Cellcom: Consistent Growth, Strong Fundamentals.......
Cellcom Israel Ltd. (CEL) is a provider of cellular communications services in Israel. The Company offers a range of cellular services through its cellular networks. These services include basic and advanced cellular telephone services, text and multimedia messaging services, and advanced cellular content and data services.
As of December 31, 2006, Cellcom also offered international roaming services in 171 countries. It offers its subscribers a selection of handsets from various global manufacturers, as well as extended warranty and repair and replacement services. It also offers land line transmission and data services to business customers and telecommunications operators.
Since July 2006, Cellcom began offering land line telephony services to selected businesses. As of December 31, 2006, the Company provided cellular communications services to approximately 2.884 million subscribers, including basic cellular telephony services and value-added services, as well as handset sales.
FUNDAMENTALS:
Cellcom Israel is a company that posts a profit every year but struggles with consistency from year to year. That may be changing with 4 straight quarters of excellent quarter over quarter earnings growth of 107%, 59%, 55% and 61%. Sales growth could be a bit stronger but is solid with quarter over quarter growth of 23%, 21%, 10% and 15% over the past year.
Following year over year earnings growth of 18% in '06, the company is expected to post growth of 54% here in 2007, with estimates of 12% growth in '08. Those kinds of growth numbers aren't world beating like some of the other companies, but they are good and represent greater consistency in growth than in years past.
Where the company really shines is in Return on Equity which has spiked to 150% recently and indicates a strong management team. Net margins are good at 14% and have also spiked in the past year. Overall, this is a company with strong fundamentals.
TECHNICALS:
CEL is a stock that IPO'd back in February of this year and didn't take much time to break out from its first base just a couple months later. It ran up roughly 30% before falling into another shallow base with tight price action. Both characteristics of bullish action. I'd have to say that this is one of the best looking base formations and resulting breakouts out there right now. Following the move on Tuesday November 13th it's a bit extended from a proper buy point, but any kind of minor pullback from here might offer a great spot to play it.
Profile Get Profile for:
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
10 Hagavish Street
PO Box 4060
Netanya, 42140
Israel - Map
Phone: 972 52 998 9755
Fax: 972 52 998 9700
Web Site: http://www.cellcom.co.il
DETAILS
Index Membership: N/A
Sector: Technology
Industry: Wireless Communications
Full Time Employees: 3,566
BUSINESS SUMMARY
Cellcom Israel, Ltd. and its subsidiaries provide cellular communication services in Israel. Its services include basic cellular telephone services, including voice mail, cellular fax, call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification, conference calling, and Push-and-Talk service. The company also offers an outbound roaming service to its subscribers when traveling outside of Israel and an inbound roaming to visitors to Israel. In addition, its services include Cellcom Volume, a music-related marketing initiative that provides downloadable content consisting of ring tones, video tones, true tones, and songs in MP3 format through its popular cellular music portal; and handsets supporting music content, as well as other merchandising services. Further, the company provides messaging services enabling the subscribers to send and receive text, photos, multimedia, and animation messages; cellular Internet service that enables its subscribers with designated handsets to obtain information and content from designated Internet sites; and access to services offered by third party application providers. It also offers video calls, zone services, location-based services, and other information and content services, such as voice-based information services through interactive voice response platforms, and text-based information services and interactive information services. In addition, the company offers landline transmission and data services to business customers and telecommunications operators, and landline telephony services to selected businesses. As of September 30, 2006, it provided services to approximately 2.83 million subscribers. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Netanya, Israel. Cellcom Israel, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Discount Investment Corporation, Ltd.
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Press Release Source: Cellcom Israel Ltd.
