THIRD QUARTER 2009 RESULTS
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October 30, 2009
STRONG OPERATIONAL PROGRESS
• Revenues of Euro 3.687 billion, down 9.3% year-over-year and 5.6% sequentially
• Adjusted2 gross profit of Euro 1.232 billion or 33.4% of revenues
• Adjusted2 operating income1 of Euro (11) million or (0.3)% of revenues
• Reported net loss (group share) of Euro (182) million or Euro (0.08) per share
• Operating cash flow3 of Euro 739 million
• Net (debt)/cash of Euro 592 million as of September 30, 2009
• Full-year 2009 guidance to be around break-even at the adjusted2 operating income1 level reiterated
Click here for the full press release in PDF
Click here for reported and adjusted results, key figures and adjusted proforma results in PDF
EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY
Ben Verwaayen, CEO, commented:
"Our company continues its transformation journey. This quarter demonstrates both the relevance of our strategy through key customer wins and our capacity to consistently execute our plans with significant operational progress.
We are winning in areas of differentiation such as IP transformation, next generation broadband and wireless, application enablement and services. This is demonstrated in our wins with Qwest in merging IP and optics into a combined solution, Singapore's Nucleus Connect in application enablement, and the securing of LTE trials with France Telecom-Orange, Telefonica and Etisalat, bringing our total number of LTE trials to 16.
We have achieved significant operational progress. We are rapidly reshaping our cost and expense structure, having achieved 80% of our Euro 750 million target in annualized savings year to date. We generated Euro 362 million in free cash flow this quarter by improving our operating working capital metrics. Finally, robust investor reception to our Euro 1 billion convertible bond offering allowed us to further strengthen the balance sheet.
Against what remains a challenging market environment, we reiterate our view that our addressable market should be down between 8% and 12% at constant currency and that we will achieve an adjusted2 operating income1 around breakeven this year."
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Third quarter revenue decreased 9.3% year-over-year and 5.6% sequentially to Euro 3.687 billion. At constant currency exchange rates, revenue decreased 11.0% year-over-year and 3.5% sequentially. The carrier segment saw a double-digit decline in revenue, driven by 2G wireless access, TDM switching and terrestrial optics. The segment did see moderate growth in fixed broadband access, good growth in IP and strong growth in submarine optics, fixed NGN/IMS and W-CDMA. Enterprise revenue continued to decline at a double-digit rate. Applications software revenues grew at a strong double-digit rate and finally Services revenues grew at a low single-digit rate. From a geographic standpoint and in local currencies, revenue declined at a double-digit rate in both Europe (-13%) and in the rest of the world
(-32%). On the other hand, revenue declined slightly in Asia Pacific (-1%). Finally, North America returned to moderate growth this quarter (+1%).
• Adjusted2 operating income1 of Euro (11) million or (0.3%) of revenue. Adjusted2 gross margin came in at 33.4% of revenue for the quarter, compared to 32.5% in the year ago quarter and 33.1% in the second quarter 2009. Excluding the one time item booked in the year ago quarter (Euro (23) million hedging loss or (50)bp impact), gross margin rose 40bp year over year and rose 30bp sequentially as ongoing cost reduction actions and - on a sequential basis only - the weakness of the US dollar more than offset the negative impact of lower volumes and of an adverse shift in the product/geographic mix. Operating expenses decreased 2.9% year-over-year and 8.3% sequentially, reflecting ongoing cost reduction plans and - on a sequential basis only - the currency shift.
• Reported net loss (group share) of Euro (182) million or Euro (0.08) per share. This includes a one-time gain related to the amendment of the post retirement benefit plan of Euro 38 million pre tax and of Euro 23 m or Euro 0.01 per share after tax.
• Net (debt)/cash of Euro 592 million, versus Euro 28 million as of June 30, 2009. Operating cash flow reached Euro 739 million, as the strong sequential reduction in both accounts receivable and inventory led to a decrease in operating working capital requirement of Euro 430 million. Free cash flow was Euro 362 million, including restructuring cash outlays of Euro (122) million, cash interest expenses of Euro (41) million, contribution to pensions and OPEB of Euro (37) million, cash tax of Euro (20) million and capital expenditure of Euro (157) million. The net (debt)/cash position improved by Euro 564 million, including Euro 195 million related to the accounting treatment of part of the 2015 convertible bond as equity.
