Investor Releases
Matáv firstnine months 2004 results
Stable market positions despite regulatory and competitive pressure during the first nine months of 2004
BUDAPEST - November 11, 2004 - Matáv (NYSE: MTA.N and BSE: MTAV.BU), the leading Hungarian telecommunications service provider, today reported its consolidated financial results for the first nine months of 2004, according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Highlights:
- Revenues fell slightly, by 0.5% to HUF 449.7 bn (EUR 1 773.5 m) in the first nine months of the year over the same period in 2003 as the higher mobile and data transmission revenues and higher equipment sales were offset by a decline in revenues from domestic and international traffic, and lower other usage.
- Reported EBITDA declined by 6.2% to HUF 182.9 bn, with a reported EBITDA margin of 40.7%. Excluding restructuring charges, EBITDA was HUF 186.2 bn with the EBITDA margin reaching 41.4%.
- Gross additions to tangible and intangible assets amounted to HUF 52.2 bn . Of this, the portion relating to the fixed line segment reached HUF 22.5 bn, with mobile at HUF 24.4 bn and MakTel reporting HUF 5.3 bn.
- Fixed line segment: revenues declined by 7.0%; EBITDA margin was 35.7%.
- Mobile segment: revenues grew by 4.0%, EBITDA margin was 39.7% in the first nine months of 2004. T-Mobile Hungary preserved its leading position with a market share of 47.6% and almost 4 million subscribers at the end of September 2004.
- International segment: revenues fell by 0.6% with a reported EBITDA margin of 46.9%. MakTel's third quarter results include a HUF 3.4 bn severance provision; excluding this restructuring charge, EBITDA margin reached a strong 53.5% in the first nine months of 2004.
- Group operating profit reduced to HUF 82.2 bn mainly driven by an 11.9% increase in employee related expenses driven by the restructuring (predominantly at MakTel) and a 7.9% increase in depreciation and amortization. Net income declined to HUF 41.1 bn (EUR 162.1 m).
- Net cash from operating activities decreased to HUF 144.1 bn due to the combined impact of the decline in EBITDA and higher interest paid. Net cash utilized in investing activities increased to HUF 64.4 bn. This was due to higher gross additions to tangible and intangible assets (primarily at the fixed line segment) together with higher investments in subsidiaries and associates (T-Systems Hungary) and partly offset by increased proceeds from real estate sales. Net cash used in financing activities was HUF 66.8 bn, mainly explained by the higher dividend paid at the parent company and increased borrowing as a result of this.
- Net debt has been reduced by HUF 13.1 bn since the end of September 2003 and the net debt ratio (net debt to net debt plus equity plus minority interest) was 33.1% compared to 32.8% at the end of September 2003.
Elek Straub, Chairman and CEO commented: "Fixed segment performance weakened during the reporting period driven by strengthening competition and regulatory pressure. In the mobile segment, in spite of more intense competition in the third quarter on tariffs and services as well as on entry barriers, T-Mobile Hungary was able again to maintain its leading market position. At MakTel, despite somewhat lower revenues, the company maintained its healthy profitability, achieving an EBITDA margin of above 53% for the first nine months of this year excluding the third quarter severance provision. In terms of the overall outlook for the full year 2004, we believe that our existing public targets and guidance are realistic. I would also like to reassure our shareholders that we are on track in executing our recently announced mid-term value creation program. In order to maintain efficiency, we plan to reduce the parent company headcount by some 2600 by end-2006 including the outsourcing of around 800 people, and in connection with this, we have signed an agreement with the Trade Union. At the end of September, the lines per employee ratio at the parent company reached 354, but we plan to significantly increase this ratio to above 500 by the end of 2006. At MakTel, the headcount will be tangibly reduced as early as this year with the financial impact already visible in the third quarter performance of the company."
Fixed line: Successful broadband program, strong competitive pressure
Fixed line revenues fell by 7.0% to HUF 228.3 bn with the EBITDA margin at 35.7%. Domestic and international traffic revenues combined declined by 13.9% mainly due to lower volumes and price discounts. However, due to strong growth in installed ADSL numbers and increased Internet subscribers, leased line and data revenues continued to grow, rising by 21.7%. The total number of lines was down only by 0.6% compared to a year ago. By the end of September 2004, 18.6% of Matáv's total fixed lines were ISDN channels. Customised tariff packages represented around 56% of the total number of lines with 1.6 million lines at the end of the third quarter 2004. The ADSL program resulted in 162 106 ADSL lines being installed by the end of Q3 2004. Matáv's Internet subsidiary, Axelero, maintained its leading position among ISPs in the dial-up market with a market share of approximately 43% and a total of 244 570 Internet subscribers at the end of September 2004 (up by 32.3% year-on-year).
Mobile: Stable market position and revenue growth despite intense competition
Mobile revenues grew by 4.0% as a result of higher traffic, enhanced service revenues and equipment sales. EBITDA increased to HUF 77.4 bn and the EBITDA margin was 39.7%. Operating profit declined by 7.3% as the vast majority of the write-off relating to the Westel rebranding was accounted for in the first quarter of 2004. T-Mobile Hungary maintained its leading position in a highly competitive market with 47.6% market share, while GSM penetration was 83.0% at end-September 2004. T-Mobile Hungary's customer base exceeded 3.9 million at the end of Q3 2004. In the same period, the proportion of postpaid customers increased to 27.9% of the total customer base, compared with 25.6% at end of Q3 2003. Average acquisition cost per customer fell by 14.5% to HUF 10 881 in Q1-Q3 2004 from HUF 12 727 a year earlier. When calculating subscriber acquisition cost, we include the connection margin (connection fee less the SIM card cost) and the sales related equipment subsidy and agent fee. MOU (monthly average minutes of use per subscriber) grew to 114 in Q1-Q3 2004 from 112 a year earlier. Blended ARPU (monthly average revenue per user) declined to HUF 4 937; within this postpaid ARPU reduced to HUF 11 929 and prepaid ARPU was HUF 2 386. As a result of the introduction of new packages, the usage grew slightly but the discounts offered combined with the regulatory impacts resulted in downward pressure on ARPU. The enhanced services revenue (mainly SMS) grew to HUF 598 (12.1% of total ARPU), from HUF 571 (10.8% of total ARPU) in the same period last year. The churn rate of postpaid customers was successfully maintained at the relatively low level of 11.9% in the first three quarters of 2004. However, the churn rate in the prepaid segment over the same period grew to 14.8%. Within this, third quarter churn in 2004 increased to 23.7%, chiefly due to the expiration of the extension of the refill vouchers' availability period.
