Axiata Group said its revenue rose 3.5 percent to RM6213.3 million during the third quarter of 2019.
Axiata Group said its mobile operations faced challenging business conditions in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Axiata Group’s Capex increased 3.2 percent to RM 4,383 million in nine months vs RM 4,249 million.
Axiata Group EBITDA increased 29 percent to RM2,801.7 million. PAT increased by 33.5 percent to RM247.6 million.
Celcom Malaysia revenue dropped 8.4 percent to RM1,661.1 million due to lower device sales and negative impact of the downward revision of domestic interconnect and domestic roaming rates. Celcom Malaysia’s Capex dropped to RM 818 million in nine months vs RM 855 million.
XL Indonesia revenue grew 16.7 percent to RM1,911.9 million on the back of strong data growth. XL Indonesia’s Capex increased to RM 1,635 million in nine months vs RM 1,416 million.
Robi Bangladesh revenue grew 10.1 percent to RM937.5 million. Robi Bangladesh Capex dropped to RM 423 million in nine months vs RM 632 million.
Dialog Sri Lanka revenue dropped 4.1 percent to RM678.9 million due to unfavourable forex translation. Dialog Sri Lanka Capex decreased to RM 314 million in nine months vs RM 507 million.
Ncell Nepal revenue dropped by 1.1 percent to RM491.8 million due to decline in almost all revenue segments, as impacted by the implementation of Telecommunication Services Charges in Nepal since July 2018. Ncell Nepal Capex enhanced significantly to RM 407 million in nine months vs 84 million.
Smart Cambodia revenue grew 11.8 percent to RM336.5 million underpinned by data which continues to be the main growth driver. Capex of Smart Cambodia increased to RM 269 million in nine months vs RM 252 million.
Edotco revenue grew 15.9 percent to RM466.4 million. Edotco, the telecom tower business of Axiata in Malaysia, spent RM 505 million in nine months vs RM 480 million.
Axiata Group is aiming to spend RM6.8 billion towards capital expenditure (Capex) during 2019. Axiata Group is projecting revenue growth of 3-4 percent during the year.
Axiata Group CEO Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said: “Shifting Gear towards profitability and cash continued to show definitive results: FCF jumped 43.5 percent to RM2.6 billion, boosted by operating leverage from higher revenue (+RM605 million) and cost excellence (-RM816 million).”
