FORM 6 - K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of February 2005
NATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY OF VENEZUELA (CANTV)
(Translation of Registrants Name into English)
EDIFICIO CANTV
AVENIDA LIBERTADOR
CARACAS, VENEZUELA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Act of 1934
Yes No X
If Yes is marked, indicated below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 -
Attached to this report is a copy of the fourth quarter press release and supplemental data, dated February 17, 2005, pertaining to the financial condition and results of operations at and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 , as well as forecasts for the registrants operations for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. The consolidated financial information of the registrant included in the press release and the supplemental data were prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in Venezuela, which differ in certain important respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The earning projections for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 included in the attachment contain forward-looking statements. The registrant desires to qualify for the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and consequently is hereby filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the registrants actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the attachment.
The registrants earning projections are based on a series of projections and estimates regarding the economy and the telecommunications industry in Venezuela in general. The projections and estimates regarding the telecommunications industry may be affected by the state of the economy in Venezuela and abroad, the effects of competition, the pricing of services, tariff-setting regulations and the success of new products, new services and new businesses. No assurance can be given that the registrants actual results will not vary significantly from the projected earnings.
From: | Compañía Anónima Nacional Teléfonos de Venezuela (Cantv) NYSE: VNT |
For Release: | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |||||
Contact: | Cantv Investor Relations +011 58 212 500-1831 (Master) +011 58 212 500-1828 (Fax) Email: invest@cantv.com.ve | |||||||
February 17, 2005 | The Global Consulting Group Lauren Puffer 646 284-9426 (US) Email: lpuffer@hfgcg.com |
CANTV ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2004
RESULTS AND 2005 GUIDANCE
Net additions of 360 thousand mobile customers and 117 fixed lines drove 13% year-over-year
revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2004, contributing to a 9.6% full year revenue increase.
Absence of residential tariff adjustment curbed full year EBITDA increase
HIGHLIGHTS
| Fourth quarter net additions of 360 thousand customers increased our mobile subscriber base to 3.1 million |
| Fourth quarter net additions of 117 thousand fixed access lines represented the sixth consecutive quarter of fixed telephony growth |
| Our fourth quarter ABA (ADSL) customer base reflected a 25.1% sequential and 106.9% year-over-year growth |
| Internet service posted its highest net additions in the last two years and ended the year with 363 thousand total subscribers |
| Fourth quarter 2004 revenue increased 13% compared to fourth quarter 2003, driven by strong mobile revenue growth partially offset by a 13.6% decline in local service revenue due to the absence of residential tariff increase |
| Free cash flow totaled Bs. 984.3 billion during 2004, 13.5% lower than in 2003, due to higher investment levels consistent with current market opportunities |
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Sale of investment in New Skies Satellites N.V. and Intelsat |
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Financial results are stated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Venezuela. Amounts in Bolivars (the local currency) have been adjusted for inflation as of December 31, 2004. Translation of financial statements data to US$ has been performed, solely for the convenience of the reader, converting Bolivar amounts at the official exchange rate of Bs. 1,920 per US$1.
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
1 |
Figure 1 - Key Financial Highlights and Operating Indicators
Billions of Bs. and % |
||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||
Revenue |
1,130.6 | 1,000.3 | 130.3 | 13.0 | % | |||||||||
EBITDA |
267.0 | 392.9 | (125.9 | ) | (32.1 | )% | ||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
24 | % | 39 | % | (1,500 bps | ) | N.M. | |||||||
Net Income |
36.6 | 81.0 | (44.4 | ) | (54.9 | )% | ||||||||
EPADS (Bs.) * |
329.9 | 730.7 | (400.8 | ) | (54.9 | )% | ||||||||
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||
Revenue |
4,106.6 | 3,748.4 | 358.2 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||
EBITDA |
1,321.4 | 1,375.3 | (53.9 | ) | (3.9 | )% | ||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
32 | % | 37 | % | (500 bps | ) | N.M. | |||||||
Net Income |
306.7 | 35.5 | 271.2 | 764.3 | % | |||||||||
EPADS (Bs.) * |
2,766.5 | 320.1 | 2,446.4 | 764.3 | % | |||||||||
CAPEX |
537.3 | 148.2 | 389.1 | 262.6 | % | |||||||||
Free Cash Flow |
984.3 | 1,137.9 | (153.6 | ) | (13.5 | )% | ||||||||
Debt payments |
231.8 | 116.0 | 115.8 | 99.8 | % | |||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||
Subscribers | ||||||||||||||
Fixed |
3,060,041 | 2,733,909 | 326,132 | 11.9 | % | |||||||||
Residential |
2,201,345 | 1,986,603 | 214,742 | 10.8 | % | |||||||||
Non-residential |
604,432 | 578,448 | 25,984 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||
Public Telephones |
95,261 | 92,011 | 3,250 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||
ABA (ADSL) lines |
159,003 | 76,847 | 82,156 | 106.9 | % | |||||||||
Mobile |
3,106,363 | 2,681,074 | 425,289 | 15.9 | % | |||||||||
Internet |
362,569 | 231,938 | 130,631 | 56.3 | % | |||||||||
Traffic (million of minutes) | ||||||||||||||
Fixed Local |
(QTR) (YTD) |
2,654 10,081 |
|
2,399 9,502 |
|
255 579 |
|
10.6 6.1 |
% % | |||||
Fixed DLD and ILD |
(QTR) (YTD) |
653 2,571 |
|
627 2,582 |
|
26 (11 |
) |
4.1 (0.4 |
% )% | |||||
Mobile |
(QTR) (YTD) |
790 2,901 |
|
660 2,100 |
|
130 801 |
|
19.7 38.1 |
% % |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
2 |
| Mobile business became the primary driver of Cantvs revenue growth. In 2004, mobile revenue increased 42.9% compared to 2003, and represented 30.6% of the Companys total revenue. Mobile subscribers posted strong growth of 15.9% for the year and ended 2004 with 3.1 million subscribers. Notably, the strong subscriber growth was achieved with a 10.8% increase in blended ARPU to Bs. 41,812. | |||
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The decrease in Free Cash Flow was due to increased capital expenditures targeted at growth opportunities within our wireless and broadband businesses as well as integration and transformation of information systems. | |||
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The Company paid Bs. 620 billion in dividends to its shareholders during 2004 as a result of a Bs. 550 and Bs 120 dividends per share declared in March and December 2004, respectively. Conversion of dividends paid to foreign investors and ADS holders into US$ must be approved by CADIVI, the Venezuelan foreign exchange board. Conversion of the December 2004 dividend is pending approval. | |||
| On November 21st, Cantv signed a stock purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the common stock of Corporación Digitel, C.A. (Digitel), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A., for approximately US$450 million corresponding to enterprise value. The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals by CONATEL, Pro-Competencia (the anti-trust agency), and CADIVI. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
3 |
Our fixed line prepaid product continues to drive our residential line growth with fourth quarter net additions of 87,978 lines. These gains were partially offset by a 12,106 decline in postpaid lines. Approximately 25.5% of the prepaid lines additions were generated by the Companys fixed wireless telephony service, Cantv Listo, our primary initiative for capturing customers in underserved areas. By the end of December 2004, the fixed wireless service customer base totaled 158,597 customers, of which 135,494 were prepaid. | ||
ADSL lines also experienced strong growth during 2004, with a 106.9% year-over-year increase. As of December 2004, our ADSL customer base totaled 159,003 lines. The 31,898 ADSL fourth quarter 2004 net additions more than tripled the net additions posted during the fourth quarter of 2003. Our continued investment and commercial efforts maintained the strong ADSL sales momentum. | ||
Local revenue decreased by 13.6% as the adjustment of residential tariffs is still pending | Local Service Revenue:
Fourth quarter 2004 Local service revenue of Bs. 233.3 billion were Bs. 36.7 billion lower (13.6%) than those reported during the same period of 2003. The Bs. 957.7 billion 2004 local service revenue were 9.2% lower than those of 2003.
