SES H1 2023 RESULTS

LUXEMBOURG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SES S.A. announces financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

Key Highlights:

• Revenue of €987 million (+9.8% YOY as reported)
• Double digit Mobility growth driving Networks (+3.1% YOY⁽¹⁾); Video -3.5% YOY⁽²⁾ with €350 million⁽³⁾ of contracts signed
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽⁴⁾ of €530 million (-2.7% YOY as reported) representing a margin of 54%
• 2023 financial outlook⁽⁵⁾ re-affirmed (Revenue: €1,950-2,000 million; Adjusted EBITDA: €1,010-1,050 million)
• Launching a share buyback of up to €150 million
• 4 O3b mPOWER satellites launched; next launch currently planned for Q3 2023 and commercial service start by end-2023

• SES-17 & O3b mPOWER backlog now over $1 billion⁽⁶⁾
• C-band clearing completed and accelerated relocation payment ($3 billion pre-tax) expected in Q4 2023

Ruy Pinto, CEO of SES, commented: “The strong start to the year continued into Q2 resulting in a solid H1 financial performance and confirmation of the 2023 financial outlook. Networks is growing on the back of strong performance in Mobility and robust outturns in Government and Fixed Data. In Video, we have signed additional important renewals which underpin the long-term cash fundamentals and value of our direct-to-home neighbourhoods.

Today, we are announcing a share buyback programme which demonstrates our conviction in SES’s long-term fundamentals.

With O3b mPOWER expected to be in commercial service by the end of this year, customers will benefit from an expanded set of capabilities for flexible, guaranteed, and high-performance connectivity to meet requirements in competitive, high growth segments.

In Government, the Luxembourg Parliament recently approved funding for an important, multi-year commitment to O3b mPOWER, while the group of SES and other European space and telecom players has been selected to develop a proposal for the European Commission’s future satellite constellation, IRIS².

Lastly, we are delighted to have cleared C-band ahead of schedule, after more than 3 years of hard work, and expect to receive the $3 billion (pre-tax) accelerated relocation payment in Q4 2023.”

Key business and financial highlights (at constant FX unless explained otherwise)

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (APM) to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position.

€million		H1 2023		H1 2022		∆ as reported		∆ at constant FX and like for like(1)
Average €/$ FX rate		1.08		1.10
Revenue		987		899		+9.8%		-1.2%
Adjusted EBITDA		530		545		-2.7%		-5.7%
Adjusted Net Profit		116		168		-31.0%		n/a
Adjusted Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA		3.6x		3.0x		n/a		n/a

“At constant FX” refers to comparative figures restated at the current period FX, to neutralise currency variations. 1) “Like for like” which refers to as if DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been acquired on 31 December 2021 (acquired on 1 August 2022).

Networks revenue of €501 million represented a growth of 3.1% compared with H1 2022, with growth in Mobility (of +13.8%), complemented by robust performance in Fixed Data (+0.2%), which included periodic revenue of €7 million in Q1 2023, as well as Government (-0.7%).

Video revenue of €486 million represents a reduction of 5.2% compared with H1 2022, or a 3.5% reduction excluding periodic revenue of €10 million which was recognised in Q1 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA of €530 million represented an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 54% (H1 2022: 61% and 56% on a like for like basis, assuming DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been acquired on 31 December 2021).

Adjusted EBITDA excludes significant special items of €31 million (H1 2022: €16 million), comprising net U.S. C-band expenses of €10 million (H1 2022: €13 million) and other significant special items of €21 million (H1 2022: €3 million) related to acquisition costs and restructuring expenses.

Adjusted Net Profit of €116 million included a net foreign exchange (FX) loss of €2 million (H1 2022: gain of €26 million) which was partly offset by higher year on year reported capitalised interest and lower year-on-year reported income tax expense. Adjusted Net Profit excludes significant special items (highlighted above) and their related net tax benefit of €7 million (H1 2022: €27 million).

At 30 June 2023, Adjusted Net Debt (including 50% of the €1,175 million of hybrid bonds as debt) was €3,932 million and represented an Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.6 times, compared with 3.5 times at 31 December 2022. At 30 June 2023, the total amount of remaining U.S. C-band clearing cost reimbursements expected to be received in the future was approximately $500 million.

Contract backlog at 30 June 2023 was €4.7 billion (€5.7 billion gross backlog including backlog with contractual break clauses).

