UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July 2024
Commission File Number: 001-13464
Telecom Argentina S.A.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
General Hornos, No. 690, 1272
Buenos Aires, Argentina
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting
the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting
the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Telecom Argentina S.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
as of March 31, 2024
General Hornos 690
(C1272ACK) Autonomous city of Buenos Aires
Republic of Argentina
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023
INDEX
Glossary of terms
The following explanations are not technical definitions,
but to assist the general reader to understand certain terms as used in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
ADS:
Telecom Argentina’s American Depositary Share, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, each representing five Class B Shares.
ADR: American
Depositary Receipt.
BYMA (Bolsas y
Mercados Argentinos): Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.
CAPEX: Capital
expenditures.
CNV (Comisión
Nacional de Valores): The Argentine National Securities Commission.
Company/Telecom
Argentina: Telecom Argentina S.A.
CPCECABA (Consejo
Profesional de Ciencias Económicas de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires): The Professional Council of Economic
Sciences of the City of Buenos Aires.
CVH:
Cablevisión Holding S.A., controlling company of Telecom Argentina since January 1, 2018.
DFI: Derivate
Financial Instrument.
DNU (Decreto de
Necesidad y Urgencia): Decree of Urgency issued by the Argentine Government.
FACPCE (Federación
Argentina de Consejos Profesionales en Ciencias Económicas): Argentine Federation of Professional Councils of Economic
Sciences.
Fintech:
Fintech Telecom LLC, a Telecom Argentina shareholder.
fintech:
Financial technology services are activities that involve the use of innovation and technological developments for the design, offer and
provision of financial products and services.
Fixed Assets:
Includes PP&E, Intangible assets, Goodwill and Rights of use assets.
IAS:
International Accounting Standards.
IASB:
International Accounting Standards Board.
ICT Services (Information
and Communication Technology services): Services to transport and distribute signals or data, such as voice, text, video
and images, provided or requested by third-party users, through telecommunications networks.
IFRS Accounting
Standards: International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the IASB.
INDEC
(Instituto Nacional de estadísticas y censos): The National Institute of statistics and cense.
La Capital Cable/Ver
TV/TSMA: Names corresponding to limited companies La Capital Cable S.A., Ver T.V. S.A. and Teledifusora San Miguel Arcángel
S.A., respectively, companies that are directly or indirectly associates according to the definition of the General Corporations Law.
LAD (Ley Argentina
Digital): Argentine Digital Law No. 27,078.
LGS (Ley de General
de Sociedades): Argentine Corporations Law No. 19,550 as amended. Since the enforcement of the new Civil and Commercial
Code its name was changed to “General Corporations Law”.
Micro Sistemas/Pem/Cable
Imagen/AVC Continente Audiovisual/Inter Radios/Personal Smarthome/NYS2/NYSSA: Names corresponding to limited companies or limited
responsibility companies that are directly or indirectly controlled according to the definition of the General Corporations Law, or were
controlled by the Company, directly or indirectly: Micro Sistemas S.A.U., Pem S.A.U., Cable Imagen S.R.L., AVC Continente Audiovisual
S.A., Inter Radios S.A.U., Personal Smarthome S.A., NYS2 S.A.U., Negocios y Servicios S.A.U.
NYSE: New
York Stock Exchange.
OPH: Name corresponding
to company Open Pass Holding LLC that is a joint venture of Telecom Argentina.
PEN (Poder Ejecutivo Nacional): The
executive branch of the Argentine government.
PP&E: Properties,
plant and equipment.
RECPAM (Resultado
por exposición a los cambios en el poder adquisitivo de la moneda): Inflation Adjustment Gain (Loss).
RT:
Technical resolutions issued by the FACPCE.
RT 26:
Technical resolution No, 26 issued by the FACPCE, amended by RT29 and RT43.
Telecom: Telecom
Argentina and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Telecom USA/ Núcleo/
Personal Envíos/ Tuves Paraguay/ Televisión Dirigida/ Adesol/ Opalker/Ubiquo/ Micro Fintech Holding: Names corresponding
to foreign companies Telecom Argentina USA Inc., Núcleo S.A.E., Personal Envíos S.A., Tuves Paraguay S.A., Televisión
Dirigida S.A., Adesol S.A., Opalker S.A., Ubiquo Chile Spa and Micro Fintech Holding LLC, respectively, companies that are directly or
indirectly controlled according to the definition of the General Corporations Law.
