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 November 2003
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
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.
18 November 2003 |
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NETANYA, Israel, November 18, 2003 Matav-Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Nasdaq: MATV), a leading Israeli provider of digital cable television services, today reported a continued trend of improvement in revenues as third-quarter revenues increased to NIS 138.4 million (US$31.2 million) from NIS 134.9 million (US$30.4 million) in second-quarter 2003 and NIS 125 million (US$28.2 million) in third-quarter 2002. The improved revenues stemmed from higher sales of tiering, interactive and fast-Internet services.
Third-quarter operating expenses were NIS 117.1 million (US$26.4 million), compared with NIS 116.3 million (US$26.2 million) in the previous quarter and NIS 128.3 million (US$28.9 million) in the year-earlier period. The decline compared with the third quarter last year is attributed mainly to lower content expenses.
Gross profit for the third quarter advanced to NIS 21.3 million (US$4.8 million) from NIS 18.6 million (US$4.2 million) in second-quarter 2003. For the third quarter of 2002, Matav reported a gross loss of NIS 3.3 million (US$0.74 million).
Third-quarter selling, marketing and G&A expenses were NIS 20.7 million (US$4.7 million), compared with NIS 20.8 million (US$4.7 million) in the previous quarter and NIS 21.4 million (US$4.8 million) in third-quarter 2002.
Operating profit for the third quarter totaled NIS 0.6 million (US$0.13 million) compared with an operating loss of NIS2.3 million (US$0.5 million) for the previous quarter and an operating loss of NIS 24.7 million (US$5.6 million) for the year-earlier period.
Financing expenses for the quarter totaled NIS 21.9 million (US$4.9 million), compared with NIS 30.9 million (US$7 million) in second-quarter 2003 and NIS 19.6 million (US$4.4 million) in the year-ago quarter. The decline from the second quarter resulted from a decrease in the companys debt and from lower market interest rates. Matav was able to reduce financing expenses despite the negative CPI, which prompted higher real interest rates. (Second-quarter 2003 also saw a negative CPI and higher real rates.)
Matavs share in profits of associated companies was NIS 4.6 million (US$1 million) in the third quarter, compared with NIS 7.8 million (US$1.8 million) in the previous quarter and NIS 5.9 million (US$1.3 million) in third-quarter 2002. The decrease stems from Matavs accounting tax expenses of NIS 7.2 million (US$1.6) due to its share of the profits of Partner Communications (which was accumulated on an equity basis). The Partner investment was considered a strategic investment until the third quarter of 2003, when management changed its strategy regarding the holding. On November 3, 2003, Matav sold approximately 3.8 million shares of Partner for NIS 114.5 million (US$25.8 million). Matav will report a capital gain from the sale of NIS 63 million (US$14.2 million) after tax in its fourth-quarter financial results. Following the sale, Matavs beneficial holding in Partner is approximately 5.3 %.
Matavs net loss continued to decrease this quarter. The company reported a third-quarter net loss of NIS 19.8 million (US$4.5 million), or NIS 0.67 (US$0.15) per ordinary share, compared with a net loss of NIS 22.7 million (US$5.1 million), or NIS 0.78 (US$0.18), in the previous quarter. For the third quarter of 2002, Matav reported a net loss of NIS 39.8 million (US$9 million), or NIS 1.38 (US$0.31) per ordinary share.
Third-quarter EBITDA continued to increase, reaching NIS 39 million (US$8.8 million) from NIS 36.7 million (US$8.3 million) for second-quarter 2003 and NIS 14.7 million (US$3.3 million) for third-quarter 2002.
At September 30, 2003, Matav had approximately 267,400 subscribers, compared with 271,700 at June 30, 2003, and 276,700 at September 30, 2002. The companys fast Internet service has attracted more than 52,000 subscribers to date.
During the third quarter, ARPU continued its upward trend, reaching NIS 201.5 (monthly, including 18% value-added tax) compared with NIS 193.6 in the previous quarter and NIS 174.9 in third-quarter 2002.
