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Maroc Telecom Interim / Quarterly Report 2016

Jul 25, 2016

9965_iss_2016-07-25_845d1756-f740-43a6-a7e5-82a205ded550.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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Maroc Telecom

PRESS RELEASE

Rabat, July 25, 2016

H1 2016 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Highlights

  • Continuing growth in consolidated revenues, up 6.1%;
  • Group share of Net income up 3.2%;
  • Strong growth of revenues of African subsidiaries (+17%) which offset the decline in Morocco Mobile;
  • Confirmation of return to revenue growth in Morocco (+2.4% in the second quarter);
  • Continuing strong growth of the Fixed-line segment in Morocco: revenues are up 4.1% due to the spread of High Speed and Very High Speed offers;
  • Accelerated deployment of 4G+ network which covers 138 areas and more than 70% of the Moroccan population in 1 year, exceeding 2020 target of 75%;
  • Successful merger of Gabon Télécom and Atlantique Telecom Gabon.

2016 Outlook maintained, at constant scope and exchange rates:

  • Stable revenues;
  • Slight decline in EBITDA;
  • CAPEX approximately 20% of revenues, excluding frequencies and licenses.

On the occasion of this press release publication, Mr. Abdeslam Ahizoune, Chairman of the Management Board, stated:

"The performance in the first half of the year shows the relevance of the strategic choices of the Maroc Telecom Group in terms of its international diversification investment policies; the African subsidiaries are in strong growth and contribute more and more to the group's results. Even in Morocco, revenues growth is confirmed.

To consolidate its leadership, and anticipate its customers' expectations, the Group continues its important program of investment specifically in ultra-high-speed Mobile and Fixed Line services and network quality. The Cost-optimization remains as in previous years a corporate priority."


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GROUP CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

IFRS in MAD million H1-2015 H1-2016 Change Change like-for-like basis^{(1)}
Revenues 16,583 17,593 +6.1% +3.8%
EBITDA 8,413 8,525 +1.3% +0,7%
Margin (%) 50.7% 48.5% -2.3 pts -1.5 pt
EBITA 5,351 5,603 +4.7% +5.0%
Margin (%) 32.3% 31.9% -0,4 pt +0.4 pt
Group share of net income 2,827 2,918 +3.2% -
Margin (%) 17.0% 16.6% -0.5 pt -
CAPEX^{2} 2,716 3,775 +39.0% -
o/w frequencies & licenses 910 888 - -
CAPEX /REV.(excl. frequencies & licenses) 10.9% 16.4% +5.5 pts -
CFFO 4,706 5,524 +17.4% -
Net debt 15,125 15,776 +4.3% -
Net debt / EBITDA 0.9x 0.9x - -

Customer base

As of June 30, 2016, the Group had more than 53 million customers, a 4.4% increase year-on-year, driven by a significant rise in the subsidiaries' customer numbers at (+6.3%) and in Morocco (+1.5%).

Revenues

For the period ending June 30, 2016, Maroc Telecom Group had consolidated revenues(3) of MAD 17,593 million, up 6.1% versus the same period the previous year. On a like-for-like basis(1) revenues were up 3.8%, driven by growth in international activities whose revenues increased by 17.1% (+10.9% on a like-for-like basis) and by a 1.7% growth in revenues in Morocco.

Earnings from operations before depreciation and amortization

For the period ending June 30, 2016, Maroc Telecom Group earnings from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled MAD 8,525 million, up by 1.3% (+0.7% on a like-for-like basis). This like-for-like change reflects a 1.9% decline in EBITDA in Morocco, offset by a 6.1% increase in EBITDA from international activities.

Despite the dilutive impact resulting from the consolidation of the new African subsidiaries, Group EBITDA margin remains high at 48.5%, down 2.3 points versus the same period the previous year (-1.5 point on a like-for-like basis).


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► Earnings from operations

For the period ending June 30, 2016, Maroc Telecom Group consolidated earnings from operations⁽⁴⁾ (EBITA) amounted to MAD 5,603 million, up 4.7% versus the same period the previous year (+5.0% on a like-for-like basis). The growth in EBITDA and the capital gain of MAD 297 million following the disposal of a real estate asset more than offset a 2.3% increase in depreciation charges on a like-for-like basis.

