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Half Yearly Report

3rd Nov 2011 07:00

RNS Number : 4014R
Cable & Wireless Communications PLC
03 November 2011
 



ANNOUNCEMENT

3 November 2011

 

CABLE & WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS PLC HALF YEARLY REPORT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

 

Cable & Wireless Communications on track with first half results

 

 

§ Revenue up 24% to US$1,442 million

 

§ EBITDA up 4% to US$443 million

 

§ Net profit before exceptional items up 9% to US$163 million

 

§ Strong underlying performances in Macau and Monaco & Islands

 

§ Encouraging initial contribution from the Bahamas

 

§ Strong growth in mobile data and enterprise

 

§ Adjusted EPS 3.8 US cents per share

 

§ Interim dividend maintained at 2.67 US cents per share, expect full year dividend of 8 US cents per share

 

EBITDA is defined in the footnotes on the following page, a reconciliation of EBITDA is provided on page 27

Adjusted EPS is before exceptional items, gains/(losses) on disposals, amortisation of acquired intangibles and transaction costs

 

 

Commenting on the Group results, Tony Rice, Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc, said:

 

"We had a good first half and are on track for the full year. The underlying performance in both Macau and Monaco & Islands was strong. The headline result in Macau was boosted by surging iPhone sales and we saw strong growth in the bottom line. Monaco & Islands had a buoyant first half despite currency devaluation in the Maldives. Mobile Data has shown rapid growth in a number of our markets, a trend that we expect to continue in H2 and future years as the penetration of smart devices continues to increase, having risen to 19% of our subscriber base by the end of September.

 

"We have made an encouraging start in the Bahamas, since we acquired the Bahamas Telecommunications Company in April. The initial phase of the restructuring plan has been completed ahead of schedule and as a result we booked the majority of our expected restructuring costs in the first half. The business has now begun to adopt a more customer focused approach and in the second half we will be introducing new product and service offerings, including high speed mobile data services, the iPhone and a better value proposition for our customers.

 

"Elsewhere in the Caribbean we have seen signs of a stabilisation in a number of our principal markets, although Jamaica remains difficult. We are, however, encouraged by recent announcements by the Jamaican Government and its intention to create a level regulatory playing field providing Jamaicans with greater choice and value.

 

"Panama continues to perform strongly in the important mobile segment, but changes in the gross margin percentage have held the business to the same level of EBITDA as last year. We have recently launched a high speed mobile data network and are rolling out enhanced mobile data services prior to Christmas and, as last year, expect to deliver a stronger second half.

 

"We have also successfully signed five-year US$600 million credit facilities securing a large bulk of our near term funding needs on improved terms. This is part of our general liability management which remains focused on maintaining a prudent level of leverage over the medium term.

 

"Despite uncertainties about the world economic environment we are well placed as we enter the second half with each of our businesses expected to trade in the full-year ranges for EBITDA set out at the start of the year."

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

Analysis of Group results

 

US$m

Six months ended 30 September 2011

Six months ended 30 September 2010

% change

Revenue

1,442

1,159

24% 

Gross margin

966

804

20% 

Operating costs

(523) 

(380) 

(38)%

EBITDA2

443

424

4% 

Depreciation and amortisation

(175) 

(158) 

(11)%

Net other operating expense

(7) 

(11) 

36

Joint ventures

13

21

(38)%

LTIP charge

-

(19) 

nm

Total operating profit before exceptional items

274

257

7% 

Exceptional items

(58) 

6

nm

Total operating profit

216

263

(18)%

Finance income

5

22

(77)%

Finance expense

(78) 

(72) 

(8)%

Other non-operating income/(expense)

2

(3) 

nm

Profit before tax

145

210

(31)%

Income tax expense

(37) 

(54) 

31% 

Net profit

108

156

(31)%

Net profit before exceptional items

163

149

9% 

Net profit attributable to:

Owners of the Parent Company

52

85

(39)%

Non-controlling interests

56

71

(21)%

Balance sheet capital expenditure

(160) 

(128) 

(25)%

Cash exceptional items

(37) 

(16) 

(131)%

Operating cash flow3

246

280

(12)%

EPS

2.1c

3.3c

Adjusted EPS4

3.8c

4.0c

Customers in subsidiaries (000s)

Mobile

4,907

4,726

4% 

Broadband

553

532

4% 

Fixed

1,425

1,449

(2)%

 

1

Six months ended 30 September 2010 includes the consolidated results for Bermuda and excludes the Bahamas

2

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP charge, net other operating and non-operating income/(expense) and exceptional items

3

Operating cash flow is defined as EBITDA less balance sheet capital expenditure less cash exceptionals

4

Adjusted EPS is before exceptional items, LTIP charges, gains/(losses) on disposals, amortisation of acquired intangibles and transaction costs

 

Cable & Wireless Communications reported revenue, EBITDA and total operating profit of US$1,442 million, US$443 million and US$216 million respectively for the six months to 30 September 2011. 

Revenue increased by 24% to US$1,442 million including a first time contribution of US$177 million from the Bahamas business acquired in April 2011. We saw a strong performance in Macau where mobile service and handset sales drove a 50% rise in revenue. Across the Group, enterprise activity increased and non-voice mobile revenue grew as data penetration levels rose.

 

Group EBITDA increased by 4% to US$443 million following the strong performance in Macau, together with the addition of the Bahamas.

 

Total operating profit before exceptional items increased by 7% to US$274 million. There was a net exceptional charge of US$58 million primarily related to the voluntary separation programme (VSEP) in the Bahamas where we have completed the initial phase ahead of schedule and booked the majority of our expected restructuring costs in this period.

 

Profit for the period before exceptional items was up 9% to US$163 million and adjusted earnings per share for the period was 3.8 US cents. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 2.67 US cents per share which is unchanged from the prior year.

 

On a like-for-like basis, adjusting the prior period by removing Bermuda, a business we sold in March 2011, and excluding the Bahamas from the current year and at constant currency, revenue for the Group would have been 10% higher and EBITDA for the Group would have been 2% lower than last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group made strong strategic progress during the half. We are vigorously pursuing new areas of growth: mobile data, enterprise and social telecoms and carrier services to address the decline in high margin fixed services voice services and to provide future growth. We are also deploying triple-play services, with pay TV as a key component.

 

Mobile data services, facilitated by the increased penetration of smartphone devices, have accelerated across the business. Mobile data revenue rose by 94% and now accounts for 7% of Group revenue. Our Macau business has led this growth with 40% of its subscriber base on data plans driving a 52% growth in non-voice (data and SMS) services year-on-year. We expect this segment to continue to grow across the portfolio. We have made significant network upgrade investments in the Caribbean and Panama, where we will be launching more mobile data services in the second half. After its successful launch in Macau last year, we have agreements in place to offer the iPhone to customers across most of our key territories in the portfolio.

 

Enterprise and social telecoms services are also growing across the business, with each business unit posting strong rises in revenues. Across the Group, enterprise, data and other revenue rose by 20%. Panama has been a leader in providing social telecom projects to the Government, and we have begun to expand this expertise into other Central American markets. We are also seeing success with social telecoms projects in Monaco & Islands, and the Caribbean. Macau's enterprise offering to casinos continues to grow.

 

We remain committed to reshaping the Group, for example the integration and restructuring of our recently acquired business in The Bahamas. The restructuring is ahead of schedule.

 

 

 

Contacts

 

 

Cable & Wireless Communications

 

Investors

 

Sheldon Bruha

+44 (0) 20 7315 4178

Kunal Patel

+44 (0) 20 7315 4083

 

 

Media

 

Lachlan Johnston

+44 (0) 20 7315 4006 / +44 (0) 7800 021 405

Steve Smith

+44 (0) 20 7315 4070

 

Maitland

 

Neil Bennett / Tom Buchanan

+44 (0) 20 7379 5151

 

 

REVIEW OF CWC OPERATIONS

 

Income statement

 

Panama

Caribbean1

Macau

Monaco & Islands2

Other3

Total

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

Mobile

156 

148 

5% 

266 

147 

81% 

151 

76 

99% 

120 

117 

3% 

- 

- 

0% 

693 

488 

42% 

Broadband &TV

30 

28 

7% 

62 

52 

19% 

28 

25 

12% 

24 

22 

9% 

- 

- 

0% 

144 

127 

13% 

Fixed voice

72 

76 

(5)%

169 

141 

20% 

38 

41 

(7)%

41 

48 

(15)%

- 

- 

0% 

320 

306 

5% 

Enterprise, data and other

50 

42 

19% 

79 

61 

30% 

41 

30 

37% 

115 

108 

6% 

- 

(3)

nm

285 

238 

20% 

Revenue

308 

294 

5% 

576 

401 

44% 

258 

172 

50% 

300 

295 

2% 

- 

(3)

nm

1,442 

1,159 

24% 

Cost of sales

(106)

(95)

(12)%

(131)

(103)

(27)%

(144)

(70)

(106)%

(95)

(90)

(6)%

- 

3 

nm

(476)

(355)

(34)%

Gross margin

202 

199 

2% 

445 

298 

49% 

114 

102 

12% 

205 

205 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

966 

804 

20% 

Operating costs

(75)

(72)

(4)%

(313)

(183)

(71)%

(30)

(26)

(15)% 

(108)

(102)

(6)%

3 

3 

0% 

(523)

(380)

(38)%

EBITDA4

127 

127 

0% 

132 

115 

15% 

84 

76 

11% 

97 

103 

(6)%

3

3 

0% 

443 

424 

4% 

LTIP charges

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

-

(19)

nm

- 

(19)

nm

Depreciation and amortisation

(37)

