SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 |
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the month of May 2005
Matav
Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Translation of registrants name into English) |
42 Pinkas Street
North Industrial Park
P.O. Box 13600
Netanya 42134
Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
Matav Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2005
NETANYA, Israel, May 25, 2005 Matav Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Nasdaq: MATV), a leading Israeli provider of digital cable television services, today reported first-quarter 2005 financial results. Revenues for the first-quarter reached NIS 137.5 million (US$31.5 million) compared with NIS 147.6 million (US$33.9 million) for the first quarter of 2004 and NIS 140.4 million (US$32.2 million) for the fourth quarter of 2004. The decrease in revenues is a result of increased competition in the Israeli multi-channel television market as evident in Matavs certain subscriber loss in the period. However, Matav reported an increase in Internet subscribers reaching over 95,000 subscribers to date.
Matavs financial results are not consolidated with Hot Telecom (Matavs telephony & corporate data joint partnership with the two other Israeli cable companies). Hot Telecoms revenues in the first quarter reached NIS 6.5 million (US$1.5 million), as compared to NIS 9 million (US$2 million) for the entire year 2004. Matavs part in Hot Telecoms revenues for the first quarter was NIS 1.7 (US$0.4 million). As of now, over 13,000 subscribers joined this brand new telephony service.
First-quarter operating expenses decreased to NIS 118.1 million (US$27.1 million) from NIS 120.3 million (US$27.6 million) in first-quarter 2004. The decrease in operating expenses is mainly due to lower depreciation costs and content expenses. This decrease was partially off-set by an increase in other operating expenses related to the broadening of the Companys activities.
First-quarter gross profit totaled NIS 19.3 million (US$4.4 million) compared with NIS 27.4 million (US$6.3 million) in first-quarter 2004 and NIS 21.3 million (US$4.9 million) for the fourth-quarter of 2004.
First-quarter selling and marketing expenses totaled NIS 14.6 million (US$3.4 million), compared with NIS 14.9 million (US$3.4 million) for first-quarter 2004. The high level of selling and marketing expenses is related to the continued competition in the multi-channel television market.
First-quarter G&A expenses decreased by 5.4% to NIS 9.6 million (US$2.2 million) from NIS 10.1 million (US$2.3 million) in first-quarter 2004.
First-quarter EBITDA reached NIS 27.9 million (US$6.4 million) compared with NIS 36.3 million (US$8.3 million) in first-quarter 2004.
As of March 31, 2005, Matav had 254,157 subscribers, compared with 257,344 at December 31, 2004. During first-quarter 2005, the companys ARPU reached NIS 201.6 (monthly, including 17% value-added tax) compared to NIS 207.4 in the first quarter of 2004 and NIS 202.7 in the fourth quarter of 2004. The decrease in the Companys ARPU is mainly due to the market share strategy undertaken by the company since June 2004 until March 2005.
First-quarter financing expenses declined to NIS 11.8 million (US$2.7 million) from NIS 12.3 million (US$2.8 million) in the comparable quarter of 2004. The decrease is attributed to two factors: a reduction in the Companys net debt and a decrease in interest rates.
Matavs share in affiliated companies profits for the first quarter of 2005 totaled NIS 3.3 million (US$0.8 million). This includes a profit of NIS 5 million (US$1.2 million) related to Partner Communications and a loss of NIS 1.7 million (US$0.4 million) related to Hot Telecom. Matavs share in affiliated companies profits for the first quarter of 2004 totaled NIS3.6 million (US$0.8 million). In April 2005, Matav exercised its option to participate in the share buyback of Partner Communications Company Ltd. Matav sold to Partner 7,783,444 ordinary shares of Partner for a total consideration of approximately NIS 250 million (US$57.3 million). Matav expects to recognize on this sale a capital gain (net of tax impact) of approximately NIS 115 million (US$26.4 million) in the second quarter of 2005. Matav still holds approximately 1.9 million ordinary shares of Partner, almost all of which are subject to transfer restrictions under Partners communications license.
Matav reported first-quarter net loss of NIS 13.3 million (US$3 million), or NIS 0.44 (US$0.1) per ordinary share, compared with a net loss of NIS 7.0 million (US$1.6 million), or NIS 0.23 (US$0.05) per ordinary share, for the year-ago quarter.
