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Classified in: Business
Subjects: EARNINGS, Personnel, Conference Call, Webcast, Stock Sale/Buyback, Business Update

SES YTD 2023 Results


SES S.A. announces financial results for the nine and three months ended 30 September 2023 and update on O3b mPOWER.

Key YTD Financial Highlights:

O3b mPOWER update:

Other Highlights:

Ruy Pinto, CEO of SES, commented: "We are pleased with a solid year to date financial performance and remain fully on track to deliver on our 2023 financial outlook. We achieved year-on-year growth in all 3 of our main Networks segments and secured important Video renewals which underpin the long-term cash generation and value of our broadcast business. Solid EBITDA performance underscores our focus on managing controllable costs across the business.

I am delighted to confirm that we have now collected the full $3 billion (pre-tax) in accelerated relocation payments from Phase II U.S. C-band clearing. With the clearing completed ahead of schedule, we have fully delivered on the objectives of enabling accelerated deployment of 5G services in the U.S., protecting the critical broadcast services delivered by our customers, and realising significant value creation for SES.

We have identified the causes of the power module issues with the initial 4 satellites in orbit and have now put in place a plan to address those issues. With this plan in place, we now expect the launch of the next two O3b mPOWER satellites in early November and can look forward to deploying customers and beginning commercial services from early Q2 2024."

_____________________________________________

1) At constant FX (comparative figures restated to neutralise currency variations) and "like for like" (assumes the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions on 31 December 2021, instead of actual acquisition date of 1 August 2022, see page 5)

2) Excluding periodic revenue (YTD 2023: nil; YTD 2022: ?10 million). Including periodic revenue, Video was -4.3% lower YOY at constant FX

3) Excluding operating expenses/income recognised in relation to U.S. C-band repurposing and other significant special items (disclosed separately)

4) Based on pro forma Adjusted Net Debt including U.S. C-band accelerated relocation payment (net of tax), remaining U.S. C-band reimbursements expected to be received, ?150 million share buyback programme, and calling of ?550 million hybrid bond (treated as 50% debt and 50% equity)

5) Financial outlook assumes a ?/$ FX rate of ?1 = $1.09, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule

Update on O3b mPOWER

SES confirms the planned launch of O3b mPOWER satellites 5 and 6 in early November 2023, from which commercial services are expected to begin from early Q2 2024.

Over the past few months, an increased number of sporadic power module switch offs have been observed during O3b mPOWER operations in space, including a few non-recoverable events. After a comprehensive investigation where the causes were identified by Boeing and SES, mitigations for these events will be put in place for the initial satellites that include updated operational procedures and leveraging elements of the constellation in a resilient configuration, which will enable the expected high-performance services to customers.

With the operations of this initial O3b mPOWER constellation, in combination with the existing O3b MEO constellation, SES expects it can support its currently signed O3b mPOWER customers, as well as future customers and market growth.

It has been determined that the anticipated operational life and available capacity of the initial O3b mPOWER satellites will be significantly lower than previously expected. SES has secured firm commitments from Boeing and both companies are closely collaborating to deliver the full lifecycle capabilities of the constellation. SES and Boeing plan to upgrade 5 of the remaining satellites (7-11) already under manufacture and add 2 additional satellites into the constellation. The additional investment associated with this plan is expected to be fully covered within SES's existing committed CapEx envelope, including supplier concessions.

SES expects the impact of the O3b mPOWER delay (from end-2023 previously to early Q2 2024) to be in the order of mid-single digit percentage (assuming a constant FX rate, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule) lower in terms of 2024 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, before any potential mitigations, such as leveraging SES's satellite fleet with its existing MEO and GEO satellites, and/or additional programmes in progress.

Key business and financial highlights (at constant FX unless explained otherwise)

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (APM) to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position.