(38)

3% 

(80)

(62)

(29)%

(16)

(17)

6% 

(38)

(37)

(3)% 

(4)

(4)

0% 

(175)

(158)

(11)%

Net other operating (expense)/income

- 

- 

0% 

(10)

1 

nm

- 

- 

0% 

1 

- 

nm

2 

(12)

nm

(7)

(11)

36% 

Operating profit before joint ventures and exceptional items

90 

89 

1% 

42 

54 

(22)%

68 

59 

15% 

60 

66 

(9)%

1 

(32)

nm  

261 

236 

11% 

Exceptional items

(6)

- 

nm

(52)

(5)

nm

- 

- 

nm

- 

(2)

100% 

- 

13 

nm

(58)

6 

nm

Operating profit before joint ventures

84 

89 

(6)%

(10)

49 

nm

68 

59 

15% 

60 

64 

(6)%

1 

(19)

nm  

203 

242 

(16)%

Capital expenditure

(71)

(44)

(61)%

(48)

(50)

4% 

(13)

(8)

(63)%

(28)

(21)

(33)%

- 

(5)

nm

(160)

(128)

(25)%

Cash exceptional items

(6)

- 

nm

(29)

(4)

nm

- 

- 

nm

- 

(2)

nm

(2)

(10)

80% 

(37)

(16)

(131)%

Operating cash flow5

50 

83 

(40)%

55 

61 

(10)%

71 

68 

4% 

69 

80 

(14)%

(12)

nm

246 

280 

(12)%

Net cash interest

(3)

(4)

25% 

(1)

(3)

67% 

- 

- 

0% 

(2)

- 

nm

(56)

(50)

(12)%

(62)

(57)

(9)%

Cash tax

(27)

(20)

(35)%

(19)

(18)

(6)%

(7)

(6)

(17)%

(5)

(4)

(25)%

(6)

(5)

(20)%

(64)

(53)

(21)%

Headcount6

1,578 

1,730 

9% 

3,971 

2,877 

(38)%

882 

846 

(4)%

1,642 

1,612 

(2)%

152 

143 

(6)%

8,225 

7,208 

(14)%

 

 

 

nm represents % change not meaningful

1

Caribbean includes the Bahamas business in H1 11/12 (excluded in H1 10/11)

2

Monaco & Islands comprises operations in Monaco, Maldives, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Bermuda (H1 10/11 only), the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and Africa

3

Other includes management, royalty and branding fees, the costs of the corporate centre, net UK defined benefit pension charge or credit and intercompany eliminations. Other also includes all joint venture operations except Roshan, which is managed from Monaco

4

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP charge, net other operating and non-operating income/(expense) and exceptional items

5

EBITDA less balance sheet capital expenditure less cash exceptionals

6

Full time equivalents as at 30 September

Panama

 

·; Mobile revenue up 5%, strong growth in postpaid subscribers

·; Mobile non-voice revenue up 108% - mobile data services roll-out in H2

·; Solid growth in enterprise revenue with a strong pipeline

 

6 months ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Jun 2011

6 months  ended  30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Jun 2010

Subscribers (000s)

Mobile1

2,454

2,454

2,038

2,501

2,501

2,336

Broadband

140

140

141

142

142

141

Fixed

396

396

395

405

405

415

ARPU (US$)2

Mobile

13.2

12.4

14.0

10.5

10.5

10.6

Broadband

27.2

27.2

27.3

28.2

28.1

28.4

Fixed

30.3

30.6

30.0

30.9

30.9

30.9

Revenue (US$m)

308

294

EBITDA (US$m)

127

127

Margin%

41%

43%

 

1

Active subscribers are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating event in the previous 60 days

2

ARPU is average revenue per user per month, excluding equipment sales

 

Revenue at US$308 million was 5% higher than the same period last year driven primarily by non-voice mobile growth and enterprise projects implemented during the period.

 

Mobile revenue was up 5% to US$156 million as the business maintained its market share above 50%. The high value postpaid subscriber segment continued to grow driven by an increasing demand for data services. Mobile ARPU is now 26% higher than it was a year ago although this is partially due to deactivation of low spending prepaid subscribers, whose numbers have fluctuated based on promotional activities in the market. Mobile non-voice revenue more than doubled year-on-year and was up 41% on the second half of last year as increased data penetration led to higher mobile ARPUs. We expect non-voice revenue to grow further as we roll-out our 4G/HSPA+ network nationwide in the second half of this year.

 

Broadband & TV revenue grew 7% to US$30 million as we continued to make progress with our Pay TV service. Subscribers increased to 45,000 and our network footprint now covers over 250,000 homes.

 

Fixed voice revenue declined by 5% to US$72 million largely due to a reduction in payphone traffic and lower international volumes.

 

Enterprise, data and other revenue grew by 19% to US$50 million. This is a segment where we are one of the leading players in the region and an area where we see good opportunities for expansion. Earlier this year we announced three new large contracts: a project with the Second Judicial District to modernise the IT systems of the criminal justice system; a contract to provide a national telecommunications network for the country's Ministry of Security; and a contract to supply and manage an emergency services call system for the national police force in El Salvador - our first contract outside Panama. Recently we were awarded a contract for the next three years to supply, install and support new systems enabling the Panamanian Government to share information electronically and reduce the need for paper.

 

Gross margin increased to US$202 million although as a percentage of revenue it declined by two percentage points to 66%. This was mainly due to the change in enterprise gross margin percentage which fluctuates depending on individual contracts.

 

Operating costs at US$75 million were 4% higher than last year mainly reflecting higher network costs incurred to facilitate the growth in data and other services. To provide a better customer experience and take advantage of being the sole full service provider we consolidated the operations of our fixed and mobile businesses in the first half. This restructuring programme reduced headcount by 169 leading to an exceptional charge of US$6 million in the first half. We expect the restructuring to yield an ongoing saving of almost US$3 million on an annual basis.

 

As a result, the business generated EBITDA of US$127 million which was the same as last year and EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was 41%. We expect EBITDA for the full year to be in the range of US$270 - 295 million which remains in line with our previously stated outlook.

 

Our proportionate ownership of Panama EBITDA for the six months ended 30 September 2011 was 49%.

Caribbean

 

·; Bahamas acquisition off to a solid start

·; Growth in postpaid subscriber base

·; 4G/HSPA+ launched in Cayman, further roll out across region in second half

 

US$m

Six months ended 30 September 2011

Six months ended 30 September 2010

Caribbean 

Bahamas 

Caribbean (excluding

Caribbean

reported 

Bahamas)

reported

Mobile

266 

123 

143 

147 

Broadband & TV

62 

53 

52 

Fixed voice

169 

36 

133 

141 

Enterprise, data and other

79 

70 

61 

Revenue

576 

177 

399 

401 

Gross margin

445 

145 

300 

298 

Operating costs

(313)

(108)

(205)

(183)

EBITDA

132 

37 

95 

115 

 

 

CWC acquired a controlling stake in BTC on 6 April 2011, when the business became part of the Caribbean business unit. To aid prior year comparison the table above and the commentary below shows summary financial results for the Caribbean as previously reported and the contribution from the Bahamas.

 

Caribbean (excluding Bahamas)

 

6 months  ended  30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Jun 2011

6 months  ended  30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Jun 2010

Subscribers (000s)

Mobile1

1,199

1,199

1,230

1,332

1,332

1,339

Broadband

207

207

208

210

210

213

Fixed

607

607

612

624

624

634

ARPU (US$)2

Mobile

19.4

20.2

18.6

19.0

18.5

19.4

Broadband

39.6

39.7

39.5

37.8

38.7

36.9

Fixed

36.2

36.1

36.4

37.0

37.8

36.3

Revenue (US$m)

399

401

EBITDA (US$m)

95

115

Margin%

24%

29%

 

1

Active subscribers are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating event in the previous 60 days

2

ARPU is average revenue per user per month, excluding equipment sales

 

 

 

Excluding the Bahamas, Caribbean revenue was in line with the first half of last year, gross margin increased by 1% and EBITDA declined by 17%.

 

Mobile revenue declined by 3% to US$143 million compared with last year. Mobile service revenues were broadly flat, however handset sales reduced due to lower subsidies. There was an improving mobile performance in Jamaica, where mobile service revenue increased driven by growth in inbound roaming with postpaid ARPU benefitting from tighter control around discounted voice minutes. In the rest of the Caribbean the increase in the postpaid subscriber base and improved data ARPUs were offset by falling prepaid voice revenue. Mobile data has seen strong growth, particularly in Barbados where non-voice revenue grew by 50% compared to prior year. During the period, we launched our first 4G/HSPA+ network in the Cayman Islands. We are making similar investments in the rest of the Caribbean as penetration of iPhone and other smartphone devices increases.

 

Broadband & TV revenue increased by 2% to US$53 million following a successful campaign where we upgraded a number of subscribers to higher value packages on our enhanced network. Excluding Jamaica, where our broadband subscriber base declined due to increased competition, the broadband subscriber base increased by 5% compared to last year. Barbados and the Cayman Islands stood out with year-on-year revenue growth of 11% and 9% respectively as the number of broadband subscribers grew strongly.

 

Voice substitution continued to affect fixed line revenue, which at US$133 million declined by 6%, although the rate of decline slowed compared with prior periods.

 

We saw strong growth in our enterprise, data and other revenues, up by 15% to US$70 million. During the period we announced a new contract to design and provide connectivity for an e-learning network, C@ribNET, which will connect colleges and universities across the Caribbean. Additionally we are starting to see carrier transactions coming through from the investment we made last year in the East West cable.

 

Gross margin was stable at US$300 million reflecting more support from the macro environment and a more focused promotional strategy in respect of handset subsidies.

 

Operating costs were higher, rising 12% on the prior period. Inflationary pressures drove an increase in staff costs, which coincided with higher operating costs resulting from investment in expanding the sales force, higher network support costs due to network expansion and an increased retail presence. Notwithstanding this we have made good progress in the period with our cost reduction programmes. We have engaged our employees and union partners to realign our compensation structure so that it is sustainable, market driven and provides greater emphasis around incentive driven pay, and commenced a programme of benefit restructuring and buy-outs. We have also worked to benchmark many of the operational and support areas and have commenced programmes to improve efficiency over the medium term.

 

Reflecting the higher level of operating costs, EBITDA fell to US$95 million, but we remain confident that EBITDA for the full year for the Caribbean excluding the Bahamas will be in the range of US$180 - 210 million which is in line with our previously stated outlook.

 

 

Bahamas

 

On 6 April 2011 we completed our purchase of a 51% stake in BTC in The Bahamas for a cash consideration of US$204 million. The company is the exclusive mobile operator in The Bahamas as well as a leading provider of fixed line and broadband services. Under the terms of the acquisition, the liberalisation process for the mobile sector will commence no sooner than three years after privatisation.

 

Our Bahamas business has delivered a satisfactory financial performance in the first half of the year and we have made excellent progress in restructuring the business. The voluntary redundancy programme which was open to all employees has closed with the uptake in line with our expectations; over 400 applications have been approved with 260 colleagues having left the business by 30 September 2011. These restructuring costs will be funded by BTC, which had US$79 million of cash balances as at 30 September 2011.

 

During the period we have invested to upgrade the network to deliver high speed mobile broadband, begun to refresh the retail and distribution network, enhanced our customer service facilities and launched new customer initiatives, such as the removal of inter-island surcharges. Many of the plans to prepare BTC to face mobile competition in the future have been laid and we will accelerate implementation during the second half of this financial year and into the next.

 

We expect EBITDA for the full year to be in the range of US$60 - 80 million which remains in line with our previously stated outlook.

 

Our proportionate ownership of EBITDA for the Caribbean (including Bahamas) for the six months ended 30 September 2011 was 78%.

Macau

 

·; EBITDA up 11% driven by strong mobile growth

·; Economic growth continues at an extraordinary rate; visitor numbers increasing year-on-year

·; Mobile data services growing rapidly - non-voice 29% of mobile service revenue

 

The Macau economy again achieved exceptional growth with real GDP growth of 23% in the first half of this calendar year. Gaming revenue rose 46% and visitor numbers were up 10% in the first eight months of this calendar year1.

 

Our business had an excellent start this year as revenue increased by 50% to US$258 million with double digit growth for mobile, broadband and enterprise compared to the same period last year.

 

6 months  ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Jun 2011

6 months  ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Jun 2010

Subscribers (000s)

Mobile1

417

417

402

396

396

397

Broadband

136

136

134

131

131

129

Fixed

176

176

177

178

178

179

ARPU (US$)2

Mobile

20.9

20.9

21.0

19.2

19.4

18.9

Broadband

33.3

33.0

33.6

31.9

33.2

30.6

Fixed

36.0

36.9

35.0

38.0

38.6

37.4

Revenue (US$m)

258

172

EBITDA (US$m)

84

76

Margin%

33%

44%

 

1

Active subscribers are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating event in the previous 60 days

2

ARPU is average revenue per user per month, excluding equipment sales

 

Mobile revenue of US$151 million almost doubled compared to last year. Mobile equipment sales surged to US$100 million, driven by the popularity of the iPhone and other smartphones in the region. Mobile services revenue grew strongly, up 12% to US$51 million, due to a combination of growth in subscriber numbers and ARPUs up 9% on last year driven by higher non-voice and roaming revenues. Mobile non-voice revenue now represents 29% of subscriber service revenue as smartphones and mobile broadband usage increased.

 

Broadband subscribers grew by 4% along with increasing ARPU as subscribers demanded greater bandwidth. Broadband revenue increased by 12% to US$28 million.

 

Fixed voice revenue of US$38 million decreased compared to the same period last year as customer substitution reduced both subscribers and ARPU by 1% and 5% respectively. It is the intention of the regulator to introduce fixed line competition but as yet no new licences have been awarded.

 

Enterprise, data and other revenue of US$41 million improved by 37% as the business won managed service contracts with the Macau Government and casinos including the Galaxy and Venetian.

 

Gross margin of US$114 million was up 12% compared with last year reflecting strong underlying performance in the mobile and enterprise segments.

 

Operating costs of US$30 million were 15% higher than the same period last year. The higher revenue drove increased network and administration costs though this was limited by strong controls. At 16% of revenue, excluding iPhone equipment sales which commenced in November 2010, operating costs were one percentage point higher than the same period last year.

 

On the back of the strong mobile performance, EBITDA was 11% higher in the first half at US$84 million. Adjusting for iPhone equipment sales the underlying EBITDA margin was 42%.

 

We expect EBITDA for the full year to be in the range of US$150 - 160 million which remains in line with our previously stated outlook.

 

Our proportionate ownership of Macau EBITDA for the six months ended 30 September 2011 was 51%.

Monaco & Islands (M&I)

 

·; Revenue up 8% and EBITDA up 3% on like-for-like basis

·; Monaco and Maldives performed well on an underlying basis

·; Data begins to drive mobile revenue growth

 

 

6 months  ended  30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Sep 2011

3 months ended 30 Jun 2011

6 months  ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Sep 2010

3 months ended 30 Jun 2010

Subscribers (000s)

Mobile1

531

531

534

497

497

484

Broadband

55

55

53

49

49

48

Fixed

125

125

128

242

242

242

ARPU (US$)2

Mobile

34.3

34.5

34.2

36.7

36.2

37.2

Broadband

62.7

63.3

62.1

61.3

62.9

59.6

Fixed

53.5

52.9

54.2

33.5

31.6

35.4

Revenue (US$m)

300

295

EBITDA (US$m)

97

103

Margin%

32%

35%

 

1

Active subscribers are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating event in the previous 60 days

2

ARPU is average revenue per user per month, excluding equipment sales

 

Revenue at US$300 million was 2% higher than the same period last year. Our Monaco business saw strong revenue growth, while in the Maldives a devaluation of the local currency, the Rufiyaa, saw revenue reported in US dollars fall despite increasing in local currency. We also disposed of our Bermudan business in March 2011. Excluding Bermuda and adjusting for currency, revenue increased by 8% compared to the prior year.

 

Monaco performed very well in the first half of the year with revenue up strongly, mainly driven by strength in the mobile and enterprise segments. Rising data usage saw mobile revenue post a double digit rise, as penetration of smartphones and tablets grew rapidly. Increased traffic volumes and higher pricing for our international operations boosted enterprise revenue. Growth in subscriber numbers and ARPU were reflected in the 16% increase in broadband & TV revenue. Monaco benefitted from a favourable euro to US dollar exchange rate compared to the same period last year.

 

In local currency, the Maldives had a good underlying performance, with revenue up 7% on last year as roaming activity drove mobile revenue 10% higher and telemedicine services led to an increase in enterprise revenue. During the period the Government of the Maldives introduced a limited free float of the Rufiyaa which prompted a 20% devaluation. Consequently US dollar revenue of US$67 million was 10% lower than last year.

 

In Guernsey competition in the mobile sector remains intense but we still managed to grow our active subscriber base by 4% and increased our market share. Broadband subscribers increased year on year by 9% as did ARPU, which rose 11%.

 

Gross margin at US$205 million was in line with the same period last year. As a percentage of revenue this reduced by one percentage point to 68% largely driven by the disposal of our Bermuda business and its high margin fixed line revenue.

 

Operating costs were US$108 million, up 6% on the same period last year. Afinis, our African enterprise services business made good early progress but incurred additional operating costs after its re-launch in February 2011. In Guernsey we increased marketing spend in order to retain our leading mobile market position and grow other lines of the business and an adverse sterling to US dollar exchange rate also resulted in higher operating costs.

 

EBITDA at US$97 million was 6% lower than the same period last year, largely reflecting the disposal of Bermuda, which was responsible for US$6 million of this reduction with the balance relating to the devaluation of the Rufiyaa. On a like-for-like basis, excluding Bermuda and at constant currency, EBITDA increased by US$3 million, or 3%, compared to last year.

 

We expect EBITDA for the full year to be in the range of US$170 - 190 million which remains in line with our previously stated outlook.

 

Operations in the Maldives, Monaco and Guernsey represented approximately 84% of M&I revenue and approximately 91% of EBITDA in H1.

 

Our proportionate ownership of Monaco & Islands EBITDA for the six months to 30 September 2011 was 64%.

Other

Other includes management, royalty and branding fees, the costs of the corporate centre, net UK defined benefit pension credit or charge and intercompany eliminations. EBITDA was US$3 million, in line with last year.

 

Joint ventures

Our share of profit after tax from joint ventures was US$13 million, US$8 million lower than the same period last year mainly as the prior year included the release of US$11 million in allowances which were held against a former joint venture subsequently liquidated.

