Earnings Release • May 5, 2022
Earnings Release
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Luxembourg, 5 May 2022 -- SES S.A. announces financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2022.
Solid performance delivering revenue of €448 million and Adjusted EBITDA(1) of €274 million
On track to deliver robust 2022 Revenue and EBITDA and drive long-term value from differentiated growth investments
Steve Collar, CEO of SES, commented: "We have made a solid start to 2022 with a strong financial performance supporting the delivery of our full year 2022 outlook and further execution on our key strategic goals.
Our Video business continues to deliver long-term value for customers as demonstrated by the most recent deal announced with longterm partner Sky UK, valued at around €85 million. We have continued to see customers transitioning from SD to HD in the quarter and achieved year-on-year growth of HD+ in Germany. Our Networks business has performed well, on the back of strong growth in Mobility and an encouraging volume of wins across Government and Fixed Data that support our expected uptick in growth.
Looking to our future growth drivers, SES-17 has now reached its orbital location and will begin commercial services from mid-June 2022. O3b mPOWER is also progressing well with an increased launch cadence accommodated within our existing CapEx envelope. Commercial momentum continues to build for these assets with combined gross backlog up 20% year-on-year.
We are excited by the pending acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions, announced in March 2022, doubling our US Government business, and enabling us to serve US government customers with an expanded set of connectivity solutions, leveraging our unique multiorbit fleet, and in particular the arrival of O3b mPOWER.
Finally, we are progressing well towards completing the second phase of US C-band clearing by end-2023 and triggering the remaining accelerated relocation payment of \$3 billion (pre-tax), while creating a further \$170 million in value for SES through our additional clearing agreement with Verizon."
1 Excluding operating expenses/income recognised in relation to US C-band repurposing and other significant special items (disclosed separately)
2 Underlying revenue (at constant FX which refers to comparative figures restated to neutralise currency variations), excluding periodic and other revenue (disclosed separately) that are not directly related to or otherwise distort the underlying business trends 3 Financial outlook assumes a €/\$ FX rate of €1 = \$1.13, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule
4 Gross backlog over \$910 million (fully protected: \$675 million)
5 Subject to completion of regulatory approvals (expected to be completed during H2 2022)
SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (APM) to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position.
| €million | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | ∆ as reported | ∆ at constant FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average €/\$ FX rate | 1.12 | 1.22 | ||
| Revenue | 448 | 436 | +2.6% | -1.6% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 274 | 268 | +2.4% | -1.5% |
| Adjusted Net Profit | 88 | 75 | +17.3% | n/a |
| Adjusted Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA | 3.1x | 3.1x | n/a | n/a |
| Q1 2022 | Revenue (€ million) as reported | Change (YOY) at constant FX |
|---|---|---|
| Average €/\$ FX rate | 1.12 | |
| Video (total) | 261 | -2.6% |
| - Video (underlying) | 251 | -6.4% |
| - Periodic | 10 | n/m |
| Government (underlying) | 71 | -5.7% |
| Fixed Data (underlying) | 58 | -2.4% |
| Mobility (underlying) | 57 | +9.9% |
| Networks (total) | 186 | -0.3% |
| - Networks (underlying) | 186 | -0.3% |
| Sub-total | 447 | -1.7% |
| - Underlying | 437 | -3.9% |
| Other | 1 | n/m |
| Group Total | 448 | -1.6% |
"At constant FX" refers to comparative figures restated at the current period FX to neutralise currency variations. "Underlying" revenue represents the core business of capacity sales, as well as associated services and equipment. This revenue may be impacted by changes in launch schedule and satellite health status. "Periodic" revenue separates revenues that are not directly related to or would distort the underlying business trends on a quarterly basis. Periodic revenue includes: the outright sale of transponders or transponder equivalents; accelerated revenue from hosted payloads during construction; termination fees; insurance proceeds; certain interim satellite missions, and other such items when material. "Other" includes revenue not directly applicable to Video or Networks
