Millicom (Tigo) Q4 2023 Earnings Release
- Revenue grew by 6.8% in Q4 2023, driven by service revenue up 7.7%.
- Operating profit declined by 3.8%, while EBITDA grew by 1.6%.
- Operating cash flow increased by 12.3% for the full year 2023.
- Equity free cash flow was negative $18 million for the year, impacted by severance costs and increased spectrum renewal activity.
- Net Profit/Loss saw a negative trend with a loss of $63 million in Q4 2023.
- Equity free cash flow showed a significant decrease of 81.0% in Q4 2023.
- Capex decreased by 16.8% in FY 2023 compared to the previous year.
The reported 6.8% revenue growth for Millicom (Tigo) in Q4 2023, driven primarily by service revenue and large B2B contracts, indicates a positive trajectory in the company's core business operations. The organic growth rate acceleration from 1.8% in Q3 to 3.2% in Q4, particularly in markets such as Panama, Colombia and Bolivia, is a testament to the company's strategic market initiatives and could signal resilience in its regional market share.
However, the decline in operating profit by 3.8% alongside a net loss of $63 million, contrasted with a net profit of $57 million in the same quarter the previous year, raises concerns about cost management and profitability. The one-off severance costs are significant, but investors should consider the potential long-term benefits of these restructuring efforts, as they may lead to a leaner, more efficient operation. The emphasis on equity free cash flow turning positive in 2024 is a critical indicator of the company's financial health and its ability to sustain operations without external financing.
The acquisition of 5G spectrum in Colombia, in partnership with Telefonica's subsidiary and the mobile network combination, suggests a strategic move to strengthen Millicom's competitive position in the region. This move, likely to enhance network efficiency and capacity, could result in improved customer experience and retention, as well as potential cost savings from shared infrastructure investments.
Moreover, the sustained market leadership in Guatemala and the utilization of newly-acquired spectrum to optimize network investment there indicates that Millicom is actively managing its assets to maintain a competitive edge. These developments, coupled with the company's commitment to climate change mitigation as evidenced by maintaining a B rating from CDP, may enhance its corporate reputation and appeal to socially responsible investors.
Millicom's maintenance of a B rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reflects its ongoing commitment to climate change mitigation. This is increasingly important as environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors become more integral to investment decisions. A strong performance in ESG can attract a broader investor base, potentially leading to a more stable stock performance. It is also indicative of proactive risk management, as companies that are more engaged with sustainability issues are often better prepared to navigate regulatory changes and shifts in consumer preferences.
Millicom (Tigo) Q4 2023 Earnings Release
Luxembourg, February 27, 2024 – Millicom is pleased to announce its fourth quarter 2023 results. Please find below links to the Q4 2023 Earnings Release and IAS 34 Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Highlights*
- Revenue grew
6.8% driven by Service revenue up7.7% , reflecting the effect of stronger currencies and organic growth of3.2% , up from1.8% in Q3 thanks mostly to large B2B contracts in Panama, as well as faster growth in Colombia and Bolivia. - Operating profit declined
3.8% , while EBITDA grew1.6% , and both were impacted by$42 million of one-off severance costs in the quarter. - Excluding severance and the benefit of stronger currencies, EBITDA grew
5.3% organically, with Colombia up24.5% , as margins continued to expand in the country. - Operating cash flow was
$294 million in Q4 and$1.3 billion for the full year, up12.3% organically excluding severance and other one-offs thanks largely to improved performance in our Colombia operation. - For the full year 2023, Equity free cash flow was negative
$18 million 1 and was impacted by$106 million in severance and other one-off costs, as well as increased spectrum renewal and purchase activity.