 

CWC share of revenue

CWC share of profit after tax

Effective

ownership as at 30 September 2011

Six months ended 30 September2011

Six months ended 30 September2010

Six monthsended 30 September

2011

Six monthsended 30 September

2010

%

US$m

US$m

US$m

US$m

Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT)

49%

111

115

6

8

Afghanistan (Roshan)

37%

59

53

6

2

Fiji (Fintel)

49%

3

4

-

-

Others1

11

10

1

11

Total

184

182

13

21

 

1

Includes results of Solomon Telekom and Telecom Vanuatu. Prior period included the release of US$11 million in allowances which were held against a former joint venture, subsequently liquidated

 

'000s

Mobile subscribers1

Broadband subscribers

Fixed line subscribers

As at 30 September 2011

As at 30 September 2010

As at 30 September 2011

As at 30 September 2010

As at 30 September 2011

As at 30 September 2010

Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT)

883

890

88

87

274

277

Afghanistan (Roshan)

5,347

3,969

-

-

-

-

Solomon Telekom

147

85

1

1

8

9

Telecom Vanuatu

51

64

2

2

6

7

Total

6,428

5,008

91

90

288

293

 

1

Active subscribers which are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating event in the previous 60 days

 

Our share of TSTT profits declined by US$2 million as staff related costs increased. Roshan continues to maintain its market leadership with mobile subscriber growth of 35% driving revenue growth and the increase in our share of profits by US$4 million. Fintel, in Fiji, remained in line with last year.

 

On 12 October 2011, CWC sold its 50% interest in Telecom Vanuatu to Mauritius Telecom Limited. As at 31 March 2011, Telecom Vanuatu had gross assets of approximately US$31 million, with our proportionate share representing US$16 million.

 Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure was US$160 million, 25% higher than the same period last year, though representing 11% of revenue, which was in line with last year. Our principal customer facing investments were in 4G/HSPA+ mobile data networks supporting smartphone sales especially in Panama, Barbados and Cayman, growth of fixed broadband, and selective Pay TV investments. We have also invested in transmission capacity and cable systems to support both retail and carrier sales. We continue to advance our billing and customer relationship management systems. Included this year, for the first time, is our investment in the Bahamas; here our focus is to improve the speed and the capacity of our fixed and mobile networks, providing an improved service to our customers and preparing for future market competition. In the Maldives we have continued our multi-year investment in a domestic cable network that will allow us to provide data services to the population and to the tourist resorts. We expect capital expenditure for the full year to be approximately US$400 million, consistent with our previously stated outlook.

 

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation and amortisation at US$175 million was US$17 million higher than H1 2010/11 primarily due to the inclusion of the Bahamas.

 

Other Group items

 

Net other operating expense

The US$7 million net other operating expense incurred in the first half of the year comprised US$7 million stamp duty in connection with the purchase of a 51% stake in BTC in The Bahamas and US$3 million hurricane restoration costs also in the Bahamas, partially offset by a gain on the retranslation of sterling based pension funds. In the prior period, US$11 million loss was recorded predominantly on the retranslation of the pension funds.

 

Exceptional items

Net exceptional items moved from an income of $6 million to a charge of US$58 million in the first half of the year with the cost in the current year predominantly relating to the redundancy and restructuring programmes in the Bahamas and Panama. Our expectations for restructuring and integration costs related to the Bahamas acquisition remain unchanged. The prior period income reflected the receipt of US$17 million after successfully defending claims brought by a Caribbean competitor, partially offset by additional restructuring charges and professional fees.

 

Net finance expense

The US$73 million net finance expense for the Group consists of finance income of US$5 million (US$22 million in H1 2010/11) and finance expense of US$78 million (US$72 million in H1 2010/11). The movements in finance income and expense compared to the prior period relate primarily to foreign exchange gains in the prior period, and increased borrowings largely due to the acquisition of BTC in The Bahamas.

 

Income tax expense

The income tax charge of US$37 million (US$54 million for H1 2010/11) is in respect of overseas taxes. This charge represents an effective tax rate of 26% which is consistent with our outlook range of 25% to 29%.

 

Group cash flow

 

2011/12 

2010/11

US$m

H1 

H2 

H1 

EBITDA1

443 

448 

424 

Balance sheet capital expenditure

(160)

(226)

(128)

Operating cash flow before exceptionals

283 

222 

296 

Movement in working capital and other provisions2

(37)

37 

(49)

Investment income3

6 

9 

8 

Underlying free cash flow

252 

268 

255 

Fixed charges

Income taxes paid

(64)

(35)

(53)

Interest paid

(66)

(53)

(62)

Dividends and shareholder loans to non-controlling interests4

(120)

(61)

(98)

Underlying equity free cash flow

2 

119 

42 

Dividends paid to shareholders

(136)

(69)

(99)

Net cash flow before one-off items and exceptionals

(134)

50 

(57)

One-off items and exceptionals

Cash exceptionals

(37)

(13)

(16)

Share buyback

(70)

(30)

- 

LTIP

(6)

- 

(9)

Acquisitions and disposals4

(144)

56 

(1)

Pension funding

- 

(149)

- 

Transfer to Cable & Wireless Worldwide for FY09/10 final dividend

- 

- 

(117)

Net cash flow after one-off items and exceptionals

(391)

(86)

(200)

Movement in share capital and own shares held

- 

- 

1 

Net proceeds from borrowings

343 

19 

70 

Net cash flow

(48)

(67)

(129)

 

1

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP, net other operating and non-operating income and exceptional items

2

Includes movement in capital expenditure accruals

3

Includes dividends received from joint ventures of US$2 million in H1 2011/12 (US$nil million in H1 2010/11)

4

Monaco Telecom dividend paid to minority interest of US$8 million in H1 2011/12 (US$nil in H1 2010/11) has been reallocated to dividends paid to non controlling interests, but for IFRS purposes is included in acquisitions and disposals

 

Cable & Wireless Communications generated operating cash flow before exceptional items of US$283 million in the six months ended 30 September 2011, slightly lower than the same period last year as the Group made the decision to invest heavily in its mobile data networks. As a result US$160 million was invested in capital expenditure compared to $128 million in the same period last year. The outflow from movements in working capital and provisions largely reflected an investment in inventory, specifically related to smartphone purchases as well as laptop and mobile TV handsets for promotions in the Caribbean.

 

Investment income of US$6 million included US$4 million of interest received on cash balances with the balance primarily relating to dividends received from joint ventures.

 

Fixed charges

As in the prior year our fixed charges are more weighted to the first half of the year. We paid US$64 million relating to income tax in the first half of 2011/12, US$11 million higher than last year due to recent tax legislation in Panama which changed the timing of tax payments to a higher first half weighting. Interest of US$66 million was paid on our external borrowings as the level of borrowings increased compared to the same period last year. We paid dividends and loans to non-controlling interests of US$120 million in the period. This was US$22 million higher than last year as we addressed existing cash balances in the Maldives and achieved higher distributions from Macau, Panama and Monaco.

 

Dividends to our shareholders were higher than the prior year as a scrip dividend scheme was not offered in relation to the final dividend for FY2010/11.

 

One-off items and exceptionals

The net cash outflow included US$37 million for exceptional items which predominantly related to restructuring costs in the Bahamas, where our restructuring programme has progressed faster than anticipated, and Panama. In February 2011, we announced a US$100 million share buyback programme of which US$30 million was returned to shareholders in the last financial year. The final US$70 million was returned to shareholders earlier this year under this programme purchasing 94,726,873 shares to be held in treasury. In April, the Group made a cash payment of US$6 million for the previous LTIP. We incurred acquisition costs in the first half of this year primarily relating to the purchase of BTC in The Bahamas in April 2011 for cash consideration of US$204 million partially offset by the consolidation of its US$59 million cash balances and we also made an investment in the subsea cable consortium in the Seychelles.

Group cash and debt

As at 30 September 2011

As at 31 March 2011

Subsidiaries 

Central 

Group 

Subsidiaries 

Central 

Group 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

Cash and cash equivalents

273 

41 

314 

266 

113 

379 

Sterling secured loan repayable in 2012

(46)

(46)

(46)

(46)

US$500 million secured bonds due 2017

(491)

(491)

(490)

(490)

Sterling unsecured bonds repayable in 2012

(311)

(311)

(317)

(317)

Sterling unsecured bonds repayable in 2019

(230)

(230)

(235)

(235)

US$500 million Revolving Credit Facility (RCF)

 - 

(330)

(330)

Other regional debt facilities

(331)

(331)

(285)

(285)

Total debt

(331)

(1,408)

(1,739)

(285)

(1,088)

(1,373)

Total net debt

(58)

(1,367)

(1,425)

(19)

(975)

(994)

 

Net debt reconciliation

US$m

As at 31  March  2011 

Net cash  flow1

Dividends to CWC shareholders 

Cash exceptionals 

LTIP 

Share buyback 

Acquisitions and disposals2

Other3

As at 30 September 2011 

Total net debt

(994)

2 

(136)

(37)

(6)

(70)

(203)

19 

(1,425)

 

1

Before one-offs, exceptionals and financing

2

Acquisitions and disposals excludes cash acquired in BTC which is included in Other

3

Other includes: net cash acquired on the acquisition of BTC of US$25 million (US$59 million cash, US$34 million debt), negative exchange movements of US$4 million, and capitalised borrowing costs of US$2 million

 

As at 30 September 2011, the Group had three-year bank facilities of US$600 million (comprising a US$500 million revolving credit facility and a US$100 million term loan) with margins between 3.25% and 4% over LIBOR and with a maturity date of March 2013. As at 30 September 2011, US$330 million of the revolving credit facility was drawn and the term loan facility was undrawn.

 

Refinancing of bank facilities

During October 2011, the Group entered into new five-year borrowing arrangements for US$600 million of revolving credit facilities. The facilities replace the Group's US$500 million revolving credit facility and US$100 million term loan which were due to expire in March 2013. The new facilities are with a syndicate of nine leading international banks.

