Feb 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka's premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata announced its consolidated financial results for the year ended 31st December 2016.

The Group concluded the Financial Year 2016 on a strong note, delivering growth across all business segments, and recorded consolidated Revenue of Rs. 86.7 billion for FY 2016, demonstrating a growth of 17% Year-on-Year ('YoY').

Group EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) for FY 2016 grew 23% YoY to be recorded at Rs. 29.2 billion driven by strong Revenue growth combined with continued focus on Cost Rescaling Initiatives.

The 4th Quarter featured the re-introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) effective 1st November 2016, which moderated Revenue growth to 5% Quarter-on-Quarter ('QoQ') to reach Rs. 22.8 billion. On a QoQ basis EBITDA declined 4% to post at Rs. 7.4 billion. The Group NPAT (Net Profit After Tax) grew significantly at 74% YoY to be recorded at Rs. 9.0 billion for FY 2016.

The Dialog Group continued to be a significant contributor to state revenues, remitting a total of Rs. 31.7 billion to the Government of Sri Lanka during the financial year ended 31st December 2016 representing an increase of 15% YoY. Total remittances included direct taxes and levies (Rs. 10.7 billion) as well as consumption taxes collected on behalf of the GoSL (Rs. 21.0 billion).

In line with the financial performance of the Group and taking into account forward investment requirements to serve the nation's demand for Telecommunication and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held today, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a cash dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to thirty nine cents (Rs. 0.39) per share totaling to Rs. 3.2 billion. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a payout of 35% of consolidated Group NPAT for FY 2016.

The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.

Group capital expenditure for the year ended 31st December 2016 totaled to Rs. 23.2 billion (USD 158 million) representing a Capex to Revenue ratio of 27%. Capital expenditure was directed in the main towards investments in High-Speed Broadband infrastructure aimed at further strengthening the Group's position in Sri Lanka's Broadband sector. Downstream of strong EBITDA performance Group Operating Free Cash Flow (OFCF) was recorded at Rs. 0.1 billion for FY 2016, improving from a negative Rs. 900 million recorded in FY 2015.

The Group continued to exhibit a structurally robust balance sheet with the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio being maintained at 0.90x as at end of December 2016. Group NPAT performance (74% increase YoY) was driven by improved EBITDA and lower non-cash translational forex loss of Rs. 0.8 billion compared to a loss of Rs. 2.2 billion during FY 2015. The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) depreciated against the United States Dollar (USD) by 3.9% in FY 2016 and 2.2% during the quarter. Group NPAT declined 56% QoQ to be recorded at Rs. 1.3 billion for Q4 2016, due to lower EBITDA combined with increased depreciation and higher non-cash translational forex losses.

At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC ('the Company') continued to contribute a major share of Group Revenue (84%) and Group EBITDA (86%). On the back of its Mobile customer base of over 11.8 million subscribers, Company Revenue grew by 16% YoY to reach Rs. 73.0 billion for FY 2016 with Revenue for Q4 2016 being reordered at Rs. 19.0 billion, up 4% QoQ. Underpinned by strong Revenue growth and positive cost performance as alluded to earlier, Company EBITDA increased by 23% YoY to be recorded at Rs. 25.0 billion for FY 2016. On a QoQ basis EBITDA declined 8% to be recorded at Rs. 6.2 billion for Q4 2016. Downstream of EBITDA, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs. 10.3 billion for FY 2016 and Rs. 1.9 billion for Q4 2016, representing an increase of 80% YoY and a decrease of 36% QoQ respectively.

Dialog Television (DTV), continued its positive growth momentum, recording a Revenue growth of 5% YoY and QoQ to reach Rs. 6.1 billion for FY 2016 and Rs. 1.5 billion for Q4 2016. Notwithstanding Revenue growth, EBITDA contracted by 37% YoY to be recorded at Rs. 383 million, due to direct cost expansion accruing from product enhancements featuring the expansion of channel genres, whilst on a QoQ basis, EBITDA contracted 24%. The decline in EBITDA translated to an equivalent negative impact on NPAT leading to a Net Loss of Rs. 644 million for FY 2016 and a Net Loss of Rs. 298 million for Q4 2016.

Dialog Broadband Networks (DBN) recorded Revenue of Rs. 9.3 billion for FY 2016 and Rs. 2.6 billion in Q4 2016, representing an increase of 28% YoY and 7% QoQ respectively. Downstream of strong Revenue performance, DBN EBITDA for FY 2016 was recorded at Rs. 4.0 billion and Rs. 1.2 billion in Q4 2016, representing an increase of 39% YoY and 25% QoQ respectively. DBN's Net Loss for FY 2016 increased to Rs. 385 million relative to the Net Loss of Rs. 133 million recorded in FY 2015 underpinned by the higher depreciation and finance cost.