Cellcom Israel Announces Third Quarter 2007 Results
Thursday November 8, 1:03 am ET
Cellcom Israel Surpassed the 3,000,000 Subscriber Mark and Continues to Show Strong Growth in All Parameters
NETANYA, Israel, November 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Third Quarter 2007 Highlights (results compared to third quarter of 2006):
- Total Revenues from services increased approx. 9% to NIS 1,413 million ($352 million)
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- Revenues from content and value added services (including SMS) increased approx. 47% and reached 8.4% of revenues
- Total Revenues (including handset and accessories revenues) increased approx. 7% to NIS 1,572 million ($392 million)
- EBITDA[1] increased approx. 11% to NIS 559 million ($139 million); EBITDA margin 35.6%, up from 34.3%
- Operating profit increased approx. 23% to NIS 366 million ($91 million)
- Net income increased approx. 105% to NIS 270 million ($67 million)[2]
- Free Cash Flow [1] increased approx. 50% to NIS 348 million ($87 million)
- Subscriber base increased by approx. 57,000 during the quarter, reaching approx. 3.02 million at the end of Q3
- 3G subscribers reached approx. 281,000 at the end of Q3
- The Company Declared NIS 2.63 dividend per share for the third quarter
Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL; TASE: CEL) ("Cellcom Israel", the "Company"), announced today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. Revenues for the third quarter totaled NIS 1,572 million ($392 million); EBITDA totaled NIS 559 million ($139 million), or 35.6% of revenues; and net income reached NIS 270 million ($67 million), or NIS 2.77 per share ($0.69 per share).
Commenting on the results, Amos Shapira, Chief Executive Officer said, "Our strong third quarter results represent Cellcom's seventh sequential quarter of growth and efficiency improvements across all of our performance parameters. This was achieved as a result of ongoing marketing efforts to drive usage and introduce new products, while steadily reducing expenses and implementing efficiency measures in many areas of our operation. During the third quarter we also enhanced our investment in customer service by, among others measures, expanding our services and marketing teams, as part of the Company's strategy to constantly improve service levels and customer satisfaction. During the third quarter we further strengthened our relationship with our customers through broad and successful marketing activities and launching innovative and new perception marketing plans such as "Cellcom Israel by the second", emphasizing again Cellcom's innovation and marketing initiative".
Mr. Shapira added: "The Company is prepared for the number portability, which is expected to be implemented on December 1, 2007. During the third quarter the Company surpassed the 3 million subscriber mark, thus clearly positioning the Company as Israel's largest cellular company. The number of 3G subscribers benefiting from the diverse services and advanced 3.5G HSDPA network-based content, reached approximately 281,000, up 33% from last quarter. We are very pleased with our subscriber growth rate as well as with the increase in content and value added services revenues, which represented 8.4% of our overall revenues this quarter. Furthermore, our landline and transmission services, although not material to our overall revenues, contributed directly to higher revenues, serving as another growth driver for the Company. We intend to offer our landline and transmission customers a variety of new advanced services, using a new generation network (NGN) recently purchased".
Tal Raz, Chief Financial Officer commented: "We are very pleased with the substantial increase in profitability, despite increasing competition in the industry, the impending introduction of number portability and regulatory pressures. The improved profitability was mainly the result of a 9% increase in airtime minutes, higher revenues from content services as well as ongoing cost efficiencies. These improvements have been partially offset by an increase in customer retention expenses, as well as expenses associated with expanding the Company's services and marketing teams. Free Cash Flow continued to be strong and was up 50% compared to the third quarter of last year. The improved free cash flow is a direct result of the Company's improved financial performance, enabling us to distribute a NIS 2.63 dividend per share, and a total of approximately NIS 256 million".