 

The new facilities have a maturity date of October 2016 and a margin of 2.50% over LIBOR. Consistent with the prior facilities, the new facilities are secured on share pledges over the Group's assets.

 

Pensions

As at 30 September 2011, the defined benefit section of the Cable & Wireless Superannuation Fund (CWSF) had an IAS 19 deficit of £78 million, compared to a deficit of £51 million as at 31 March 2011.

 

During the prior year, the company reached agreement with the trustees on the triennial valuation as at 31 March 2010. In addition to cash contributions made in March 2011, further payments have been agreed from 2014 to 2016 in order to eliminate the deficit. These payments are subject to the outcome of the next actuarial valuation as at March 2013. This future deficit funding constitutes a minimum funding agreement and, in accordance with accounting standards, we are required to account for this within our IAS19 deficit. The increase in the IAS19 deficit in the period is mainly due to a fall in index-linked gilt yields and a decrease in the value of equity investments resulting in an increase to this minimum funding commitment. The IAS19 deficit recorded at 30 September 2011 represents the present value of the maximum amount committed under the minimum funding agreement.

 

The AA corporate bond rate used in the IAS 19 valuation was 5.4% compared with 5.6% at 31 March 2011.

 

The fund assets at 30 September 2011 were approximately invested 69% in the bulk annuity policy, 18% in equities, and 13% in bonds, property, swaps and cash.

 

There are other unfunded pension liabilities in the UK of £24 million (£23 million at 31 March 2011). The Group holds investments in gilts of £22m to partially back the UK unfunded pension liabilities. Other schemes in Cable & Wireless Communications have a net IAS 19 surplus of US$24 million (US$29 million surplus at 31 March 2011).

 

Dividend

We are declaring an interim dividend of 2.67 US cents per share.

 

The interim dividend of 2.67 US cents per share will be paid on 12 January 2012 to ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 November 2011. Subject to financial and trading performance in the second half of 2011/12, we expect to recommend a final dividend of 5.33 US cents per share, resulting in a full year dividend of 8.00 US cents per share.

 

A currency option and the dividend reinvestment plan will be offered in respect of the interim dividend. The default currency for payment is GBP sterling. Shareholders wishing to receive their dividend in US dollars or wishing to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan should make an election using CREST Input Message or return a completed Currency Mandate Form or Dividend Reinvestment Plan Mandate Form to: Equiniti Ltd, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA by 12 December 2011. Copies of the mandate forms are available from Equiniti Ltd. UK callers: 0871 384 2104; overseas callers: +44 (0)121 415 7052 or from our website www.cwc.com.

 

The sterling dividend payment amount per share will be announced on 16 December 2011, and will be based on the prevailing GBP sterling to US dollar exchange rate at 2pm GMT on that date.

 

Appendices Appendices

 

Condensed consolidated interim income statement

Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

Condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position

Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity

Condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows

Reconciliation of net profit to net cash flow from operating activities

Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

Risks to our future success

Independent review report by KPMG Audit Plc to Cable & Wireless Communications Plc

Responsibility statement

Important disclaimer

 

Operating performance information

 

H1 2010/11 CWC constant currency results detail

KPI detail

Exchange rates

EBITDA by currency

 

Condensed consolidated interim income statement

 

 

For the six months ended

30 September 2011

For the six months ended

30 September 2010 

 

Pre- exceptional items 

Exceptional 

items 

Total

Pre- exceptional items 

Exceptional 

items 

Total

 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m

US$m 

US$m 

US$m

Revenue

1,442 

- 

1,442

1,159 

1,159

Operating (costs)/credit before depreciation and amortisation

(999)

(58)

(1,057) 

(754)

(748) 

Depreciation

(146)

- 

(146) 

(136)

(136) 

Amortisation

(29)

- 

(29) 

(22)

(22) 

Other operating income

3 

- 

3

1

Other operating expense

(10)

- 

(10) 

(12)

(12) 

Group operating profit/(loss)

261 

(58)

203

236 

242

Share of profits of joint ventures

13 

- 

13

21 

21

Total operating profit/(loss)

274 

(58)

216

257 

263

Gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets

2 

- 

2

(1)

(1) 

Loss on termination of operations

- 

- 

-

(2)

(2) 

Finance income

5 

- 

5

22 

22

Finance expense

(78)

- 

(78) 

(72)

(72) 

Profit/(loss) before income tax

203 

(58)

145

204 

210

Income tax (expense)/credit

(40)

3 

(37) 

(55)

(54) 

Profit/(loss) for the period

163 

(55)

108

149 

156

Attributable to:

Owners of the Parent Company

83 

(31)

52

78 

85

Non-controlling interests

80 

(24)

56

71 

71

163 

(55)

108

149 

156

 

Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Parent Company during the period (cents per share)

 

- basic

2.1c

3.3c

- diluted

2.1c

3.3c

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

 

 

Further detail on exceptional items is set out in note 6

 

 

Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

 

For the six months ended 30 September 2011 

For the six months ended 30 September 2010 

US$m 

US$m 

Profit for the period

108 

156 

Other comprehensive income for the period comprised:

Actuarial (losses)/gains in the value of defined benefit retirement plans

(52)

14 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

(52)

(12)

Fair value gain on available-for-sale assets

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

(101)

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net of tax

(101)

Total comprehensive income for the period

7 

158 

Attributable to:

Owners of the Parent Company

(25)

86 

Non-controlling interests

32 

72 

7 

158 

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

 

Condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position

 

 

30 September 2011 

31 March 2011 

30 September 2010 

 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Intangible assets

564 

433 

430 

Property, plant and equipment

1,963 

1,757 

1,714 

Investments in joint ventures

256 

243 

255 

Available-for-sale financial assets

54 

31 

22 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

6 

Other receivables

58 

48 

42 

Deferred tax asset

4 

23 

Retirement benefit assets

42 

43 

39 

 

2,941 

2,565 

2,525 

Current assets

 

 

Trade and other receivables

700 

592 

579 

Inventories

111 

84 

59 

Cash and cash equivalents

314 

379 

445 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

15 

27 

26 

 

1,140 

1,082 

1,109 

Total assets

4,081 

3,647 

3,634 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Trade and other payables

854 

753 

628 

Loans and borrowings

504 

116 

100 

Financial liabilities at fair value

118 

96 

99 

Provisions

82 

62 

71 

Current tax liabilities

186 

209 

190 

 

1,744 

1,236 

1,088 

Net current (liabilities)/assets

(604)

(154)

21 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

Trade and other payables

25 

20 

15 

Loans and borrowings

1,235 

1,257 

1,245 

Financial liabilities at fair value

148 

120 

121 

Deferred tax liabilities

37 

38 

 45 

Provisions

36 

32 

34 

Retirement benefit obligations

177 

133 

230 

 

1,658 

1,600 

1,690 

Net assets

679 

811 

856 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

Capital and reserves attributable to the owners of the Parent Company

 

 

Share capital

133 

133 

134 

Share premium

97 

97 

95 

Reserves

(83)

136 

176 

 

147 

366 

405 

Non-controlling interests

532 

445 

451 

Total equity

679 

811 

856 

 

 

 

 

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

 

 

Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity

 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Foreign currency translation and hedging reserve 

Capital and other reserves 

Retained earnings 

Total

Non- controlling interests 

Total equity 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

Balance at 1 April 2010

131 

62 

119 

4,255 

(4,153)

414 

447 

861 

Profit for the period

85 

85 

71 

156 

Net actuarial gains recognised (net of taxation)

14 

14 

14 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

(13)

(13)

(12)

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

(13)

99 

86 

72 

158 

Share-based payment expenses

Issue of share capital

33 

(36)

36 

36 

36 

Dividends

(135)

(135)

(135)

Total dividends and other transactions with Cable & Wireless Communications Plc shareholders

33 

(36)

(97)

(97)

(97)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

(63)

(63)

Non-controlling interest reallocation

(1)

(1)

Purchase of non-controlling interest

(6)

(3)

Total dividends and other transactions with non-controlling interests

(1)

(68)

(66)

Balance at 30 September 2010

134 

95 

106 

4,222 

(4,152)

405 

451 

856 

Balance at 1 April 2011

133 

97 

108 

3,516 

(3,488)

366 

445 

811 

Profit for the period

- 

- 

- 

- 

52 

52 

56 

108 

Net actuarial losses recognised (net of taxation)

- 

- 

- 

- 

(51)

(51)

(1)

(52)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

- 

- 

(29)

- 

- 

(29)

(23)

(52)

Fair value gain on available-for-sale assets

- 

- 

- 

3 

- 

3 

- 

3 

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

- 

- 

(29)

3 

1 

(25)

32 

7 

Share-based payment expenses

- 

- 

- 

- 

8 

8 

- 

8 

Own shares purchased

- 

- 

- 

- 

(66)

(66)

- 

(66)

Dividends

- 

- 

- 

- 

(136)

(136)

- 

(136)

Total dividends and other transactions with Cable & Wireless Communications Plc shareholders

- 

- 

- 

- 

(194)

(194)

- 

(194)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(81)

(81)

Non-controlling interest arising on business combination

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

136 

136 

Total dividends and other transactions with non-controlling interests

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

55 

55 

Balance at 30 September 2011

133 

97 

79 

3,519 

(3,681)

147 

532 

679 

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

 

Condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows

For the six months ended 30 September 2011 

For the six months ended 30 September 2010 

US$m 

US$m 

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

356 

369 

Income taxes paid

(64)

(53)

Net cash from operating activities

292 

316 

Cash flows from investing activities

Finance income

4 

Dividends received

2 

Decrease in available-for-sale assets

- 

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

1 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(124)

