SES S.A. YTD 2020 results solid YTD performance and value creation initiatives on track

SES S.A. announced financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2020.

Solid performance with continued strong underlying growth across Networks

• Networks revenue +7.5% year-on-year(1,2); Q3 2020 Video revenue stable quarter-on-quarter(1,2)

• Adjusted EBITDA(3) EUR 883 million representing 62.6% margin with recurring operating expenses reduced 3.7% year-on-year

On track to deliver on FY 2020 financial outlook

• Over 97% of group revenue outlook (EUR 1,860-1,900 million(4)) already contracted

• ‘Exceptional’ COVID-19 cost mitigations of around EUR 50 million underpin Adjusted EBITDA(3) outlook (EUR 1,120-1,160 million(4))

Strong progress across four key initiatives that will drive substantial long-term value

• On track to clear U.S. C-band by the stated deadlines and realise the full USD 4 billion of accelerated relocation payments

• Simplify & Amplify initiatives implemented unlocking EUR 40-50 million of annual EBITDA optimisations from 2021 onwards; having concluded its investigation, the SES Board has decided not to pursue a separation of Networks within SES at this time

• Building the multi-orbit ‘Network of the Future’ through launch and interoperability of SES-17 and O3b mPOWER. Positioned to capture growth resulting from the projected three-fold increase in addressable market(5); USD 0.5 billion of contract backlog secured across the programmes with commercial traction increasing as launch approaches

• Foundational and expanded partnership with Microsoft and Azure Orbital at the heart of ‘cloud-first’ strategy to transform service delivery, expand service offerings and enhance customer experience

Steve Collar, CEO of SES, commented: “Our solid performance continued into the third quarter, despite ongoing COVID-19 headwinds, with sustained growth across Networks and stable revenue quarter-on-quarter in our Video business. We were delighted to announce a substantial extension of our relationship with Canal+ across three orbital locations and valued at over EUR 230 million, as well as a meaningful extension of our strategic partnership with Microsoft as an Azure Orbital connectivity partner and satellite partner for Azure Modular Data Centres. We took measures early in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the bottom line and the benefits of these cost-saving measures are reflected in our resilient Adjusted EBITDA performance. Execution remains the priority with the business well placed to deliver on our full year outlook.

We are executing strongly on the four transformational initiatives which, together with ongoing execution in the core of the business, will deliver substantial value for our shareholders. I am particularly pleased with the progress being made towards repurposing U.S. C-band with the transition plan fully on track, the FCC auction due to start next month and deadline for realising the first relocation payment now only 13 months away. We have fully implemented measures to focus the business, simplify operations and unlock EUR 40-50 million of annualised EBITDA savings from 2021. We have chosen not to pursue the separation of Networks within SES at this time in favour of driving strong operational focus within our Video and Networks businesses.

We are already strongly differentiated in Networks and, with the launches of SES-17 and O3b mPOWER less than a year away, we are continuing to deliver on our vision for cloud-enabled, multi-orbit, seamless, automated and flexible network services. We have already signed USD 500 million in contract backlog for SES-17 and O3b mPOWER and will report regularly on our progress as we move towards launch of our ‘Network of the Future’. An important enabler for this network is our cloud-first strategy. With SES now an Azure Orbital connectivity provider, our partnership with Microsoft has extended to co-located O3b mPOWER gateways ensuring that Azure is only ever one hop away for our customers.”

Key business and financial highlights

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (APM) to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position.

• Group revenue of EUR 1,410 million included EUR 9 million of periodic and other revenue (YTD 2019: EUR 18 million). Underlying revenue (excluding periodic and other) declined by 2.3% (year-on-year at constant FX) to EUR 1,401 million.

• Video underlying revenue of EUR 832 million (-8.1% at constant FX) reflected the combination of lower Distribution revenue (-7.3%), from ‘right-sizing’ of capacity by customers in mature markets, and lower Services revenue (-10.3%) due to reduced exposure to low margin activities and the impact of COVID-19 on Sports & Events revenue. Q3 2020 underlying revenue (EUR 273 million) was in line with the previous quarter at constant FX.

• Networks underlying revenue grew, for the third consecutive year, by 7.5% at constant FX to EUR 569 million with double-digit growth in Mobility (+17.9%) and a return to growth in Fixed Data (+6.4%), while Government (+1.3%) benefited from new business secured since Q2 2020 and which contributed to sequential growth in overall Networks revenue to EUR 189 million in Q3 2020.

• Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 883 million represented an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 62.6% (YTD 2019: 62.3%). YTD 2020 operating expenses (excluding restructuring and C-Band) were 3.7% lower year-on-year at EUR 527 million.

• Adjusted EBITDA excludes a restructuring charge of EUR 28 million in relation to the Simplify & Amplify transformation programme (YTD 2019: EUR 14 million) and EUR 21 million (YTD 2019: nil) of operating expenses associated with the accelerated repurposing of U.S. C-band spectrum.

• Depreciation and amortisation expense of EUR 537 million was 3.7% lower (year-on-year) as the impact of new satellites was more than offset by other satellites reaching the end of their depreciable life, as well as increases in the depreciable life of certain assets.

• The reduction in net profit to EUR 154 million in YTD 2020 mainly reflected the combination of the lower reported EBITDA (including the restructuring and C-band expenses noted above) and net foreign exchange losses compared to YTD 2019, which also included an income tax benefit of EUR 16 million. These items offset the positive contribution from lower depreciation, amortisation and net interest expenses.

• The Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.2 times (including 50% of the hybrid bonds as debt, per the rating agency methodology) was lower (YTD 2019: 3.4 times).

• Fully protected contract backlog at 30 September 2020 was EUR 5.8 billion (gross backlog of EUR 6.3 billion when including backlog subject to contractual break clauses). This includes USD 0.5 billion of future total revenue secured across SES-17 and O3b mPOWER which remain on track to begin commercial service during the second half of 2022.

• The outlook for FY 2020 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the forecast for capital expenditure (representing net cash absorbed by investing activities excluding acquisitions and financial investments), presented with the H1 2020 results, are all on track.