Correction: VEON publishes preliminary 4Q22 and FY22 results
VEON publishes preliminary 4Q22 and FY22 results
Sale of Russia will lead to a significant reduction in debt
Amsterdam, 16 March 2022: A correction has been issued for the release disseminated today at 07:00 CET. The figure for EBITDA in FY 2022 highlights was inaccurately cited. The correct amount is USD 1,743 million. The complete and corrected release follows:
Amsterdam, 16 March 2022 07:00 CET: VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, announces selected financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended 31 December 2022, excluding the results of the Russian operations, as they were classified as ‘held for sale’ and ‘discontinued operations’ in 4Q22:
In Q4 2022, VEON’s local currency performance accelerated sharply with total revenues of USD 940 million, -
For FY 2022, VEON’s total revenues amounted to USD 3,755 million, -
Commenting on the results, Kaan Terzioğlu said: “In the final quarter of 2022, we added further operational momentum and recorded double-digit local currency revenue growth in five of our countries, doubling the growth rate from a year ago. With our Russian operations now classified as ‘held for sale’ and ‘discontinued operations’ and not contributing to Group revenues, VEON’s topline growth in local currency for the full year 2022 was
In 2022, each of our operations achieved significant growth, both in terms of financial performance and the operational metrics that underpin our business. Our local operating companies collectively added 14 million 4G customers, bringing 4G-powered digital ‘multiplay’ users to
Q4 2022 highlights
- Revenue of USD 940 million, -
4.9% YoY (+18.6% YoY in local currency) - Service revenue of USD 901 million, -
4.4% YoY (+19.2% YoY in local currency) - Data and digital revenues of USD 474 million, -
7.5% YoY (+15.8% YoY in local currency) - EBITDA of USD 453 million, +
1.2% YoY (+30.1% YoY in local currency) - Capex of USD 263 million, -
5.1% YoY, with capex intensity of22.1% - Total cash and cash equivalents of USD 3.1 billion, +
37.9% YoY, with USD 2.5 billion at Headquarters - 157 million mobile subscribers, up
2.7% YoY - 85 million 4G users, up
19.4% YoY, with53.9% penetration of customer base
FY 2022 highlights
- Revenue of USD 3,755 million, -
2.4% YoY (+14.0% YoY in local currency) - Service revenue of USD 3,600 million, -
2.4% YoY (+13.9% YoY in local currency) - Data and digital revenues of USD 1,937 million, -
0.7% YoY (+16.5% YoY in local currency) - EBITDA of USD 1,743 million, -
5.3% YoY (+12.6% YoY in local currency) - Capex of USD 832 million, +
2.9% YoY, with capex intensity of22.1% - Total cash and cash equivalents of USD 3.1 billion, +
37.9% YoY, with USD 2.5 billion at Headquarters - 157 million mobile subscribers, up
2.7% YoY - 85 million 4G users, up
19.4% YoY, with53.9% penetration of customer base
In 4Q22, VEON accelerated local currency revenue & EBITDA growth and continued to gain market share in each of its markets. The Group maintained strong liquidity, with Group cash and cash equivalents of USD 3.1 billion as of 31 December 2022.
Total Group revenues decreased by
In 4Q22, Group EBITDA increased by
The Group’s YoY revenues and EBITDA performance was impacted by several extraordinary non-recurring items in 4Q22 and in 4Q21, as noted in the Country Performance section. Excluding these one-off items, Group total revenue increased by
In 4Q22, we reported subscriber base growth of
Each of our operations have increased their ARPU levels YoY as they delivered a broader range of services to their customers, achieving greater wallet shares while also implementing inflationary pricing.
Our operating companies continued to execute VEON’s Digital Operator strategy (“DO1440”), aiming to deliver digital experiences for every minute of the day powered by high-quality mobile internet connectivity. On the back of our growing 4G penetration and with increasing usage of our digital services, we have expanded our multiplay customer base by
Media streaming services Toffee in Bangladesh and Tamasha in Pakistan were among key drivers of growth in multiplay, as well as our overall digital offering. Toffee in Bangladesh reached 21.2 million monthly active users (“MAUs”) in December 2022, a 3.3-fold YoY increase, with 5.2 million average daily users (5.0 times higher YoY). Tamasha in Pakistan reached 4.3 million MAUs, a 3.5-fold YoY increase.