Key Financial and Performance Indicators:
Q3/2007 Q3/2006 % Change Q3/2007 Q3/2006
million NIS million US$
(convenience
translation)
Total Services revenues 1,413 1,300 8.7% 352.1 324.0
Revenues from content and 132 90 46.7% 32.9 22.4
value added services
Handset and accessories 159 167 -4.8% 39.6 41.6
revenues
Total revenues 1,572 1,467 7.2% 391.7 365.6
Operating Profit 366 297 23.2% 91.2 74.0
Net Income 270 132 104.5% 67.3 32.9
Cash Flow from Operating 348 232 50.0% 86.7 57.8
Activities, net of Investing
Activities
EBITDA 559 503 11.1% 139.3 125.3
EBITDA, as percent of
Revenues 35.6% 34.3% 3.8% 35.6% 34.3%
Subscribers end of period
(in thousands) 3,017 2,828 6.7% 3,017 2,828
Estimated Market Share[3] 34% 34% - 34% 34%
Churn Rate (in %) 3.6% 3.8% -5.3% 3.6% 3.8%
Average Monthly MOU (in
minutes) 353.7 348.4 1.5% 353.7 348.4
Monthly ARPU 155.5 154.2 0.8% 38.7 38.4
Financial Review
Revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 totaled NIS 1,572 million ($392 million), a 7.2% increase compared to NIS 1,467 million ($366 million) in the same quarter last year. The increase in revenues resulted from an 8.7% increase in revenues from services, to NIS 1,413 million ($352 million) compared to NIS 1,300 million ($324 million) in the same quarter last year. This increase is attributed mainly to an increase of approximately 9% in airtime usage (outgoing and incoming), following the increase in the Company's subscriber base and Minutes of Use ("MOU") per subscriber. The increase also resulted from a 46.7% increase in revenues from content and value added services (including SMS), which totaled, in the third quarter of 2007, NIS 132 million ($33 million), representing 8.4% of total revenues. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decline in interconnection rates as well as the change in pricing for calls terminating in voicemail. The increase in revenues was also partially offset by a 4.8% decrease in handset and accessories' revenues from NIS 167 million ($42 million) in the third quarter of 2006, to NIS 159 million ($40 million) in the third quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in average revenue per handset, due to the extensive sales campaigns launched during the third quarter of 2007.
Cost of Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 846 million ($211 million), compared to NIS 837 million ($209 million) in the third quarter last year, an increase of 1.1%. This increase is primarily due to a 5.2% increase in cost of service revenues, mainly resulting from an increase in usage which lead to an increase in interconnect fees and content costs, partially offset by a decline in depreciation expenses. Most of the increase in cost of services revenues was offset by an 11.8% decline in the cost of handset and accessories' revenues, resulting mainly from increased efficiency in handset procurement, as well as a decline in the cost of accessories sold during the third quarter of 2007.
Gross profit margin for the third quarter of 2007 improved and increased to 46.2%, compared to 42.9% in the third quarter last year. Gross profit for the quarter totaled NIS 726 million ($181 million), a 15.2% increase compared to NIS 630 million ($157 million), in the third quarter last year.
Selling, Marketing, General and Administration Expenses ("SG&A expenses") for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 360 million ($90 million), an increase of 8.1% compared to NIS 333 million ($83 million) in the same period last year. The increase in SG&A expenses is primarily due to increased marketing activities, which included, among other things, a 48% increase in advertising expenses, as well as enhancement of the service and marketing teams.
Operating profit increased 23.2%, reaching NIS 366 million ($91 million) in the third quarter of 2007, compared to NIS 297 million ($74 million) in the third quarter of 2006. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 559 million ($139 million), an 11.1% increase compared to NIS 503 million ($125 million) in the same quarter last year. EBITDA, as a percent of revenues, increased to 35.6% in the third quarter of 2007, compared to 34.3% in the third quarter of 2006.
Finance Expenses, net for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 75 million ($19 million), compared to NIS 53 million ($13 million) in the same period last year, an increase of 41.5%. The increase in finance expenses is primarily attributed to the Israeli Consumer Price Index ("CPI") linkage expenses related to the Company's debentures, totaling NIS 50 million ($12 million) this quarter, compared to NIS 4 million ($1 million) in the same quarter last year. The increase in finance expenses was partially offset by profits generated on the hedging portfolio the Company manages against currency, interest and CPI exposures. The net profit on the hedging portfolio, recorded under finance expenses, totaled NIS 7 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to an NIS 12 million loss in the same quarter last year. The profit on the hedging portfolio stems primarily from approximately NIS 12 million profit from hedging transactions against the CPI, which increased 2.5% in the third quarter, compared to only a 0.2% increase in the same quarter last year. This profit was partially offset by a loss on currency hedging transactions, following the 5.6% appreciation of the NIS against the US dollar this quarter, compared to a 3.1% appreciation in the same quarter last year.
