EQS-News: Mobile Telesystems

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Q3 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

Andrei Dubovskov, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the results:

"We are pleased to report another strong set of results for MTS. For the period, Group revenue increased 2.1% year-over-year to RUB 114.6 bln as a sustained improvement in business and consumer sentiment has allowed us to monetize the strong growth in voice and data usage in Russia despite a slight year-over-year decline in subscribers. We saw a positive contribution from our Ukraine subsidiary, where growth is also fueled by increased data adoption. Our strong growth in profitability derives from increased usage of higher-value data products in Russia, including increased international roaming activity, in addition to our efforts to optimize retail operations. For the period, we realized gains from both a small reduction in retail outlets, dating from the beginning of the year, as well as a slight reduction in SIM-card sales.

We have been active in the digital space by expanding into areas, which complement our core offerings. We acquired LiteBox, a dynamic provider of online cash register services, to enhance our payments ecosystem and expand our B2B platform for merchants and other business customers. We also acquired a stake in Sistema Capital Management to enrich our financial service portfolio. We launched a Big-Data-as-a-Service (BDaaS) product, introduced a new app MTS Taxi and improved our interactive TV service offering with the goal of providing customers with broader and better services. We also signed a milestone agreement with Ericsson to prepare MTS' network for 5G services over the next few years.

Given our strong 9M performance, we feel we can amend our guidance to reflect our improving market position. For Group Revenue, we are narrowing our outlook from -2/+2% growth to 0/+2% growth. For Adjusted OIBDA, we are confident that we can raise guidance from >4% to >5% in spite of developments in Turkmenistan, which have negatively impacted both Group revenue and Adjusted OIBDA."

KEY CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

CORPORATE NEWS

At the EGM held on September 29, 2017 shareholders approved semi-annual dividends of RUB 10.4 per ordinary MTS share (RUB 20.8 per ADR), or a total of RUB 20.783 billion (RUB 20,783,168,380.00), based on the half-year 2017 financial results.

BOND ISSUANCE

In November, MTS issued exchange-traded bonds of RUB 15 billion with a maturity of 5 years at a coupon of 7.70% on MICEX.

TURKMENISTAN OPERATIONS

From September 29, 2017 MTS stopped providing communication services in Turkmenistan due to the actions of the state-owned telecommunication company Turkmentelekom, which resulted in the disconnection of international and long-distance zonal communication services and Internet access. The Group posted RUB 1.1 billion of impairment of non-current assets in Turkmenistan in Q3 2017.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

On September, MTS launched a new youth-targeted tariff plan Хайп (Hype) with unlimited social networks, messengers and popular music channels.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

MTS acquired a 50.82% stake in the Russian retail software developer Oblachny Retail LLC, operating under its trademark name LiteBox, for RUB 620 mln, including the repayment of a RUB 30 mln loan, RUB 420 mln of investments in business development as well as a payment of RUB 170 mln to the founders. LiteBox is an online cash register with end-to-end automation of cash services and online trading operations. The deal allows MTS to enter the cloud-based cash register market as a fully licensed fiscal data operator and a provider of integrated digital cash management solutions for B2B clients.

***

MTS acquired a 30% stake in the authorized share capital of Sistema Capital Management Company LLC for RUB 356 mln from Sistema PJSFC. The cooperation will allow MTS to enrich its existing financial services portfolio with contemporary investment products and creates an opportunity to draw assets from a wide range of investors to participate in equity and debt capital markets. It will also help MTS manage its own funds and securities in a more efficient way.

***

In July, MTS acquired the regional network operator Bashkortostan Cellular Communication OJSC for RUB 300 mln including net debt. The transaction allows MTS to strengthen its presence in the Republic of Bashkortostan by obtaining additional frequency resources, including two bands of 15 MHz at 2,100 MHz, as well as two bands of 4.4 MHz in the 450 MHz spectrum.

DIGITAL NEWS

MTS completed a comprehensive project to transfer British American Tobacco Russia's IT systems to the MTS cloud in Moscow. As part of the project, MTS organized the secure network access to these resources and provided a disaster-proof IT systems configuration using the backup site in its data center in St. Petersburg.

***

In August, MTS opened its interactive TV service for external app developers who can now integrate their own online services into the MTS TV platform by placing them in its app store available on the set-top boxes. Partnerships have already been secured with Wikipedia, AMEDIATEKA, MEGOGO and Yandex.

***

MTS launched a Big-Data-as-a-Service (BDaaS) product, which allows MTS business customers to organize quickly and efficiently the processing of large amounts of data without creating their own Big Data computing capacities.

***

MTS Corporate University starts offering its training courses and online programs previously available exclusively for MTS' employees to outside business clients.

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MTS launched the MTS Taxi App. MTS' subscribers can pay for taxi services with bonus points that they receive for using MTS' broad range of products and services. Initially, MTS is partnering with Citymobil, a leading Moscow taxi company, but MTS is adding more partners to expand the service within Moscow and throughout Russia.

PARTNERSHIPS

MTS signed an agreement with Ericsson aimed at modernizing MTS' network to prepare it for 5G and IoT. In 2017-2020, Ericsson will supply MTS with the latest equipment and software for the core network and radio access network for a total amount of more than EUR 400mln.

***

MTS signed an agreement with Group-IB, a global leader in the cyber security space, to cooperate on prevention and investigation of cyber-crime and online fraud, as well as to enhance MTS and its customers' protection online. MTS will provide access to the data held by Security Operations Center, while Group-IB will provide expert support and highly sophisticated software and hardware solutions to monitor, identify and prevent cyber attacks.

***

MTS and the Far Eastern Federal University signed an agreement to develop Russky Technopark, a large-scale project on the Russky Island to develop a unique ecosystem that combines educational institutions, state organizations and private businesses.

AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

MTS was named "Brand of the Year" by the World Branding Awards 2017-2018 being recognized the best Telecommunications brand in Russia for its work and achievements in branding.

GROUP BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Strong growth in Russia defined solid Group performance in Q3. Group revenue rose 2.1% year-over-year to RUB 114.6 bln driven by increased usage in the Russian mobile business and in Ukraine. However, a stronger ruble versus other Group currencies limited the overall contribution from foreign subsidiaries.

Group Adjusted OIBDA demonstrated impressive growth of 6.7% year-over-year to RUB 48.8 bln. Trends in Q3 were largely in line with key OIBDA growth drivers in H1 2017: strong service revenue growth in Russia, largely driven by use of data services, as well as other higher-margin products, stable currency dynamics and improved profitability in Ukraine. Group Adjusted OIBDA margin stood at 42.6%.

Strong Group Adjusted OIBDA gave a good boost to the bottom line. The third-quarter Group net profit grew 43.0% year-over-year to RUB 18.0 bln. The indicator includes the loss from impairment of non-current assets in Turkmenistan.

Group Adjusted OIBDA Factor Analysis (RUB bln)^[5]
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

Group Net Profit Factor Analysis (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)
 

LIQUIDITY AND CASH FLOW

As of September 30, 2017, total debt (net of financial leases and debt issuance costs) stood at RUB 277.0 bln.

In Q3 2017, MTS through its subsidiary, Dega Retail Holding Limited, repurchased RUB 641.9 mln (USD 10.7 mln) of Loan Participation Notes due in 2023. After the reporting period, in November, MTS issued exchange-traded bonds of RUB 15 billion with a maturity of 5 years at a coupon of 7.70%.

Debt Repayment Schedule (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

Net debt to LTM Adjusted OIBDA ratio of 1.1x showcases the Company's strong profitability, on-going financial strength and capacity to make on-going investments and generate strong shareholder returns.

Net Debt to LTM Adjusted OIBDA (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

Non-ruble debt comprises roughly 18% of our gross debt, which largely consists of two outstanding Eurobonds due in 2020 and 2023. MTS actively uses hedging instruments to limit currency exposure to its outstanding bilateral debt.

Gross/Net Debt Structure by Currency^[6]
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

Weighted average interest rates (as of September 30, 2017)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

As of September 30, 2017, weighted average interest rates grew since the end of Q2 due to repayment of old debts at low rates, lower yield of ruble instruments and growth of floating Dollar rates.

SHAREHOLDERS REMUNERATION

In September, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders approved the payment of semi-annual dividends in the amount of RUB 10.4 per ordinary share (RUB 20.8 per ADR), or a total of RUB 20.78 billion (RUB 20,783,168,380.00), based on H1 2017 financial results.

Historical Dividend Payout (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)
 

On September 6, MTS launched the repurchase of its shares of common stock and ADSs by means of a Repurchase Plan in the total amount of up to RUB 20 bln, including funds used for purchasing the Company's shares from Sistema Finance, until April 2019. The Repurchase Plan is executed under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act and is carried out by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Stream Digital, LLC.

Since the launch of the Repurchase Plan, Stream Digital has acquired 33,777,324 shares of Common Stock (including shares of Common Stock represented by ADSs) representing 1.69% of share capital issued by MTS. This includes shares of Common Stock acquired from Sistema Finance under a sale and purchase agreement concluded prior to the launch of the Repurchase Plan.
 

For 9M 2017, MTS' capital expenditures decreased 15.7% year-over-year to RUB 48.7 bln. The CAPEX to revenue ratio was 14.9%. In line with the full-year CAPEX outlook, MTS intends to spend total up to RUB 75 bln in 2017.
 

The Group's CAPEX in Ukraine continued to grow due to 3G rollout.

As of September 30, 2017, free cash flow was RUB 55.7 bln. Free cash flow growth was attributable to lower CAPEX intensity.

RUSSIA

In Q3, total Russia Revenue was up 3.2% year-over-year to RUB 106.3 bln. The mobile business showed a steady growth of 4.4%. Fixed revenue remained broadly flat year-over-year at RUB 15.1 bln. Both sales of goods and revenue from integration showed negative dynamics by 1.5% and 13.6% year-over-year respectively.

The strong top line growth gave a boost to profitability. Russia OIBDA rose 7.8% to RUB 46.6 bln year-over-year. This growth also reflects a relatively stronger ruble and cost optimization in roaming and retail. The Russia OIBDA margin reached 43.8%.

Data, the growth engine for our business, continued to fuel our core mobile business. Growth in data usage helped push mobile revenue up by 4.4% to RUB 79.2 bln for the period. Higher international roaming revenues too contributed as both a stronger currency.

By the end of Q3, our subscriber base in Russia grew slightly compared to Q2 to 78.5 mln subscribers, an increase attributable to seasonal internal roaming.

In MTS' fixed business, revenue was broadly flat at RUB 15.1 bln. Growth in the B2C segment offset a decline in the consolidated revenue from other segments. In B2C segment, MTS continued to witness a decline in fixed-telephony and growth in the broadband and pay-TV segments. While the average cost of 1 Mbps continued to fall, in 2017, there was a trend towards a slight increase in price in broadband internet compared to the previous year due to the rebalance of tariff plans by all operators with focus on high-speed and subsequently more expensive tariff plans. According to TMT-Consulting, by the end of Q3 2017, MTS' market share in Moscow comprised 37.6% in broadband and 35.3% in pay-TV. The number of GPON users reached 1,817,000.
 

Revenue from MTS' integration business decreased 13.6% year-over-year to RUB 0.9 bln.

MTS witnessed a slight 1.5% decrease in sales of goods due to negative dynamics in software products. Sales of handsets and accessories was flat year-over-year at RUB 12.4 bln, although gross margin improved from 12.4% to 14.7% benefiting from the shift in customers' demand for more expensive A-branded devices from Apple and Samsung that squeezed out devices from Chinese vendors and shifting towards more expensive accessories.
 

Handsets and Accessories Sales and Gross Margin (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

MTS retail network remained largely unchanged sequentially with the number of stores roughly 5,700 stores, including franchises, at the end of Q3. Compared to Q3 2016, the average number of stores in the period decreased by 4% year-over-year, which helped support Russia OIBDA growth due to lower personnel and rent costs.

MTS Retail (# of stores at the end of the period)^[12]
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

MTS continues to focus on its e-commerce. MTS online sales reached RUB 1.6 bln, a 23% increase year-over-year.

MTS continued to stimulate data consumption among its subscribers by offering attractive, data-focused tariff plans, as well as stimulating customers' migration from feature phones to smartphones. In Q3 2017, MTS launched a new tariff plan Хайп (Hype) to attract young audience. By the end of Q3, smartphone penetration in all mobile phones on MTS network reached 63%, mobile internet penetration reached 52% and V&D tariff plan penetration was 44%.

MTS continues to improve customer loyalty providing extra services and products. Over 4 mln MTS Money cards that allowed its holders to benefit from using certain MTS tariff plans were issued by the end of Q3.

The number of 3-month active users of My MTS, self-care app and a platform for cross-sales of other MTS' digital services, continued to grow and by the end of Q3, it hit 11 mln mark, which comprise approximately 14% of the subscriber base in Russia.

3-month active users of My MTS app (mln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)

UKRAINE
 

In Q3, Ukraine delivered strong year-over-year growth: revenue increased by 3.7% to UAH 3.0 bln and OIBDA showed a double-digit growth of 14.8% to UAH 1.2 bln. Revenue growth was primarily supported by higher data-consumption stimulated by the active 3G rollout across the country and an increased number of data users.

The OIBDA margin grew to 41.4%. Margin growth was largely attributable to the increase in revenue and cost optimization.

Overall, the Group continues to focus on the network coverage and the quality of services. By the end of Q3, the 3G network covered 72% of the Ukrainian population.

Ukraine is also actively preparing for the anticipated availability of licenses for 4G/LTE network. Since the end of 2016, the penetration of LTE-enabled smartphones in Vodafone Ukraine network doubled, reaching 20%. We finished the period with 20.8 mln subscribers.

OTHER FOREIGN MARKETS: ARMENIA, TURKMENISTAN, BELARUS
 

Armenia showed an increase in revenue of 1.5% year-over-year to AMD 15.4 bln. The increase was attributable to the growth of data usage.

OIBDA grew 11.2% year-over-year to AMD 7.2 bln as a result of revenue increase. Overall, the OIBDA margin for the reporting period remained strong at 47.2% as the Group continuously focused on ways to improve efficiency in the challenging operating environment.

MTS Armenia subscriber base is relatively stable at 2.1 mln with small increase both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter due to promotion of voice & data tariff plans.
 

Turkmenistan lagged the Group performance with revenue declining 3.3% year-over-year to TMT 61.7 mln. Speculations around the closing of the company and disconnection of its networks led to lower subscribers' activity.

Adjusted OIBDA dropped 56.5% year-over-year to TMT 9.7 mln due to negative revenue dynamics, a threefold increase in the rent payments for communications channels beginning in July 2017 and additional charges for the rent of antenna mast structures for the previous periods. As a result, Adjusted OIBDA margin in Turkmenistan fell to 15.7%.

From September 29, 2017 MTS stopped providing communication services in Turkmenistan due to actions by the state-owned telecommunication company Turkmentelekom, which resulted in the disconnection of international and long-distance zonal communication services and Internet access. For the reporting period, MTS posted TMT 69.6 mln of impairment of non-current assets in Turkmenistan.
 

In Belarus, MTS continue to demonstrate a steady growth. In Q3, revenue rose 13.3% year-over-year to BYN 198.4 mln. The key driver was data consumption that grew due to new voice & tariff plans Bezlimitishche and 4G introduced last quarter as well as the launch of new services.

Data usage was also the key driver beyond OIBDA growth by 22.4% year-over-year to BYN 98.0 mln. OIBDA performance was also supported by higher margins in retail and a stronger BYN in relation to the USD and EUR. Overall, the OIBDA margin in Belarus remained healthy at 49.4%.

The Group maintains its leadership position in Belarus in terms of subscribers with the subscriber base of 5.2 mln supported by the inflow of users of new voice & data tariff plans.

Group Revenue:

For 2017, MTS amends its Group revenue outlook at 0 - 2% growth based on the following:

- Service revenue growth in Russia;

- Competitive factors in Russia retail distribution and tariff policies;

- Handset sales due to overall optimization of MTS's retail business;

- Developments within the Company's foreign subsidiaries; and

- Currency volatility in relation to the Russian ruble.

Group Adjusted OIBDA:

MTS raises its outlook on Group Adjusted OIBDA from >4% growth to >5% growth in consideration of the following:

- Strong OIBDA growth in Russia and Ukraine through 9M 2017;

- Relative macroeconomic stability and improved business and consumer sentiment; and

- Cost optimization in Russia retail operations.

However, overall further gains in profitability could be impacted by:

- Competitive factors and future developments in the distribution market in Russia;

- Changing business/consumer sentiment;

- Developments in foreign subsidiaries; and

- Macroeconomic developments and currency volatility throughout our markets of operation.

Group CAPEX:

MTS affirms its FY2017 Group CAPEX estimate of RUB 75 bln, a RUB 5 bln decline from MTS's initial guidance of RUB 80 bln, primarily to the relative strength of the ruble versus the US dollar and Euro. Key factors defining Group CAPEX include:

- Further incremental improvements and enhancements to LTE networks;

- Implementation of infrastructure and spectrum sharing projects;

- Completion of the bulk of the 3G build-out in Ukraine and future development of LTE;

- Evolution of commercial 5G solutions and their introduction into Russian market; and

- Continued investments in digital products and services.

Group CAPEX forecast (RUB bln)
(see the graph at PDF doc attached)
 

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

The conference call will start today at:

18:00 MSK (Moscow)

15:00 GMT (London)

10:00 EST (New York)

To take part in the conference call, please dial one of the following telephone numbers and quote the confirmation code: 20474780#

From Russia: +7 495 221 6523 (Local access)

8-10-8002-0414011 (Toll free)

From the UK: +44 203 0432 440 (Local access)

0 800 358 6377 (Toll free)

From the US: + 1 877 887 4163

The webcast will also be available at: http://www.audio-webcast.com/cgi-bin/visitors.ssp?fn=visitor&id=5089

A replay of the conference call will be available for ten days on the above-mentioned telephone numbers.

This press release provides a summary of some of the key financial and operating indicators for the period ended September 30, 2017. For full disclosure materials, please visit http://www.mtsgsm.com/resources/reports/

CONTACT INFORMATION

Joshua B. Tulgan
Director, Corporate Finance & Investor Relations
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC

Tel: +7 495 223 2025
E-mail: ir@mts.ru

Learn more about MTS. Visit the official blog of the Investor Relations Department at www.mtsgsm.com/blog/ and follow us on Twitter: JoshatMTS
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Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" - NYSE:MBT; MOEX:MTSS), the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, provides a range of mobile and fixed-line communications services. We serve over 100 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and Belarus, and about 9 million customers of fixed-line services, including fixed voice, broadband internet, and pay-TV. To keep pace with evolving customer demand, MTS is redefining what telecommunications services are by offering innovative products beyond its core network-related businesses in various tech segments, including Big Data, financial and banking services, internet of things, OTT, cloud computing, systems integration and e-commerce. We leverage our market-leading retail network as a platform for customer services and sales of devices and accessories. For more information, please visit: www.mtsgsm.com.
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Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of MTS, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might," and the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not undertake or intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We refer you to the documents MTS files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Company's most recent Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the severity and duration of current economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; the impact of Russian, U.S. and other foreign government programs to restore liquidity and stimulate national and global economies, our ability to maintain our current credit rating and the impact on our funding costs and competitive position if we do not do so, strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our success in integrating acquired businesses, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, our competitive environment, dependence on new service development and tariff structures, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, risks associated with telecommunications infrastructure, governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries and other risks associated with operating in Russia and the CIS, volatility of stock price, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A

Non-IFRS financial measures. This presentation includes financial information prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as well as other financial measures referred to as non-IFRS. The non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Due to the rounding and translation practices, Russian ruble and functional currency margins, as well as other non-IFRS financial measures, may differ.

Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) and OIBDA margin. OIBDA represents operating income before depreciation and amortization. OIBDA margin is defined as OIBDA as a percentage of our net revenues. OIBDA may not be similar to OIBDA measures of other companies, is not a measurement under IFRS and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our consolidated statement of profit or loss. We believe that OIBDA provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations, including our ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, acquisitions of mobile operators and other investments and our ability to incur and service debt. While depreciation and amortization are considered operating costs under IFRS, these expenses primarily represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with long-lived assets acquired or constructed in prior periods. Our OIBDA calculation is commonly used as one of the bases for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare the periodic and future operating performance and value of companies within the wireless telecommunications industry. We use the term Adjusted for OIBDA and operating profit where there were items that do not reflect underlying operations that were excluded. OIBDA can be reconciled to our consolidated statements of profit or loss as follows:

OIBDA margin can be reconciled to our operating margin as follows:

***

Attachment B

Definitions

Subscriber. We define a "subscriber" as an organization or individual, whose SIM-card:

- shows traffic-generating activity or

- accrues a balance for services rendered or

- is replenished or topped off

Over the course of any three-month period, inclusive within the reporting period, and was not blocked at the end of the period.

/^[1] P&L data were retrospectively adjusted on discontinued operation in Uzbekistan
^[2] Adjusted OIBDA for Q3 and 9M 2017 doesn't include a loss from impairment of non-current assets of RUB 1.1 bln in Turkmenistan
^[3] Including CDMA subscribers
^[4] MTS owns a 49% stake in Mobile TeleSystems LLC, a mobile operator in Belarus, which is not consolidated
^[5] Total may add up differently due to rounding
^[6] Including financial leasing and including FOREX hedging in the amount of USD 533 mln as of September 30, 2017
^[7] The average price may differ from the settlement price, due to commissions, fees and other related expenses
^[8] Excluding costs of RUB 2.6 bln related to the acquisition of a 4G license in Russia in 9M 2016
^[9] Including RUB 875 mln spent on CAPEX in UMC LLC in 9M 2016, while Group revenue for 9M 2016 doesn't include revenue from UMC LLC
^[10] Excluding purchase of 4G license in Russia in the amount of RUB 2.6 bln in 9M 2016
^[11] Net of elimination
^[12] Including franchises