TELEFÓNICA DEUTSCHLAND HOLDING AG
DGAP-News: Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG
/ Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement
MUNICH, 3 November 2021 Interim statement for January to September 2021 Upgrading FY21 outlook on sustained operational and financial momentum - Strong traction of O2 Free portfolio drives Q3 21 postpaid net additions to +415k - up +59% y-o-y - Q3 21 revenue growth of +5.1% y-o-y mainly driven by accelerating MSR growth of +4.4% y-o-y reflecting ongoing commercial momentum - OIBDA[1] with continued growth of +3.0% y-o-y in Q3 21 reflecting top-line growth, achieved efficiencies and effective cost management - C/S ratio of 14.2% in 9M 21- executing 'investment for growth' programme according to plan with back-end loaded annual phasing and focus an efficient Capex spend - Upgrading FY21 outlook: OIBDA1 to 'low mid-single digit % growth' and C/S to '<17-18%' Operating performance In a rational German telco market, Telefónica Deutschland delivered ongoing trading momentum driven by strong traction of the O2 Free portfolio, with all channels contributing. Telefónica Deutschland's sustained operational and financial performance reflects the company's continued focus on profitable growth supported by the successful 'Willkommen im sehr guten Netz von O2' marketing campaign promoting equalised mobile network quality on the back of strong network coverage and capacity enhancements as well as the temporary 'One-month test SIM' offer. Telefónica Deutschland is expanding its wholesale partnerships with Lebara as a prominent new addition. The international mobile provider Lebara has been present in the German market since 2010 as an established provider of mobile voice and data services for 'global citizens'. The company is executing its 'investment for growth' programme according to plan with back-end loaded annual phasing to boost rural coverage and enhance capacity accordingly. The modern and energy efficient 5G network is now live in ~115 cities with c.3.3k antennas on 3.6 GHz spectrum. The network achieved the highest 5G download speeds of all German networks in the latest Opensignal test. Also, the O2 network was ranked second in the recent SMARTPHONE magazine test with a "very good" rating on back of its strong performance in cities and last year's massive network expansion offensive in rural areas. One year after its announcement of targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2025, Telefónica Deutschland is constantly driving forward its ESG strategy as part of the company's Responsible Business Plan 2025 which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2025 and includes specific targets across all business areas allowing management to track progress of its sustainability strategy. Telefónica Deutschland is building a greener future by reducing its own and customers' CO2 footprint through digital innovations. The company is helping society to thrive by developing new ways of working and developing future skills for society and its own employees.
Mobile business Mobile postpaid net additions increased by +59% y-o-y to +415k in Q3 21 (+261k in Q3 20; +1m in 9M 21 vs. +608k in 9M 20) driven by sustained traction of the O2 Free portfolio and a solid contribution from partner brands. M2M posted +40k net additions in Q3 21 (+47k in Q3 20; and +164k both in 9M 21 and 9M 20). Mobile prepaid recorded -104k net disconnections in Q3 21 (+208k net additions in Q3 20; -122k in 9M 21 vs. -566k in 9M 20) due to the continued trend of prepaid to postpaid migration in combination with the anticipated reversal of last quarter's revenue neutral SIM card reactivations. Churn in the O2 brand continued to stay at low levels with 1.0% in Q3 21 (flat y-o-y) and 0.9% in 9M 21 (improved by 0.2 p.p. y-o-y). Telefónica Deutschland's mobile customer accesses reached 45.3m (+2.9% y-o-y), mobile postpaid base ex M2M with growing contribution of 24.6m accesses (up +6.2% y-o-y to 54.3% of total mobile base), M2M accesses were 1.6m and mobile prepaid base came to 19.2m. O2 postpaid ARPU further improved and posted +0.9% y-o-y growth in Q3 21 and +0.1% y-o-y in 9M 21. Prepaid ARPU improved to EUR 6.6 in Q3 21, up +3.2% y-o-y. Fixed business Fixed broadband customer base reached 2.3m accesses at the end of 9M 21 (+0.2% y-o-y) with the VDSL base posting sustained growth of +3.5% y-o-y to 1.8m accesses (maintaining 81% share of fixed broadband customer base). Fixed net additions returned to growth with the re-opening of O2 shops in June and posted +2k net additions in Q3 21 (-6k net disconnections in 9M 21), showing sequential improvement through 2021 in a market focused on high-speed fixed connectivity including ongoing robust customer demand for fixed-mobile substitution (FMS) products. VDSL demand remained solid with +7k net additions in Q3 21 (+26k net additions in 9M 21). Fixed churn remained flat y-o-y at low levels of 0.9% in both, Q3 21 and 9M 21. Fixed broadband ARPU continued to grow reflecting the increasing share of VDSL customers and stood at EUR 24.3 in Q3 21, posting growth of +2.5% y-o-y (+1.6% to EUR 24.1 in 9M 21).
