dollars or euros.
CANCELLATION OF GLOBAL TELECOM HOLDING'S GDR PROGRAM APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS; GLOBAL TELECOM HOLDING COMPLETES SHARE BUY-BACK
The cancellation of the global depositary receipts ("GDR's") program as proposed by the Board of Directors of Global Telecom Holding S.A.E. ("GTH") was approved during the extraordinary general assembly meeting of its shareholders on 6 February 2017. As a result, the listing of the GDRs on the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and the trading of GDRs on the Main Market for Listed Securities of the London Stock Exchange (the "GDR Listing") will cease from around 20 March 2017 and GTH will keep its single listing on the Egyptian Stock Exchange in Cairo. GTH also launched a fixed price buy-back program to acquire up to 10% of its total issued share capital at a price of EGP 7.90 per share being a total consideration of up to EGP 4.1 billion (the "Share Buy-Back"). GTH launched the Share Buy-Back primarily to maximize shareholder value, to reduce GTH's share capital and as a supportive action to the cancellation of its GDR Listing, in order to provide the holders of GDRs in GTH an opportunity to dispose of all or some of their GDRs prior to the cancellation of the GDR Listing. The offer period of the Share Buy-Back expired at 2.30 p.m. (EET) on 16 February 2017, with 1,328,092,079 ordinary shares in the issued share capital of GTH offered for sale and for which, in accordance with the terms of the Share Buy-Back, 524,569,062 shares, representing 10% of all issued ordinary shares, were accepted for sale by GTH on a pro-rata basis.
VIMPELCOM AND GLOBAL TELECOM HOLDING COMPLETE SALE OF ZIMBABWE OPERATIONS
VimpelCom's 51.9% owned subsidiary Global Telecom Holding has completed the previously announced sale of Telecel International to ZARNet Limited in Zimbabwe for a total consideration of USD 40 million, approximately half of which has been paid in cash, with the balance in the form of a loan to the government. Telecel International owns 60% of Telecel Zimbabwe Ltd. and ZARNet is wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
GROUP PERFORMANCE
FY 2016 IN LINE WITH TARGETS(1)
-- Service revenue of USD 8.4 billion, organic growth of 0.5% YoY
-- Underlying EBITDA margin of 40.6%, organically increased 0.2 percentage
points
-- Capex to revenue of 17.4%
-- Underlying operating cash flow margin of 23.3%, organically increased 1
percentage point
-- Net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.0x
Q4 2016
-- Reported service revenue increased 3% YoY, organically stable YoY
-- Reported EBITDA of USD 783 million includes exceptional costs of USD 127
million, mainly related to performance transformation and litigation
provisions; underlying EBITDA organically increased 1.2% YoY
-- Profit for the period attributable to VimpelCom shareholders of ~USD 1.6
billion, mainly driven by the gain from the Italy joint venture,
partially offset by impairments, transformation costs and litigation
provision
FINANCIALS BY COUNTRY
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 Reported Organic Forex FY16 FY15 Reported Organic Forex
YoY YoY and other YoY YoY and other
--- --- --------- --- --- ---------
Total revenue 2,354 2,296 2.5% (0.2%) 2.7% 8,885 9,606 (7.5%) 1.0% (8.5%)
Russia 1,112 1,084 2.6% (1.8%) 4.4% 4,097 4,583 (10.6%) (1.5%) (9.1%)
Pakistan 369 256 44.4% 15.7% 28.7% 1,295 1,014 27.7% 15.0% 12.7%
Algeria 246 299 (17.5%) (14.6%) (2.9%) 1,040 1,273 (18.3%) (10.8%) (7.5%)
Bangladesh 152 153 (0.3%) (0.1%) (0.2%) 621 604 2.7% 3.3% (0.6%)
Ukraine 150 152 (1.4%) 11.8% (13.2%) 586 622 (5.9%) 11.0% (16.9%)
Uzbekistan 165 183 (9.8%) 4.0% (13.9%) 663 711 (6.7%) 7.6% (14.3%)
HQ 10 10
Other and eliminations 150 169 (9.6%) 573 799 (31.6%)
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Service revenue 2,244 2,188 2.5% 0.1% 2.5% 8,553 9,313 (8.2%) 0.5% (8.7%)
Russia 1,058 1,025 3.2% (1.2%) 4.4% 3,941 4,414 (10.7%) (1.6%) (9.1%)
Pakistan 346 241 43.2% 14.6% 28.6% 1,217 960 26.7% 14.1% 12.6%
Algeria 244 292 (16.7%) (13.7%) (2.9%) 1,031 1,259 (18.1%) (10.6%) (7.5%)
Bangladesh 147 151 (2.2%) (2.0%) (0.2%) 606 596 1.7% 2.3% (0.6%)
Ukraine 150 152 (1.4%) 11.8% (13.2%) 584 621 (6.0%) 10.9% (16.9%)
Uzbekistan 165 183 (9.6%) 4.3% (13.9%) 663 710 (6.6%) 7.8% (14.3%)
HQ
Other and eliminations 134 144 (6.5%) 511 753 (32.1%)
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EBITDA 783 811 (3.4%) (2.5%) (0.9%) 3,232 2,875 12.4% 26.6% (14.2%)
Russia 419 424 (1.1%) (5.8%) 4.6% 1,574 1,823 (13.7%) (4.9%) (8.8%)
Pakistan 129 104 24.4% 14.9% 9.6% 507 409 23.9% 18.6% 5.2%
Algeria 125 162 (22.7%) (19.9%) (2.7%) 547 684 (20.0%) (12.8%) (7.2%)
Bangladesh 55 51 9.5% 9.9% (0.4%) 267 242 10.4% 11.1% (0.7%)
Ukraine 69 75 (7.3%) 5.1% (12.3%) 306 292 4.7% 23.4% (18.6%)
Uzbekistan 105 121 (13.5%) 0.2% (13.7%) 395 437 (9.6%) 4.4% (14.0%)
HQ (92) (161) (42.7%) (420) (1,294) (67.5%)
Other and eliminations (27) 35 n.m. 56 282 n.m.
EBITDA margin 33.3% 35.3% (2.1p.p.) (0.8p.p.) 36.4% 29.9% 6.4p.p. 7.6p.p.
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EBITDA underlying 910 898 1.3% 1.2% 0.1% 3,581 3,926 (8.8%) 1.4% (10.2%)
Russia 420 396 6.2% 1.9% 4.3% 1,585 1,795 (11.7%) (2.4%) (9.3%)
Pakistan 149 106 40.8% 31.6% 9.2% 552 409 34.9% 29.9% 5.0%
Algeria 127 174 (27.0%) (24.4%) (2.6%) 562 696 (19.2%) (12.0%) (7.2%)
Bangladesh 65 74 (11.4%) (10.8%) (0.6%) 288 267 7.6% 8.4% (0.8%)
Ukraine 78 75 4.8% 19.1% (14.4%) 315 292 7.6% 26.8% (19.3%)
Uzbekistan 92 121 (23.8%) (12.0%) (11.8%) 379 453 (16.3%) (3.6%) (12.6%)
HQ (6) (92) (93.1%) (277) (282) (1.8%)
Other and eliminations (15) 44 (135.7%) 177 296 (39.5%)
EBITDA margin underlying 38.7% 39.1% (0.5p.p.) 0.6p.p. 40.3% 40.9% (0.6p.p.) 0.2p.p.
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Group service revenue for Q4 2016 increased 3% to USD 2.2 billion primarily due to the Warid consolidation from Q3 2016. Service revenue was organically stable with strong growth in Pakistan and Ukraine offset by continued weakness in Algeria. In Q4 2016, the decrease in voice revenue was offset by strong organic growth in mobile data revenue of 27%. Total mobile customers increased by approximately 10.6 million to 206.9 million at the end of Q4 2016, mainly driven by the consolidation of Warid's customers in Pakistan from July 2016. Group service revenue for FY 2016 increased organically 0.5%, driven by the strong performance in Pakistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, partially offset by continued weakness in Algeria.
Group EBITDA reported in Q4 2016 was USD 783 million, compared to USD 811 million in Q4 2015. Underlying EBITDA was USD 910 million, reflecting an organic increase of 1.2%. The exceptional items in this period primarily relate to the cost of the Group-wide performance transformation program totaling USD 66 million and a provision for the Iraqna litigation of USD 66 million, partially offset by reversal of a litigation provision in Uzbekistan of USD 12 million. In Q4 2015, VimpelCom recognized exceptional items totaling USD 87 million, related to the performance transformation program and certain legal costs.
Group underlying EBITDA for FY 2016 increased organically 1.4%, driven by positive performances in Pakistan, Ukraine, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
The reconciliation tables for EBITDA and underlying EBITDA are set forth in Attachment E.
In Russia, service revenue organically decreased 1.2% in Q4 2016. Fixed-line service revenue decreased organically by 8% mainly as a result of corporate customers changing their contracts from U.S. dollars to rubles together with lower business to consumer revenue. Mobile service revenue increased organically by 0.3%, driven by growth in mobile data, value added services and interconnect revenue, partially offset by a decrease in voice and roaming revenue. Beeline's mobile customer base decreased by 3% to 58.3 million.
In Q4 2016, EBITDA organically decreased 6% in Russia, while underlying EBITDA increased organically 2%, adjusted for the positive effect of a one-off adjustment of RUB 2.2 billion related to site rental capitalization in Q4 2015 and exceptional costs of RUB 86 million related to the performance transformation program in Q4 2016. The underlying EBITDA improvement was driven by cost savings from the performance transformation initiatives.