Local service revenue continues to reflect the decrease in residential tariffs in real terms. The failure by CONATEL to approve residential tariff increases since 2003 has resulted in 19.3% and 15.1% year-over-year real term reductions in the weighted average usage tariffs and monthly recurring charge, respectively. Residential revenue accounted for 51.9% of total 2004 local services revenue compared to the 55.5% posted in 2003. Public telephony reflected a 17.2% increase in the revenue per minute rate, due to improved controls on traffic billed. | |
Figure 4 - Local Service Revenue |
(in millions of Bs.) |
||||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||||
Monthly recurring charges |
123,914 | 145,744 | (21,830 | ) | (15.0 | )% | 522,649 | 610,877 | (88,228 | ) | (14.4 | )% | ||||||||
Installation |
9,190 | 14,663 | (5,473 | ) | (37.3 | )% | 34,898 | 29,699 | 5,199 | 17.5 | % | |||||||||
Usage |
100,158 | 109,550 | (9,392 | ) | (8.6 | )% | 400,169 | 414,466 | (14,297 | ) | (3.4 | )% | ||||||||
Total |
233,262 | 269,957 | (36,695 | ) | (13.6 | )% | 957,716 | 1,055,042 | (97,326 | ) | (9.2 | )% | ||||||||
The monthly recurring charge component of local service revenue reflected a 15.0% drop when compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 (see Figure 4). This decline was driven by the respective 10.8% and 8.6% weighted average rate reductions in residential and non-residential postpaid tariffs as well as a 4.9% decrease in residential postpaid lines. These declines were partially offset by a 3.6% increase in non-residential postpaid lines. The 37.3% decrease in installation revenue from the fourth quarter of 2003 was primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of installations and an average installation real price decline of 5.8%. Local usage revenue decreased 8.6% due to a 15.6% decrease in the weighted average tariff, partially offset by a 10.6% increase in unbundled (billed) minutes traffic.
Unbundled (billed) minutes, which accounted for 71.9% of total local traffic, increased 10.6% and 6.1%, respectively during fourth quarter 2004 and full year as compared to the same periods in 2003. As shown in Figure 5, the 20.5% and 2.6% increases in residential and non-residential traffic, |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
4 |
Growth in residential and non-residential minutes, with decline in public telephony traffic | respectively, were partially offset by the 17.9% decrease in public telephony traffic. The 20.5% increase in residential unbundled minutes was due to a 10.8% increase in new lines as well as an 8.8% increase in minutes of use per line. The increased usage was driven by new prepaid subscribers with higher usage patterns, the impact from our dial-up Internet offer called Cantv Familiar introduced in late May 2004 and our new residential plan, Habla por Llamadas, which offers 100 calls for a fixed rate, regardless of the length of the calls. Total unbundled minutes for the non-residential segment increased by 21 million, while minutes of use per line were 1.8% lower. | |
Figure 5 - Local Unbundled Minutes |
(in millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||||
Residential |
1,624 | 1,348 | 276 | 20.5 | % | 6,097 | 5,345 | 752 | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||
Non-residential |
837 | 816 | 21 | 2.6 | % | 3,188 | 3,145 | 43 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||
Public telephony |
193 | 235 | (42 | ) | (17.9 | )% | 796 | 1,012 | (216 | ) | (21.3 | )% | ||||||||
Total |
2,654 | 2,399 | 255 | 10.6 | % | 10,081 | 9,502 | 579 | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||
Public telephony continues to require defensive initiatives | Public telephony continues to experience intense competition, mobile substitution and the informal rental of fixed wireless phones and mobile handsets. The Company has implemented a number of market initiatives through our Telecommunication Centers and the Companys UN1CA prepaid calling card, which will produce substantial cost savings, enhance our ability to introduce new products and promotions, and improve control over card usage. In addition to these initiatives, Cantv is installing two-way public phones, has opened 64 new telecommunication centers in 2004 (14% more than in 2003) and is offering discounts on fixed-mobile calls from telecommunication centers. | |
Domestic Long Distance Revenue: | ||
Higher unbundled traffic drove DLD revenue increase |
An 18.9% increase in total unbundled Domestic Long Distance (DLD) traffic (see Figure 6), partially offset by a decrease in the average tariff, drove the Bs. 3.9 billion (5.3%) increase in the fourth quarter 2004 DLD revenue as compared to the fourth quarter of 2003. | |
Figure 6 - DLD Minutes |
(in millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||||
Residential |
122 | 89 | 33 | 37.1 | % | 462 | 372 | 90 | 24.2 | % | ||||||||||
Non-residential |
167 | 141 | 26 | 18.4 | % | 643 | 582 | 61 | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||
Public telephony |
76 | 77 | (1 | ) | (1.3 | )% | 275 | 332 | (57 | ) | (17.2 | )% | ||||||||
Total Unbundled |
365 | 307 | 58 | 18.9 | % | 1,380 | 1,286 | 94 | 7.3 | % | ||||||||||
Nights and Weekends |
225 | 263 | (38 | ) | (14.4 | )% | 955 | 1,085 | (130 | ) | (12.0 | )% | ||||||||
Total |
590 | 570 | 20 | 3.5 | % | 2,335 | 2,371 | (36 | ) | (1.5 | )% | |||||||||
Compared to the same period in 2003, fourth quarter 2004 residential DLD revenue grew 18.7% to Bs. 33.1 billion. The Bs. 13.1 billion (21.6%) increase in the billed (unbundled) portion of residential revenue was attributable to a 37.1% increase in unbundled minutes partially offset by a 16.3% reduction in the weighted average tariff. An important component of the unbundled traffic increase is our new DLD plan, Plan Nacional 3000, which was launched in July 2004. This plan includes 3,000 seconds for a monthly fixed payment of Bs. 5,900 and a special rate of Bs. 26 for each additional second. The plan had 23.6 thousand subscribers as of December 2004. Bundled DLD residential revenue generated by the Companys Noches y Fines de Semana Libres plan increased 16.8% on a year-over-year basis to Bs. 19.9 billion. A 29% increase in the weighted average real tariff was partially offset by a 37,826 (21.1%) decrease in subscribers from December 2003. For 2004, DLD residential revenue increased 9.8% when compared to 2003. A 24.2% increase in total traffic for the year was the key growth driver.