Financial performance Revenues grew +5.1% y-o-y to EUR 1,967m in Q3 21 (+3.7% y-o-y to EUR 5,711m in 9M 21; underlying[2] +2.9% y-o-y) mainly driven by accelerating mobile service revenue growth reflecting ongoing commercial momentum. Mobile service revenues[3] (MSR) posted +4.4% y-o-y growth to EUR 1,421m in Q3 21 (9M 21 EUR 4,098m, +3.8% y-o-y; underlying2 +2.8% y-o-y) driven by strong own brand performance with O2 postpaid ARPU continuing to grow in Q3 21 and a solid partner performance. Handset revenues grew +9.0% y-o-y to EUR 339m in Q3 21 (+3.3% y-o-y to EUR 1,004m in 9M 21) as high value handsets remained popular supported by launch cycles. Fixed revenues continued their growth path registering +2.8% y-o-y growth to EUR 203m in Q3 21 (+3.4% to EUR 603m in 9M 21), mainly driven by VDSL customer base growth. Other income totalled EUR 294m in Q3 21 and EUR 352m in 9M 21 supported by a capital gain in the amount of EUR +262m related to the spin-off and sale of the operations of the final tranche of ~4k mobile sites passive infrastructure to Telxius (EUR 439m in Q3 20[4] and EUR 496m in 9M 20). Operating expenses included EUR +2m of restructuring expenses and other exceptional items (EUR -26m in Q3 20) and were up +3.7% y-o-y to EUR 1,385m in Q3 21 (+2.0% y-o-y to EUR 4,029m in 9M 21). - Supplies amounted to EUR 619m in Q3 21, up +4.6% y-o-y (+0.2% y-o-y to EUR 1,765m in 9M 21) with the positive effects from the MTR cut (from EURc 0.78 to EURc 0.70 as of 1 Jul-21) only partly compensating higher hardware cost of sales and usage related higher costs for data roaming within the EU. Hardware cost of sales and connectivity-related cost of sales accounted for 54% and 43% of supplies in 9M 21, respectively. - Personnel expenses were lower -13.6% y-o-y at EUR 145m in Q3 21 mainly on back of y-o-y lower restructuring expenses (EUR -1m in Q3 21 vs EUR -24m in Q3 20). In 9M 21 personnel expenses decreased -6.5% y-o-y to EUR 430m with inflation-based salary increases as of 1 Dec-20 compensated by the lower FTE base and the before mentioned development of restructuring costs (EUR -4m in 9M 21 vs EUR -25m in 9M 20). - Other operating expenses[5]expanded +7.7% y-o-y to EUR 621m in Q3 21 while being higher +6.2% y-o-y at EUR 1,834m in 9M 21 (including restructuring expenses and other exceptional items of EUR +2m and -12m in Q3 21 and 9M 21 respectively compared to EUR -2m and EUR -1m in prior year periods). Q3 21 y-o-y performance reflects continued efficiency gains offset by commercial activity, planned phasing back of marketing spend as well as some inflationary cost pressures. In the January to September period, commercial costs (67% of other Opex in Q3 21) were broadly stable y-o-y reflecting the mix of the before mentioned effects. Non-commercial costs accounted for 31% of Q3 21 other Opex. Group fees account for EUR 9m in Q3 21 and EUR 24m in 9M 21.