► Group share of net income

For the period ending June 30, 2016, the Group share of net income amounted to MAD 2,918 million, up 3.2% versus the same period of previous year, thanks to the growth in income from international activities which mainly benefitted from a capital gain from the disposal of a real estate asset.

► Cash flow

In the first half of 2016, cash flow from operations (CFFO⁽⁵⁾) was up 17.4% versus the same period of the previous year, to MAD 5,524 million, mainly reflecting a 24% improvement in CFFO in Morocco, which benefitted from a favorable comparison effect due to the payment in April 2015 of MAD 910 million for the 4G license in Morocco.

At the end of June 2016, Maroc Telecom Group consolidated net debt⁽⁶⁾ was MAD 16 billion, up only slightly by 4.3% thanks to the strong cash generation of all its activities, which funded the payment of 6.6 billion in dividends to all Group shareholders.

► 2016 Outlook maintained, at constant scope and exchange rates

On the basis of the recent changes in the market, and to the extent that no new major exceptional event impacts the Group's business, Maroc Telecom is maintaining its forecasts for 2016:

  • Stable revenues;
  • Slight decline in EBITDA;
  • CAPEX approximately 20% of revenues, excluding frequencies and licenses.

REVIEW OF GROUP ACTIVITIES

  • Morocco
IFRS in MAD million H1-2015 H1-2016 Change
Revenues 10,442 10,615 +1.7%
Mobile 7,157 6,934 -3.1%
Services 7,074 6,735 -4.8%
Equipment 83 199 +138.7%
Fixed-line 4,294 4,471 +4.1%
o/w fixed-line data* 1,111 1,197 +7.7%
Elimination -1,009 -790
EBITDA 5,781 5,670 -1.9%
Margin (%) 55.4% 53.4% -1.9 pts
EBITA 3,961 3,824 -3.5%
Margin (%) 37.9% 36.0% -1.9 pts
CAPEX 1,993 1,552 -22.1%
o/w frequencies & licenses 910 - -
CAPEX /REV.(excl. frequencies & licenses) 10.4% 14.6% +4.2 pts
CFFO 2,749 3,408 +24.0%

*Fixed-line data includes Internet, ADSL TV, and Data services to businesses

Revenues from activities in Morocco was growing since the beginning of the year (+1.7% vs. -0.5% in 2015) and amounted to MAD 10,615 million with the 4.1% increase in revenue from Fixed-Line and Internet offsetting the decline in Mobile revenue (-3.1% versus the first half of 2015).

Earnings from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were MAD 5,670 million, down 1.9% versus the same period the previous year, reflecting the increase in charges for interconnection to other operators, and operating costs. The EBITDA margin was down 1.9 pts, to 53.4%.

Earnings from operations (EBITA) declined 3.5%, to MAD 3,824 million mainly due to the decline in EBITDA. The EBITA margin was down 1.9 pts, to 36.0%.

In the first half of 2016, cash flow from operations in Morocco was up 24% to MAD 3,408 million due to a favorable comparison effect, coming from the outflow in April 2015 of MAD 910 million for the 4G license.

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Mobile

Unit H1-2015 H1-2016 Change
Mobile
Customer base^{(7)} (000) 18,080 18,179 0.5%
Prepaid (000) 16,519 16,466 -0.3%
Postpaid (000) 1,561 1,713 +9.7%
o/w Internet 3G/4G+ (000) 5,448 6,944 +27.5%
ARPU^{(8)} (MAD/month) 63.5 60.1 -5.4%
Data as % of ARPU^{(9)} (%) 18.8% 22.4% +3.6 pts

As of June 30, 2016, the Mobile customer base(7) was 18.2 million customers, up 0.5% year-on-year, driven by a 9.7% growth in postpaid, and by continuing customer interest in 3G/4G+(10) data services with a nearly 28% increase in users. The number of prepaid customers declined slightly by 0.3%.

Mobile revenues were down 3.1%, to MAD 6,934 million, in a still-difficult competitive environment, and reflecting the decline in price and international incoming traffic. Revenue from Mobile services fell by 4.8%, reflecting the 23% drop in prices not offset by the 14% increase in usage.

Blended ARPU(8) was MAD 60.1 for the first six months of 2016, down 5.4% versus the same period of the previous year.

