Underlying Q1 trends remained robust at Vivo, with revenue in-line (+7% y/y growth) and headline EBITDA missing (1.5%) only due to other items in the cost base (gains/sales) fluctuating. Excluding this and underlying EBITDA of +9% y/y was steady on Q4, and comparable to TIM’s +10% (reported yesterday). Vivo’s mobile service revenue was the strongest in Brazil vs peers, offset slightly by lower fixed growth (the more volatile data/IT business slowing this quarter).
TIM reported solid Q1 24 earnings overnight, coming in a shade of ahead of estimates (1% at EBITDA). Service revenue growth remains robust at >7% y/y, with some seasonality potentially impacting Q1 pre-pay revenue; EBITDA of +10% y/y and EBITDAaL +20% y/y is also very strong (and well ahead of 4% inflation), the latter enjoying historic lease reductions (though these are now sequentially stabilising). Q1 trends are tracking a touch above FY guide, potentially enabling further earnings uplift.
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We recently attended the Telecom Italia CMD in person and the management dinner afterwards. Given the stock fell by 20%+, it’s fair to say the event didn’t quite go as initially planned. In this note we review the situation now the dust has settled a bit, and now we feel we have better visibility on the key drivers behind the operational forecasts and the below-the-line cash items.
TIM Brasil updated on its cash return policy today, targeting ~BRL12 billion of shareholder returns from 2024-26. This is a strongly improving trend (BRL2.9 billion for 2023), annualizing out at a 9% yield in Brazil (where headline interest rates are falling sharply) and we see this as very supportive for the equity when combined with the strong fundamentals. At the same time, TIM will remain net cash (ex leases) over this forecast period and we see a bigger day of reckoning coming for the Brazi...
Vivo reported a good set of Q4s, with a 2% EBITDA beat taking growth to 10% y/y, or 6% in real terms. Wireless service revenue growth is running ahead of peers with post-paid adds very strong; fixed has been consistently growing now at 2-3% for a few quarters. Capex came in at a shade below BRL9 billion, a level in absolute terms which think can be maintained for the coming years (and implying falling as % sales).
TIM Brasil reported solid Q4s, with a mid-term outlook which sees consensus at the bottom of the newly guided to range for service revenue (5-6%) and EBITDA (6-8%) out to 2026 (i.e. real growth given ~3.5% inflation expectations looking forward). Given TIM’s ability to meet or beat in the past, this suggests earnings momentum can continue to be strong.
After strong stock performance in 2023 we think the Brazilians will continue to perform into 2024 on the back of solid wireless fundamentals: rising prices, revenue/EBITDA > inflation, falling capex/sales – and with IOC (tax) risks in the rear view for now. Shareholder returns are also sector leading whilst valuations are attractive (notably versus quickly falling rates).
The development of China’s auto market ytd came in as expected with sales weakening, inventories piling up and car prices falling. We maintain our forecasts on China’s 2024 PV and PEV sales growth at -6%/11% respectively, down from 10%/37% in 2023, based on a higher comparison base in 2023, the rollback of stimulus and destocking. Maintain UNDERWEIGHT. Top SELLs: BYD, XPeng and Ganfeng Lithium. Downgrade Li Auto from BUY to SELL, and downgrade Great Wall Motor from BUY to HOLD.
PEV insurance registrations in China grew 76% yoy and fell 20.3% mom/46% wow in the first week of 2024. However, PEV market share fell from 40% in early-Dec 23 to 31% during the week. Except for Aito, all EV brands saw a drop in insurance registrations, including BYD, Tesla, Li Auto and XPeng, as the year-end promotions had exhausted buying power. We keep our 2024 China PEV sales forecast at 9.9m units (+11% yoy). Maintain UNDERWEIGHT. Top SELLs: BYD, XPeng and Ganfeng Lithium.
Despite the 40-45% rally YTD we continue to like the Brazilian Telco stocks. Wireless operator dynamics remain very favourable with FCF supported significantly for TIM in the near-term by Oi tower decommissioning, with a potentially broader reset for the industry relative to the Tower cos over the mid-term (part of a broader EM theme perhaps following IHS in Nigeria).
TIM hosted an Investor Event in NY yesterday and which followed the earlier announcement of lifting the FY 23 dividend to BRL2.9 billion (consensus BRL2.6 billion) and the previous evening’s very strong Q3 numbers. Focus today was on FCF margin expansion, shareholder remuneration and the opportunity in B2B.
Vivo reported solid Q3s, with revenue and EBITDA (stripping out a BRL175m gain) 1.2% and 1.5% ahead of consensus, respectively. Service revenue grew 7.5% YoY (similar to Q2) driven by 3% growth in fixed and 9% in wireless, and remaining well ahead of inflation (which is creeping up again in Brazil). FCF generation, supported by falling capex, remains a highlight, with YTD of BRL7.6 billion representing >10% yield to equity – there will be more to come in Q4. FCF paves the way for the BRL5 billio...
30th October 2023 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment obje...
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