Business
Dialog consolidates YTD performance with a stable Q3
Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Wednesday its consolidated financial results for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).
The Group concluded Q3 2020 with stable performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and International businesses despite multiple challenges stemming from the Covid 19 pandemic. Group Revenue recorded a growth of 5% on a Year-on-Year (“YoY”) basis to reach Rs30.5Bn for Q3 2020 mainly due to the recovery in Mobile Revenue. Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs13.6Bn for Q3 2020 up 14% YoY driven by Revenue performance and diligent cost control initiatives. Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs4.8Bn to record growth >100% YoY for Q3 2020 due to EBITDA performance and forex gain of Rs.188Mn relative to the forex loss of Rs1.0Bn in Q3 2019.
On a Year-to-Date (“YTD”) basis the Group performance remained moderate owing to free offers and challenges associated with Covid-19 dampening the performance in Q2 2020. The YTD Revenue impact from Covid-19 is estimated to be Rs4Bn led by Roaming, Enterprise, Television and Retail Mobile segments.
The Dialog Group recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs87.9Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020, demonstrating a growth of 1% YTD. On the back of cost control initiatives, Group EBITDA grew 4% YTD to reach Rs36.5Bn. The Group EBITDA Margin was accordingly recorded at 41.5% for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Underpinned by stable EBITDA performance Group NPAT demonstrated a growth of 3% YTD to record Rs8.6Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020.
Dialog Group continued to be a significant contributor to state revenues, remitting a total of Rs13.8Bn to the government of Sri Lanka (“GoSL”) during the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Total Public remittances included Direct Taxes and Levies amounting to Rs4.1Bn and Rs9.7Bn in Consumption Taxes collected on behalf of the GoSL.
Group capital investment for the first nine months of 2020 was recorded at Rs12.0Bn representing a capex to revenue ratio of 14%. Capital expenditure was directed in the main towards continued investments in transforming Dialog into a digital telco, by digitising all spheres of the organisation and to further strengthen the Group’s leadership in Sri Lanka’s mobile and home Broadband sectors. Group Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”) has recorded at Rs21.5Bn for the first nine months of 2020 up from Rs17.6Bn recorded for the corresponding period in 2019. Consequently, cash balance increased by Rs8.4Bn as compared to year end 2019 to record at Rs13.3Bn by end September 2020. Dialog Group continued to exhibit healthy and low geared balance sheet as the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio remained at 0.53 times as at 30th September 2020.
At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to contribute a major share of Group Revenue (69%) and Group EBITDA (75%). Company revenue was record at Rs21.1Bn for Q3 2020 and Rs60.6Bn for the first nine months of 2020 up 3% YoY albeit declining 2% YTD, mainly due to the Covid-19 related core Revenue slowdown.
Company EBITDA was recorded at Rs10.2Bn for Q3 2020 up 12% YoY while it reached Rs27.3Bn for the first nine months of 2020 representing an increase of 2% YTD. Downstream of EBITDA performance the Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.6Bn for Q3 2020 and Rs9.0Bn for first nine months of 2020, increasing 5% YTD.
Dialog Television (“DTV”), continued its leadership position in the Digital Pay Television space with a subscriber growth of 11% YoY by end Q3 2020. DTV Revenue declined 3% YoY to reach Rs2.2Bn for Q3 2020 amid continued consumer wallet pressure. On a YTD basis revenue was down 1% to record Rs6.5Bn for nine months ended 30th September 2020, due to Covid-19 associated free services and slowdown in Q2 2020. Downstream of Revenue performance, DTV EBITDA recorded a decline of 9% YTD to reach Rs1.7Bn for the first nine months of 2020. Accordingly, DTV Net Loss increased to Rs845Mn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020 relative to a Net Loss of Rs335Mn for the corresponding period in 2019.
Dialog Broadband Networks (“DBN”) featuring the Group’s Fixed Telecommunications, Broadband and International Businesses recorded revenue of Rs8.0Bn for Q3 2020 up 10% YoY while the Revenue was recorded at Rs23.3Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020 up 13% YTD. DBN EBITDA recorded a growth of 11% YTD to reach Rs7.6Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. NPAT reached to Rs626Mn up 8% YTD for the first nine months of 2020.
More details are available at the following links:
Dialog Axiata PLC direct weblink: https://www.dialog.lk/quarterly-reports
CSE direct weblink: https://www.cse.lk/home/company-info/DIAL.N0000/financial
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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