Vodafone Qatar QSC (DSMD:VFQS) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Profit Growth and ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue Growth: Increased by 2.5% year-on-year.

  • Net Profit Growth: Increased by 11.2% year-on-year, surpassing QAR600 million.

  • EBITDA: QAR1.36 billion, a growth of 6.1% year-on-year.

  • OpEx Intensity: Reduced to 23.4% for the financial year 2024.

  • Operating Cash Flow: Grew by 2.4% on an underlying basis.

  • Net Debt Reduction: Reduced by 22.6% year-on-year.

  • EBITDA Margin: Reported at 42.8%, with an underlying margin of 41.8%.

  • Net Profit Margin: Increased by 1 percentage point to 18.4% on an underlying basis.

  • CapEx: QAR441 million, reflecting an intensity of 13.8%.

  • Return on Capital Employed: Increased by 1.1 percentage points to 11.7%.

  • EPS: Improved by 7.2% year-on-year.

Release Date: January 28, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Vodafone Qatar QSC (DSMD:VFQS) reported a 2.5% increase in revenue and an 11.2% rise in net profit, showcasing strong financial performance.

  • The company has maintained a robust cash flow generation, with a 2.4% growth in underlying operating cash flows and a 22.6% reduction in net debt.

  • Vodafone Qatar QSC (DSMD:VFQS) achieved a significant improvement in EBITDA, reaching QAR1.36 billion, a 6.1% year-on-year growth.

  • The company is expanding into new high-growth areas such as ICT and fintech, with initiatives like iPAY contributing to a cashless society.

  • The Board of Directors recommended an 11% dividend, reflecting confidence in the company's financial health and future prospects.

Negative Points

  • The expansion into ICT has been challenging, with a success rate below 10%, indicating potential difficulties in capturing market opportunities.

  • The transition from FDD to TDD and the sunset of 3G pose operational challenges that require careful management to avoid service disruptions.

  • There is a highly competitive pricing environment in the Enterprise segment, which could impact profitability if not managed effectively.

  • The company faces challenges in subscriber growth post-World Cup, with uncertainties around population recovery in Qatar.

  • Vodafone Qatar QSC (DSMD:VFQS) did not provide EPS growth guidance for the year, citing it as too early, which may create uncertainty for investors.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Why is Vodafone Qatar not providing EPS growth guidance for this year? A: Masroor Anjum, Chief Financial Officer: We prefer not to give EPS guidance as it is still early in the year. We hope to provide guidance by the end of Q1.

Q: What are Vodafone Qatar's plans regarding data centers and the impact of AI on the business? A: Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer: We are exploring opportunities in data centers and AI, but cannot disclose specific projects at this time.