Veon Ltd Stock Price, News & Analysis

VEON Ltd. (VEON) reported its Q4 2020 results, revealing a 1.4% YoY revenue growth in local currency, despite an 11.3% YoY decline in reported revenue due to currency fluctuations. EBITDA for the quarter increased by 0.8% YoY in local currency, with significant growth from Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The company invested USD 674 million in operational capex, focusing on 4G network expansion, which raised its 4G user base to 80 million. However, the overall profit decreased by 27.6% YoY to USD 35 million. No dividend will be paid for FY2020, while guidance for FY2021 anticipates modest revenue growth.

VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ and Euronext Amsterdam: VEON) has announced a strategic global partnership with Mastercard to enhance digital financial services across key markets, including Russia, Pakistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Bangladesh. This collaboration aims to provide consumers and merchants with tailored financial products, promoting financial inclusion for underserved communities. VEON's co-CEO, Sergi Herrero, emphasized the partnership as a crucial growth opportunity, while Mastercard's Chief Digital Officer, Jorn Lambert, expressed confidence in expanding access to the digital economy.

VEON Ltd. has appointed Leonid Boguslavsky to its Board of Directors, following the departure of Mr. de Beer in December 2020. Boguslavsky is the founder of RTP Global, a venture capital firm, and has a notable history of investments in tech companies such as Yandex and Delivery Hero. His acquisition of leadership at VEON is expected to enhance the company's digital offerings. Chairman Gennady Gazin emphasized that Boguslavsky's skills will help strengthen VEON's customer empowerment strategy.

VEON Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary Kyivstar in Ukraine signed three unsecured loan agreements totaling UAH 4.1 billion (approx. USD 145 million) with Raiffeisen Bank Aval, Alfa-Bank, and OTP Bank. The loans have terms of 5 years for Raiffeisen and 3 years for Alfa-Bank and OTP. Additionally, KaR-Tel, VEON's subsidiary in Kazakhstan, signed a loan agreement with Forte Bank for KZT 10 billion (approx. USD 25 million) over 3 years. Both subsidiaries will explore local debt markets for further borrowing opportunities to enhance VEON's capital structure.

VEON Ltd. announced that Mariano de Beer has stepped down from its Board of Directors effective December 21, 2020. De Beer, who also chaired the Digital Committee, is leaving to focus on other commitments. The company expresses gratitude for his contributions. A search for his replacement is currently in progress. This change occurs amid the company's ongoing efforts to enhance its governance and operational strategies.

VEON Ltd. has appointed Joop Brakenhoff as the Group Chief Internal Audit & Compliance Officer, a newly established role reporting to the co-CEOs and the Audit Committee Chairman. Brakenhoff, who joined VEON in January 2019, previously served as the Head of Internal Audit. His leadership will enhance oversight on risk management and compliance across the organization. The co-CEOs stated that Brakenhoff brings valuable experience to a priority area of governance and ethics for VEON.

VEON Holdings B.V., a subsidiary of VEON Ltd., has priced USD 1.25 billion in senior unsecured notes at 3.375% due in 2027 under its Global Medium Term Note Programme. The offering, scheduled for settlement on November 25, 2020, aims to finance investments in subsidiaries, refinance existing debt, and support general corporate purposes. The move is seen as a step towards improving VEON's capital structure by reducing borrowing costs and lengthening debt maturity.

VEON Ltd. announced that Kaan Terzioğlu has been elected to the Board of Directors of the GSMA, a leading organization in the mobile communications industry. Terzioğlu, co-CEO of VEON, will serve alongside 26 other leaders from January 2021 to December 2022. He emphasized the importance of mobile communications to customers and economies, aiming to leverage VEON's global insights in his new role. VEON operates in 9 countries, serving over 200 million subscribers with a range of digital services, including mobile and fixed-line connectivity.

VEON Holdings B.V. announced a drawdown of 7-year senior unsecured notes under its Global Medium Term Note Programme, totaling USD 500 million. The net proceeds from this drawdown will be utilized for refinancing existing debt and supporting investments in subsidiaries. This marks the third issuance under the GMTN Programme, with the offering memorandum approved by the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Investors should note that these notes will not be registered under U.S. securities laws, restricting their public offering in the U.S.