PUBLIC JOINT-STOCK COMPANY ROSTELECOM

Earnings Release • Aug 5, 2021

National Storage Mechanism | Additional information

ROSTELECOM PJSC (RKMD)

ROSTELECOM PJSC: ROSTELECOM FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF OF 2021

05-Aug-2021 / 09:31 MSK

Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information according to REGULATION (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR), transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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ROSTELECOM FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF OF 2021

Second quarter revenue increased by 9%, OIBDA[1] up 15%, net profit up 46% and FCF[2] increased by RUB 10.7 billion

Moscow, Russia - August 5, 2021 - Rostelecom PJSC (MOEX: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), the largest digital service provider in Russia, today announces its consolidated financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2021 prepared in accordance with IFRS.

SECOND QUARTER 2021 KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue grew by 9% to RUB 138.6 billion compared to 2Q 2020;

• OIBDA up 15% to RUB 55.9 billion;

• OIBDA margin up 2.0 p.p. to 40.4%;
• Net profit up 46% to RUB 11.2 billion;
• CAPEX[3] excluding state programs decreased by 2% year-on-year to RUB 24.4 billion (17.6% of revenue);
• FCF of RUB 1.1 billion following a marked improvement of RUB 10.7 billion;
• Net Debt[4] (including lease liabilities[5]) increased by 6% YTD, amounting to RUB 493.8 billion, resulting in a Net Debt/OIBDA ratio of 2.4x.

FIRST HALF YEAR 2021 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue increased by 9% to RUB 270.5 billion compared to the first half of 2020;
• OIBDA increased by 16% year-on-year to RUB 111.4 billion compared to the first half of 2020;
• OIBDA margin grew by 2.6 p.p. to 41.2% compared to the first half of 2020;
• Net profit increased by 52% to RUB 23.0 billion compared to the first half of 2019;
• CAPEX excluding state programs increased by 11% year-on-year to RUB 51.6 billion (19.1% of revenue) in the first half of the year;
• FCF of RUB 3.2 billion following a marked improvement of RUB 19.1 billion;
• Net Debt (including lease liabilities) increased by 6% YTD, amounting to RUB 493.8 billion, resulting in a Net Debt/OIBDA ratio of 2.4x.

Key figures for 2Q 2020, RUB mln

RUB million	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	change, y-o-y
Revenue	138,589	127,279	9%
OIBDA	55,938	48,801	15%
OIBDA margin %	40.4%	38.3%	-
Operating Income	21,798	18,939	15%
Operating margin %	15.7%	14.9%	-
Net Income	11,174	7,649	46%
% of revenue	8.1%	6.0%	-
Capital Expenditure excl. state programs	24,373	24,778	(2%)
% of revenue	17.6%	19.5%	-
Net debt (incl. lease liabilities)	493,849	494,114	(-0.1%)
Net debt/ OIBDA	2.4	2.7	-
FCF	1,134	(9,566)	10,700

Key figures for 1HY 2020, RUB mln

RUB million	6M 2021	6M 2020	change, y-o-y
Revenue	270,547	248,892	9%
OIBDA	111,375	95,882	16%
OIBDA margin %	41.2%	38.5%	-
Operating Income	44,470	38,248	16%
Operating margin %	16.4%	15.4%	-
Net Income	22,984	15,102	52%
% of revenue	8.5%	6.1%	-
Capital Expenditure excluding state programmes	51,554	46,651	11%
% of revenue	19.1%	18.7%	-
Net debt (incl. lease liabilities)	493,849	494,114	(-0,1%)
Net debt/ annualised OIBDA	2.4	2.7	-
FCF	3,222	(15,924)	19,146

Mikhail Oseevskiy, President of Rostelecom, commented: "We continued to perform well across all financial and operational indicators during the second quarter of 2021, demonstrating solid double-digit growth in revenue from digital and mobile services, OIBDA and net income. For the second quarter in a row, we have significantly improved our free cash flow position, which helps create a base from which to grow future dividend payments. The most important development during the quarter was the adoption of our updated strategy. Our strategic priority for the next five years is to further evolve into an integrated provider of digital services solutions with an emphasis on smart growth in our traditional business and focused leadership in digital clusters such as data centres and cloud services, cybersecurity, online medicine, digital regions and government digital services. To this end, we plan to gradually embark on a new business model which will be organised by clusters and segments. Our quarterly reporting will reflect that new structure to help us track the execution of our strategy by clusters and segments. We have a strong team capable of meeting our strategic goals which encompass growth as well as the realisation of further material cost reductions.  This will underpin our sustainable development while creating additional value for all shareholders and stakeholders."