The Bs. 28.3 billion (11.0%) decrease in unbundled non-residential revenue was driven by a 16.2% reduction in the weighted average tariff partially offset by an 18.4% increase in unbundled non-residential total minutes. The same dynamic was responsible for the 7.1% decline in full year 2004 non-residential revenue. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
5 |
The 1.3% fourth quarter decrease in public telephony traffic over the same prior year period reflects a significant improvement on the previous quarters sequential trend that resulted in a 17.2% usage decrease for the full year. A 10.3% increase in the public telephony weighted average real tariff, partially offset by the decline in usage, contributed to a 15.8% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of 2004. Full year 2004 revenue, however, declined 2.9% due to reduced traffic. | ||
International Long Distance Revenue: | ||
ILD revenue increased 4.5% driven by an increase in outgoing traffic |
Fourth quarter 2004 total International Long Distance (ILD) revenue of Bs. 30.5 billion (2.7% of total revenue) was 4.5% higher on a year-over-year basis. Full year 2004 results reflected a 14.7% drop in ILD revenue, driven by a Bs. 16.2 billion decrease in net settlements.
Figure 7 - ILD Minutes |
(in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
||||||||||||||
Incoming minutes |
68 | 53 | 15 | 28.3 | % | 233 | 208 | 25 | 12.0 | % | |||||||||||
Outgoing minutes |
63 | 57 | 6 | 10.5 | % | 236 | 211 | 25 | 11.8 | % | |||||||||||
Net Settlements |
5 | (4 | ) | 9 | N.M. | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | | N.M. | ||||||||||
Incoming/Outgoing ratio |
1.08 | 0.93 | 0.15 | 16.1 | % | 0.99 | 0.99 | | | ||||||||||||
Outgoing minutes charged to customers |
64 | 54 | 10 | 18.5 | % | 239 | 200 | 39 | 19.5 | % | |||||||||||
The ILD outgoing revenues fourth quarter increase of Bs. 0.6 billion (2.2%) reflected an 18.5% increase in traffic partially offset by a 9.8% reduction in the weighted average tariff. Full year 2004 ILD outgoing revenue decreased 2.6% despite a 19.5% growth in traffic. Discounted prepaid cards offered by third parties continued to pose a competitive challenge to Cantv. Our reduced ILD weighted average prices reflect our discounted offers that are designed to respond to these competitive pressures.
Fourth quarter net settlement revenue increased Bs. 0.7 billion on a year-over-year basis. The growth in incoming traffic versus outgoing traffic produced the change in the net balance. This resulted in a positive 5 million minutes for fourth quarter 2004 as compared to a negative 4 million minutes posted in fourth quarter 2003.
Full year net settlement revenue decreased Bs. 16.2 billion as a result of an 11.8% increase in outbound traffic at an average rate that has remained at similar levels throughout the year, combined with a 12.0% increase in incoming traffic at rates that have decreased significantly as a response to increased competition between ILD operators terminating traffic in Venezuela. | ||
Interconnection Revenue (Outgoing Fixed to Mobile and Incoming): | ||
IXC revenue decreased slightly as the drop in incoming revenue was not compensated by the increase on the outgoing traffic |
The full year 2004 2.5% decline in interconnection revenue was primarily attributable to a 3.0% decline in outgoing fixed to mobile interconnection revenue. The 2004 fourth quarter 2.1% decline was driven by a 24.7% decline in incoming revenue (see Figure 8). | |
Figure 8 - Interconnection Revenue |
Revenue (in millions of Bs.) |
||||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||||
Local F-M Outgoing |
122,911 | 120,157 | 2,754 | 2.3 | % | 449,988 | 451,279 | (1,291 | ) | (0.3 | )% | |||||||||
DLD F-M Outgoing |
53,211 | 54,364 | (1,153 | ) | (2.1 | )% | 206,263 | 224,999 | (18,736 | ) | (8.3 | )% | ||||||||
Total Outgoing |
176,122 | 174,521 | 1,601 | 0.9 | % | 656,251 | 676,278 | (20,027 | ) | (3.0 | )% | |||||||||
Incoming |
17,599 | 23,377 | (5,778 | ) | (24.7 | %) | 87,916 | 86,638 | 1,278 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
6 |
Traffic increases in Local F-M outgoing of 24.9%, partially offset by real rates reduction of 17.2% drove a revenue increase of 2.3% when compared to fourth quarter 2003. DLD F-M outgoing and incoming revenue declined due to respective real rate reductions of 17.8% and 26.5% partially offset by traffic increases of 21.4% and 35.0%, respectively. | ||
Figure 9 - Interconnection Minutes |
Minutes (in millions) |
||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||
Local F-M Outgoing |
376 | 301 | 75 | 24.9 | % | 1,309 | 1,223 | 86 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||
DLD F-M Outgoing |
170 | 140 | 30 | 21.4 | % | 610 | 540 | 70 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||
Total Outgoing |
546 | 441 | 105 | 23.8 | % | 1,919 | 1,763 | 156 | 8.8 | % | ||||||||
Incoming |
463 | 343 | 120 | 35.0 | % | 1,734 | 1,195 | 539 | 45.1 | % | ||||||||
The higher outgoing traffic is a consequence of a larger mobile market. Growth in incoming traffic was generated by an increase in other operators fixed subscriber base, international long distance calls received by other local operators terminating in our network, and growth in mobile to fixed traffic.
In September 2004, a new promotional F-M tariff was introduced for public telephony, with the objective of increasing traffic and revenue in this segment. Public telephony F-M traffic increased 68.6% for the fourth quarter of 2004 when compared to the same period of 2003. | ||
Continuing acceleration of ADSL subscriber additions drove a 28.4% increase in data revenue |
Data Revenue:
Data transmission revenue totaled Bs. 118.5 billion (10.5% of total revenue) for the quarter, an increase of Bs. 26.2 billion (28.4%) on a year-over-year basis, due to a Bs. 11.6 billion (85.5%) increase in ABA (ADSL) revenue and a 9% increase in the weighted average price for private circuits. For the year, Data revenue grew 20.4% (Bs. 69.8 billion) compared to 2003.
ABA (ADSL) subscribers totaled 159 thousand at the end of 2004, a 106.9% increase on a year-over-year basis. Fourth quarter 2004 net subscriber additions were the highest posted since the service was launched in 2000.
Cantv launched in December 2004 an offer for new dial-up customers that provided interest free financing of personal computers called Internet Equipado. | |
| ||
Mobile revenue increased by 35.9% in 4Q04 | Mobile business continues to be the major revenue growth driver for the Company. Fourth quarter mobile revenue totaled Bs. 367.4 billion (32.5% of total revenue), a 35.9% increase over fourth quarter 2003 revenue. This increase was driven by a larger subscriber base, higher average revenue per user (ARPU), and equipment sales. | |
Net adds of 360 thousand mobile subscribers due to successful Christmas promotions |
Subscribers:
As of December 2004, Movilnets subscriber base passed 3.1 million, representing a 15.9% increase on a year-over-year basis. The subscriber base is composed of 222 thousand (7.1%) postpaid and 2.9 million (92.9%) prepaid customers.