Our digital financial services business in Pakistan, JazzCash, increased its monthly active users by
In 4Q22, Group capex was USD 263 million, driven by investment in 4G networks in Ukraine, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, in line with our growth strategy. At
In Ukraine, the team continued to work to keep the country connected, with around
Pakistan revenues rose
In Kazakhstan, revenues increased
In Bangladesh, Banglalink’s revenues increased
In Uzbekistan, revenues increased
As VEON Group strengthens its position for accelerating growth, our 2023 local currency guidance for both revenue and EBITDA is growth of
Key recent developments
- Veon appoints Joop Brakenhoff as Group Chief Financial Officer. On 15 March 2023, VEON announced the appointment of Joop Brakenhoff as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective from 1 May 2023. Joop will replace Serkan Okandan whose three-year contract as Group CFO is set to expire at the end of April 2023. Serkan will continue to serve VEON as a special advisor to the Group CEO and CFO.
- VEON to accelerate Digital Operator roll-out with appointment of Group DO1440 Officer. On 9 March 2023, VEON announced the appointment of a dedicated Group DO1440 Officer, Lasha Tabidze, to support its operating companies in executing its digital operator model. Lasha Tabidze has a strong track record in delivering digital products and digital transformation. His previous roles include CEO of Beeline Georgia, which was sold by VEON in 2022. In his Group DO1440 Officer role, Mr. Tabidze will report to VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu.
- VEON’s Digital Operator 1440 recognized as “The Best Service for Connected Consumers” at GLOMO Awards. On 1 March 2023, VEON announced that it had received GSMA’s Global Mobile Award for “Best Mobile Operator Service for Connected Consumers” with its Digital Operator 1440 model – DO1440. VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu received the award on behalf of the Group’s digital operators, who have implemented the DO1440 model in their markets over the past 2 years, aiming to deliver valuable digital experiences for their customers 1440 minutes of a day.
- VEON enters into agreement to sell its Russian operations and obtains Russian regulatory approval1. On 24 November 2022, VEON announced that following a competitive process, it has entered into an agreement to sell its Russian operations to certain senior members of the management team of PJSC VimpelCom, led by Beeline Russia’s current CEO Aleksander Torbakhov. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities. The target completion date for the transaction is on or before 1 June 2023, with options on both sides for extensions in case any required regulatory license has not yet been received. As part of the transaction, ownership of VEON’s Kazakhstan operations has been transferred from PJSC VimpelCom to VEON headquarters on 7 December 2022. This ensures that VEON will continue to control its Kazakhstan operations, with VEON Holdings B.V. taking direct ownership of the Group’s
75% stake in Kar-Tel, which operates under the Beeline brand in the country. - On 7 February 2023, the Sub-Commission of the Government Commission for Control over Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation issued its approval of the proposed sale of VEON’s Russian operations to certain senior members of the management of PJSC VimpelCom, led by its current CEO Alexander Torbakhov, subject to certain conditions. It is anticipated that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied and that, as previously communicated, the transaction will complete on or before 1 June 2023.
- Scheme of arrangement to extend 2023 notes maturities. On 30 January 2023, VEON announced that the Scheme Sanction Hearing had taken place, at which the Court made an order sanctioning the Scheme in respect of the Company’s 2023 Notes (the “Order”). On 31 January 2023, VEON confirmed that the Order had been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and become effective. The amendments to the 2023 Notes will become effective upon receipt of relevant licenses, at which time the maturity dates of the February 2023 and April 2023 notes will be amended to October and December 2023, respectively. Pursuant to the amendments, the respective maturity dates of the February 2023 Notes and April 2023 Notes will be extended to October 2023 and December 2023 respectively, noteholders will be entitled to payment of an amendment fee of 200bps payable on the 2023 Notes outstanding on their respective amended maturity dates and a put right will be opened requiring the Company to repurchase 2023 Notes held by 2023 Noteholders exercising the Put Right, exercisable at a purchase price of 102 per cent of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest. The Put Right should only be open to international investors.
- VEON management increased ownership. On 21 February 2023, VEON announced the completion of a further share transfer to Group Executive Committee (“GEC”) member, Group Chief Internal Audit & Compliance Officer, Joop Brakenhoff. A total of 104,047 shares vested as part of VEON’s Deferred Share Plan. Of those, 52,543 shares were transferred to Mr. Brakenhoff, with the remaining 51,504 withheld to cover local withholding tax. This award followed the completion of share transfers to the Group CEO and Group CFO announced on 11 July 2022 and the completion of share transfers to GEC members announced on 18 July 2022 as part of the Group’s incentive program announced in February 2022.