In October 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Israeli Supreme Court issued two new rulings readdressing its previous ruling of November 2006 regarding the deductibility of financing expenses for tax purposes, that might be attributed by the Israeli Tax Authority to a financing of dividends. As of June 30, 2007 the Company had an accumulated tax provision in the amount of approximately NIS 72 million, that was based on the possibility that part of the Company's financing expenses will not be recognized as a deductible expense for tax purposes.
As a result of the Supreme Court's new rulings of October 2007 and based on the Company's legal counsels' opinion, the Company has released the aforesaid tax provision and reduced the income tax expenses by approximately NIS 72 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2007.
For additional details see the Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F under "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating Results - Income tax".
Net Income for the third quarter of 2007 increased 104.5% to NIS 270 million ($67 million), compared to NIS 132 million ($33 million) in the third quarter last year (including a one time amount following a release of a tax provision, as described above). Basic earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 2.77 ($0.69), compared to NIS 1.35 ($0.34) in the third quarter last year.
Operating Review
New Subscribers - at the end of the third quarter of 2007 the Company had approximately 3.02 million subscribers. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company added approximately 57,000 net new subscribers, compared to a net increase of approximately 70,000 subscribers in the same period last year. The number of 3G subscribers as at the end of the third quarter of 2007 totaled approximately 281,000 subscribers, representing 9.3% of the Company's total subscriber base.
Churn Rate during the third quarter of 2007 was 3.6%, compared to 3.8% in the third quarter last year.
Average subscriber Minutes of Use ("MOU") in the third quarter of 2007 totaled 353.7 minutes, compared to 348.4 minutes in the second quarter last year, an increase of 1.5%.
The monthly Average Revenue per User (ARPU) in the third quarter of 2007, totaled NIS 155.5 ($38.7), compared to NIS 154.2 ($38.4) in the third quarter last year, a 0.8% increase.
Financing and Investment Review
Cash Flow
Free cash flow (Cash provided by operating activities, net of cash used in investing activities) for the third quarter of 2007 totaled NIS 348 million ($87 million), a 50.0% increase from NIS 232 million ($58 million) generated in the third quarter last year. The Company continues to generate, on an ongoing basis, significant levels of free cash flow, as a result of increased revenues, improved cash collection and cost efficiencies that were partially offset by an increase in expenses as a result of expanding the Company's service and marketing teams and the increase in customer retention and acquisition costs.
Shareholders' Equity
Shareholders' Equity as of September 30, 2007, primarily consisting of accumulated undistributed retained earnings, totaled NIS 909 million ($227 million).
Investment in Fixed Assets
During the third quarter of 2007 the Company invested NIS 142 million ($35 million) in fixed assets (including investments in information systems and software recorded under other assets in the balance sheet), compared to NIS 103 million ($26 million) in the same quarter last year.
Dividend
On November 7, 2007, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 2.63 per share, and in the aggregate amount of approximately NIS 256 million (the equivalent of approximately $0.67 per share and approximately $65 million in the aggregate, based on the representative rate of exchange on November 7,2007; The actual US$ amount for dividend paid in US$ will be converted from NIS based upon the representative rate of exchange published by the Bank of Israel on November 29, 2007), subject to withholding tax described below. The dividend will be payable to all of the Company's shareholders of record at the end of the trading day in the NYSE on November 19, 2007. The payment date will be December 3, 2007. According to the Israeli tax law, the Company will deduct at source 20% of the dividend amount payable to each shareholder, as aforesaid, subject to applicable exemptions. The amount of dividend declared per share for the third quarter does not necessarily reflect dividends for future quarterly periods, which may change in accordance with the Company's dividend policy. Dividend declaration is not guaranteed and is subject to the Company's board of directors' sole discretion, as detailed in the Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F, under "Item 8 - Financial Information - Dividend Policy".