The Data services contribution to mobile revenues continues to grow. They represented more than 22% of ARPU for the first six months of 2016, up 3.6 points year-on-year.


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Fixed-line and Internet

Unit H1-2015 H1-2016 Change
Fixed-line
Fixed lines (000) 1,543 1,617 +4.8%
Broadband access(1) (000) 1,068 1,197 +12.0%

The Fixed-line subscribers' base increased by 4.8% year-on-year, to 1.617 million lines, driven by the Residential segment (+8.1%) and Business segment (+1.5).

The ADSL subscribers' base continues to grow strongly (+12.0% year on year), to nearly 1.2 million subscribers, reflecting the success of Double Play plans.

Fixed-line and Internet continue their solid growth with MAD 4,471 million in revenues, up 4.1% versus the same period of the previous year, sustained by the continuing surge in demand for Data services whose revenues grew by 7.7%.

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  • International

Financial indicators

Since January 26, 2015, the acquisition completion date, international activities include the new African operators in Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Gabon, Niger and Central African Republic, as well as Prestige Telecom which provides IT services to those entities.

IFRS in MAD million H1-2015 H1-2016 Change Change like-for-like basis(1)
Revenues 6,556 7,678 +17.1% +10.9%
o/w Mobile Services 5,836 6,897 +18.2% +11.6%
EBITDA 2,632 2,855 +8.5% +6.1%
Margin (%) 40.1% 37.2% -3.0 pts -1.7 pts
EBITA 1,391 1,780 +28.0% +28.9%
Margin (%) 21.2% 23.2% +2.0 pts +3.8 pts
CAPEX 723 2,223 207,4% -
o/w frequencies & licenses 888 - -
CAPEX /REV.(excl. frequencies & licenses) 11.0% 17.4% +6.4 pts -
CFFO 1,957 2,116 +8.1% -

In the first half of 2016, the Group's international activities recorded revenues of MAD 7,678 million, up 17.1% (+10.9% on a like-for-like basis). Revenue growth at the newly acquired subsidiaries continued (+15.8% on a like-for-like basis) with noteworthy performance in Ivory Coast and Niger, while that of the historical subsidiaries remained sustained (+8.5% at constant exchange rates(12)), especially in Gabon.

During the same period, earnings from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to MAD 2,855 million, up 8.5% (+6,1% on a like-for-like basis) despite changes in allocation of technical support costs between Maroc Telecom and its subsidiaries. Excluding this item, EBITDA from international activities was up 12.2% and the margin up 0.5 points on a like-for-like basis year-on-year, the increase in revenues and the improvement in gross margin more than offsetting the increase in operating costs resulting mainly from higher taxes and regulatory fees, especially in Benin.

Earnings from operations amounted to MAD 1,780 million, up 28.0% (+28.9% on a like-for-like basis) reflecting the increase in EBITDA, and the capital gain realized on the disposal of a real estate asset (MAD 297 million). Excluding this non-recurring item and the change in how technical support costs are allocated between Maroc Telecom and its subsidiaries, EBITA was up 18.7% and the operating margin was 21.7%, up 1.4 points on a comparable basis.

Cash flow (CFFO) from international operations was up 8.1% versus the same period of the previous year, to MAD 2,116 million with the increase in EBITDA and the real estate sale largely offsetting the increase in capital investment aimed at supporting business growth. It should be noted that in the first half of 2016, Maroc Telecom obtained the extension of its


2G license in Togo to a 3G license, at a cost of MAD 61 million and completed the acquisition of its global license in Ivory Coast for a 17-year period for a total amount of MAD 1.6 billion, half of which had been paid and recognized in the fourth quarter of 2015, the rest being payable over 3 years.