2023 group revenue and Adjusted EBITDA outlook (assuming an FX rate of €1=$1.09, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule) remains on track and expected to be between €1,950 – 2,000 million and between €1,010 – 1,050 million respectively.

Capital expenditure (net cash absorbed by investing activities excluding acquisitions, financial investments, U.S. C-band repurposing, and assuming an FX rate of €1=$1.09) is also unchanged and expected to be around €550 million in 2023.

SES is, today, announcing a share buyback programme of up to €150 million expected to be executed by 30 June 2024 under the authorisation given by the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on 6 April 2023. SES will purchase up to 20 million A-shares and up to 10 million B-shares in equal proportion to maintain the ratio of two A-shares to one B-share, as required by the Articles of Association. The aggregate value of the programme shall not exceed €150 million, and the shares acquired under the programme are intended to be cancelled to reduce the total number of voting and economic shares.

Operational performance

REVENUE BY BUSINESS UNIT

		Revenue (€ million) as reported						Like for like(1) change (YOY) at constant FX
		Q1 2023		Q2 2023		H1 2023		Q1 2023		Q2 2023		H1 2023
Average €/$ FX rate		1.07		1.08		1.08
Video		242		244		486		-5.0% / -8.3%(2)		-2.0%		-3.5% / -5.2%(2)
Networks		248		252		501		+2.9%(3)		+3.4%		+3.1%(3)
Government		120		117		237		-0.6%		-0.9%		-0.7%
Fixed Data		60(3)		65		125(3)		-1.6%(3)		+1.9%		+0.2%(3)
Mobility		68		70		139		+14.4%		+13.1%		+13.8%
Other		–		1		1		n/m		n/m		n/m
Group Total		490		497		987		-3.0%		+0.7%		-1.2%

1) As if DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been acquired on 31 December 2021 (acquired on 1 August 2022) – see page 5. “At constant FX” refers to comparative figures restated at the current period FX, to neutralise currency variations. 2) Including periodic revenue (Q1 2023: nil; Q1 2022: €10 million). 3) Including periodic revenue of €7 million in Q1 2023 (Q1 2022: nil).

Future satellite launches

Satellite	Region	Application	Launch Date
SES-18 & SES-19	North America	Video (US C-band accelerated clearing)	Launched
O3b mPOWER (satellites 3-4)	Global	Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	Launched
O3b mPOWER (satellites 5-6)	Global	Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	Q3 2023
O3b mPOWER (satellites 7-8)	Global	Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	H2 2023
O3b mPOWER (satellites 9-11)	Global	Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	2024
ASTRA 1P	Europe	Video	2024
ASTRA 1Q	Europe	Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	2024
SES-26	Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East	Video, Fixed Data, Mobility, Government	2024
EAGLE-1	Europe	Government	2024
Final launch dates are subject to confirmation by launch providers

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

€ million		H1 2023		H1 2022
Average €/$ FX rate		1.08		1.10
Revenue		987		899
U.S. C-band repurposing income		3		4
Operating expenses		(491)		(374)
EBITDA		499		529
Depreciation expense		(294)		(296)
Impairment expense		–		(24)
Amortisation expense		(46)		(24)
Operating profit		159		185
Net financing costs		(47)		(30)
Profit before tax		112		155
Income tax expense		(20)		(54)
Non-controlling interests		–		–
Net profit attributable to owners of the parent		92		101
Basic and diluted earnings per A-share (in €)(1)		0.17		0.19
Basic and diluted earnings per B-share (in €)(1)		0.07		0.08

1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjusted to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the assumed coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds.

€ million		H1 2023		H1 2022
Adjusted EBITDA		530		545
U.S. C-band reimbursement income		3		4
U.S. C-band operating expenses		(13)		(17)
Other significant special items		(21)		(3)
EBITDA		499		529

€ million		H1 2023		H1 2022
Adjusted Net Profit		116		168
U.S. C-band reimbursement income		3		4
U.S. C-band operating expenses		(13)		(17)
Impairment expense		–		(24)
Other significant special items		(21)		(3)
Tax on significant special items		7		(27)
Net profit attributable to owners of the parent		92		101

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

€ million		30 June 2023		31 December 2022
Closing €/$ FX rate		1.09		1.07
Property, plant, and equipment		3,345		3,630
Assets in the course of construction		1,948		1,859
Intangible assets		4,190		4,291
Other financial assets		20		20
Trade and other receivables(1)		109		111
Deferred customer contract costs		3		7
Deferred tax assets		522		499
Total non-current assets		10,137		10,417
Inventories		39		34
Trade and other receivables(1)		849		1,033
Deferred customer contract costs		2		4
Prepayments		51		47
Income tax receivable		32		25
Cash and cash equivalents (A)		333		1,047
Total current assets		1,306		2,190
Total assets		11,443		12,607
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent		5,363		5,596
Non-controlling interests		57		62
Total equity		5,420		5,658
Borrowings (B)		3,460		3,629
Provisions		7		7
Deferred income		330		359
Deferred tax liabilities		427		434
Other long-term liabilities		83		107
Lease liabilities		31		30
Fixed assets suppliers		375		740
Total non-current liabilities		4,713		5,306
Borrowings (C)		217		719
Provisions		80		67
Deferred income		191		189
Trade and other payables		303		367
Lease liabilities		21		15
Fixed assets suppliers		479		264
Income tax liabilities		19		22
Total current liabilities		1,310		1,643
Total liabilities		6,023		6,949
Total equity and liabilities		11,443		12,607
Reported Net Debt (B + C – A)		3,344		3,301

1) Trade and other receivables (current and non-current) include €385 million related to U.S. C-band repurposing (31 December 2022: €480 million).

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

€ million		H1 2023	H1 2022
Profit before tax		112	155
Taxes paid during the year		(38)	(169)
Adjustment for non-cash items		367	371
Changes in working capital		26	423
Net cash generated by operating activities		467	780
Payments for purchases of intangible assets		(13)	(25)
Payments for purchases of tangible assets(1)		(209)	(555)
Other investing activities		(5)	(1)
Net cash absorbed by investing activities		(227)	(581)
Proceeds from borrowings		50	745
Repayment of borrowings		(698)	(49)
Coupon paid on perpetual bond		(31)	(31)
Dividends paid on ordinary shares(2)		(220)	(219)
Interest paid on borrowings		(67)	(48)
Proceeds from treasury shares sold and exercise of stock options		3	4
Lease payments		(10)	(9)
Net cash generated/(absorbed) by financing activities		(973)	393
Net foreign exchange movements		19	28
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		(714)	620
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year		1,047	1,049
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year		333	1,669

1) Including net reimbursements of €87 million related to U.S. C-band repurposing (H1 2022: net payments of €319 million). 2) Net of dividends received on treasury shares of €3 million (H1 2022: €4 million)

€ million		H1 2023		H1 2022
Net cash generated by operating activities		467		780
Net cash absorbed by investing activities		(227)		(581)
Free cash flow before financing activities		240		199
Interest paid on borrowings		(67)		(48)
Lease payments		(10)		(9)
Free cash flow before equity distributions and treasury activities		163		142

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

QUARTERLY INCOME STATEMENT (AS REPORTED)

€ million		Q1 2022		Q2 2022		Q3 2022		Q4 2022		Q1 2023		Q2 2023
Average €/$ FX rate		1.12		1.08		1.02		1.00		1.07		1.08
Revenue		448		451		501		544		490		497
U.S. C-band repurposing income		2		2		2		178		2		1
Operating expenses		(184)		(190)		(232)		(280)		(240)		(251)
EBITDA		266		263		271		442		252		247
Depreciation expense		(147)		(149)		(158)		(188)		(148)		(146)
Amortisation expense		(12)		(12)		(16)		(23)		(17)		(29)
Impairment expense		–		(24)		–		(373)		–		–
Operating profit		107		78		97		(142)		87		72
Net financing costs		(16)		(14)		24		(82)		(29)		(18)
Profit before tax		91		64		121		(224)		58		54
Income tax benefit/(expense)		(9)		(45)		(24)		(9)		(3)		(17)
Non-controlling interests		–		–		–		1		–		–
Net (Loss)/Profit		82		19		97		(232)		55		37
Basic (loss)/earnings per share (in €)(1)
Class A shares		0.17		0.02		0.20		(0.55)		0.10		0.07
Class B shares		0.07		0.01		0.08		(0.22)		0.04		0.03
Adjusted EBITDA		274		271		284		276		265		265
Adjusted EBITDA margin		61%		60%		57%		51%		54%		53%
U.S. C-band repurposing income		2		2		2		178		2		1
U.S. C-band operating expenses		(9)		(8)		(7)		(6)		(6)		(7)
Other significant special items		(1)		(2)		(8)		(6)		(9)		(12)
EBITDA		266		263		271		442		252		247

1) Earnings per share is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as adjusted to reflect the economic rights of each class of share. For the purposes of the EPS calculation only, the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders has been adjusted to include the coupon, net of tax, on the perpetual bonds. Fully diluted earnings per share are not significantly different from basic earnings per share.

