B Communications Reports its Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2014

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RAMAT GAN, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

B Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Market and TASE: BCOM) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Bezeq's Results: For the first quarter of 2014, the Bezeq Group reported revenues of NIS 2.3 billion ($663 million) and operating profit of NIS 688 million ($197 million). Bezeq's EBITDA for the first quarter totaled NIS 1.0 billion ($287 million), representing an EBITDA margin of 43.36%. Net income for the period attributable to Bezeq's shareholders totaled NIS 457 million ($131 million). Bezeq's cash flow from operating activities during the period totaled NIS 1.0 billion ($299 million).

Cash Position: As of March 31, 2014, B Communications' unconsolidated cash and cash equivalents and short term investments (including dividend receivable) totaled NIS 766 million ($220 million). As of March 31, 2014, B Communications' unconsolidated Senior Secured Notes (7⅜%) balance totaled NIS 2.8 billion ($790 million) and its Series B Debentures balance totaled NIS 695 million ($199 million) (including accrued interest and unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs).

B Communications' Unconsolidated Balance Sheet Data (in millions)

               

 

Convenience
translation into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
March 31, March 31, March 31, December 31,
2014 2013
NIS US$ NIS NIS

Debentures and loans

Senior Secured Notes 7⅜% 2,754 790 - -
Series B Debentures 695 199 518 706
Series A Debentures - - 182 193
Bank and institutional loans - - 3,185 2,502
Total 3,449 989 3,885 3,401
 

Liquidity balances

Dividend receivable 248 71 421 -
Lockbox account(1) 204 59 434 209
Unrestricted Cash(2) 314 90 151 455
Total 766 220 1,006 664
(1)   Lockbox Account- one or more accounts designated as a Lockbox Account and maintained by B Communications (SP-2) Ltd. (or any of its successors) and pledged as Collateral to the Security Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.
 
(2) Unrestricted Cash- any funds, property or assets (including any property or assets acquired with or earned on such Unrestricted Cash) not expressly required by the terms of the Indenture to be deposited in or allocated to the Lockbox Account and any other funds with respect to which the Indenture expressly provides that such funds shall constitute Unrestricted Cash, including proceeds from Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under the Indenture which are not otherwise expressly required by the terms of the Indenture to be deposited in or allocated to the Lockbox Account; provided that no Specified Shares or Collateral shall constitute Unrestricted Cash.
 

B Communications' cash management: B Communications' manages its cash balances according to an investment policy that was approved by its board of directors. The investment policy seeks to preserve principal and maintain adequate liquidity while maximizing the income received from investments without significantly increasing the risk of loss. B Communications' investment policy prescribes the following criteria for cash management: a) funds in the Lockbox account may only be invested in investment-grade securities; b) unrestricted funds may be invested according to the following: at least 65% of the funds must be invested in investment-grade securities and up to 35% of the funds may be invested in non-investment-grade securities.

B Communications' refinancing: On February 19, 2014, B Communications announced the closing of its successful private offering of $800 million of 7⅜% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the "Notes"). The Notes were offered and sold in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and to certain qualifying investors in offshore transactions, including in Israel, in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have been admitted for trading on the system of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange for trading by institutional investors, known as TACT Institutional. The net proceeds from the Notes offering were used by B Communications to repay all amounts outstanding under the loans incurred to acquire its controlling interest in Bezeq and to deposit funds into a lockbox account. In addition, B Communications entered into five Cross Currency Swap ("CCS") transactions in order to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in the $ exchange rate as a result of the Notes issuance. The CCS transactions hedge $725 million principal amount of the Notes.

On March 17, 2014, B Communications completed an early redemption all of its outstanding Series A Debentures having a par value of NIS 153 million for total consideration of NIS 203 million. As of that date the Series A Debentures were delisted from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

Dividend from Bezeq: On March 5, 2014, the Board of Directors of Bezeq resolved to recommend to the general meeting of shareholders the distribution of a cash dividend of NIS 802 million ($230 million). On March 27, 2014, Bezeq's shareholders approved the dividend distribution and on April 23, 2014, B Communications' received its share of the dividend distribution of approximately NIS 248 million ($71 million).

B Communications' First Quarter Financial Results

B Communications' consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2014 were NIS 2,311 million ($663 million), a 3.9% decrease compared with NIS 2,405 million reported in the first quarter of 2013. For both the current and the prior-year periods, B Communications' consolidated revenues consisted entirely of Bezeq's revenues.