| Financial highlights ($ millions) | Q4 2023 | Q4 2022 | % change | Organic % Change | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | % change | Organic % Change |
| Revenue | 1,475 | 1,381 | | | 5,661 | 5,624 | | |
| Operating Profit | 228 | 238 | (3.8)% | 826 | 915 | (9.8)% | ||
| Net Profit / (Loss) | (63) | 57 | NM | (82) | 177 | NM | ||
| Non-IFRS measures (*) | ||||||||
| Service Revenue | 1,375 | 1,276 | | | 5,250 | 5,171 | | |
| EBITDA | 557 | 548 | | (2.2)% | 2,111 | 2,228 | (5.2)% | (4.6)% |
| Capex | 262 | 266 | (1.2)% | 809 | 973 | (16.8)% | ||
| Operating Cash Flow | 294 | 282 | | (3.1)% | 1,302 | 1,255 | | |
| Equity free cash flow** | 39 | 206 | (81.0)% | (18) | 171 | NM |
*See page 11 for a description of non-IFRS measures and for reconciliations to the nearest equivalent IFRS measures. **Excluding Africa and Lati taxes.
Millicom Chief Executive Officer Mauricio Ramos commented:
"During Q4, we put in place the last remaining building blocks to position the company to drive a material and sustainable increase in annual equity free cash flow generation beginning in 2024. Specifically:
- we implemented Phase 2 of Project Everest, which we anticipate will drive significantly higher EBITDA from each country and lower centrally-managed costs going forward;
- we acquired 5G spectrum jointly with Telefonica's Colombia subsidiary and we advanced a mobile network combination, marking another important step to optimize our capital investment, improve profitability, and increase free cash flow generation in this country;
- we sustained market leadership and saw encouraging pricing and growth trends in Guatemala, and we started to utilize recently-acquired spectrum to optimize our network investment in that country;
- we maintained our B rating from CDP, demonstrating Millicom’s commitment to climate change mitigation;
- we launched the Lati monetization process, aimed at optimizing Millicom's investment and capital structure.
As a result of these actions and considering also many other initiatives implemented in recent years, we are well positioned to achieve our target equity free cash flow of around
Finally and on behalf of the board and the entire Tigo team, I wish to express our heartfelt sorrow following the untimely passing of Nicolas Jaeger, our esteemed Board member, colleague, and friend."
• IAS 34 Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Millicom is planning to host a video conference for the global financial community on February 27, 2024, at 14:00 (Stockholm) / 13:00 (London) / 08:00 (Miami).
Registration for the interactive event is required at the following link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing details about joining the video conference. Participants who wish to ask a question during the live event must notify the Investor Relations team via email to investors@millicom.com after the start of the event.
Participants may also join the conference in listen-only mode by dialing any of the following numbers and entering the Webinar ID: 831 6130 4429:
US: +1 929 205 6099 Sweden: +46 850 539 728
UK: +44 330 088 5830 Luxembourg: +352 342 080 9265
Additional international numbers are available at the following link. Accompanying slides and a replay of the event will be available on the Millicom investor's website.
For further information, please contact:
| Press: Sofía Corral, Communications Director press@millicom.com | Investors: Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations investors@millicom.com |
About Millicom
Millicom (NASDAQ U.S.: TIGO, Nasdaq Stockholm: TIGO_SDB) is a leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Latin America. Through our TIGO® and Tigo Business® brands, we provide a wide range of digital services and products, including TIGO Money for mobile financial services, TIGO Sports for local entertainment, TIGO ONEtv for pay TV, high-speed data, voice, and business-to-business solutions such as cloud and security. As of December 31, 2023, Millicom, including its Honduras Joint Venture, employed approximately 16,500 people and provided mobile and fiber-cable services through its digital highways to more than 45 million customers, with a fiber-cable footprint over 13 million homes passed. Founded in 1990, Millicom International Cellular S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg.
Regulatory Statement
This information was prior to this release inside information and is information that Millicom is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 12:00 CET on February 27, 2024.
1 Excluding
Attachments
- Millicom - Earnings Release - Q4 2023_vFinal
- Millicom - IAS34 - Q4 2023 (V2 to Sofia Milestone February 27, 1024 am)