Vladimir Kirienko, First Vice-President of Rostelecom, commented: "The growth objectives set in our new strategy are very ambitious, but the results we have achieved during our digital transformation in recent years instil in us a confidence that by 2025 Rostelecom will cross the RUB 700 billion mark in terms of revenue, increase OIBDA by 1.5x and at least doubling net profit. These are ambitious strategic goals, but the momentum we have built with a close-knit professional team and the support of our shareholders will enable us to achieve them. A priority is to focus on our fast-growing digital segments, where we can build a strong leadership position and deliver an attractive return on investment."

Sergey Anokhin, Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer added: "The Company has demonstrated further sustainable growth as well as effective cost control which resulted in a solid set of positive financial results in the second quarter and the first half of 2021. Rostelecom has already started reaping benefits from the launch of transformation programmes stipulated in the renewed strategy, including those related to curbing cost increases at a time when we are actively growing the business. This will create additional shareholder value and attractive returns on capital. We exceeded our expectations for the first half of 2021 and the moderate macroeconomic risk outlook enables us to look more optimistically at our anticipated results for the second half of the year.  As a result of this, we are improving our previously published forecast for 2021. We are raising our outlook on consolidated OIBDA and now expect it to grow by 8-10%, and can review it once more at the third quarter 2021 results; our revenue outlook remains intact at a minimum 5% growth and we expect СAPEX of approximately RUB 110-115 billion, excluding the implementation of state programs."

KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Fixed business

Number of subscribers (million):	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	change, y-o-y
Internet access	13.5	13.4	1%
B2C: Broadband	12.4	12.3	0.4%
B2B: Broadband + VPN	1.1	1.1	4%
Pay TV	10.8	10.7	2%
Incl. IPTV	6.3	5.8	8%
Hosted PBX	0.185	0.139	33%
Local telephony services	13.3	14.9	(11%)

ARPU[6] (RUB):	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	change, y-o-y
Internet access
B2C: Broadband	396	395	0.5%
B2B: Broadband + VPN	3,623	3,344	8%
Pay TV	254	248	2%
Incl. IPTV	302	309	(2%)
Hosted PBX	969	1,148	(16%)
Blended ARPU[7]	553	545	2%

Mobile business

	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	change, y-o-y
Data Traffic, incl. MVNO,Pb	1,597	1,216	31%
Churn, %	(7.2%)	(9.0%)	(1.8 p.p.)
Growth of active mobile Internet users, %	19.7%	28.1%	(8.4 p.p.)

1. The total number of Internet subscribers among households grew by 0.4% to 12.4 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the corresponding period of last year. ARPU also increased by 0.5% year-on-year to RUB 396;
2. The total number of Internet and VPN subscribers in B2B increased by 4% year-on-year to 1.1 million; ARPU increased by 8% year-on-year to RUB 3,623;

3. The number of pay-TV subscribers grew by 2% to 10.8 million users compared to the corresponding period of last year, with average ARPU of RUB 254 in B2C;

4. the number of IPTV subscribers increased by 8% to 6.3 million, and ARPU was RUB 302 in B2C;

5. The number of active mobile Internet users increased by 19.7% year-on-year during 2Q 2020. Year-on-year growth in mobile Internet data traffic reached 31% during the second quarter of 2021; while cellular customer base churn decreased to 7.2%;

6. The number of local telephony subscribers decreased by 11% to 13.3 million.

KEY EVENTS RELATING TO Q2 2021 AND AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

Business news

• Rostelecom continues to develop and expand its range of products and services:

• within the "Game" tariff plan:

  • A large-scale federal advertising campaign "Join the Winners' team" was carried out in partnership with Igrovoy brand ambassadors and professional gamers including RAMZES666, LeBwa, AlinaRinRin;
  • "World of Tanks" tournaments were also held, with "Steel Hunter" and "Time for Tanks" versions held with exclusive conditions for "Game" tariff plan subscribers.

