Press release -
Eutelsat Group Trading update
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AND WHICH ALSO FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018.
Paris, 29th January 2024 - Eutelsat Group (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL). Following the merger with OneWeb forming Eutelsat Group, and a review of trading for the first three months since completion of the merger, Eutelsat Group provides the following update.
The legacy Eutelsat business remains on track with expected performance and confirms a return to top line growth for FY 2023-24, mainly driven by the entry into service of satellites EUTELSAT 10B and KONNECT VHTS.
The results of the LEO activities of OneWeb, while progressing well, with 100% of the satellites in place and a backlog of $1.1bn[1] at the end of the last quarter, are running behind schedule relative to the original roadmap. This reflects delays in the availability of the ground network, as well as a revenue mix more oriented than expected towards the sale of user terminals, which impacts margins. The delay in the ground network impacts revenues, especially in mobility and in certain geographies where market access is still outstanding.
The deployment of the ground network is progressing well, towards a 90% completion rate in Q2 2024. We continue to see strong momentum in the take-up of pre-signed commitments with major customers, and we believe we are on track towards our longer-term targets.
Nevertheless, this dynamic will not suffice to close the gap relative to our near-term expectations, and in consequence we are adjusting our financial objectives for FY 2023-24 as follows (at a €/$ rate of 1.00)[2]:
- Revenues are now expected in a range of €1.25bn to €1.3bn (versus €1.32bn to €1.42bn previously).
- Adjusted EBITDA is expected in a range of €650m to €680m (versus €725m to €825m previously).
- After synergies, cash capex is expected to remain well contained within a €725m to €875m per annum average range over the period FY 2025 to FY 2030; Cash capex for FY 2024 is expected in a range between €600m and €650m.
- We also continue to target leverage of c.3x in the medium term.
To allow for a more accurate assessment of prospects in the context of the rapid development of OneWeb’s business, financial objectives for FY 2024-25 will be reviewed and shared on the occasion of Eutelsat Group’s FY 2023-24 Results on August 2nd, 2024; previously communicated objectives for FY 2024-25 are meanwhile suspended.
Management remains confident in the prospects of OneWeb and the potential of Eutelsat Group’s unique combined GEO-LEO offer. As the constellation achieves full global operational coverage, we anticipate an acceleration in revenues and continue to target double-digit CAGR in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA between FY 2024 and FY 2028.
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About Eutelsat Group
Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 36 Geostationary satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites.
The Group addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes more than 6,500 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services.
Eutelsat Group’s unique suite of in-orbit assets enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and the Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,700 people across more than 50 countries. The Group is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL)
Media enquiries
Joanna Darlington
Tel. +33674 521 531
jdarlington@eutelsat.com
Anita Baltagi
Tel. +33 1 53 98 47 47
abaltagi@eutelsat.com
Katie Dowd
Tel. +1 202 2712209
kdowd@oneweb.net
Investors
Joanna Darlington
Tel. +33674 521 531
jdarlington@eutelsat.com
Hugo Laurens Berge
hlaurensberge@eutelsat.com
Disclaimer
The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management’s views and assumptions as of the date of this document. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: risks related to the health crisis; operational risks related to satellite failures or impaired satellite performance, or failure to roll out the deployment plan as planned and within the expected timeframe; risks related to the trend in the satellite telecommunications market resulting from increased competition or technological changes affecting the market; risks related to the international dimension of the Group's customers and activities; risks related to the adoption of international rules on frequency coordination and financial risks related, inter alia, to the financial guarantee granted to the Intergovernmental Organization's closed pension fund, and foreign exchange risk. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this document to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The information contained in this document is not based on historical fact and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts or data mentioned will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group considers as reasonable. For the purposes of market abuse regulation (EU) no. 596/2014, and which also forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the person responsible for arranging release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is David Bertolotti, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary.
Financial calendar
Eutelsat Communications' 12-month fiscal year ends on June 30.
The following financial calendar is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated.
First Half 2023-24 results | 16 February 2024 |
Third quarter and Nine Months 2023-24 revenues | 14 May 2024 |
Full-year 2023-24 results | 2 August 2024 |