Pakistan's reported results were positively impacted by the consolidation of Warid from 1 July 2016. Reported service revenue increased by 43%, while organically, excluding Warid, it increased by 16%, driven by growth in all revenue streams. Data revenue, excluding Warid, organically increased by 62%, mainly due to successful data monetization initiatives, including attractive bundle offers and the unification of the tariff portfolio, together with continued 3G network expansion. Underlying EBITDA margin, excluding integration costs related to the Warid transaction, was 40.3% in Q4 2016, slightly lower year-on-year due to the consolidation of Warid during 2016.
In Algeria, service revenue organically decreased 14%, primarily due to the combined impact of historic 3G coverage shortfalls, sub-optimal changes in early 2016 to billing increments and the commission structure for indirect distribution, which were partially corrected in Q2 2016, and forced migrations from legacy tariffs from late 2015 onwards. Data revenue continued to demonstrate strong organic growth of 70%, due to the higher usage and substantial increase in data customers as a result of the 3G and 4G/LTE network roll-out.
In Q4 2016, EBITDA organically decreased 20% due to the decrease in revenue, while underlying EBITDA organically decreased 24%, adjusted for exceptional costs of DZD 0.2 billion, related to the performance transformation program.
In Bangladesh, Banglalink's service revenue organically decreased 2% in Q4 2016, mainly driven by aggressive competition on prices and offers, which accelerated after the SIM-reverification process, more than offsetting the continued organic increase in data revenue of 44%. This decline was also caused by the imposition of an incremental 2% supplementary duty on recharges, effective from June 2016, on top of the additional 1% surcharge introduced in March 2016, together with the gap in 3G network coverage versus the market leader.
Underlying EBITDA organically decreased by 11%, due to the decline in revenue and additional commercial costs as a result of the accelerated customer acquisition activity during the quarter.
In Ukraine, service revenue grew organically 12%, driven by successful commercial activities and continued strong growth of mobile data revenue. Mobile data revenue grew organically 63% driven by the continued 3G roll-out, active promotions of smartphones and data-oriented tariff plans.
Underlying EBITDA, adjusted for provisions relating to litigation, grew organically 19%, driven by higher revenue, partially offset by higher interconnect and roaming costs, due to traffic growth, an increase in frequency fees, inflation of rent and utilities and a negative currency devaluation effect on operating expenses denominated in foreign currency.
In Uzbekistan, service revenue increased organically by 4%, mainly as a result of the impact of Beeline´s price plans being denominated in U.S. dollars, together with increased interconnect and content revenue and a 9% growth in mobile data revenue.
Underlying EBITDA decreased organically 12%, excluding the positive effect of the reversal of a provision of UZB 39.9 billion related to a supplier contract dispute. The decrease in underlying EBITDA was mainly driven by increased customer-based taxes and increased business costs. The increase customer tax to UZS 1,500 from UZS 750 per customer per month, negatively impacted EBITDA margin by 4.2 percentage points.
The HQ segment includes the costs of VimpelCom's and GTH's headquarters in Amsterdam, the London digital office and the Eurasia Hub. In Q4 2016, HQ costs decreased year-on-year due to lower performance transformation costs. Other includes the results of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan and intercompany eliminations.
INCOME STATEMENT ELEMENTS & CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 2,354 2,296 2.5% 8,885 9,606 (7.5%)
Service revenue 2,244 2,188 2.5% 8,553 9,313 (8.2%)
EBITDA 783 811 (3.4%) 3,232 2,875 12.4%
EBITDA margin 33.3% 35.3% (2.0p.p.) 36.4% 29.9% 6.4p.p.
Depreciation, amortization, impairments and other (692) (645) 7.4% (2,148) (2,351) (8.6%)
EBIT 91 166 (45.2%) 1,084 524 106.7%
Financial income and expenses (196) (184) 6.5% (761) (777) (2.0%)
Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain and others 102 (64) n.m. 110 (342) n.m.
Profit/(loss) before tax (3) (82) n.m. 433 (595) n.m
Income tax expense (270) (71) n.m. (635) (219) n.m.
Profit/(loss) from continued operations (273) (153) n.m (202) (814) n.m
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations 1,905 252 n.m. 2,708 263 n.m.
Profit for the period attributable to VimpelCom shareholders 1,643 58 n.m. 2,414 (655) n.m.
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4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Capex expenditures 770 709 8.5% 1,741 2,033 (14.4%)
Capex expenditures excl. licenses 754 649 16.2% 1,593 1,779 (10.5%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 17.9% 18.5% (0.6p.p.)
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Q4 2016 ANALYSIS
EBIT decreased year-on-year in Q4 2016 to USD 91 million, due to lower EBITDA coupled with higher depreciation and amortization as a result of equipment swap in Bangladesh and the purchase of an software license in Russia, and higher impairment losses in Q4 2016 of USD 177 million mainly recorded for Georgia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, while impairment charges in Q4 2015 amounted to USD 136 million, mainly related to network equipment in Pakistan and Russia.
Loss before tax of USD 3 million in Q4 2016, reduced year-on-year as a result of foreign exchange gain in Q4 2016, primarily as a result of ruble appreciation during the quarter, and net profit from joint ventures and associates, which included the positive contribution from the Italy joint venture of USD 145 million, offset by the Euroset impairment of USD 99 million.
Income tax expense increased in Q4 2016 to USD 270 million due to the change in the tax regime in Uzbekistan, which caused the effective tax rate in the country to increase to 50% from 2016 onwards, coupled with improved results in Emerging Markets. In addition, the Company wrote off deferred tax assets in Q4 2016 in the amount of USD 95 million as a result of the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction, while in Q4 2015 it reversed tax provisions of USD 55 million for future withholding taxes on intercompany dividends.
Profit from discontinued operations was USD 1,905 million in Q4 2016, positively impacted by the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the Italian operations were deconsolidated and an investment in the joint venture, in which the Company has joint control, was recorded at a provisional fair value of USD 2,113 million. This resulted in a non-cash provisional gain of USD 1,788 million, which is the difference between the book value of the deconsolidated Italian operations and the fair value of the investment in the new joint venture recorded on the balance sheet.
Profit for the period attributable to VimpelCom shareholders was USD 1,643 million, which was positively impacted by the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction, partially offset by impairments, transformation costs and litigation provision.
Capex excluding licenses increased 16% to USD 754 million in Q4 2016, primarily as a result of procurement-related delays earlier in 2016, leading to a LTM capex excluding licenses to revenue ratio of 17.9% including Warid and of 17.4% excluding capex related to the integration of Warid. The Company will maintain its strategy of investing in high-speed data networks to capture mobile data growth, including the continued roll-out of 4G/LTE networks in Russia and Algeria and 3G networks in Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Ukraine.
FY 2016 ANALYSIS
EBIT increased year-on-year to USD 1,084 million in 2016 due to lower exceptional items, which amounted to USD 349 million in 2016 primarily in relation to transformation costs, compared to exceptional costs of USD 1,051 million in 2015, mainly driven by USD 927 million of provisions for investigations and legal costs (of which USD 900 million was a provision for future costs related to the investigations by the SEC/DOJ/OM). In addition, the Company recognized lower impairment charges in 2016 compared to 2015, coupled with a decrease in depreciation and amortization as a result of local currency depreciation.
Profit before tax amounted to USD 433 million in 2016, compared to a loss of USD 595 million in 2015, due to higher EBIT as described above, and positive foreign exchange variances in 2016. In addition, in 2016, the Company recognized net profit from joint ventures and associates as a result of a positive contribution from the Italy joint venture of USD 145 million, partially offset by the Euroset impairment of USD 99 million.
Income tax expense increased year-on-year in 2016 to USD 635 million due to a change in the tax regime in Uzbekistan, deferred tax assets write offs of USD 95 million as a result of the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction, while in 2015 the Company decreased the provisions for future withholding taxes on intercompany dividends by USD 200 million.
Profit from discontinued operations was USD 2,708 million in 2016, positively impacted by the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction. The completion of Italy joint venture transaction resulted in a non-cash provisional gain of USD 1,788 million, which is the difference between the book value of the deconsolidated Italian operations and the fair value of the investment in the new joint venture recorded on the balance sheet.
Net profit attributable to VimpelCom shareholders was USD 2,414 million, significantly impacted by the non-cash gain recorded as a result of the Italy joint venture transaction, partially offset by impairments and transformation costs.
FINANCIAL POSITION & CASH FLOW
USD million 4Q16 3Q16 QoQ
Total assets 21,279 36,381 (41.5%)
Shareholders' equity 6,046 4,778 26.6%
Gross debt 10,489 10,803 (2.9%)
Net debt 7,162 6,804 5.3%
Net debt/underlying LTM EBITDA 2.0 1.5
------------------------------ --- ---
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities 445 907 (462) 1,875 2,033 (158)
from continued operations 384 484 (100) 1,193 1,105 88
from discontinued operations 61 423 (362) 682 928 (246)
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities (1,001) (949) (52) (2,671) (2,634) (37)
from continued operations (931) (674) (257) (2,021) (2,494) 473
from discontinued operations (70) (275) 205 (650) (140) (510)
Net cash from/(used in) before financing activities (556) (42) (514) (796) (601) (195)
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities (474) (100) (374) (125) (1,439) 1,314
from continued operations (474) (97) (377) (106) (733) 627
from discontinued operations - (3) 3 (19) (706) 687
---------------------------- --- --- --- --- ---- ---
Total assets and shareholders' equity was substantially affected by the completion of the Italy joint venture transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of the Company's Italian operations, previously classified as being held for sale, were deconsolidated and an investment in the joint venture, in which the Company has joint control, was recorded at a provisional fair value of USD 2,113 million. This resulted in a non-cash provisional gain of USD 1,788 million, being the difference between the book value of the deconsolidated Italian subsidiary and the fair value of the new joint venture investment recorded on the balance sheet.