Revenue generated by the "Game" tariff increased by 10% in the second quarter of 2021.

• Digital OTT platform Wink remains among the top 5 online cinemas in the country:
  • A new "Film Exchange" service has been launched, which enables customers to exchange a purchased film for free, on the condition that it has not been watched for longer than 20 minutes;

By the end of the first half of 2021, the number of Wink customers accessing videos on two or more devices increased to 2.3 million. 

• Rostelecom's "Key solution" continues to expand its functionality:
  • The Sputnik intercom panel has been integrated;
  • Customers can now control their intercom facilities through their Key application, without the need for additional calls and contacts with sellers.

By the end of the first half of 2021, the "Key solution" covered 165,000 apartments.

• Enhancements to "Smart Home" and home video surveillance services continue to be introduced, including:
  • The implementation of an auto-payment option;
  • a set of measures have been implemented to improve the service's resistance to DDoS / Brute Force attacks;

Revenue generated from the "Smart Home" service and home video surveillance increased by 36% during the second quarter.

• A Smart Office cloud service was launched to enable office premises to be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world where on-line;
• A "Transport Monitoring" service was launched to help track fleets of vehicles;

• A "Speech Analytics" service was launched as part of the virtual telephony service.

• Rostelecom continued to expand its digital segment during the second quarter of 2021:

• as part of the development of cybersecurity services:

• additional services were introduced to the market:

  • Solar addVisor - the first personnel productivity monitoring system in Russia;
  • an updated version of flagship software product - Solar Dozor 7.4;
  • an updated version of web security gateway, containing reverse proxy functionality Solar - webProxy 3.6;
  • a new version of the Solar appScreener 3.9 source code security product;
  • Rostelecom has signed an agreement with the football club FC Zenit to provide the club with access to the Solar Dozor information leakage protection system;
  • Rostelecom offered cyber ​​training at Rostelecom's National Cyber ​​Polygon, which was attended by the Ministry of Energy as well as key players in the electric power industry; representatives of law enforcement agencies as well as regulators and government agencies;
  • Rostelecom has been commissioned to supply the Solar appScreener code analyzer to the Republic of Kazakhstan's "Unified Pension Savings Fund" to help ensure customer services are provided in a secure manner in the digital environment;
  • The fintech hub of the Bank of Russia and Rostelecom-Solar offered an educational programme on cybersecurity in the financial sector in Sirius.

• Operator business segment highlights include:

• 4% year-on-year increase in О2О[8] project revenues;

• The provision of 2x100 Gbps channel for China Telecom on a long-term lease;

• An IP-transit service has been implemented for Alfa Telecom (TM Megacom), the mobile communications leader in Kyrgyzstan.

• Large projects undertaken include:

• The provision of automated workstation infrastructure for RSHB-Intech;

• An agreement with Mosoblgaz JSC to provide call centre services;

• An agreement with LLC Carsharing Russia (Delimobil) to provide access to cloud resources.

• Rostelecom's subsidiary, mobile operator Tele2, continues to strengthen its offering:

• Tele2 customers can now:

  • Exchange minutes for movies;
  • order a SIM card through Yandex.Lavka, as well as receive it at PickPoint terminals;
  • buy SIM-cards on AliExpress.

• a service was launched that enables the movement of vehicles and employees to be monitored, as well as an educational portal;

• Tele2 Russia becomes the first to connect eSIM with Russia's Unified Biometric System;
• Tele2 Russia won 8 awards at the prestigious ad and marketing Silver Mercury awards.

Other news

• The Rostelecom Board approved the Company's corporate strategy to 2025 and adopted its dividend policy for 2021-2023;
• Rostelecom shareholders approved dividends amounting to RUB 5 per share[9] and elected a new Board of Directors;
• Andrey Patoka became the CEO of Tele2 Russia;
• Rostelecom placed exchange-traded bonds amounting to RUB 15 billion with a coupon rate of 7.7% per annum;
• Rostelecom was ranked the number one provider of public Wi-Fi access points;
• the leading B2B broadband provider by number of subscribers and revenue;
• the leader in the Free Call service market;
• Rostelecom was ranked the top provider of virtual PBX clients;
• Rostelecom retains indisputable leadership in data centres market;
• The "Wink" video service won the Golden Ray and Big Digit awards in the best OTT service category;
• Rostelecom's contact centres received an ISO international quality certificate;
• Rostelecom built a digital infrastructure for the Marchenkovskaya wind farm;
• Rostelecom is an ESG-ranking leader according to the National Rating Agency.

OPERATING REVIEW

Revenue analysis

Revenue structure by services

RUB million	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	change, y-o-y	H1 2021	H2 2020	change, y-o-y
Mobile	47,907	42,906	12%	94,007	83,870	12%
Broadband	23,811	22,194	7%	47,840	44,187	8%
Digital	17,891	15,014	19%	32,040	27,534	16%
TV services	9,922	9,286	7%	19,871	18,775	6%
Wholesale services	19,199	18,222	5%	37,596	35,993	4%
Interconnect and traffic transit services	4,506	4,476	1%	8,928	8,723	2%
VPN	8,084	7,104	14%	15,638	14,130	11%
Rent of channels	2,439	2,487	(2%)	4,915	4,921	(0%)
Rent and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure	4,170	4,155	0%	8,115	8,219	(1%)
Fixed telephony	12,260	13,674	(10%)	25,001	27,864	(10%)
Other services	7,599	5,983	27%	14,192	10,669	33%
Total	138,589	127,279	9%	270,547	248,892	9%

In the second quarter of 2021, revenue increased year-on-year by 9% to RUB 138.6 billion, as a result of the following factors:

• 12% increase in revenue from mobile services, mainly due to a higher volume of mobile Internet data consumption and standard voice services;
• 19% increase in digital revenues mainly driven by with the development of platform solutions for the digital state and Smart Digital Region projects, the promotion of information security solutions, cloud services and data centre services;
• 7% growth in revenue from broadband services due to a higher number of subscribers, growth in ARPU as well as revenues from Internet connection contracts.

In the first half of 2021, revenue increased by 9% year-on-year to RUB 270.5 billion, as a result of the following factors:

• 12% increase in revenue from mobile services, mainly due to a higher volume of mobile Internet data consumption and standard voice services;
• 16% increase in digital revenues mainly driven by with the development of platform solutions for the digital state, the promotion of information security solutions, cloud services and data centre services;
• 8% growth in revenue from broadband services due to a higher number of subscribers, growth in ARPU as well as revenues from Internet connection contracts.

Operating income analysis

Breakdown of operating expenses

RUB million		2Q 2021		2Q 2020		Change, y-o-y		H1 2021		H2 2020		change, y-o-y
Personnel costs		(32,196)		(32,067)		0%		(66,366)		(64,257)		3%
Depreciation, Amortization and impairment losses of non-current assets		(32,990)		(28,440)		16%		(64,646)		(55,205)		17%
Interconnection charges		(23,463)		(23,520)		(0%)		(47,090)		(44,949)		5%
Materials, repairs and maintenance, utilities		(9,969)		(8,900)		12%		(19,560)		(17,740)		10%
Gain on the disposal of PPE and intangible assets		2,633		946		178%		5,178		2,305		125%
Impairment loss of financial assets measured at amortized cost		(1,382)		(1,303)		6%		(87)		(2,466)		(96%)
Other operating income		4,069		4,655		(13%)		9,271		10,312		(10%)
Other operating expenses		(23,493)		(19,711)		19%		(42,777)		(38,644)		11%
Total operating expenses		(116,791)		(108,340)		8%		(226,077)		(210,644)		7%

In the second quarter of 2021, operating expenses increased by 8% year-on-year, to amount to RUB 116.8 billion, largely due to the following factors:

• 16% increase (of RUB 4.5 bln) in depreciation, amortization and impairment losses for non-current assets, due to an increase in depreciation charges associated with new objects, intangible assets and leases;
• 19% increase (of RUB 3.8 bln) in other operating expenses, due to the deployment of Digital Region projects and expenses relating to the advertising and promotion of the company's services;
• 12% growth (of RUB 1.1 bln) in expenses for materials, repairs and maintenance, partly due to increases in utility bills;
• 178% increase (of RUB 1.7 bln) in gains from the disposal of PPE and intangible assets, mainly due to improving results associated with the disposal of Rostelecom's real estate portfolio. 

Operating expenses for the first half of 2021 increased by 7% year-on-year to RUB 226.1 billion, largely due to the following factors:

• 17% increase (of 9.4 billion rubles) in depreciation charges and impairment losses of non-current assets, due to an increase in depreciation charges for new items of fixed assets, intangible assets and leases;
• 11% increase (of RUB 4.1 billion) in other operating expenses, including due to the deployment of Digital Region projects and expenses relating to the advertising and promotion of the company's services;
• 5% increase (of RUB 2.1 billion) in interconnection charges, due to an increase in direct costs, as well as higher traffic caused by the pandemic and the widespread transition to remote communications;
• 10% increase (of 1.8 billion rubles) in expenses for materials, repairs and maintenance, partly due to an increase in utility bills;
• 125% growth (of RUB 2.9bn) in profit from disposal of PPE and intangible assets, mainly due to improving results associated with the disposal of Rostelecom's real estate portfolio;
• Dynamics of the impairment loss of financial assets measured at amortised cost item (RUB 2.4 billion) as a result of the Company's introduction in Q1 2021 of new provisioning method based on projections of credit losses for certain counterparts or its group.

Operating profit for the second quarter of 2021 increased by 15% year-on-year to RUB 21.8 billion and by 16% to RUB 44.5 billion year-on-year during the first half of 2021.

OIBDA for 2Q 2021 increased by 15% to RUB 55.9 billion, and by 16% to year-on-year during the first half of 2021 to RUB 111.4 billion. OIBDA dynamics were influenced by revenue growth and by the changes in operating expenses cited above.  The OIBDA margin increased by 2.0 p.p. year-on-year to 40.4% during the second quarter of 2021 and was up 2.6 p.p. year-on-year to 41.2% during the first half of 2021. 

Net Income Analysis

Profit before tax increased by 44% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2021 to RUB 14.2 billion, rising by 50% during the first half of the year to RUB 29.3 billion. This was mainly due to the increase in operating profit, a decrease in finance costs and the absence of foreign exchange losses during the reporting period.

Income tax in 2Q 2021 amounted to RUB 3.0 billion, compared to RUB 2.3 billion during the corresponding period of 2020. During 1H 2021, RUB 6.4 billion of income tax was paid, compared to RUB 4.5 billion during the first half of 2020, which is mainly due to changes reported in profit before tax.

Net profit increased by 46% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2021 to RUB 11.2 billion. During the first half of 2021, net profit increased by 52% year-on-year to RUB 23.0 billion.

Financial review

Net operating cash flow for 2Q 2021 increased by 67% year-on-year to RUB 25.4 billion, compared to the corresponding period of 2020. During the first half of 2021, net operating cash flow grew 71% year-on-year to RUB 31.7 billion.

At the end of the second quarter of 2021, cash outflow on investments in non-current assets, excluding state programmes, decreased by 2% to RUB 24.4 billion (17.6% of revenue). Taking into account state programmes, this figure increased by 11% to RUB 30.8 billion (22.2% of revenue). At the end of the first half of 2021, cash outflow on investments in non-current assets, excluding state programs, increased by 11% to RUB 51.6 billion (19.1% of revenue), taking into account state programs, this figure increased by 15% to RUB 61.5 billion (22.7% of revenue).

Free cash flow for 2Q 2021 amounted to RUB 1.1 billion, having improved year-on-year by RUB 10.7 billion. Free cash flow for the first half of 2021 improved by RUB 19.1 billion to reach RUB 3.2 billion. Factors that contributed to higher free cash flow during the second quarter of 2021 include growth in OIBDA, as well as uneven  advance payments and work performed during a calendar year. Including the factors listed above, the improvement in free cash flow during the first half of 2021 was influenced by the lower volumes of accounts payable compared to the corresponding period of 2020

Free Cash Flow (RUB, billion)

As at June 30, 2021, the Group's total debt (including lease liabilities) amounted to RUB 531.0 billion, a slight change compared to the beginning of the year.  100% of the Group's total debt remains rouble-denominated as at June 30th, 2021.

