Telekom Austria Group: Full-Year 2008 Results Underpin Strong Operational Performance
February 25 2009 - 12:05AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Well performing mobile operation drives revenue growth of 5.1% to
EUR 5,170.3 mn VIENNA, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telekom
Austria Group (VSE: TKA, OTC US: TKAGY) today announced its results
for the full year 2008 and the fourth quarter ending December 31,
2008. Restructuring measures announced: In 4Q 08 the Telekom
Austria Group announced a restructuring program of its Fixed Net
operations, which required expenses of EUR 632.1 million and
affected EBITDA, operating income and net income for 4Q 08 and the
full year 2008. However, these expenses did not materially impact
the cash flow of the Telekom Austria Group and will improve future
results. Year-to-date comparison: During 2008 revenues grew by 5.1%
to EUR 5,170.3 million mainly due to the performance of the mobile
communications operations including the consolidation of Velcom,
which more than offset the impact of the EU Roaming- Regulation and
the lower contribution from the Fixed Net segment. EBITDA decreased
by 30.2% to EUR 1,295.6 million driven by the above mentioned
restructuring program in the Fixed Net segment, which required
expenses of EUR 632.1 million. Excluding the restructuring program
EBITDA increased by 3.9% to EUR 1,927.7 million. Operating income
declined by 82.2% to EUR 135.5 million. Net loss amounted to EUR
48.8 million compared to a net income of EUR 492.5 million for FY
2007 primarily impacted by the restructuring program. Capital
expenditures for tangible and intangible assets decreased from EUR
851.3 million to EUR 807.6 million as lower capital expenditures in
the Fixed Net segment more than offset higher capital expenditures
in the Mobile Communication segment. Net debt decreased by 9.4% to
EUR 3,993.3 million at the end of 2008 compared to the end of 2007.
Quarterly comparison: Revenues increased by 1.4% to EUR 1,306.5
million in 4Q 08 primarily driven by the strong performance of
mobilkom austria and Velcom in Belarus. The EUR 632.1 million
expenses recorded for the restructuring program resulted in a
negative EBITDA of EUR 212.0 million. Excluding the restructuring
expenses EBITDA grew by 7.4% to EUR 420.1 million. An operating
loss of EUR 516.1 million and a net loss of EUR 437.7 million were
recorded in 4Q 08 due to the restructuring program. Loss per share
was EUR 0.99 in 4Q 08. Capital expenditures for tangible and
intangible assets decreased by 13.6% to EUR 273.3 million mainly
due to lower capital expenditures in the Fixed Net segment
offsetting higher capital expenditures at Velcom in Belarus and at
mobilkom austria. Further Information For more detailed information
about the full year results 2008 please refer to the corresponding
report on Telekom Austria Group's website at
http://www.telekomaustria.com/interim_reports Contacts: Elisabeth
Mattes Peter Zydek Group Spokeswoman Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +43 664 331 2730 Tel.: +43 (0) 59059 1-19000 E-Mail: E-Mail:
DATASOURCE: Telekom Austria Group CONTACT: Elisabeth Mattes, Group
Spokeswoman, +43-664-331-2730, ; or Peter Zydek, +43(0)59059
1-19000, , both of Telekom Austria Group Web site:
http://www.telekomaustria.com/interim_reports
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