B Communications Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2016

RAMAT GAN, Israel, March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- B Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market and TASE: BCOM), a holding company with a controlling interest in Israel's largest telecommunications provider, Bezeq, The Israel Telecommunication Corporation Ltd. (TASE: BEZQ), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

"2016 was a great year for B Communications as we improved our financial position significantly. During the year, we upgraded our Israeli credit rating to AA3, provided our equity investors with an amazing 12% dividend yield, and continued to deleverage our long term debt structure. We feel very comfortable with Bezeq's 2017 guidance which was released this morning and believe that during 2017 we will be able to continue to meet our main goals, by continuing to both deleverage our debt and create value for our shareholders," said Doron Turgeman, CEO of B Communications.

Private Placement of Series C Debentures: On January 11, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of NIS 118 million par value of its Series C Debentures to Israeli institutional investors for an aggregate consideration of approximately NIS 118 million ($31 million). The private placement was carried out as an increase to the outstanding Series C Debentures, which were first issued in September 2016 and have identical terms.

Dividend from Bezeq: On October 6, 2016, Bezeq distributed NIS 665 million ($173 million) to shareholders of record as of September 20, 2016. B Communications' share of the dividend distribution was NIS 175 million ($46 million).

In accordance with Bezeq's dividend policy, its Board of Directors recommended the distribution of 100% of its profits for the second half of 2016 as a cash dividend of NIS 578 million ($150 million) to its shareholders. The dividend, which is subject to shareholder approval, is expected to be paid on May 29, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2017. B Communications is expected to receive approximately NIS 152 million ($40 million) if the dividend distribution is approved.

Financial Liabilities and Liquidity: As of December 31, 2016, B Communications' unconsolidated liquidity balances (comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments and funds deposited in a pledged account) totaled NIS 435 million ($113 million) and its financial liabilities totaled NIS 2.6 billion ($677 million), including NIS 1.9 billion ($489 million) of the Series C Debentures, NIS 693 million ($180 million) of Series B Debentures (the totals for both series include accrued interest and unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs) and a NIS 30 million ($8 million) tax liability.

B Communications' Unconsolidated Balance Sheet Data

(1)   Account previously pledged as collateral to the security agent for the benefit of the holders of the 7⅜% Senior Secured Notes (the "Notes"). After the full redemption of the Notes in October 2016, the Pledged account is solely for the benefit of the holders of the Series C Debentures. According to the indenture for the Series C Debentures the account is required to include sufficient funds to meet the next interest payment due to the holders of those debentures.

B Communications Unconsolidated Sources and Uses

B Communications Fourth Quarter and Full Year Consolidated Financial Results

B Communications' consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled NIS 2.5 billion ($651 million), a 3.9% decrease compared to the NIS 2.6 billion reported in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year 2016, B Communications' revenues totaled NIS 10.1 billion ($2.6 billion), a 1.0% increase compared to NIS 10.0 billion reported in 2015. The increase in 2016 was due to the consolidation of Yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015, partially offset by a decrease in revenues in all of the Bezeq Group's segments and primarily at Pelephone. For both the current and the prior-year periods, B Communications' consolidated revenues consisted entirely of Bezeq's revenues.

B Communications' consolidated operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled NIS 369 million ($96 million), a 1.1% decrease compared to NIS 373 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year 2016, B Communications' consolidated operating profit totaled NIS 1.8 billion ($481 million), an 8.4% decrease compared with NIS 2.0 billion reported in 2015.

B Communications' consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled NIS 78 million ($20 million), a 74.4% decrease compared with NIS 305 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year 2016, B Communications' consolidated net profit totaled NIS 475 million ($124 million), a 58.2% decrease compared with NIS 1.14 billion reported in 2015. The decrease was due to Bezeq's lower net profit in 2016 compared with 2015 and due to the one-time refinancing expenses related to the early redemption of the 7⅜% Senior Secured Notes ("Notes").

B Communications Fourth Quarter and Full Year Unconsolidated Financial Results

As of December 31, 2016, B Communications held approximately 26.3% of Bezeq's outstanding shares.  B Communications' interest in Bezeq's net profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled NIS 49 million ($14 million), compared with NIS 113 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015 (based on the Company's then 31% ownership interest in Bezeq as of December 31, 2015). For the full year 2016, B Communications' interest in Bezeq's net profit totaled NIS 332 million ($86 million), a 37.2% decrease compared with NIS 529 million reported in 2015.

During the fourth quarter and full year of 2016, B Communications recorded net amortization expenses of NIS 22 million ($6 million) and NIS 72 million ($19 million), respectively, related to its Bezeq purchase price allocation ("Bezeq PPA"). From April 14, 2010, the date of the acquisition of its interest in Bezeq, until December 31, 2016, B Communications has amortized approximately 76% of the total Bezeq PPA. The Bezeq PPA amortization expense is a non-cash expense that is subject to adjustment.

B Communications' unconsolidated net financial expenses for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled NIS 22 million ($6 million) compared with net financial expenses of NIS 84 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. B Communications incurred financial expenses of NIS 28 million ($7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2016 related to its Series B and C debentures. These expenses were partially offset by financial income of NIS 6 million ($1 million) generated by short term investments.

B Communications unconsolidated net financial expenses for 2016 totaled NIS 488 million ($127 million) compared with NIS 293 million in 2015. These expenses consisted of NIS 270 million ($70 million) one-time refinancing expenses related to the early redemption of the Notes and NIS 228 million ($60 million) financing expenses related to the Notes and the Series B and C debentures. These expenses were partially offset by financial income of NIS 10 million ($3 million) generated by short term investments.

B Communications' net profit attributable to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 3 million ($1 million) compared with NIS 103 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015.

For the full year 2016, B Communications' net loss attributable to shareholders totaled NIS 237 million ($62 million) compared to net profit attributable to shareholders of NIS 210 million in 2015. The loss in 2016 was due to Bezeq's lower net profit in 2016 compared with 2015 and due to the one-time refinancing expenses related to the early redemption of the Notes.

Bezeq Group Results (Consolidated)

To provide further insight into its results, the Company is providing the following summary of the consolidated financial report of the Bezeq Group for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For a full discussion of Bezeq's results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016, please refer to its website: http://ir.bezeq.co.il.

Revenues of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 10.08 billion ($2.62 billion) compared to NIS 9.99 billion in 2015, an increase of 1.0%. The increase was due to the consolidation of Yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015, which was partially offset by a decrease in revenues in all of the Bezeq Group segments and primarily at Pelephone.

Revenues of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 were NIS 2.50 billion ($651 million), compared to NIS 2.61 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 3.9%. The decrease was due to lower revenues in all of the Bezeq Group segments and primarily at Pelephone.

Salary expenses of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 2.01 billion ($523 million) compared to NIS 1.96 billion in 2015, an increase of 2.8%. The increase was primarily due to the consolidation of Yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015.

Salary expenses of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 were NIS 503 million ($131 million), compared to NIS 515 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 2.3%.

Operating expenses of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 4.01 billion ($1.04 billion) compared to NIS 3.87 billion in 2015, an increase of 3.7%. The increase was primarily due to the consolidation of Yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015, partially offset by a decrease in expenses in most of the Bezeq Group segments and primarily at Pelephone.

Operating expenses of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 were NIS 1.03 billion ($267 million) compared to NIS 1.07 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 3.7%. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in interconnect fees and payments to telecom operators, and decreased terminal equipment and marketing expenses, which expenses were partially offset by an increase in content and sub-contractor expenses.

Other operating income, net of the Bezeq Group in 2016 was NIS nil compared with NIS 95 million in 2015.  The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in capital gains from the sale of real estate at Bezeq Fixed-Line.

Other operating expenses, net of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 amounted to NIS 33 million ($9 million), compared to NIS 76 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015. The decrease was due to a reduction in the provision for the early retirement of employees at Bezeq Fixed-Line.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 1.74 billion ($452 million) compared to NIS 1.68 billion in 2015, an increase of 3.3%.  The increase was primarily due to the consolidation of Yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015 and the amortization of the surplus acquisition costs incurred as a result of the increase in Bezeq's ownership interest in Yes to a controlling stake, which was partially offset by a reduction in depreciation expenses at Pelephone.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 were NIS 408 million ($106 million), compared to NIS 459 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 11.1%. The decrease was due to a reduction in depreciation and amortization expenses in all group segments.

Operating profit of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 2.32 billion ($604 million) compared to NIS 2.57 billion in 2015, a decrease of 9.7%.  Operating profit of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 532 million ($138 million) compared to NIS 488 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, an increase of 9.0%.

Financing expenses, net of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 447 million ($116 million), compared to NIS 263 million in 2015, an increase of 70.0%. Financing expenses, net of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 amounted to NIS 136 million ($35 million) compared to financing income of NIS 3 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015. The increase was primarily due to the cancellation of a provision in 2015 for accumulated interest on taxes owed for prior years relating to financing income from Yes pursuant to an agreement with the Israeli Tax Authorities, as well as an increase in the provision for contingent consideration to Eurocom in the fourth quarter of 2016 in connection with the acquisition of Eurocom's stake in Yes.

Tax expenses of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 625 million ($163 million) compared to NIS 598 million in 2015, an increase of 4.5%. The increase in tax expenses was due to a decrease in deferred tax asset resulting from a reduction in corporate tax rates in the amount of NIS 143 million ($37 million), partially offset by a decrease in tax expenses at Bezeq Fixed-Line.

Tax expenses of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 were NIS 210 million ($55 million) compared to NIS 119 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, an increase of 76.5%. The increase in tax expenses was due to the aforementioned recognition of the one-time deferred tax expense resulting from the reduction in corporate tax rates.

Net profit of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 1.24 billion ($324 million) compared to NIS 1.72 billion in 2015, a decrease of 27.7%.

Net profit of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 185 million ($48 million) compared to NIS 369 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 49.9%.

EBITDA of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 4.06 billion ($1.06 billion) (EBITDA margin of 40.3%) compared to NIS 4.25 billion (EBITDA margin of 42.6%) in 2015, a decrease of 4.6%.

EBITDA of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 940 million ($244 million) (EBITDA margin of 37.5%) compared to NIS 947 million (EBITDA margin of 36.3%) in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 0.7%.

Cash flow from operating activities of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 3.53 billion ($917 million) compared to NIS 3.74 billion in 2015, a decrease of 5.7%. The decrease was primarily due to changes in working capital partially offset by the consolidation of yes beginning in the second quarter of 2015.

Cash flow from operating activities of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 832 million ($216 million) compared to NIS 889 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 6.4%.

Payments for investments (Capex) of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 1.42 billion ($368 million) compared to NIS 1.64 billion in 2015, a decrease of 13.4%. The decrease was due to a reduction in investments in all Bezeq Group segments and specifically at Pelephone, mainly due to payments made in 2015 for LTE 4G frequencies.

Capex of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 335 million ($87 million) compared to NIS 329 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, an increase of 1.8%.

Free cash flow of the Bezeq Group in 2016 totaled NIS 2.25 billion ($585 million) compared to NIS 2.26 billion in 2015, a decrease of 0.4%.

Free cash flow of the Bezeq Group in the fourth quarter of 2016 was NIS 513 million ($133 million) compared to NIS 592 million in the corresponding quarter of 2015, a decrease of 13.3%.

Total debt of the Bezeq Group as of December 31, 2016 was NIS 11.0 billion ($2.8 billion) compared to NIS 10.7 billion as of December 31, 2015.

Net debt of the Bezeq Group was NIS 9.72 billion ($2.53 billion) as of December 31, 2016 compared to NIS 9.40 billion as of December 31, 2015.

Net debt to EBITDA (trailing twelve months) ratio of the Bezeq Group as of December 31, 2016, was 2.39, compared to 2.21 as of December 31, 2015.

Notes:

Convenience translation to U.S Dollars

Unless noted specifically otherwise, the dollar denominated figures were converted to US$ using a convenience translation based on the New Israeli Shekel (NIS)/US$ exchange rate of NIS 3.845 = US$ 1 as published by the Bank of Israel for December 31, 2016.

Use of non-IFRS financial measures

We and the Bezeq Group's management regularly use supplemental non-IFRS financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate its business and make operating decisions. The following non-IFRS measures are provided in the press release and accompanying supplemental information because management believes these measurements are useful for investors and financial institutions to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating performance:

• EBITDA - defined as net profit plus net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and  amortization;
• EBITDA trailing twelve months - defined as net profit plus net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and  amortization during last twelve months;
• Net debt - defined as long and short term liabilities minus cash and cash equivalents and short term investments; and
• Net debt to EBITDA ratio - defined as net debt divided by the trailing twelve months EBITDA.
• Free Cash Flow (FCF) - defined as cash from operating activities less cash for the purchase/sale of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, net;

These non-IFRS financial measures may differ materially from the non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies.

The Bezeq Group defines EBITDA as net profit before financial income (expenses), net, impairment and other charges, expenses recorded for stock compensation in accordance with IFRS 2, income tax expenses and depreciation and amortization. We present the Bezeq Group's EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe that it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structure, tax positions (such as the impact of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age of, and depreciation expenses associated with, fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense).

EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net profit or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account our debt service requirements and other commitments, including capital expenditures, and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. In addition, EBITDA, as presented in this press release, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the way that these measures are calculated.

Management of Bezeq believes that free cash flow is an important measure of its liquidity as well as its ability to service long-term debt, fund future growth and to provide a return to shareholders. We also believe this free cash flow definition does not have any material limitations. Free cash flow is a financial index which is not based on IFRS. Free cash flow is defined as cash from operating activities less cash for the purchase/sale of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, net.

Bezeq also uses the net debt and net debt to EBITDA trailing twelve months ratio to analyze its financial capacity for further leverage and in analyzing the company's business and financial condition. Net debt reflects long and short term liabilities minus cash and cash equivalents and investments.

Reconciliations between the Bezeq Group's results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis with respect to these non-IFRS measurements are provided in tables immediately following the Company's consolidated results. The non-IFRS financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable IFRS measures, and should be read only in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

About B Communications Ltd.

B Communications is a holding company with a controlling interest in Israel's largest telecommunications provider, Bezeq, The Israel Telecommunication Corp. (TASE: BEZQ). B Communications shares are traded on NASDAQ and the TASE under the symbol "BCOM." For more information please visit the following Internet sites:

www.bcommunications.co.il  
www.ir.bezeq.co.il   
www.eurocom.co.il  
www.igld.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the industry, changes in the regulatory and legal compliance environments, the failure to manage growth and other risks detailed from time to time in B Communications' filings with the Securities Exchange Commission.  These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements.  Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.  We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

Designated Disclosure with Respect to the Company's Projected Cash Flows

In connection with the issuance of our Series C Debentures in September 2016, we undertook to comply with the "hybrid model disclosure requirements" as determined by the Israeli Securities Authority and as described in the prospectus governing our Series C Debentures.

This model provides that in the event certain financial "warning signs" exist, and for as long as they exist, we will be subject to certain disclosure obligations towards the holders of our Series C Debentures.

In examining the existence of warning signs as of December 31, 2016, our board of directors noted that our consolidated financial statements (unaudited) as well as our separate internal (unpublished) unaudited financial information as of and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 reflect that we had a continuing negative cash flow from operating activities of NIS 2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Israeli regulations provide that the existence of a continuing negative cash flow from operating activities could be deemed to be a "warning sign" unless our board of directors determines that the possible "warning sign" does not reflect a liquidity problem.

Such continuing negative cash flow from operating activities results from the general operating expenses of the Company of NIS 2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and due to the fact that the Company, as a holding company, does not have any cash inflows from operating activities. Our main source of cash inflows is generated from dividends (classified as cash flow from investing activities) or debt issuances (classified as cash flow from financing activities). We did not have any such inflows during the fourth quarter.

Such continuing negative cash flow from operating activities does not effect our liquidity in any manner. Our board of directors reviewed our financial position, outstanding debt obligations and our existing and anticipated cash resources and uses and determined that the existence of the continuing negative cash flow from operating activities, as mentioned above, does not reflect a liquidity problem.

Disclosure with Respect to the Company's Requirements Under Series C Debentures

The Company declares with respect to the PR/reporting period as follows:

1.    The Company did not record in favor of a third party any lien of any rank whatsoever over its direct or indirect holdings of 691,361,036 shares of Bezeq (the "Bezeq Shares") including over any of the rights accompanying such shares.

2.    The Company did not make any disposition of the Bezeq Shares.

3.    The Company did not assume any financial debt (as defined in the Trust Deed of Series C) during the reporting period (other than in the framework of the issuance of the Debentures (Series C), and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including B Communications (SP1) and B Communications (SP2) did not issue any financial debt whatsoever during the reporting period.

4.    As of the reporting date, the Company holds approximately 26.34% of Bezeq's outstanding shares, directly and through its subsidiary.

5.    The equity attributable to the Company's shareholders (not including non-controlling interests) according to this report amounts to NIS 1,170 million, and represents 31% of the Company's total balance sheet on an unconsolidated basis. 

For further information, please contact:

Idit Cohen – IR Manager
idit@igld.com/ Tel: +972-3-924-0000

Investor relations contacts:
Hadas Friedman – Investor Relations
Hadas@km-ir.co.il/ Tel: +972-3-516-7620

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SOURCE B Communications