Düsseldorf (pta/01.02.2022/08:00 UTC+1)
Performance summary | Q3 FY21PF (unaudited) | Q3 (unaudited) | YoY Movement | ||||||
Macro sites | 45.7k | 45.7k | - | ||||||
Tenancy ratio | 1.39x | 1.43x | 0.04x | ||||||
Group Revenue ex. pass through (€m) | 241 | 252 | 4.4% | ||||||
9M FY21PF (unaudited) | 9M FY22 (unaudited) | YoY Movement | |||||||
Group Revenue ex. pass through (€m) | 723 | 746 | 3.1% |
Vivek Badrinath, CEO of Vantage Towers AG, commented:
Q3 was an exciting quarter for Vantage Towers. We delivered more tenancies in Q3 than in the previous two quarters, and the new partnership with 1&1 is an important milestone for organic growth in our largest market. We're delighted to be supporting 1&1’s fast roll-out of 5G in Germany, to be signing more other than mobile network operator contracts and being a key player in the sustainable digital transformation of Europe. Across our footprint, the commercialisation of our business further progresses lifting our tenancy ratio and revenue visibility in the medium-term.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations
www.vantagetowers.com/investors
Media Relations
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Commercial update
Continued commercial momentum across the business
Fully owned segments | |||||||||||
31 December 2021 | DE | ES | GR | Other European Markets | Consolidated | ||||||
Q3 FY21PF | Q3 FY22 | Q3 FY21PF | Q3 FY22 | Q3 FY21PF | Q3 FY22 | Q3 FY21PF | Q3 FY22 | Q3 FY21PF | Q3 FY22 | ||
Macro sites | 19.4k | 19.4k | 8.8k | 8.6k | 4.8k | 4.8k | 12.7k | 12.8k | 45.7k | 45.7k | |
Tenancy ratio | 1.21x | 1.22x | 1.68x | 1.77x | 1.64x | 1.68x | 1.38x | 1.42x | 1.39x | 1.43x | |
Market position[2] | #2 | #2 | #2 | #2 | #1 | #1 | #2 | #2 | |||
Due to rounding, the macro site breakdown may not cast; the decrease in number of sites is mainly driven by the decommissioning of sites in connection with our active sharing agreement in Spain.
Our latest achievements underpin our ambition of "becoming a 5G superhost in Europe" and demonstrate our ability to attract new MNO and non-MNO customers across our markets. In particular, in the third quarter, we signed a landmark agreement with 1&1 in Germany that underpins our confidence to deliver at the upper end of our medium-term targets. Commercial highlights include:
Summary Financial performance
Revenue performance on track
Total Revenue Breakdown in €m | Q3 FY21PF (unaudited) | Q3 FY22 (unaudited) | YoY (%) | 9M FY21PF (unaudited) | 9M FY22 (unaudited) | YoY (%) |
Macro site revenue | 225 | 231 | 2.7% | 675 | 687 | 1.8% |
Other rental revenue | 11 | 9 | n.m. | 31 | 31 | 2.2% |
Energy and other revenue | 6 | 12 | n.m. | 17 | 27 | 57.4% |
Revenue (ex. pass through) | 241 | 252 | 4.4% | 723 | 746 | 3.1% |
Capex recharge revenue | 2 | 3 | n.m. | 2 | 8 | n.m. |
Revenue | 243 | 255 | 4.8% | 725 | 754 | 4.0% |
Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided
Revenue development accelerated in the third quarter, generating a total revenue (ex. pass through) of €252m. The respective increase of 4.4% was mainly driven by Macro site revenue and Energy and other revenue. Macro site revenue grew 2.7% YoY in the third quarter coming from increased tenancies and our contractual inflation escalators. Moreover, the non-Vodafone revenue of €43m in Q3 FY22 saw an increase of 9.6% YoY.
In 9M FY22, Macro site revenue grew 1.8% YoY to €687m primarily driven by a 6.0% YoY increase in non-Vodafone revenue, which totalled €125m. Energy and other revenue grew by more than 57.4% from €17m to €27m, which was mainly driven by other chargeable services to MNOs and some increase in energy prices.