Operational indicators

Unit H1-2015 H1-2016 Change
Mobile
Customer base (1) (000)
Mauritania 2,133 2,150 +0.8%
Burkina Faso 6,381 7,056 +10.6%
Gabon Télécom 1,038 1,215 +17.1%
Mali 9,554 8,091 -15.3%
Ivory Coast 4,431 5,646 +27.4%
Benin 2,996 3,614 +20.6%
Togo 2,008 2,184 +8.7%
Moov Gabon 421 452 +7.3%
Niger 647 1,087 +68.1%
Central African Republic 143 152 +6.9%
Fixed-line
Customer base (000)
Mauritania 44 47 +6.0%
Burkina Faso 79 76 -3.8%
Gabon Télécom 18 19 +7.9%
Mali 134 142 +5.7%
Broadband Access
Customer base (11) (000)
Mauritania 9 11 +21.5%
Burkina Faso 15 14 -7.8%
Gabon Télécom 10 13 +24.0%
Mali 56 59 +4.7%

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Notes:

(1) The like-for-like basis figures show the effects of the consolidation of the 6 new African operators as if they had been consolidated on January 1, 2015, and the figures maintained at a constant MAD/Ouguiya/CFA Franc exchange rates.

(2) CAPEX corresponds to acquisitions of tangible and intangible assets recorded over the period.

(3) Maroc Telecom consolidates the following companies in its financial statements, Mauritel, Onatel, Gabon Télécom, Sotelma and Casanet as well as the new African subsidiaries (Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Gabon, Niger, Central African Republic and Prestige Telecom which provides IT services to them) since their acquisition on January 26, 2015.

(4) EBITA corresponds to operating income before amortization of intangible assets related to the business combinations, depreciations of goodwill and other intangible assets related to business combinations and other products and charges related to financial investment operations and transactions with shareholders (except when they are directly recognized in equity).

(5) CFFO includes net cash flow from operating activities before tax, as presented in the cash flow statement, as well as dividends received from equity affiliates and non-consolidated equity investments. It also includes net industrial investments, which correspond to the net cash outflows related to the acquisitions and disposals of tangible and intangible assets.

(6) Borrowings and other current and noncurrent liabilities less cash and cash equivalents, including cash held in escrow for bank loans.

(7) The active customer base consists of prepaid customers who have made or received a voice call (excluding calls from the operators or its customer service centers) or have made an SMS/MMS or used Data services (excluding technical data exchanges with the operators network) during the past three months, and postpaid customers who have not terminated their agreements.

(8) ARPU is defined as revenue, (generated by incoming and outgoing calls and data services) net promotions, excluding roaming and equipment sales, divided by the average customer base over the period. It corresponds to the blended ARPU of the prepaid and postpaid segments.

(9) Mobile Data revenues include revenue from all non-voice services (SMS, MMS, mobile Internet, etc.) including the promotion of Mobile and SMS included in all postpaid packages and Maroc Telecom's Jawal Pass.

(10) The active Mobile 3G et 4G+ Internet customer base includes holders of a postpaid subscription contract (coupled or not with a voice offer) and holders of a Prepaid Internet service subscription who made at least one top-up during the last three months or whose credit is valid and who used the service during that period.

(11) The Broadband customer base includes ADSL access and leased connections in Morocco and also includes the CDMA customer base for the historical subsidiaries.

(12) Maintenance of a constant MAD/Ouguiya/CFA Franc exchange rate.

Disclaimer:

Forward-looking statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to Maroc Telecom's financial position, operating results, strategy and outlook as well as the impacts of certain operations. Although Maroc Telecom believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are not guarantees of the company's future performance. Actual results may be vary significantly from the forward-looking statements due known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including the risks described in public documents filed by Maroc Telecom with Moroccan securities regulator (www.ammc.ma) and the Financial Markets Authority (www.amf-france.org), also available in French on our site ((www.iam.ma). This press release contains forward-looking information that cannot be assessed on the day of its broadcast. Maroc Telecom makes no commitment to complete, update or modify such forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future event or for any other reason, subject to applicable regulations including articles III.2.31 et seq. of the circular of the Moroccan securities regulator and 223-1 et seq. of the general regulations of the Financial Markets Authority.

Maroc Telecom is a global telecommunications operator in Morocco, leader in all its business segments including Fixed, Mobile and Internet. It has grown internationally and is now operating in ten countries in Africa. Maroc Telecom is listed simultaneously in Casablanca and in Paris and its shareholders are the Société de Participation dans les Télécommunications (SPT)* (53%) and the Kingdom of Morocco (30%).

  • SPT is a Moroccan law corporation controlled by Etisalat.