Gross debt decreased 3% quarter-on-quarter mainly due to the repayment of a credit facility in Algeria in the amount of USD 113 million and the partial repayment of a loan with Sberbank in the amount of USD 186 million.
Net debt increased 5% quarter-on-quarter, mainly due to high cash capex in Q4 2016.
Net cash from operating activities decreased in Q4 2016 by USD 462 million mainly due to the decrease of net cash from discontinued operations as a result of the deconsolidation of the Company's Italian operations. The decrease of net cash from continued operations was due to a timing difference on interest paid in Algeria together with interest paid on the GTH bonds.
Net cash flow used in investing activities increased by USD 52 million, largely as a result of the deconsolidation of the Company's cash in Italy in the amount of USD 325 million and which is recorded as a cash outflow in continued operations following the closing of the Italy joint venture transaction.
Net cash used in financing activities was negative in Q4 2016 due to the repayment of a credit facility in Algeria in the amount of USD 113 million and the partial repayment of a loan with Sberbank in the amount of USD 186 million.
COUNTRY PERFORMANCE - Q4 2016
-- Russia
-- Pakistan
-- Algeria
-- Bangladesh
-- Ukraine
-- Uzbekistan
-- Italy
RUSSIA
RUB million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 70,130 71,429 (1.8%) 273,003 277,241 (1.5%)
Mobile service revenue 55,844 55,690 0.3% 218,192 219,031 (0.4%)
Fixed-line service revenue 10,840 11,814 (8.2%) 44,418 47,748 (7.0%)
EBITDA 26,401 28,012 (5.8%) 104,790 110,145 (4.9%)
EBITDA underlying 26,487 25,992 1.9% 105,486 108,124 (2.4%)
EBITDA margin 37.6% 39.2% (1.6p.p.) 38.4% 39.7% (1.3p.p.)
EBITDA underlying margin 37.8% 36.4% 1.4p.p. 38.6% 39.0% (0.4p.p.)
Capex excl. licenses 21,615 23,368 (7.5%) 41,432 52,069 (20.4%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 15.2% 18.8% (3.6p.p.)
Mobile
Total revenue 59,276 59,450 (0.3%) 228,793 229,195 (0.2%)
- of which mobile data 13,806 11,844 16.6% 51,232 43,581 17.6%
Customers (mln) 58.3 59.8 (2.5%)
- of which data users (mln) 36.0 34.3 5.0%
ARPU (RUB) 307 304 0.7%
MOU (min) 333 319 4.5%
Data usage (MB) 2,315 1,790 29.4%
Fixed-line
Total revenue 10,854 11,978 (9.4%) 44,210 48,046 (8.0%)
Broadband revenue 2,418 2,886 (16.2%) 9,874 11,983 (17.6%)
Broadband customers (mln) 2.2 2.2 (2.0%)
Broadband ARPU (RUB) 394 432 (8.7%)
------------------- --- --- -----
Note: the Company changed the accounting treatment for certain elements of its mobile content revenue from a gross to a net representation and revised historical results for this effect on mobile service revenue.
Both the macro-economic conditions and the ruble have stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2016, but the conditions and competition in the Russian market remain challenging. Total service revenue in Q4 2016 declined 1.2% to RUB 66.6 billion, as a result of a decline in fixed-line service revenue.
Mobile service revenue slightly increased by 0.3% to RUB 55.8 billion, driven by growth in mobile data, value added services and interconnect revenue. Mobile data revenue continued its strong growth, increasing 17% to RUB 13.8 billion, which was attributable to bundle promotions, increased smartphone penetration, growth in mobile data customers and customer traffic growth.
As a result of this growth in data traffic, mobile ARPU showed growth during the fourth quarter of 2016, although the Company continued to experience price pressure on voice and roaming services as existing customers continued to migrate to the company's new price plans.
Beeline's mobile customer base decreased by 2.5% year-on-year to 58.3 million in Q4 2016. The Net Promoter Score
("NPS") position was broadly stable among the three main operators.
The take up for the fixed mobile convergence ("FMC") offer continues to be strong with more than 500,000 customers.
Fixed-line service revenue decreased by 8.2% to RUB 10.8 billion mainly as a result of corporate customers changing their contracts from U.S. dollar to ruble and lower consumer revenue.
Reported EBITDA decreased 5.8% to RUB 26.4 billion. Underlying EBITDA increased 1.9%, adjusted for the positive effect of one-off adjustment of RUB 2.2 billion related to site rental capitalization in Q4 2015 and exceptional costs of RUB 86 million related to the performance transformation program in Q4 2016. The underlying EBITDA improvement was driven by cost savings from the performance transformation initiatives.
Capex excluding licenses decreased 7.5% to RUB 21.6 billion, largely due to savings from centralizing procurement on a global basis. The LTM capex to revenue ratio for Q4 2016 was 15.2% and LTM operating cash flow margin, defined as EBITDA underlying less capex, was 23.4% in Q4 2016.
PAKISTAN
PKR billion 4Q16 4Q15 YoY YoY FY16 FY15 YoY YoY
reported organic reported organic
Total revenue 38.7 26.8 44.2% 15.7% 135.6 104.2 30.2% 15.0%
Mobile service revenue 36.7 25.3 45.0% 14.6% 127.9 98.6 29.7% 14.1%
of which mobile data 5.0 2.6 92.2% 61.7% 16.2 8.8 84.4% 66.6%
EBITDA 13.5 10.9 24.3% 14.9% 53.1 42.0 26.2% 18.6%
EBITDA underlying 15.6 11.1 40.9% 31.6% 57.8 42.0 37.5% 29.9%
EBITDA margin 34.9% 40.5% (5.6p.p.) (0.3p.p.) 39.1% 40.4% (1.2p.p.) 1.3p.p.
EBITDA underlying margin 40.3% 41.2% (1.0p.p.) 5.6p.p. 42.6% 40.3% 2.3p.p. 5.2p.p.
Capex excl. licenses 10.1 7.2 41.0% 34.2% 22.6 24.5 (7.9%) (11.7%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 16.6% 23.5% (6.9p.p.) (5.5p.p.)
Mobile
Customers (mln) 51.6 36.2 42.4% 14.0%
- of which mobile data customers (mln) 25.1 16.8 50.0% 31.0%
ARPU (PKR) 229 228 0.4% (0.8%)
MOU (min) 585 689 (15.1%) (8.0%)
Data usage (MB) 464 341 35.9% 32.3%
-------------- --- --- ---- ----
Year-on year organic change in the table above calculated based on Mobilink stand-alone numbers
In July 2016, VimpelCom closed the transaction to merge Mobilink with Warid, strengthening its leading position in Pakistan, and as a result, Warid's financial results have been consolidated in VimpelCom´s financial statements with effect from 1 July 2016. After filing the merger petition with the Islamabad High Court in early October 2016, the companies received merger approval on 15 December 2016.
Despite aggressive price competition in the market, the newly merged entity gained customer market share in Q4 2016 year-on-year, as Mobilink continued to show double digit growth of both its customer base and revenue.
Underlying EBITDA margin, excluding both restructuring costs related to the performance transformation programme and integration costs related to the Warid transaction, was 40.3% in Q4 2016, slightly lower year-on-year due to the consolidation of Warid during 2016. Capex increased to PKR 10.1 billion in Q4 2016 while the full year capex to revenue ratio decreased to 16.6% and full year operating cash flow margin was 26%.
The company is focused on integrating its operations, which is delivering results ahead of schedule. The two companies have been providing, since October 2016, unified on-net offers to their customers. In November, 3G was offered to Warid customers in 30 cities while 4G was offered to Mobilink customers in 17 cities. Interconnect, site sharing activities and marketing synergies reached PKR 8.2 billion of run-rate of synergies in Q4 2016.
In November 2016, the company declared, for the first time after 11 years, a gross dividend of PKR 5 billion (approximately USD 50 million) to its shareholders.
The two companies, Mobilink and Warid, were rebranded into "Jazz" in January 2017 and have unified their distribution channels and systems, simplifying the customer experience.
MOBILINK STAND-ALONE PERFORMANCE IN Q4 2016
Mobilink's market position continued to improve in Q4 2016, demonstrating strong performance with double-digit YoY revenue and EBITDA growth.
In Q4 2016, Mobilink's service revenue increased by 15%, supported by all revenue streams. Mobilink continues to show strong voice and VAS revenue growth, primarily as a result of robust customer growth. Data revenue grew by 62% due to successful data monetization initiatives, including attractive bundle offers and the unification of the tariff portfolio, together with continued 3G network expansion.
Mobilink's customer base increased 14% YoY in Q4 2016 supported by the continued focus on price simplicity, distribution and offer transparency. The company sees data and voice monetization among its key priorities, underpinned by striving to be the best network in terms of both quality of service and coverage.
Mobile Financial Services ("MFS") revenue continued to show robust growth at 34%, driven by the success of over-the-counter ("OTC") transactions and higher agent activity.
ALGERIA
DZD billion 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 27.2 31.9 (14.6%) 113.7 127.6 (10.8%)
Mobile service revenue 26.9 31.2 (13.7%) 112.7 126.1 (10.6%)
of which mobile data 2.4 1.4 69.8% 8.0 4.6 72.3%
EBITDA 13.9 17.3 (19.9%) 59.8 68.6 (12.8%)
EBITDA underlying 14.0 18.6 (24.4%) 61.4 69.8 (12.0%)
EBITDA margin 50.9% 54.3% (3.4p.p.) 52.6% 53.7% (1.2p.p.)
