China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited Announces 2005 Interim Results
10 Agosto 2005 - 1:25AM
PR Newswire (US)
Achieving Commendable Operational Performance and Remarkable
Financial Results -- Subscriber net increase reached 19.49 million,
total subscriber base reached 224 million -- Operating revenue
reached RMB114.5 billion -- EBITDA reached RMB62.7 billion --
Profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB24 billion --
Earnings per share reached RMB 1.22 -- Interim dividend payment is
HK$0.45 per share. The Company proposes to set the dividend payout
ratio at 39% for the full year of 2005 HONG KONG, Aug. 10
/Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited
("CMHK" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the
"Group") (HKG: 941; NYSE: CHL) announced its 2005 interim results
today. In the first half of 2005, whilst facing intense
competition, the Group leveraged its premium and efficient network
and economies of scale and brand advantages, implemented
comprehensive refined management methods over its operating
companies in Mainland China, enhanced its core competitiveness,
adopted effective marketing strategies thereby steadily raising
customer satisfaction. The Group achieved commendable operating
results. The continued growth of new subscriber base was maintained
and the Group recorded robust development of new businesses. The
Group's operating revenue sustained a relatively rapid growth. The
Company preserved sound fundamentals, further consolidated its
financial strengths and reaffirmed its market leading position. The
Group achieved remarkable financial results in the first half of
2005. In the six months ended 30 June 2005, the Group's operating
revenue reached RMB114.5 billion, representing an increase of 32.5%
over the same period in 2004. EBITDA reached RMB62.7 billion,
representing an increase of 27.2% over the same period last year.
EBITDA margin was maintained at a relatively high 54.7%. Profit
attributable to shareholders reached RMB24 billion, representing an
increase of 27.7% from the same period in 2004, and the Group's
earnings per share was RMB1.22, representing an increase of 27.1%
compared with the same period in the prior year. For ease of
comparison, on the assumption that the Group's current structure of
holding 31 operating subsidiaries had been in place since 1 January
2004, the Group's operating revenue, EBITDA and profit attributable
to shareholders achieved in the first half of 2005 enjoyed an
increase of 16.8%, 13.8%, and 19.8% respectively over the combined
operating revenue, EBITDA and profit attributable to shareholders
in respect of the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and
municipalities during the same period of last year. The Group has
maintained a solid capital structure and sustained robust free cash
flow. Following the completion of the acquisition of ten mobile
telecommunications companies and other telecommunications assets in
Mainland China a year ago, the Company actively promoted effective
assets integration and the enhancement of management efficiency.
Favourable business growth achieved by the newly-acquired
subsidiaries made positive contributions to the Group's overall
business growth. In the first half of 2005, the Group's business
development is encouraging. The Group's subscriber net increase
maintained a rapid growth momentum. Minutes of usage per user per
month (MOU) enjoyed a stable increase and average revenue per user
per month (ARPU) recorded only a moderate trend of decrease. As at
30 June 2005, the Group's total subscriber base reached 224 million
and ARPU was RMB90. The development of new businesses achieved
remarkable results, with the "Short Message Service" or "SMS"
maintaining stable growth, "Color Ring" and WAP businesses
developing rapidly, and application businesses such as music and
games maturing quickly. This brought about an impetus to the
Group's business development. The Company holds in the highest
regard the interests of its shareholders and the returns achieved
for them, especially the minority shareholders. Having taken into
account various relevant factors, including the Company's sustained
sound corporate fundamentals and robust free cash flow position,
the Board has resolved to pay an interim dividend in the amount of
HK$0.45 per share for the year 2005. At the same time, the Company
proposes to set the dividend payout ratio at 39% for the full year
of 2005. The Company believes that its robust free cash flow is
capable of meeting the investments required to maintain the stable
growth of the Company, while also providing shareholders with a
favourable cash return. The Company will continue its efforts to
achieve a sustainable and steadily increasing dividend over the
longer term, with a view to generating the best possible returns
for shareholders. The chairman and chief executive officer of the
Company, Wang Jianzhou, stated that the mobile telecommunications
market in Mainland China has great development potential. The
coverage of the Group's mobile telecommunications network extends
to all the provinces in Mainland China. This brings about enormous
market potential to China Mobile (Hong Kong). As market competition
continues and market supervision strengthened, competition will
become more rational. The maturing of Third Generation Mobile
Communication (3G) technology and products and the issuing of 3G
licences in Mainland China may result in changes in the industry
environment. Looking to the future, the Company will face great
opportunities and challenges at the same time. He said, "The Group
will fully leverage its existing competitive advantages in terms of
its network, technology and resources, its operational experience
and market leading position to actively prepare for 3G's
development. At the same time, we will continue implementing
refined management to enhance the Company's operational management
standard. We will preserve our sound fundamentals, enhance our
sustainable development capability, capture the right investment
opportunities to maximise our enterprise value." Forward-looking
Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may
be viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These factors may cause the
actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited (the "Company") to be materially
different from any future performance, financial condition or
results of operations implied by such forward-looking statements.
Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other
factors is included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on
Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Press
enquiries: China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited Mr. GUAN Yimin or Ms
Rainie LEI Tel: +852-3121-8888 Fax: +852-3121-8809 DATASOURCE:
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited CONTACT: Mr. Guan Yi Min or Miss
Rainie Lei of China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited, +852-3121-8888 or
fax, +852-3121-8809
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