International: focus on boosting efficiency in a limited top line growth environment
International revenues fell slightly by 0.6% to HUF 51.1 bn in Q1-Q3 2004. Mobile telecommunications services revenues grew but subscription charges as well as international traffic revenues fell. Reported EBITDA was HUF 24.0 bn with an EBITDA margin of 46.9% but these results were hit by the severance provision in the amount of HUF 3.4 bn made in Q3 as part of the headcount rationalisation at the company. EBITDA margin without such restructuring charges reached a strong 53.5%. The closing number of employees fell by 5.0% to 3 524 at the end of the third quarter this year over the same period last year. Fixed line penetration in Macedonia stood at around 29%, and mobile penetration grew further to nearly 44% against 25% at end-Q3 2003. The number of fixed line channels grew to 623 333, up by 1.3% from the previous year's figure. Within this, analog subscribers fell slightly to 582 621. At the same time, ISDN channels grew by 35.4% to 40 712, and the mobile customer base grew by 50.8% to 693 097. MakTel's mobile market share stood at 77% at end-September 2004. MakTel remains the leading Internet service provider; its dial-up subscriber base at the end of the third quarter of 2004 increased to 59 603 (up by 31.5% year-on-year).
About Matáv
Matáv is the principal provider of telecom services in Hungary. Matáv provides a broad range of services including telephony, data transmission, value-added services, and through its subsidiary T-Mobile Hungary is Hungary's largest mobile telecom provider. Matáv also holds a majority stake in Stonebridge Communications AD, which controls MakTel, the sole fixed line and the leading mobile operator in Macedonia. Key shareholders of Matáv as of September 30, 2004 include MagyarCom Holding GmbH, owned by Deutsche Telekom AG (59.21%). The remainder, 40.79% is publicly traded.
This investor news contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore should not have undue reliance placed upon them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors are described in, among other things, our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Matáv Consolidated Balance Sheets - IFRS (HUF million) | Sep 30, 2003 (Unaudited) | Sep 30, 2004 (Unaudited) | Sep 30, 2003 - Sep 30, 2004 % change | |||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 19 977 | 33 356 | 67,00% | |||
Financialinstruments held for trading | 408 | 2 417 | 492,40% | |||
Trade and other receivables | 93 113 | 98 643 | 5,90% | |||
Inventories | 11 174 | 10 171 | (9,00%) | |||
Assets held for disposal | 3 563 | 3 200 | (10,20%) | |||
Total current assets | 128 235 | 147 787 | 15,20% | |||
Non current assets | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 618 172 | 582 311 | (5,80%) | |||
Intangible assets | 287 177 | 277 316 | (3,40%) | |||
Associates | 4 328 | 7 307 | 68,80% | |||
Deferred taxes | 5 290 | 4 542 | (14,10%) | |||
Other non current assets | 11 381 | 6 473 | (43,10%) | |||
Total non current assets | 926 348 | 877 949 | (5,20%) | |||
Total assets | 1 054 583 | 1 025 736 | (2,70%) | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Loans and otherborrowings - third party | 59 887 | 35 538 | (40,70%) | |||
Loans from related parties | 126 644 | 60 000 | (52,60%) | |||
Trade and other payables | 96 747 | 99 632 | 3,00% | |||
Deferred revenue | 2 164 | 1 683 | (22,20%) | |||
Provisionfor liabilities and charges | 6 688 | 8 070 | 20,70% | |||
Short term derivatives | 0 | 37 | n.a. | |||
Total current liabilities | 292 130 | 204 960 | (29,80%) | |||
Non current liabilities | ||||||
Loans and otherborrowings - third party | 63 417 | 52 724 | (16,90%) | |||
Loans from related parties | 73 675 | 177 675 | 141,20% | |||
Deferred revenue | 2 964 | 1 509 | (49,10%) | |||
Deferred taxes | 1 924 | 2 993 | 55,60% | |||
Other non current liabilities | 0 | 47 | n.a. | |||
Long term derivatives | 415 | 0 | (100,00%) | |||
Total non current liabilities | 142 395 | 234 948 | 65,00% | |||
Minority interests | 67 295 | 62 649 | (6,90%) | |||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Common stock | 104 281 | 104 281 | 0,00% | |||
Additional paid in capital | 27 382 | 27 382 | 0,00% | |||
Treasury stock | -3 842 | -3 842 | 0,00% | |||
Cumulative translation adjustment | -832 | -2 868 | 244,70% | |||
Retained earnings | 425 774 | 398 226 | (6,50%) | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 552 763 | 523 179 | (5,40%) | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 1 054 583 | 1 025 736 | (2,70%) |
Matáv Consolidated Income Statements - IFRS (HUF million) | Sept 30, 2003 (Unaudited) | Sept 30, 2004 (Unaudited) | % change | |||
Revenues | ||||||
Subscriptions,connections and other charges | 73 405 | 71 975 | (1,90%) | |||
Domestic traffic revenue | 85 622 | 74 468 | (13,00%) | |||
Other usage | 9 152 | 4 227 | (53,80%) | |||
Domesticfixed line telecommunications services | 168 179 | 150 670 | (10,40%) | |||
International traffic revenues | 17 177 | 14 101 | (17,90%) | |||
Mobile telecommunications services | 147 945 | 160 135 | 8,20% | |||
Revenue from international activities | 51 190 | 50 869 | (0,60%) | |||
Leasedlines and data transmission | 28 565 | 35 749 | 25,10% | |||
Equipment sale | 16 415 | 18 445 | 12,40% | |||
Other revenues | 22 617 | 19 756 | (12,60%) | |||
Total revenues | 452 088 | 449 725 | (0,50%) | |||
Employee-related expenses | -63 260 | -70 757 | 11,90% | |||
Depreciation and amortization | -93 301 | -100 680 | 7,90% | |||
Paymentsto other network operators | -63 287 | -66 058 | 4,40% | |||