(135)

Purchase of intangible assets

(29)

(12)

Proceeds on disposal of businesses (net of cash disposed)

3 

Acquisition of subsidiaries and non-controlling interests (net of cash received and transaction costs)

(156)

(2)

Net cash used in investing activities

(299)

(140)

Net cash flow before financing activities

(7)

176 

Cash flows from financing activities

Dividends paid to owners of the Parent Company

(136)

(99)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

(74)

(68)

Shareholder loans to non-controlling interests

(38)

(30)

Repayments of borrowings

(94)

(10)

Finance costs

(66)

(62)

Transfer to the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Group for the 2009/10 final dividend

- 

(117)

Proceeds from borrowings

437 

80 

Purchase of own shares

(70)

Proceeds on issue of shares for settlement of share options

- 

Net cash used in financing activities

(41)

(305)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents:

(48)

(129)

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April

379 

573 

Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents

(17)

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September

314 

445 

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

Reconciliation of net profit to net cash flow from operating activities

For the six months ended 30 September 2011 

US$m 

For the six months ended 30 September 2010 

US$m 

Profit for the period

108 

156 

Adjustments for:

Tax expense

37 

54 

Depreciation

146 

136 

Amortisation

29 

22 

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

- 

(1)

(Gain)/loss on sale of non-current assets

(2)

Loss on termination of operations

- 

Finance income

(5)

(22)

Finance expense

78 

72 

Other income and expenses

5 

12 

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

22 

(26)

Employee benefits

3 

24 

Defined benefit pension scheme contributions

(4)

(4)

Share of post-tax profit of joint ventures

(13)

(21)

Operating cash flows before working capital changes

404 

405 

Changes in working capital

(excluding the effects of acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries)

Increase in inventories

(19)

(9)

Increase in trade and other receivables

(41)

(53)

Increase in trade and other payables

12 

26 

Cash generated from operations

356 

369 

 

The notes on pages 22 to 28 are an integral part of these financial statements

Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

 1. Reporting entity

Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (the Company) is a company registered in England and Wales. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at and for the six months ended 30 September 2011 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the Group) and the Group's interests in joint venture entities.

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 March 2011 are available upon request from the Company's registered office at 3rd Floor, 26 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4HQ or at www.cwc.com.

 

2. Statement of compliance

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 March 2011. 

 

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March 2011 are not the Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 2 November 2011.

 

3. Significant accounting policies and principles

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 March 2011, with the exception of new and revised accounting standards and interpretations effective from 1 April 2011 and the specific requirements of IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

 

There was no material effect on the Group from the adoption of new and revised accounting standards and interpretations.

 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

Income tax expense in the interim period is based on our best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year.

 

4. Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

 

In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 March 2011.

 

5. Segment information

Cable & Wireless Communications Group is an international telecommunications service provider. It operates integrated telecommunications companies offering mobile, broadband, TV and fixed line services to residential and business customers. It has four principal operations which have been identified as the Group's reportable segments, being Panama, the Caribbean, Macau and Monaco & Islands. The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), following its acquisition in April 2011 (see note 17), is included within the Caribbean reportable segment.

 

The Board (the chief operating decision maker of the Group) considers the performance of each of these operations in assessing the performance of the Group and making decisions about the allocation of resources. Accordingly, these are the operating segments disclosed. There are no other operating segments identified by the Board. The operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Board.

 

The Group also has a corporate centre that does not meet the definition of an operating segment as it does not earn revenue from its activities. This function primarily acts as a portfolio manager and operational support provider for the reportable segments. The non-operating corporate centre is also disclosed within 'other and eliminations' in order to reconcile the reportable segment results to the Group results.

 

Continuing operations

The operating segment results for the six months ended 30 September 2011, as provided to the Cable & Wireless Communications Plc Board, are presented below:

 

Panama US$m 

Caribbean US$m 

Macau US$m 

Monaco & Islands US$m 

Other and eliminations1US$m 

Total US$m 

Revenue

308 

576 

258 

300 

- 

1,442 

Cost of sales

(106)

(131)

(144)

(95)

- 

(476)

Gross margin

202 

445 

114 

205 

966 

Pre-exceptional operating costs

(75)

(313)

(30)

(108)

3 

(523)

EBITDA2

127 

132 

84 

97 

443 

Depreciation and amortisation

(37)

(80)

(16)

(38)

(4)

(175)

Net other operating (expense)/income

- 

(10)

- 

1 

2 

(7)

Operating profit before joint ventures and exceptional items

90 

42 

68 

60 

261 

Share of post-tax profit of joint ventures

- 

- 

- 

6 

7 

13 

Operating exceptional items

(6)

(52)

- 

- 

- 

(58)

Total operating profit/(loss)

84 

(10)

68 

66 

216 

Net other income

2 

Net finance expense

(73)

Profit before income tax

145 

Income tax expense

(37)

Profit for the period

108 

 

There are no differences in the measurement of the reportable segments' results and the Group's results.

 

1Other and eliminations includes corporate centre expenses and eliminations for inter-segment transactions.2EBITDA is used in management reporting as it is considered by management to be a key financial metric. It is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP charge, net other operating and non-operating income/(expense) and exceptional items (see note 6)

 

6. Exceptional items

 

Exceptional operating expenses totalled US$58 million comprising entirely of restructuring costs.

 

Restructuring costs include US$6 million in relation to a restructuring programme in Panama and US$52 million in the Caribbean, which predominantly relates to the post-acquisition restructuring plan in BTC.

 

7. Provisions for liabilities and charges

The table below represents the movements in significant classes of provisions during the six month period ended 30 September 2011:

 

Property 

Redundancy 

Network & asset retirement obligations 

Legal and other 

Total 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

At 1 April 2011

28 

53 

94 

Current portion

7 

6 

4 

45 

62 

Non-current portion

- 

- 

24 

8 

32 

Business combinations

- 

- 

5 

- 

5 

Additional provision

- 

48 

1 

10 

59 

Amounts used

(2)

(31)

- 

(5)

(38)

Exchange differences

- 

- 

(2)

- 

(2)

At 30 September 2011

23 

32 

58 

118 

Current portion

5 

23 

3 

51 

82 

Non-current portion

- 

- 

29 

7 

36 

 

During the first half of 2011/12 provisions increased by US$24 million.

 

Property

Provision has been made for the lower of the best estimate of the unavoidable lease payments or cost of exit in respect of vacant properties. Unavoidable lease payments represent the difference between the rentals due and any income expected to be derived from the vacant properties being sub-let. The provision is expected to be used over the shorter of the period to exit and the lease contract life.

 

Redundancy

Provision has been made for the total employee related costs of redundancies announced prior to the reporting date. Amounts provided for and spent during the periods presented primarily relate to the restructuring programme associated with the acquisition of BTC. The provision is expected to be used within one year.

 

Network and asset retirement obligations

Provision has been made for the best estimate of the unavoidable costs associated with redundant leased network capacity. The provision is expected to be used over the shorter of the period to exit and the lease contract life.

 

Provision has also been made for the best estimate of the asset retirement obligation associated with office sites, technical sites and domestic and subsea cabling. This provision is expected to be used at the end of the life of the related asset on which the obligation arises. Amounts utilised relate predominantly to cash expenditure against unavoidable costs associated with redundant network capacity.

 

Legal and other

Legal and other provisions include amounts relating to specific legal claims against the Group together with amounts in respect of certain employee benefits and sales taxes.

 

8. Intangible assets

During the period, goodwill increased by US$111 million. Of this US$52 million related to Monaco Telecom. This increase primarily related to a change in the fair value of the put option held by the Principality of Monaco partly offset by foreign exchange differences.

 

On 6 April 2011, the Group acquired 51% of the share capital of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) from the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for cash consideration of US$204 million. The goodwill recognised of US$63 million on acquisition was based on a provisional assessment to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In addition, specifically identifiable intangible assets of US$32 million were recognised upon acquisition (see note 17).

 

9. Property, plant and equipment

During the period, US$386 million of property, plant and equipment was acquired, including US$255 million in relation to the acquisition of BTC. There were disposals of property, plant and equipment with a net book value of US$1 million. The Group's capital commitments at 30 September 2011 were US$88 million (US$64 million at 31 March 2011).

 

10. Changes in net funds

At 1 April 2011 

Cash flow 

Business combinations 

Net borrowing costs capitalised

Transfer

Exchange movements 

At 30 September 2011 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

US$m 

Cash at bank and in hand

230 

(39)

59 

- 

- 

(9)

241 

Short-term deposits

149 

(68)

- 

- 

- 

(8)

73 

Total funds

379 

(107)

59 

(17)

314 

Debt due within one year

(116)

(16)

(9)

(1)

(368)

6 

(504)

Debt due after one year

(1,257)

(327)

(25)

(1)

368 

7 

(1,235)

Total debt

(1,373)

(343)

(34)

(2)

13 

(1,739)

Total net (debt)/funds

(994)

(450)

25 

(2)

(4)

(1,425)

 

11. Pensions

As at 30 September 2011, the Cable & Wireless Superannuation Fund defined benefit scheme (CWSF) had an IAS 19 Employee Benefits deficit of US$122 million compared with a deficit of US$81 million at 31 March 2011. The deficit takes account of the recovery funding plan agreed with the Trustees of the CWSF in the prior year. This funding plan constitutes a minimum funding requirement and the IAS 19 accounting deficit has therefore been calculated in accordance with IFRIC 14 The limits on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction.