• Funded status of Pensions and OPEB of Euro (1,267) million at end September, compared to Euro (1,162) million as of June 30, 2009. The slight sequential widening in the deficit reflects the decrease in the discount rates used for pensions and post-retirement healthcare plans in the US, the euro zone and the UK, offset to a large extent by positive returns in both equity and bond assets.
OUTLOOK AND PROGRESS ON STRATEGIC PLAN
Alcatel-Lucent reiterates its guidance for 2009. The company continues to expect the global telecommunications equipment and related services market to be down between 8% and 12% at constant currency in 2009. The company still anticipates an adjusted2 operating income1 around break-even in 2009.
Progress on cost reduction plan: To date, the company estimates that it has achieved approximately 80% of its plan to reduce costs and expenses by Euro 750 million on an exit run rate by the fourth quarter 2009.Approximately 30% of the savings achieved year to date comes from a reduction in COGS, 20% from R&D and 50% from SG&A.
Progress on LTE: France Telecom-Orange has selected Alcatel-Lucent for an LTE field trial in both FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) and TDD (Time Division Duplex) modes. This technical trial which aims at gaining a full assessment of the end-to-end performance of LTE will take place in the south region of Paris, using Alcatel-Lucent's e-nodeBs and evolved packet core. Alcatel-Lucent was also invited to participate in LTE trials by Telefonica and Etisalat. To date, the company's LTE solution has been selected by 16 operators for trials.
Click here for reported and adjusted results, key figures and adjusted proforma results in PDF
REPORTED RESULTS
In the third quarter, the reported net loss (group share) was Euro (182) million or Euro (0.08) per diluted share (USD (0.12) per ADS), including the negative after tax impact from Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) entries of Euro (39) million.
ADJUSTED RESULTS
In addition to the reported results, Alcatel-Lucent is providing adjusted results in order to provide meaningful comparable information, which exclude the main non-cash impacts from Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) entries in relation to the Lucent business combination.The third quarter 2009 adjusted2 net loss (group share) was Euro (143) million or Euro (0.06) per diluted share (USD (0.09) per ADS), which includes a restructuring charge of Euro (136) million, a net financial charge of Euro (15) million, an adjusted income tax charge of Euro (18) million and minority interests of Euro (3) million.
ISSUE AND REPURCHASES OF CONVERTIBLES BONDS
On September 2, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent launched an offering of bonds convertible into and/or exchangeable for new or existing shares (OCEANE) with a coupon of 5%, a strike price of Euro 3.23, equivalent to a conversion premium of 35%, and a redemption date of January 1st, 2015. On settlement date (September 10, 2009), the proceeds of this offering, including the over-allotment option, were Euro 1 billion.
Concurrently, the company offered to repurchase some of its 2011 OCEANE through a reverse book building process. On settlement date (September 11), the company had purchased 7 565 882 bonds or 11.97% of outstanding bonds. The price per bond was Euro 16.70 (including accrued interest) for a total amount paid of Euro 126 million.
Repurchases of the 2011 OCEANE also took place after September 11, 2009 until October 6. Over the total period, Alcatel-Lucent repurchased a total of 12 627 240 bonds, equivalent to 19.98% of the bonds initially issued and currently outstanding. The price per bond (including accrued interest) ranged between Euro 16.70 and Euro 16.76 for a total amount paid of Euro 211 million. Out of this amount, Euro 172 million was paid on or before September 30, 2009, i.e. during the third quarter. As of today, 80.02% of the 2011 OCEANE issued remain outstanding, representing a face value of Euro 818 million.
Between September 15 and October 6, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent USA repurchased 2.875% 2023 Series A bonds representing a face value of USD 63 million. The amount paid was USD 62 million (of which USD 25 million on or before September 30, 2009). On October 29, 2009, 91.6% of the 2.875% 2023 Series A bonds issued were outstanding, representing a face value of USD 687 million.
