Strong start to 2021. Launching 100 million Share Buyback programme
Luxembourg, 6 May 2021 -- SES S.A. announces financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2021.
Strong execution delivering revenue of 436 million and Adjusted EBITDA of 268 million
Improving trajectory in Video from -8.0% YOY in FY 2020 to -4.6% YOY in Q1 2021
Solid Networks performance (flat YOY) in the COVID environment with strong prospects for future growth
7% YOY reduction in recurring Operating Expenses, reflecting S&A gains, supporting higher YOY Adjusted EBITDA margin (61%)
Solid cash flow generation and financial discipline supporting lower YOY leverage ratio of 3.1 times at 31 March 2021
Adjusted Net Profit up 42% YOY to 75 million
On track to deliver 2021 outlook. Growth investments and C-band proceeds supporting future growth and value creation
Over 85% of 2021 revenue outlook ( 1,760-1,820 million) already under contract
$180 million of backlog signed in 2021 for SES-17 and O3b mPOWER with gross backlog at $740 million; timed to come to market as the world emerges from the COVID environment with highly differentiated products and solutions to capture substantial connectivity growth opportunity
US C-band clearing on track to meet end-2021 milestone (triggering $1 billion payment) and end-2023 milestone (triggering a further $3 billion payment)
Delivering returns to shareholders
2020 dividend of 0.40 per A-share paid in April 2021, consistent with commitment to minimum base dividend of 0.40 going forward
Launching 100 million share buyback programme reflecting confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the business
Steve Collar, CEO of SES, commented: We have made a strong start to 2021 with the resilience of our Video business to the fore on the back of a number of important renewals and extensions secured at our core European neighbourhoods. Networks business performance was also solid in Q1, notwithstanding the near-term COVID environment, with new deal flow beginning to pick up. We continue our laser focus on removing cost from the business and minimising discretionary spend with a 7% year-on-year reduction in operating expenses, leading to improving EBITDA margin. In summary, our start to the year puts us firmly on track to deliver on our 2021 financial outlook which remains unchanged.
I am excited by the progress that we are making in securing customer commitments for SES-17 and O3b mPOWER ahead of launch in the second half of 2021, and the level of market interest that we are seeing across all Networks verticals. These important growth investments allow us to offer a significantly expanded set of low latency products and solutions to the market as the world emerges from the COVID environment and demand for connectivity increases exponentially. We are also on course with the clearing of C-band in the US and are continuing to pursue opportunities to create additional shareholder value from further monetisation initiatives.
The share buyback programme that we are announcing today reflects our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the business. The current share price does not reflect the underlying value of SES and this programme represents an attractive opportunity to deploy capital for the optimal benefit of our shareholders. SES is uniquely positioned with targeted and differentiated growth investments fuelling future top line and EBITDA growth with strong cash flow enhanced by meaningfully lower capital expenditure, as well as the proceeds from our C-band initiative.
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Strong start to 2021. Launching 100 million Share Buyback programme 