These positive results are net of a loss of more than 106 thousand subscribers between May and September 2004, caused by the active TDMA to CDMA migration campaign initiated in May 2004. As a result of this successful effort, Movilnets subscribers on the CDMA-1X platform surpassed 1 million subscribers in December, nearly 34.4% of our customer base. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
7 |
A vibrant Christmas season, positive results from our strategy to promote CDMA network use, as well as the move to attract higher value customers generated 360 thousand additional net subscribers during the fourth quarter of 2004, the highest net adds posted in a single quarter since 2001.
A new prepaid plan, Pégate con más 600, was launched during October. The plan offers 600 free minutes for Movilnet-to-Movilnet and Movilnet-to-Cantv calls for a flat rate of Bs. 89,000.
Movilnet launched a new brand image with a new motto Más Movilnet, Más Vida and a new co-branding logo emphasizing the relationship between Cantv and Movilnet. This repositioning effort aims to increase the Companys appeal to the youngster and high value segments while highlighting the quality of our cellular network.
| ||
Usage and ARPUs:
Total fourth quarter 2004 minutes of use (outgoing and incoming) reached 790 million, a 19.7% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 (see Figure 10). | ||
Total usage grew 19.7% with price increases of 13.6% in real terms. ARPU increased 8.7% | Within the outgoing minutes, total fourth quarter 2004 postpaid minutes increased 24.6% to 284 million minutes when compared to previous years fourth quarter and increased 33.9% to 1,054 million minutes for the entire year. Bundled postpaid traffic is the main growth variable as it increased 43.3% in fourth quarter 2004 on a year-over-year basis. For the full year, bundled postpaid traffic increased 69.6%. Prepaid traffic also increased for the quarter (13.7%) when compared to the same period in 2003. 1,475 million prepaid minutes were used for the full year which represented a 51.7% year-over-year growth rate. Much of the growth is attributable to the new prepaid bundled plans that were introduced during second quarter 2004.
Figure 11 - Mobile Minutes |
(in millions) |
||||||||||||||||||
4Q04 |
4Q03 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
2004 |
2003 |
Inc./(Dec.) |
% |
|||||||||||
Outgoing |
683 | 580 | 103 | 17.8 | % | 2,529 | 1,783 | 746 | 41.8 | % | ||||||||
Incoming |
107 | 80 | 27 | 33.8 | % | 372 | 317 | 55 | 17.4 | % | ||||||||
Total |
790 | 660 | 130 | 19.7 | % | 2,901 | 2,100 | 801 | 38.1 | % | ||||||||
Incoming from CANTV |
212 | 158 | 54 | 34.2 | % | 708 | 663 | 45 | 6.8 | % |
Nominal weighted average mobile list prices increased 35.9% during 2004, a 13.6% increase in real terms.
During fourth quarter 2004, higher ARPU was achieved in both subscriber segments. Postpaid and prepaid ARPU reached Bs. 140,919 and Bs. 36,363, respectively, compared to Bs. 147,685 and Bs. 31,921 in the fourth quarter 2003. Blended ARPU grew 8.7%, reaching Bs. 44,515 compared to the Bs. 40,937 fourth quarter 2003 average. | ||
SMS now represents 12.4% of total mobile revenue | During the fourth quarter 2004, SMS revenue totaled Bs. 45.6 billion, a 6.6% growth over the fourth quarter of 2003. Approximately 1.1 million messages (a 3.1% increase) were sent by our customers during the fourth quarter. In July 2004, Movilnet launched a new innovative service that allows our mobile subscribers to send SMS messages to Cantvs fixed line customers. SMS represented 12.4% of the Companys total fourth quarter mobile revenue. SMS revenue increased 30.9% when comparing the full year 2004 to the previous year. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
8 |
Equipment sales were also an important revenue driver | Cantvs increased role in the sale of terminal equipment continues to be reflected in mobile revenue. Handset sales were an important component of wireless revenue growth during 2004. Movilnet sold over 482 thousand handsets for Bs. 94.7 billion during the fourth quarter of 2004 representing 133.7% year over year growth in revenue. For the full year, equipment sales totaled Bs. 204.9 billion, a 225.3% increase over 2003. | |
| ||
Internet revenue increased 27.9% driven by the highest quarterly net additions experienced over the last two years | Fourth quarter Internet revenue totaled Bs. 30.8 billion (2.7% of total revenue), 27.9% higher than the previous years fourth quarter results. This increase was driven by the 56.3% growth in our subscriber base. Internet service posted 37,503 net additions in the fourth quarter of 2004. This represents the highest quarterly net additions experienced over the last two years and brings our customer base to approximately 363 thousand. The fourth quarter momentum was attributable to the Companys continuing market expansion programs, most notably our alliances with educational centers that promote Internet usage.
In December, Cantv completed the second phase of the Super@ulas program which installed Internet facilities in 49 elementary schools during 2004. During the programs third phase in 2005, the Company intends to install 25 Internet facilities at 25 additional elementary schools.
The Bs. 2.7 billion fourth quarter increase in other services compared to fourth quarter 2003 is attributable to an increase in the average price for advertising space in our directory business. For 2004, other telecommunications related services increased by Bs. 19.8 billion driven by higher directories revenue and a change in the classification of certain other services that are now recorded as data revenue. | |
| ||
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Total operating expenses increase of 20.3% mainly driven by higher sales of terminal equipment | Fourth quarter 2004 total operating expenses increased by Bs. 183.3 billion or 20.3%, to Bs. 1,088.0 billion compared to the fourth quarter 2003, reflecting a Bs. 256.3 billion or 42.2% increase in cash operating expenses, partially offset by a Bs. 73.0 billion or 24.5% reduction in depreciation and amortization expenses.
The increase in operating expenses resulted mainly from a Bs. 83.5 billion increase in cost of sales, driven by higher cellular handset sales and fixed wireless equipment. Also, contributing to the increase were concession and other taxes increase of Bs. 10.9 billion and interconnection costs increase of Bs. 33.1 billion driven by the higher revenue and volume, an increase of Bs. 47.2 billion in contractor expenses for the regional elections contract, consulting fees related to sales initiatives, and contractors supporting our customer service activities, as well as an increase miscellaneous expenses mainly driven by additional legal and tax contingencies.
The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses resulted from certain wireline network assets reaching the end of their useful lives, as well as reduced 2003 capital expenditures.
Total operating expenses for the full year 2004 increased by Bs. 143.7 billion or 4.0% to Bs. 3,748.5 billion compared to 2003. Cash operating expenses increased 17.4% to Bs. 2,785.2 billion due to an increase of Bs. 121.2 billion in cost of cellular handsets and fixed wireless equipment and higher contractor and miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by lower labor and benefit expenses and interconnection costs. Excluding cost of sales, cash operating expenses increased 6.1%.
Miscellaneous expenses include legal and tax contingencies of Bs. 109.3 billion, an increase of Bs. 77.9 billion over 2003. This increase includes a provision related to a potential adjustment on pension benefits, as a result of a ruling issued by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court in January 2005. For additional comments please refer to the Other Developments section. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
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CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
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the sale of the investment in New Skies Satellite N.V, previously recorded as a separate account in equity. The loss from net monetary position decreased 62.3% resulting from lower inflation. Other income increased from Bs. 6.4 billion to Bs. 25.2 billion mainly as a result of the gain from the sale of New Skies Satellite N.V. of Bs. 12.6 billion.