Financing
Issuance of Debentures
In October 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Company issued two series of debentures to the Public in Israel. The debentures are listed for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Series C Debentures were issued for a total principal amount of NIS 245,000,000 par value. The debentures' principal is payable in nine equal semiannual payments on March 1 and September 1, for each of the years 2009 through 2012 (inclusive) and on March 1, 2013. The interest on the debentures will be paid semiannually on March 1 and on September 1, for each of the years 2008 through 2012 (inclusive) and on March 1, 2013. The debentures bear an annual interest of 4.6% and are linked (principal and interest) to the Israeli CPI for August 2007.
Series D Debentures were issued for a total principal amount of NIS 826,968,000 par value. The debentures' principal is payable in five equal annual payments on July 1, for each of the years 2013 through 2017 (inclusive). The interest on the debentures will be paid annually on July 1, for each of the years 2008 through 2017 (inclusive). The debentures bear an annual interest of 5.19% and are linked (principal and interest) to the Israeli CPI for August 2007.
Partial Debt Repayment
In March 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Citibank N.A. and Citibank International plc (together "Citi") in a facility agreement under which Citi made available, by itself and through a bank consortium lead by Citi, a term loan and a revolving credit facility to the amount of $350 million, comprising of a $280 million term loan and up to $70 million under a revolving credit facility. In April 2006, the Company converted part of the dollar based loan for a shekel based loan. As at September 30, 2007, the balance of the loan totaled NIS 1,189 million ($170 million denominated in US$ and NIS 506.4 million denominated in NIS) and the revolving credit facility is not used.
On October 24, 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Company's Board of Directors decided on a voluntary partial prepayment of the loan, in a principal amount of $140 million (comprising of $85 million denominated in US$ and approximately NIS 253 million denominated in NIS), representing approximately 50% of the balance of the loan. The prepayment will be made during November 2007, in accordance with the terms of the facility agreement. Pursuant to the aforesaid partial prepayment, the outstanding principal amount of the loan will be $140 million (comprising of $85 million denominated in US$ and approximately NIS 253 million denominated in NIS).
For additional details see the Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F under "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - B. Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt Service - Credit facility from bank syndicate".
Other developments during third quarter and subsequent to balance sheet date
Site Licensing - In July 2007, the Company was served with a petition filed with the Israeli High Court of Justice, filed against the Minister of Environmental Protection, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Communications ("MOC"); the Company and three other cellular operators were joined as formal respondents. The petition sought to cancel the said exemption for radio access devices, to annul any environmental permits previously granted and to prevent the granting of environmental permits in the future by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for radio access devices, based on the exemption. In August 2007, the petition was dismissed in limine for failure to exhaust the relevant proceedings prior to the filing of the petition, without consideration of the merits of the case.
In October 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Commissioner of Environmental Radiation at the Ministry of Environmental Protection informed he will not grant and/or renew operating permits to radio access devices, where the local planning and building committee's engineer objected to the Company's reliance upon the said exemption for radio access devices. It is the Company's view that the Commissioner's position is invalid and the Company intends to act vigorously in order to receive said permits.
In October 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Interior and Environmental Protection Committee of the Knesset approved the Non-Ionizing Radiation Regulations, 2007. The Regulations include a prohibition on the construction of cell sites in apartments, including porches. The Minister of Environmental Protection was given the authority to approve the construction and operation of cell sites in roof porches, in exceptional cases. The prohibition doesn't apply to cell sites in relation to which an operating permit was provided prior to the commencement of the regulations. The Company will decide which actions to take, if any, after the regulations' enactment process is completed and the final form is published.