 

Further, the Group has unfunded pension liabilities in the UK of US$37 million (US$38 million at 31 March 2011). Other defined benefit schemes have a net IAS 19 surplus of US$24 million (US$29 million surplus at 31 March 2011).

 

12. Weighted average number of ordinary shares

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows:

 

Six months ended30 September 2011

Six months ended30 September 2010

Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares

2,520,899,000

2,593,099,000

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares

2,532,538,000

2,606,255,000

Treasury shares

137,489,000

-

 

The number of ordinary shares in issue as at 30 September 2011 was 2,665,611,727.

 

On 21 July 2010, the Group's shareholders approved a resolution at the AGM for the Group to purchase up to 262 million ordinary shares. This authority expired at the conclusion of the Company's AGM in 2011. Under this authority, since the year ended 31 March 2011 until the AGM on 22 July 2011, the Company purchased 94,726,873 ordinary shares with a nominal value of US$5 million, for consideration of US$66 million. Consideration included stamp duty and commission of US$0.4 million.

 

On 22 July 2011, the Group's shareholders approved a resolution at the AGM for the Group to purchase up to 257 million ordinary shares. This authority will expire at the conclusion of the Company's AGM in 2012 or 30 September 2012, whichever is the earlier. Under the resolution, no shares have been purchased since the AGM on 22 July 2011.

 

At 30 September 2011 a total of 137,488,873 shares were classified as treasury shares. This represented 5% of called-up share capital at the beginning of the period.

 

 

 

13. Dividends paid and proposed

The interim dividend proposed for the six month period ended 30 September 2011 is US$67.5 million (2.67 US cents per share). The proposed dividend was approved by the Board of Directors on 2 November 2011. The interim dividend paid for the corresponding six month period ended 30 September 2010 was US$70 million (2.67 US cents per share).

 

The final dividend paid on 12 August 2011 for the full year ended 31 March 2011 was US$136 million (5.33 US cents per share). The final dividend paid on 12 August 2010 for the corresponding full year ended 31 March 2010 was US$135 million (3.34 pence per share).

 

14. Related parties

The nature of the related party transactions of the Group has not changed from those described in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011.

 

Transactions with joint ventures

All trade transactions with joint ventures arise in the normal course of business and primarily relate to fees for use of the Group's products and services, network and access charges. There were no material trade transactions with joint ventures during the period and no material change to the nature of transactions.

 

Transactions with key management personnel

At 31 March 2011, two Directors held bonds issued by Cable & Wireless Limited (formerly Cable and Wireless plc) and Cable & Wireless International Finance B.V. with a nominal value of US$4,211,156 (£2,630,000) (purchased in prior periods). Both Directors sold their entire holding during the six month period ended 30 September 2011. The interest earned on these bonds prior to disposal during the six months ended 30 September 2011 was US$55,426 of which US$ nil remains unpaid at 30 September 2011. A profit of US$790,719 was realised upon the sale of the bonds.

 

Two Directors' spouses hold bonds issued by Cable & Wireless Limited and Cable & Wireless International Finance B.V. with a nominal value of US$769,231 (£490,000) (purchased in prior periods). The interest earned on these bonds during the six months ended 30 September 2011 was US$34,403 of which US$32,792 remains unpaid at 30 September 2011.

 

Transactions with other related parties

There are no controlling shareholders of the Group. There have been no material transactions with the shareholders of the Group.

 

Other than the parties disclosed above, the Group has no other material related parties.

 15. Operating lease expenditure and guarantees

As at 30 September 2011, the aggregate future minimum lease payments under operating leases are:

 

As at 30 September 2011

US$m

As at 31 March 2011

US$m

No later than one year

37

41

Later than one year but not later than five years

81

88

Later than five years

35

37

Total minimum operating lease payments

153

166

 

Guarantees at the end of the period for which no provision has been made in the financial statements are as follows:

 

As at 30 September 2011

US$m

As at 31 March 2011

US$m

Trading guarantees

56

38

Other guarantees

78

286

Total guarantees

134

324

 

Other guarantees at 30 September 2011 include US$12 million (US$17 million at 31 March 2011) relating to guarantees to third parties in respect of trading contracts between third parties and the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Group. The Cable & Wireless Worldwide Group has agreed a fee schedule with Cable & Wireless Communications Group for the benefit of these guarantees.

16. Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP items

 

Total operating profit to EBITDA

 

Six months ended 30 September 2011 

Six months ended 

30 September 2010 

US$m 

US$m 

Total operating profit

216 

263 

Depreciation and amortisation

175 

158 

LTIP charge

- 

19 

Net other operating expense

7 

11 

Share of post tax profit of joint ventures

(13)

(21)

Exceptional items

58 

(6)

EBITDA

443 

424 

 

The Group uses EBITDA as a key performance measure as it reflects the underlying operational performance of the businesses. EBITDA is not a measure defined under IFRS. It is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP charge, net other operating and non-operating income and expense and exceptional items.

 

17. Business combinations

Bahamas Telecommunications Company

On 6 April 2011, the Group acquired 51% of the share capital of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) from the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. BTC is the exclusive mobile operator in The Bahamas as well as a leading provider of fixed-line and broadband services. 

 

It is complementary to the Group's Caribbean business, LIME, which is the leading full-service telecommunications provider in the region.

 

In accordance with the terms of the sale and purchase agreement, the working capital position of BTC as at the date of acquisition was finalised in the period. As the working capital position was lower than agreed, the cash consideration paid by the Group was reduced from US$210 million to US$204 million.

 

The Directors disclosed a provisional acquisition fair value balance sheet in the year end financial statements. This balance sheet has been updated based on the finalised opening balance sheet and to adjust for new information arising in the period regarding the previously assessed balances. 

 

The provisional fair values were as follows:

 

Book value 

US$m 

Fair value 

adjustments 

US$m 

Provisional 

fair value 

US$m 

Property, plant and equipment

384 

(129)

255 

Customer contracts and relationships

- 

31 

31 

Trademarks

- 

1 

1 

Available-for-sale assets

20 

- 

20 

Trade and other receivables

56 

(9)

47 

Inventories

13 

(5)

8 

Cash and cash equivalents

59 

- 

59 

Trade and other payables

(93)

(10)

(103)

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

(2)

- 

(2)

Provisions

- 

(5)

(5)

Loans and borrowings

(34)

- 

(34)

Total

403 

(126)

277 

 

 

The goodwill recognised of US$63 million on acquisition was based on the provisional assessment of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of BTC included the value of expected synergies resulting from the integration into the existing business and other intangible assets that did not meet the recognition criteria set out in IAS 38 Intangible Assets as they were unable to be separately identified.

 

Acquisition-related costs, principally stamp duty, of US$7 million were recorded in these financial statements as other operating expenses.

 

US$177 million revenue and US$37 million of EBITDA relating to BTC is included in these financial statements.

 

A non-controlling interest of US$136 million has been recognised as at acquisition date measured at cost.

 

18. Subsequent events

During October 2011, the Group entered into new five-year borrowing arrangements for US$600 million of revolving credit facilities. The facilities replace the Group's US$500 million revolving credit facility and US$100 million term loan which were due to expire in March 2013. The new facilities are with a syndicate of nine leading international banks.

 

The new facilities have a maturity date of October 2016 and a margin of 2.50% over LIBOR. Consistent with the prior facilities, the new facilities are secured on share pledges over the Group assets.

 

There have been no other material subsequent events between 30 September 2011 and the approval of these financial statements by the Board.

 

Risks to our future success

As with any business, there are a number of potential risks to our future success. These risks and our plans to mitigate them are outlined in further detail in the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 March 2011 (pages 34 to 35 of the Annual Report). A summary of those risks is as follows:

 

·; INVESTMENT - Possibility of unsuccessful investment, mergers and acquisitions and/or potential new sources of growth prove insufficient or fail to develop

·; BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Development of mobile data, pay TV and value added services fail to perform as anticipated or failure to indentify and mobilise into new business lines with sufficient time

·; COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY - Competitor activity, new entrants and further liberalisation

·; BUSINESS CHANGE - Our business change and business improvement strategies fail to achieve business improvement

·; ECONOMIC CONDITIONS - The current economic environment

·; LICENCES, REGULATION AND POLITICAL - Renewal of regulatory licences and operating agreements; licence revocation or amendment; changes in regulation (for example the necessary change needed in the Jamaica regulatory environment); inability to obtain new or additional licences and loss of large corporate or Government clients due to changes in the political environment

·; TECHNOLOGY - Increased rate of investment and changes to competitive landscape from new technologies and possible health risks relating to mobile phones and transmitters

·; SERVICE DISRUPTION - Disruption to our network and IT systems from events such as natural disasters, fire, security breaches or human error

·; NETWORK AND DATA SECURITY - Third parties may gain unauthorised access to the network and to sensitive data

·; PEOPLE - Risks including retention of key senior managers, business disruption through industrial action or national emergency

·; CORPORATE ETHICS - Risk of people or third parties not complying with the company's strong ethical culture and procedures

·; COUNTERPARTY - Risks associated with counterparties such as customer and suppliers

·; FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND TAXATION - Exchange rate fluctuations and changes to tax law

·; LITIGATION - Risk of litigation against our business units or corporate centre

·; LIQUIDITY - Liquidity risks around not being able to meet obligations or access to funding only at excessive cost. Exceptional market events could adversely impact our business units

·; FUNDING - Risk of breaching covenants included in financial agreements

·; PENSIONS - Changes in our liability to the UK defined benefit pension scheme

·; SHARED BRAND - Risks associated with the shared use of the 'Cable & Wireless' brand with Cable & Wireless Worldwide

·; JOINT VENTURES - Performance of joint ventures where we do not have management control

 

 

The Group did not identify any additional risks in the six months ended 30 September 2011.