Segmental Revenues (ex. pass through) in €m | Q3 FY21PF (unaudited) | Q3 FY22 (unaudited) | YoY (%) | 9M FY21PF (unaudited) | 9M FY22 (unaudited) | YoY (%) |
Germany | 118 | 122 | 3.0% | 356 | 362 | 1.6% |
Spain | 42 | 44 | 4.3% | 121 | 127 | 4.8% |
Greece | 31 | 34 | 8.3% | 94 | 99 | 5.1% |
Other European Markets | 50 | 53 | 5.3% | 151 | 157 | 4.0% |
Consolidated (ex. pass through) | 241 | 252 | 4.4% | 723 | 746 | 3.1% |
Germany, our largest segment, grew 3.0% YoY in Q3 FY22, mainly driven by non-Vodafone revenue and other than MNO (OTMO) contracts. In our second largest market Spain, revenue compared to the prior year increased by 4.3% during the third quarter driven by the active sharing agreement and tenancy growth. Greece showed the strongest growth across the markets in Q3 FY22 with revenue growing 8.3% YoY to €34m. This positive development was mainly driven by tenancy growth and increased service revenue chargeable to MNOs. The Other European Markets generated a total revenue of €53m in the third quarter, increasing by 5.3% YoY.
Vantage Towers co-controlled joint ventures
The Group’s co-controlled joint ventures and joint operations include INWIT (33.2%) and Cornerstone (50%). The financial performance of our equity investments in INWIT and Cornerstone are in line with expectations.
INWIT delivered an increase for each of the main financial metrics compared to the prior year, with revenue growth accelerating in the third quarter of 2021 and tenancies growing by 10%. INWIT delivered total revenue[6]of €198m for the third quarter ended 30 September 2021 and €581m for the first nine months of the year. Revenue growth came from the progressive impact of new tenancies contracted in previous quarters.
Cornerstone delivered a Q3 total revenue[7]of €114m[8]and a 9M revenue of €339m for the period ended 31 December 2021. The revenue growth was driven by an increase in macro sites of 263.
Our Guidance
We confirm our outlook for FY22 as well as our medium-term targets
Our FY22 group outlook remains unchanged.
Measure | FY22 guidance | Medium-term Targets[9] |
Tenancy Ratio for Consolidated Vantage Towers | - | >1.50x |
Group Revenue (ex. pass through) | €995-€1,010m | Mid-single digit CAGR |
Adj. EBITDAaL | EBITDAaL margin broadly stable with FY21PF[10] | High 50s percentage margin (based on Revenue ex. pass through) |
Recurring free cash flow (RFCF) | €405-€415m | Mid to high single digit CAGR |
Net Financial Debt to Adjusted EBITDAaL | - | Flexibility to exceed for growth investment €1bn leverage capacity |
Net Financial Debt | - |
For FY22, we expect revenue (ex. pass through revenues) of €995 to €1,010m, delivering mid-single digit revenue growth, in line with our medium-term targets.
Our FY22 group revenue growth is expected to generate a broadly stable EBITDAaL margin with FY21PF[10]. The Group’s expectation to achieve an adjusted EBITDAaL margin in the medium-term of high fifties per cent through operating leverage and optimisation initiatives remains unchanged. As stated before, these initiatives are expected to have an increasing effect over time, but limited impact in FY22.
Furthermore, we expect recurring Free Cash Flow (RFCF) to be in the range of €405-€415m in FY22. In the medium-term, we expect that the Group’s RFCF growth rate will be mid-to high-single-digit.
As previously stated, the agreement with 1&1 underpins our confidence to deliver at the upper end of our medium-term targets. In particular, our mid-term tenancy ratio target of >1.5x is now highly secured as a result of the additional 3,800 tenancies contracted with 1&1, delivering increased revenue growth visibility for the Group.
Alternative Performance Measures
The Group presents financial measures, ratios and adjustments that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, IFRS, German GAAP or any other generally accepted accounting principles on a consolidated basis ("Non-IFRS Measures") and on a pro forma basis ("Alternative Performance Measures" or "APMs").