| Satellite | Region | Application | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SES-22 | North America | Video (US C-band accelerated clearing) | Q2 2022 |
| O3b mPOWER (satellites 1-2) | Global | Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | Q3 2022 |
| O3b mPOWER (satellites 3-4) | Global | Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | Q3 2022 |
| O3b mPOWER (satellites 5-6) | Global | Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | Q3 2022 |
| SES-20 & SES-21 | North America | Video (US C-band accelerated clearing) | Q3 2022 |
| SES-18 & SES-19 | North America | Video (US C-band accelerated clearing) | Q4 2022 |
| O3b mPOWER (satellites 7-9) | Global | Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | Q4 2022 |
| O3b mPOWER (satellites 10-11) | Global | Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | 2024 |
| ASTRA 1P | Europe | Video | 2024 |
| ASTRA 1Q | Europe | Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | 2024 |
| SES-26 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East | Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government | 2024 |
| € million | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Average €/\$ FX rate | 1.12 | 1.22 |
| Revenue | 448 | 436 |
| US C-band repurposing income | 2 | 27 |
| Operating expenses | (184) | (203) |
| EBITDA | 266 | 260 |
| Depreciation expense | (147) | (140) |
| Amortisation expense | (12) | (19) |
| Operating profit | 107 | 101 |
| Net financing costs | (16) | (26) |
| Profit before tax | 91 | 75 |
| Income tax expense | (9) | (8) |
| Non-controlling interests | - | 2 |
| Net profit attributable to owners of the parent | 82 | 69 |
| Basic earnings per A-share (in €)(1) | 0.17 | 0.13 |
| Basic earnings per B-share (in €)(1) | 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Diluted earnings per A-share (in €)(1) | 0.16 | 0.13 |
| Diluted earnings per B-share (in €)(1) | 0.07 | 0.05 |
1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjuste d to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the assumed coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds.
| € million | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | 274 | 268 |
| US C-band reimbursement income | 2 | 27 |
| US C-band operating expenses | (9) | (34) |
| Other significant special items | (1) | (1) |
| EBITDA | 266 | 260 |
| € million | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted Net Profit | 88 | 75 |
| US C-band reimbursement income | 2 | 27 |
| US C-band operating expenses | (9) | (34) |
| Other significant special items | (1) | (1) |
| Tax impact | 2 | 2 |
| Net profit attributable to owners of the parent | 82 | 69 |
| € million | Q1 2021 | Q2 2021 | Q3 2021 | Q4 2021 | Q1 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average €/\$ FX rate | 1.22 | 1.20 | 1.19 | 1.15 | 1.12 |
| Revenue | 436 | 439 | 444 | 463 | 448 |
| US C-band repurposing income | 27 | 20 | 10 | 844 | 2 |
| Operating expenses | (203) | (193) | (182) | (243) | (184) |
| EBITDA | 260 | 266 | 272 | 1,064 | 266 |
| Depreciation expense | (140) | (143) | (143) | (149) | (147) |
| Amortisation expense | (19) | (29) | (24) | (23) | (12) |
| Impairment expense | - | - | - | (724) | - |
| Operating profit | 101 | 94 | 105 | 168 | 107 |
| Net financing costs | (26) | (18) | (23) | (4) | (16) |
| Profit before tax | 75 | 76 | 82 | 164 | 91 |
| Income tax benefit/(expense) | (8) | (8) | (14) | 79 | (9) |
| Non-controlling interests | 2 | - | - | 5 | - |
| Net Profit | 69 | 68 | 68 | 248 | 82 |
| Basic earnings per share (in €)(1) | |||||
| Class A shares | 0.13 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.53 | 0.17 |
| Class B shares | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.07 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 268 | 276 | 279 | 268 | 274 |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 61% | 63% | 63% | 58% | 61% |
| US C-band repurposing income | 27 | 20 | 10 | 844 | 2 |
| US C-band operating expenses | (34) | (25) | (16) | (47) | (9) |
| Other significant special items | (1) | (5) | (1) | (1) | (1) |
| EBITDA | 260 | 266 | 272 | 1,064 | 266 |
1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjusted to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attribu table to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds. Fully diluted earnings per share are not significantly different from basic earnings per share.