Costof telecommunications equipment sales | -28 236 | -29 652 | 5,00% | |||
Other operating expenses | -102 391 | -100 374 | (2,00%) | |||
Total operating expenses | -350 475 | -367 521 | 4,90% | |||
Operating profit | 101 613 | 82 204 | (19,10%) | |||
Netinterest and other charges | -28 548 | -27 070 | (5,20%) | |||
Share of associates'results before income tax | 354 | 2 064 | 483,10% | |||
Profit before income tax | 73 419 | 57 198 | (22,10%) | |||
Income tax expense | -11 579 | -9 903 | (14,50%) | |||
Profit after income tax | 61 840 | 47 295 | (23,50%) | |||
Minority interest | -10 055 | -6 200 | (38,30%) | |||
Net income | 51 785 | 41 095 | (20,60%) |
Matáv Consolidated Cash Flow Statement - IFRS (HUF million) | Sep 30, 2003 (Unaudited) | Sep 30, 2004 (Unaudited) | % change | |||
Cashflows from operating activities | ||||||
Operating profit | 101 613 | 82 204 | (19,10%) | |||
Depreciation andamortization of fixed assets | 93 301 | 100 680 | 7,90% | |||
Change in working capital | -1 007 | -1 262 | 25,30% | |||
Amortization of deferred income | -2 050 | -1 254 | (38,80%) | |||
Interest paid | -23 381 | -27 401 | 17,20% | |||
Commissions and bank charges | -2 052 | -2 502 | 21,90% | |||
Income tax paid | -7 608 | -8 205 | 7,80% | |||
Other non-cash items | -5 765 | 1 829 | n.m. | |||
Netcashflows from operating activities | 153 051 | 144 089 | (5,90%) | |||
Cashflows from investing activities | ||||||
Purchase oftangible and intangible assets | -57 697 | -59 936 | 3,90% | |||
Purchase ofsubsidiaries and business units | -5 861 | -8 029 | 37,00% | |||
Cashacquired through business combinations | 61 | 16 | (73,80%) | |||
Interest received | 598 | 1 162 | 94,30% | |||
Dividends received | 575 | 1 000 | 73,90% | |||
Sale oftrading investments - net | 98 | -2 019 | n.m. | |||
Proceeds from disposal oftangible and intangible assets | 714 | 3 456 | 384,00% | |||
Netcashflows from investing activities | -61 512 | -64 350 | 4,60% | |||
Cashflows from financing activities | ||||||
Dividends paid toshareholders and minority interest | -23 506 | -78 284 | 233,00% | |||
Net repayment ofloans and other borrowings | -57 988 | 11 528 | n.m. | |||
Netcashflows from financing activities | -81 494 | -66 756 | (18,10%) | |||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes oncash and cash equivalents | 1 081 | -1 759 | n.m. | |||
Change incash and cash equivalents | 11 126 | 11 224 | 0,90% | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 8 851 | 22 132 | 150,10% | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 19 977 | 33 356 | 67,00% | |||
Change incash and cash equivalents | 11 126 | 11 224 | 0,90% |
3Q 2003 | 3Q 2004 | % change | ||||
EBITDA margin | 43,1% | 40,7% | n.a. | |||
Operating margin | 22,5% | 18,3% | n.a. | |||
Net income margin | 11,5% | 9,1% | n.a. | |||
ROA | 6,5% | 5,3% | n.a. | |||
Netdebt to total capital | 32,8% | 33,1% | n.a. | |||
Number of closing lines | ||||||
Residential | 2 015 251 | 2 013 203 | (0,1%) | |||
Business | 261 401 | 254 932 | (2,5%) | |||
Payphone | 31 666 | 27 431 | (13,4%) | |||
ISDN channels | 527 894 | 524 074 | (0,7%) | |||
Total lines | 2 836 212 | 2 819 640 | (0,6%) | |||
Digitalizationof exchanges with ISDN | 87,8% | 91,5% | n.a. | |||
Penetration * | 37,6% | 37,4% | n.a. | |||
Fixed line employees (closing full equivalent, Matáv Rt.) | 8 281 | 7 956 | (3,9%) | |||
Total no. ofemployees (closing full equivalent) | 15 175 | 14 695 | (3,2%) | |||
Linesper fixed line employees | 342,5 | 354,4 | 3,5% | |||
Lines per fixed line employees at Matáv Rt. + Emitel | 339,3 | 351,8 | 3,7% | |||
Traffic in minutes (thousands) at Matáv Rt. | ||||||
Domestic | 5 953 664 | 5 799 619 | (2,6%) | |||
International outgoing | 104 390 | 101 004 | (3,2%) | |||
Managed leased lines (Flex-Com connections) | 11 578 | 10 664 | (7,9%) | |||
ADSL lines | 72 351 | 162 106 | 124,1% | |||
Internet subscribers | 184 855 | 244 570 | 32,3% | |||
Cable television customers | 351 512 | 371 429 | 5,7% | |||
Emitel fixed line numbers incl. ISDN channels | 78 308 | 77 935 | (0,5%) | |||
Emiteldomestic traffic (thousand minutes) | 115 225 | 106 480 | (7,6%) | |||
Emitel internationaloutgoing traffic (thousand minutes) | 1 708 | 1 714 | 0,4% | |||
MakTel fixed lines | 615 390 | 623 333 | 1,3% | |||
Traffic in minutes (thousands) at MakTel | ||||||
Domestic | n.a. | 1 736 421 | n.a. | |||
International outgoing | n.a. | 28 468 | n.a. | |||
MakTel mobileRPCs (Revenue Producing Customers) | 459 586 | 693 097 | 50,8% | |||
MakTel mobile ARPU (Average Traffic Rev./RPC/Month) | 5 417 | 3 982 | (26,5%) | |||
MakTel mobile MOU (Monthly av.minutes of Use/subsc.) | 86 | 67 | (22,1%) | |||
MakTel Internet subscribers (inc. prepaid from Jan 1, 2004) | 45 324 | 59 603 | 31,5% | |||
T-Mobile Hungary RPCs | 3 590 164 | 3 989 489 | 11,1% | |||
T-Mobile Hungary's MOU | 112 | 114 | 1,8% | |||
T-Mobile Hungary's ARPU | 5 278 | 4 937 | (6,5%) | |||
T-Mobile Hungary's postpaid ARPU | 12 864 | 11 929 | (7,3%) | |||
T-Mobile Hungary's prepaid ARPU | 2 710 | 2 386 | (12,0%) | |||
T-Mobile Hungary's overall churn | 22,7% | 14,0% | n.a. |
Analysis of the Financial Statements for 3Q04 (nine months ended Sep 30, 2004) EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The Euro weakened by 3.0% against the Hungarian Forint year on year (from 254.61 HUF/EUR on September 30, 2003 to 247.02 HUF/EUR on September 30, 2004). From the year-end 2003, the Euro weakened by 5.8% against the Hungarian Forint (from 262.23 HUF/EUR on December 31, 2003 to 247.02 HUF/EUR on September 30, 2004). The average HUF/EUR rate increased from 251.47 in 3Q2003 to 253.59 in 3Q2004.