As at June 30, 2021, the Group's net debt (including lease liabilities) amounted to RUB 493.8 billion, an increase of 6% since the beginning of the year. The company's debt burden over the past 12 months has decreased from 2.7x to 2.4x net debt/OIBDA[10] (including lease liabilities).

OTHER INFORMATION: CONFERENCE CALL

Rostelecom's management will hold a conference call and webcast today at 4:00 PM (Moscow), 3:00 PM (CET), 2:00 PM (UK) and 9:00 AM (NYT). To participate in the conference call, please dial:

UK/ International:   +44 203 984 9844

USA:    +1 718 866 4614

Russia:     +7 (495) 283 98 58

Confirmation Code (ENG):  539980

Confirmation Code (RUS):  619022

A webcast of the conference call will only be available in English. To access the webcast please follow the link: https://mm.closir.com/slides?id=539980.

A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website

https://www.company.rt.ru/en/ir/results_and_presentations/financials/IFRS/2021/2/

* * *

APPENDICES

1. Reconciliation of OIBDA;
2. Statement of Comprehensive Income for H1 2021;
3. Statement of Cash Flows for H1 2021;
4. Statement of Financial Position for H1 2021.

APPENDIX 1: RECONCILIATION OF OIBDA

OIBDA is a non-U.S. GAAP and non-IFRS financial measure, which the Company defines as operating income before depreciation and amortisation as well as some certain expenses. We believe that OIBDA provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our business operations, including our ability to finance capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments and our ability to incur and service debt.

The following indicators are not taken into account in the calculation of OIBDA:

• Expenses related to the long-term management incentive programme, implying accruals in personnel costs line;
• Expenses related to non-government pension insurance.

RUB million	2Q 2021	2Q 2020	Change, y-o-y	H1 2021	H2 2020	change, y-o-y
Operating income	21,798	18,939	15%	44,470	38,248	16%
Plus amortisation	(32,990)	(28,440)	16%	(64,646)	(55,205)	17%
Plus expenses related to the long-term management incentive programme	(833)	(1,096)	(24%)	(1,667)	(1,810)	(8%)
Plus expenses related to non-government pension insurance	(317)	(325)	(3%)	(592)	(619)	(5%)
OIBDA	55,938	48,802	15%	111,375	95,882	16%
OIBDA margin, %	40.4%	38.3%		41.2%	38.5%

APPENDIX 2: Statement of Comprehensive Income for H1 2021

		Six-month period ended 30 June (unaudited)
		2021	2020 (restated)
Revenue		270,547	248,892
Operating expenses
Wages, salaries, other benefits and payroll taxes		(66,366)	(64,257)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses		(64,646)	(55,205)
Interconnection charges		(47,090)	(44,949)
Materials, utilities, repairs and maintenance		(19,560)	(17,740)
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets		5,178	2,305
Impairment loss of financial assets measured at amortized cost		(87)	(2,466)
Other operating income		9,271	10,312
Other operating expenses		(42,777)	(38,644)
Total operating expenses, net		(226,077)	(210,644)
Operating profit		44,470	38,248
Share of net (loss)/profit of associates and joint ventures		(108)	309
Finance income		1,013	1,096
Finance costs		(17,860)	(19,359)
Other investing gain, net		1,779	449
Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net		52	(1,121)
Profit before income tax		29,346	19,622
Income tax expense		(6,362)	(4,520)
Profit for the period		22,984	15,102
Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations		35	237
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax		35	237
Total comprehensive income for the period		23,019	15,339
Profit attributable to:
Equity holders of the Group		22,335	14,616
Non-controlling interests		649	486
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity holders of the Group		22,370	14,853
Non-controlling interests		649	486
Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Group - basic (in roubles)		6.67	5.00
Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Group - diluted (in roubles)		6.56	4.96

