EX-99.1 2 a17-26459_3ex99d1.htm EX-1

Exhibit 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Market Cap P$112.7 billion

 

November 10th, 2017

Contacts:

 

Pedro Insussarry

 

Solange Barthe Dennin

 

(54 11) 4968-3743/3752

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

announces consolidated nine month period (‘9M17’) and third quarter results for fiscal year 2017 (‘3Q17’)*

 

§

Consolidated Revenues amounted to P$47,263 million (+21.8% vs. 9M16); Service Revenues reached P$41,646 million (+26.7% vs. 9M16); Fixed Voice Services and Internet Services +41.4% and +29.2% vs. 9M16, respectively; and Mobile Services in Argentina +24.5% vs. 9M16.

§

Mobile subscribers in Argentina: 19.0 million in 9M17.

§

Mobile Internet in Argentina +64.8% vs. 9M16; 48.9% of Service Revenues.

§

Mobile ARPU in Argentina increased to P$139.0 per month in 9M17 (+28.4% vs. 9M16).

§

ADSL ARPU raised to P$350.1 per month in 9M17 (+34.4% vs. 9M16); monthly churn reached 1.4% in 9M17.

§

Consolidated Operating costs -including D&A and disposals and impairment of PP&E- totaled P$38,306 million (+14.9% vs. 9M16).

§

Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization (‘EBITDA’) reached P$14,246 million (+39.5% vs. 9M16), 30.1% of consolidated revenues.

§

Net Income amounted to P$5,695 million (+128.3% vs. 9M16). Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$5,641 million (+128.3% vs. 9M16), influenced by the growth in EBITDA and better financial results.

§

Capex reached P$6,638 million in 9M17, equivalent to 14.0% of Consolidated Revenues.

§

Net Financial Position: P$503 million in cash and financial assets, an improvement of P$7,660 million vs. 9M16, mostly due to an increase in operating cash flow.

 

 

 

As of September, 30

 

(in million P$, except where noted)

 

2017        

2016      

   Δ $

   Δ % 

Consolidated Revenues

 

47,263

38,818

8,445

21.8%

Mobile Services

 

32,634

27,928

4,706

16.9%

Fixed Services

 

14,629

10,890

3,739

34.3%

Operating Income before D&A

 

14,246

10,210

4,036

39.5%

Operating Income

 

9,018

5,523

3,495

63.3%

Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina

 

5,641

2,471

3,170

128.3%

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Telecom Argentina

 

25,063

17,843

7,220

40.5%

Net Financial Position - Cash / (Debt)

 

503

(7,157)

7,660

-107.0%

CAPEX (excluding spectrum)

 

6,638

7,699

(1,061)

-13.8%

Fixed lines in service (in thousand lines)

 

3,838

3,946

(107)

-2.7%

Mobile customers (in thousand)

 

21,507

22,433

(925)

-4.1%

Personal (Argentina)

 

19,030

19,901

(871)

-4.4%

Núcleo (Paraguay) -including Wimax customers-

 

2,477

2,532

(55)

-2.2%

Broadband accesses (in thousand)

 

1,746

1,800

(54)

-3.0%

Average Billing per user (ARBU) Fixed Telephony / voice (in P$)

 

145.6

93.1

52.5

56.3%

Average Revenue per user (ARPU) Mobile Services in Arg. (in P$)

 

139.0

108.3

30.7

28.4%

Average Revenue per user (ARPU) ADSL (in P$)

 

350.1

260.4

89.7

34.4%

 

 

*Unaudited non financial data

 

 

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Buenos Aires, November 10, 2017 - Telecom Argentina (‘Telecom’) - (NYSE: TEO; BASE: TECO2), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications companies, announced today a Net Income of P$5,695 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, or +128.3% when compared to 9M16. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$5,641 million (+P$3,170 +128.3% vs. 9M16).

 

 

 

9M17

9M16

Δ $

Δ %

Consolidated Revenues (MMP$)

 

47.263

38.818

8.445

21,8 %

Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina (MMP$)

 

5.641

2.471

3.170

128,3 %

Earnings attributable to Telecom per Share (P$)

 

5,8

2,5

3,3

 

Earnings attributable to Telecom per ADR (P$)

 

29,1

12,7

16,4

 

Operating Income before D&A *

 

30,1 %

26,3 %

 

 

Operating Income *

 

19,1 %

14,2 %

 

 

Net Income *

 

12,0 %

6,4 %

 

 

 

*As a percentage of Consolidated Revenues

 Note: The average of ordinary shares outstanding amounted to 969,159,605.

 

 

 

During 9M17, Consolidated Revenues increased by 21.8% to P$47,263 million (+P$8,445 million vs. 9M16), mainly driven by Fixed Voice Services, Fixed Internet Services and Mobile Services in Argentina. Moreover, Operating Income reached P$9,018 million (+P$3,495 million or +63.3% vs. 9M16).

 

 

Consolidated Operating Revenues

 

Mobile Services

 

As of September 30, 2017, mobile clients amounted to 21.5 million.

 

Third Parties Revenues amounted to P$32,634 million (+16.9% vs. 9M16), of which the services revenues represented P$27,311 million (+23.8% vs. 9M16). The commercial strategy was focus on the innovation was focused to the consumption of mobile internet services through an updated offer of plans suitable for all market segments.