BUSINESS COMMENTARY
CARRIER SEGMENT
For the third quarter 2009, revenues for the Carrier segment were Euro 2.231billion a decrease of 14.6% compared to Euro 2.611 billion in the year-ago quarter and a decrease of 6.4% compared to Euro 2.384 billion in the second quarter 2009. At constant currency exchange rates, Carrier revenues decreased 16.2% year-over-year and 4.0% sequentially. The segment posted an adjusted2 operating1 loss of Euro (27) million or an operating margin of (1.2) % compared to an operating income of Euro 22 million or a margin of 0.8 % in the year ago period.
Key highlights:
• Growth in IP routing: Revenues for the IP division were Euro 284 million, a decrease of 4.7% from the year ago quarter, impacted by the accelerated decline of the ATM market. IP/MPLS service router revenues continued to grow at a mid-single digit rate, with continued expansion in the wireless backhaul market as well as growing momentum in North America. Alcatel-Lucent announced several new wins in IP/MPLS including NTT Communications and NTT DoCoMo, Cox Business, Equinix and Qwest. The company's IP service routers are now deployed in 22 of the world's 30 largest operators and the LTE evolved packet core gateways, based on the 7750 service router, are now in multiple trials in North America and EMEA. In September, the company announced a new converged IP/Optical backbone solution which Qwest plans to deploy in 2010.
• Optics still impacted by terrestrial: Revenues for the Optics division were Euro 706 million, a decline of 11.5% from the year ago quarter. All segments of the terrestrial market declined this quarter although D-WDM revenues recovered sequentially. Submarine networks enjoyed another quarter of strong double-digit year-over-year growth. From a geographic standpoint, revenue declined in all regions except for Asia Pacific, where demand remains strong. The company's renewed portfolio including products such as the 1830 PSS (photonic metro WDM), 1850 TSS (packet optical transport), 9500 MPR (packet microwave) as well as advanced features (GMPLS, 40/100 Gbps) continues to get good traction with awards from TIM, Deutsche Telekom, TOT, Qwest, Globalive , NORDUnet and VTN.
• Wireless: 3G growth offset by strong 2G decline: Revenues for the Wireless Networks division were Euro 859 million, a decline of 18.3%from the year ago quarter. GSM was sharply impacted by 3G migration, slower mobile subscriber growth and capital expenditure constraints across almost all geographies. CDMA declined both year-over-year and sequentially due to continued weakness in North America, only partly offset by ongoing deployments in China. W-CDMA enjoyed its highest quarter ever, driven by China and North America. Alcatel-Lucent's converged W-CDMA radio network controller (9370) is now qualified at all of the company's customers, effectively completing the integration of the three platforms inherited from the merger.
• Somewhat better quarter in Wireline: Revenues for the Wireline Networks division were Euro 404 million, a decline of 18.4% from the year ago quarter. At constant currency, revenue contracted 20% compared to 32% in the first half of 2009. While TDM switching continued to decline at a rapid pace, broadband access - including ADSL, VDSL, GPON and home networking -returned to moderate growth this quarter versus a double-digit decline in the first half. In addition, Fixed NGN/IMS reported strong growth this quarter, albeit off a low base, driven by strong traction for the company's integrated IMS solution, the 5060 IP call server. Infonetics research ranked Alcatel-Lucent number two in the IMS Call Session Control Function (CSCF) market with a 21% share for the rolling four quarters ending in Q2 2009.
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE SEGMENT
For the third quarter 2009, revenues for the Applications software segment were Euro 286million, an increase of 19.7% compared to Euro 239 million in the year-ago quarter and an increase of 10.0% compared to Euro 260 million in the second quarter 2009. At constant currency exchange rates, Applications software revenues grew 16.2% year-over-year and increased 13.2% sequentially. The segment reached operating breakeven compared to an adjusted2 operating1 loss of Euro (22) million or a margin of (9.2) % in the year ago period.
