SLT Group 3Q, YTD profits up 23%, EBITDA up 16%

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Group has reported an impressive year-on-year (YoY) growth of 23.4% in its Net Profit After Tax of Rs. 3.99 billion in the last nine months. 

The continued revenue growth of the group has largely contributed to the improvements of the net profits. Backed by all the revenue streams including fixed voice, data, mobile, carrier businesses, television and the corporate business segment the Group record Rs. 60.1 billion revenue with 6.6% YoY growth during the period under review. In its journey from a CSP (Communication Service Provider) toward a DSP (Digital Service Provider) the Group has focused on digitisation initiatives to offer innovative products and services to customers in order to enhance their lifestyle.

Group Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena

Resulting of better revenue growth coupled with cost control initiatives the Group was able to record a strong EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation) a margin of 31.1% while reporting Rs. 18.7 b EBITDA during the nine months under review with 15.8% YoY growth.

Net Profits of the Group was impacted by the foreign exchange losses of Rs. 1.1 b during the period under review. If the impact of the respective loss was not taken into account, the Net Profit After Tax would be Rs. 5.1 b.

Group Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena expressed his pleasure on healthy growth rate and strong results of the Group: “Despite the challenges in the economy we have been able to achieve a significant level of growth through strategic investments and strategic decision making of the Group. Being the pioneer and national telecommunications service provider in Sri Lanka, we strongly believe that we have contributed positively to the economic development and overall growth of telecommunication services in the country.”

“We are living in a fast paced digital era where the consumers’ needs and interest for digital solutions such as Ultra-Fast Fibre Connectivity (FTTH), wireless 4G connectivity (LTE), and cloud technologies are growing. It is our responsibility meet our customer needs. This is why we are transforming our company to become a digital service provider,” said CEO of the holding company Kiththi Perera. 

The holding company, SLT, reported an outstanding YoY Net Profit growth of 75% to reach Rs. 1.3 b during the first nine months of 2018. The company continued to grow its revenue through its extensive investment programs carried out during the recent past to expand infrastructure facilities in order to provide high quality services to the customers through demanding technologies such as FTTH and LTE. As a result, the company revenue increased by 5.6% to reach Rs. 35.3 b during the first nine months of 2018. 

The company was able to manage operating costs at Rs. 24.9 b owing to the effective cost management initiatives. The company EBITDA was reported at Rs. 10.3 b with 19.1% YoY growth. EBITDA margin improved to 29.3% from 26.0% in the same period of the previous year.

COO Priyantha Fernandez added: “We continue to focus on operational excellence in all segments whilst improving customer experience through strong regional structure spread across the country. Therefore we are well poised to serve the diverse requirements of our customers.”  

The subsidiary Mobitel continued to grow its revenue and key profitability indicators despite challenging macroeconomic environment and intensifying competition in the market. 

Backed by the robust growth in revenue, Mobitel was able to record a growth in EBITDA and EBIT (Earnings Before Interest Tax) for the first nine months of 2018 which grew by 10% and 16% respectively YoY which was aptly supported by operational efficiencies. 

The net profit for the first nine months of 2018 was recorded at Rs. 2.5 b compared to a Net Profit of Rs. 2.5 b in first nine months of 2017. The depreciation of the rupee during the year triggered a considerable reduction in profits of the company. However it is noteworthy that the company excelled in reporting a net profit growth by 3.0% despite these external challenges.