For the full year, other income, net of Bs. 41.6 billion resulted from lower interest expense and an exchange gain resulting from the sale of the investment in New Skies Satellites N.V., including an exchange gain and other income totaling Bs. 21.0 billion. In 2003, other expense, net of Bs. 65.0 billion resulted from the loss from the sale of US dollar denominated bonds, an exchange loss and higher interest expense.
The income tax provision recorded in the fourth quarter 2004 increased by Bs. 36.8 billion to Bs. 47.2 billion compared to the same period a year ago. For the full year 2004, the income tax provision totaled Bs. 91.2 billion compared to Bs. 42.4 billion in 2003 due to higher taxable income and lower investment tax credits. Effective tax rate for 2004 was 22.8% compared to 54.0% in 2003, in which taxable income included the non-deductibility of the loss from sale of US dollar denominated bonds offset by the benefit from the contribution of Bs. 95.3 billion for the pension plan. | ||
| ||
Increase in CAPEX reduced free cash flow for the period | Free cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled Bs. 984.3 billion, 13.5% lower than 2003. While cash earnings (net income or loss adjusted for non cash items) increased by Bs. 58.6 billion, a Bs. 389.0 billion increase in Capital expenditures combined with a Bs. 176.8 billion decrease in the net balance of current and non-current assets and liabilities resulted in the Bs. 153.6 billion year-over-year reduction in FCF. (See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures).
Financing cash uses totaled Bs. 806.4 billion and reflect the payment of Yankee Bonds and other debt as well as the payment of Bs. 620.5 billion of dividends.
The Companys net cash position totaled Bs. 730.6 billion as of December 31, 2004, compared to Bs. 472.8 billion as of December 31, 2003. (See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures). | |
| ||
CAPEX focused on CDMA-1X, ADSL and information systems | 2004 capital expenditures totaled Bs. 537.3 billion, a Bs. 389.0 billion increase over 2003. Capital investments during 2004 reflected the Companys decision to take advantage of favorable investment conditions, and included: i) the expansion of our CDMA-1X network footprint to support projected demand in mobile and fixed wireless services; ii) deployment of backbone and data networks to sustain the growth in our ABA (ADSL) and other data product lines; and iii) the integration and transformation of the Companys information systems. The latter will provide the necessary system functionality to support the Companys projected service offerings and improve operating performance. 2003 capital expenditures levels reflected our conservative approach towards investment given Venezuelas then second year of economic and market contractions. | |
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During 2004 Cantv made debt payments totaling Bs. 231.8 billion, a Bs. 115.8 billion increase when compared to 2003. These payments included Bs. 179.4 billion (US$100 million) for Yankee Bonds, Bs. 27.2 billion (US$14.7 million) for the IFC loans, as well as Bs. 19.0 billion (¥1,081 million) for Japans Eximbank and other local banks loans. Debt balances decreased to Bs. 262.4 billion as of December 31, 2004, a Bs. 195.4 billion reduction when compared to debt balances seen at the end of the previous year. As a percentage of Equity, total debt decreased from 10.4% as of December 31, 2003 to 6.4% as of December 31, 2004. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
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CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
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Digitel, located in Caracas, is the leading GSM operator in Venezuela and operates in the Central Region since 1999. As of September 2004, Digitel was servicing over 1.29 million subscribers.
In September of 2004 the Social Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Cantv on a matter related to pension benefits brought by the National Association of Retirees of Cantv. In January of 2005 the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court requested the Social Chamber to issue a new pronouncement, taking into consideration that pensions cannot be lower than the minimum urban wage.
Cantvs management, based on the opinion of its legal advisors, estimated a potential additional pension liability and recorded a contingency expense in December of 2004. The determination of the final outcome will have to wait until the new ruling by the Social Chamber of the Supreme Court. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
13 |
For the quarters ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(Adjusted for inflation and expressed in millions of constant bolivars as of December 31, 2004, and millions of US dollars, except per share amounts)
Bs. 2004 |
% of total operating revenues |
Bs. 2003 |
% of total operating revenues |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
% Increase (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Local services |
233,262 | 20.6 | % | 269,957 | 27.0 | % | 121 | 141 | (13.6 | )% | |||||||||||
Domestic long distance usage |
77,074 | 6.8 | % | 73,210 | 7.3 | % | 41 | 38 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||
Total local and domestic long distance |
310,336 | 27.4 | % | 343,167 | 34.3 | % | 162 | 179 | (9.6 | )% | |||||||||||
International long distance |
29,302 | 2.6 | % | 28,664 | 2.9 | % | 15 | 15 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||
Net settlements |
1,152 | 0.1 | % | 472 | 0.0 | % | 1 | | 144.1 | % | |||||||||||
Total international long distance |
30,454 | 2.7 | % | 29,136 | 2.9 | % | 16 | 15 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||
Fixed to mobile - Outgoing |
176,122 | 15.6 | % | 174,521 | 17.4 | % | 91 | 91 | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||
Interconnection incoming |
17,599 | 1.6 | % | 23,377 | 2.3 | % | 9 | 12 | (24.7 | )% | |||||||||||
Data revenues |
118,517 | 10.5 | % | 92,308 | 9.2 | % | 62 | 48 | 28.4 | % | |||||||||||
Other wireline-related services |
65,221 | 5.8 | % | 31,883 | 3.2 | % | 34 | 17 | 104.6 | % | |||||||||||
Total wireline services |
718,249 | 63.5 | % | 694,392 | 69.4 | % | 374 | 362 | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||
Mobile services |
367,403 | 32.5 | % | 270,294 | 27.0 | % | 191 | 141 | 35.9 | % | |||||||||||
Internet revenues |
30,736 | 2.7 | % | 24,027 | 2.4 | % | 16 | 12 | 27.9 | % | |||||||||||
Other telecommunications-related services |
14,248 | 1.3 | % | 11,579 | 1.2 | % | 8 | 6 | 23.1 | % | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,130,636 | 100.0 | % | 1,000,292 | 100.0 | % | 589 | 521 | 13.0 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for uncollectibles |