The U.S. Dollar depreciated by 8.1% against the Hungarian Forint year on year (from 218.23 HUF/USD on September 30, 2003 to 200.52 HUF/USD on September 30, 2004). From the year-end 2003 to September 30, 2004, the U.S. Dollar weakened by 3.6% against the Hungarian Forint (from 207.92 HUF/USD to 200.52 HUF/USD).
ANALYSIS OF GROUP INCOME STATEMENTS
Revenues
Revenues from subscriptions, connections and other charges decreased by 1.9% in the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. Revenues from connection fees declined, which resulted from the promotions given to new customers and the 50% decrease in business analog connection fee from June 1, 2004. The 35% decrease in ISDN 2 connection fee effective from January 1, 2004 and lower ISDN gross additions also contributed to the decrease. As a result of successful campaigns gross additions of analog lines increased significantly by 71.0% in 3Q2004 compared to 3Q2003. In accordance with the Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications effective from January 1, 2004 Matáv Rt. cannot charge for itemized billing, which resulted in lower revenue from digifon services. Lower value-added services and PBX revenues at Matávcom also had negative influence on other charges.
These decreases were partly offset by business analog subscription fee increases from January 1, 2004.
Domestic traffic revenue in 3Q2004 amounted to HUF 74.5 bn compared to HUF 85.6 bn in 3Q2003. While domestic traffic decreased by 2.7% in the fixed line segment, the higher decrease in revenue is due to lower average per minutes fees. While Matáv increased its tariffs on January 1, 2004, it offered several discounts to customers choosing different tariff packages. At the end of September 2004, over 56% percent of Matáv Rt.'s customers chose customized tariff packages, the most popular of which is the Felező (Halving) package. The introduction of the XL supplementary package in December 2003 also contributed to the decrease in domestic traffic revenues.
Within domestic traffic revenues, fixed-to-mobile revenues decreased to the greatest extent, mainly due to the reduction of tariffs in this direction in September and October 2003.
Revenues from other usage for the first three quarters of 2004 decreased by 53.8% compared to the same period in 2003. The main reason for this significant decrease is the almost complete LTO-mobile by-pass due to interconnection agreements between LTOs and mobile operators. The decrease was also attributable to lower rates and, to a lesser extent, to a change in mix of calls in LTO relation (the loss of traffic was the greatest in the LTO to mobile call relation, which has the highest per minute interconnection rate).
International traffic revenues decreased to HUF 14.1 bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to HUF 17.2 bn for the same period in 2003. Both outgoing and incoming international traffic revenue declined. Outgoing international traffic revenue decreased by 8.6% mainly due to price discounts given to subscribers of optional tariff packages (Rhythm, Says a Lot, Chat, Halving) as well as decreased outgoing minutes. Incoming international traffic revenues declined by 24.6% mainly due to 17.5% lower incoming traffic. The decrease in incoming international traffic was more significant for mobile terminated traffic due to mobile by-pass, while calls terminated in Matáv areas declined to a lesser extent. Incoming international traffic revenues were also negatively affected by the lower settlement rates with international partners and the stronger HUF against the SDR.
Revenues from mobile telecommunications services amounted to HUF 160.1 bn for the first three quarters of 2004 compared to HUF 147.9 bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 (a 8.2% increase). The growth mainly resulted from the 11.5% higher T-Mobile Hungary average customer base. Prepaid customers accounted for approximately 72.3% of gross additions in the first three quarters of 2004 and represent 72.1% of total T-Mobile Hungary customers as of September 30, 2004.
T-Mobile Hungary's average usage per customer per month measured in MOU increased by 1.8% from 112 minutes in 3Q2003 to 114 minutes in 3Q2004. T-Mobile Hungary's average revenue per user ("ARPU") decreased by 6.5% from HUF 5 278 in 3Q2003 to HUF 4 937 in 3Q2004 as the proportion of calls within the T-Mobile Hungary network with lower per minute fees increased. In addition, the 10% decrease of the fixed to mobile termination fees from September 1, 2003 also contributed to the ARPU decrease.
Within mobile telecommunications services, enhanced services show the highest increase with 16.8% growth year over year, which represents 12.1% of the ARPU in the first three quarters of 2004. This revenue includes primarily short message service ("SMS") and multimedia messaging service ("MMS"). The revenue growth is due to the increasing proportion of content messages with higher rates.
Revenue from international activities shows consolidated revenues of MakTel, our subsidiary acquired in 2001. Revenues from international activities slightly decreased to HUF 50.9 bn in the first three quarters of 2004 from HUF 51.2 bn in the same period of 2003. Revenues from subscription fees decreased due to lower average number of analog line subscribers. Connection fee revenues also decreased due to lower connection fees and lower analog gross additions, partly compensated by higher number of ISDN gross additions. Domestic traffic revenues decreased as a result of lower usage, partly compensated by price increases. Outgoing international traffic revenues also decreased resulting from decreased usage as well as lower prices and incoming international revenues decreased due to strengthening of the MKD against the SDR, partly offset by higher incoming traffic. These decreases were partially offset by higher revenues from mobile telecommunications services due to the 47.3% higher average customer base year over year and increased enhanced services revenue, partly offset by lower MOU and lower tariffs. Revenues from data transmission and leased lines also increased due to a growth in Internet revenues resulting from increased number of customers as well as increased interconnection revenues from the second mobile telecommunications operator, Cosmofon. These increases were partly offset by decreased international leased line revenues due to lower USD exchange rate compared to 2003 as well as lower number of international leased line contracts in 2004. Equipment sale revenues also increased as a result of higher equipment sales at MobiMak due to increased gross additions and higher average sales price of phonesets.
Revenues from leased lines and data transmission grew to HUF 35.7 bn for 3Q2004 compared to HUF 28.6 bn for the same period in 2003. This growth was due to the strong increase in the number of ADSL and Internet subscribers. The number of ADSL subscribers grew to 162 106 (from 72 351 at the end of the first three quarters of 2003) and the number of Internet connections grew by 32.3% to 244 570 at period-end. The proportion of higher revenue generating leased line and broadband Internet customers significantly grew within the customer base, which also contributed to the revenue growth.
Revenue from equipment sale increased to HUF 18.4 bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to HUF 16.4 bn for the same period in 2003. Equipment sale revenue increase is due to higher phoneset upgrades and higher average price of phonesets at T-Mobile Hungary as well as more equipment sold at Matáv Rt. during campaigns. These increases were partly offset by the 19.0% lower gross additions of T-Mobile Hungary customers.
