Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the "Company") and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the "Group") post-consolidation with subsidiaries Dialog Broadband Networks (Pvt) Ltd ("DBN"), and Dialog Television (Pvt) Ltd ("DTV").
The Group continued its growth momentum across Mobile, Digital Pay Television, Tele-Infrastructure and Fixed Line businesses to record a consolidated revenue of Rs35.1Bn for 1H 2015 demonstrating a growth of 6% Year to Date ("YTD").
Group Revenue grew 2% Quarter on Quarter ("QoQ") to be recorded at Rs17.7Bn for Q2 2015. The 2nd Quarter of 2015 featured the impact of the industry wide introduction of a 25% Bonus on Mobile Prepaid Domestic Calls with effect from 7th April 2015.
Robust revenue growth combined with operational efficiencies derived through cost management initiatives resulted in Group EBITDA for 1H 2015 growing by 20% YTD to reach Rs11.9Bn. The Group EBITDA margin for 1H 2015 was accordingly recorded at 33.9%. On a QoQ basis however, Group EBITDA declined by 1% QoQ to be recorded at Rs5.9Bn.
Downstream of EBIDTA, Group NPAT (Net Profit After Tax) was recorded at Rs3.9Bn (up 33% YTD) and Rs1.9Bn (down 4% QoQ) for 1H 2015 and Q2 2015 respectively.
The Dialog Group remitted a total of Rs12.0Bn to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) during 1H 2015. Total remittances included direct taxes and levies as well as consumption taxes collected on behalf of the GoSL.
Direct taxes, fees and levies contributed by the Dialog Group totalled to Rs4.9Bn inclusive of income tax. The Group additionally collected consumption taxes, totalling to Rs7.1Bn on behalf of the GoSL in 1H 2015, comprising in the main of Telecom Levy collections amounting to Rs5.6Bn.
Dialog Television (DTV), the Digital Pay Television business of the Group recorded a revenue growth of 25% YTD to reach Rs2.8Bn for 1H 2015.
Dialog Broadband Networks (DBN) featuring the Group's Fixed Telecommunications and Broadband Business recorded revenue of Rs3.5Bn for 1H 2015, representing an increase of 19% YTD.
Group capital expenditure for Q2 2015 amounted to Rs3.6Bn. Group Free Cash Flow (FCF) was recorded at Rs1.8Bn for Q2 2015 on the back of strong EBITDA performance and calibrated capital expenditure. The Group continued to exhibit a structurally robust balance sheet with the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio being maintained at 0.71x as at end of June 2015.
Courtesy: The Island 10 August 2015