For additional details see the Company's most recent annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F under "Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors - Risks related to our business - We may not be able to obtain permits to construct cell sites" as well as under "Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview - Government Regulations - Permits for Cell Site Construction - Site Licensing" and also our immediate report on Form 6-K of September 24, 2007 under "Item 3.7 Risk Factors - Risks related to our business - We may not be able to obtain permits to construct cell sites" as well as under "Item 3.8 - Material Changes - Site Licensing".
MVNO - In August 2007, the Israeli government instructed the MOC to take all measures necessary to allow any mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, wishing to provide cellular services to the public using the network of a cellular operator to do so as of December 31, 2007. In the event that an MVNO and the cellular operator will not have reached an agreement as to the provision of service by way of MVNO within six months from the date the MVNO has approached the cellular operator, the MOC is authorized to examine the causes thereof. Should the MOC determine that the same is due to noncompetitive behavior of the cellular operator or market failure, the MOC may use its authority to provide instructions. Such instructions may include intervening in the terms of the agreement, including by setting the price of the service.
The previous government decision on that matter, from September 2006, appointed a governmental committee to examine the possibility of implementing MVNO operation in Israel. Following that decision, the MOC has been conducting an examination, using an international consulting firm. In October 2007, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the MOC published the abstract of the consulting firm's recommendations, which included a recommendation to refrain from forcefully introducing MVNO's and to encourage their entrance by granting licenses and to regulator's interference only in case of market failure . The MOC has not yet published its findings and recommendations and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, is expected to hold a hearing in the coming weeks.
For additional details see our most recent annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F under "Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors - Risks related to our business - We face intense competition in all aspects of our business" as well as under "Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview - Competition, and under Government Regulations - Mobile Virtual Network Operator" and also in our immediate report on Form 6-K of September 24, 2007 under "Item 3.7 Risk Factors - Risks Related to our business - We face intense competition in all aspects of our business"".
Change in Charging Units - In September 2007, the Company's general license was amended to the effect that prevents the Company from offering subscribers calling plans using airtime charging units other than the basic airtime charging unit set in the general license (which is currently up to a 12-second unit and as of January 1, 2009 will become a one-second unit). The Company has been taking steps to address the effects of the amendment to the license and at this time is unable to assess the potential effect of the amendment on the results of operations.
For additional details see our most recent annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006 on Form 20-F under "Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors - Risks related to our business - We operate in a heavily regulated industry, which can harm our results of operations" and under "Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview - Government Regulations - Tariff Supervision" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating Results - Overview - General".
Conference Call Details
The Company will be hosting a conference call on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 09:00 am EDT, 04:00 pm Israel time, and 02:00 pm UK time. On the call, management will review and discuss the results, and will be available to answer questions. To participate, please either access the live webcast on the Company's website, or call one of the following teleconferencing numbers below. Please begin placing your calls at least 10 minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, please try the international dial-in number.
US Dial-in Number: 1-888-407-2553
UK Dial-in Number: 0-800-051-8913
Israel Dial-in Number: 03-918-0609
International Dial-in Number: +972-3-918-0609
at: 9:00 am Eastern Time; 6:00 am Pacific Time; 2:00 pm UK Time; 4:00 pm Israel Time
To access the live webcast of the conference call, please access the investor relations section of Cellcom Israel's website: http://investors.ircellcom.co.il/events.cfm. After the call, a replay of the call will be available under the same investor relations section.
About Cellcom Israel
Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the leading Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its 3 million subscribers with a broad range of value added services including cellular and landline telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an HSDPA 3.5 Generation network enabling the fastest high speed content transmission available in the world, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE and TDMA networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers its customers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for the hearing impaired, etc. In April 2006 Cellcom Israel, through Cellcom Fixed Line Communications L.P., a limited partnership wholly-owned by Cellcom Israel, became the first cellular operator to be granted a special general license for the provision of landline telephone communication services in Israel, in addition to data communication services. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website http://investors.ircellcom.co.il
Forward-Looking Statements
The following information contains, or may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Israeli Securities Law, 1969). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial results, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: changes to the terms of our license, new legislation or decisions by the regulator affecting our operations, the outcome of legal proceedings to which we are a party, particularly class action lawsuits, our ability to maintain or obtain permits to construct and operate cell sites, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006 and also in our immediate report on Form 6-K of September 24, 2007 under "Item 3.7 Risk Factors".
Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We assume no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as otherwise required by law.
The Company presents its financial statements using Israeli General Accepted Accounting Principles. Unless noted specifically otherwise, the dollar denominated figures were converted to US$ using a convenience translation based on the US$\New Israeli Shekel (NIS) conversion rate of NIS 4.013 = US$1 as published by the Bank of Israel on September 30, 2007.
Use of non-GAAP financial measures
EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as income before financial income (expenses), net; other income (expenses), net; income tax; depreciation and amortization. This is an accepted measure in the communications industry. The Company presents this measure as an additional performance measure as the Company believes that it enables us to compare operating performance between periods and companies, net of any potential differences which may result from differences in capital structure, taxes, age of fixed assets and related depreciation expenses. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for operating income, any other performance measures, or cash flow data, which were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as measures of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account debt service requirements, or other commitments, including capital expenditures, and therefore, does not necessarily indicate the amounts that may be available for the Company's use. In addition, EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, due to differences in the way these measures are calculated. See the reconciliation between the net income and the EBITDA presented at the end of this Press Release.
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as the net cash provided by operating activities minus the net cash used in investing activities. See the reconciliation note at the end of this Press Release.
Company Contact Investor Relations Contact
Shiri Israeli Ehud Helft / Ed Job
Investor Relations Coordinator CCGK Investor Relations
[email protected] [email protected] /
[email protected] Tel: +972-52-998-9755 Tel: (US) +1-866-704-6710 /
+1-646-213-1914
Financial Tables Follow
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
(An Israeli Corporation)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Convenience
translation
into US dollar
September December September December
30 31, 30 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
NIS NIS US$ US$
millions millions millions millions
(Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 522 56 130 14
Trade receivables, net 1,356 1,242 338 309
Other receivables 106 123 27 31
Inventory 145 131 36 33
2,129 1,552 531 387
Long-term receivables 511 526 127 131
Property, plant and 2,345 (**)(*) 2,550 584 (**)(*) 635
equipment, net
Other assets, net 657 (**) 695 164 (**) 173
Total assets 5,642 5,323 1,406 1,326
(*) Restated due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
(**) Reclassified due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
(An Israeli Corporation)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Convenience
translation
into US dollar
September December September December
30, 31, 30, 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
NIS millions NIS US$ US$
millions millions millions
(Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited)(Audited)
Current liabilities
Short-term bank credit 238 - 59 -
Trade payables 787 819 196 204
Other current liabilities 524 496 131 123
1,549 1,315 386 327
Long-term liabilities
Long-term loans from banks 938 1,208 234 301
Debentures 2,039 1,989 508 496
Deferred taxes 191 (*) 212 47 (*) 53
Other long term
liabilities 16 2 4 -
3,184 3,411 793 850
Shareholders' equity 909 (*) 597 227 (*) 149
Total liabilities and 5,642 5,323 1,406 1,326
shareholders' equity
(*) Restated due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
(An Israeli Corporation)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Nine-month period Three-month period
ended September 30, ended September 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
NIS NIS NIS NIS
millions millions millions millions
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues 4,466 4,191 1,572 1,467
Cost of
revenues 2,414 * 2,430 846 * 837
Gross profit 2,052 1,761 726 630
Selling and
marketing
expenses 506 473 193 168
General and
administrative
expenses 488 486 167 165
Operating