23,948 | 2.1 | % | 24,406 | 2.4 | % | 12 | 13 | (1.9 | )% | |||||||||||
Operations, maintenance, repairs and administrative |
653,647 | 57.8 | % | 440,904 | 44.1 | % | 341 | 229 | 48.3 | % | |||||||||||
Interconnection cost |
115,571 | 10.2 | % | 82,452 | 8.2 | % | 60 | 43 | 40.2 | % | |||||||||||
Concession and other taxes |
70,515 | 6.2 | % | 59,621 | 6.0 | % | 37 | 31 | 18.3 | % | |||||||||||
863,681 | 76.4 | % | 607,383 | 60.7 | % | 450 | 316 | 42.2 | % | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
266,955 | 23.6 | % | 392,909 | 39.3 | % | 139 | 205 | (32.1 | )% | |||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
24 | % | 39 | % | 24 | % | 39 | % | (1,500 bps | ) | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
224,296 | 19.8 | % | 297,248 | 29.7 | % | 117 | 155 | (24.5 | )% | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
1,087,977 | 96.2 | % | 904,631 | 90.4 | % | 567 | 471 | 20.3 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Income |
42,659 | 3.8 | % | 95,661 | 9.6 | % | 22 | 50 | (55.4 | )% | |||||||||||
Other Income (Expense), net |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
22,842 | 2.0 | % | 25,239 | 2.5 | % | 13 | 13 | (9.5 | )% | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(4,939 | ) | (0.4 | )% | (9,480 | ) | (0.9 | )% | (3 | ) | (5 | ) | (47.9 | )% | |||||||
Exchange gain (loss), net |
5,995 | 0.5 | % | (7,541 | ) | (0.8 | )% | 3 | (4 | ) | N.M. | ||||||||||
Loss from net monetary position |
(7,108 | ) | (0.6 | )% | (18,845 | ) | (1.9 | )% | (4 | ) | (10 | ) | (62.3 | )% | |||||||
Net financing benefit (cost) |
16,790 | 1.5 | % | (10,627 | ) | (1.1 | )% | 9 | (6 | ) | N.M. | ||||||||||
Other |
25,155 | 2.2 | % | 6,387 | 0.6 | % | 13 | 4 | 293.8 | % | |||||||||||
41,945 | 3.7 | % | (4,240 | ) | (0.4 | )% | 22 | (2 | ) | N.M. | |||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes |
84,604 | 7.5 | % | 91,421 | 9.1 | % | 44 | 48 | (7.5 | )% | |||||||||||
Income Tax |
47,216 | 4.2 | % | 10,421 | 1.0 | % | 25 | 6 | 353.1 | % | |||||||||||
Minority Interest |
815 | 0.1 | % | (4 | ) | (0.0 | )% | | | N.M. | |||||||||||
Net Income |
36,573 | 3.2 | % | 81,004 | 8.1 | % | 19 | 42 | (54.9 | )% | |||||||||||
Earnings per Share |
47 | 0.0 | % | 104 | 0.0 | % | 0.020 | 0.050 | (54.9 | )% | |||||||||||
Earnings per ADS (based on 7 shares per ADS) |
330 | 0.0 | % | 731 | 0.0 | % | 0.17 | 0.38 | (54.9 | )% | |||||||||||
Average Shares Outstanding (in millions) |
776 | 776 | 776 | 776 |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
14 |
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(Adjusted for inflation and expressed in millions of constant bolivars as of December 31, 2004, and millions of US dollars, except per share amounts)
Bs. 2004 |
% of total operating revenues |
Bs. 2003 |
% of total operating revenues |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
% Increase (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Local services |
957,716 | 23.3 | % | 1,055,042 | 28.1 | % | 499 | 550 | (9.2 | )% | |||||||||||
Domestic long distance usage |
300,744 | 7.3 | % | 300,107 | 8.0 | % | 156 | 156 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||
Total local and domestic long distance |
1,258,460 | 30.6 | % | 1,355,149 | 36.2 | % | 655 | 706 | (7.1 | )% | |||||||||||
International long distance |
113,671 | 2.8 | % | 116,651 | 3.1 | % | 59 | 61 | (2.6 | )% | |||||||||||
Net settlements |
(2,310 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 13,861 | 0.4 | % | (1 | ) | 7 | N.M. | ||||||||||
Total international long distance |
111,361 | 2.7 | % | 130,512 | 3.5 | % | 58 | 68 | (14.7 | )% | |||||||||||
Fixed to mobile - Outgoing |
656,251 | 16.0 | % | 676,278 | 18.0 | % | 342 | 352 | (3.0 | )% | |||||||||||
Interconnection incoming |
87,916 | 2.1 | % | 86,638 | 2.3 | % | 46 | 45 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||
Data revenues |
412,560 | 10.0 | % | 342,721 | 9.1 | % | 215 | 179 | 20.4 | % | |||||||||||
Other wireline-related services |
180,729 | 4.4 | % | 131,555 | 3.5 | % | 94 | 68 | 37.4 | % | |||||||||||
Total wireline services |
2,707,277 | 65.9 | % | 2,722,853 | 72.6 | % | 1,410 | 1,418 | (0.6 | )% | |||||||||||
Mobile services |
1,257,145 | 30.6 | % | 879,988 | 23.5 | % | 655 | 458 | 42.9 | % | |||||||||||
Internet revenues |
106,859 | 2.6 | % | 90,331 | 2.4 | % | 56 | 47 | 18.3 | % | |||||||||||
Other telecommunications-related services |
35,342 | 0.9 | % | 55,183 | 1.5 | % | 18 | 29 | (36.0 | )% | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
4,106,623 | 100.0 | % | 3,748,355 | 100.0 | % | 2,139 | 1,952 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for uncollectibles |
89,198 | 2.2 | % | 104,507 | 2.8 | % | 46 | 54 | (14.6 | )% | |||||||||||
Operations, maintenance, repairs and administrative |
2,034,432 | 49.5 | % | 1,624,705 | 43.3 | % | 1,061 | 847 | 25.2 | % | |||||||||||
Interconnection cost |
411,352 | 10.0 | % | 425,917 | 11.4 | % | 214 | 222 | (3.4 | )% | |||||||||||
Concession and other taxes |
250,215 | 6.1 | % | 217,892 | 5.8 | % | 130 | 113 | 14.8 | % | |||||||||||
2,785,197 | 67.8 | % | 2,373,021 | 63.3 | % | 1,451 | 1,236 | 17.4 | % | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
1,321,426 | 32.2 | % | 1,375,334 | 36.7 | % | 688 | 716 | (3.9 | )% | |||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
32 | % | 37 | % | 32 | % | 37 | % | (500 bps | ) | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
963,344 | 23.5 | % | 1,231,807 | 32.9 | % | 501 | 641 | (21.8 | )% | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
3,748,541 | 91.3 | % | 3,604,828 | 96.2 | % | 1,952 | 1,877 | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Income |
358,082 | 8.7 | % | 143,527 | 3.8 | % | 187 | 75 | 149.5 | % | |||||||||||
Other Income (Expense), net |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
63,349 | 1.5 | % | 73,447 | 2.0 | % | 33 | 39 | (13.7 | )% | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(19,754 | ) | (0.5 | )% | (43,247 | ) | (1.2 | )% | (10 | ) | (23 | ) | (54.3 | )% | |||||||
Exchange gain (loss), net |
6,329 | 0.2 | % | (53,651 | ) | (1.4 | )% | 3 | (28 | ) | N.M. | ||||||||||
(Loss) gain from net monetary position |
(24,673 | ) | (0.6 | )% | 3,804 | 0.1 | % | (13 | ) | 2 | N.M. | ||||||||||
Net financing benefit (cost) |
25,251 | 0.6 | % | (19,647 | ) | (0.5 | )% | 13 | (10 | ) | N.M. | ||||||||||
Other |
16,340 | 0.4 | % | (45,351 | ) | (1.2 | )% | 8 | (24 | ) | N.M. | ||||||||||
41,591 | 1.0 | % | (64,998 | ) | (1.7 | )% | 21 | (34 | ) | N.M. | |||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes |
399,673 | 9.7 | % | 78,529 | 2.1 | % | 208 | 41 | 408.9 | % | |||||||||||
Income Tax |
91,193 | 2.2 | % | 42,420 | 1.1 | % | 47 | 23 | 115.0 | % | |||||||||||
Minority Interest |
