CORRESP 1 filename1.htm

 

 

January 27, 2012

 

Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington D.C. 20549

 

Re:                             Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

Filed March 7, 2011

File No. 0-22828

 

Dear Mr. Spirgel

 

This letter responds to the request for information made by the Staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on our conference call with the Staff on January 24, 2012 regarding the above referenced filing on Form 20-F of Millicom International Cellular S.A. (the “Company” or “Millicom”) and the Millicom response letter dated January 17, 2012.

 

In making these responses, Millicom acknowledges that (i) it is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the SEC from taking action with respect to the filings; and (iii) it may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the SEC or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

 

Please do not hesitate to call me, Francois-Xavier Roger, with any comments and questions.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Francois-Xavier Roger

Chief Financial Officer

 

MILLICOM INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR S.A.

15, rue Léon Laval, L-3372 Leudelange, (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg)

Tel: + 352 27 759 101, Fax : + 352 27 759 359

RC B40630

 



 

Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

 

Note 4.   Acquisitions of Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and Non-Controlling Interests, page F-31.

 

Telefonica Cellular S.A. DE CV (“Celtel”)

 

1.              The Staff has requested written confirmation of Millicom’s intended actions regarding restatement of its 2010 IFRS financial statements related to the recognition of a liability for the put option provided to its local shareholder in Honduras in its July 1, 2010 agreement.

 

Company response:

 

In accordance with IAS 32.23 and 25, the net present value of the redemption amount of the put option has been measured and recognized as a current liability on July 1, 2010 at $737 million and subsequently re-measured at December 31, 2010 at $769 million, with the increase in the liability of $32 million recorded as an expense.

 

Millicom has issued a press release on January 26, 2012 informing the market of the error in the 2010 IFRS financial statements and explaining the revised accounting treatment. The text of the press release is provided in the appendix to this response letter.

 

Millicom will release its 2011 results on February 8, 2012 and management will present restated unaudited consolidated primary statements for the 2010 comparative year on that date.

 

Finally, Millicom will restate its 2010 IFRS financial statements as part of the audited financial statements included in its 2011 20-F which is expected to be filed on March 2, 2012.

 



 

Appendix — Press Release dated January 26, 2012

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Stockholm

 

 

 

 

January 26, 2012

 

MILLICOM INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR S.A.

 

Revised accounting treatment of Honduras transaction

 

Stockholm, January 26, 2012 — Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) (Stockholmsbörsen: MIC) announced today that it is restating its full-year financial statements for 2010 as well as its interim quarterly financial statements for the periods ended September 30, 2010 to September 30, 2011 to reflect a revised accounting treatment of the put option provided to its local partner in the July 1, 2010 Honduras transaction. The amended accounting treatment of the put option and consequent restatements have no effect on reported revenues, EBITDA, operating cash flow, dividends and guidance.

 

On July 1 2010, Millicom reached an agreement with its local partner in Honduras whereby Millicom’s local partner granted Millicom an unconditional call option for a duration of five years for his 33% stake. At the same time, Millicom granted a put option for the same duration to its local partner, exercisable in the event of a change of control of Millicom or the Honduras subsidiary. As a result of the transaction, Millicom started to consolidate fully its subsidiary in Honduras.

 

Following a reassessment of the accounting treatment of the Honduras transaction, Millicom has retroactively recorded a liability for the put option at July 1, 2010 of $737.4m, representing an estimate of the net present value of the redemption amount of the put option at that date in accordance with IAS 32.23 and a corresponding decrease of shareholder’s equity. Millicom has also recorded a financial expense/income for each subsequent reported period to reflect the change in value of the put option liability in accordance with IAS 39. Such financial expense/income has impacted net profit negatively for 2010 by $32m (less than 2% of reported net profit) and positively for the first nine months of 2011 by $50.8m.

 

There is no change to the economic substance of the put option and accordingly to its fair value, which is assessed as not material for each of the restated reporting periods. In addition, this does not impact the full consolidation of Millicom’s Honduras subsidiary from July 1, 2010.

 

Please find attached unaudited restated historical financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 as well as for interim periods from September 30, 2010 to September 30, 2011. Millicom expects to publish audited restated financial statements for 2010 and 2011 on March 2, 2012 in its 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 



 

 

Appendix — Press Release dated January 26, 2012

 

Unaudited Restated Consolidated Income Statements

 

 

 

Year ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

 

 

Dec. 31, 2010*

 

Sept. 30, 2010*

 

Dec. 31, 2010*

 

March 31, 2011*

 

June 30, 2011 *

 

Sept. 30, 2011*

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

3,920,249

 

1,017,733

 

1,068,935

 

1,081,418

 

1,120,107

 

1,150,689

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

(806,226

)

(203,457

)

(218,730

)

(233,879

)

(246,435

)

(256,279

)

Sales and marketing

 

(737,691

)

(192,976

)

(209,997

)

(194,360

)

(205,836

)

(206,151

)

General and administrative expenses

 

(539,595

)

(140,951

)

(143,648

)

(144,143

)

(155,391

)

(165,812

)

Other operating income

 

3,887

 

3,441

 

446

 

220

 

707

 

6,328

 

EBITDA

 

1,840,624

 

483,790

 

497,006

 

509,256

 

513,152

 

528,775

 

Corporate costs

 

(105,651

)

(36,266

)

(29,990

)

(21,798

)

(30,384

)

(26,060

)

Gain (loss) on disposal/Write down of assets, net

 

(16,257

)

2,403

 

(18,374

)

903

 

(828

)

5,002

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(676,986

)

(183,700

)

(167,213

)

(177,731

)

(189,226

)

(186,921

)

Operating profit

 

1,041,730

 

266,227

 

281,429

 

310,630

 

292,714

 

320,796

 

Interest expense

 

(214,810

)

(61,802

)

(63,029

)

(49,059

)

(41,980

)

(47,784

)

Interest and other financial income

 

14,748

 

3,397

 

6,217

 

4,422

 

2,800

 

4,764

 

Revaluation of previously held interest

 

1,060,014

 

1,060,014

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

 

(63,475

)

(83,485

)

49,899

 

44,744

 

(39,270

)

25,814

 

Profit before taxes from continuing operations

 

1,838,207

 

1,184,351

 

274,516

 

310,737

 

214,264

 

303,590

 

Taxes

 

(227,096

)

(59,777

)

(52,153

)

(81,982

)

(57,496

)

166,497

 

Profit before discontinued operations and non-controlling interest

 

1,611,111

 

1,124,574

 

222,363

 

228,755

 

156,768

 

470,087

 

Result from discontinued operations

 

11,857

 

2,530

 

2,942

 

39,465

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

(2,691

)

(2,647

)

(19,309

)

(8,760

)

(16,799

)

(125,485

)

Net profit for the period

 

1,620,277

 

1,124,457

 

205,996

 

259,460

 

139,969

 

344,602

 

Basic earnings per common share (US$)

 

14.97

 

10.37

 

1.93

 

2.45

 

1.33

 

3.32

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding in the period (‘000)

 

108,219

 

108,475

 

106,902

 

105,825

 

104,985

 

103,739

 

Profit for the period used to determine diluted earnings per common share

 

1,620,277

 

1,124,457

 

205,996

 

259,460

 

139,969

 

344,602

 

Diluted earnings per common share (US$)

 

14.95

 

10.35

 

1.92

 

2.45

 

1.33

 

3.32

 

Weighted average number of shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding in the period (‘000)

 

108,396

 

108,666

 

107,046

 

105,943

 

105,089

 

103,837

 

 


* After restatement

 



 

 

Appendix — Press Release dated January 26, 2012

 

Unaudited Restated Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

 

 

September

 

December

 

March

 