Other revenues amounted to HUF 19.8 bn for the first nine months of 2004 compared to HUF 22.6 bn for the same period in 2003. Other revenues include construction, maintenance, cable television, audiotex and miscellaneous revenues. The decrease in this category is mainly due to lower subsidy from Universal Electronic Communications Support Fund. This decrease was partly offset by the growth in cable TV revenue resulting from the increase in average number of cable TV subscribers and price increases as well as higher Drop Charge revenue at Matáv Rt.
Operating Expenses
Employee-related expenses for the first three quarters of 2004 amounted to HUF 70.8 bn compared to HUF 63.3 bn for the same period in 2003 (an increase of 11.9%). The main driver is the significant increase of welfare expenses at MakTel, as HUF 3.4 bn severance provision was recorded in the third quarter of 2004 in connection with dismissal of over 700 MakTel employees. In addition, employee related expenses increased also at Matáv Rt. due to the 6.0% average wage rate increase from April 1, 2004.
This increase was partly offset by a decrease in the group headcount figure, which fell from 15 175 on September 30, 2003 to 14 695 on September 30, 2004. The number of lines per fixed line employee increased to 351.8 at the end of September 2004 compared to 339.3 a year earlier.
Depreciation and amortization increased by 7.9% reaching HUF 100.7 bn in 3Q2004 compared to HUF 93.3 bn for the same period in 2003. This increase is mainly due to the impairment of Westel brand name as a result of rebranding as T-Mobile Hungary from May 1, 2004, which resulted in a HUF 4.5 bn additional amortization charge. The increase is also due to higher software gross book value and the resulting higher software amortization expense at T-Mobile Hungary. Higher depreciation expense at MakTel is the result of the acceleration of depreciation of certain fixed assets following the revision of useful lives in May 2003.
Payments to other network operators for 3Q2004 reached HUF 66.1 bn compared to HUF 63.3 bn for the same period in 2003. The increase was mainly due to the 4.5% increase in domestic network access charges, mainly driven by T-Mobile Hungary's outpayments to other GSM service providers due to higher mobile penetration, partly offset by lower outpayments to LTOs for call terminations due to both lower traffic and lower interconnection rates. International network access charges show a 4.2% increase driven by higher roaming outpayments at T-Mobile Hungary as well as increased international outpayments at MakTel. This increase was partly compensated by lower outgoing traffic at Matáv Rt., lower average settlement rates with foreign service providers as well as the strengthening of HUF against the SDR.
The cost of telecommunications equipment sales for the first three quarters of 2004 was HUF 29.7 bn compared to HUF 28.2 bn for the same period in 2003. This increase is mainly due to higher average cost of phonesets and higher level of upgrade costs, partly offset by lower gross additions to subscribers at T-Mobile Hungary. Cost of equipment sales at Matáv Rt. and MakTel also increased as a result of more equipment sold in promotions.
Other operating expenses decreased by 2.0% year over year. Other operating expenses include materials, maintenance, marketing, service fees, outsourcing expenses, energy and consultancy. Contribution to the Universal Electronic Communications Support Fund decreased significantly in 3Q2004 compared to 3Q2003. The lower amount of bad debt write-offs at Matáv Rt. also contributed to the decrease. These decreases were partly offset by higher marketing expenses mainly at Matáv Rt. due to intensive advertising of new products and tariff packages. Agency fees also increased as a result of increased outpayments related to Drop Charge at Matáv Rt.
Operating Profit
Operating margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 18.3%, while operating margin for the same period in 2003 was 22.5%. The decrease is mainly due to the significant increases in employee-related expenses and higher depreciation charges.
Net Interest and Other Charges
Net interest and other charges were HUF 27.1 bn for 3Q2004 compared to HUF 28.5 bn for 3Q2003. Net interest and other charges decreased due to the HUF 6.5 bn decrease in net foreign exchange loss. This change in net foreign exchange loss resulted mainly from the significant decrease of the average foreign exchange loan balance and the strengthening of the HUF. The decrease was partly offset by the HUF 4.9 bn higher interest expenses owing to higher portion of HUF denominated loans with higher average interest rates. Net interest and other charges include HUF 0.5 bn net FX gain, HUF 26.1 bn interest expense, HUF 2.5 bn commissions and other charges and HUF 1.0 bn interest and financial income.
Share of associates' results before income tax
Share of associates' results amounted to HUF 2 064 million for the first three quarters of 2004 compared to HUF 354 million for the same period in 2003, reflecting the significant gain on Hunsat's sale of its investment in Eutelsat.
Income tax
Income tax expense decreased from HUF 11.6 bn for 3Q2003 to HUF 9.9 bn for 3Q2004 resulting from the lower profit before tax of all segments. The change in the income tax rate from 18% to 16% in 2004 also decreased the income tax expense.
Minority Interest
Minority interest for the first nine months of 2004 was HUF 6.2 bn compared to HUF 10.1 bn for the same period in 2003. This 38.3% decrease mainly results from the weaker performance of MakTel. While operating revenues slightly decreased in the international segment, operating expenses increased significantly, resulting in a decreased operating profit.
Analysis of group balance sheets
Total assets and total shareholders' equity and liabilities as of September 30, 2003 were HUF 1 055 bn. Total assets and total shareholders' equity and liabilities amounted to HUF 1 026 bn as of September 30, 2004.
Loans and other borrowings
The current portion of loans and other borrowings decreased by 48.8% from September 30, 2003 to HUF 95.5 bn at September 30, 2004. This decrease in current loans and other borrowings reflects the strong cash generation of Matáv, which allowed to prepay the loans drawn under the EIB Telecommunications Project II with value date December 15, 2003, to repay the maturing HUF 12.5 bn EIB Telecommunications Project II/B loan with value date June 25, 2004 and to repay HUF 23 billion under the HUF 126.6 billion Deutsche Telekom intercompany loan.
Non-current loans and other borrowings increased by 68.1% from September 30, 2003 to HUF 230.4 bn at September 30, 2004. This increase is mainly due to the loans taken from DT International Finance BV to finance the dividend payment of Matáv Rt. and the fact that the HUF 76.6 billion part of the HUF 126.6 billion intercompany loan matured on August 23, 2004 was mainly refinanced from medium- and long term inter-company loans.
At September 30, 2004, almost 100% of the loan portfolio was HUF denominated. At the end of the first three quarters of 2004, 45.1% of the loans bore floating interest rates. The gearing ratio defined as net debt divided by net debt plus equity plus minority interest was 33.1% at September 30, 2004 compared to 32.8% a year earlier.
Analysis of group cashflow
Net cashflows from operating activities decreased by 5.9% compared to the first nine months of 2003 and amounted to HUF 144 089 million in the first three quarters of 2004. The decrease was mainly due to lower EBITDA and increased amount of interest paid reflecting higher average HUF denominated loan balance with higher average interest rates in the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003.