 

Independent review report BY KPMG AUDIT PLC to Cable & Wireless COMMUNICATIONS plc

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2011 which comprises the condensed consolidated interim income statement; condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income; condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position; condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows; condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Services Authority ("the UK FSA"). Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

 

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA.

The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2011 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FSA.

 

 

Peter MeehanFor and on behalf of KPMG Audit PlcChartered Accountants15 Canada Square, London, E14 5GL

 

2 November 2011

Responsibility statement

This interim management report has been approved by the Directors of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc. In accordance with the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge: 

·; The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU; 

·; The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by: 

(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and 

(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so. 

The current Directors of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc are as follows:

Chairman:

SirRichard Lapthorne

 

Executive Directors:

Nick Cooper - Corporate Services Director

Tim Pennington - Chief Financial Officer

Tony Rice - Chief Executive

 

Non-executive Directors:

Simon Ball - Deputy Chairman, Senior Independent Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee

Mary Francis - Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Ian Tyler

 

By order of the Board

 

 

 

Tony Rice Tim Pennington

Chief Executive Chief Financial Officer

 

2 November 2011

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as anticipate, target, expect, estimate, intend, plan, goal, believe, will, may, should, would, could or other words of similar meaning. Undue reliance should not be placed on any such statements because, by their very nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results, and Cable & Wireless Communications' plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are changes in the global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or dispositions. A summary of some of the potential risks faced by Cable & Wireless Communications is set out in the Group's most recent Annual Report.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Cable & Wireless Communications undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement contained within this announcement, or any other forward-looking statements it may make, regardless of whether those statements are affected as a result of new information, future events or otherwise (except as required by the UK Listing Authority, the London Stock Exchange, the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or by law).

 

H1 2011/12 CWC CONSTANT CURRENCY1 results detail

Panama

Caribbean

Macau

Monaco & Islands3

Other4

Total

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change2

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  10/11 

H1  10/11 

Change2

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1  11/12 

H1  10/11 

Change

H1 

  11/12 

H1 

 10/11 

Change

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

US$m 

US$m 

%

Mobile

156 

148 

5% 

266 

148 

80% 

151 

76 

99% 

120 

114 

5% 

- 

- 

0% 

693 

486 

43% 

Broadband &TV

30 

28 

7% 

62 

52 

19% 

28 

25 

12% 

24 

22 

9% 

- 

- 

0% 

144 

127 

13% 

Domestic voice

72 

76 

(5)%

169 

141 

20% 

38 

41 

(7)%

41 

50 

(18)%

- 

- 

0% 

320 

308 

4% 

Enterprise, data and other

50 

42 

19% 

79 

65 

22% 

41 

30 

37% 

115 

114 

1% 

- 

(6)

nm

285 

245 

16% 

Revenue

308 

294 

5% 

576 

406 

42% 

258 

172 

50% 

300 

300 

0% 

- 

(6)

nm

1,442 

1,166 

24% 

Cost of sales

(106)

(95)

(12)%

(131)

(106)

(24)%

(144)

(70)

(106)%

(95)

(95)

0% 

- 

5 

nm

(476)

(361)

(32)%

Gross margin

202 

199 

2% 

445 

300 

48% 

114 

102 

12% 

205 

205 

0% 

- 

(1)

nm

966 

805 

20% 

Operating costs

(75)

(72)

(4)%

(313)

(184)

(70)%

(30)

(26)

(15)%

(108)

(105)

(3)%

3 

3 

0% 

(523)

(384)

(36)%

EBITDA5

127 

127 

0% 

132 

116 

14% 

84 

76 

11% 

97 

100 

(3)%

3 

2 

50% 

443 

421 

5% 

LTIP charges

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

- 

- 

0% 

- 

(19)

nm

- 

(19)

nm

Depreciation and amortisation

(37)

(38)

3% 

(80)

(63)

(27)%

(16)

(17)

6% 

(38)

(37)

(3)%

(4)

(4)

0% 

(175)

(159)

(10)%

Net other operating income / (expense)

- 

- 

0% 

(10)

1 

nm

- 

- 

0% 

1 

- 

nm

2 

(12)

nm

(7)

(11)

36% 

Operating profit before joint ventures and exceptional items6

90 

89 

1% 

42 

54 

(22)%

68 

59 

15% 

60 

63 

(5)%

1 

(33)

nm

261 

232 

13% 

Exceptional items

(6)

- 

nm

(52)

(5)

nm

- 

- 

0% 

- 

(2)

nm

- 

13 

nm

(58)

6 

nm

Operating profit before joint ventures

84 

89 

(6)% 

(10)

49 

nm

68 

59 

15% 

60 

61 

(2)%

1 

(20)

nm

203 

238 

(15)%

Capital expenditure

(71)

(44)

(61)%

(48)

(51)

6% 

(13)

(8)

(63)%

(28)

(22)

(27)%

- 

(4)

nm

(160)

(129)

(24)%

Headcount7

1,578 

1,730 

9% 

3,971 

2,877 

(38)%

882 

846 

(4)%

1,642 

1,612 

(2)%

152 

143 

(6)%

8,225 

7,208 

(14)%

 

nm represents % change not meaningful

1

Prior year comparison translated at current year rates

2

As these currencies are US dollar denominated or linked to the US dollar, there is no difference between the reported and constant currency changes

3

Monaco & Islands comprises operations in Monaco, Maldives, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Bermuda and the Indian and Atlantic Oceans

4

Other includes management, royalty and branding fees, the costs of the corporate centre, net UK defined benefit pension charge and intercompany eliminations. Other also includes all joint venture operations except Roshan, which is managed from Monaco

5

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, LTIP charge, net other operating and non-operating income/(expense) and exceptional items

6

Excluding exceptional items

7

Full time equivalents as at 30 September

 

KPI detaiL

 

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Subscribers (000s)

Panama

Mobile1

1,994

1,788

2,382

2,460

2,336

2,501

2,306

2,531

2,038

2,454

Broadband

125

127

130

135

141

142

140

141

141

140

Fixed line

417

418

415

415

415

405

401

398

395

396

Caribbean (ex-Bahamas)

Mobile1

1,284

1,279

1,289

1,271

1,339

1,332

1,323

1,287

1,230

1,199

Broadband

200

204

207

211

213

210

207

208

208

207

Fixed line

651

645

640

637

634

624

617

617

612

607

Macau

Mobile1

396

395

390

387

397

396

387

402

402

417

Broadband

125

127

127

128

129

131

132

133

134

136

Fixed line

183

182

181

180

179

178

178

177

177

176

M&I

Mobile1

156

159

465

476

484

497

509

526

534

531

Broadband

33

34

46

47

48

49

50

52

53

55

Fixed line

215

217

249

242

242

242

239

128

128

125

ARPU (US$)2

Panama

Mobile

11.9

13.4

13.6

10.8

10.6

10.5

11.3

11.8

14.0

12.4

Broadband

29.3

30.9

30.7

30.0

28.4

28.1

27.1

27.4

27.3

27.2

Fixed line

35.2

35.2

33.9

32.7

30.9

30.9

30.4

30.2

30.0

30.6

Caribbean (ex-Bahamas)

Mobile

21.9

20.9

21.5

21.1

19.4

18.5

19.6

19.5

18.6

20.2

Broadband

38.5

37.9

37.3

36.8

36.9

38.7

38.8

39.8

39.5

39.7

Fixed line

39.7

39.8

38.5

37.7

36.3

37.8

37.0

37.1

36.4

36.1

Macau

Mobile

16.5

17.0

17.5

17.8

18.9

19.4

20.9

20.3

21.0

20.9

Broadband

29.1

30.1

29.5

28.7

30.6

33.2

32.5

33.6

33.6

33.0

Fixed line

37.0

37.3

35.8

41.8

37.4

38.6

33.9

36.6

35.0

36.9

M&I

Mobile

56.0

65.2

39.3

37.6

37.2

36.2

36.3

37.7

34.2

34.5

Broadband

56.5

62.4

61.5

58.0

59.6

62.9

72.3

63.1

62.1

63.3

Fixed line

32.2

32.0

33.6

33.3

35.4

31.6

34.1

41.0

54.2

52.9

1

Active subscribers are defined as those having performed a revenue-generating activity in the previous 60 days

2

ARPU is average revenue per user per month, excluding equipment sales

 

EXCHANGE RATES

 

Actual rates for6 months ended30 September 2011

Actual rates for6 months ended30 September 2010

Percentage change

US dollar appreciation / (depreciation)

Sterling : US dollar

Average

0.6161

0.6633

(7)%

Period end

0.6370

0.6315

1% 

Euro : US dollar

Average

0.6990

0.7822

(11)%

Period end

0.7334

0.7424

(1)%

Seychelles rupee : US dollar

Average

12.25

12.25

0% 

Period end

12.44

12.23

2% 

Jamaican dollar : US dollar

Average

85.40

86.96

(2)%

Period end

85.78

85.48

0% 

Maldivian Rufiyaa : US dollar

Average

15.2255

12.8000

19%

Period end

15.4000

12.8000

20%

US dollar : Sterling

Average

1.6234

1.5076

Period end

1.5699

1.5835

 

 

Cable & Wireless Communications EBITDA by currency

H1 2011/12

US$m

% of total

US dollar, pegged or linked

377

84%

Sterling

16

4%

Euro

36

8%

Jamaican Dollar

7

2%

Seychelles Rupee

7

2%

Total

443

100%

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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