June

 

September

 

 

 

30, 2010

 

31, 2010

 

31, 2011

 

30, 2011

 

30, 2011

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

2,272,391

 

2,282,845

 

2,232,176

 

2,199,817

 

2,163,035

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2,786,120

 

2,767,667

 

2,793,937

 

2,798,050

 

2,691,886

 

Investment in associates

 

12,320

 

18,120

 

19,190

 

19,719

 

41,856

 

Pledged deposits

 

51,601

 

49,963

 

52,616

 

53,680

 

51,031

 

Deferred taxation

 

22,416

 

23,959

 

27,164

 

30,579

 

264,119

 

Other non-current assets

 

12,401

 

17,754

 

30,085

 

33,273

 

33,318

 

Total non-current assets

 

5,157,249

 

5,160,308

 

5,155,168

 

5,135,118

 

5,245,245

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

55,081

 

62,132

 

56,173

 

58,145

 

63,390

 

Trade receivables, net

 

251,832

 

253,258

 

249,837

 

263,329

 

268,045

 

Amounts due from joint venture partners

 

68,293

 

99,497

 

129,298

 

151,075

 

47,465

 

Prepayments and accrued income

 

119,934

 

89,477

 

133,989

 

135,426

 

126,843

 

Current tax assets

 

28,345

 

10,748

 

2,233

 

4,884

 

25,442

 

Supplier advances for capital expenditure

 

54,064

 

36,189

 

37,508

 

37,818

 

42,172

 

Other current assets

 

72,935

 

70,736

 

77,504

 

85,886

 

104,050

 

Advances to non controlling interest

 

0

 

6,546

 

10,473

 

19,200

 

32,278

 

Time deposits

 

107

 

3,106

 

1,069

 

1,069

 

2,069

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1,660,021

 

1,023,487

 

1,220,654

 

1,005,071

 

974,498

 

Total current assets

 

2,310,612

 

1,655,176

 

1,918,738

 

1,761,903

 

1,686,252

 

Assets held for sale

 

70,461

 

184,710

 

110,681

 

111,267

 

144,094

 

Total assets

 

7,538,322

 

7,000,194

 

7,184,587

 

7,008,288

 

7,075,591

 

 

 

 

September

 

December

 

March

 

June

 

September

 

 

 

30, 2010 *

 

31, 2010 *

 

31, 2011 *

 

30, 2011 *

 

30, 2011 *

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

Equity and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital and premium (represented by 104,939,217 shares at September 30, 2011)

 

680,931

 

681,559

 

685,704

 

662,527

 

662,100

 

Treasury shares

 

(104,683

)

(300,000

)

(300,000

)

(50,944

)

(248,269

)

Other reserves

 

(65,854

)

(54,685

)

(21,809

)

(40,325

)

(75,034

)

Put option reserve

 

(737,422

)

(737,422

)

(737,422

)

(737,422

)

(737,422

)

Accumulated profits brought forward

 

1,134,354

 

1,134,354

 

2,756,838

 

2,191,986

 

2,192,034

 

Net profit for the period

 

1,414,281

 

1,620,277

 

259,460

 

399,430

 

744,031

 

 

 

2,321,607

 

2,344,083

 

2,642,771

 

2,425,252

 

2,537,440

 

Non-controlling interest

 

11,750

 

45,550

 

53,918

 

61,998

 

189,414

 

Total equity

 

2,333,357

 

2,389,633

 

2,696,689

 

2,487,250

 

2,726,854

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt and financing

 

1,847,924

 

1,796,572

 

1,750,622

 

1,674,094

 

1,674,890

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

105,633

 

18,250

 

19,581

 

26,550

 

20,603

 

Deferred taxation

 

21,296

 

195,919

 

188,758

 

183,977

 

190,519

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

192,208

 

79,767

 

84,394

 

83,665

 

71,933

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

2,167,061

 

2,090,508

 

2,043,355

 