Net cashflows from investing activities amounted to minus HUF 64 350 million in the first nine months of 2004, while it was minus HUF 61 512 million in the same period of 2003. This HUF 2 838 million increase in cash outflow is due to the increase in gross additions to tangible and intangible assets predominantly at Matáv Rt. due to ADSL investments and capital expenditures relating to regulatory compliance and higher amount of purchase of subsidiaries and business units. In the first nine months of 2004, Matáv acquired an additional 3.05% stake in Stonebridge in July 2004 and acquired stake in T-Systems Hungary in the third quarter of 2004.
Net cashflows from financing activities amounted to minus HUF 81 494 million in the first three quarters of 2003 compared to minus HUF 66 756 million in the same period of 2004. While in the first nine months of 2004, Matáv took a net HUF 11 528 million loan, in the same period of 2003 it repaid a net HUF 57 988 million. In the first three quarters of 2004 Matáv paid dividends to its shareholders in an amount of HUF 78 284 million compared to HUF 23 506 million in the same period of 2003. This significant growth is due to the increase in dividend per share from HUF 18 in 2002 to HUF 70 in 2003.
Analysis of segment results
The sum of the financial results of the three segments presented below does not equal to the group financial results because of intersegment eliminations.
Fixed line segment
Fixed line segment includes Matáv Rt. and its consolidated subsidiaries, other than MakTel, MobiMak, Stonebridge, Telemacedónia, T-Mobile Hungary and Westel 0660.
HUF millions | 3Q2003 | 3Q2004 | Change (%) ) | |||
Revenues | 245 449 | 228 288 | (7,0) | |||
EBITDA before restructuring charges | 93 172 | 81 535 | (12,5) | |||
EBITDA | 93 172 | 81 535 | (12,5) | |||
Operating profit | 39 896 | 31 044 | (22,2) | |||
Property, plant and equipment | 420 938 | 392 553 | (6,7) | |||
Intangible assets | 31 501 | 31 988 | 1,5 | |||
Gross additions to tangibleand intangible fixed assets | 18 960 | 22 491 | 18,6 | |||
Headcount (closing full equivalent) | 9 681 | 9 391 | (3,0) |
* EBITDA = Earnings before net interest and other charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization
Revenues from the fixed line segment showed a 7.0% decrease year over year. Matáv's domestic fixed voice business experienced an 11.2% decline due to price and usage decreases. International revenues declined by 18.1% due to lower prices as well as lower outgoing and incoming traffic and the stronger HUF against the SDR. Leased lines and data transmission services increased by 21.7% in the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the first nine months of 2003. Leased lines and data transmission revenue growth was driven by strong volume increases in the number of ADSL and Internet customers.
Operating profit of the fixed line segment decreased by 22.2%. Within operating expenses payments to other network operators and depreciation and amortization expenses decreased. These decreases were partly offset by increases in employee- related expenses as well as increase in other operating expenses and cost of telecommunications equipment sales.
Mobile segment
Mobile segment includes T-Mobile Hungary and Westel 0660 and the goodwill amortization arising from their consolidation.
HUF millions | 3Q2003 | 3Q2004 | Change (%) | |||
Revenues | 187 711 | 195 137 | 4,0 | |||
EBITDA before restructuring charges | 72 874 | 77 375 | 6,2 | |||
EBITDA | 72 874 | 77 375 | 6,2 | |||
Operating profit | 43 484 | 40 293 | (7,3) | |||
Property, plant and equipment | 114 365 | 115 276 | 0,8 | |||
Intangible assets | 200 511 | 187 666 | (6,4) | |||
Gross additions to tangibleand intangible fixed assets | 23 600 | 24 401 | 3,4 | |||
Headcount (closing full equivalent) | 1 782 | 1 779 | (0,2) |
* EBITDA = Earnings before net interest and other charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization
Mobile penetration reached 83.0% in Hungary and T-Mobile Hungary accounts for 47.6% market share in the very competitive mobile market.
Revenues in the mobile segment increased by 4.0% in the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003 due to strong increases in the number of mobile customers. T-Mobile Hungary's customer base surged 11.1% to 3 989 489 subscribers, including 2 877 149 prepaid customers by September 30, 2004. Average monthly usage per T-Mobile Hungary subscriber increased by 1.8% from 112 minutes in 3Q2003 to 114 minutes in 3Q2004. T-Mobile Hungary's ARPU decreased by 6.5% from HUF 5 278 in 3Q2003 to HUF 4 937 in 3Q2004. Interconnection revenues remained stable in the mobile segment. While interconnection fees from Matáv Rt. decreased due to the lower per minute termination fees from September 2003, interconnection fees received from other mobile service providers increased due to higher mobile penetration and traffic.
Operating profit shows a 7.3% decrease. While revenues grew only by HUF 7.4 bn, operating expenses increased by HUF 10.6 bn year over year. The decrease is due to the significant increases in depreciation charges (resulting from the impairment on brand name) and payments to other network operators, partly offset by lower other expenses.
International segment
International segment includes the operations of MakTel, MobiMak, Stonebridge, Telemacedónia, and the goodwill amortization arising from the consolidation of MakTel.
HUF millions | 3Q2003 | 3Q2004 | Change (%) | |||
Revenues | 51 412 | 51 124 | (0,6) | |||
EBITDA before restructuring charges | 28 868 | 27 334 | (5,3) | |||
EBITDA | 28 868 | 23 974 | (17,0) | |||
Operating profit | 18 233 | 10 867 | (40,4) | |||
Property, plant and equipment | 82 869 | 74 482 | (10,1) | |||
Intangible assets | 55 165 | 57 662 | 4,5 | |||
Gross additions to tangibleand intangible fixed assets | 7 427 | 5 303 | (28,6) | |||
Headcount (closing full equivalent) | 3 712 | 3 525 | (5,0) |
* EBITDA = Earnings before net interest and other charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization
MakTel's fixed line subscribers increased by 1.3%, reaching 623 333 at September 30, 2004. Mobile subscribers increased significantly by 50.8% to 693 097, and its Internet subscribers reached 59 603 by September 30, 2004 from 45 324 a year earlier.
Revenues from the international segment slightly decreased to HUF 51.1 bn at September 30, 2004. Domestic traffic revenues decreased mainly due to usage decrease, partly offset by general price increases as tariff rebalancing occurred in May 2003 and in July 2004. Lower international outgoing traffic revenues resulted from decreased usage as well as from lower prices. International incoming traffic revenues decreased as well, mainly due to stronger MKD against the SDR. Mobile revenues showed an increase due to the 47.3% higher average mobile customer base as well as higher enhanced services revenue. The revenue effect of the increase in the number of mobile subscribers was partly offset by lower MOU and lower tariffs. Equipment sales revenues increased significantly due to the higher number of mobile gross additions and higher average price of phonesets at MobiMak.
Total operating expenses increased significantly by 21.3%, mainly because of increases in employee-related expenses (severance provision), depreciation and amortization, payments to other network operators as well as increased cost of equipment sales.
In 2003, MakTel reviewed the useful life of its property, plant and equipment. The review resulted in generally shorter useful lives for mainly telecommunications equipment than applied earlier and, as a consequence, higher monthly depreciation charges.
Company name: | Matáv Rt. | Tel.: | +36 (1)-458-04-24 |
Company address: | H-1013 Budapest Krisztina krt. 55. | Telefax: | +36 (1)-458-04-43 |
Sector: | Telecommunications | E-mail: | investor.relations@ln.matav.hu |
Reporting period: | January 1, 2004 - September 30, 2004 | Investor Relations manager: | Szabolcs Czenthe |
PK1. General information about financial data
Yes | No | ||
Audited | X | ||
Consolidated | X | ||
Hungarian | IFRS | Other | |
Accounting principles | X |
PK2. Consolidated Companies with direct ownership of Matáv Rt.
Name | Equity / Registered Capital (mHUF) | Interest held (direct and indirect) | Voting right | Classification | |||
Stonebridge | 349 mEUR | 92,55% | 92,55% | L | |||
T-Mobile Magyarország Távközlési Rt. | 8 031 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Matávcom | 6 158 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Axelero | 1 906 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
InvesTel | 4 862 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Emitel | 3 110 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Vidanet | 2 000 | 90,00% | 49,99% | L | |||
Egertel | 1 425 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
MatávkábelTV | 920 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Rába Szolgáltatóház | 615 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
EPT | 777 | 97,20% | 97,20% | L | |||
Kis-Astrasat | 300 | 90,00% | 49,90% | L | |||
Cardnet | 58 | 72,00% | 72,00% | L | |||
Tele-Data | 39 | 50,99% | 50,99% | L | |||
ProMoKom | 21 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Mindentudás Egyeteme Kht. | 5 | 60,00% | 60,00% | L | |||
BCN | 3 | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Viabridge Telecommunications Holding Ltd. | 0 251 mEUR | 100,00% | 100,00% | L | |||
Telemacedónia | 0,01 mEUR | 88,00% | 88,00% | L |
PK6. Significant off-balance sheet items
Description | Value (HUF million) | |
Future finance lease obligations | 1 275 | |
Future obligations from rentaland operating lease contracts | 36 252 | |
Futureobligation from capex contracts | 14 877 | |
Other future obligations | 197 |
TSZ2/1. Changes in the headcount (number of persons) employed
End of reference period | Current period opening | Current period closing | ||||
Company | 8 281 | 8 071 | 7 956 | |||
Group | 15 175 | 14 710 | 14 695 |
TSZ2/2. Changes in the headcount (number of persons) employed in full time by the company/group
Start of the business year | End of the I. quarter | End of the II. quarter | End of the III. quarter | End of the business year | ||||||
Company | 8 071 | 8 043 | 8 013 | 7 956 | ||||||
Group | 14 710 | 14 838 | 14 789 | 14 695 |
RS1. Ownership Structure, Ratio of Holdings and Votes
Description of owners | Total equity | |||||||||||
Year Opening(January 1st , 2004) | Closing(Sep 30th, 2004) | |||||||||||
Owner-
ship ratio% |
Voting right% | No. of shares |
Owner-
ship ratio% |
Voting right% |
No. of
shares |
|||||||
Domestic institution/company | 14,01 | 14,07 | 146 060 542 | 4,59 | 4,61 | 47 855 094 | ||||||
Foreign institution/company | 84,04 | 84,44 | 876 416 274 | 84,51 | 84,91 | 881 315 965 | ||||||
Domestic individual | 0,02 | 0,02 | 204 057 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0 | ||||||
Foreign individual | 0,00 | 0,00 | 200 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0 | ||||||
Employees, senior officers | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | ||||||
Treasury Shares | 0,47 | 0,00 | 4 900 000 | 0,47 | 0,00 | 4 900 000 | ||||||
Government Institutions | 0,15 | 0,15 | 1 570 585 | 0,09 | 0,09 | 898 666 | ||||||
International Development Institutions | 1,29 | 1,30 | 13 495 276 | 1,29 | 1,30 | 13 495 276 | ||||||
Not registered | 0,02 | 0,02 | 164 666 | 6,80 | 6,83 | 70 940 100 | ||||||
Depositaries | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0 | 2,24 | 2,25 | 23 332 591 | ||||||
Other | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0 | 0,01 | 0,01 | 73 908 | ||||||
"B" Share | 0,00 | 0,00 | 1 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 1 | ||||||
TO T A L | 100,00 | 100,00 | 1 042 811 601 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 1 042 811 601 |
*Category "Not registered" includes shares deposited on accounts where account holder is not specified. The owners of these shares are mainly foreign, partly domestic institutions.
**Category "Depositaries" includes shares recorded on depositaries' accounts on behalf of shareholders. The owners of these shares are mainly domestic private investors.