 

Telecom Personal in Argentina

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, Personal reached 19.0 million subscribers in Argentina, where postpaid clients represented 34% of the subscriber base.

 

In 9M17, Third Parties Revenues reached P$30,514 million (+P$4,568 million or +17.6% vs. 9M16) while Service Revenues (excluding equipment sales) amounted to P$25,264 million (+24.5% vs. 9M16), with 48.9% corresponding to mobile internet revenues (vs. 36.9% as in 9M16), as Mobile Internet Revenues amounted to P$12,353 million (+64.8% vs. 9M16). Revenues from Outbound Mobile Services reached P$22,118 million (+22.6% vs. 9M16), mainly due to price increases in Postpaid and Monthly Fee client segments and, in a lesser extent, due to the increases in the amount of online recharges of prepaid subscribers. Meanwhile, Revenues from Inbound Mobile Services amounted to P$1,949 million (+66.9% vs. 9M16), increase that was mainly generated by price increases in CPP and TLRD. In addition, equipment sales decreased by -7.1% vs. 9M16, reaching P$5,250 million, equivalent to 17.2% of total revenues.

 

The average monthly revenue per user (‘ARPU’) amounted to $139.0 during 9M17 (+28.4% vs. 9M16).

 

 

 

 

 

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Commercial Initiatives

 

 

 

During 3Q17, in line with its connectivity strategy for all the family, Personal added more benefits for Prepaid clients to foster the consumption changes towards an intensive use of mobile internet, offering with each recharge of P$50 or more unlimited Whatsapp usage for the entire month without any deduction from the data quota, even if they run out of credit.

 

 

 

Likewise, together with the 4G-network deployment, and with the aim of promoting the technologic evolution towards the 4G clients, Personal added to its wide spectrum of new state-of-the-art devices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Personal in Paraguay (‘Núcleo’)

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached around 2.5 million clients. Prepaid and postpaid customers represented 83% and 17%, respectively.

 

Núcleo generated revenues from Third Parties equivalent to P$2,120 million during 9M17 (+7.0% vs. 9M16). Internet revenues amounted to P$931 million (+32.1% vs. 9M16) representing 45.5% of 9M17 service revenues (vs. 39.9% in 9M16).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services (Voice, Internet and Data)

 

 

During 9M17, Revenues generated by Fixed Services totaled to P$14.335 million, +32.6% vs. 9M16; with Voice revenues increasing by +41.4% vs. 9M16, mainly due to price increases in monthly fees. Meanwhile, Internet revenues grew by +29.2% vs. 9M16 and Data Revenues were up by +21.7%.

 

Voice

 

 

Total Voice revenues reached P$6,119 million in 9M17 (+41.4% vs. 9M16). This increase is explained mainly by price increases that came into effect in both corporate and residential segments, and additionally due to the offer of bundled packs that include voice and internet services (‘Arnet + Voz’), that aim to achieve higher levels of customer loyalty and churn reduction.

 

As a result, the average monthly revenue billed per user (‘ARBU’) reached P$145.6 in 9M17, +56.3% vs. 9M16.

 

Internet

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, Telecom reached 1.7 million ADSL accesses. These connections represented 45.5% of Telecom’s fixed lines in service. Additionally, ADSL ARPU reached P$350.1 in 9M17, +34.4% when compared to 9M16, however  the average monthly churn rate for the period increased reaching 1.4% in 9M17 vs. 1.5% in 9M16. Clients with service of 15Mb or higher currently represent 17% of the total customer base as of 9M17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Data

 

Data revenues (services mainly offered to Corporate, SME and Government and to other operators) amounted to P$2,595 million (+P$462 million or +21.7% vs. 9M16), generated in a context that evidence the strong position of Telecom as an integrated ICT provider. This increase was mainly driven by FX rate variations that affected those contracts that are adjusted by the $/U$S exchange rate and due to the increase in the number of clients.

 

With the aim of supporting the corporate segment development, the Telecom Group continues to innovate the ICT services strengthening its world class datacenters, turning into one of the first providers in Latin America to offer Oracle Engineering Systems infrastructure in a Cloud modality in the Nube Telecom. The result is a platform that allows organizations to accelerate the deployment of their databases and critic apps, in a safe, fast and reliable way. Through these solutions, the clients can hire the infrastructure that they need, while the initial investment and any expense related to technologic update and monthly maintenance are eliminated.

 

Likewise, as a part of its IOT strategy, Telecom participated of the 1st Smart City Expo of Buenos Aires, presenting its portfolio of solutions for intelligent cities which cover environment, security, transport, government, health and education. Within the environment solutions, “intelligent meters” and “sustainable lighting” are included. In security matters, the “Tetra” solution was presented: an interoperable solution that provides a safe and highly reliable communication system for ambulance services, police and security forces. Finally, Telecom deployed a platform for the security management for public transport. The platform allows to receive and to control the location of the vehicles, the onboard camera installation and the driver communication.

