Telekom Austria Group: Significant Increase in Results Trough Strong Contribution from all Group Operations
March 06 2007 - 1:05AM
PR Newswire (US)
VIENNA, Austria, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telekom Austria
AG (VSE: TKA; NYSE: TKA) today announced its results for the
Financial Year 2006 and the fourth quarter ending December 31,
2006. Year-on-year comparison: During 2006, revenues increased by
9.0% to EUR 4,759.6 million. Operating income grew by 24.6% to EUR
772.4 million as a result of strong contribution of the wireline
and wireless segments. Operating income before depreciation,
amortization and impairment charges (adjusted EBITDA) increased by
8.4% to EUR 1,906.8 million including exceptional items for the
amount of EUR 26.5 million for a voluntary termination and option
incentive program and a newly introduced employee participation
program. Net income grew by 37.4% to EUR 561.8 million during 2006.
Earnings per share increased by 41.7% to EUR 1.19 compared to 2005.
Capital expenditure for tangible and intangible assets increased by
58.8% to EUR 996.7 million during 2006 mainly due to the
acquisition of the 3rd mobile license in Serbia for EUR 320
million. Net debt increased by 1.8% to EUR 3,169.0 million at the
end of 2006 following the acquisition of the license in Serbia. The
management board of the Telekom Austria Group will recommend to the
annual general meeting to increase the dividend by 36.4% to EUR
0.75 compared to the last year. Quarterly comparison: Revenues
increased by 2.6% to EUR 1,199.3 million during 4Q 06 compared to
4Q 05. Operating income rose by 28.7% to EUR 76.7 million during
the reporting period as a result of an increase in wireless
operating income by 5.7% as well as a lower operating loss in the
wireline segment. Adjusted EBITDA declined by 1.7% to EUR 375.1
million in 4Q 06 due to exceptional items for the amount of EUR
26.5 million recorded in 4Q 06. This amount included EUR 16.4
million for a voluntary termination and option incentive program
and EUR 10.1 million for a newly introduced employee participation
program. Net income rose significantly by 63.6% to EUR 63.3 million
in 4Q 06 due to a higher operating income as well as positive
effect of reforms in income tax in the amount of EUR 34.9 million
in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Earnings per share increased by 55.6% to
EUR 0.14 in 4Q 06. Capital expenditure for tangible and intangible
assets increased from EUR 249.6 million to EUR 575.3 million during
4Q 06 compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year due to
the acquisition of the license in Serbia for EUR 320 million. For
more detailed information about the financial results for the full
year 2006 please refer to the corresponding interim report on
Telekom Austria's website at http://www.telekom.at/results-2006
Contacts: Elisabeth Mattes Peter Zydek Group Spokeswoman Head of
Investor Relations Phone: +43 664 331 2730 Phone: +43 (0)59059 1
19000 E-Mail: E-Mail: DATASOURCE: Telekom Austria Gruppe CONTACT:
Elisabeth Mattes, Group Spokeswoman, +43-664-331-2730, ; Peter
Zydek, Head of Investor Relations, +43-59059-1-19000, Web site:
http://www.telekom.at/results-2006
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