Contacts

| Investor relations [email protected] | Press relations [email protected] | | --- | --- |


Consolidated financial statement

ASSETS (in MAD million) 12/31/2015* 06/30/2016
Goodwill 8,440 8,505
Other intangible assets 7,123 7,760
Property, plant, and equipment 29,339 28,985
Non-current financial assets 329 320
Deferred tax assets 429 502
Non-current assets 45,660 46,071
Inventories 375 419
Trade receivables and other 11,192 11,933
Short-term financial assets 126 121
Cash and cash equivalents 3,082 2,541
Assets held for sale 113 54
Current assets 14,889 15,068
TOTAL ASSETS 60,549 61,139
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES (in MAD million) 12/31/2015* 06/30/2016
--- --- ---
Share capital 5,275 5,275
Retained earnings 4,474 4,771
Consolidated income for the financial year 5,595 2,918
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 15,344 12,963
Non-controlling interest 4,360 3,425
Total shareholders' equity 19,704 16,389
Non-current provisions 535 564
Borrowings and other long-term financial liabilities 6,039 4,738
Deferred tax liabilities 282 246
Other non-current liabilities 0 0
Non-current liabilities 6,855 5,547
Trade payables 22,827 24,122
Current tax liabilities 714 736
Current provisions 834 718
Borrowings and other short-term financial liabilities 9,615 13,627
Current liabilities 33,990 39,203
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 60,549 61,139
  • In accordance with IFRS 3, the financial statements presented on 31 December 2015 (Goodwill and trade payables) have been restated to reflect the final allocation of Moov subsidiaries' purchase price.

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Comprehensive income statement

(In MAD million) 06/30/2015 06/30/2016
Revenues 16,583 17,593
Cost of sales -2,943 -3,046
Payroll costs -1,620 -1,655
Taxes and duties -1,076 -1,434
Other operating incomes and expenses -2,490 -2,662
Net depreciation, amortization, and provisions -3,103 -3,193
Earnings from operations 5,352 5,603
Other income and expense from ordinary activities -18 -24
Earnings from continuing operations 5,333 5,580
Income from cash and cash equivalents 9 5
Gross borrowing costs -178 -157
Net borrowing costs -169 -152
Other financial incomes and expenses -147 -51
Net financial incomes and expenses -316 -203
Income tax -1,724 -1,894
Net income 3,294 3,483
Translation gain or loss from foreign activities -93 -70
Total comprehensive income for the period 3,201 3,412
Net Income 3,294 3,483
Attributable to equity holders of the parent 2,827 2,918
Non-controlling interests 467 565
Earnings per share 06/30/2015 06/30/2016
--- --- ---
Net income – Share of the Group (in MAD million) 2,827 2,918
Number of shares as at Jun 30 879,095,340 879,095,340
Earnings per share (in MAD) 3.2 3.3
Diluted earnings per share (in MAD) 3.2 3.3

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Consolidated cash flow statement

(In MAD million) 06/30/2015 06/30/2016
Earnings from operations 5,352 5,603
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash movements 3,101 2,880
Gross cash from operating activities 8,453 8,483
Other components in the net change in working capital -203 -405
Net cash flow from operating activities before tax 8,250 8,078
Income tax paid -1,644 -1,935
Net cash from operating activities (a) 6,606 6,143
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets -3,554 -2,986
Increase in financial investments -1,729 -1,235
Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 1 413
Decrease in financial investments 4 13
Dividend income received from non-consolidated investments 3 1
Net cash used in investing activities (b) -5,274 -3,795
Changes in equity 0 0
Dividends paid to shareholders -5,793 -5,338
Dividends paid to minority shareholders by subsidiaries -748 -1,296
Change in Equity (c) -6,541 -6,634
Proceeds from borrowings and increase in other long-term financial liabilities 1,341 50
Payments on borrowings and decrease in other long-term financial liabilities 0 0
Change in short-term financial liabilities 4,608 3,653
Net interest paid (cash only) -172 24
Other cash income or expense used in financing activities -154 -94
Changes in borrowings and other financial liabilities (d) 5,622 3,633
Net cash used in financing activities (e) = (c)+(d) -919 -3,001
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (f) -21 111
Total cash flows (a)+(b)+(e)+(f) 392 -541
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of the period 1,259 3,082
Cash and cash equivalents - End of the period 1,652 2,541

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