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Operating Costs

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Operating Costs totaled P$38,306 million in 9M17, an increase of P$4,975 million, or +14.9% vs. 9M16 (including ‘Disposals and impairment of PP&E’ that resulted in a loss of P$95 million in 9M17 vs. a loss of P$202 million in 9M16). Continuing with the trend observed during the lasts quarters, this overall increase is below inflation levels or Revenue growth, which allowed a significant increase in the Company’s EBITDA and to improve its margin. This was a result of a higher level of efficiency in the cost structure. Higher costs are mainly associated to the effect of a highly competitive environment in the mobile and Internet businesses, the impact of higher direct and indirect labor costs generated by the operations in Argentina, the increase in fees for services related to price adjustments in supplier contracts, increases in taxes and fees with regulatory authorities, in bad debt expenses and higher D&A, that were partially offset by lower cost of handsets sold, VAS costs and commissions, among others.

 

The cost breakdown is as follows:

 

- Employee benefit expenses and severance payments totaled P$9,158 million (+27.0% vs. 9M16), mainly affected by increases in salaries to unionized and nonunionized employees together with the associated social security contributions. Finally, total employees at the end of 9M17 amounted to 15,510.

 

 

 

 

 

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- Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges (including TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection, international settlement charges and lease of circuits) amounted to P$2,295 million, +17.5% vs. 9M16. This increase resulted mainly from higher costs related to TLRD due to price increases.

 

- Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to P$4,756 million (+32.8% vs. 9M16), mainly due to costs increases in software maintenance in the fixed segment and systems’ licenses in the mobile segment. There also were increases mainly in costs associated with fees for services, mainly related to call centers and higher costs recognized to suppliers in both mobile and fixed segments.

 

- Taxes and fees with regulatory authorities reached P$4,416 million (+16.2% vs. 9M16), impacted mainly due to the increase in fixed and mobile services revenues, and as a consequence the increase in turnover tax, as well as higher bank debit and credit taxes related to collection flows and payments to suppliers in 9M17 vs. 9M16.

 

- Commissions (Commissions paid to agents, prepaid card commissions and others) totaled P$2,685 million (-3.9% vs. 9M16). Decrease in commissions (before SAC capitalization, P$3,416 million in 9M17 vs. P$3,841 million in 9M16) is mainly due to a reduction in commissions paid to commercial channels, explained by lower levels of additions as well as lower handset sales, and also due to greater efficiencies of a new agent commission model, and reduction in collection, CPP and other fees mainly through electronic means of payment. Agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to P$731 million (-30.1% vs. 9M16), being this reduction related to a lower level of additions.

 

- Cost of handsets sold totaled P$4,638 million (+0.2% vs. 9M16), this decrease was mainly due to a reduction in quantities of handsets sold, given the modification in strategy where the effort was centered more in the change of devices in order to achieve higher upselling of mobile plans and less on capture operations, partially offset by higher cost per device. Deferred costs from SAC amounted to P$58 million (-38.3% vs. 9M16). Lower deferred costs were derived from lower quantities of equipment sales during the nine month period of FY17.

 

 

 

- Advertising amounted to P$769 million (+40.3% vs. 9M16), due to new advertising campaigns launched by the Group in 2017.

 

- Depreciation and Amortization reached P$5,133 million (+14.4% vs. 9M16). PP&E depreciation amounted to P$3,702 million (+19.9% vs. 9M16) resulting from the incorporation of assets related to the investment plan that the Group has been executing; the amortization of SAC and service connection costs that totaled P$1,160 million (+6.7% vs. 9M16); the amortization of 3G/4G licenses that amounted to P$245 million (-15.2% vs. 9M16), due to the extension in the duration of the license, and the amortization of other intangible assets that reached P$26 million (+18.2% vs. 9M16).

 

- Other Costs totaled P$4,361 million (+5.7% vs. 9M16), of which Bad debt expenses reached P$920 million (+9.0% vs. 9M16), representing 2.4% of consolidated costs in 9M17; this increase was partially offset by a decrease on VAS costs that totaled P$690 million (-39.6% vs. 9M16), due to a redesign in the offer of these services.

 

 

 

 

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Consolidated Financial Results

 

Net Financial Results totaled a loss of P$276 million, which represented an improvement of P$1,406 million vs. 9M16. This was mainly explained by lower losses from net interests of P$388 million in 9M17 (+P$751 million vs. 9M16), due to lower cost from financial liabilities. Furthermore, FX results net of NDF instruments totaled P$555 million in 9M17 (vs. a loss of P$748 million in 9M16) mainly due to a reduction in the peso depreciation occurred since December 2016 in comparison with 9M16. Moreover, gains on mutual funds and other investment reached P$708 million (+P$454 million vs. 9M16), driven by higher yields and invested amounts.

 

 

in million of P$

9M16

9M17

$ Var

 

Net Interests

-$ 1.139

-$ 388

$ 751

 

Gains on Mutual Funds & other inv.

$ 254

$ 708

$ 454

 

FX results net of NDF

 

 

 

 

instruments

-$ 748

-$ 555

$ 193

 

Others

-$ 49

-$ 41

$ 8

 

Total

-$ 1.682

-$ 276

$ 1.406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Net Financial Position

 

As of September 30, 2017, Net Financial Position (Cash, Cash Equivalents and financial Investments minus Loans) totaled P$503 million in cash and cash equivalents, a better position of P$7,660 million when compared to the Net Financial Position (Debt) as of September 30, 2016, this latter improvement during 9M17, was due to the increase in EBITDA and a greater efficiency in working capital management.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

During 9M17, the Company invested P$6,638 million (-13.8% vs. 9M16). Of this amount, P$3,206 million were allocated to Fixed Services and P$3,432 million to Mobile services, focusing on projects that maximize network capacity and on the development of products and services that contribute to address the customers needs that today demand for connectivity and data availability. In relative terms, Capex reached 14.0% of consolidated revenues.

 

In terms of infrastructure, the deployment of the 4G/LTE network continued throughout the country and also the technologic reconversion from the 2G and 3G networks, as well as we continued with the deployment of optical fiber  in order to connect homes with broad band services. In this frame, the new 4G network was inagurated in the cities or localities of the Northern region of Argentina of Tilcara, Abra Pampa and Cafayate extending the high speed mobile Internet services to La Quebrada and Valles Calchaquíes localities. Furthermore, a fiber backbone network of almost 200km installed which connects twelve locations between Rosario de Lerma and Cafayate, allowing a better fixed connectivity experience through the Arnet service. In the AMBA region, Personal continued with the deployment of 4G/LTE service in all the subways lines, enchacing the access to the high speed data services for its clients during their subway trips.

 

Relevant Matters

 

General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ meeting of Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

In the General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholder´s meeting held on August 31, 2017 it the merger by absorption of Cablevisión (conditioned upon obtaining the regulatory approvals and compliance with other conditions established on the Preliminary Merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Agreement) was approved by which Telecom Argentina, as surviving company, will absorb by merger Cablevisión , as absorbed company (the ‘Merger’).

 

 

Furthermore, the Exchange Ratio of Cablevisión’s shares for Telecom Argentina’s shares was also approved, which is stated in Fifth Section of the Preliminary Merger Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, the modification of sections 1st; 4th; 5th; 7th; 8th; 10th; 10th Bis; 11th; 13th and 14th of the Corporate Bylaws of Telecom Argentina was approved, in order that such modification will take effect as of the date on which the Merger becomes effective.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, the increase in the capital stock of Telecom Argentina up to $1,184,528,406 (or the amount that results in case of any possible Adjustments to the Exchange Ratio) and the delegation of powers to the Board of Directors (on the Effective Merger Date and always between the two years to be counted as of the date of this Shareholders’ Meeting) to issue 1,184,528,406 shares (or the amount that results in case of any possible Adjustments to the Exchange Ratio) all of which are ordinary, book-entry, of par value of one Argentine Peso and of one vote per share, was approved, so as to be delivered to the shareholders of Cablevisión once the merger is effective.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Relevant Matters

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary General Shareholder´s meeting of Telecom Personal

 

 

 

 

 

The Ordinary General Shareholder´s Meeting of Telecom Personal held on November 6, 2017, decided to disaffect from the “Future Reserve for cash dividends P$1,500 million and distribute them as cash dividends, which will be available to the shareholder (Telecom Argentina) on November 14, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Merger Agreement between Telecom Argentina and Cablevisión

 

 

 

 

 

On October 31, 2017, having complied with all the required legal matters, Telecom and Cablevisión S.A. executed the Final Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms of Section 83, item 4) of the General Corporate Law and ad referendum of the authorizations of the ‘Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones’ (‘ENACOM’) that could apply under Decree number 267/15-

 

 

 

 

 

Call for the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s Board of Directors, in a meeting held on November 2, 2017, resolved to summon for an Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on November 30, 2017, for the purpose of considering the delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to decide upon the partial or total withdrawal of the “Reserve for Future Cash Dividends” and the distribution of the withdrawn funds as cash dividends, in the amounts and dates determined by the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

 

Resolutions of the Nortel Inversora (“Nortel”)’s Common Shares and Class B Preferred Shares Special Shareholders’ Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

In relation to the Telecom Group Reorganization on November 10, 2017 were held the Nortel’s Common Shares and Class B Preferred Shares Special Shareholders’ Meetings that considered and approved the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Common Shares Special Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Common Shares Special Shareholders’ Meeting resolved to approve the dilution of its voting rights on Nortel as a result of the exchange ratio offered to the common shares within the context of the merger of Nortel with and into Telecom Argentina as surviving entity in the framework of the Telecom Group Reorganization.

 

 

 

 

 

Class B Preferred Shares Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

The Class B Preferred Shares Shareholders’ Meeting resolved as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

• To approve the Merger of Nortel with and into Telecom Argentina as surviving company in the framework of the Telecom Group Reorganization;

 

 

 

 

 

•  To approve the dissolution of Nortel as a result of the merger;

 

 

 

 

 

•  To approve the exchange ratio of the Class B Preferred Shares of Nortel in exchange for Class B Common Shares of Telecom Argentina with voting rights as established in the Preliminary Reorganization Agreement dated March 31, 2017;

 

 

 

 

 

•  To approve the waiver and removal of the provisions of Condition No. 9, under the heading “Commitments” of the Conditions for the Issuance of the Class B Preferred Shares;

 

 

 

 

 

•  To approve the legal and accounting documents related to the Merger, including the Preliminary Reorganization Agreement, the special and consolidated financial statements of the merger, the Supervisory Committee’s report, the amendment of the bylaws of Telecom Argentina, and the subscription of the Final Reorganization Agreement.

 

 

 

 

*********

 

 

 

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Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers, either itself or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance fixed-line telephony, cellular, data transmission and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary, the Telecom Group offers cellular services in Paraguay. The Company commenced operations on November 8, 1990, upon the Argentine government’s transfer of the telecommunications system in the northern region of Argentina.

 

Nortel Inversora S.A. (‘Nortel’), which acquired the majority of the Company from the Argentine government, holds 54.74% of Telecom’s issued common stock. Nortel is a holding company whose common stock (approximately 78% of capital stock) is owned by Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. Additionally, Nortel capital stock is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

 

As of September 30, 2017, Telecom continued to have 984,380,978 shares issued and 969,159,605 shares outstanding.

 

For more information, please contact Investor Relations:

 

 

Pedro Insussarry
(5411) 4968 3743

Solange Barthe Dennin
(5411) 4968 3752

Luis F. Rial Ubago
(5411) 4968 3718

Antonella Papaleo
(5411) 4968 6236

Nahuel Monsalvo
(5411) 4698 4448

 

Voice Mail: (5411) 4968 3628

Fax: (5411) 4968 3616

E-mail: relinver@ta.telecom.com.ar

 

For information about Telecom Group services, visit:

 

www.telecom.com.ar

www.personal.com.ar

www.personal.com.py

www.arnet.com.ar

 

Disclaimer

 

This document may contain statements that could constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s expectations for its future performance, revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity and capital structure; the effects of its debt restructuring process; the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine Government; and the impact of rate changes and competition on the Company’s future financial performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as ‘believes,’ ‘expects,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘intends,’ ‘should,’ ‘seeks,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘future’ or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the Company’s expected results. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine government that have resulted in the repeal of Argentina’s Convertibility law, devaluation of the peso, various changes in restrictions on the ability to exchange pesos into foreign currencies,  and currency transfer policy generally, the ‘pesification’ of tariffs charged for public services, the elimination of indexes to adjust rates charged for public services and the Executive branch announcement to renegotiate the terms of the concessions granted to public service providers, including Telecom. Due to extensive changes in laws and economic and business conditions in Argentina, it is difficult to predict the impact of these changes on the Company’s financial condition. Other factors may include, but are not limited to, the evolution of the economy in Argentina, growing inflationary pressure and evolution in consumer spending and the outcome of certain legal proceedings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events and circumstances after the date of this press release, including, without limitation, changes in the Company’s business or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, as well as periodic filings made on Form 6-K, which are filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for further information concerning risks and uncertainties faced by Telecom.

 

(Financial tables follow)

 

 

*******

 

 

Mariano M. Ibáñez

Chairman

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
Consolidated information
Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017
(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

1-   Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

12/31/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6,197

 

3,945

 

2,252

 

57.1%

Financial Investments

 

1,982

 

1,751

 

231

 

13.2%

Trade receivables

 

7,824

 

7,577

 

247

 

3.3%

Other Receivables

 

1,171

 

1,011

 

160

 

15.8%

Inventories

 

1,951

 

1,278

 

673

 

52.7%

Total current assets

 

19,125

 

15,562

 

3,563

 

22.9%

Financial Investments

 

4,135

 

324

 

3,811

 

-

Trade receivables

 

16

 

208

 

(192)

 

-92.3%

Property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’)

 

26,333

 

23,165

 

3,168

 

13.7%

Intangible assets

 

7,194

 

7,592

 

(398)

 

-5.2%

Other Receivables

 

1,232

 

1,063

 

169

 

15.9%

Total non-current assets

 

38,910

 

32,352

 

6,558

 

20.3%

Total Assets

 

58,035

 

47,914

 

10,121

 

21.1%

Trade payables

 

10,660

 

8,979

 

1,681

 

18.7%

Deferred revenues

 

818

 

443

 

375

 

84.7%

Financial debt

 

2,816

 

3,266

 

(450)

 

-13.8%

Salaries and social security payables

 

2,071

 

1,610

 

461

 

28.6%

Income tax payables

 

2,491

 

724

 

1,767

 

-

Other taxes payables

 

1,169

 

1,149

 

20

 

1.7%

Dividend Payable

 

20

 

-

 

20

 

-

Other liabilities

 

88

 

69

 

19

 

27.5%

Provisions

 

382

 

271

 

111

 

41.0%

Total current liabilities

 

20,515

 

16,511

 

4,004

 

24.3%

Trade payables

 

169

 

152

 

17

 

11.2%

Deferred revenues

 

409

 

445

 

(36)

 

-8.1%

Financial debt

 

8,995

 

8,646

 

349

 

4.0%

Salaries and social security payables

 

180

 

184

 

(4)

 

-2.2%

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

188

 

569

 

(381)

 

-67.0%

Income tax payables

 

3

 

7

 

(4)

 

-57.1%

Other liabilities

 

212

 

170

 

42

 

24.7%

Provisions

 

1,615

 

1,352

 

263

 