APPENDIX 3: Statement of Cash Flows for H1 2021

			Six-month period ended 30 June (unaudited)
		2021	2020 (restated)
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax		29,346	19,622
Adjustments to reconcile profit before tax to cash generated from operations
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses		64,646	55,205
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets		(5,178)	(2,305)
Impairment loss of financial assets measured at amortized cost		87	2,466
Share of net (loss)/profit of associates and joint ventures		108	(309)
Finance income		(1,013)	(1,096)
Finance costs excluding finance costs on employee benefit obligations		17,843	19,336
Other investing gain, net		(1,779)	(449)
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss, net		(52)	1,121
Share-based motivation program		1,576	1,813
Increase in accounts receivable and contract assets		(13,614)	(14,419)
Increase in employee benefits		264	398
Increase in inventories		(853)	(923)
Decrease in accounts payable, provisions and accrued expenses		(7,461)	(15,550)
Increase in contract costs, prepayments and other assets		(4,118)	(7,403)
Decrease in other liabilities		(2,106)	(4,130)
Cash generated from operations before income tax and interest paid		77,696	53,377
Interest paid		(17,883)	(17,635)
Income tax refund		42	7
Income tax paid		(5,783)	(4,068)
Net cash from operating activities		54,072	31,681
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets		(61,475)	(53,600)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for sale		5,882	2,977
Acquisition of financial assets		(8,152)	(3,501)
Proceeds from disposals of financial assets		6,361	1,748
Interest received		684	351
Subsidy from Government		4,059	2,667
Dividends received		414	159
Purchase of subsidiaries and business, net of cash acquired		(945)	(114,810)
Distribution received from joint venture		399	-
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed		47	(74)
Acquisition of equity accounted investees		(176)	(25)
Net cash used in investing activities		(52,902)	(164,108)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of share capital		-	66,000
Purchase of treasury shares		(1,404)	-
Proceeds from bank and corporate loans		289,698	501,818
Repayment of bank and corporate loans		(285,855)	(457,976)
Proceeds from bonds		-	40,000
Repayment of bonds		(1,945)	(1,861)
Repayment of vendor financing payable		-	(2)
Proceeds from other non-current financing liabilities		-	(7)
Repayment of lease liabilities		(8,331)	(6,338)
Acquisition of non-controlling interests		-	(20)
Unclaimed dividends to shareholders of the Group		70	-
Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders of subsidiaries		(1,011)	(270)
Net cash (used in) / from financing activities		(8,778)	141,344
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(77)	(357)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(7,685)	8,560
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		31,215	19,955
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		23,530	28,515

APPENDIX 4: Statement of Financial Position for H1 2021

		30 June 2021 (unaudited)	31 December 2020  (restated)
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment		579,121	575,357
Goodwill and other intangible assets		143,393	141,361
Right of use assets		114,170	95,733
Trade and other accounts receivable		6,122	6,317
Investments in associates and joint ventures		10,577	10,896
Other financial assets		796	815
Other non-current assets		15,444	12,975
Deferred tax assets		8,504	8,970
Contract assets		759	972
Contract costs		16,390	16,326
Total non-current assets		895,276	869,722
Current assets
Inventories		11,648	10,792
Contract assets		11,262	6,710
Contract costs		725	674
Trade and other accounts receivable		62,016	50,154
Prepayments		7,785	8,953
Prepaid income tax		1,220	1,377
Other financial assets		13,613	11,482
Other current assets		7,530	7,892
Cash and cash equivalents		23,530	31,215
Asset classified as held for sale		599	831
Total current assets		139,928	130,080
Total assets		1,035,204	999,802
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Group
Share capital		95	95
Treasury shares		(14,722)	(14,374)
Retained earnings and other reserves		200,333	194,425
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Group		185,706	180,146
Non-controlling interests		38,169	37,563
Total equity		223,875	217,709
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings		336,925	372,406
Lease liabilities		105,184	86,392
Employee benefits		6,934	6,670
Deferred tax liabilities		42,624	41,502
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		891	1,580
Contract liabilities		12,936	15,811
Provisions		5,463	5,848
Other financial liabilities		10,926	10,912
Other non-current liabilities		38,440	32,831
Total non-current liabilities		560,323	573,952
Current liabilities
Loans and borrowings		69,937	32,535
Lease liabilities		18,946	17,399
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		98,434	96,022
Income tax payable		1,890	3,023
Contract liabilities		29,220	34,680
Provisions		12,038	9,413
Other financial liabilities		1,263	1,914
Other current liabilities		19,278	13,155
Total current liabilities		251,006	208,141
Total liabilities		811,329	782,093
Total equity and liabilities		1,035,204	999,802

PJSC Rostelecom is the largest integrated digital services and products provider, operating in all segments of the telecommunications market in Russia. The Company serves millions of households, state and private enterprises across the country.