RS2. Volume (qty) of treasury shares held in the year under review
1, January | 31, March | 30, June | 30, September | 31, December | ||||||
Company | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 | ||||||
Subsidiaries | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
TOTAL | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 | 4 900 000 |
RS3. List and description of shareholders with more than 5% (at the end of period)
Name | Nationality | Activity | Quantity | Interest (%) | Voting right (%) | Remarks | ||
MagyarCom Holding GmbH | Foreign | Institutional | 617 478 081 | 59,21 | 59,49 | Strategic owner | ||
JP Morgan Chase Bank | Foreign | Depository | 128 222 910 | 12,30 | 12,35 | ADR Depository |
TSZ3. Senior officers, strategic employees
Type* | Name | Position | Beginning of assignment | End / termination of assignment | No. of shares held | |
SE BM | Elek Straub | Chairman-CEO Board Member | July 17, 1995 May 24, 1995 | - | 76 338 | |
SE BM | Dr. Klaus Hartmann | Chief Financial Officer Board Member | December 5, 2000 April 27, 2000 | - | 8 000 | |
BM | Achim Berg | Board Member | April 28, 2004 | - | 0 | |
BM | Dr. István Földesi | Board Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 0 | |
BM | Michael Günther | Board Member | April 26, 2002 | - | 0 | |
BM | Horst Hermann | Board MemberRemuneration Committee Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 400 | |
BM | Dr. Mihály Patai | Board MemberRemuneration Committee Member | April 28, 1998 | - | 58 190 | |
BM | Dr. Ralph Rentschler | Board MemberRemuneration Committee Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 0 | |
BM | Dr. György Surányi | Board Member | April 28, 2004 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Dr. László Pap | Supervisory Board - ChairmanAudit Committee - Chairman | May 26, 1997 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Böhm Géza | Supervisory Board Member | April 26, 2002 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Attila Csizmadia | Supervisory Board Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 6 272 | |
SBM | Arne Freund | Supervisory Board Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Wolfgang Hauptmann | Supervisory Board MemberAudit Committee Member | April 25, 2003 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Gellért Kadlót | Supervisory Board Member | April 26, 2002 | - | 700 | |
SBM | Joachim Kregel | Supervisory Board MemberAudit Committee Member | April 27, 2001 | September 30, 2004 - | 0 | |
SBM | Dr. Klaus Nitschke | Supervisory Board Member | April 26, 2002 | - | 0 | |
SBM | Péter Vermes | Supervisory Board Member | June 27, 1995 | - | 8 800 | |
SE | László Bodnár | ChiefServices and Logistics Officer | March 16, 1999 | - | 881 | |
SE | Peter Janeck | Chief Technical Officer and Chief Officer, Network Systems | July 12, 2004 | - | 0 | |
SE | Christopher Mattheisen | ResidentialServices LOB Chief Officer | September 1, 2002 | - | 0 | |
SE | Dr. Tamás Pásztory | Chief HumanResources and Legal Officer | February 1, 1996 | - | 0 | |
SE | Zoltán Tankó | BusinessServices LOB Chief Officer | January 1, 2002 | - | 1 100 | |
Own share property TOTAL: | 160 681 |
* Strategic Employee (SE), Board Member (BM), Supervisory Board Member (SBM)
Members of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Board serve until May 31, 2007, unless otherwise stated.
ST1. Extraordinary reports published in the period under review
Date | Subject matter, brief summary |
January 13, 2004 | Matáv announced that the Communications Authority published its approval of the new reference unbundling, interconnection andleased line interconnection offers. |
February 23, 2004 | Matáv announced that its subsidiary, Makedonski Telekomunikacii (MakTel) held its Annual General Meeting and among other items it has made a decision on dividend payment in a total amount of MKD 2.5 billion. |
March 22, 2004 | Matáv announced that the Board of Directors will propose to shareholders a dividend payment of HUF 70 per share (par value HUF 100) forthe financial year 2003. |
March 22, 2004 | Matáv announced that final decision has been made on the rebranding of Westel as T-Mobile Hungary. The one-step rebranding will commence on May 1, 2004. |
March 31, 2004 | Matáv announced that Manfred Ohl, Chief Technical Officer of Matáv leaves his position on April 30, 2004. |
April 22, 2004 | Matáv announced that the Board of the Hungarian National Communications Authority (NCA) has published its draft resolution concerning the new reference interconnection andleased line interconnection offer. |
April 28, 2004 | Matáv held its Annual General Meeting and among other items it has made a decision on dividend payment of HUF 70 per share (par value HUF 100) forthe financial year 2003. |
May 10, 2004 | Matáv announced that SEEF Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of Soros Investment Capital has decided to exercise its put option with respect toits shareholding in Stonebridge. |
May 19, 2004 | The Matáv Board of Directors extended the CEO post of Mr. Elek Straub to June 30, 2008. |
May 19, 2004 | Matáv announced the signature of a loan agreement with Deutsche Telekom on a short-term Hungarian forint-denominated loan. |
May 21, 2004 | Matáv announced the rules of dividend payment after thefiscal year of 2003. |
May 21, 2004 | Matáv announced the rules of dematerialisation of the company's ordinary printed shares. |
May 21, 2004 | Matáv announced the completion and rules of conversion of ordinary shares with a nominal value of HUF 10 000 to ordinary shares with a nominalvalue of HUF 100. |
June 1, 2004 | Matáv announced the signature of a loan agreement with Deutsche Telekom Group for a Hungarian forint-denominated loan. The loan will be used to partially finance Matáv's dividend payment. |
June 15, 2004 | Matáv announced that the Board of the Hungarian National Communications Authority has published its draft resolution concerning thenew reference unbundling offer. |
June 16, 2004 | Matáv made an agreement with IKO Media Group to form a joint holding. The aim of this venture is to facilitate a common offering of interactive solutions and value added content services and to unite the stakes that both companies currently own inHungarian RTL Television Company. |
June 30, 2004 | Matáv's Board of Directors appointed Peter Janeck as the new Chief Technical Officer and head of the Network Systems Line of Business, effective July 12, 2004. |
July 15, 2004 | Matáv signed an agreement with T-Systems International on the establishment of a joint venture and international carrier cooperation. T-Systems Hungary, the Hungarian subsidiary of T-Systems International, and Matáv also reached anagreement on strategic partnership. |
August 12, 2004 | Matáv announcedstrategic targets for 2006. |
August 23, 2004 | Matáv announced the refinancing of its expiring loan through a financing agreement with Deutsche Telekom in the amountof HUF 64 billion. |
August 31, 2004 | Matáv announced that the National Communications Authority published the tender notice for Hungarian UMTS frequency licenses.. |
September 20, 2004 | Matáv announced that the extent and timing of the 2005-2006 headcount reduction by the parentcompany have been determined. |
September 27, 2004 | Matáv announced that paper shares of the companyhave been successfully dematerialized |
September 28, 2004 | Matáv announced that conversion of ordinary shares with a nominal value of HUF 10 000 to ordinary shares with a nominal value of HUF100 have been completed. |
October 1, 2004 | Matáv announced that Mr. Joachim Kregel has resigned from the SupervisoryBoard and Audit Committee. |
October 6, 2004 | Matáv's Board of Directors authorised the company's management to sign a strategic co-operation agreement with Deutsche Telekom AG and with T-Mobile International. |
October 22, 2004 | Matáv entered into an agreement with CosmoTelco regardingits stake in Stonebridge. |
October 25, 2004 | Matáv's Supervisory Board elected Mr. Arne Freund to be a member of Matáv's Audit Committee. He will also serve as the financial expertin the Audit Committee. |
Matáv Rt. publishes its announcements in Magyar Tőkepiac.
Change in the organizational structure
There was no significant change in the organizational structure during the period.