19.5%

Total non-current liabilities

 

11,771

 

11,525

 

246

 

2.1%

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

32,286

 

28,036

 

4,250

 

15.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

25,063

 

19,336

 

5,727

 

29.6%

Non-controlling interest

 

686

 

542

 

144

 

26.6%

TOTAL EQUITY

 

25,749

 

19,878

 

5,871

 

29.5%

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

58,035

 

47,914

 

10,121

 

21.1%

 

 

2-   Consolidated Loans

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

12/31/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

Bank overdrafts - principal (Personal)

 

49

 

1,666

 

(1,617)

 

-97.1%

Bank overdrafts - principal (Telecom Argentina)

 

561

 

41

 

520

 

-

Banks loans - principal (Nucleo)

 

107

 

219

 

(112)

 

-51.1%

Banks loans - Other - principal (Personal)

 

-

 

620

 

-

 

-

Notes - principal (Personal)

 

718

 

566

 

152

 

26.9%

NDF

 

26

 

2

 

24

 

-

Accrued interest (Personal)

 

1,352

 

145

 

1,207

 

-

Accrued interest (Núcleo)

 

1

 

7

 

(6)

 

-85.7%

Accrued interest (Telecom Argentina)

 

2

 

-

 

2

 

-

Total Current Loans

 

2,816

 

3,266

 

(450)

 

-13.8%

Notes - principal (Personal)

 

741

 

2,084

 

(1,343)

 

-64.4%

Banks loans - IFC Loan - principal (Personal)

 

7,963

 

6,234

 

1,729

 

27.7%

Banks loans - principal (Nucleo)

 

258

 

328

 

(70)

 

-21.3%

NDF

 

33

 

-

 

33

 

-

Total Non Current Loans

 

8,995

 

8,646

 

349

 

4.0%

Total Loans

 

11,811

 

11,912

 

(101)

 

-0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, and Financial Investments

 

12,314

 

6,020

 

6,294

 

104.6%

Net Financial Position - Cash (Debt)

 

503

 

(5,892)

 

6,395

 

-108.5%

 

 

 

10

www.telecom.com.ar

 



 

 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
Consolidated information
Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017
(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

3-   Consolidated Income Statements

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

47,263

 

38,818

 

8,445

 

21.8%

 

Other income

 

61

 

36

 

25

 

69.4%

 

Total Revenues & Other Income

 

47,324

 

38,854

 

8,470

 

21.8%

 

Consolidated Operating Costs

 

(38,306)

 

(33,331)

 

(4,975)

 

14.9%

 

Operating income

 

9,018

 

5,523

 

3,495

 

63.3%

 

Finance results, net

 

(276)

 

(1,682)

 

1,406

 

-83.6%

 

Net income before income tax expense

 

8,742

 

3,841

 

4,901

 

127.6%

 

Income tax expense

 

(3,047)

 

(1,346)

 

(1,701)

 

126.4%

 

Net income

 

5,695

 

2,495

 

3,200

 

128.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

5,641

 

2,471

 

3,170

 

128.3%

 

Non-controlling interest

 

54

 

24

 

30

 

125.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

 

14,246

 

10,210

 

4,036

 

39.5%

 

As % of Revenues

 

30.1%

 

26.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Income and Expenses

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ%

 

Finance Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains on investments

 

616

 

224

 

392

 

175.0%

 

Gains on Mutual Funds

 

92

 

30

 

62

 

-

 

Interest on receivables

 

546

 

252

 

294

 

116.7%

 

Tuves Paraguay shares purchase option

 

-

 

7

 

(7)

 

-

 

Foreign currency exchange gains

 

498

 

88

 

410

 

-

 

Others

 

21

 

-

 

21

 

-

 

Total finance income

 

1,773

 

601

 

1,172

 

195.0%

 

Finance expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on financial debt

 

(659)

 

(1,200)

 

541

 

-45.1%

 

Interest on salaries and social security, other taxes and accounts payable

 

(38)

 

(25)

 

(13)

 

52.0%

 

Interest on Provisions

 

(237)

 

(166)

 

(71)

 

42.8%

 

Present value effect of salaries and social security and other taxes payables and other liabilities

 

(2)

 

(17)

 

15

 

-88.2%

 

Quinquennial financial costs

 

(35)

 

(28)

 

(7)

 

25.0%

 

Foreign currency exchange losses

 

(1,053)

 

(836)

 

(217)

 

26.0%

 

Tuves Paraguay shares purchase option

 

(22)

 

-

 

(22)

 

-

 

Others

 

(3)

 

(11)

 

8

 

-72.7%

 

Total finance expenses

 

(2,049)

 

(2,283)

 

234

 

-10.2%

 

 

 

(276)

 

(1,682)

 

1,406

 

-83.6%

 

 

4-   Consolidated Income Statements

 

Three Months Comparison

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

16,719

 

13,412

 

3,307

 

24.7%

 

Other income

 

22

 

7

 

15

 

-

 

Total Revenues & Other Income

 

16,741

 

13,419

 

3,322

 

24.8%

 

Consolidated Operating Costs

 

(13,574)

 

(11,617)

 

(1,957)

 

16.8%

 

Operating income

 

3,167

 

1,802

 

1,365

 

