KCEL.L Regulatory News (KCEL)

Kcell JSC

Results for January - September 2016

Almaty, 21 October 2016 - Kcell Joint Stock Company ("Kcell" or the "Company") (LSE, KASE: KCEL), the leading provider of mobile telecommunications services in Kazakhstan by market share in terms of revenue and subscribers, announces its interim results for January - September 2016.

Third quarter

· Net sales decreased by 13.6 percent to KZT 36,931 million (42,756). Service revenue down 11.6 percent to KZT 35,032 million (39,612).

· EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, declined by 25.2 percent to KZT 14,238 million (19,028). EBITDA margin decreased to 38.6 percent (44.5); mainly due to an increase in internet feed cost.

· Operating income, excluding non-recurring items, down 37.3 percent to KZT 8,056 million (12,849).

· Net financial items changed to KZT -2,321 million (6,638).

· Net income decreased by 71.0 percent to KZT 4,378 million (15,112).

· Free cash flow decreased to KZT 7,968 million (12,169).

· During the quarter, the Company's customer base rose by 157,000 to 9,905 thousand (9,748).

Nine-month period

· Net sales down 15.5 percent to KZT 108,814 million (128,820). Service revenue down 14.1 percent to KZT 102,558 million (119,447).

· EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, decreased by 32.8 percent to KZT 43,503 million (64,725). EBITDA margin of 40.0 percent (50.2).

· Operating income, excluding non-recurring items, down 45.2 percent to KZT 25,384 million (46,304).

· Net financial items KZT -4,905 million (4,951).

· Net income declined by 60.6 percent to KZT 15,633 million (39,666).

· Free cash flow decreased to KZT -992 million (26,579).

Financial highlights

Comments by Arti Ots, CEO

"In the third quarter of 2016 we delivered a second successive quarterly increase in service revenue and reported net growth in our subscriber base, although the economic and market environment remained challenging and we saw further year-on-year declines in revenue and profit.

We remain focused on driving growth through smart innovation in products and services. In August we unveiled a key strategic development, with the announcement of our network sharing agreement with Beeline Kazakhstan, part of VimpelCom, for the joint deployment of 4G/LTE network in Kazakhstan.

This strategic partnership, the first such agreement in the region, will enable Kcell to swiftly deploy 4G/LTE services in all major areas in Kazakhstan by combining the networks of the two operators. As a result, Kcell has now rolled out 4G/LTE services in 11 cities in Kazakhstan. Kcell will continue to deliver market-leading quality across all areas of our business.

At the same time, Kazakhstan has started to see some encouraging signs of macro recovery, with an increase in oil prices. There have also been some signals that consumer price inflation is easing and currency levels are stabilising. However, some downward pricing pressure in LTE/4G services has started to emerge, with the recent launch by other providers of all-you-can-eat data packages.

We aim to maintain our market leadership by further expanding our offering of products and services and improving the quality and reach of our network in order to meet the evolving needs of our customers."

Almaty, 21 October 2016

Conference call

Kcell will host an analyst conference call on 21 October 2016 at 11:00 UK time / 16:00 Almaty / 13:00 Moscow. The conference will be held in English, audio webcast will be available at

http://www.audio-webcast.com/cgibin/visitors.ssp?fn=visitor&id=4039

Dial in details are as follows:

A presentation will be available on the Company website shortly before the conference call on www.investors.kcell.kz./en 

A replay will be available at: http://kcell211016-live.audio-webcast.com

Enquiries:

Review of the third quarter of 2016

Net Sales

Net sales decreased by 13.6 percent to KZT 36,931 million (42,756). Service revenue fell by 11.6 percent to KZT 35,032 million (39,612).

Revenue from voice services decreased by 18.0 percent to KZT 21,756 million (26,530). Data revenue increased by 7.0 percent to KZT 10,749 million (10,051). Revenue from value-added services down 20.7 percent to KZT 2,397 million (3,023). Other revenue decreased by 35.6 percent to KZT 2,029 million (3,152).

Voice service revenue

Revenue from voice services decreased by 18.0 percent to KZT 21,756 million (26,530). Voice traffic down by 3.4 percent to 5,818 million minutes (6,021), while ARMU fell to KZT 2.5 (3.1).

Interconnect revenue declined by 7.2 percent to KZT 5,590 million (6,023). The decrease was mainly due to a reduced interconnect rate.

Data service revenue 

Data revenue increased by 7.0 percent to KZT 10,749 million (10,051). Data traffic increased by 89.6 percent to 30,636,657 GB (16,159,953). Growth in data traffic was partially offset by packages with lower tariffs per MB, which led to a decrease in average revenue per MB (ARMB) to KZT 0.3 (0.6).

Value-added service revenue

Revenue from value-added services decreased by 20.7 percent to KZT 2,397 million (3,023). This was largely due to declining SMS and MMS revenue.