In October 2003, Matav, through a wholly owned subsidiary, completed the sale of approximately 1.3 million shares in return for approximately NIS 39.4 million (US$8.8 million).
We are pleased that we successfully returned to operating profit this quarter after many quarters of operating loss, said Matav CEO Amit Levin. We are pleased with our achievements, reflected in increased revenues, increased ARPU and a continued decrease in operating expenses. These results are especially noteworthy considering the fierce competition in our market. Also important to emphasize is our continued increase in EBITDA, which reached approximately 30% of revenues in this quarter. The recent sale of Partner shares as well as the sale of our companys shares will improve our liquidity position and increase our shareholder equity by approximately NIS 154 million as well as reduce our net debt.
To address the competition in the multi-channel market, Matav and the other cable companies have launched an aggressive campaign to jointly market our services under the brand HOT. This bright and attractive campaign will position us as a truly national brand with nationwide presence, superb product offerings and the first-quality service our customers demand and deserve.
Revenues for the nine-month period reached NIS 404.2 million (US$91 million) compared with NIS 367.7 million (US$82.8 million) in the comparable period in 2002.
Nine-month selling, marketing and G&A expenses decreased to NIS 63.5 million (US$14.3 million) from NIS 65.8 million (US$14.8 million) in the year-earlier period.
The net loss for the nine months was NIS 67 million (US$15.1 million), or NIS 2.30 (US$0.52) per ordinary share, compared with net income of NIS 82 million (US$18.5 million), or NIS 2.84 (US$0.64) per ordinary share, in the first nine months of 2002.
Management will conduct a teleconference today at 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. To participate, please dial +1-866-500-4964 or +1-866-500-4953 in the United States and +972-3-925-5910 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 investments include 5.3 percent of Partner Communications Ltd., a GSM mobile phone company, and 10 percent of Barak I.T.C. (1995), one of the three international telephony-service 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.)
Contacts:
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
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
Convenience translation | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 31, 2002 |
September 30 2003 |
September 30 2003 | |||||||||
Adjusted NIS |
Adjusted NIS |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
ASSETS: | (Audited) | (Unaudite | d) | (Unaudite | d) | ||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 7,635 | 6,555 | 1,476 | ||||||||
Accounts Receivables: | |||||||||||
Trade | 68,973 | 65,746 | 14,805 | ||||||||
Other | 17,910 | 15,403 | 3,468 | ||||||||
Total current assets | 94,518 | 87,704 | 19,749 | ||||||||
INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM LOANS: | |||||||||||
Investments in affiliated companies | 22,490 | 45,521 | 10,250 | ||||||||
Investments in other companies | 16,306 | 16,306 | 3,672 | ||||||||
Long-term loans granted to employees | 614 | 445 | 100 | ||||||||
Severance pay fund | 317 | - | - | ||||||||
39,727 | 62,272 | 14,022 | |||||||||
FIXED ASSETS: | |||||||||||
Cost | 1,995,217 | 2,034,672 | 458,156 | ||||||||
Less - accumulated depreciation and | |||||||||||
amortization | 999,226 | 1,120,853 | 252,388 | ||||||||
995,991 | 913,819 | 205,768 | |||||||||
OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES | |||||||||||
Net of accumulated amortization | 6,949 | 4,896 | 1,103 | ||||||||
1,137,185 | 1,068,691 | 240,642 | |||||||||
MATAV CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
Convenience translation | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 31, 2002 |
September 30 2003 |
September 30 2003 | |||||||||
Adjusted NIS |
Adjusted NIS |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | (Audited) | (Unaudited | ) | (Unaudited | ) | ||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||||||
Short-term bank credit | 516,192 | 533,933 | 120,228 | ||||||||
Current maturities of debentures | 33,866 | 33,938 | 7,642 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals: | |||||||||||
Trade | 84,395 | 70,965 | 15,980 | ||||||||
Affiliated companies - current account | 2,693 | 17,710 | 3,988 | ||||||||