75.7%

 

Finance results, net

 

(16)

 

(636)

 

620

 

-97.5%

 

Net income before income tax expense

 

3,151

 

1,166

 

1,985

 

170.2%

 

Income tax expense

 

(1,095)

 

(408)

 

(687)

 

168.4%

 

Net income

 

2,056

 

758

 

1,298

 

171.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

2,026

 

746

 

1,280

 

171.6%

 

Non-controlling interest

 

30

 

12

 

18

 

150.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

 

4,902

 

3,446

 

1,456

 

42.3%

 

As % of Revenues

 

29.3%

 

25.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

www.telecom.com.ar

 



 

 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

5-   Breakdown of the Income Statements

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

REVENUES FROM SERVICES

 

41,646

 

32,874

 

8,772

 

26.7%

Fixed Services

 

14,335

 

10,812

 

3,523

 

32.6%

Voice

 

6,119

 

4,328

 

1,791

 

41.4%

Internet

 

5,621

 

4,351

 

1,270

 

29.2%

Data

 

2,595

 

2,133

 

462

 

21.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile Services

 

27,311

 

22,062

 

5,249

 

23.8%

Telecom Personal

 

25,264

 

20,297

 

4,967

 

24.5%

Outbound

 

22,118

 

18,043

 

4,075

 

22.6%

Postpaid

 

6,282

 

5,033

 

1,249

 

24.8%

Monthly basic charges

 

9,659

 

7,496

 

2,163

 

28.9%

Prepaid

 

6,177

 

5,514

 

663

 

12.0%

Inbound

 

1,949

 

1,168

 

781

 

66.9%

From Fixed services - CPP

 

776

 

494

 

282

 

57.1%

From Mobile services - TLRD

 

1,173

 

674

 

499

 

74.0%

Others

 

1,197

 

1,086

 

111

 

10.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Núcleo

 

2,047

 

1,765

 

282

 

16.0%

Outbound

 

1,789

 

1,426

 

363

 

25.5%

Postpaid

 

58

 

44

 

14

 

31.8%

Monthly basic charges

 

710

 

560

 

150

 

26.8%

Prepaid

 

1021

 

822

 

199

 

24.2%

Inbound

 

101

 

95

 

6

 

6.3%

From Fixed services - Interconnection

 

5

 

7

 

(2)

 

-28.6%

From Mobile services - TLRD

 

96

 

88

 

8

 

9.1%

Others

 

157

 

244

 

(87)

 

-35.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

 

5,617

 

5,944

 

(327)

 

-5.5%

Fixed Services

 

294

 

78

 

216

 

-

Mobile Services

 

5,323

 

5,866

 

(543)

 

-9.3%

Equipments (Personal)

 

5,250

 

5,649

 

(399)

 

-7.1%

Equipments (Núcleo)

 

73

 

217

 

(144)

 

-66.4%

REVENUES

 

47,263

 

38,818

 

8,445

 

21.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME

 

61

 

36

 

25

 

69.4%

Fixed

 

49

 

35

 

14

 

40.0%

Mobile

 

12

 

1

 

11

 

-

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

 

47,324

 

38,854

 

8,470

 

21.8%

 

 

 

12

www.telecom.com.ar

 



 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

6-   Breakdown of the Income Statements

Three Months Comparison

 

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

REVENUES FROM SERVICES

 

14,556

 

11,597

 

2,959

 

25.5%

Fixed Services

 

5,004

 

3,821

 

1,183

 

31.0%

Voice

 

2,143

 

1,577

 

566

 

35.9%

Internet

 

1,952

 

1,513

 

439

 

29.0%

Data

 

909

 

731

 

178

 

24.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile Services

 

9,552

 

7,776

 

1,776

 

22.8%

Telecom Personal

 

8,772

 

7,139

 

1,633

 

22.9%

Outbound

 

7,718

 

6,255

 

1,463

 

23.4%

Postpaid

 

2,158

 

1,696

 

462

 

27.2%

Monthly basic charges

 

3,454

 

2,581

 

873

 

33.8%

Prepaid

 

2,106

 

1,978

 

128

 

6.5%

Inbound

 

626

 

443

 

183

 

41.3%

From Fixed services - CPP

 

240

 

203

 

37

 

18.2%

From Mobile services - TLRD

 

386

 

240

 

146

 

60.8%

Others

 

428

 

441

 

-13

 

-2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Núcleo

 

780

 

637

 

143

 

22.4%

Outbound

 

689

 

510

 

179

 

35.1%

Postpaid

 

22

 

14

 

8

 

57.1%

Monthly basic charges

 

285

 

198

 

87

 

43.9%

Prepaid

 

382

 

298

 

84

 

28.2%

Inbound

 

37

 

33

 

4

 

12.1%

From Fixed services - Interconnection

 

1

 

2

 

(1)

 

-50.0%

From Mobile services - TLRD

 

36

 

31

 

5

 

16.1%

Others

 

54

 

94

 

(40)

 

-42.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

 

2,163

 

1,815

 

348

 

19.2%

Fixed Services

 

269

 

13

 

256

 

-

Mobile Services

 

1,894

 

1,802

 

92

 

5.1%

Equipments (Personal)