Other revenue 

Other revenue decreased by 35.6 percent to KZT 2,029 million (3,152), reflecting lower handsets sales.

EXPENSES

Cost of sales

Cost of sales declined by 3.9 percent to KZT 23,456 million (24,418), primarily due to lower interconnect costs.

Selling and marketing expenses

Selling and marketing expenses increased by 15.1 percent to KZT 2,701 million (2,347). This was primarily driven by an increase in staff cost.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses remained stable at KZT 3,029 million (3,028).

EARNINGS, FINANCIAL POSITION AND CASH FLOW

EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, declined by 25.2 percent to KZT 14,238 million (19,028). EBITDA margin decreased to 38.6 percent (44.5).

Net financial items were at KZT -2,321 million (6,638).

Income tax expense decreased by 72.2 percent to KZT 1,216 million (4,375).

Net income attributable to owners of the parent company decreased by 71.0 percent to KZT 4,378 million (15,112). Earnings per share decreased to KZT 21.9 (75.6).

CAPEX increased to KZT 9,996 million (4,927) and CAPEX-to-sales ratio increased to 27.1 percent (11.5).

Free cash flow decreased to KZT 7,968 million (12,169).

Review of the nine month period of 2016 

Net Sales

Net sales down 15.5 percent to KZT 108,814 million (128,820). Service revenue declined by 14.1 percent to KZT 102,558 million (119,447).

Revenue from voice services decreased by 18.8 percent to KZT 65,139 million (80,173). Data revenue was 3.3 percent higher at KZT 30,481 million (29,504). Revenue from value-added services decreased by 28.9 percent to KZT 6,945 million (9,762). Other revenue decreased by 33.4 percent to KZT 6,249 million (9,381).

Voice service revenue

Revenue from voice services decreased by 18.8 percent to KZT 65,139 million (80,173). Voice traffic was down 2.4 percent to 17,029 million minutes, ARMU decreased to KZT 2.6 (3.3).

Interconnect revenue was down 7.3 percent to KZT 15,538 million (16,760). The decrease was mainly due to a reduced interconnect rate.

Data service revenue 

Data revenue was up 3.3 percent to KZT 30,481 million (29,504). Data traffic more than doubled to 83,652,938 GB (37,913,560). Growth in data traffic was partially offset by offering packages with lower tariffs per MB, which resulted in a decrease in average revenue per MB (ARMB) to KZT 0.4 (0.8).

Value-added service revenue

Revenue from value-added services decreased by 28.9 percent to KZT 6,945 million (9,762), reflecting a decline in the SMS and MMS revenue.

Other revenue 

Other revenue decreased by 33.4 percent to KZT 6,249 million (9,381), mainly due to a decrease in handset sales.

EXPENSES

Cost of sales

Cost of sales was stable at KZT 67,390 million (66,989).

Selling and marketing expenses

Selling and marketing expenses increased by 7.3 percent to KZT 7,691 million (7,171). The increase was primarily driven by the increase in staff cost.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by 4.6 percent to KZT 9,355 million (8,946), reflecting higher tax and rent expenses.

EARNINGS, FINANCIAL POSITION AND CASH FLOW

EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, decreased by 32.8 percent to KZT 43,503 million (64,725). EBITDA margin decreased to 40.0 percent (50.2).

Net financial items were at KZT -4,905 million (4,951). The decrease was mainly attributable to interest expenses.

Income tax expense decreased by 62.4 percent to KZT 4,236 million (11,262).

Net income attributable to owners of the parent company declined by 60.6 percent to KZT 15,633 million (39,666) and earnings per share decreased to KZT 78.2 (198.3).

CAPEX increased to KZT 42,187 million (10,862) and the CAPEX-to-sales ratio increase to 38.8 percent (8.4). This was mainly due to the acquisition of new frequencies that enables the Company to rollout LTE services. CAPEX-to-sales ratio, excluding KZT 26 billion for new frequencies, was 14.9 percent (8.4).

Free cash flow decreased to KZT -992 million (26,579).

Net debt/equity ratio was 48.1 percent (23.1).

Net debt/EBITDA ratio was 0.66 (0.24).

The equity/assets ratio was 38.7 percent (48.5).

Key Milestones 2016

January

· The Ministry for Investments and Development ("the Ministry") announced that it will allocate radio frequencies to enable all existing mobile operators in the Kazakh market to rollout LTE services.

The Ministry will allocate to Kcell access to 10+10 MHz radio frequency within the 700/800 MHz band on payment of a one-off fee of KZT 22 billion, to be made in two tranches of KZT 10 billion by 1 March 2016 and KZT 12 billion by 1 December 2016.