During the first quarter of 2014, B Communications recorded net amortization expenses of NIS 108 million ($31 million) related to its Bezeq purchase price allocation (“Bezeq PPA”) in its consolidated financial statements. From April 14, 2010, the date of the acquisition of its interest in Bezeq, until March 31, 2014, B Communications has amortized approximately 61% of the total Bezeq PPA. The Bezeq PPA amortization expense is a non-cash expense that is subject to adjustment. If, for any reason, B Communications finds it necessary or appropriate to make adjustments to amounts already expensed, it may result in significant changes to its audited financial reports, as well as to future financial statements.

B Communications' unconsolidated net financial expenses for the first quarter of 2014 totaled NIS 310 million ($89 million) compared to NIS 48 million in the first quarter of 2013. These expenses consisted primarily of NIS 179 million ($51 million) of one-time expenses relating to the early repayment of the loans incurred to acquire the controlling interest in Bezeq and the early redemption of all outstanding Series A Debentures. In addition, B Communications' incurred NIS 83 million ($24 million) of non-cash net expenses related to the revaluation of its CCS hedge transactions. The CCS transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting. In accordance with IAS 39, derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized on the statement of financial position at their fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized as a component of “financial expenses, net” in the statement of income. B Communications expects that these non-cash revaluation expenses will fully offset over the term of the hedge transactions against the USD denominated Notes. However, until then such revaluation expenses could have a material adverse effect on B Communications' statement of income due to the volatility of the fair value valuation method. Additional financial expenses during the first quarter of 2014 include NIS 41 million ($12 million) related to the publicly traded Series B debentures, the recently issued Senior Secured Notes and the redeemed Series A Debentures and interest and CPI linkage expenses of NIS 11 million ($3 million) on the extinguished long-term loans incurred to finance the Bezeq acquisition. These expenses were offset in part by financial income of NIS 4 million ($1 million) generated by short term investments.

B Communications' loss attributable to shareholders for the first quarter of 2014 was NIS 203 million ($58 million) compared to net income attributable to shareholders of NIS 61 million reported in the first quarter of 2013.

B Communications' Unconsolidated Financial Results

               
In millions Convenience
translation into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
Three-month Three-month Three-month
period ended period ended period ended Year ended
March 31, March 31, March 31, December 31,
2014 2013
NIS US$ NIS NIS
Revenues - - - -
Financing expenses, net (310 ) (89 ) (48 ) (211 )

Other and income tax expenses

(1 ) - (1 ) (12 )
PPA amortization, net (33 ) (9 ) (41 ) (186 )

Interest in Bezeq's net income

141   40   151   546  
Net income (loss) (203 ) (58 ) 61   137  
 

Comments of Management

Commenting on the results, Mr. Doron Turgeman, B Communications' CEO, stated, “During the first quarter of 2014, we progressed in line with our business plan and met all of our goals, which are based on the stable platform and unique strength of Bezeq, our base asset, which continues to prove its long-term cash-generating power with NIS 457 million of net income and NIS 757 million of free cash flow for the quarter. During the first quarter our Company entered a new promising phase after completing the refinancing of bank and institutional loans, which we announced on February 2014. Our new debt structure has significantly improved our financial position, providing us with a more convenient loan repayment schedule that will improve our future cash flows. This improvement in our future cash flows is also supported by the decision of Midroog (an Israeli rating company affiliated with Moody's) to raise our local debt rating during the first quarter. In the quarters ahead, we will continue our efforts to strengthen our financial stability and liquidity in order to improve our debt and equity positions.”

Bezeq Group Results (Consolidated)

To provide further insight into its results, the Company is providing the following summary of the consolidated financial report of the Bezeq Group for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014. For a full discussion of Bezeq's results for the first quarter of 2014, please refer to its website: http://ir.bezeq.co.il.

Bezeq Group (consolidated)     Q1 2014     Q1 2013     % change
(NIS millions)
 
Revenues 2,311 2,405 -3.9 %
Operating profit 688 761 -9.6 %
EBITDA 1,002 1,089 -8.0 %
EBITDA margin 43.4 % 45.3 %
Net profit attributable to Bezeq's shareholders 457 497 -8.0 %
Diluted EPS (NIS)     0.17       0.18       -5.6 %
Cash flow from operating activities 1,043 972 7.3 %
Payments for investments 315 289 9.0 %
Free cash flow 1     757       726       4.3 %
Net debt/EBITDA (end of period) 2     1.81       1.68        

1

 

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less net payments for investments.

2

EBITDA in this calculation refers to the trailing twelve months.