? million

YTD 2023

YTD 2022

? as reported

? at constant FX

and like for like(1)

Average ?/$ FX rate

1.08

1.07

 

 

Revenue

1,494

1,400

+6.8%

+0.2%

Adjusted EBITDA

792

829

-4.5%

-5.2%

Adjusted Net Profit

180

277

-35.0%

n/a

Adjusted Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA

3.5x

4.0x

n/a

n/a

"At constant FX" refers to comparative figures restated at the current period FX, to neutralise currency variations. 1) "Like for like" assumes the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions on 31 December 2021, instead of actual acquisition date of 1 August 2022.

Networks revenue of ?767 million increased 5.0% year-on-year driven by growth in Mobility (+9.4%) Government (+4.2%) and Fixed Data (+2.3%) which included periodic revenue of ?7 million in Q1 2023.

Video revenue of ?727 million represented a reduction of 4.3%, compared with YTD 2022. Excluding ?10 million of periodic revenue which was recognised in Q1 2022, Video was 3.2% lower year-on-year.

Adjusted EBITDA of ?792 million represented an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 53% (YTD 2022: 59% and 56% on a like for like basis).

Adjusted EBITDA excludes significant special items of ?2,678 million (YTD 2022: ?29 million), mainly comprising net U.S. C-band income of ?2,701 million (YTD 2022 net expense: ?18 million) and other significant special items of ?23 million (YTD 2022: ?11 million) related to M&A costs and restructuring expenses.

Adjusted Net Profit of ?180 million included a net foreign exchange (FX) gain of ?17 million (YTD 2022: gain of ?87 million), higher year-on-year capitalised interest, and lower year-on-year recurring income tax expense.

Adjusted Net Profit excludes the significant special items highlighted above, a non-cash impairment of ?1,553 million triggered by the recognition of the income from the Phase II U.S. C-band accelerated relocation payment, and related net tax expense of ?443 million (YTD 2022: ?26 million expense).

At 30 September 2023, Adjusted Net Debt (including 50% of the ?1,175 million of hybrid bonds as debt) was ?3,704 million and represented an Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.5 times which is unchanged compared with 31 December 2022.

Adjusted Net Debt does not yet include cash of $2,991 million (pre-tax of 18.3%) from U.S. C-band accelerated relocation payments which were paid to SES in October 2023. Additionally, the total amount of remaining U.S. C-band clearing cost reimbursements expected to be received in future now stands at $445 million.

Contract backlog at 30 September 2023 was ?4.7 billion (?5.7 billion gross backlog including backlog with contractual break clauses). This included $830 million of fully protected contract backlog ($1,030 million gross backlog) for SES-17 and O3b mPOWER combined.

2023 group revenue and Adjusted EBITDA outlook (assuming an FX rate of ?1=$1.09, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule) is on track and expected to be between ?1,950 - 2,000 million and between ?1,010 - 1,050 million respectively.

Capital expenditure (net cash absorbed by investing activities excluding acquisitions, financial investments, U.S. C-band repurposing, and assuming an FX rate of ?1=$1.09) is also unchanged and expected to be around ?550 million in 2023.

The share buyback programme of up to ?150 million (announced 3 August 2023) is intended to start in November 2023 and executed under the authorisation given by the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on 6 April 2023. Under the authorisation, SES can purchase up to 20 million A-shares and up to 10 million B-shares in equal proportion to maintain the ratio of two A-shares to one B-share, as required by the Articles of Association. The aggregate value of the programme shall not exceed ?150 million, and the shares acquired are intended to be cancelled, reducing the total number of voting and economic shares in issue.

Operational performance

REVENUE BY BUSINESS UNIT

2023

Revenue (? million) as reported

Like for like(1) change (YOY) at constant FX

 

Q1

Q2

Q3

YTD

Q1

Q2

Q3

YTD

Average ?/$ FX rate

1.07

1.08

1.09

1.08

 

 

 

 

Video

242

244

241

727

-5.0% / -8.3%(2)

-2.0%

-2.5%

-3.2% / -4.3%(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Networks

248

252

267

767

+0.1% / +2.9%(3)

+3.4%

+8.8%

+4.1% / +5.0%(3)