EBITDA underlying margin 51.6% 58.2% (6.7p.p.) 54.0% 54.7% (0.7p.p.)
Capex excl. licenses 6.2 7.3 (15.6%) 18.1 19.5 (6.9%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 16.0% 15.3% 0.7p.p.
Mobile
Customers (mln) 16.3 17.0 (4.2%)
- of which mobile data customers (mln) 7.0 4.1 69.1%
ARPU (DZD) 546 608 (10.2%)
MOU (min)(1) 323 375 (13.9%)
Data usage (MB) 447 288 55.2%
-------------- --- --- ----
1) MoU has been adjusted in 2016 and revised for 2015 due to a change of components in the definition of traffic
( )
Although Djezzy's operations delivered strong margins during Q4 2016, the company continued to experience significant pressure on results. Revenue decreased at double-digit rates and Djezzy continued to face customer churn and ARPU erosion. The company expects this pressure to continue, as it will take time to stabilize its commercial proposition and its customer base.
To accelerate the turnaround, on 26 January 2017 Matthieu Galvani was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Djezzy. Matthieu has a strong commercial background and a deep knowledge of Algeria, the industry and the region; Djezzy is expected to benefit significantly from his expertise as it continues with its transformation into a digital leader.
The regulatory environment has recently improved in Algeria, as Djezzy's Significant Market Player status was lifted in the Q3 2016, which removes the Algeria Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications approval procedure and the on-net/off-net asymmetry test on new commercial offers. The mobile termination rate ("MTR") asymmetry for Djezzy is a topic still under discussion with the regulator. From a taxation perspective, starting from January 2017, the new finance law increased pressure through an increase of VAT from 7% to 19% on data services and from 17% to 19% on voice services, and also increased taxes on recharges from 5% to 7%.
VimpelCom's customer base in Algeria decreased 4% year-on-year to 16.3 million and ARPU declined by 10% due to the combined impact of historic 3G coverage shortfalls, sub-optimal changes in early 2016 to both billing increments and the commission structure for indirect distribution, which were partially corrected in Q2 2016, and forced migrations from legacy tariffs from late 2015 onwards.
As a result, Djezzy's Q4 2016 service revenue was DZD 26.9 billion, a 14% reduction, while data revenue growth remained strong at 70%, due to the higher usage and substantial increase in data customers as a result of the 3G and 4G/LTE network roll-out.
The company is taking structural measures to improve performance and stabilize its customer base, including distribution transformation and mono-brand roll-out, accelerating its 4G/LTE network deployment, promoting micro campaigns with tailored services to increase satisfaction, data monetization activities and smartphone promotions coupled with bundle offers. In late October 2016, Djezzy launched a simplified data centric pricing architecture, with new simple bundle offers within "Djezzy carte".
In Q4 2016, EBITDA decreased 20% to DZD 13.9 billion mainly due to the revenue decline. EBITDA margin remained strong at 50.9% due to commercial and network costs optimization as well as a decline in personnel costs, driven by headcount reduction. Underlying EBITDA decreased 24%, adjusted for exceptional costs of DZD 0.1 billion related to the performance transformation program in Q4 2016 while the underlying EBITDA margin was 51.6%.
The company, having launched 4G/LTE services in early October 2016, had covered 20 wilayas with this new technology by the end of 2016 and holds a distinct 4G/LTE coverage advantage. In Q4 2016, Djezzy also continued to roll-out 3G in new regions and, as expected, completed the 3G network roll-out across all 48 of Algeria's wilayas. In Q4 2016, capex was DZD 6.2 billion, a 16% decrease, while the full year capex to revenue ratio was 16.0% and full year operating cash flow margin was strong at 38.0%.
BANGLADESH
BDT billion 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 12.0 12.0 (0.1%) 48.7 47.1 3.3%
Mobile service revenue 11.6 11.8 (2.0%) 47.5 46.4 2.3%
of which mobile data 1.4 1.0 43.8% 4.9 3.2 51.2%
EBITDA 4.4 4.0 9.9% 21.0 18.9 11.1%
EBITDA underlying 5.1 5.7 (10.8%) 22.5 20.8 8.4%
EBITDA margin 36.4% 33.1% 3.3p.p. 43.1% 40.1% 3.0p.p.
EBITDA underlying margin 42.9% 48.0% (5.1p.p.) 46.3% 44.2% 2.1p.p.
Capex excl. licenses 5.1 3.3 56.4% 10.7 10.5 2.6%
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 22.1% 22.2% (0.2p.p.)
Mobile
Customers (mln) 30.4 32.3 (5.9%)
- of which mobile data customers (mln) 14.9 14.0 6.9%
ARPU (BDT) 129 121 6.5%
MOU (min) 322 305 5.4%
Data usage (MB) 391 134 192.0%
-------------- --- --- -----
In Bangladesh, the operational focus during Q4 2016 was on network coverage, in order to address the 3G gap vis-à-vis the competition, and on customer acquisition following the completion of the Government-mandated SIM re-verification program, which had contributed to a slowdown of acquisition activity across the market in the earlier part of 2016.
In Q4 2016, excluding the results of the re-verification process, which resulted in 3.8 million SIM cards being blocked by Banglalink, the customer base would have increased by 6% YoY. On a QoQ basis, the customer base grew by 1.4 million customers in Q4 2016.
Total revenue in Q4 2016 was flat YoY while Banglalink's service revenue decreased 2% to BDT 11.6 billion. The low single-digit decline in service revenue was partially caused by the imposition of an incremental 2% supplementary duty on recharges, effective from June 2016, the additional 1% surcharge introduced in March 2016, together with the gap in 3G network coverage versus the market leader. In addition, there was a period of intense price competition, which accelerated following the SIM-reverification process and which more than offset the continued increase in data revenue of 44%.This data revenue growth was driven by data usage growth of 192% along with 7% growth in active data users which resulted in a 6.5% growth in Banglalink's ARPU in Q4 2016.
In Q4 2016, the company's underlying EBITDA decreased by 11% to BDT 5.1 billion, mainly due to the accelerated customer acquisition activity during the quarter. As a result, in Q4 2016, the underlying EBITDA margin was 42.9%, which represents a reduction of 5.1 percentage points YoY.
In Q4 2016, Capex increased 56% YoY to BDT 5.1 billion in Q4 2016, reversing the trend of Q3 2016, while the full year capex to revenue ratio was 22.1% and the full year operating cash flow margin was 24.3%.
Banglalink continues to invest in efficient data networks and expanding the coverage, aiming to substantially improve its 3G network coverage, which covered 59% of the population at the end of Q4 2016.
UKRAINE
UAH million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 3,881 3,472 11.8% 14,960 13,475 11.0%
Mobile service revenue 3,601 3,206 12.3% 13,851 12,475 11.0%
Fixed-line service revenue 270 257 5.2% 1,052 967 8.8%
EBITDA 1,793 1,706 5.1% 7,811 6,332 23.4%
EBITDA underlying 2,033 1,706 19.1% 8,031 6,332 26.8%
EBITDA margin 46.2% 49.1% (2.9p.p.) 52.2% 47.0% 5.2p.p.
EBITDA underlying margin 52.4% 49.1% 3.2p.p. 53.7% 47.0% 6.7p.p.
Capex excl. licenses 836 869 (3.8%) 2,672 3,566 (25.1%)
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 17.9% 26.5% (8.6p.p.)
Mobile
Total operating revenue 3,611 3,215 12.3% 13,908 12,508 11.2%
- of which mobile data 731 449 62.7% 2,429 1,442 68.4%
Customers (mln) 26.1 25.4 2.6%
- of which data customers (mln) 11.2 12.0 (6.8%)
ARPU (UAH) 45 41 9.4%
MOU (min) 565 562 0.6%
Data usage (MB) 553 200 177.0%
Fixed-line
Total operating revenue 270 257 5.2% 1,052 967 8.8%
Broadband revenue 156 143 9.1% 610 524 16.4%
Broadband customers (mln) 0.8 0.8 1.0%
Broadband ARPU (UAH) 64 59 8.5%
------------------- --- --- ---
Kyivstar delivered another set of strong results in Q4 2016, despite a challenging macro-economic environment and a weakening currency. The company further strengthened its clear leadership in both revenue market share and Net Promoter Score.
Total service revenue increased 12% year-on-year to UAH 3.9 billion in Q4 2016. Mobile service revenue also grew 12% to UAH 3.6 billion, driven by successful commercial activities and continued strong growth of mobile data revenue, which grew 63% driven by the continued 3G roll-out, active promotions of smartphones and data-oriented tariff plans. Current smartphone penetration is 34%, up from 26% last year.
Kyivstar´s mobile customer base increased 3% to 26.1 million in Q4 2016, as a result of increased gross additions and improved churn. On an annual basis, churn improved by 5 percentage points to a historic low of 18%, driven by successful CRM campaigns.
Fixed-line service revenue increased 5% to UAH 270 million, supported by fixed residential broadband (''FTTB'') revenue, which continued to outgrow the market, increasing 9%, driven primarily by the improved quality of the customer base and FTTB re-pricing. The fixed broadband customer base grew 1 % to 818 thousand, and fixed broadband ARPU increased 9% YoY to UAH 64. Kyivstar also successfully launched a fixed mobile convergence offer in Q4 2016, introducing a bundle combining mobile and fixed-broadband services.