 

Revenues of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 2.31 billion ($663 million) compared with NIS 2.41 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 3.9%. The reduction in the Bezeq Group revenues was primarily related to a decrease in the revenues of Bezeq Fixed Line due to a reduction in fixed call termination rates. In addition, Pelephone revenues decreased as a result of increased competition in the market.

General and Operating expenses of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 869 million ($249 million) compared with NIS 889 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 2.2%. The decrease in the Bezeq Group General and Operating expenses was due to a reduction in fixed call termination rates which was partially offset by a moderate increase in equipment expenses due to increased sales of cellular handsets, tablets and other accessories.

Salaries expenses of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 448 million ($128 million) compared with NIS 499 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 10.2%. The decrease in the Bezeq Group salaries expenses was primarily due to streamlining at Bezeq Fixed Line as well as a reduction in share based payments.

Other operating income, net of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 8 million ($2 million) compared with NIS 72 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013. The decrease in the Bezeq Group other operating income was primarily due to a reduction in real estate and copper sales as well as an increase in the provision for employee early retirement which negatively impacted profitability metrics and offset the improvement in Bezeq Fixed Line activities.

Operating profit of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 688 million ($197 million) compared with NIS 761 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 9.6%. After adjusting for other operating income line items, the Bezeq Group operating profit decreased by NIS 9 million ($3 million) compared to the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 1.00 billion ($287 million) (EBITDA margin of 43.4%) compared with NIS 1.09 billion (EBITDA margin of 45.3%) in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 8.0%. After adjusting for other operating income line items, the Bezeq Group adjusted EBITDA decreased by NIS 23 million compared to the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Net profit attributable to Bezeq's shareholders in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 457 million ($131 million) compared with NIS 497 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, a decrease of 8.0%.

Operating cash flow of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 1.04 billion ($299 million) compared with NIS 972 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, an increase of 7.3%. The increase in the Bezeq Group operating cash flow was primarily due to an improvement in working capital. Free cash flow of the Bezeq Group in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to NIS 757 million ($217 million) compared with NIS 726 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013, an increase of 4.3%.

Net financial debt of the Bezeq Group amounted to NIS 7.32 billion ($2.10 billion) at March 31, 2014 compared with NIS 7.30 billion as of March 31, 2013.

Notes:

A.

 

Convenience Translation to Dollars: For the convenience of the reader, certain of the reported NIS figures of March 31, 2014 have been presented in millions of U.S. dollars, translated at the representative rate of exchange as of March 31, 2014 (NIS 3.487 = U.S. Dollar 1.00). The U.S. dollar ($) amounts presented should not be construed as representing amounts receivable or payable in U.S. dollars or convertible into U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

 

B.

Use of non-IFRS Measurements: We and the Bezeq Group's management regularly use supplemental non-IFRS financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions. We believe these non-IFRS financial measures provide consistent and comparable measures to help investors understand the Bezeq Group's current and future operating cash flow performance.

 
These non-IFRS financial measures may differ materially from the non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies.
 
EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure generally defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Bezeq Group defines EBITDA as net income before financial income (expenses), net, impairment and other charges, expenses recorded for stock compensation in accordance with IFRS 2, income tax expenses and depreciation and amortization. We present the Bezeq Group's EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe that it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structure, tax positions (such as the impact of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age of, and depreciation expenses associated with, fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense).
 
EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account our debt service requirements and other commitments, including capital expenditures, and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. In addition, EBITDA, as presented in this press release, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the way that these measures are calculated.
 
Reconciliation between the Bezeq Group's results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis is provided in a table immediately following the Company's consolidated results. Non-IFRS financial measures consist of IFRS financial measures adjusted to exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, as well as certain business combination accounting entries. The purpose of such adjustments is to give an indication of the Bezeq Group's performance exclusive of non-cash charges and other items that are considered by management to be outside of its core operating results. The Bezeq Group's non-IFRS financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable IFRS measures, and should be read only in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.
 

About B Communications Ltd.

B Communications is a telecommunications-oriented holding company and its primary holding is its controlling interest in Bezeq, The Israel Telecommunication Corp., Israel's largest telecommunications provider BEZQ. B Communications shares are traded on NASDAQ and the TASE under the symbol BCOM. For more information please visit the following Internet sites:

www.bcommunications.co.il
www.ir.bezeq.co.il
www.eurocom.co.il
www.igld.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the industry, changes in the regulatory and legal compliance environments, the failure to manage growth and other risks detailed from time to time in B Communications' filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at

 
        Convenience        
translation into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
March 31, March 31, March 31, December 31,
2014 2014 2013 2013
NIS millions US$ millions NIS millions NIS millions
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,070 307 641 739
Restricted cash 23 6 - -