Government

120

117

129

366

-0.6%

-0.9%

+14.7%

+4.2%

Fixed Data

60(3)

65

69

194

-1.6%(3)

+1.9%

+6.3%

+2.3%(3)

Mobility

68

70

69

207

+14.4%

+13.1%

+1.5%

+9.4%

Group Total

490

497

507

1,494

-3.0%

+0.7%

+3.1%

+0.2%

1) As if DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been acquired on 31 December 2021 (acquired on 1 August 2022) ? see page 5. "At constant FX" refers to comparative figures restated at the current period FX, to neutralise currency variations. 2) Including periodic revenue (Q1 2023: nil; Q1 2022: ?10 million). 3) Including periodic revenue of ?7 million in Q1 2023 (Q1 2022: nil).

Recent and future satellite launches

Satellite

Region

Application

Launch Date

SES-18 & SES-19

North America

Video (U.S. C-band accelerated clearing)

Launched

O3b mPOWER (satellites 3-4)

Global

Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

Launched

O3b mPOWER (satellites 5-6)

Global

Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

Q4 2023

O3b mPOWER (satellites 7-8)

Global

Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

H2 2024

ASTRA 1P

Europe

Video

H2 2024

ASTRA 1Q

Europe

Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

2025

SES-26

Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East

Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

2025

EAGLE-1

Europe

Government

2025

O3b mPOWER (satellites 9-11)

Global

Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

2025

O3b mPOWER (satellites 12-13)

Global

Fixed Data, Mobility, Government

2026

Final launch dates are subject to confirmation by launch providers

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

? million

YTD 2023

YTD 2022

Average ?/$ FX rate

1.08

1.07

Revenue

1,494

1,400

U.S. C-band repurposing income

2,718

6

Operating expenses

(742)

(606)

EBITDA

3,470

800

Depreciation expense

(447)

(454)

Amortisation expense

(67)

(40)

Non-cash impairment

(1,553)

(24)

Operating profit

1,403

282

Net financing costs

(49)

(6)

Profit before tax

1,354

276

Income tax expense

(492)

(78)

Non-controlling interests

-

-

Net profit attributable to owners of the parent

862

198

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per A-share (in ?)(1)

1.90

0.39

Basic and diluted earnings per B-share (in ?)(1)

0.76

0.16

1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjusted to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the assumed coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds.

? million

2023

2022

Adjusted EBITDA

792

829

U.S. C-band income

2,718

6

U.S. C-band operating expenses

(17)

(24)

Other significant special items

(23)

(11)

EBITDA

3,470

800

 

? million

2023

2022

Adjusted Net Profit

180

277

U.S. C-band income

2,718

6

U.S. C-band operating expenses

(17)

(24)

Non-cash impairment

(1,553)

(24)

Other significant special items

(23)

(11)

Tax on significant special items

(443)

(26)

Net profit attributable to owners of the parent

862

198

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

QUARTERLY INCOME STATEMENT (AS REPORTED)

? million

Q1 2022

Q2 2022

Q3 2022

Q4 2022

Q1 2023

Q2 2023

Q3 2023

Average ?/$ FX rate

1.12

1.08

1.02

1.00

1.07

1.08

1.08

Revenue

448

451

501

544

490

497

507

U.S. C-band income

2

2

2

178

2

1

2,715

Operating expenses

(184)

(190)

(232)

(280)

(240)

(251)

(251)

EBITDA

266

263

271

442

252

247

2,971

Depreciation expense

(147)

(149)

(158)

(188)

(148)

(146)

(153)

Amortisation expense

(12)

(12)

(16)

(23)

(17)

(29)

(21)

Non-cash impairment

-

(24)

-

(373)

-

-

(1,553)

Operating profit/ (loss)

107

78

97

(142)

87

72

1,244

Net financing costs

(16)

(14)

24

(82)

(29)

(18)

(2)

Profit/ (loss) before tax

91

64

121

(224)

58

54

1,242

Income tax expense

(9)

(45)

(24)

(9)

(3)

(17)

(472)

Non-controlling interests

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

Net profit/ (loss)

82

19

97

(232)

55

37

770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share (in ?) (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A shares

0.17

0.02

0.20

(0.55)

0.10

0.07

1.73

Class B shares

0.07

0.01

0.08

(0.22)

0.04

0.03

0.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

274

271

284

276

265

265

262

Adjusted EBITDA margin

61%

60%

57%

51%

54%

53%

52%

U.S. C-band income

2

2

2

178

2

1

2,715

U.S. C-band operating expenses

(9)

(8)

(7)

(6)

(6)

(7)

(4)

Other significant special items

(1)

(2)

(8)

(6)

(9)

(12)

(2)

EBITDA

266

263

271

442

252

247

2,971

1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjusted to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds. Fully diluted earnings per share are not significantly different from basic earnings per share.

LIKE-FOR-LIKE REVENUE BY BUSINESS UNIT

(Pro forma as if the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been completed on 31 December 2021)

? million

Q1 2022

Q2 2022

Q3 2022

Q4 2022

FY 2022

Average ?/$ FX rate

1.12

1.08

1.02

1.00

1.06

Video

261(1)

250

252

257

1,020(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Networks

231

245

261

287(2)

1,024(2)

Government

116

119

119

144

498

Fixed Data

58

64

69

75(2)

266(2)

Mobility

57

62

73

68

260

Group Total

493

495

513

544

2,045

1) Included periodic revenue of ?10 million in Q1 2022. 2) Included periodic revenue of ?4 million in Q4 2022. "Periodic" revenue separated revenues that are not directly related to or would distort the underlying business trends on a quarterly basis. Periodic revenue includes: the outright sale of transponders or transponder equivalents; accelerated revenue from hosted payloads during construction; termination fees; insurance proceeds; certain interim satellite missions; and other such items when material.

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (?APM') to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measurements under IFRS or any other body of generally accepted accounting principles, and thus should not be considered substitutes for the information contained in the Group's financial statements.

Alternative Performance Measure

Definition

Reported EBITDA and EBITDA margin

EBITDA is profit for the period before depreciation, amortisation, net financing cost, and income tax. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin

EBITDA adjusted to exclude significant special items. In 2022 and 2023, the primary exceptional items are the net impact of the repurposing of U.S. C-band spectrum, restructuring charges, one-off regulatory charges arising outside ongoing operations, and costs associated with the acquisition and integration of new subsidiaries. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.

Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, represents the ratio of Net Debt plus 50% of the group's hybrid bonds (per the rating agency methodology) divided by the last 12 months' (rolling) Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Profit

Net profit attributable to owners of the parent adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of significant special items.

 

Presentation of Results:

A presentation of the results for investors and analysts will be hosted at 9.30 CET on 31 October 2023 and will be broadcast via webcast and conference call. The details for the conference call and webcast are as follows:

U.K.

+44 (0) 33 0551 0200

France

+33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66

Germany

+49 (0) 30 3001 90612

U.S.A.

+1 786 697 3501

 

Confirmation code

SES

 

Webcast registration

https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/ses/20231031_1/

The presentation is available for download from https://www.ses.com/investors/financial-results and a replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially proven, low latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 6,400 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 369 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

Disclaimer

This presentation does not, in any jurisdiction, including without limitation in the U.S., constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer for sale of, or solicitation of any offer to buy, or any investment advice in connection with, any securities of SES, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever.?

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made by SES, its directors, officers or advisors, or any other person, as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation, and any reliance you place on them will be at your sole risk. Without prejudice to the foregoing, none of SES, or its directors, officers or advisors accept any liability whatsoever for any loss however arising, directly or indirectly, from use of this presentation or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.?

This presentation includes "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation, including without limitation those regarding SES's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to SES products and services), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of SES to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding SES and its subsidiaries and affiliates, present and future business strategies, and the environment in which SES will operate in the future, and such assumptions may or may not prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this presentation. Forward-looking statements contained in this presentation regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will occur or continue in the future. SES, and its directors, officers and advisors do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


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