Rostelecom is Russia's undisputed market leader, providing high-speed Internet access and pay-TV. The total number of broadband users stands at over 13.5 mln users, it has more than 10.8 mln pay-TV customers, over 6.3 mln of which are subscribed to Rostelecom's IPTV services. Tele2 Russia, a Rostelecom subsidiary, is a major player in the mobile market with the industry-leading NPS, a customer satisfaction benchmark. The joint mobile subscriber base is over 46.6 mln users.

Rostelecom is a key strategic innovator that provides solutions in the following fields: E-Government, cybersecurity, data-centres and cloud computing, biometry, healthcare, education and housing & utility services.

During the 1H 2021, the Group generated RUB 270.5 bln of revenues, RUB 111.4 bln of OIBDA (41.2% of revenue) and RUB 23.0 bln of net income.

The Group's stable financial position is confirmed by its credit ratings. Rostelecom has been assigned 'BBB-' and 'BB+' international credit ratings by Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's respectively, and AA(RU) by ACRA.

*   *   *

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and intended to be covered by the safe harbours created thereby.

Those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment of PAO Rostelecom's (the Company) future operating and financial results as well as forecasts of the present value of future cash flows and related factors;
• The Company's plans to take ownership stakes in other organisations;
• the Company's anticipated capital expenditures and plans to construct and modernize its network;
• the Company's expectations as to the growth in demand for its services, plans relating to the expansion of the range of its services and their pricing;
• the Company's plans with respect to improving its corporate governance practices;
• the Company's expectations as to its position in the telecommunications market and forecasts on the development of the market segments within which the Company operates;
• economic outlook and industry trends;
• the Company's expectations as to the regulation of the Russian telecommunications industry and assessment of impact of regulatory initiatives on the Company's activity;
• other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include:

• risks relating to changes in political, economic and social conditions in Russia as well as changes in global economic conditions;
• risks relating to Russian legislation, regulation and taxation, including laws, regulations, decrees and decisions governing the Russian telecommunications industry, securities industry as well as currency and exchange controls relating to Russian entities and their official interpretation by regulatory bodies;
• risks relating to the Company, including the achievement of the anticipated results, levels of profitability and growth, ability to create and meet demand for the Company's services including their promotions, and the ability of the Company to remain competitive in a liberalized telecommunications market;
• technological risks associated with the functioning and development of the telecommunications infrastructure, technological innovations as well as the convergence of technologies;
• other risks and uncertainties. For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors, see the Company's Annual Report and the Company's other public filings.

Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Given these and other uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements contained herein or otherwise. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements (which are made as of the date hereof) to reflect events or circumstances upon the annual report publication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable laws.

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[1] Here and below, please refer to Attachment 1 of this statement for a full definition of OIBDA.

[2] Here and below Free Cash Flow (FCF) is calculated as net cash from operating activity minus CAPEX, plus proceeds from selling fixed assets and intangible assets, plus interest received, plus subsidy from government.

[3] Here and below, capital expenditure ("CAPEX") comprises cash spent on fixed assets and intangible assets.

[4] Here and below, Net Debt is calculated as total debt less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (other financial assets).

[5] Here and below, lease liabilities.

[6] Average revenue per user

[7] Blended ARPU includes revenue from one user subscribed to a number of services simultaneously, including broadband, IPTV and digital cable TV

[8] Operator to Operator

[9] One ordinary share and one preferred share

[10] OIBDA for the last 12 months

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ISIN:	US7785291078
Category Code:	IR
TIDM:	RKMD
LEI Code:	2534001D752JPNM0H170
Sequence No.:	119224
EQS News ID:	1224219

End of Announcement	EQS News Service

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