income 1,058 802 366 297
Financial
expenses, net (137) (128) (75) (53)
Other income
(expenses),
net (2) * (4) (2) * 2
Income before
income tax 919 670 289 246
Income tax 229 * 250 19 * 114
Net income 690 420 270 132
Earnings per
share
Basic earnings
per share (in
NIS) 7.08 * 4.31 2.77 * 1.35
Diluted
earnings per
share (in NIS) 7.02 * 4.31 2.74 * 1.35
Weighted
average number
of shares used
in the
calculation of
basic earnings
per share (in
thousands) 97,500 97,500 97,500 97,500
Weighted
average number
of shares used
in the
calculation of
diluted
earnings per
share (in
thousands) 98,250 97,500 98,380 97,500
Convenience translation into
US dollar
Nine-month Three-month
period ended period ended
September 30, September 30,
2007 2007
US$ millions US$ millions
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues 1,113 392
Cost of
revenues 602 211
Gross profit 511 181
Selling and
marketing
expenses 126 48
General and
administrative
expenses 122 42
Operating
income 263 91
Financial
expenses, net (34) (19)
Other income
(expenses),
net - -
Income before
income tax 229 72
Income tax 57 5
Net income 172 67
Earnings per
share
Basic earnings
per share (in
NIS) 1.76 0.69
Diluted
earnings per
share (in NIS) 1.75 0.68
Weighted
average number
of shares used
in the
calculation of
basic earnings
per share (in
thousands) 97,500 97,500
Weighted
average number
of shares used
in the
calculation of
diluted
earnings per
share (in
thousands) 98,250 98,380
(*) Restated due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
(An Israeli Corporation)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine-month period ended
September 30,
Convenience
translation
into US dollar
2007 2006 2007
NIS millions NIS millions US$ millions
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Cash flows from
operating activities
Net income 690 * 420 172
Adjustments required to
present cash flows from
operating activities
(Appendix A) 584 * 647 145
Net cash provided by
operating activities 1,274 1,067 317
Cash flows from
investing activities
Additions to property, plant
and equipment (364) ** (406) (90)
Proceeds from sales of
property, plant and equipment 2 12 -
Investment in other assets (63) ** (117) (16)
Net cash used in
investing activities (425) (511) (106)
Cash flows from
financing activities
Borrowings under short-term
bank credit facility - 263 -
Borrowings of long-term loans
from banks - 2,155 -
Payment of long-term loans
from banks - (1,088) -
Proceeds from issuance of
debentures, net of issuance
cost - 290 -
Paid dividend (383) (3,830) (95)
Net cash used by financing
activities (383) (2,210) (95)
Increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 466 (1,654) 116
Balance of cash and cash
equivalents at beginning of
the period 56 1,772 14
Balance of cash and cash
equivalents at end of the
period 522 118 130
(*) Restated due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
(**) Reclassified due to initial implementation of a new Israeli Accounting Standard.
Cellcom Israel Ltd.
(An Israeli Corporation)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (cont'd)
Appendix A - Adjustments required to present cash flows from operating
activities
Nine-month period ended
September 30,
Convenience
translation
into US
dollar
2007 2006 2007
NIS millions NIS millions US$ millions
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Income and expenses not
involving cash flows
Depreciation and
amortization 575 * 627 144
Deferred taxes (8) * (14) (2)
Exchange and linkage
differences on long-term
liabilities 13 (68) 3
Capital losses 4 * 4 1
Change in liability for
employee severance benefits 1 - -
Stock based compensation 25 - 6
610 549 152
Changes in assets and
liabilities
Decrease (increase) in
trade receivables
(including long-term
amounts) (100) (80) (25)
Decrease (increase) in
other receivables
(including long-term
amounts) 10 26 2
Decrease (increase)
in inventories (14) (19) (4)
Increase (decrease) in
trade payable
"CEL" Threads have been Merged.
Please use the search before starting new threads on a Stock Pick.
Chances are a thread already exist.
So why not post whatever you have to comment about on that pick to that thread.
"Simplicity" My fellow traders. ;D
All history on a stock pick in 1 thread is awesome. ;)
Just trying to get threads together,so we don't have a numerous amount floating around on the same stock. :( ::)
Thank You....and good luck with all your trades....make some $$$ ;) ;D
Whoops, missed the thread already started on this one. Sorry, setravis.