Telekom Austria Group: Full-Year Results 2007 Marked by International Expansion
February 27 2008 - 12:01AM
PR Newswire (US)
VIENNA, February 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- - Revenues increase
by 3.3% from EUR 4,759.6 million to EUR 4,919.0 million driven by
both segments - EBITDA declines from EUR 1,911.5 million to EUR
1,854.9 million - Competitive Austrian market drives EBITDA decline
- Growth of international operations compensates start-up loss -
Subscriber base rises by 50.9% to 15.4 million customers, 650.100
subscribers in start-up operations - Proposed dividend of EUR 0.75
per share - Revenues expected to grow by approximately 5.0% and
EBITDA by approximately 3.0% in 2008 Telekom Austria Group (VSE:
TKA, OTC US: TKAGY) today announced its results for the Financial
Year 2007 and the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2007.
Year-to-date comparison: During 2007, revenues increased by 3.3% to
EUR 4,919.0 million due to higher revenues from the Mobile
Communication and the Fixed Net segment. EBITDA declined from EUR
1,911.5 million by 3.0% to EUR 1,854.9 million due to a lower
contribution from the domestic businesses. EBITDA growth in the
inter-national operations in the Mobile Comm-unication segment more
than offset cost associated to the launch of operations in the
Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. Operating income
decreased from EUR 777.1 million to EUR 761.4 million. Net income
declined by 12.3% to EUR 492.5 million due to higher interest
expenses as a result of the acquisition of MDC in Belarus and
higher shareholder remun-eration as well as higher tax expenses.
The year 2006 included a one-off tax benefit in the amount of EUR
43.6 million compared to a one-off tax benefit of EUR 16.6 million
in 2007. As a result of the acquisition of treasury shares during
2007 the decline of earnings per share was limited to 8.4% to EUR
1.09. Capital expenditures for tangible and intangible assets
decreased by 14.6% to EUR 851.3 million as 2006 included the
acquisition of a licence for the Republic of Serbia for EUR 320.0
million. Net debt increased by 39.1% to EUR 4,407.2 million at the
end of December 2007 mainly due to the acquisition of MDC. The
Management Board will propose a dividend of EUR 0.75 in line with
the dividend paid for 2006. Quarterly comparison: Revenues
increased by 7.4% to EUR 1,288.1 million in 4Q 07 driven by the
consolidation of MDC and eTel and the well performing international
operations in the Mobile Communication segment. EBITDA grew by 4.1%
to EUR 391.3 million as revenue growth offset higher operating
expenses in both segments. Operating income increased by 20.5% to
EUR 93.4 million as a result of higher EBITDA and stable
depreciation & amortization. Net income decreased by 35.2% to
EUR 41.0 million during 4Q 07 mainly due to higher interest
expenses following the acquisition of MDC and higher shareholder
returns in 2007. As a consequence earnings per share decreased by
35.7% to EUR 0.09. Capital expenditures for tangible and intangible
assets decreased by 45.0% to EUR 316.5 as 4Q 06 included the
acquisition of a licence for the Republic of Serbia for EUR 320.0
million. For more detailed information about the full-year results
2007 please refer to the corresponding report on Telekom Austria
Group's website at http://www.telekomaustria.com/interim_reports
Contacts: Elisabeth Mattes Group Spokeswoman Phone:
+43-664-331-2730 E-Mail: Peter Zydek Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +43(0)59059-1-19000 E-Mail: DATASOURCE: Telekom Austria
Group CONTACT: Contacts: Elisabeth Mattes, Group Spokeswoman,
Phone: +43-664-331-2730, E-Mail: ; Peter Zydek, Head of Investor
Relations, Phone: +43(0)59059-1-19000, E-Mail:
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