1,968,286

 

1,957,945

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10% Senior Notes

 

465,165

 

 

 

 

 

Debt and other financing

 

674,944

 

555,464

 

587,718

 

649,739

 

535,204

 

Put option liability

 

818,213

 

769,378

 

740,055

 

775,258

 

718,579

 

Capex accruals and payables

 

230,414

 

278,063

 

219,926

 

200,652

 

245,066

 

Other trade payables

 

189,118

 

202,707

 

186,969

 

178,429

 

190,777

 

Amounts due to joint venture partners

 

66,105

 

97,919

 

127,323

 

147,538

 

43,853

 

Accrued interest and other expenses

 

250,135

 

228,360

 

220,188

 

258,209

 

246,759

 

Current tax liabilities

 

80,541

 

79,861

 

108,657

 

53,781

 

100,702

 

Other current liabilities

 

222,690

 

247,534

 

240,973

 

276,642

 

285,875

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,997,325

 

2,459,286

 

2,431,809

 

2,540,248

 

2,366,815

 

Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

 

40,579

 

60,767

 

12,734

 

12,504

 

23,977

 

Total liabilities

 

5,204,965

 

4,610,561

 

4,487,898

 

4,521,038

 

4,348,737

 

Total equity and liabilities

 

7,538,322

 

7,000,194

 

7,184,587

 

7,008,288

 

7,075,591

 

 


* After restatement

 



 

 

Appendix — Press Release dated January 26, 2012

 

Adjustments to Specific Line Items

 

 

 

Year ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

QTR ended

 

 

 

Dec. 31, 2010

 

Sept. 30, 2010

 

Dec. 31, 2010

 

March 31, 2011

 

June 30, 2011

 

Sept. 30, 2011

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

US$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

(31,519

)

(2,694

)

1,064

 

15,421

 

(4,067

)

(30,865

)

Adjustment

 

(31,956

)

(80,791

)

48,835

 

29,323

 

(35,203

)

56,679

 

As adjusted

 

(63,475

)

(83,485

)

49,899

 

44,744

 

(39,270

)

25,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before taxes from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

1,870,163

 

1,265,142

 

225,681

 

281,414

 

249,467

 

246,911

 

Adjustment

 

(31,956

)

(80,791

)

48,835

 

29,323

 

(35,203

)

56,679

 

As adjusted

 

1,838,207

 

1,184,351

 

274,516

 

310,737

 

214,264

 

303,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net profit for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

1,652,233

 

1,205,248

 

157,161

 

230,137

 

175,172

 

287,923

 

Adjustment

 

(31,956

)

(80,791

)

48,835

 

29,323

 

(35,203

)

56,679

 

As adjusted

 

1,620,277

 

1,124,457

 

205,996

 

259,460

 

139,969

 

344,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated profits brought forward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

1,134,354

 

1,134,354

 

1,134,354

 

2,788,794

 

2,223,942

 

2,223,990

 

Adjustment

 

 

 

 

(31,956

)

(31,956

)

(31,956

)

As adjusted

 

1,134,354

 

1,134,354

 

1,134,354

 

2,756,838

 

2,191,986

 

2,192,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

3,159,011

 

3,151,570

 

3,159,011

 

3,436,744

 

3,262,507

 

3,445,433

 

Adjustment

 

(769,378

)

(818,213

)

(769,378

)

(740,055

)

(775,257

)

(718,579

)

As adjusted

 

2,389,633

 

2,333,357

 

2,389,633

 

2,696,689

 

2,487,250

 

2,726,854

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

1,689,908

 

2,179,112

 

1,689,908

 

1,691,754

 

1,764,991

 

1,648,236

 

Adjustment

 

769,378

 

818,213

 

769,378

 

740,055

 

775,257

 

718,579

 

As adjusted

 

2,459,286

 

2,997,325

 

2,459,286

 

2,431,809

 

2,540,248

 

2,366,815