These Non-IFRS Measures on a consolidated basis and Alternative Performance Measures on a pro forma basis should not be considered as an alternative to the consolidated financial results or other indicators of the Group’s performance based on IFRS measures. They should not be considered as alternatives to earnings after tax or net profit as indicators of the Group’s performance or profitability or as alternatives to cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities as an indicator of the Group’s liquidity. The Non-IFRS Measures on a combined basis and Alternative Performance Measures on a pro forma basis, as defined by the Group, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as presented by other companies due to differences in the way the Group’s Non-IFRS Measures on a combined basis and Alternative Performance Measures on a pro forma basis are calculated. Even though the Non-IFRS Measures on a consolidated basis and Alternative Performance Measures on a pro forma basis are used by management to assess ongoing operating performance and liquidity and these types of measures are commonly used by investors, they have important limitations as analytical tools, and they should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of the Group’s results or cash flows as reported under IFRS
Definitions
Measure | Definition | Relevance of its Use |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA is operating profit before depreciation on lease-related right of use assets, depreciation, amortization and gains/losses on disposal for fixed assets, share of results of equity accounted joint ventures, and excluding impairment losses, restructuring costs arising from discrete restructuring plans, other operating income and expense and significant items that are not considered by management to be reflective of the underlying performance of the Group. | Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to assess and compare the underlying profitability of the company before charges relating to capital investment, capital structure, tax, and leases. The measure is used as a reference point for cross-industry valuation. |
Adjusted EBITDAaL | Adjusted EBITDAaL is Adjusted EBITDA less recharged capital expenditure revenue, and after depreciation on lease-related right of use assets and deduction of interest on lease liabilities. Recharged capital expenditure revenue represents direct recharges to Vodafone of capital expenditure in connection with upgrades to existing sites. | Management uses Adjusted EBITDAaL as a measure of underlying profitability to support the capital investment and capital structure of the Company after the cost of leases, which represent a significant cost for Vantage Towers and its peers. The measure is also used as a reference point for valuation purposes across the broader telecommunication sector. |
Adjusted EBITDAaL margin | Adjusted EBITDAaL margin is Adjusted EBITDAaL divided by revenue excluding recharged capital expenditure revenue. | Management uses Adjusted EBITDAaL margin as a key measure of Vantage Towers’ profitability and as a means to track the efficiency of the business. |
Recurring Operating Free Cash Flow | Recurring Operating Free Cash Flow is Adjusted EBITDAaL plus depreciation on lease-related right of use assets and interest on lease liabilities, less cash lease costs and Maintenance capital expenditure. On a pro forma basis cash lease costs are calculated based on the sum of depreciation on lease-related right of use assets and interest on lease liabilities that were incurred by the Group excluding the effects from lease reassessment of the IFRS 16 lease liability and right of use asset on the sum of the associated depreciation on lease-related right of use assets and interest on lease liabilities, which have a non-cash impact in the respective period. Maintenance capital expenditure is defined as capital expenditure required to maintain and continue the operation of the existing tower network and other Passive Infrastructure, excluding capital investment in new Sites or growth initiatives ("maintenance capital expenditure"). | Management uses Recurring Operating Free Cash Flow as a measure of the underlying cashflow available to support the capital investment and capital structure of the Company. |
Recurring Free Cash Flow | Recurring Free Cash Flow is Recurring Operating Free Cash Flow less tax paid and interest paid and adjusted for changes in operating working capital. | Management uses Recurring Free Cash Flow to assess and compare the underlying cash flow available to shareholders, which could be distributed or reinvested in Vantage Towers for growth as well as reference point for cross industry valuation |
Cash Conversion | Cash Conversion is defined as Recurring Operating Free Cash Flow divided by Adjusted EBITDAaL. | Management uses Cash Conversion to assess and compare the capital intensity and efficiency of Vantage Towers. |
Net Financial Debt | Net Financial Debt is defined as long-term borrowings, short-term borrowings, borrowings from Vodafone Group companies and mark-to-market adjustments, less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and excluding lease liabilities. | Management uses Net Financial Debt to assess the capital structure of Vantage Towers without including the impact of lease liabilities which typically have different types of rights to financial debt and can be impacted by the Company’s accounting policies. |
