Magyar Telekom
HTC EUR 9.25% December 2016 48.5 – 51.5 YTM 35.23%
Investor call + new utility tax
Magyar Telekom, Hungary’s largest telecommunications group, published it 3Q12 and 9M12 operating and financial results. In the last quarter, the company’s revenue decreased 1.3%, to HUF 150.15m (mostly as a result of lower fixed-line sales), while EBITDA and profit grew 9.7% and 10.8% respectively. The company’s performance has been weighed down by a telecommunication tax introduced by the Hungarian Parliament in May (and effective since July): the new tax led to tax payments for 3Q12 of HUF 1.5bn. Free cash flow for 9M12 declined by HUF 41bn to HUF 44.8bn (a 47.7% reduction), a change mostly attributable to lower operating cash flow and higher CAPEX. As of September 30th 2012, the company’s net debt had risen to HUF 296.8bn (a 36.4% net debt ratio). In the investor call, which took place yesterday afternoon, much attention was given to another tax that was approved by the Hungarian parliament in the last two days: a tax on utility networks to be applied by the central government with effect from January 1st 2013 and with an indefinite term. There isn’t much information about this tax yet. According to the company’s management, the amount to be paid would be HUF 125 per meter. Magyar expects to be hit strongly by the new tax. Payments will depend on what portion of Magyar’s network will be considered: according to the CFO, the tax base will likely fall in the 20,000-32,000km range, with total payments in the HUF 2.5bn – HUF 4.0 bn range. The company’s management said it is still assessing the impact the new taxes will have on the liquidity position of Magyar Telekom. In 3Q the company generated a positive free cash flow, but it didn’t have to face any interest payment (it will have to in the next quarter). The management did not provide any information regarding potential sales of company assets. Nonetheless, the management confirmed it is considering all available options for enhancing the company’s liquidity.