| € million | Q1 2021 | Q2 2021 | Q3 2021 | Q4 2021 | Q1 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average €/\$ FX rate | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 |
| Revenue | 454 | 452 | 455 | 468 | 446 |
| US C-band repurposing income | 29 | 21 | 11 | 861 | 2 |
| Operating expenses | (213) | (199) | (187) | (246) | (182) |
| EBITDA | 270 | 274 | 279 | 1,083 | 266 |
| Depreciation expense | (149) | (150) | (149) | (154) | (147) |
| Amortisation expense | (19) | (30) | (23) | (23) | (12) |
| Impairment expense | - | - | - | (739) | - |
| Operating profit | 102 | 94 | 107 | 167 | 107 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 278 | 285 | 286 | 271 | 274 |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 61% | 63% | 63% | 58% | 61% |
| US C-band repurposing income | 29 | 21 | 11 | 861 | 2 |
| US C-band operating expenses | (36) | (27) | (17) | (48) | (9) |
| Other significant special items | (1) | (5) | (1) | (1) | (1) |
| EBITDA | 270 | 274 | 279 | 1,083 | 266 |

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures ('APM') to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measurements under IFRS or any other body of generally accepted accounting principles, and thus should not be considered substitutes for the information contained in the Group's financial statements.
| Alternative Performance Measure | Definition | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported EBITDA and EBITDA margin | EBITDA is profit for the period before depreciation, amortisation, net financing cost and income tax. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by revenue. |
|||
| Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin | EBITDA adjusted to exclude significant special items. In 2021 and 2022, the primary exceptional items are the net impact of the repurposing of US C-band spectrum, restructuring charges, and costs associated with the acquisition and integration of new subsidiaries. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. |
|||
| Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, represents the ratio of Net Debt plus 50% of the group's hybrid bonds (per the rating agency methodology) divided by the last 12 months' (rolling) Adjusted EBITDA. |
|||
| Adjusted Net Profit | Net profit attributable to owners of the parent adjusted to exclude the After tax impact of significant special items. |
Richard Whiteing Suzanne Ong Investor Relations External Communications Tel: +352 710 725 261 Tel: +352 710 725 500 [email protected] [email protected]
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A presentation of the results for investors and analysts will be hosted at 9.30 CEST on 5 May 2022 and will be broadcast via webcast and conference call. The details for the conference call and webcast are as follows:
U.K. (Standard International Access): +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 France: +33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66 Germany: +49 (0) 30 3001 90612 NL: +31 (0) 20 708 5073 U.S.A.: +1 212 999 6659
Confirmation code: SES
Webcast registration: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/ses/20220505\_1/
The presentation is available for download from https://www.ses.com/investors/financial-results and a replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content an d providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially proven, low latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries 8,400 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 366 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.
This presentation does not, in any jurisdiction, including without limitation in the U.S., constitute or form part of, and sh ould not be construed as, any offer for sale of, or solicitation of any offer to buy, or any investment advice in connection with, any securities of SES, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever.
No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made by SES, its directors, officers or advisors, or any other person, as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation, and any reliance you place on them will be at your sole risk. Without prejudice to the foregoing, none of SES, or its directors, officers or advisors accept any liability whatsoever for any loss however arising, directly or indirectly, from use of this presentation or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
This presentation includes "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation, including without limitation those regarding SES's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to SES products and services), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of SES to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding SES and its subsidiaries and affiliates, present and future business strategies, and the environment in which SES will operate in the future, and such assumptions may or may not prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this presentation. Forward-looking statements contained in this presentation regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will occur or continue in the future. SES, and its directors, officers and advisors do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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