- VEON announced ratio change under its American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) program. On 6 February 2023, VEON announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of ratio in the Company’s ADR program, comprising a change in the ratio of American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) to VEON common shares (the “Shares”) from one (1) ADS representing one (1) Share, to one (1) ADS representing twenty-five (25) Shares (the “Ratio Change”). On 6 March 2023, VEON announced postponement to effectiveness of ratio change under its ADR program as The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”) was not prepared to make the new CUSIP with new ratio available on Monday, 6 March 2023 as scheduled. On 7 March 2023, VEON confirmed revised timing for effectiveness of ratio change under its ADR program. The effective date of the Ratio Change was 8 March 2023.
- US Treasury expanded General License to include both VEON Ltd. and VEON Holdings. On 18 January 2023, VEON announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has replaced the General License 54 originally issued on 18 November 2022 with General License 54A to now include both VEON Ltd. and VEON Holdings B.V. (VEON Holdings). This general license applies to all debt and equity securities of VEON Ltd. or VEON Holdings that were issued before 6 June 2022, and confirms that the authorization applies not only to the purchase and receipt of debt and equity securities, but also to transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to facilitating, clearing and settling of such transactions. This General License ensures that all market participants can trade the relevant securities with confidence that such trading is consistent with E.O. 14071, which targeted “new investment” in Russia.
- VEON appoints PWC as the Dutch statutory financial statement auditors. On 11 January 2023, VEON announced the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. as the Dutch statutory financial statement auditors for the year ended 31 December 2022. As noted in the “Notice to Readers: Impact of The Conflict”, the Company notes that due to the military conflict in Ukraine and its consequences, it is unlikely that the 2022 Dutch financial statements can be filed within the statutory deadline of 30 April 2023.
1 The sale of VEON’s Russian operations is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities. There can be no assurance that the requisite approvals will be received or that such sale will complete.
Additional information
View the full 4Q22 and FY22 earnings release
View 4Q22 and FY22 results presentation
About VEON
VEON is a global digital operator that currently provides converged connectivity and online services to over 200 million customers in seven dynamic markets. We are transforming people’s lives, empowering individuals, creating opportunities for greater digital inclusion and driving economic growth across countries that are home to more than
Notice to reader: impact of conflict
VEON's results and other financial information presented in these financial statements are, unless otherwise stated, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") based on internal management reporting, are the responsibility of management, and have not been externally audited, reviewed, or verified. As such, you should not place undue reliance on this information. This information may not be indicative of the actual results for any future period.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the United States, member states of the European Union, the European Union itself, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and certain other nations, counter-sanctions by Russia and other legal and regulatory responses, as well as responses by our service providers, partners, suppliers and other counterparties, and the consequences of all of the foregoing have impacted and, if the conflict, sanctions and such responses continue or escalate, may significantly impact our results and aspects of our operations in Russia and Ukraine, and may significantly affect our results and aspects of our operations in the other countries in which we operate. We are closely monitoring events in Russia and Ukraine, as well as the possibility of the imposition of further sanctions in connection with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and any resulting further rise in tensions between Russia and the United States, the United Kingdom and/or the European Union. Although our Russian operations are now classified as ‘held for sale’ and ‘discontinued operations’ and do not contribute to our comparison base or actual reported numbers in this release (except as specifically stated), our operations in Ukraine continue to be affected by the conflict. We hope that there will be a peaceful and amicable resolution and are doing everything we can to protect the safety of our employees, while continuing to ensure the uninterrupted operation of our communications, financial and digital services.
The comprehensive sanctions on investment and vendors in Russia and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine have had and may continue to have a significant impact on the Company’s operations and business plans in Russia and Ukraine. During the twelve months-ended 31 December 2022, we have recorded significant impairment charges related to the Russian and Ukrainian operations. We may need to record future impairment charges, which could be significant if the conflict continues or escalates and as more information becomes available to management. It is possible further impairment charges may rise to such a level on an accounting basis as to require additional analysis of true asset values in order to determine the true value of assets to be compared to liabilities as outlined in the provisions of our debt agreements.
Due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the consequences as mentioned above, the Company requires additional time to complete all necessary disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 20-F to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“U.S. SEC”) as well as its Dutch financial statements to be filed with the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (“AFM”), including completing its preparation of VEON’s consolidated financial statements and subsequently receiving the related audit report on the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting from its independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, VEON anticipates it will not be able to file its Dutch financial statements with the AFM by April 30, 2023, nor its Annual Report on Form 20-F by May 1, 2023, the respective deadlines for filing. If VEON is not able to complete these filings by the prescribed deadlines (or the May 16, 2023 date for extension of the Form 20-F filing deadline provided by U.S. Securities Exchange Act Rule 12b-25), it cannot be ruled out that the AFM, Euronext, U.S. SEC or Nasdaq might, following the missed deadline, take action against VEON, which could include imposition of a fine or grant of a further grace period, or in the most extreme cases, deregistration of VEON’s securities and/or delisting of such securities from Nasdaq and/or Euronext.
Disclaimer
VEON’s results presented in this earnings release are, unless otherwise stated, based on IFRS and have not been externally reviewed and audited. The financial information included in this earnings release is preliminary and is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to inherent uncertainties and subject to change. The financial information presented herein is based on internal management accounts, is the responsibility of management and is subject to financial closing procedures which have not yet been completed and has not been audited, reviewed or verified. Certain amounts and percentages that appear in this earnings release have been subject to rounding adjustments. As a result, certain numerical figures shown as totals, including those in the tables, may not be an exact arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede or follow them. Although we believe the information to be reasonable, actual results may vary from the information contained above and such variations could be material. As such, you should not place undue reliance on this information. This information may not be indicative of the actual results for the current period or any future period.
This earnings release contains “forward-looking statements”, as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among other things, VEON’s plans to implement its strategic priorities, including operating model and development plans; anticipated performance, including VEON’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow; VEON’s assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its current and future operations and financial condition; VEON’s assessment of the impact of the conflict surrounding Russia and Ukraine, including related sanctions and counter-sanctions, on its current and future operations and financial condition; future market developments and trends; operational and network development and network investment, including expectations regarding the roll-out and benefits of 3G/4G/LTE networks, as applicable; spectrum acquisitions and renewals; the effect of the acquisition of additional spectrum on customer experience; VEON’s ability to realize the acquisition and disposition of any of its businesses and assets and to execute its strategic transactions in the timeframes anticipated, or at all; VEON’s ability to realize financial improvements, including an expected reduction of net pro-forma leverage ratio following the successful completion of certain dispositions and acquisitions; our dividends; completion of VEON’s sale of its Russian operations; and VEON’s ability to realize its targets and commercial initiatives in its various countries of operation.
The forward-looking statements included in this earnings release are based on management’s best assessment of VEON’s strategic and financial position and of future market conditions, trends and other potential developments. These discussions involve risks and uncertainties. The actual outcome may differ materially from these statements as a result of, among other things: further escalation in the conflict surrounding Russia and Ukraine, including further sanctions and counter-sanctions and any related involuntary deconsolidation of our Russian and/or Ukrainian operations; further unanticipated developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the effect on consumer spending, that has negatively affected VEON’s operations and financial condition in the past; demand for and market acceptance of VEON’s products and services; our plans regarding our dividend payments and policies, as well as our ability to receive dividends, distributions, loans, transfers or other payments or guarantees from our subsidiaries; continued volatility in the economies in VEON’s markets; governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries; general political uncertainties in VEON’s markets; government investigations or other regulatory actions; litigation or disputes with third parties or regulatory authorities or other negative developments regarding such parties; the impact of export controls and laws affecting trade and investment on our and important third-party suppliers' ability to procure goods, software or technology necessary for the services we provide to our customers; risks associated with data protection or cyber security, other risks beyond the parties’ control or a failure to meet expectations regarding various strategic priorities, the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased competition in the markets in which VEON operates and the effect of consumer taxes on the purchasing activities of consumers of VEON’s services.
Certain other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in VEON’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2021 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on 29 April 2022 and other public filings made from time to time by VEON with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our future results. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Under no circumstances should the inclusion of such forward-looking statements in this press release be regarded as a representation or warranty by us or any other person with respect to the achievement of results set out in such statements or that the underlying assumptions used will in fact be the case. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We cannot assure you that any projected results or events will be achieved. Except to the extent required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The sale of VEON’s Russian operations is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities. There can be no assurance that the requisite approvals will be received or that such sale will complete.
Furthermore, elements of this release contain or may contain, “inside information” as defined under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.
Contact Information
VEON
Investor Relations
Nik Kershaw
ir@veon.com
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