Depreciation & Amortisation totalled EUR 1,777m in 9M 21, up +4.5% y-o-y. The increase in D&A is due to a combination of the earlier 3G switch off by YE21, further network modernisation and higher RoU asset amortisation while somewhat offset by the UMTS licenses having reached their end of useful life at YE20. Operating income stood at EUR +256m in 9M 21 supported by EUR +262m capital gain related with the spin-off and sale of the operations of the final tranche of ~4k mobile sites passive infrastructure to Telxius (EUR +354m in 9M 20 including EUR +401m capital gains related to the sale of assets). Net financial expenses accounted for EUR -48m in 9M 21 versus EUR -49m in 9M 20. Income tax was EUR -62m in 9M 21 (EUR +22m in 9M 20). Total profit for the period stood at EUR +143m in 9M 21 compared to EUR +328m in 9M 20. CapEx[8]increased +20.4% y-o-y amounting EUR 303m in Q3 21 (+11.6% y-o-y to EUR 810m in 9M 21) with a C/S ratio of 15.4% (14.2% in 9M 21). The CapEx8 deployment comes with backend-loaded annual phasing and focus an efficient Capex spend. Telefónica Deutschland is executing its 'investment for growth' programme according to plan to capture valuable revenue and OIBDA growth opportunities. Operating cash flow (OIBDA minus CapEx8) decreased -8.0% y-o-y and reached EUR 1,223m after the first 9 months of 2021. Excluding exceptional effects, operating cash flow amounted to EUR 976m in 9M 21, up +2.3% y-o-y. Free cash flow (FCF)[9]amounted to EUR 1,180m in the first 9M 21 (EUR 695m in 9M 20) and included EUR 536m proceeds mainly from the before mentioned sale of assets to Telxius. Lease payments, primarily for leased lines and antenna sites, amounted to EUR -474m in 9M 21 (EUR -429m in 9M 20). As a result, FCFaL increased to EUR +706m in 9M 21 including the before mentioned effects compared to EUR +266m in 9M 20. Working capital movements were negative in the amount of EUR -258m in 9M 21. This development was mainly driven by a decrease in capex payables (EUR -154m), increased pre-payments (EUR -34m), net restructuring impacts (EUR +5m) as well as other working capital movements of EUR -75m. The latter include the development of net receivables of EUR +21m (for example, factoring), which was outweighed by other working capital movements, especially a decrease in trade and other payables (EUR -66m).
Consolidated net financial debt[10] amounted to EUR 3,380m as of 30 September 2021, and included the FY20 dividend payment of EUR 535m in May as well as a net increase in lease liabilities of EUR 479m reflecting IFRS 16 accounting for the before mentioned transfer of ~4k mobile sites passive infrastructure to Telxius as well as for regular contract renewals. The resulting leverage ratio of 1.4x[11] remained well below the company's self-defined target ratio of at or below 2.5x and leaves comfortable leverage headroom with regards to the company's BBB-rating with stable outlook by Fitch. Financial outlook 2021 Telefónica Deutschland delivered sustained operational and financial momentum in a rational market environment in 9M 2021, supported by the focused execution of the company's 'investment for growth' programme which is bearing fruit. The company's successful marketing campaign 'Willkommen im sehr guten Netz von O2' is promoting the equalised mobile network quality. The temporary 'One-month test SIM' offer is further enhancing the strong traction of the O2 Free portfolio after the gradual reopening of the German economy towards the end of H1 2021. Churn rates in the O2 brand remained on historic lows and performance of partner brands was solid. As a result of Telefónica Deutschland's continued focus on profitable growth, the company also posted good financial performance with MSR growth accelerating despite some remaining travel restrictions still limiting roaming and some headwinds from the MTR-cut effective since 1 Jul-21. At the same time, Telefónica Deutschland continues to pursue its path of digital transformation to make its business model 'simpler, faster and better' and to benefit from revenue growth as well as efficiency gains. Telefónica Deutschland emphasises sustainable growth and, as part of its ESG targets, is committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by no later than 2025. Against this background, Telefónica Deutschland is upgrading its FY2021 outlook for OIBDA adjusted for exceptional effects to 'low mid-single digit percentage growth' year-over-year. The company's CapEx deployment comes with backend-loaded annual phasing in 2021 as Telefónica Deutschland is executing its network-focused 'investment for growth' programme. One year after its start, the O2 5G network is live in ~115 cities and Telefónica Deutschland is well on track to achieve its target of 30% population coverage in Germany by year end 2021 and nationwide coverage by 2025. As a result of more efficient Capex spend, the expected Capex to Sales ratio is reduced to <17-18% in FY2021. Telefónica Deutschland's assumptions are based on broadly unchanged overall economic conditions, current competitive dynamics, and existing wholesale relationships. At the same time, management is continuously monitoring and analysing the further C-19 developments.