1,796 | 0.0 | % | 625 | 0.0 | % | 1 | | 187.4 | % | |||||||||||
Net Income |
306,684 | 7.5 | % | 35,484 | 0.9 | % | 160 | 18 | 764.3 | % | |||||||||||
Earnings per Share |
395 | 0.0 | % | 46 | 0.0 | % | 0.21 | 0.02 | 764.3 | % | |||||||||||
Earnings per ADS (based on 7 shares per ADS) |
2,766 | 0.0 | % | 320 | 0.0 | % | 1.44 | 0.17 | 764.3 | % | |||||||||||
Average Shares Outstanding (in millions) |
776 | 776 | 776 | 776 |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
15 |
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003
(Adjusted for inflation and expressed in millions of constant bolivars as of December 31, 2004, and millions of US dollars)
Bs. 2004 |
Bs. 2003 |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 | |||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and temporary investments |
993,004 | 930,679 | 517 | 485 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of provision for uncollectibles of Bs. 96,879 and Bs. 99,310 |
474,909 | 517,761 | 247 | 270 | ||||
Accounts receivable from Venezuelan Government entities |
182,007 | 138,544 | 95 | 72 | ||||
Inventories and supplies, net |
262,116 | 87,445 | 137 | 46 | ||||
Other current assets |
47,120 | 60,468 | 24 | 31 | ||||
Total current assets |
1,959,156 | 1,734,897 | 1,020 | 904 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of Bs. 16,177,290 and Bs. 16,401,851 |
4,073,704 | 4,455,547 | 2,122 | 2,321 | ||||
Cellular concession, net |
185,654 | 192,425 | 97 | 100 | ||||
Accounts receivable from Venezuelan Government entities |
38,607 | 29,012 | 20 | 15 | ||||
Other assets |
352,550 | 443,796 | 184 | 231 | ||||
Total assets |
6,609,671 | 6,855,677 | 3,443 | 3,571 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Short-term debt |
169,605 | 238,450 | 88 | 124 | ||||
Accounts payable |
747,398 | 485,302 | 389 | 253 | ||||
Accrued employee benefits |
86,099 | 91,100 | 45 | 47 | ||||
Short-term pension and other post-retirement benefits obligations |
88,883 | 90,470 | 46 | 47 | ||||
Dividends payable |
23,568 | 81,928 | 12 | 43 | ||||
Concession tax |
64,378 | 58,457 | 34 | 30 | ||||
Subscriber rights |
74,791 | 80,790 | 39 | 42 | ||||
Deferred revenue |
146,769 | 146,980 | 76 | 77 | ||||
Income, value added and other taxes |
75,134 | 73,400 | 39 | 38 | ||||
Other current liabilities |
86,701 | 62,573 | 46 | 33 | ||||
Total current liabilities |
1,563,326 | 1,409,450 | 814 | 734 | ||||
Long-Term Liabilities: |
||||||||
Long-term debt |
92,837 | 219,392 | 48 | 114 | ||||
Provision for legal and tax contingencies |
122,221 | 56,218 | 65 | 30 | ||||
Pension plan obligations |
245,030 | 323,333 | 128 | 168 | ||||
Post-retirement benefit obligations |
456,870 | 444,099 | 238 | 231 | ||||
Total liabilities |
2,480,284 | 2,452,492 | 1,293 | 1,277 | ||||
Minority Interests |
4,467 | 3,261 | 2 | 2 | ||||
Shareholders Equity |
4,124,920 | 4,399,924 | 2,148 | 2,292 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
6,609,671 | 6,855,677 | 3,443 | 3,571 | ||||
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
16 |
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(Adjusted for inflation and expressed in millions of constant bolivars as of December 31, 2004, and millions of US dollars)
Bs. 2004 |
Bs. 2003 |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
|||||||||
Operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Net income |
306,684 | 35,484 | 160 | 18 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Loss (gain) from net monetary position |
24,673 | (3,804 | ) | 13 | (2 | ) | ||||||
Exchange (gain) loss, net |
(6,329 | ) | 53,651 | (3 | ) | 28 | ||||||
Gain in sale of investments |
(12,576 | ) | | (7 | ) | | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
963,344 | 1,231,807 | 501 | 641 | ||||||||
Provision for uncollectibles |
89,198 | 104,507 | 46 | 54 | ||||||||
Provision for inventories obsolescence |
48,460 | 11,081 | 25 | 6 | ||||||||
Provision for legal and tax contingencies |
109,311 | 31,449 | 57 | 16 | ||||||||
Changes in current assets and liabilities |
9,150 | (35,912 | ) | 5 | (19 | ) | ||||||
Changes in non current assets and liabilities |
(10,384 | ) | (142,119 | ) | (5 | ) | (72 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,521,531 | 1,286,144 | 792 | 670 | ||||||||
Investing activities: |
||||||||||||
Acquisition of software, net of disposals |
(62,102 | ) | (16,931 | ) | (32 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Capital expenditures, net of disposals |
(475,149 | ) | (131,318 | ) | (247 | ) | (68 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(537,251 | ) | (148,249 | ) | (279 | ) | (77 | ) | ||||
Free cash flow |
984,280 | 1,137,895 | 513 | 593 | ||||||||
Financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
41,950 | | 22 | | ||||||||
Payments of debt |
(231,768 | ) | (115,956 | ) | (121 | ) | (60 | ) | ||||
Dividend payments |
(620,489 | ) | (675,937 | ) | (323 | ) | (352 | ) | ||||
Asignation (purchase) of shares for the workers benefit fund |
3,867 | (3,710 | ) | 2 | (2 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(806,440 | ) | (795,603 | ) | (420 | ) | (414 | ) | ||||
Increase in cash and temporary investments before loss in purchasing power of cash and temporary investments and foreign exchange gain of cash and temporary investments |
177,840 | 342,292 | 93 | 179 | ||||||||
Loss in purchasing power of cash and temporary investments |
(143,008 | ) | (166,147 | ) | (74 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||
Foreign exchange gain of cash and temporary investments |
27,493 | 69,739 | 13 | 36 | ||||||||
Increase in cash and temporary investments |
62,325 | 245,884 | 32 | 128 | ||||||||
Cash and temporary investments: |
||||||||||||
Beginning of the year |
930,679 | 684,795 | 485 | 357 | ||||||||
End of the year |
993,004 | 930,679 | 517 | 485 | ||||||||
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
17 |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures
(In millions of constant bolivars as of December 31, 2004)
For the quarters ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Bs. 2004 |
Bs. 2003 |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
|||||||||||
EBITDA |
||||||||||||||
Net income |
36,573 | 81,004 | 19 | 42 | ||||||||||
Plus: Income tax |
47,216 | 10,421 | 25 | 6 | ||||||||||
Plus: Minority interest |
815 | (4 | ) | | | |||||||||
Minus: Other income (expense), net |
41,945 | (4,240 | ) | 22 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Plus: Depreciation and amortization |
224,296 | 297,248 | 117 | 155 | ||||||||||
EBITDA |
266,955 | 392,909 | 139 | 205 | ||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
= | 266,955 | 392,909 | 139 | 205 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,130,636 | 1,000,292 | 589 | 521 | ||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
24 | % | 39 | % | 24 | % | 39 | % | ||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Bs. 2004 |
Bs. 2003 |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
|||||||||||
EBITDA |
||||||||||||||
Net income |
306,684 | 35,484 | 160 | 18 | ||||||||||
Plus: Income tax |
91,193 | 42,420 | 47 | 23 | ||||||||||
Plus: Minority interest |
1,796 | 625 | 1 | | ||||||||||
Minus: Other income (expense), net |
41,591 | (64,998 | ) | 21 | (34 | ) | ||||||||
Plus: Depreciation and amortization |
963,344 | 1,231,807 | 501 | 641 | ||||||||||
EBITDA |
1,321,426 | 1,375,334 | 688 | 716 | ||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
= | 1,321,426 | 1,375,334 | 688 | 716 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues |
4,106,623 | 3,748,355 | 2,139 | 1,952 | ||||||||||
EBITDA Margin |
32 | % | 37 | % | 32 | % | 37 | % | ||||||
Free Cash Flow |
||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,521,531 | 1,286,144 | 792 | 670 | ||||||||||
Minus: Net cash used in investing activities |
(537,251 | ) | (148,249 | ) | (279 | ) | (77 | ) | ||||||
Free cash flow |
984,280 | 1,137,895 | 513 | 593 | ||||||||||
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Bs. 2004 |
Bs. 2003 |
US$ 2004 |
US$ 2003 |
|||||||||||
Net Cash Position |
||||||||||||||
Cash and temporary investments |
993,004 | 930,679 | 517 | 485 | ||||||||||
Minus: Short-term debt |
169,605 | 238,450 | 88 | 124 | ||||||||||
Minus: Long-term debt |
92,837 | 219,392 | 48 | 114 | ||||||||||
Net cash position |
730,562 | 472,837 | 381 | 247 |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
18 |
|
Guidance figures for 2005 presented in this document do not include the potential acquisition of Digitel | |||
|
Macroeconomic indicators presented here are based on a compilation of market consensus and constitute the Companys working scenario assumed to define the Guidance for operating and financial indicators |
MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS | ||||||||
Range |
||||||||
From |
To |
|||||||
Economic growth | ||||||||
Total GDP Growth |
4.0 | % | 7.0 | % | ||||
Oil GDP Growth |
3.0 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||
Average oil price (US $ per barrel) * |
30.0 | 36.0 | ||||||
Non-Oil GDP Growth |
4.0 | % | 7.0 | % | ||||
Communication GDP |
5.0 | % | 8.0 | % | ||||
Exchange rate (Bs./US$) |
||||||||
Average |
2,131.0 | 2,256.0 | ||||||
Year-end |
2,150.0 | 2,300.0 | ||||||
Devaluation (Year-to-Year) |
12 | % | 20 | % | ||||
Inflation (CPI) |
||||||||
CPI |
16.0 | % | 23.0 | % | ||||
WPI |
19.0 | % | 26.0 | % | ||||
* Venezuelan basket |
|
KEY OPERATING INDICATORS | ||||||||||||
Growth range |
EOY Number |
|||||||||||
From |
To |
From |
To |
|||||||||
Fixed access lines * |
5.0 | % | 7.0 | % | 3,028 | 3,086 | ||||||
Mobile subscribers |
9.0 | % | 11.0 | % | 3,386 | 3,448 | ||||||
ADSL lines |
95.0 | % | 105.0 | % | 310 | 326 | ||||||
Regulated Tariffs Effective Increase |
8.0 | % | 15.0 | % | NM | NM | ||||||
* Excludes ADSL and private circuits |
||||||||||||
KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS | ||||||||||||
(Growth rates in real terms and full year figures expressed in billions of Bs. as of December 2005) | ||||||||||||
Growth range |
Full year |
|||||||||||
From |
To |
From |
To |
|||||||||
Revenue |
12 | % | 9 | % | 5,322.0 | 5,524.0 | ||||||
Cash operating expenses |
15 | % | 11 | % | 3,720.0 | 3,804.0 | ||||||
EBITDA |
5 | % | 6 | % | 1,602.0 | 1,720.0 | ||||||
EBITDA Margin (bp and percentages) |
(210 | ) | (100 | ) | 30.1 | % | 31.1 | % | ||||
Net Income (loss) |
24 | % | 34 | % | 440.0 | 505.0 | ||||||
CAPEX |
51 | % | 47 | % | 939.0 | 969.0 | ||||||
Free Cash Flow |
(47 | )% | (40 | )% | 607.0 | 728.0 |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
19 |
Cantv, a Venezuelan corporation, is the leading Venezuelan telecommunications services provider with approximately 3.1 million access lines in service, 3.1 million cellular subscribers and 363 thousand Internet subscribers as of December 31, 2004. The Companys principal strategic shareholder is a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. with 28.5% of the capital stock. Other major shareholders include the Venezuelan Government with 6.6% of the capital stock (Class B Shares), employees, retirees and employee trusts which own 7.1% (Class C Shares) and Telefónica de España, S.A. with 6.9%. Public shareholders hold the remaining 50.9% of the capital stock. |
SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This press release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed herein include economic considerations that could affect demand for telecommunications services and the ability of the Company to make collections, inflation, regulatory factors, exchange controls and occurrences in currency markets, competition, labor relations, legal proceedings and the risk factors set forth in the Companys various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 20-F. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, and claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. |
ADSL: |
Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines. | |
ARPU: |
Average monthly revenue per mobile user excluding handset sales, taxes and late-payment charges. This measurement is specific for the mobile business. | |
Bundled minutes: |
Actual minutes used by the customer within the minutes allowed under variously priced monthly customer tariff plans that include a maximum number of allowed minutes within the monthly tariff. | |
Cash earnings: |
Net income adjusted for non cash items or adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities. | |
Cash operating expenses: |
Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization. | |
EBITDA: |
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, equivalent to operating income plus depreciation and amortization. | |
EBITDA margin: |
EBITDA as a percent of total operating revenue. | |
EPADS: |
Earnings per ADS. | |
Free cash flow (FCF): |
Cash flow from operating activities minus cash used in investing activities. | |
IXC: |
Interconnection. | |
Net cash position: |
Cash and temporary investments minus short-term and long-term debt. | |
SMS: |
Short text mobile messaging service. | |
Total debt: |
Short-term plus long-term debt. | |
Unbundled minutes: |
Minutes in excess of the limits set forth in a specific monthly customer tariff plan that are billed to the customer on a per minute basis in addition to the basic monthly tariff plan that the customer has selected. |
CANTV 4Q04 Earnings Commentary February 17, 2005 NYSE: VNT |
20 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COMPAÑIA ANONIMA NACIONAL TELEFONOS DE VENEZUELA, (CANTV) | ||
By: |
/s/ Armando Yañes | |
Armando Yañes | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
Date: February 18, 2005