EBITDA increased 5% to UAH 1.8 billion in Q4 2016 and reported EBITDA margin was 46.2%. Underlying EBITDA, adjusted for provisions relating to litigation grew 19%, driven by higher revenue, partially offset by higher interconnect and roaming cost, due to traffic growth, an increase in frequency fees, inflation on rent and utilities and a negative currency devaluation effect on opex denominated in foreign currency. Underlying EBITDA margin increased 3.2 percentage points to 52.4%.
Kyivstar continued to roll-out its 3G network in Q4 2016, reaching 61% population coverage, up from 35% at the end of 2015. Q4 2016 capex was UAH 836 million with a LTM capex to revenue ratio of 17.9%, and LTM operating cash flow margin, defined as EBITDA underlying less capex, was a strong 36% in Q4 2016.
UZBEKISTAN
UZS billion 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY
Total revenue 518 497 4.0% 1,967 1,829 7.6%
Mobile service revenue 514 493 4.4% 1,953 1,811 7.8%
- of which mobile data 99 91 8.8% 378 349 8.4%
Fixed-line service revenue 3 3 (5.8%) 13 13 (1.9%)
EBITDA 328 328 0.2% 1,173 1,124 4.4%
EBITDA underlying 289 328 (12.0%) 1,124 1,167 (3.6%)
EBITDA margin 63.5% 65.9% (2.5p.p.) 59.6% 61.5% (1.8p.p.)
EBITDA underlying margin 55.8% 65.9% (10.2p.p.) 57.2% 63.8% (6.7p.p.)
Capex excl. licenses 289 53 n.m. 533 143 n.m.
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 27.1% 7.8% 19.3p.p
Mobile
Customers (mln) 9.5 9.9 (4.1%)
- of which mobile data customers (mln) 4.6 4.7 (2.0%)
ARPU (UZS) 17,925 16,237 10.4%
MOU (min) 554 501 10.6%
Data usage (MB) 316 195 62.3%
-------------- --- --- ----
The Uzbek market continues to experience intense competition, however Beeline was able to improve its leading position in revenue market share, while it also maintained its leadership in NPS during the quarter.
Mobile service revenue increased 4% year-on-year to UZS 514 billion mainly as a result of the impact of Beeline´s price plans being denominated in U.S. dollars, together with increased interconnect, content and mobile data revenue. Mobile data revenue increased 9% driven by increased smartphone penetration and promotions, notwithstanding a 2% year-on-year decrease in mobile data customers. The overall customer base decreased 4% to 9.5 million, due to the launch of two new mobile operators in 2015. Annualized churn improved 3 percentage points to 50% as a results of successful commercial activities during the quarter.
Reported EBITDA was stable compared to the prior year and underlying EBITDA decreased 12.1%, excluding the positive effect of the reversal of a litigation provision of UZB 39.9 billion related to a supplier contract dispute. The decrease in underlying EBITDA was mainly driven by increased customer-based taxes and increased business costs. The increased customer tax to UZS 1,500 from UZS 750 per customer per month negatively impacted EBITDA margin by 4.2 percentage points.
Capex was UZS 289 billion and the LTM capex to revenue ratio was 27.1%, mainly due to pre-payments of equipment in Q4 2016 for 2017 deployment. The company continued to invest in its high-speed data networks as it improved the 4G/LTE coverage in Tashkent and increased the number of 3G sites by 30%. Further improvements to the high-speed data networks will continue to be a priority for Beeline in 2017.
The cash and deposits balances of USD 727 million are considered to be restricted from repatriation due to local government and central bank regulations and the company is in the process of implementing a structural approach to cash upstreaming.
ITALY JV (COMBINED DATA(1))
EUR million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY
Total revenue 1,754 1,741 0.8%
Mobile service revenue 1,110 1,091 1.7%
Fixed-line service revenue 278 268 3.9%
EBITDA 551 550 0.3%
EBITDA underlying 611 568 7.5%
EBITDA margin 31.4% 31.6% (0.2p.p.)
EBITDA underlying margin 34.8% 32.6% 2.2p.p.
Capex excl. licenses 404 360 12.3%
LTM capex excl. licenses/revenue 18.1% 17.5% 0.6p.p.
Mobile
Total revenue 1,446 1,443 0.2%
- of which mobile data 341 313 8.7%
Customers (mln) 31.3 31.2 0.4%
- of which data customers (mln) 19.2 18.5 4.0%
ARPU (EUR) 11.5 11.4 0.7%
MOU (min) 288 277 3.9%
Fixed-line
Total revenue 308 298 3.4%
Total voice customers (mln) 2.7 2.8 (2.3%)
ARPU (EUR) 28.8 28.0 2.8%
Broadband customers (mln) 2.3 2.3 2.2%
Broadband ARPU (EUR) 22.3 20.9 6.9%
------------------- ---- ---- ---
Wind Tre became fully operational on 30 December 2016. The new company is the leading mobile operator in Italy with over 31 million mobile customers, increasing 0.4%, with more than 37% mobile market share and 2.7 fixed line million customers.
Total revenue increased 0.8% for Q4 2016 to EUR 1.8 billion, driven by the positive performance in fixed service revenue, which returned to growth of 3.9%, coupled with the robust results in mobile service revenue which grew by 1.7%. This was driven by an 8.7% growth in mobile data revenue to EUR 341 million, with mobile data customers growing 4.0% to 19.2 million.
Mobile ARPU slightly improved to EUR 11.5 driven by the 4.2% increase in data ARPU and which now represents almost half of total ARPU.
The fixed line direct customer base grew by 2.4% in Q4 2016 with the broadband component growing by 2.2% to over 2.3 million customers as a result of the increased demand for broadband connections in both DSL and Fiber technologies. Fixed broadband revenue continued to increase by 9.2% in Q4 2016 to EUR 154 million.
In Q4 2016 both fixed ARPU and broadband ARPU showed strong performance, increasing by 2.8% and 6.9% respectively.
Underlying EBITDA grew strongly by 7.5% to EUR 611 million in Q4 2016, driven by the revenue growth, coupled with cost efficiency initiatives undertaken during the year. As a result, EBITDA margin underlying for Q4 2016 increased by 2.2 percentage points to 34.8%.
Capex for Q4 2016 was EUR 404 million and was primarily invested in improving both the capacity and coverage of the 4G/LTE and HSPA+ networks.
Net debt slightly decreased from EUR 9.9 billion in Q4 2015 to EUR 9.2 billion in Q4 2016 and the leverage ratio improved from 4.8x to 4.2x.
(1)) The "combined data" for Q4 2016 for Italy was derived from the sum of i) the actual results from November and December 2016 for the Italy Joint Venture and ii) the September 2016 figures of the WIND and 3 Italia businesses, respectively prior to the merger of the two businesses. The ''combined data'' for Q4 2015 consists of the sum of the WIND and 3 Italia businesses results, respectively, for the three months ended 31 December 2015, prior to the merger of the two businesses The September 2016 and Q4 2015 data related to 3 Italia was obtained through due diligence performed as part of the merger process. The Company has included this "combined data" because it believes that financial information on the Italy joint venture is relevant to its business and results for the financial quarter. Going forward, the Company expects to include financial information related to the Italy joint venture in the publication of its financial results. It should be noted that the Company owns 50% of the Italy joint venture, while the results above reflect the entire business.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
On 27 February 2017, VimpelCom will also host a live presentation by senior management in Barcelona at 14:00 CET (13:00 GMT) on the same day, which will simultaneously be made available through video webcast on its website and through following dial-in numbers. The call and slide presentation may be accessed at http://www.vimpelcom.com.
2:00 pm CET investor and analyst conference call
US call-in number: + 1 (877) 280 2296
Confirmation Code: 4598095
International call-in number: + 1 (646) 254 3364
Confirmation Code: 4598095
The conference call replay and the slide presentation webcast will be available until 15 March 2017. The slide presentation will also be available for download on VimpelCom's website.
Investor and analyst call replay
US Replay Number: +1 (866) 932 5017
Confirmation Code: 4598095
UK Replay Number: 0 800 358 7735
Confirmation Code: 4598095
DISCLAIMER
This press release contains "forward-looking statements", as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities' Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "may," "might," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "seek," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "contemplate," "possible" and other similar words. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among other things, the Company's plans to implement our strategic priorities, including with respect to our performance transformation, among others; anticipated performance and guidance for 2017, including our ability to generate sufficient cash flow; future market developments and trends; expected synergies of the Italy Joint Venture, including expectations regarding capex and opex benefits; realization of the synergies of the Warid transaction; operational and network development and network investment, including expectations regarding the roll-out and benefits of 3G/4G/LTE networks, as applicable and the Company's ability to realize its targets and strategic initiatives in its various countries of operation. The forward-looking statements included in this release are based on management's best assessment of the Company's strategic and financial position and of future market conditions, trends and other potential developments. These discussions involve risks and uncertainties. The actual outcome may differ materially from these statements as a result of demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; continued volatility in the economies in our markets; unforeseen developments from competition; governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries; general political uncertainties in our markets; government investigations or other regulatory actions and/or litigation with third parties; failure to realize the expected benefits of the Italy Joint Venture or the Warid transaction as expected or at all due to, among other things, the parties' inability to successfully implement integration strategies or otherwise realize the anticipated synergies; risks associated with data protection or cyber security, other risks beyond the parties' control or a failure to meet expectations regarding various strategic initiatives, including, but not limited to, the performance transformation program, the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased competition in the markets in which VimpelCom operates and the effect of consumer taxes on the purchasing activities of consumers of VimpelCom´s services. Certain other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and other public filings made by the Company with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our future results. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Under no circumstances should the inclusion of such forward-looking statements in this press release be regarded as a representation or warranty by us or any other person with respect to the achievement of results set out in such statements or that the underlying assumptions used will in fact be the case. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We cannot assure you that any projected results or events will be achieved. Except to the extent required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
All non-IFRS measures disclosed in the document, i.e. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, underlying EBITDA, underlying EBITDA margin, EBIT, net debt, equity free cash flow, operating cash flow, organic growth, capital expenditures excluding licenses, last twelve months (LTM) Capex excluding licenses/Revenue, are reconciled to comparable IFRS measures in Attachment E.