Link to detailed Data Tables Further information
Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG 80992 München Christian Kern, Director Investor Relations; (m) +49 179 9000 208 Marion Polzer, CIRO, Head of Investor Relations; (m) +49 176 7290 1221 Eugen Albrecht, CIRO, Senior Investor Relations Officer; (m) +49 176 3147 5260 (t) +49 89 2442 1010 ir-deutschland@telefonica.com www.telefonica.de/investor-relations
Disclaimer:
This document contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements and expectations about Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG (in the following "the Company" or "Telefónica Deutschland") that reflect the current views and assumptions of Telefónica Deutschland's management with respect to future events, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations which may refer, among others, to the intent, belief or current prospects of the customer base, estimates regarding, among others, future growth in the different business lines and the global business, market share, financial results and other aspects of the activity and situation relating to the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections. The forward-looking statements in this document can be identified, in some instances, by the use of words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", and similar language or the negative thereof or by forward-looking nature of discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements, by their nature, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond Telefónica Deutschland's control and other important factors that could cause actual developments or results to materially differ from those expressed in or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in fuller disclosure documents filed by Telefónica Deutschland with the relevant Securities Markets Regulators, and in particular, with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht - BaFin). The Company offers no assurance that its expectations or targets will be achieved. Analysts and investors, and any other person or entity that may need to take decisions, or prepare or release opinions about the shares / securities issued by the Company, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Except as required by applicable law, Telefónica Deutschland undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances after the date of this presentation, including, without limitation, changes in Telefónica Deutschland's business or strategy or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The financial information and opinions contained in this document are unaudited and are subject to change without notice. This document contains summarised information or information that has not been audited. In this sense, this information is subject to, and must be read in conjunction with, all other publicly available information, including if it is necessary, any fuller disclosure document published by Telefónica Deutschland. None of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or by any of its officers, directors, employees, advisors, representatives or agents shall be liable whatsoever for any loss however arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this document its content or otherwise arising in connection with this document. This document or any of the information contained herein do not constitute, form part of or shall be construed as an offer or invitation to purchase, subscribe, sale or exchange, nor a request for an offer of purchase, subscription, sale or exchange of shares / securities of the Company, or any advice or recommendation with respect to such shares / securities. This document or a part of it shall not form the basis of or relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. These written materials are especially not an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption there from. No money, securities or other consideration from any person inside the United States is being solicited and, if sent in response to the information contained in these written materials, will not be accepted. [1] Adjusted for exceptional effects. In Q3 21, exceptional effects mainly include a capital gain related to the spin-off and sale of the operations of the final tranche of ~4k mobile sites passive infrastructure to Telxius in the amount of EUR +262m as well as EUR +2m of restructuring costs and other exceptional items. In Q3 20, exceptional effects included the capital gain related with the transfer of the first tranche of ~6k mobile sites passive infrastructure to Telxius in the amount of EUR +407m and EUR -26m restructuring costs.
03.11.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
| Language: | English |
| Company: | Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG |
| Georg-Brauchle-Ring 50 | |
| 80992 München | |
| Germany | |
| Phone: | +49 (0)89 24 42 0 |
| Internet: | www.telefonica.de |
| ISIN: | DE000A1J5RX9 |
| WKN: | A1J5RX |
| Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
| EQS News ID: | 1245603 |
| MDAX TecDAX |
| End of News | DGAP News Service |
1245603 03.11.2021