Glossary
"Active Equipment" | The customers’ equipment used to receive and transmit mobile network signals. |
"BTS" | Build-to-suit arrangements which corresponds to committed new build site programs and related services that have been contracted. |
"Company" | Vantage Towers AG |
"Consolidated Vantage Towers" | The European tower infrastructure business in Germany, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Ireland in which Vantage Towers has a controlling interest. |
"Cornerstone" | Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited |
"DAS" | Distributed Antennae System |
"FY22" | Financial year ending 31 March 2022 |
"GLBO Programme" | Ground Lease Buy Out Programme |
"INWIT" | Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane S.p.A |
"IoT" | Internet of Things |
"LoRa WAN" | Long Range Wide Area Network |
"Macro sites" | The physical infrastructure, either ground-based ("Ground Based Tower" or "GBT") or located on a building ("Rooftop Tower" or "RTT") where communications equipment is placed to create a cell in a mobile network including streetworks and long-term mobile sites. |
"Maintenance capital expenditure" | Capital expenditure required to maintain and continue the operation of the existing tower network and other Passive Infrastructure, excluding capital investment in new Sites or growth initiatives. |
"MSA" "OTMO" | Master services agreement Other than mobile network operator (MNO) customers |
"Passive Infrastructure" | An installation comprising a set of different elements located at a Site and used to provide support to the Active Equipment. |
"Q3 FY21PF" | Pro forma for third quarter ended 31 December 2020 |
"Q3 FY22" | Third quarter ended 31 December 2021 |
"Reorganisation" | Means the process by which the Vantage Towers Group was established |
"Site" | The Passive Infrastructure on which Active Equipment is mounted as well as its physical location. |
"Tenancy ratio" | The total number of tenancies of Vantage Towers divided by the total number of Macro sites. |
"9M FY21PF" | Pro forma for nine months ended 31 December 2020 |
"9M FY22" | Nine months ended 31 December 2021 |
Disclaimer on forward looking statements
This announcement contains "forward-looking statements" with respect to Vantage Towers’ results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, and strategies. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding objectives, targets, strategies, outlook and growth prospects, including guidance for the financial year ending March 31, 2022, medium-term targets, new site builds, tenancy targets and the tenancy pipeline; Vantage Towers’ working capital, capital structure and dividend policy; future plans, events or performance, economic outlook and industry trends.
Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as "will", "could", "may", "should", "expects", "intends", "prepares" or "targets" (including in their negative form or other variations). By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Vantage Towers or any member of the Vantage Towers Group, or any persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements in this document will be realised. Any forward-looking statements are made of the date of this announcement. Subject to compliance with applicable law and regulations, Vantage Towers does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and does not undertake any obligation to do so.
References to Vantage Towers are to Vantage Towers AG and references to Vantage Towers Group are to Vantage Towers AG and its subsidiaries unless otherwise stated.
Rounding
Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.
[1]Tenancy net additions from 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021.
[2]Estimated based on total number of macro sites compared to other market participants.
[3]Tenancy net additions from 1 October to 31 December 2021.
[4]Non-committed refers to tenancies that were not already committed in November 2020 at the Capital Markets Day.
[5]Tenancy net additions from 1 April to 31 December 2021.
[6]INWIT results are the INWIT Q3 FY21 results that have been extracted from the INWIT Q3 FY21 Financial Results Press Release available at https://www.inwit.it/en/investors/presentations-and-webcasts/3q21-financial-results/
[7]Cornerstone total revenue includes a pass through revenue of €79.1m in total, which consists of recovery of business rates passed through to the tenants and capital expenditure recharges.
[8]An average GBP/EUR exchange rate of 1.16937 used for the period of 1 April 2021 to 31 December 2021.
[9]Medium-term targets of the consolidated group excluding the UK and Italy.
[10]EBITDAaL margin in FY21PF was 54%. See preliminary results announcement: https://www.vantagetowers.com/sites/tower-co-v2/files/2021-05/fy21-vantage-towers-preliminary-results-announcement-english.pdf.
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Emitter: |
Vantage Towers AG Prinzenallee 11-13 40549 Düsseldorf Germany |
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Contact Person: | Lie-Tin Wu | |
E-Mail: | ir@vantagetowers.com | |
Website: | www.vantagetowers.com | |
ISIN(s): | DE000A3H3LL2 (Share) | |
Stock Exchange(s): | Regulated Market in Frankfurt; Free Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate |