Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 9 August 2022: Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC ( Yahsat or the Group ) listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange ( ADX ) under (SYMBOL: YAHSAT) (ISIN: AEA007501017), the UAE's flagship satellite solutions provider, today announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022 ( 1H22 ).1H22 Highlights
Revenue of AED 755 million [USD 206 million], up 8.1% year-on-year, underpinned by double-digit growth in Managed Solutions and Mobility Solutions
Adjusted EBITDA of AED 448 million [USD 122 million], up 5.3% year-on-year, delivering a robust margin of 59.3%
Net Income of AED 167 million [USD 45 million], up 50.7% year-on-year, driving a strong net margin of 22.1%
Contracted future revenue of more than AED 7.7 billion [USD 2.1 billion], equivalent to 5.2 times FY2021 annual revenue
Strong financial position and high visibility on future cash flows underpin ability to invest in growth and sustain attractive dividend policy
On track to grow FY2022 dividend by at least 2% to 16.12 fils [USD 4.39 cents] per share or AED 393 million [USD 107 million], split into two equal installments payable around October 2022 and May 2023
Lower end of FY2022 revenue guidance increased to AED 1,542 million [USD 420 million] from AED 1,524 million [USD 415 million]; all other guidance remain unchanged
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chairman of Yahsat, commented:
Against a backdrop of challenging global economic headwinds, we are delighted to record our highest ever first-half revenue whilst significantly growing Adjusted EBITDA and net income. This reflects the strength of our business underpinned by strong contracted future revenue and positive momentum across operating segments. In light of our strong year-to-date performance, the Board of Directors' confidence in future cash flow generation, ability to grow the business and financial strength of the Company, we are reiterating our commitment to deliver attractive shareholder returns.
Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, commented:
Yahsat has delivered exceptional results, recording its highest-ever first half revenue and demonstrating our performance-driven culture to deploy innovative capabilities and grow the business. Our contracted future revenue exceeds AED 7.7 billion, equivalent to 5.2 times FY2021 annual revenue. Looking ahead, we remain on track to bring into commercial service our Next Generation Satellite, Thuraya 4-NGS, in the second half of 2024 whilst two new satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, are under consideration for launch in 2026. We remain very confident in both our short-term and long-term outlook, and have accordingly increased the lower end of our revenue guidance for FY2022, whilst reiterating our commitment to pay a progressive dividend.
We remain committed to pursuing and launching new growth opportunities across the business and we are confident that Yahsat's robust balance sheet, business resilience and track record in delivering exceptional results will enable us to capture significant value to drive long-term growth.
Strong first-half results
Yahsat's growth momentum continued in 2Q22 with revenue of AED 392 million [USD 107 million], an increase of 6.9% year-on-year. This resulted in 1H22 revenue growth of 8.1% year-on-year to AED 755 million [USD 206 million]. Both Managed Solutions and Mobility Solutions performed exceptionally well with 1H22 revenues increasing by 35.1% and 24.1% respectively.
2Q22 Adjusted EBITDA of AED 235 million [USD 64 million] increased by 3.9% year-on-year, generating a healthy margin of 59.8%, while net income (profit attributable to the shareholders) of AED 93 million [USD 25 million] increased by 77.9% year-on-year. On a year-to-date basis, the Group recorded 1H22 Adjusted EBITDA growth of 5.3% and an increase in net income of 50.7%, resulting in a solid net income margin of 22.1%.
As at 30 June 2022, the Group's contracted future revenue remained strong at more than AED 7.7 billion [USD 2.1 billion], equivalent to around 5.2 times FY2021 annual revenue representing an increase of 4.1% since the start of the financial year, underpinned by the 5-year AED 909 million [USD 247 million] managed services mandate awarded by the UAE Government in February 2022.
Attractive dividend outlook
Yahsat reiterates its commitment to grow its dividend by at least 2% per year, reflecting the Board of Directors' confidence in the cash flow generation and overall financial strength of the business. For financial year 2022, the total expected dividend is a minimum of 16.12 fils per share [US Cents 4.39], split into two equal instalments payable around October 2022 and May 2023 respectively. This represents a total dividend payment of AED 393 million [USD 107 million]. The Company's dividend policy is well supported by its high cash conversion (93.1% in 1H22), robust balance sheet (0.9x Net Debt/EBITDA as at 30 June 2022) and a strong discretionary free cash flow1 (expected to be approximately two times FY2022 dividend payment).
Increasing minimum revenue guidance
In view of the strong 1H22 performance and considering that approximately 90% of the remaining projected revenue for FY2022 is already secured (based on the low end of its revenue guidance), Yahsat has decided to narrow the range of its FY2022 guidance provided on 1 March 2022. The Company now raises its projected 2022 revenues to at least AED 1,542 million [USD 420 million] with the upper end of the range unchanged at AED 1,616 million [USD 440 million]. All other guidance remain unchanged.
Senior management appointment
On 1 July 2022 (a post-period event), Yahsat announced the appointment of Mr. Sulaiman Al Ali as Chief Commercial Officer ( CCO ). Mr. Al Ali has assumed the role having been with Yahsat for eight years, previous