The Ministry will also allocate to Kcell access to 10+10 MHz radio frequency within the 1700/1800 MHz band, on payment of a one-off fee of KZT 4 billion by 1 February 2016.

In addition, the Ministry will permit all existing mobile operators to use the radio frequencies allocated to them in the GSM, DCS-1800 (GSM-1800) UMTS/WCDMA (3G) standards for the provision of LTE (4G) and LTE Advanced services subject to obtaining the respective radio frequency permits in the prescribed manner.

The Ministry will issue these radio frequency permits to mobile operators in the Kazakh market on condition that they guarantee mobile coverage in communities with 500-plus inhabitants and along the highways and railways of national and regional importance by 31 December 2020.

· Kcell announced the results of its Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders ("EGM") held on 6 January 2016.

The EGM approved the election of Mr. Peter Lav, representative of the shareholder Sonera Holding B.V., as the member of the Board of Directors of Kcell JSC in place of retired Mr. Kenneth Berndt Karlberg; and the election of Mr. Emil Nilsson, representative of shareholder Fintur Holdings B.V., as the member of the Board of Directors of Kcell JSC in place of retired Mr. Erik Hallberg.

February

· Kcell paid KZT 14 billion as the first tranche for LTE radio frequencies.

· Kcell launched its pilot LTE standard (4G) mobile zones in the biggest shopping malls of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Aktobe. 

April

· The Board recommended the annual dividend ("Dividend") in the amount of KZT 23,316 million, or KZT 116.58 per ordinary share. This represents 50 percent of the Company's net income for the 12 months ending 31 December 2015 ("the Period").

The Company's dividend policy aims for the distribution of at least 70 percent of the Company's net income for the previous reporting year. When recommending the payment of a dividend at the AGM, the Board of Directors has to take into consideration the amount of cash the Company has in hand, its cash flow projections and its investment plans in the medium-term perspective, as well as capital market conditions.

Given the Company's medium-term investment plans for the development of LTE infrastructure and cash flow projections, the Board decided to curtail the dividend payment for 2015 to 50 percent of the net income.

May

· Kcell announced the results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") held on 18 May 2016. The AGM has approved the Company's net income of KZT 46,632 million in 2015 and the distribution of 50 percent of net income as an annual dividend, with the dividend per ordinary share amounting to KZT 116.58, gross (each ordinary share representing one GDR).

Dividends will be paid electronically directly into shareholders' bank accounts. Kcell shareholders who are registered at the record date of 19 May 2015 (01:00 Almaty time) will be entitled to receive the dividends.

Dividends will be paid in a lump sum, starting 1 August 2016 (09:00 Almaty time).

Other decisions adopted by the AGM include the approval of the Company's Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 and the Independent Auditor's Report. Shareholders were also informed on the amount and structure of remuneration for the members of Board of Directors and Executive Body of the Company. The Board of Directors received no queries from shareholders regarding the performance of the Company and its executives.

· Kcell received an award for its high level of transparency and disclosure from the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE). Four companies, including Kcell, of the 130 companies listed in Kazakhstan received the KASE's "Striving towards greater transparency" award in 2016.

· Kcell noted that an amendment has been made to the Appendix to State Licence (MTК #DS000270 dated 8 June 1998) for the provision of GSM services (the "Licence"), whereby sub-paragraph "a" of clause 7.11 of the Licence - "Licence can be revoked by the court if the Licensee carries out unlicensed activity" - has been removed.

June

· Kcell informed that it has entered into a credit line agreement with Subsidiary Bank Alfa Bank JSC for KZT 10 billion for the purpose of financing its working capital. The Company obtained the first tranche of KZT 6 billion of the approved credit line on 8 June 2016.

July

· The Board of Directors decided to change the terms of the Agreement between Kcell JSC and Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan JSC signed on 24 September 2013. The credit facility has been increased to KZT 42 billion from KZT 30 billion, while its term extended until 2 December 2019.

· The Board of Directors decided to increase its USD 15 million credit facility from Citibank Kazakhstan JSC to USD 65 million within the framework of the General Agreement on Contingent Obligations from 17 September 2015.

· Kcell announced that it has extended the terms of its KZT 17 billion loan from Kazkommertsbank JSC for twelve months starting from 25 September 2016. The loan was obtained for the purpose of financing the Company's working capital.

August

· Kcell fully paid the annual dividend in the amount of KZT 23,316 million, or KZT 116.58 per ordinary share (each ordinary share representing one GDR).

· Kcell signed a network sharing agreement with Beeline Kazakhstan, part of VimpelCom, for the joint deployment of 4G/LTE services in Kazakhstan. This strategic partnership enables Kcell to swiftly deploy 4G/LTE services in all major areas in Kazakhstan by combining the networks of the two operators.

September

· The Company's Board of Directors decided to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Kcell JSC on 4 November 2016.

The proposed agenda for AGM includes the following items:

o  Amendments to the Charter of Kcell JSC regarding allocation of work between the Board and the CEO.

o Approval of instructions related to the allocation of work in line with the amendments to the Charter.

· The Board of Directors of Kcell approved an extension of the credit line opened by Altyn Bank JSC, a subsidiary of Halyk Bank JSC, within the framework of the agreement signed on 24 September 2013.The credit line of KZT 3.0 billion obtained for the working capital financing was extended for a term of twelve months until 23 September 2017.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL UPDATE

The "Daytime Unlimited" and failure to disconnect calls on Kcell network

During 2013, an investigation was initiated by the Agency for Competition Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the "ACP"), in relation to the "Daytime Unlimited" service under the Activ brand and non-interruption of services when a customer's balance reaches zero under the Kcell brand.

The ACP ordered that the Company should comply with the following on or before 21 April 2014:

1. to stop collection of subscription fees under the tariff plan "Daytime Unlimited" in case of insufficiency of funds on a subscriber's account;

2. to ensure interruption of connection (voice or Internet access) when a subscriber's balance reaches zero;

3. to ensure a refund to subscribers, any fees received as a result of failure to interrupt the connection when a subscriber's balance reaches zero.

The Company complied with point 1; however, due to technical limitations of the billing system, the Company is currently unable to implement point 2. However, the Company is in the process of introducing a new billing system that will enable the interruption of the connection.

The Company has challenged the ACP findings and decision through courts system in Kazakhstan, culminating in an appeal to the Supreme Court. On 30 June 2015, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan dismissed the Company's supervisory appeal. On 15 June 2015, ACP filed a claim with court seeking for enforcement of the order. On 9 July 2015, the court issued a resolution on satisfying ACP claim to enforce the order, and as a result the Company must now enforce points 2 and 3 in the above ACP order.

In December 2014, the Company accrued a provision in the amount of KZT 1.6 billion covering the refund to subscribers for the period from January 2012 to September 2013.

In compliance with the Order, on 22 July 2015, the Company started refunding its Kcell brand subscribers for the period from January 2012 to September 2013.

In accordance with an agreement reached with the ACP, the Company has started refunding its subscribers for the subsequent period.

Since the Kcell brand subscribers are being refunded for the services rendered, the Company's tax liabilities will be reduced.

As of 1 October 2016, Kcell has returned KZT 2,467 million to its customers. The transition (migration) to Amdocs convergent billing system has been started in July 2016.

Recovery of lost profits of Paylink LLP

On 29 March 2016, the Specialised Inter-District Economic Court of Almaty approved a partial satisfaction of Paylink LLP's claim in the amount of KZT 94 million.

Paylink LLP claimed a compensation for the recovery of lost profits in the amount of KZT 196.9 million. The compensation is related to the contract for payment receipts concluded in 2008, which early termination was invalidated by the court in 2014 with resumption of its activities for a period of 57 calendar days. In addition, according to the court decision in 2014, Paylink LLP is obligated to refund KZT 189.6 million to Kcell JSC.

On 22 June 2016, the Company's appeal over its claim against Paylink LLP for the recovery of lost profits was partially granted by the Almaty City Board of Appeals; decision of the Economic Court of Almaty city from 29 March 2016 was changed and the amount claimed was reduced to KZT 67.1 million, while the state fee was also decreased to KZT 2.0 million. The Company's cassation appeal against the Board of Appeals' judgment as well as cassation appeal of Paylink LLP were dismissed by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Tax inspection

The Company is undergoing tax inspection that covers the period of 2011-2015. The results are expected by the end of 2016.

The January - September 2016 financial statements have been reviewed by the Kcell external auditors, and their report will be available on the Kcell website starting from 15 November 2016.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Basis of preparation

As in the annual accounts for 2015, Kcell's consolidated financial statements of and for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2016, have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). This report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year. All amounts in this report are presented in KZT millions, unless otherwise stated. Rounding differences may occur.

Non-recurring items

Investments

Related party transactions

For the nine months ended 30 September 2016, Kcell purchased services for KZT 3,770 million and sold services for a value of KZT 1,110 million. Related parties in these transactions were mainly TeliaSonera and its group entities, Turkcell, Fintur Holding B.V. and KazTransCom.

Net debt

Financial key ratios

Operational data

Forward-looking statements

This report contains statements concerning, among other things, Kcell's financial condition and results of operations that are forward-looking in nature. Such statements are not historical facts but, rather, represent Kcell's future expectations. Kcell believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions; however, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Such important factors include, but may not be limited to: Kcell's market position; growth in the telecommunications industry; and the effects of competition and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the business of Kcell and the telecommunications industry in general. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, other than as required by applicable law, Kcell undertakes no obligation to update any of them in light of new information or future events.