 

1,871

 

1,711

 

160

 

9.4%

Equipments (Núcleo)

 

23

 

91

 

(68)

 

-74.7%

REVENUES

 

16,719

 

13,412

 

3,307

 

24.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME

 

22

 

7

 

15

 

-

Fixed

 

17

 

14

 

3

 

21.4%

Mobile

 

5

 

-7

 

12

 

-171.4%

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

 

16,741

 

13,419

 

3,322

 

24.8%

 

 

 

13

www.telecom.com.ar

 



 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
Consolidated information
Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017
(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

7-   Consolidated Income Statements

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $ 

 

Δ %

 

Revenues

 

47,263

 

38,818

 

8,445

 

21.8%

 

Other income

 

61

 

36

 

25

 

69.4%

 

Total Revenues & Other Income

 

47,324

 

38,854

 

8,470

 

21.8%

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

(9,158)

 

(7,213)

 

(1,945)

 

27.0%

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

(2,295)

 

(1,954)

 

(341)

 

17.5%

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

(4,756)

 

(3,580)

 

(1,176)

 

32.8%

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(4,416)

 

(3,799)

 

(617)

 

16.2%

 

Commissions

 

(2,685)

 

(2,795)

 

110

 

-3.9%

 

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

(4,638)

 

(4,631)

 

(7)

 

0.2%

 

Advertising

 

(769)

 

(548)

 

(221)

 

40.3%

 

Cost of Value Added Services

 

(690)

 

(1,142)

 

452

 

-39.6%

 

Provisions

 

(357)

 

(106)

 

(251)

 

-

 

Bad debt expenses

 

(920)

 

(844)

 

(76)

 

9.0%

 

Other operating expenses

 

(2,394)

 

(2,032)

 

(362)

 

17.8%

 

Subtotal Operating costs before D&A

 

(33,078)

 

(28,644)

 

(4,434)

 

15.5%

 

Operating income before D&A

 

14,246

 

10,210

 

4,036

 

39.5%

 

D&A

 

(5,133)

 

(4,485)

 

(648)

 

14.4%

 

Disposals and Impairment of PP&E

 

(95)

 

(202)

 

107

 

-53.0%

 

Operating income

 

9,018

 

5,523

 

3,495

 

63.3%

 

Finance Income

 

1,773

 

601

 

1,172

 

195.0%

 

Finance Expenses

 

(2,049)

 

(2,283)

 

234

 

-10.2%

 

Net income before income tax expense

 

8,742

 

3,841

 

4,901

 

127.6%

 

Income tax expense

 

(3,047)

 

(1,346)

 

(1,701)

 

126.4%

 

Net Income

 

5,695

 

2,495

 

3,200

 

128.3%

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

5,641

 

2,471

 

3,170

 

128.3%

 

Non-controlling interest

 

54

 

24

 

30

 

125.0%

 

 

 

 

14

www.telecom.com.ar

 



 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
Consolidated information
Nine month period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2017
(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

8-   CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

Three Months Comparison

 

 

 

09/30/17

 

09/30/16

 

Δ $

 

Δ %

 

Revenues

 

16,719

 

13,412

 

3,307

 

24.7%

 

Other income

 

22

 

7

 

15

 

-

 

Total Revenues & Other Income

 

16,741

 

13,419

 

3,322

 

24.8%

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

(3,280)

 

(2,778)

 

(502)

 

18.1%

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

(763)

 

(624)

 

(139)

 

22.3%

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

(1,797)

 

(1,245)

 

(552)

 

44.3%

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(1,546)

 

(1,305)

 

(241)

 

18.5%

 

Commissions

 

(882)

 

(945)

 

63

 

-6.7%

 

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

(1,869)

 

(1,548)

 

(321)

 

20.7%

 

Advertising

 

(290)

 

(177)

 

(113)

 

63.8%

 

Cost of Value Added Services

 

(224)

 

(350)

 

126

 

-36.0%

 

Provisions

 

(98)

 

(25)

 

(73)

 

-

 

Bad debt expenses

 

(245)

 

(326)

 

81

 

-24.8%

 

Other operating expenses

 

(845)

 

(650)

 

(195)

 

30.0%

 

Subtotal Operating costs before D&A

 

(11,839)

 

(9,973)

 

(1,866)

 

18.7%

 

Operating income before D&A

 

4,902

 

3,446

 

1,456

 

42.3%

 

D&A

 

(1,741)

 

(1,591)

 

(150)

 

9.4%

 

Disposals and Impairment of PP&E

 

6

 

(53)

 

59

 

-111.3%

 

Operating income

 

3,167

 

1,802

 

1,365

 

75.7%

 

Finance Income

 

757

 

129

 

628

 

-

 

Finance Expenses

 

(773)

 

(765)

 

(8)

 

1.0%

 

Net income before income tax expense

 

3,151

 

1,166

 

1,985

 

170.2%

 

Income tax expense

 

(1,095)

 

(408)

 

(687)

 

168.4%

 

Net Income

 

2,056

 

758

 

1,298

 

171.2%

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

2,026

 

746

 

1,280

 

171.6%

 

Non-controlling interest

 

30

 

12

 

18

 

150.0%

 

 

 

 

15

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