Key highlights
• Carrier applications revenue grew in the low thirties this quarter, highlighting the positive customer response to the company's focus on applications enablement. Growth was very strong in digital media & advertising, professional services, remote customer management software (Motive) and maintenance. Payment & IN activities grew at a more moderate high single-digit rate this quarter due to the mature nature of the payment market in EMEA though Alcatel-Lucent continues to gain momentum in the Americas and in South East Asia. Rich communications which includes messaging and IMS had a softer quarter after a strong first half but its prospects remain very solid given recent wins in IMS, especially in China and in the US. Finally, subscriber data management (HLR and HSS) revenue was impacted by slower mobile subscriber growth and the completion of some 3G deployments.
• Revenue from Genesys, the contact centre software activity declined slightly this quarter. This is due in part to the impact of the economic environment on corporate investment and in part to a demanding year-over-year comparison.
• The segment broke-even this quarter, due to an improvement in carrier applications gross margins, the better absorption of fixed costs through revenue growth and ongoing cost reduction initiatives.
ENTERPRISE SEGMENT
For the third quarter 2009, revenues for the Enterprise segment were Euro 250 million, a decrease of 17.2% compared to Euro 302 million in the year-ago quarter and a decrease of 3.1% compared to Euro 258 million in the second quarter 2009. At constant currency exchange rates, Enterprise revenues decreased 18.1% year-over-year and 2.0% sequentially. The segment posted an adjusted2operating1 profit of Euro 4 million or an operating margin of 1.6% compared to a profit of Euro 21 million or 7.0 % in the year-ago quarter.
Key highlights:
• Revenues from Enterprise solutions declined at a double-digit rate this quarter, impacted by the continued weakness in voice telephony and in enterprise software applications, only partially offset by mid-single digit growth in data networking.
• Industrial components revenues continued to decline year over year this quarter, but at lower pace than in the first half and grew at a double-digit rate sequentially.
• From a geographic standpoint, all regions were impacted this quarter, with particular weakness in EMEA and in the Americas while APAC saw a more moderate decline.
• The segment returned to a positive adjusted2operating1profit this quarter, in spite of lower volumes than in the second quarter 2009 which is mainly due to the impact of the cost containment actions taken during the first half.
SERVICES SEGMENT
For the third quarter 2009, revenues for the Services segment were Euro 869million, an increase of 2.5% compared to Euro 848 million in the year-ago quarter and a decrease of 0.5% compared to Euro 873 million in the second quarter 2009. At constant currency exchange rates, Services revenues increased 2.0% year-over-year and increased 0.5% sequentially. The segment posted an adjusted2 operating profit1 of Euro 38 million or 4.4% of revenues compared to Euro 88 million or 10.4% in the year ago quarter.
Key highlights:
• Managed & Outsourcing Solutions grew in the high twenties this quarter, driven by the ongoing implementation of contracts won in both Western Europe and India over the 2008/2009 period.
• The Network and System Integration (N&SI) activities grew at a mid-single digit pace this quarter. While traditional network roll-out services remained impacted by the weakness of the wireless infrastructure market, N&SI saw good demand for the design & optimization of complex networks and in the integration of systems and applications.
• Maintenance activities declined at a high single-digit rate this quarter, albeit off a strong year ago quarter. The decline was driven by the maintenance of Alcatel-Lucent products whereas multivendor maintenance grew slightly.
• The segment saw a reduction in profitability both year-over-year and sequentially. This is due in part to the lower contribution of maintenance to the segment's revenue this quarter and in part to lower margins in network roll-out services attributable to the mix of projects completed this quarter. Managed & Outsourcing Solutions saw a significant improvement in profitability both year-over-year and sequentially.
Alcatel-Lucent will host a press and analyst conference at its headquarters at 1:00 p.m. CET which can be followed through audio webcast at http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/3q2009
Notes
All adjusted figures are unaudited.
1- Operating income (loss) is the Income (loss) from operating activities before restructuring costs, impairment of assets, gain (loss) on disposals of consolidated entities and post-retirement benefit plan amendment.
2- "Adjusted" refers to the fact that it excludes the main impacts from Lucent's purchase price allocation (See next page for detailed information).
3- "Operating cash flow" is defined as cash flow after changes in working capital and before interest/tax paid, restructuring cash outlay and pension & OPEB cash outlay.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
Contact the Alcatel-Lucent Press Office: press@alcatel-lucent.com