Other | 84,948 | 99,899 | 22,495 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | 722,094 | 756,445 | 170,333 | ||||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | |||||||||||
Accrued severance pay, net | - | 1,013 | 228 | ||||||||
Loans and debentures (net of current | |||||||||||
maturities): | |||||||||||
Loans from bank and others | 142,658 | 114,380 | 25,755 | ||||||||
Debentures | 99,861 | 66,498 | 14,974 | ||||||||
Customers' deposits for converters, net of | |||||||||||
accumulated amortization | 24,909 | 27,129 | 6,109 | ||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 267,428 | 209,020 | 47,066 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 989,522 | 965,465 | 217,399 | ||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: | |||||||||||
Share capital | 49,084 | 49,084 | 11,052 | ||||||||
Share premium | 403,003 | 403,003 | 90,746 | ||||||||
Retained loss | (239,238 | ) | (321,359 | ) | (72,362 | ) | |||||
212,849 | 103,728 | 29,436 | |||||||||
Less-Companys shares held by consolidated company | (65,186 | ) | (27,502 | ) | (6,193 | ) | |||||
Total shareholders' equity | 147,663 | 103,226 | 23,243 | ||||||||
1,137,185 | 1,068,691 | 240,642 | |||||||||
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share and per ADS data)
Convenience translation | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Three months ended September 30, |
Nine months ended September 30, |
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2003 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted NIS |
U.S. dollars | ||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||
Revenue | 124,990 | 138,375 | 367,735 | 404,152 | 91,005 | ||||||||||||
operating expenses | 128,264 | 117,071 | 392,560 | 351,484 | 79,145 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit (loss) | (3,274 | ) | 21,304 | (24,825 | ) | 52,668 | 11,860 | ||||||||||
Selling, marketing, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||
expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing | 9,634 | 9,961 | 31,850 | 29,564 | 6,657 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 11,797 | 10,770 | 33,923 | 33,977 | 7,651 | ||||||||||||
21,431 | 20,731 | 65,773 | 63,541 | 14,308 | |||||||||||||
Operating profit (loss) | (24,705 | ) | 573 | (90,598 | ) | (10,873 | ) | (2,448 | ) | ||||||||
Financial expenses, net | (19,574 | ) | (21,854 | ) | (27,015 | ) | (67,571 | ) | (15,215 | ) | |||||||
Other income (expenses), net | (1,400 | ) | (3,097 | ) | 294,632 | (4,442 | ) | (1,000 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes on income | (45,679 | ) | (24,378 | ) | 177,019 | (82,886 | ) | (18,663 | ) | ||||||||
Taxes on income | - | - | 107,189 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations of the Company and its subsidiaries | (45,679 | ) | (24,378 | ) | 69,830 | (82,886 | ) | (18,663 | ) | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net | 5,866 | 4,624 | 12,195 | 15,863 | 3,572 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (39,813 | ) | (19,754 | ) | 82,025 | (67,023 | ) | (15,091 | ) | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share | (1.38 | ) | (0.67 | ) | 2.84 | (2.30 | ) | (0.52 | ) | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) per ADS | (2.76 | ) | (1.34 | ) | 5.68 | (4.60 | ) | (1.04 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | |||||||||||||||||
in thousands | 28,861 | 29,533 | 28,861 | 29,093 | 29,093 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ADSs outstanding in thousands | 14,431 | 14,767 | 14,431 | 14,547 | 14,547 | ||||||||||||
Operating profit (loss) | (24,705 | ) | 573 | (90,598 | ) | (10,873 | ) | (2,448 | ) | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization, net (including | |||||||||||||||||
income from amortization of deposits for | |||||||||||||||||
converters) | 39,443 | 38,440 | 114,839 | 118,201 | 26,616 | ||||||||||||
Memo EBITDA(*) | 14,738 | 39,013 | 24,241 | 107,328 | 24,168 | ||||||||||||
(*)Earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, (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 a further perspective regarding these results. EBITDA, however, should not be
considered as an alternative to operating income or income for the period as an indicator
of the operating performance of the Company. Similarly, EBITDA should not be considered
as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities 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 meant to be predictive of potential future results. See the calculation aforementioned. |