Matavs Chairman of the Board, Meir Srebernik, commented The first quarter of 2005 was characterized by continued intense competition in the Israeli multi-channel television market. During this quarter, as part of our triple-play strategy, we began to market our integrated offering that combines: telecommunications, Internet, and television services, under one platform. In this way, we offer a one-stop shop for all these communication services. We believe that this is the beginning of a new era in the Israeli communication market.
In addition, during the quarter we allocated substantial company resources in launching three new television services: VoD (video on demand), high-definition broadcasting, and PVR (personal video recorder). I am happy to note that we are receiving very enthusiastic responses to these new services. In particular, we have received a record-high demand for our VoD service. Looking forward to 2005, I believe that our triple-play strategy will stimulate continued growth of our revenues, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and therefore our subscriber loss rate will continue to diminish .
Management will conduct a teleconference today at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. To participate, please dial +1-866-860-9642 in the United States and +972-3-9180610 internationally, several minutes prior to the start of the conference.
Matav is one of Israels three cable television providers, serving roughly 25 percent of the population. Matavs current investments include 1.2 percent of Partner Communications Ltd., a GSM mobile phone company and 10 percent of Barak I.T.C. (1995) Ltd., one of the three international telephony providers in Israel.
(This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the Companys business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Matav Cable only, and are subject to risk and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in technology and market requirements, decline in demand for the Companys products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risk and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Companys reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.)
Ori Gur-Arieh, Counsel
Matav Cable Systems
Telephone: +972-9-860-2261
Ayelet Shaked Shiloni
Integrated IR
Telephone US: +1-866-447-8633 / Israel: +972-3-635-6790
E-Mail: ayelet@integratedir.com
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
December 31, |
March 31, |
Convenience translation March 31 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 |
2004 |
2005 |
2005 | |||||||||||
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
Reported (1) |
||||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 24,250 | 27,242 | 1,157 | 265 | ||||||||||
Short-term deposit | 50 | - | 50 | 11 | ||||||||||
Trade receivables | 75,458 | 83,008 | 78,807 | 18,071 | ||||||||||
Other accounts receivables | 20,010 | 21,361 | 21,767 | 4,991 | ||||||||||
Total current assets | 119,768 | 131,611 | 101,781 | 23,338 | ||||||||||
INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES: | ||||||||||||||
Investments in affiliates | 101,736 | 72,100 | 117,992 | 27,056 | ||||||||||
Investment in limited partnerships | 1,656 | 1,597 | 1,629 | 374 | ||||||||||
Rights to broadcast movies and programs | 26,509 | 45,910 | 34,887 | 8,000 | ||||||||||
Other receivables | 601 | 885 | 597 | 137 | ||||||||||
Investments in other company | - | 16,241 | - | - | ||||||||||
130,502 | 136,733 | 155,105 | 35,567 | |||||||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: | ||||||||||||||
Cost | 2,119,060 | 2,050,836 | 2,153,126 | 493,723 | ||||||||||
Less - accumulated depreciation | 1,293,549 | 1,188,156 | 1,328,036 | 304,526 | ||||||||||
825,511 | 862,680 | 825,090 | 189,197 | |||||||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES, NET | 3,101 | 3,710 | 2,933 | 673 | ||||||||||
1,078,882 | 1,134,734 | 1,084,909 | 248,775 | |||||||||||
(1) Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
December 31, |
March 31, |
Convenience translation March 31 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 |
2004 |
2005 |
2005 | |||||||||||
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
Reported (1) |
||||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Bank credit | 465,339 | 413,374 | 469,564 | 107,673 | ||||||||||
Current maturities of debentures | 34,005 | 33,634 | 33,904 | 7,774 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals: | ||||||||||||||
Trade | 104,282 | 108,735 | 112,516 | 25,801 | ||||||||||
Jointly controlled entity - current account | 18,112 | 18,374 | 18,265 | 4,188 | ||||||||||
