Zain Group announced its consolidated financial results for the six months to 30 June, 2016. The company ended the period serving 45.2 million customers.
For the first six months of 2016, Zain Group generated consolidated revenues of KD 552 million (USD 1.83 billion) down 2% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in KD terms. The Group's consolidated EBITDA for the period reached KD 255 million (USD 846 million), up 6% Y-o-Y in KD terms. EBITDA margin increased to a healthy 46.2% at the end of the period, compared to 42.8% for the same period of 2015. Consolidated net income reached KD 82 million up 2% Y-o-Y. Earnings per share for the period stood at 21 Fils (USD 0.07).
The Group incurred foreign currency variance losses amounting to USD 57 million for the first six-month period of 2016, a USD 15 million increase from a USD 42 million impact for the same period in 2015, predominantly accounted for by operations in Iraq and Sudan.
Group Key Performance Indicators (Kuwaiti Dinars and USD) results for Q2 2016
For the second quarter of 2016, Zain Group recorded consolidated revenues of KD 275 million (USD 912 million), down 3% on the same period in the previous year. EBITDA for the quarter reached KD 132 million (USD 439 million), up 7% Y-o-Y in KD terms, reflecting an increased EBITDA margin of 48.1%, compared to 43.7% for the same period of 2015. Net income for the quarter reached KD 45 million (USD 148 million), up 14% Y-o-Y in KD terms reflecting earnings per share of 11 Fils (USD 0.04).
For the second quarter of 2016, the Group incurred foreign currency variance losses amounting to USD 22 million, a USD 13 million decrease from a USD 35 million impact for the same period in 2015.
Operational review of key markets for the six months ended 30 June, 2016
Kuwait: Maintaining its market leadership, Zain Group's flagship operation saw its customer base serve 2.9 million in a very challenging six-month period that witnessed intense price competition impact its financial performance for the period. Revenues reached KD 165 million (USD 548 million), EBITDA amounted to KD 80 million (USD 264 million) and net income came in at KD 44 million (USD 144 million). Zain Kuwait's EBITDA margin stood at 48% at the end of the six-month period, with data revenues (excluding SMS & VAS) forming 35% of total revenues.
Iraq: The exceptional socio-economic circumstances facing the operation saw Zain Iraq's financial performance hampered, with revenues for the period reaching USD 536 million, a decrease of 11% Y-o-Y, and EBITDA reaching USD 194 million, down 12% Y-o-Y. Net income amounted to USD 24 million, a substantial reduction of 59% Y-o-Y. Currency variance loss also impacted net income. The operation's EBITDA margin stood at 36%, with data-related revenues forming 8% of overall revenues for the first half of 2016. Customers served totalled 11.2 million at the end of June, a 12% decrease.
Sudan: In local currency (SDG) terms, the operator's revenues grew by 9% Y-o-Y to reach SDG 2.4 billion (USD 380 million, up 7% in USD terms) for the first six months of 2016. EBITDA increased by 19% to reach SDG 1.04 billion (USD 162 million, up 17% in USD terms), while net income decreased 2% to SDG 480 million (USD 75 million, down 4% in USD terms). Data revenues (excluding SMS and VAS) formed 12% of total revenues, with an impressive annual growth rate of 47% (44% in USD terms). The operation saw its customer base expand 7% to reach 12.5 million.
Saudi Arabia: The operation served 10.7 million customers at the end of the first six months of 2016. Revenues grew 5% Y-o-Y to reach USD 956 million while EBITDA grew 4% to reach USD 218 million and net losses amounted to USD 154 million for the period. Zain Saudi Arabia's EBITDA margin reached 22.8%. Impressively, the operator witnessed a 57% Y-o-Y rise in data revenues (excluding SMS & VAS), representing 31% of total revenues as the company invested heavily and expanded its modern 4G LTE network.
Jordan: Zain Jordan grew its customer base by 3% Y-o-Y, serving 4.1 million customers, maintaining its market leading position. Y-o-Y, revenues increased 7% to reach USD 238 million, with EBITDA up 18% to reach USD 115 million, reflecting an impressive 48% EBITDA margin. Net income increased 10% to USD 50 million. With the launch of 4G, data revenues (excluding SMS & VAS) represented 32% of total revenues, up by 25% Y-o-Y.
Bahrain: Zain Bahrain generated revenues of USD 86 million for the six-month period, down 9% Y-o-Y. EBITDA for the period reached USD 32 million, down 12%, and reflecting an EBITDA margin of 38%. Net income amounted to USD 4.9 million, reflecting an 11% decrease. Data revenues (excluding SMS & VAS) increased 5% Y-o-Y, representing 37% of overall revenues.