ABOUT VIMPELCOM
VimpelCom (NASDAQ: VIP) is an international communications and technology company, headquartered in Amsterdam, and driven by a vision to unlock new opportunities for customers as they navigate the digital world. Present in some of the world's most dynamic markets, VimpelCom provides more than 200 million customers with voice, fixed broadband, data and digital services. VimpelCom's heritage as a pioneer in technology is the driving force behind a major transformation focused on bringing the digital world to each and every customer. VimpelCom offers services to customers in 13 markets including Russia, Pakistan, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Laos and Italy. VimpelCom, whose licenses cover 10% of the world's population, operates under the "Beeline", "Jazz", "Djezzy", "Kyivstar" and "banglalink" brands and owns 50% of a joint venture in Italy which operates under the "WIND" and "3" brands. Follow us:
Follow us on Twitter @VimpelCom
visit our blog @ blog.vimpelcom.com
go to our website @ http://www.vimpelcom.com
CONTENT OF THE ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A VimpelCom financial schedules 22
Attachment B Debt overview 25
Attachment C Customers 26
Attachment D Definitions 27
Attachment E Reconciliation tables 29
Average rates and budget rates of functional currencies to USD
For more information on financial and operating data for specific countries, please refer to the supplementary file Factbook4Q2016.xls on VimpelCom's website at http://vimpelcom.com/
Investor-relations/Reports--results/Results/.
ATTACHMENT A: VIMPELCOM LTD FINANCIAL SCHEDULES
VIMPELCOM LTD UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
Total operating
revenues 2,354 2,296 8,885 9,606
of which other
revenues 48 39 149 103
Operating
expenses
Service costs,
equipment and
accessories 527 546 1,985 2,168
Selling, general
and
administrative
expenses 1,044 940 3,668 4,563
Depreciation 367 363 1,439 1,550
Amortization 142 129 497 517
Impairment loss 177 136 192 245
Loss on
disposals of
non-current
assets 6 16 20 38
Total operating
expenses 2,263 2,130 7,801 9,081
Operating
profit/(loss) 91 166 1,084 525
Finance costs 219 201 830 829
Finance income (23) (17) (69) (52)
Other non-
operating
losses/(gains) 15 12 82 43
Shares of loss/
(profit) of
associates and
joint ventures
accounted for
using the
equity method (64) (1) (35) (14)
Net foreign
exchange
(gain)/loss (53) 54 (157) 314
Profit/(loss)
before tax (3) (83) 433 (595)
Income tax
expense 270 71 635 219
Profit/ (loss)
from continued
operations (273) (154) (202) (814)
Profit/ (loss)
from
discontinued
operations 1,905 252 2,708 263
Profit/(loss)
for the period 1,632 98 2,506 (551)
Non-controlling
interest 11 (41) (92) (103)
The owners of
the parent 1,643 57 2,414 (654)
------------- ----- --- ----- ----
ATTACHMENT A: VIMPELCOM LTD FINANCIAL SCHEDULES
VIMPELCOM LTD UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
USD million 31 December 2016 30 September 2016 31 December 2015
Assets
Non-current assets
Property and equipment 6,719 6,430 6,239
Intangible assets 2,257 2,345 2,224
Goodwill 4,696 4,696 4,223
Investments in associates and joint ventures 2,265 201 201
Deferred tax asset 343 340 151
Income Tax advances, non-current 25 14 28
Financial assets 306 292 164
Other non-financial assets 118 126 105
Total non-current assets 16,729 14,444 13,334
Current assets
Inventories 125 117 104
Trade and other receivables 685 875 677
Other non-financial assets 439 434 335
Current income tax asset 169 183 260
Other financial assets 189 182 395
Cash and cash equivalents 2,942 3,684 3,614
Total current assets 4,549 5,475 5,384
Assets classified as held for sale 1 16,462 15,137
Total assets 21,279 36,381 33,855
------------ ------ ------ ------
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Equity attributable to equity owners of the parent 6,047 4,778 3,765
Non-controlling interests 82 96 129
Total equity 6,129 4,874 3,894
Non-current liabilities
Debt 7,632 8,232 8,025
Other financial liabilities 438 348 70
Provisions 148 175 350
Other non-financial liabilities 44 102 95
Deferred tax liability 331 298 404
Total non-current liabilities 8,593 9,155 8,944
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 1,737 1,717 1,768
Dividends payable to the owners and non-controlling interest 7
Debt 2,856 2,619 1,519
Other financial liabilities 190 203 174
Other non-financial liabilities 1,236 1,280 1,040
Current income tax payable 57 43 19
Provisions 474 467 1,021
Total current liabilities 6,557 6,329 5,541
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 0 16,023 15,477
Total equity and liabilities 21,279 36,381 33,855
---------------------------- ------ ------ ------
ATTACHMENT A: VIMPELCOM LTD FINANCIAL SCHEDULES
VIMPELCOM LTD UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
Operating activities
Profit after tax (273) (153) (202) (814)
Income tax expenses 270 71 635 219
Profit/(loss) before tax (3) (82) 433 (595)
Non-cash adjustment to reconcile profit before tax to net operating cash flows:
Depreciation 367 363 1,439 1,550
Amortization 142 129 497 517
Impairment loss 177 136 192 245
Loss/(gain) From disposal of non current assets 6 16 20 38
Finance income (23) (17) (69) (52)
Finance cost 219 201 830 829
Other non operating losses/(gains) 14 11 82 42
Net foreign exchange loss/(gain) (53) 54 (157) 314
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures (64) (1) (35) (14)
Movements in provisions and pensions 121 34 (645) (185)
Changes in working capital (206) (114) (248) (155)
Net interest paid (222) (135) (789) (807)
Net interest received 19 15 63 49
Income tax paid (110) (126) (420) (671)
Changes due to discontinued operations from operating activity 61 423 682 928
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities 445 907 1,875 2,033
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 2 5 16 15
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets (1) 2 (1) 3
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (467) (467) (1,310) (1,717)
Purchase of licenses (47) (51) (165) (224)
Purchase of other intangible assets (35) (98) (176) (266)
Outflow for loan granted - - - (102)
Inflow from loan granted 1 (1) 1 101
Inflows/(outflows) from financial assets (19) 27 (87) 74
Inflows/(outflows) from deposits (40) (73) 19 (361)
Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired - (18) 7 (17)
Proceeds from sales of share in subsidiaries, net of cash (325) - (325) -
Receipt of dividends - - - -
Discontinued operations in investing activity (70) (275) (650) (140)
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities (1,001) (949) (2,671) (2,634)
Net proceeds from exercise of share options - - - 2
Acquisition of non-controlling interest (7) (4) (7) (4)
Gross proceeds from borrowings 16 737 1,913 2,058
Fees paid for the borrowings - (6) (31) (6)
Repayment of borrowings (423) (763) (1,816) (4,840)
Dividends paid to equity holders (60) (61) (60) (61)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock - - - -
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests - (1) (106) (189)
Proceeds from sale of non-controlling interests - - 1 2,307
Discontinued operations in financing activity - (2) (19) (706)
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities (474) (100) (125) (1,439)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,030) (142) (921) (2,040)
---------------------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ------
Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of period 3,684 3,930 3,614 6,342
Net foreign exchange difference related to continued operations (43) (31) (59) (351)
Net foreign exchange difference related to discontinued operations (6) (2) (3) (23)
Cash and cash equivalent reclassified as Held for Sale at the beginning of the period 340 173 314 -
Cash and cash equivalent reclassified as Held for Sale at the end of the period - (314) - (314)
Cash and cash equivalent at end of period 2,942 3,614 2,942 3,614
----------------------------------------- ----- ----- ----- -----
ATTACHMENT B: DEBT OVERVIEW
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016
Type of debt/original lenders Interest rate Debt currency Outstanding Outstanding debt Maturity Guarantor Security
debt (million) (USD million) date
VimpelCom Holdings B.V.
Notes 6.25% USD 349 349 01.03.2017 PJSC VimpelCom None
Notes 7.50% USD 1,280 1,280 01.03.2022 PJSC VimpelCom None
Notes 9.00% RUB 12,000 198 13.02.2018 PJSC VimpelCom None
Notes 5.20% USD 571 571 13.02.2019 PJSC VimpelCom None
Notes 5.95% USD 983 983 13.02.2023 PJSC VimpelCom None
VimpelCom Amsterdam B.V.
Loan from AO Alfa Bank 1 month LIBOR plus 3.25% USD 500 500 17.04.2017 VimpelCom Holdings B.V. None
Loan from AO Alfa Bank 1 month LIBOR plus 3.25% USD 500 500 03.05.2017 VimpelCom Holdings B.V. None
Loan from China Development Bank Corporation 6 month LIBOR plus 3.3% USD 332 332 21.12.2020 PJSC VimpelCom None
Loan from HSBC Bank plc 1.7200% USD 191 191 31.07.2022 EKN, PJSC VimpelCom None
Loan from ING Bank 6 month LIBOR plus 1.08% USD 78 78 16.10.2023 EKN, VimpelCom Holdings B.V. None
PJSC VimpelCom
Loan from VIP Finance Ireland (funded by the issuance of loan participation 9.1250% USD 499 499 30.04.2018 None None
notes by VIP Finance Ireland)
Loan from VIP Finance Ireland (funded by the issuance of loan participation 7.7480% USD 651 651 02.02.2021 None None
notes by VIP Finance Ireland)
RUB denominated bonds 10.0000% RUB 15,052 248 08.03.2022 * None None
RUB denominated bonds 11.9000% RUB 25,000 412 03.10.2025 ** None None
Loan from Sberbank 12.7500% RUB 26,357 435 11.04.2018 None None
Loan from Sberbank 12.7500% RUB 5,556 92 29.05.2017 None None
Loan from Sberbank 11.5500% RUB 30,000 495 29.06.2018 None None
Loan from HSBC Bank plc, Nordea Bank AB (publ) 3 month MOSPRIME plus 1.0% RUB 2,278 38 30.04.2019 EKN None
GTH Finance B.V.
Notes 6.2500% USD 500 500 26.04.2020 VimpelCom Holdings B.V. None
Notes 7.2500% USD 700 700 26.04.2023 VimpelCom Holdings B.V. None
Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited ("PMCL")
Loan from Habib Bank Limited 6 months KIBOR + 1.15% PKR 3,750 36 16.05.2019 None Shares in PMCL
Loan from MCB Bank Limited 6 months KIBOR + 0.8% PKR 5,000 48 23.12.2020 None Shares in PMCL
Syndicated loan via MCB Bank Limited 6 months KIBOR + 1.25% PKR 5,000 48 16.05.2019 None Shares in PMCL
Loan from United Bank Limited 6 months KIBOR + 1.10% PKR 3,600 34 16.05.2021 None Shares in PMCL
Sukuk Certificates 3 months KIBOR + 0.88% PKR 6,900 66 22.12.2019 None Shares in PMCL
Loan from ING Bank N.V. 6 month LIBOR plus 1.9% USD 231 231 31.12.2020 EKN Shares in PMCL
Loan from Habib Bank Limited 6.0000% PKR 6,268 60 31.12.2023 None Shares in PMCL
Loan from Habib Bank Limited 6.0000% PKR 4,154 40 31.12.2023 None Shares in PMCL
Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd. ("BDC")
Senior Notes 8.63% USD 300 300 06.05.2019 None None
Omnium Telecom Algeria SpA
Syndicated Loan Facility Bank of Algeria Re-Discount Rate + 2.0% DZD 37,500 340 30.09.2019 None Dividends assignent
Other loans, equipment financing and capital lease obligations 236
-------------------------------------------------------------- ---
* Subject to investor put option at 17.03.2017
** Subject to investor put option at 13.10.2017
ATTACHMENT C: CUSTOMERS
Mobile Fixed-line broadband
------ --------------------
million 4Q16 4Q15 YoY 4Q16 4Q15 YoY
Russia 58.3 59.8 (2.5%) 1.7 2.2 (24.7%)
Algeria 16.3 17.0 (4.2%)
Pakistan 51.6 36.2 42.4%
Bangladesh 30.4 32.3 (5.9%)
Ukraine 26.1 25.4 2.6% 0.8 0.8 1.0%
Uzbekistan 9.5 9.9 (4.1%)
Other 15.1 15.6 (2.7%) 0.3 0.4 (23.8%)
Total 207.5 196.3 5.7% 2.8 3.4 (18.6%)
Italy 31.1 21.1 48.1% 2.3 2.3 2.4%
----- ---- ---- ---- --- --- ---
1) Italy customer numbers represent Italy joint venture customer numbers for Q4 2016 and WIND for Q4 2015
ATTACHMENT D: DEFINITIONS
ARPU (Average Revenue per User) measures the monthly average revenue per mobile user. We generally calculate mobile ARPU by dividing our mobile service revenue during the relevant period, including data revenue, roaming revenue and interconnect revenue, but excluding revenue from connection fees, sales of handsets and accessories and other non-service revenue, by the average number of our mobile customers during the period and dividing by the number of months in that period. For Italy, we define mobile ARPU as the measure of the sum of our mobile revenue in the period divided by the average number of mobile customers in the period (the average of each month's average number of mobile customers (calculated as the average of the total number of mobile customers at the beginning of the month and the total number of mobile customers at the end of the month)) divided by the number of months in that period.
Data customers are mobile customers who have engaged in revenue generating activity during the three months prior to the measurement date as a result of activities including USB modem Internet access using 2.5G/3G/4G/HSPA+ technologies. The Italy Business Unit measures mobile data customers based on the number of active contracts signed and includes customers who have performed at least one mobile Internet event during the previous month. For Algeria, mobile data customers are 3G customers who have performed at least one mobile data event on the 3G network during the previous four months.
Capital expenditures (capex) are purchases of new equipment, new construction, upgrades, software, other long lived assets and related reasonable costs incurred prior to intended use of the non-current asset, accounted at the earliest event of advance payment or delivery. Long-lived assets acquired in business combinations are not included in capital expenditures.
EBIT is a non-IFRS measure and is calculated as EBITDA plus depreciation, amortization and impairment loss. Our management uses EBIT as a supplemental performance measure and believes that it provides useful information of earnings of the Company before making accruals for financial income and expenses and net foreign exchange (loss)/gain and others. Reconciliation of EBIT to net income attributable to VimpelCom Ltd., the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure, is presented in the reconciliation tables section in Attachment below.
Adjusted EBITDA (called "EBITDA" in this document) is a non-IFRS financial measure. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. VimpelCom calculates EBITDA as operating income before depreciation, amortization, loss from disposal of non-current assets and impairment loss and includes certain non-operating losses and gains mainly represented by litigation provisions for all of its Business Units except for its Russia Business Unit. The Russia Business Unit's EBITDA is calculated as operating income before depreciation, amortization, loss from disposal of non-current assets and impairment loss. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of the results as reported under IFRS. Our management uses EBITDA and EBITDA margin as supplemental performance measures and believes that EBITDA and EBITDA margin provide useful information to investors because they are indicators of the strength and performance of the Company's business operations, including its ability to fund discretionary spending, such as capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments, as well as indicating its ability to incur and service debt. In addition, the components of EBITDA include the key revenue and expense items for which the Company's operating managers are responsible and upon which their performance is evaluated. EBITDA also assists management and investors by increasing the comparability of the Company's performance against the performance of other telecommunications companies that provide EBITDA information. This increased comparability is achieved by excluding the potentially inconsistent effects between periods or companies of depreciation, amortization and impairment losses, which items may significantly affect operating income between periods. However, our EBITDA results may not be directly comparable to other companies' reported EBITDA results due to variances and adjustments in the components of EBITDA (including our calculation of EBITDA) or calculation measures.
Additionally, a limitation of EBITDA's use as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue or the need to replace capital equipment over time. Reconciliation of EBITDA to net income attributable to VimpelCom Ltd., the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure, is presented in the reconciliation tables section in Attachment below.
EBITDA margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by total revenue, expressed as a percentage.
Gross Debt is calculated as the sum of long term debt and short term debt.
Equity Free Cash Flow is derived from consolidated statements of cash flows and is cash flow before financing activities; net cash from operating activities less net cash used in investing activities. Reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure, is presented in the reconciliation tables section in Attachment below.
Households passed are households located within buildings, in which indoor installation of all the FTTB equipment necessary to install terminal residential equipment has been completed.
MBOU (Megabyte of use) is calculated by dividing the total data traffic by the average mobile data customers during the period.
MFS (Mobile financial services) is a variety of innovative services, such as mobile commerce or m-commerce, that use a mobile phone as the primary payment user interface and allow mobile customers to conduct money transfers to pay for items such as goods at an online store, utility payments, fines and state fees, loan repayments, domestic and international remittances, mobile insurance and tickets for air and rail travel, all via their mobile phone.
MNP (Mobile number portability) is a facility provided by telecommunications operators, which enables customers to keep their telephone numbers when they change operators.
Mobile customers are generally customers in the registered customer base as of a given measurement date who engaged in a revenue generating activity at any time during the three months prior to such measurement date. Such activity includes any outgoing calls, customer fee accruals, debits related to service, outgoing SMS and MMS, data transmission and receipt sessions, but does not include incoming calls, SMS and MMS or abandoned calls. Our total number of mobile customers also includes customers using mobile internet service via USB modems. For our business in Italy, prepaid mobile customers are counted in our customer base if they have activated our SIM card in the last 13 months (with respect to new customers) or if they have recharged their mobile telephone credit in the last 13 months and have not requested that their SIM card be deactivated and have not switched to another telecommunications operator via mobile number portability during this period (with respect to our existing customers), unless a fraud event has occurred. Postpaid customers in Italy are counted in our customer base if they have an active contract unless a fraud event has occurred or the subscription is deactivated due to payment default or because they have requested and obtained through mobile number portability a switch to another telecommunications operator.
MOU (Monthly Average Minutes of Use per User) measures the monthly average minutes of voice service use per mobile customer. We generally calculate mobile MOU by dividing the total number of minutes of usage for incoming and outgoing calls during the relevant period (excluding guest roamers) by the average number of mobile customers during the period and dividing by the number of months in that period. For our business in Italy, we calculate mobile MOU as the sum of the total traffic (in minutes) in a certain period divided by the average number of customers for the period (the average of each month's average number of customers (calculated as the average of the total number of customers at the beginning of the month and the total number of customers at the end of the month)) divided by the number of months in that period.
Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated as the sum of interest bearing long-term debt and short-term debt minus cash and cash equivalents, long-term and short-term deposits and fair value hedges. The Company believes that net debt provides useful information to investors because it shows the amount of debt outstanding to be paid after using available cash and cash equivalents and long-term and short-term deposits. Net debt should not be considered in isolation as an alternative to long-term debt and short-term debt, or any other measure of the Company financial position. Reconciliation of net debt to long-term debt and short-term debt, the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, is presented in the reconciliation tables section in Attachment D.
Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain and others represents the sum of Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain, Equity in net (loss)/gain of associates and Other (expense)/income (primarily (losses)/gains from derivative instruments), and is adjusted for certain non-operating losses and gains mainly represented by litigation provisions. Our management uses Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain and others as a supplemental performance measure and believes that it provides useful information about the impact of our debt denominated in foreign currencies on our results of operations due to fluctuations in exchange rates, the performance of our equity investees and other losses and gains the Company needs to manage the business.
NPS (Net Promoter Score) is the methodology VimpelCom uses to measure customer satisfaction.
Operational expenses (opex) represents service costs and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Organic growth in revenue and EBITDA are non-IFRS financial measures that reflect changes in Revenue and EBITDA, excluding foreign currency movements and other factors, such as businesses under liquidation, disposals, mergers and acquisitions.
Reportable segments: the Company identified Russia, Italy, Algeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ukraine and Uzbekistan based on the business activities in different geographical areas. Intersegment revenue is eliminated in consolidation.
ATTACHMENT E: RECONCILIATION TABLES
RECONCILIATION OF CONSOLIDATED
EBITDA
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
EBITDA 783 811 3,232 2,875
Depreciation (367) (363) (1,439) (1,550)
Amortization (142) (129) (497) (517)
Impairment loss (177) (136) (192) (245)
Loss on disposals of non-current
assets (6) (16) (20) (38)
EBIT 91 166 1,084 524
Financial income and expenses (196) (184) (761) (777)
- including finance income 23 17 69 52
- including finance costs (219) (201) (830) (829)
Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain and
others 102 (64) 109 (343)
- including other non-operating
(losses)/gains (15) (12) (82) (43)
- including shares of loss of
associates and joint ventures 64 1 35 14
accounted for using the equity
method
- including net foreign exchange
gain 53 (54) 157 (314)
EBT (3) (82) 433 (595)
Income tax expense 270 71 635 219
Profit/(loss) from discontinued
operations 1,905 252 2,708 263
Profit/(loss) for the period 1,632 99 2,506 (552)
Profit/(loss) for the period
attributable to non-controlling
interest 11 (41) (92) (103)
Profit for the year attributable to
the owners of the parent 1,643 58 2,414 (655)
----------------------------------- ----- --- ----- ----
RECONCILIATION OF CONSOLIDATED REPORTED AND UNDERLYING EBITDA
USD million, unaudited 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
EBITDA 783 811 3,232 2,875
Transformation costs, of
which 66 78 255 122
HQ and other 29 58 164 102
Russia 1 8 11 8
Emerging markets 36 12 80 12
Expenses related to
Uzbekistan
investigation, of which 11 927
provision 900
legal costs 11 27
Other exceptional items
in OpCos, of which 61 (3) 94 2
Russia site rent
capitalization (30) (30)
Bangladesh SIM tax
provision 12 14
Pakistan SIM re-
verification costs 14
Iraqna litigation
provision 66 66
Uzbekistan return of
litigation losses (12) (12)
accrual of provision 9 9
other (2) 15 31 4
Total exceptional items 127 86 349 1,051
EBITDA underlying 910 898 3,581 3,926
----------------- --- --- ----- -----
RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED CASH FLOW FROM CONTINUED OPERATIONS AND UNDERLYING EQUITY FREE CASH FLOW
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
Net cash flow from
operating activities 384 484 1,193 1,105
Exceptional items: 66 79 1,092 1,436
Algeria transaction 1,312
Uzbekistan settlement 795
Legal Costs 10
Performance
transformation costs and
other 66 79 285 147
Underlying net cash flow
adjusted for
exceptionals 450 563 2,283 2,564
Net cash flow used in
investing activities (931) (674) (2,021) (2,494)
Exceptional items:
Proceeds from sale of
share in subsidiaries,
net of cash 325 325
Other 4 30
Underlying net cash flow
used in investing
activities (606) (678) (1,696) (2,524)
Underlying Equity Free
Cash Flow (156) (115) 588 40
---------------------- ---- ---- --- ---
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING CASH FLOW
USD million 4Q16 4Q15 FY16 FY15
Operating cash flow (EBITDA
underlying-capex) 156 249 1,988 2,147
CAPEX excl licenses 754 649 1,593 1,779
EBITDA underlying 910 898 3,581 3,926
Exceptional items (127) (87) (349) (1,051)
Changes in working capital and other (86) (80) (894) (341)
Net interest paid (203) (120) (726) (758)
Income tax paid (110) (126) (420) (671)
Changes due to discontinued operations
from operating activity 61 422 683 929
Net cash from operating activities 445 907 1,875 2,033
---------------------------------- --- --- ----- -----
RECONCILIATION OF CAPEX
USD million 4Q16 4Q15
Cash paid for purchase of property, plant
and 549 616
equipment and intangible assets
Net difference between timing of recognition
and 221 94
payments for purchase of property, plant and
equipment
and intangible assets
Capital expenditures 770 649
Less capital expenditures in licenses (16) (60)
Capital expenditures excl. licenses 754 709
----------------------------------- --- ---
RECONCILIATION OF ORGANIC AND REPORTED GROWTH RATES
4Q16 vs 4Q15
------------
Service Revenue EBITDA
--------------- ------
Organic Forex Reported Organic Forex Reported
Russia (1.2%) 4.4% 3.2% (5.8%) 4.6% (1.1%)
Algeria (13.7%) (2.9%) (16.7%) (19.9%) (2.7%) (22.7%)
Pakistan 14.6% 28.6% 43.2% 14.9% 9.6% 24.4%
Bangladesh (2.0%) (0.2%) (2.2%) 9.9% (0.4%) 9.5%
Ukraine 11.8% (13.2%) (1.4%) 5.1% (12.3%) (7.3%)
Uzbekistan 4.3% (13.9%) (9.6%) 0.2% (13.7%) (13.5%)
Total 0.1% 2.5% 2.5% (2.5%) (0.9%) (3.4%)
----- --- --- --- ----- ----- -----
FY16 vs FY15
------------
Service Revenue EBITDA
--------------- ------
Organic Forex and Reported Organic Forex and Reported
other other
Russia (1.6%) (9.1%) (10.7%) (4.9%) (8.8%) (13.7%)
Algeria (10.6%) (7.5%) (18.1%) (12.8%) (7.2%) (20.0%)
Pakistan 14.1% 12.6% 26.7% 18.6% 5.2% 23.9%
Bangladesh 2.3% (0.6%) 1.7% 11.1% (0.7%) 10.4%
Ukraine 10.9% (16.9%) (6.0%) 23.4% (18.6%) 4.7%
Uzbekistan 7.8% (14.3%) (6.6%) 4.4% (14.0%) (9.6%)
Total 1% (9%) (8%) 26.6% (14.2%) 12.4%
----- --- --- --- ---- ------ ----
RECONCILIATION OF VIMPELCOM CONSOLIDATED NET DEBT
USD mln 31 December 30 September 31 December
2016 2016 2015
Net debt 7,162 6,804 5,497
Cash and cash equivalents 2,942 3,684 3,614
Long - term and short-term deposits 385 316 433
Gross debt 10,489 10,803 9,544
Interest accrued related to financial liabilities 173 198 180
Fair value adjustments 47
Other unamortised adjustments to financial liabilities (fees, discounts etc.) 40 37 60
Derivatives not designated as hedges 319 289 1
Derivatives designated as hedges 7 27 3
Other financial liabilties 88 50 34
Total other financial liabilities 11,116 11,452 9,822
--------------------------------- ------ ------ -----
RATES OF FUNCTIONAL CURRENCIES TO USD(1)
Target rates Average rates Average rates Closing rates
FY17 4Q16 4Q15 YoY FY16 FY15 YoY 4Q16 3Q16 QoQ
---- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- ---
Russian Ruble 67.00 63.07 65.94 (4.4%) 67.03 60.96 10.0% 60.66 63.16 -4.0%
Pakistan Rupee 107.00 104.78 104.94 (0.2%) 104.72 102.75 1.9% 104.37 104.46 -0.1%
Algerian Dinar 118.00 110.58 106.81 3.5% 109.43 100.37 9.0% 110.40 109.62 0.7%
Bangladeshi Taka 79.00 78.62 78.46 0.2% 78.44 77.96 0.6% 78.92 78.38 0.7%
Ukrainian Hryvnia 28.00 25.89 22.85 13.3% 25.55 21.83 17.0% 27.19 25.91 4.9%
Kazakh Tenge 350.00 335.07 300.44 11.5% 341.76 222.25 53.8% 333.29 334.93 -0.5%
Uzbekistan Som 3,231.34 3,129.41 2,712.0 15.4% 2,965.66 2,568.7 15.5% 3,231.5 3,010.2 7.4%
Armenian Dram 480.00 478.84 478.50 0.1% 480.45 477.82 0.6% 483.94 474.46 2.0%
Kyrgyz Som 70.00 68.83 72.25 (4.7%) 69.90 64.48 8.4% 69.23 67.93 1.9%
Georgian Lari 2.25 2.50 2.40 4.1% 2.37 2.27 4.3% 2.65 2.33 13.6%
------------- ---- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- ----
1) Functional currency in Tajikistan is USD
( )
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vimpelcom-transforms-into-veon-1-introduces-new-dividend-policy-on-the-back-of-improved-results-and-robust-outlook-300413753.html
SOURCE VimpelCom Ltd.