Other | 201,943 | 167,240 | 210,009 | 48,156 | ||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 823,681 | 741,357 | 844,258 | 193,592 | ||||||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Loans and debentures (net of current maturities): | ||||||||||||||
Loans from bank and others | 101,457 | 126,056 | 100,940 | 23,146 | ||||||||||
Debentures | 33,201 | 66,101 | 33,220 | 7,618 | ||||||||||
Customers' deposits for converters, net of | ||||||||||||||
accumulated amortization | 20,279 | 24,974 | 19,251 | 4,414 | ||||||||||
Accrued severance pay, net | 2,483 | 2,503 | 2,716 | 623 | ||||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 157,420 | 219,634 | 156,127 | 35,801 | ||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
Share capital | 48,899 | 48,893 | 48,899 | 11,213 | ||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 375,538 | 375,527 | 375,538 | 86,113 | ||||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (326,656 | ) | (250,677 | ) | (339,913 | ) | (77,944 | ) | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 97,781 | 173,743 | 84,524 | 19,382 | ||||||||||
1,078,882 | 1,134,734 | 1,084,909 | 248,775 | |||||||||||
(1) Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except
per share and per ADS data)
Year ended December 31 |
Three months ended March 31, |
Convenience translation Three months ended March 31 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
2004 |
2004 |
2005 |
2005 | |||||||||||
Reported (1) |
||||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
Revenues | 584,564 | 147,637 | 137,464 | 31,521 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | 472,488 | 120,265 | 118,120 | 27,086 | ||||||||||
Gross profit | 112,076 | 27,372 | 19,344 | 4,435 | ||||||||||
Selling, marketing, general and | ||||||||||||||
administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing | 63,676 | 14,886 | 14,618 | 3,352 | ||||||||||
General and administrative | 45,391 | 10,115 | 9,566 | 2,194 | ||||||||||
109,067 | 25,001 | 24,184 | 5,546 | |||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 3,009 | 2,371 | (4,840 | ) | (1,111 | ) | ||||||||
Financial expenses, net | (50,333 | ) | (12,257 | ) | (11,796 | ) | (2,705 | ) | ||||||
Other income )expenses), net | (42,680 | ) | (758 | ) | 143 | 33 | ||||||||
Loss before taxes on income | (90,004 | ) | (10,644 | ) | (16,493 | ) | (3,783 | ) | ||||||
Taxes on income | 7,281 | - | 46 | 11 | ||||||||||
Loss from operations of the Company and | ||||||||||||||
its subsidiaries | (97,285 | ) | (10,644 | ) | (16,539 | ) | (3,794 | ) | ||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net | 14,301 | 3,639 | 3,282 | 753 | ||||||||||
Net loss | (82,984 | ) | (7,005 | ) | (13,257 | ) | (3,041 | ) | ||||||
Loss per ordinary share | (2.83 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.44 | ) | (0.10 | ) | ||||||
Loss per ADS | (5.66 | ) | (0.46 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.20 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average number of shares | ||||||||||||||
outstanding in thousands | 29,360 | 30,215 | 30,221 | 30,221 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of ADSs | ||||||||||||||
outstanding in thousands | 14,680 | 15,108 | 15,110 | 15,110 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 3,009 | 2,371 | (4,840 | ) | (1,111 | ) | ||||||||
Net of the effect of proportional consolidation | (2,280 | ) | (2,044 | ) | (1,029 | ) | (236 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization (including income | ||||||||||||||
from amortization of deposits for converters) | 138,915 | 35,956 | 33,796 | 7,750 | ||||||||||
Memo EBITDA(*) - not including | ||||||||||||||
proportional consolidation | 139,644 | 36,283 | 27,927 | 6,403 | ||||||||||
(1) Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(*) EBITDA is presented because it is a measure commonly used in the telecommunications industry and is presented solely in order to improve the understanding of the Companys operating results and to provide further a perspective regarding these results. EBITDA, however, should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or income for the period or as an indicator of the operating performance of the Company. Similarly, EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies.
EBITDA may not be indicative of the historic operating results of the Company nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. |
Reconciliation between the operating profit in the financial statements and EBIDTA is presented in the attached summary financial statements. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
25 May 2005 |
Matav- Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Registrant) BY: /S/ Amit Levin Amit Levin Chief Executive Officer |
Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature