QUARTER: TEL: Telecom Q1 Earnings Announcement Condensed Accounts

07 Nov 2008 08:35NZX
Income Statement

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) notes    NZ$m   NZ$m
NZ$m

Operating revenues and other gains
Local service           266     291             1,129
Calling 2       319     304             1,233
Interconnection         47      45              178
Mobile          199     212             833
Data            160     160             638
Broadband and internet          147     129             547
IT services             113     96              439
Resale          92      93              360
Other operating revenue 2       100     73              309
Other gains     3       -       7               7
1,443   1,410           5,673
Operating expenses
Labour          (240)   (207)           (886)
Intercarrier costs              (322)   (306)           (1,243)
Other operating expenses        4       (415)   (415)
(1,653)
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation
466     482             1,891

Depreciation                (164)   (135)           (574)
Amortisation                (52)    (45)            (187)
Earnings before interest and taxation           250     302             1,130

Finance income          20      42              119
Finance expense         (68)    (63)            (271)
Share of associates'' profits/(losses)           -       (1)             (3)
Earnings before income tax              202     280             975

Income tax expense              (53)    (55)            (262)
Net earnings for the period             149     225             713

Net earnings attributable to equity holders of the Company              148
224             710
Net earnings attributable to minority interests         1       1
3
149     225             713

Basic net earnings per share (in cents)         8?      11?             38?
Diluted net earnings per share (in cents)               8?      11?
38?

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (in millions)
1,826   2,003           1,871

Statement of Changes in Equity

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)   notes            NZ$m   NZ$m            NZ$m

Equity at the beginning of the period                   2,736   3,604
3,604
Translation of foreign operations                       28      42
103
Hedge of net investment                 (5)     (13)            (70)
Revaluation of listed investments                       -       -
(11)
Cash flow hedges                        (5)     30              51
Total income recognised directly in equity                      18      59
73
Net earnings for the period                     149     225             713
Total recognised income and expenses                    167     284
786
Dividends                       (168)   (331)           (762)
Tax credit on supplementary dividends                   19      37
85
Dividend reinvestment plan      5               -       130             195
Share cancellation      5               -       -               (65)
Issuances of shares under employee share schemes                        2
2               6
Capital reduction       5               -       (1,113)         (1,113)
Equity at the end of the period                 2,756   2,613           2,736

Total recognised income and expenses for the year is attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company                   166     283             783
Minority interests                      1       1               3
167     284             786
Equity consists of:
Contributed capital                     1,304   1,295           1,297
Revaluation reserve                     -       11              -
Foreign currency translation reserve                    (10)    (37)
(33)
Hedge reserve                   2       (14)            7
Deferred compensation                   6       9               11
Retained earnings                       1,449   1,345           1,447
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company
2,751   2,609           2,729
Minority interests                      5       4               7
Total equity                    2,756   2,613           2,736

Balance Sheet

30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)    NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash    1,107   2,005           779
Short-term investments  -       70              -
Short-term derivative assets    30      4               15
Receivables and prepayments     909     990             912
Taxation recoverable    -       28              93
Inventories     59      85              57
Total current assets    2,105   3,182           1,856

Non-current assets:
Long-term investments   525     523             527
Deferred tax asset      -       24              -
Long-term derivative assets     65      60              48
Intangibles     1,006   937             990
Property, plant and equipment   4,052   3,738           3,984
Total non-current assets        5,648   5,282           5,549
Total assets    7,753   8,464           7,405

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Amounts owing due to capital reduction  -       1,113           -
Accounts payable and accruals   1,053   986             1,086
Taxation payable        11      -               -
Short-term derivative liabilities       175     54              214
Short-term provisions   20      31              22
Debt due within one year        950     573             958
Total current liabilities       2,209   2,757           2,280

Non-current liabilities:
Deferred tax liability  168     118             170
Long-term derivative liabilities        254     491             367
Long-term provisions    18      14              22
Long-term debt  2,348   2,471           1,830
Total non-current liabilities   2,788   3,094           2,389
Total liabilities       4,997   5,851           4,669

Equity:
Share capital   1,304   1,295           1,297
Reserves        (2)     (31)            (15)
Retained earnings       1,449   1,345           1,447
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company      2,751   2,609
2,729
Minority interest       5       4               7
Total equity    2,756   2,613           2,736
Total liabilities and equity    7,753   8,464           7,405

Cash Flow Statement

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)           note     NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash received from customers                    1,418   1,306
5,583
Interest income                 24      59              112
Payments to suppliers and employees                     (1,012) (954)
(3,739)
Income (tax paid)/refund                        59      (1)
(111)
Interest paid on debt                   (36)    (27)            (249)

Dividend income                         39      -               89
Net cash flow from operating activities         6       492     383
1,685

Cash flows from investing activities

Sale of property, plant and equipment                   -       1
3
Sale/(purchase) of short-term investments, net                  -
-               70
Sale of customer base                   -       7               7
Purchase of subsidiary companies, net of cash acquired
-       -               (4)
Purchase of long-term investments                       -       -
(9)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangibles
(360)   (198)           (945)
Capitalised interest paid                       (4)     (3)
(12)
Net cash flow from investing activities                 (364)   (193)
(890)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from long-term debt                    400     -
-
Capital repurchased                 -       -
(1,178)
Repayment of long-term debt and related derivatives
(10)    -               (297)
Settlement of derivatives                   (15)    (12)
(53)
Proceeds from/(repayment of) short-term debt, net
(27)    57              57
Dividends paid                  (168)   (200)           (565)
Net cash flow from financing activities         180     (155)
(2,036)

Net cash flow                   308     35              (1,241)
Opening cash position                   779     1,969           1,969
Foreign exchange movement                       20      1               51
Closing cash position                   1,107   2,005           779

The $7 million proceeds from the sale of customer base was previously
reported within cash received from customers in the three months ended 30
September 2007, but has been restated to present it separately in cash flows
from investing activities.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements

NOTE   1   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Except for the adoption of NZ IFRS 8 ''Operating Segments'' (''IFRS 8'') and NZ
IFRIC 13 ''Customer Loyalty Programmes (''IFRIC 13''), as described below, these
condensed consolidated financial statements of Telecom Corporation of New
Zealand Limited (the "Company") together with its subsidiaries and associates
(''Telecom'') have been prepared using the same accounting policies and methods
of computation as, and should be read in conjunction with, the financial
statements and related notes included in Telecom''s annual report for the year
ended 30 June 2008.  Certain comparative information has been reclassified to
conform with the current year''s presentation.

Telecom has adopted IFRS 8 with effect from 1 July 2008. IFRS 8 introduces a
management reporting approach to identifying and measuring the results of
reportable operating segments.  The early adoption of IFRS 8 aligns reporting
with Telecom''s business units established under Telecom''s operational
separation requirements.  The segments comprise Chorus; Retail; Wholesale &
International; Gen-i; AAPT; and Technology and Shared Services (''T&SS'').

The results by segment incorporate internal revenue and expenses.  Only
certain products are recorded as internal revenue and expenses and these
exclude charges such as the recovery of corporate overheads and the recovery
of T&SS costs incurred on behalf of other segments. These costs remain within
Corporate and T&SS respectively. All internal transactions are eliminated on
consolidation.

Telecom''s segmental disclosures are presented in note 8 and the comparative
disclosures have been restated.

Telecom has adopted IFRIC 13 from 1 July 2008.  IFRIC 13 addresses how
companies that grant their customers loyalty award credits (sometimes
referred to as ''points'') when buying goods or services should account for
their obligation to provide free or discounted goods or services if and when
the customer redeems the points. No impact on Telecom''s financial statements
arose from the adoption of IFRIC 13.

The financial statements are expressed in New Zealand dollars which is the
Company''s functional currency. References in these financial statements to
''$'' or ''NZ$'' are to New Zealand dollars. All financial information has been
rounded to the nearest million, unless otherwise stated.

These condensed financial statements are unaudited.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE   2   REVENUE

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)            NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m

Calling
National                206     184             753
International           100     108             432
Other           13      12              48
319     304             1,233

Other operating revenue
Dividends               39      24              89
Equipment               13      11              45
Miscellaneous other             48      38              175
100     73              309

NOTE   3  OTHER GAINS

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)            NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m

Other gains
Gain on sale of Australian mobile base             -       7
7
-       7               7

Other gains

Gain on sale of Australian mobile customer base
In July 2007, Telecom sold its Australian mobile customer base resulting in a
gain of $7 million. In the Q1 FY08 results this gain was included in mobile
revenue, but it has now been reclassified as a gain.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE   4   OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)            NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m

Provisioning            11      12              42
Network support         21      21              88
Maintenance and other
total           65      55              222
Mobile acquisitions, upgrades and dealer commissions            67      70
280
Procurement and IT services             69      55              264
Broadband, internet and other           13      28              67
Computer costs          52      48              197
Advertising, promotions and communications              18      23
90
Accommodation costs             37      32              127
Outsourcing             13      15              52
Travel          7       7               25
Bad debts               8       8               30
Other expenses          34      41              169
415     415             1,653

NOTE   5   DIVIDENDS AND EQUITY

Shares Issued in Lieu of Dividends

In respect of the three months ended 30 September 2008, no shares were issued
in lieu of a cash dividend (three months ended 30 September 2007: 32,063,007
shares with a total value of $130 million; year ended 30 June 2008:
48,176,233 shares with a total value of $195 million).

Dividends paid

On 7 August 2008, the Board of Directors approved the payment of a fourth
quarter dividend of $168 million, representing 8.0 cents per share.  In
addition, a supplementary dividend totalling approximately $19 million was
paid to shareholders who were not resident in New Zealand.  In accordance
with the Income Tax Act 2007, Telecom will receive a tax credit from the
Inland Revenue Department equivalent to the amount of supplementary dividends
paid.

Declaration of Dividend

On 6 November 2008, the Board of Directors approved the payment of a first
quarter dividend of $110 million, representing 6.0 cents per share.  No
imputation credits will be attached to the dividend.  No supplementary
dividend has been declared.

Share Cancellations

No shares have been cancelled in the three months ended 30 September 2008.
Telecom paid amounts owing under the capital reduction in October 2007 for
shares that were cancelled in September 2007. The total of the payments to
shareholders in respect of the 228 million cancelled shares was $1,113
million. For the year ended 30 June 2008, a further 16,065,971 shares with a
market value of $65 million were purchased and cancelled to negate the
dilutive impact of the dividend reinvestment plan.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE   6   RECONCILIATION OF NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS TO NET
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Audited
(Dollars in millions)            NZ$m   NZ$m             NZ$m
Net earnings for the period             149     225             713
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortisation           216     180             761
Bad and doubtful accounts               9       10              34
Deferred income tax             (2)     24              83
Share of associates'' (profits)/losses             -       1
3
Other           26      25              (3)
Changes in assets and liabilities net of effects of non-cash and investing
and financing activities:
Decrease/(increase) in accounts receivable and related items
(20)    (31)            43
Decrease/(increase) in inventories              (2)     (13)
14
Increase in tax payable/decrease in tax receivable              115
26              68
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and related items
1       (64)            (31)
Net cash flows from operating activities                492     383
1,685

NOTE   7  CONTINGENCIES

New Zealand
Commerce Act Investigations and Enquiries
The Commerce Commission (''the Commission'') has open investigations, including
in respect of Telecom''s broadband marketing campaigns and mobile co-location.

Commerce Act Litigation
In March 2004, the Commission issued proceedings against Telecom claiming
that its implementation and maintenance of new retail and wholesale high
speed data transmission service pricing since 1998 constituted a breach by
Telecom of section 36 of the Commerce Act (abuse of a dominant
position/taking advantage of market power). The Commission seeks a
declaration that section 36 of the Commerce Act was breached, a pecuniary
penalty, and costs. The hearing of the Commission''s claim took place in July
to September 2008 and Telecom is waiting for a judgment.

In July 2000, the Commission issued a proceeding against Telecom claiming
that the introduction of 0867 constituted a use by Telecom of its dominant
position for proscribed purposes.  The Commission sought a declaration that
this contravened section 36 of the Commerce Act, a pecuniary penalty, and
costs.  There was a six week trial in the Auckland High Court, which
concluded on 26 September 2007.  In a judgment issued on 16 April 2008, the
High Court dismissed the Commission''s proceeding, holding that Telecom''s
introduction of 0867 did not breach section 36 of the Commerce Act.  The
Commission has appealed the judgment.  Telecom has applied to support the
judgment on an additional ground.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE   7  CONTINGENCIES (continued)

The Commission has laid charges against Telecom for alleged breaches of the
Fair Trading Act in relation to a retail broadband advertising campaign that
was run from October 2006. The allegation is that Telecom engaged in conduct
that was liable to mislead the public as to the characteristics of services
and made false or misleading representations about the performance
characteristics of the retail plan at issue.  Telecom is working through the
details of the specific charges.  However, at this stage, it cannot quantify
the potential impact of penalties or customer refunds should a Court
ultimately find in favour of the Commission.

Other litigation
Sintel (in liquidation) has issued proceedings against Telecom, relating to
Telecom''s audio text business in the 1990s.  The matter was settled, but
Sintel''s liquidators are seeking to overturn the settlement agreement with
various claims against Telecom, including fraud.  Sintel filed an amended
statement of claim, increasing the value of the claim to NZ$60 million.
Telecom has agreed to attend mediation in December 2008.  A six week hearing
has been allocated starting in April 2010.

Asia Pacific Telecommunications Limited has also issued proceedings against
Telecom in relation to its audio text business.  The total claim is for
approximately US$17 million plus an unquantifiable inquiry into damages based
on the alleged breach of fiduciary duty.  Telecom believes it has a strong
defence for the majority of the claim and these proceedings will be
vigorously defended by Telecom.

Australia
Australian litigation
Telecom was in dispute with Pacific Union Group Pty Limited in respect of the
withdrawal of certain product lines from the scope of the dealer agreement
between the parties. Pacific Union commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court
of New South Wales, claiming breach of contract and/or repudiation of
contract.  The parties settled the dispute during the three months ended 30
September 2008.

Telstra Corporation Limited commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of
Australia, and sought an order that the final determination made by the ACCC
in a line sharing service arbitration be set aside on administrative law
grounds.  Telecom, amongst others, is a defendant in these proceedings.
Telstra lost on all significant grounds.  Final orders (including costs) will
be made in November 2008.

Telstra Corporation Limited commenced proceedings in April 2008 in the
Federal Court of Australia seeking an order that the final determination made
by the ACCC in an unbundled local loop service arbitration be set aside on
administrative law grounds.  Telecom, amongst others, is a defendant in these
proceedings.  The Court heard the case in September 2008 and Telecom awaits
judgment.

Effect of outstanding claims
Telecom cannot reasonably estimate the adverse effect (if any) on Telecom if
any of the foregoing outstanding claims are ultimately resolved against
Telecom''s interests.  There can be no assurance that such litigation will not
have a significant effect on Telecom''s business, financial condition,
position, results of operations or profitability.

Various other lawsuits, claims and investigations have been brought or are
pending against Telecom and its subsidiaries, none of which are expected to
have significant effect on the financial position or profitability of
Telecom.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 8  SEGMENTAL REPORTING

As described in note 1 Telecom has adopted IFRS 8, which relates to the
disclosure of operating segments.  Accordingly, the comparative information
has been restated.  Under IFRS 8 Telecom''s segments comprise of Chorus;
Retail; Wholesale & International; Gen-i; AAPT; and Technology and Shared
Services (''T&SS'').

Segmental information for the three months ended 30 September 2008

Unaudited

Chorus  Wholesale & International

Retail

Gen-i   T&SS

AAPT    Total
(Dollars in millions)   NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m

External revenue        7       199     502     375     8       310     1,401

Internal revenue        191     100     -       4       6       5       306

Total revenue   198     299     502     379     14      315     1,707

Segment result  136     109     195     119     (123)   16      452

Segmental information for the three months ended 30 September 2007

Unaudited
Restated
Chorus  Wholesale & International

Retail

Gen-i   T&SS

AAPT    Total
(Dollars in millions)   NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m

External revenue        4       168     533     358     5       315     1,383

Internal revenue        190     100     -       1       4       4       299

Total revenue   194     268     533     359     9       319     1,682

Segment result  147     107     204     125     (126)   28      485

Segmental information for the year ended 30 June 2008

Unaudited
Restated
Chorus  Wholesale & International

Retail

Gen-i   T&SS

AAPT    Total
(Dollars in millions)   NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m    NZ$m

External revenue        20      704     2,106   1,478   26      1,240   5,574

Internal revenue        758     410     -       10      15      18      1,211

Total revenue   778     1,114   2,106   1,488   41      1,258   6,785

Segment result  580     459     816     487     (492)   90      1,940

Depreciation and amortisation, finance income, finance expense and the share
of associates'' profits/(losses) are not reported to the Chief Operating
decision maker on a segmental basis therefore these items are excluded from
the measure of segment result.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 8  SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

Reconciliation from segment result to earnings before income tax
Three months ended              Year ended
30 September            30 June
2008    2007            2008
Unaudited       Unaudited               Unaudited
(Dollars in millions)           NZ$m    NZ$m            NZ$m

Segment result          452     485             1,940
Corporate income and expenses           14      (3)             (49)
Depreciation            (164)   (135)           (574)
Amortisation            (52)    (45)            (187)
Interest income         20      42              119
Interest expense and other finance costs                (68)    (63)
(271)
Share of associates'' profits/(losses)           -       (1)             (3)
Earnings before income tax              202     280             975

Geographical information
The geographical segment information presented in the 2008 annual report is
unchanged from the adoption of IFRS 8.

NOTE 9   DEBT ISSUES
In the three months ended 30 September 2008 Telecom raised NZ$142 million
through issuing Telebonds with maturities of 3 years, 5 years and 7 years
with a weighted average fixed interest rate of 8.5%.  In August 2008 Telecom
issued a 4 year CHF200 million bond (NZ$258 million) under the US$2 billion
Euro Medium Term Note Programme. The bond has an effective hedged fixed
interest rate of 8.9%.

NOTE 10   SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER BALANCE DATE
In August 2008 Telecom announced its intention to consider a move to WCDMA
850MHz technology ''W850'' for its new mobile network. Global developments have
seen new handsets available and the successful launch of 25 operators in the
United States. On 15 October 2008 the Group announced the decision to
implement and launch the W850 network. The launch will be phased from
November 2008, with full launch of services planned to happen in June 2009.
End CA:00172522 For:TEL    Type:QUARTER    Time:2008-11-07:08:35:49
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