Investments, including derivative financial instruments

1,820 522 2,029 1,667
Trade receivables, net 2,499 716 2,875 2,651
Other receivables 296 85 408 349
Inventory 100 29 148 117
Assets classified as held-for-sale 201 58 251 217
 
Total current assets 6,009 1,723 6,352 5,740
 

 

Investments, including derivative financial instruments

81 23 93 81
Long-term trade and other receivables 618 177 950 652
Property, plant and equipment 6,533 1,875 6,681 6,541
Intangible assets 6,484 1,860 7,103 6,613
Deferred and other expenses 378 107 391 381

Investment in equity-accounted investee (mainly loans)

1,032 296 1,024 1,015
Deferred tax assets 29 8 62 60
 
Total non-current assets 15,155 4,346 16,304 15,343
 
Total assets 21,164 6,069 22,656 21,083
 
 

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at (cont'd)
 
        Convenience        
translation into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
March 31, March 31, March 31, December 31,
2014 2014 2013 2013
NIS millions US$ millions NIS millions NIS millions
Liabilities

Short-term bank credit, current maturities of long-term liabilities and debentures

1,133 325 1,477 1,451
Trade payables 627 180 652 721

Other payables, including derivative financial instruments

843 241 862 736
Dividend payable 554 159 677 -
Current tax liabilities 665 191 626 659
Provisions 122 35 126 125
Employee benefits 269 77 230 257
Total current liabilities 4,213 1,208 4,650 3,949
 
Debentures 8,553 2,453 4,877 6,027
Bank loans 3,497 1,003 6,416 5,223
Loans from institutions and others - - 538 548
Employee benefits 235 67 259 234
Other liabilities 218 63 80 90
Provisions 68 20 67 68
Deferred tax liabilities 971 278 1,109 1,032
Total non-current liabilities 13,542 3,884 13,346 13,222
 
Total liabilities 17,755 5,092 17,996 17,171
 
Equity

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

795 228 1,021 995
Non-controlling interests 2,614 749 3,639 2,917
 
Total equity 3,409 977 4,660 3,912
 
Total liabilities and equity 21,164 6,069 22,656 21,083
 
 

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the
       
Three months period ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
    Convenience    
Translation into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
2014 2014 2013 2013
NIS US$ NIS NIS
(In millions, except per share data)
Revenues 2,311 663 2,405 9,563
 
Cost and expenses
Depreciation and amortization 469 134 492 2,014
Salaries 448 128 500 1,873
General and operating expenses 870 250 889 3,584
Other operating (income) expenses, net (8 ) (2 ) (41 ) 57
 
1,779   510   1,840   7,528
 
Operating income 532 153 565 2,035
 
Financing expenses, net 345   99   65   320
 
Income after financing expenses, net 187 54 500 1,715
 

Share in losses of equity-accounted investee

19   6   40   252
 
Income before income tax 168 48 460 1,463
 
Income tax 131   37   153   524
 
Net income for the period 37   11   307   939
 
Income (loss) attributable to:
Owners of the Company (203 ) (58 ) 61 137
Non-controlling interests 240   69   246   802
 
Net income for the period 37   11   307   939
 
Earnings per share
 
Net income (loss), basic (6.80 ) (1.95 ) 2.04   4.56
 
Net income (loss), diluted (6.82 ) (1.96 ) 2.04   4.50
 
 

B Communications Ltd.

Reconciliation for NON-IFRS Measures
 

EBITDA

 

The following is a reconciliation of the Bezeq Group's operating income to EBITDA:

   
Three months period ended
March 31,
    Convenience    
translation
into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
2014 2014 2013
NIS millions US$ millions NIS millions
 
Operating income 688 197 761
Depreciation and amortization 314 90 328
 
EBITDA 1,002 287 1,089
 
 

Free Cash Flow

 

The following table shows the calculation of the Bezeq Group's free cash flow:

   
Three months period ended
March 31,
    Convenience    
translation
into
U.S. dollars
(Note A)
2014 2014 2013
NIS millions US$ millions NIS millions
 
Cash flow from operating activities 1,043 299 972
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (267 ) (76 ) (245 )
Investment in intangible assets and deferred expenses (48 ) (14 ) (44 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 29   8   43  
 
Free cash flow 757   217   726  

B Communications Ltd.
Idit Cohen – IR Manager
Tel: +972-3-924-0000
idit@igld.com
or
Investor relations contacts:
Hadas Friedman - Investor Relations
Tel: +972-3-516-7620
Hadas@km-ir.co.il

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