LIKE-FOR-LIKE REVENUE BY BUSINESS UNIT

(Pro forma as if the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions had been completed on 31 December 2021)

€ million		Q1 2022		Q2 2022		Q3 2022		Q4 2022		FY 2022
Average €/$ FX rate		1.12		1.08		1.02		1.00		1.06
Video		261(1)		250		252		257		1,020(1)
Networks		231		245		261		287(2)		1,024(2)
Government		116		119		119		144		498
Fixed Data		58		64		69		75(2)		266(2)
Mobility		57		62		73		68		260
Other		1		–		–		–		1
Group Total		493		495		513		544		2,045

1) Included periodic revenue of €10 million in Q1 2022.

2) Included periodic revenue of €4 million in Q4 2022. “Periodic” revenue separated revenues that are not directly related to or would distort the underlying business trends on a quarterly basis. Periodic revenue includes: the outright sale of transponders or transponder equivalents; accelerated revenue from hosted payloads during construction; termination fees; insurance proceeds; certain interim satellite missions; and other such items when material.

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

SES regularly uses Alternative Performance Measures (‘APM’) to present the performance of the Group and believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance understanding of the financial performance and financial position. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measurements under IFRS or any other body of generally accepted accounting principles, and thus should not be considered substitutes for the information contained in the Group’s financial statements.

Alternative Performance Measure		Definition
Reported EBITDA and EBITDA margin		EBITDA is profit for the period before depreciation, amortisation, net financing cost and income tax. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin		EBITDA adjusted to exclude significant special items. In 2022 and 2023, the primary exceptional items are the net impact of the repurposing of U.S. C-band spectrum, restructuring charges, and costs associated with the acquisition and integration of new subsidiaries. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA		Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, represents the ratio of Net Debt plus 50% of the group’s hybrid bonds (per the rating agency methodology) divided by the last 12 months’ (rolling) Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted Net Profit		Net profit attributable to owners of the parent adjusted to exclude the after tax impact of significant special items.

Presentation of Results:

A presentation of the results for investors and analysts will be hosted at 9.30 CEST on 3 August 2023 and will be broadcast via webcast and conference call. The details for the conference call and webcast are as follows:

U.K. +44 (0) 33 0551 0200

France +33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66

Germany +49 (0) 30 3001 90612

U.S.A. +1 786 697 3501

Confirmation code SES

Webcast registration https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/ses/20230803_1/

The presentation is available for download from https://www.ses.com/investors/financial-results and a replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

For further information please contact:

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially proven, low latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries around 8,000 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 369 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

Disclaimer

This presentation does not, in any jurisdiction, including without limitation in the U.S., constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer for sale of, or solicitation of any offer to buy, or any investment advice in connection with, any securities of SES, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever.​

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made by SES, its directors, officers or advisors, or any other person, as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation, and any reliance you place on them will be at your sole risk. Without prejudice to the foregoing, none of SES, or its directors, officers or advisors accept any liability whatsoever for any loss however arising, directly or indirectly, from use of this presentation or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.​

This presentation includes “forward-looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation, including without limitation those regarding SES’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to SES products and services), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of SES to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding SES and its subsidiaries and affiliates, present and future business strategies, and the environment in which SES will operate in the future, and such assumptions may or may not prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this presentation. Forward-looking statements contained in this presentation regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will occur or continue in the future. SES, and its directors, officers and advisors do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

¹⁾At constant FX (comparative figures restated to neutralise currency variations) and «like for like” (assumes the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions on 31 December 2021, instead of actual acquisition date of 1 August 2022, see page 7)

²⁾ Excluding periodic revenue (H1 2023: nil; H1 2022: €10 million). Including periodic revenue, Video was 5.2% lower YOY at constant FX

³⁾ Including significant deals signed since 1 July 2023

⁴⁾ Excluding operating expenses/income recognised in relation to U.S. C-band repurposing and other significant special items (disclosed separately)

⁵⁾ Financial outlook assumes a €/$ FX rate of €1 = $1.09, nominal satellite health, and nominal launch schedule

⁶⁾ Gross backlog $1,025 million (fully protected: $835 million)

Contacts

Richard Whiteing

Investor Relations

Tel: +352 710 725 500

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Suzanne Ong

External Communications

Tel: +352 710 725 261

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