USA:
United States of America
UVA (Unidad de
Valor Adquistivo): Purchasing Value Unit, an index developed and published by the Banco Central de la República Argentina.
VLG:
VLG S.A.U. (formerly VLG Argentina LLC), a company that was merged and absorbed by CVH.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency - Note 1.d)
|
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
ASSETS |
Note |
2024 |
2023 |
Current Assets |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
2 |
150,604 |
242,252 |
Investments |
2 |
315,094 |
187,964 |
Trade receivables |
3 |
208,647 |
201,457 |
Other receivables |
4 |
51,774 |
51,611 |
Inventories |
5 |
44,208 |
47,805 |
Total current assets |
|
770,327 |
731,089 |
Non-Current Assets |
|
|
|
Trade receivables |
3 |
355 |
382 |
Other receivables |
4 |
21,351 |
29,763 |
Deferred income tax assets |
13 |
16,282 |
20,947 |
Investments |
2 |
32,937 |
36,097 |
Goodwill |
6 |
2,337,135 |
2,340,988 |
PP&E |
7 |
3,283,930 |
3,444,604 |
Intangible assets |
8 |
1,355,603 |
1,374,340 |
Right of use assets |
9 |
325,633 |
327,036 |
Total non-current assets |
|
7,373,226 |
7,574,157 |
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
8,143,553 |
8,305,246 |
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade payables |
10 |
415,440 |
541,069 |
Borrowings |
11 |
854,148 |
854,356 |
Salaries and social security payables |
12 |
127,776 |
138,188 |
Income tax payables |
13 |
2,929 |
2,368 |
Other taxes payables |
14 |
61,300 |
59,357 |
Leases liabilities |
15 |
40,178 |
43,570 |
Other liabilities |
16 |
26,736 |
31,022 |
Provisions |
17 |
5,228 |
8,097 |
Total current liabilities |
|
1,533,735 |
1,678,027 |
Non-Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade payables |
10 |
11,192 |
1,386 |
Borrowings |
11 |
1,591,888 |
2,372,263 |
Salaries and social security payables |
12 |
5,836 |
5,654 |
Deferred income tax liabilities |
13 |
906,453 |
699,192 |
Other taxes payables |
14 |
7 |
17 |
Leases liabilities |
15 |
73,351 |
90,835 |
Other liabilities |
16 |
10,213 |
13,710 |
Provisions |
17 |
35,022 |
39,599 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
2,633,962 |
3,222,656 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
4,167,697 |
4,900,683 |
EQUITY |
|
|
|
Equity attributable to Controlling Company |
|
3,885,937 |
3,286,979 |
Equity attributable to non-controlling interest |
|
89,919 |
117,584 |
TOTAL EQUITY(See Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity) |
|
3,975,856 |
3,404,563 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
8,143,553 |
8,305,246 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency, except per share
data in Argentine pesos in current currency - Note 1.d)
|
|
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
Note |
2024 |
2023 |
Revenues |
21 |
683,916 |
833,213 |
Employee benefit expenses and severance payments |
22 |
(157,824) |
(200,408) |
Interconnection and transmission costs |
|
(25,088) |
(24,855) |
Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies |
22 |
(100,037) |
(97,685) |
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority |
22 |
(52,700) |
(64,161) |
Commissions and advertising |
|
(35,507) |
(48,550) |
Cost of equipment and handsets |
22 |
(23,857) |
(38,663) |
Programming and content costs |
|
(37,456) |
(47,770) |
Bad debt expenses |
3 |
(17,020) |
(25,208) |
Other operating expenses |
22 |
(27,293) |
(33,620) |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
22 |
(233,281) |
(264,278) |
Operating loss |
|
(26,147) |
(11,985) |
Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures |
2 |
(1,359) |
1,648 |
Financial costs |
23 |
797,844 |
34,582 |
Other financial results, net |
23 |
115,520 |
40,567 |
Income before income tax |
|
885,858 |
64,812 |
Income tax benefit (expense) |
13 |
(210,826) |
45,665 |
Net income for the period |
|
675,032 |
110,477 |
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
Controlling Company |
|
672,260 |
107,669 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
2,772 |
2,808 |
|
|
675,032 |
110,477 |
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share for income attributable to the Controlling Company - Basic and diluted |
1.c |
312.14 |
49.99 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
See Note 22 for additional information on operating expenses per function.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency - Note 1.d)
|
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
675,032 |
110,477 |
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income |
|
|
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss |
|
|
Currency translation adjustments (no effect on Income Tax) |
(104,170) |
(2,987) |
DFI effects classified as hedges |
698 |
(791) |
Income Tax effects on DFI classified as hedges and others |
(267) |
295 |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
(103,739) |
(3,483) |
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the period |
571,293 |
106,994 |
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
Controlling Company |
598,958 |
104,663 |
Non-controlling interest |
(27,665) |
2,331 |
|
571,293 |
106,994 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency –
Note 1.d)
|
Owners
contribution |
Reserves |
|
|
Outstanding
shares |
Inflation
adjustment
|
Contributed
Surplus |
Legal |
Special
reserve for
IFRS
implementation |
Facultative
(2) |
Other
comprehensive
loss |
Retained
earnings |
Equity
attributable
to
controlling
company |
Equity
attributable
to non-
controlling
interest |
Total
Equity |
Capital
nominal
value
(1) |
Balances
as of January 1, 2023 |
2,154 |
1,301,576 |
3,208,341 |
77,354 |
28,363 |
278,680 |
(155,136) |
(981,309) |
3,760,023 |
76,542 |
3,836,565 |
Comprehensive
income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income for the period |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
107,669 |
107,669 |
2,808 |
110,477 |
Other
comprehensive loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,006) |
- |
(3,006) |
(477) |
(3,483) |
Total
Comprehensive income (loss) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,006) |
107,669 |
104,663 |
2,331 |
106,994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances
as of March 31, 2023 |
2,154 |
1,301,576 |
3,208,341 |
77,354 |
28,363 |
278,680 |
(158,142) |
(873,640) |
3,864,686 |
78,873 |
3,943,559 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances
as of January 1, 2024 |
2,154 |
1,301,576 |
1,914,960 |
77,354 |
28,363 |
432,389 |
(79,042) |
(390,775) |
3,286,979 |
117,584 |
3,404,563 |
Comprehensive
income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income for the period |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
672,260 |
672,260 |
2,772 |
675,032 |
Other
comprehensive loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(73,302) |
- |
(73,302) |
(30,437) |
(103,739) |
Total
Comprehensive income (loss) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(73,302) |
672,260 |
598,958 |
(27,665) |
571,293 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances
as of March 31, 2024 |
2,154 |
1,301,576 |
1,914,960 |
77,354 |
28,363 |
432,389 |
(152,344) |
281,485 |
3,885,937 |
89,919 |
3,975,856 |
(1) See Note 20 to these unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
(2) Correspond to the Voluntary
reserve to maintain the Company's level of capital expenditures and its current solvency level.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency – Note 1.d)
|
|
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
Note |
2024 |
2023 |
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
|
675,032 |
110,477 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
Allowances deducted from assets |
|
19,009 |
23,074 |
Depreciation of PP&E |
7 |
177,941 |
205,796 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
8 |
20,873 |
33,299 |
Amortization of rights of use assets |
9 |
34,386 |
24,118 |
Disposals of Fixed Assets and consumption of materials |
|
338 |
268 |
Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures |
2.a |
1,359 |
(1,648) |
Financial results and others |
|
(950,299) |
(108,452) |
Income tax |
13 |
210,826 |
(45,665) |
Income tax paid (*) |
|
(252) |
(1,133) |
Net increase in assets |
2.b |
(120,468) |
(103,848) |
Net increase in liabilities |
2.b |
102,484 |
69,832 |
Total cash flows from operating activities |
|
171,229 |
206,118 |
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
Payments for PP&E |
|
(68,032) |
(68,606) |
Payments for intangible asset acquisitions |
|
(5,991) |
(3,305) |
Dividends from associates |
2.b |
281 |
- |
Proceeds from the sale of PP&E and intangible assets |
|
2,566 |
4 |
Payments for investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents |
|
(161,394) |
(166,473) |
Proceeds from sale of investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents |
|
8,352 |
698 |
Total cash flows used in investing activities |
|
(224,218) |
(237,682) |
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
Proceeds from borrowings |
2.b |
191,171 |
163,080 |
Payment of borrowings |
2.b |
(73,487) |
(65,015) |
Payment of interests and related expenses |
2.b |
(76,409) |
(70,736) |
Payments of leases liabilities |
15 |
(13,619) |
(17,594) |
Total cash flows from financing activities |
|
27,656 |
9,735 |
|
|
|
|
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
(25,333) |
(21,829) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR |
|
242,252 |
189,109 |
NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES AND RECPAM ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
(66,315) |
(5,950) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD |
|
150,604 |
161,330 |
(*) |
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Corresponding to Controlling Company |
- |
(1,005) |
Corresponding to subsidiaries |
(252) |
(128) |
|
(252) |
(1,133) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
See Note 2.b for additional information on the consolidated statements
of cash flows.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023 (*)
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency, except as otherwise
indicated)
INDEX
(*) By convention the definitions used in the notes
are in the Glossary of Terms.
TELECOM ARGENTINA
S.A.
NOTE 1 –
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
| a) | Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies |
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements for the three-month period ended on March 31, 2024 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.
Therefore, these
financial statements do not include all the information required in an annual financial statement and, consequently, they must be read
jointly with the annual financial statements as of December 31, 2023, which can be consulted at the Company´s website (https://institucional.telecom.com.ar/inversores/informacionfinanciera.html).
Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared following the same accounting policies as in the
most recent annual financial statements.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements were prepared including in the consolidation process the following companies:
Company |
Main Activity |
Country |
Telecom Argentina's
direct/indirect interest in
capital stock and votes |
Núcleo (a) |
Mobile telecommunications Services |
Paraguay |
67.50% |
Personal Envíos |
Mobile financial services |
Paraguay |
67.50% |
Tuves Paraguay (a) |
Distribution of television and audio signals direct to home services |
Paraguay |
67.50% |
Televisión Dirigida |
Cable television services |
Paraguay |
100.00% |
AVC Continente Audiovisual |
Broadcasting services |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Inter Radios |
Broadcasting services |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Micro Sistemas |
Services related to the use of electronic payment media |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Pem |
Investment |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Cable Imagen |
Closed-circuit television |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Personal Smarthome (b) |
Security solutions and services |
Argentina |
100.00% |
NYS2 (b) |
ICT Services and Audiovisual Communication Services. |
Argentina |
100,00% |
NYSSA |
Provision of internet access services. |
Argentina |
100.00% |
Adesol (c) |
Holding |
Uruguay |
100.00% |
Opalker |
Cybersecurity, content platform and related services |
Uruguay |
100.00% |
Ubiquo (d) |
Cybersecurity services and products |
Chile |
95.00% |
Telecom USA |
Telecommunication services |
USA |
100.00% |
Micro Fintech Holding (e) (b) |
Holding |
USA |
100.00% |
| (a) | Regarding the Merger Commitment of both companies, as of the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements, the approval of the merger from the Public Registry of Commerce is still pending. |
| (b) | As of March 31, 2024 is a dormant entity. |
| (c) | Includes the 100% interest in Telemas S.A., which holds interests in the following special-purpose entities:
Audomar S.A., Bersabel S.A., Dolfycor S.A., Reiford S.A., Space Energy S.A., Tracel S.A. and Visión Satelital S.A.. |
| (d) | Company indirectly acquired by the subsidiary Opalker on June 20, 2023. |
| (e) | On October 11, 2023, Telecom Argentina established the company Micro Fintech Holding LLC in the State
of Delaware, USA. Telecom Argentina is the owner of 100% of the participation in such company. |
The preparation of these
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards requires that the Company's Management
make estimates that affect the figures disclosed in the financial statements or its complementary information. Actual results may differ
from these estimates.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements are expressed in millions of Argentine pesos, on an accrual basis of accounting (except for the consolidated statement of cash
flows), based on historical cost, except for certain financial assets and liabilities (includes DFI) that are measured at fair value and
are prepared in current currency as of March 31, 2024 (see item 1.d).
The figures as of December 31, 2023 and for
the three-month period ended on March 31, 2023, which are disclosed in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
for comparative purposes, are a result of restating the financial statements as of such dates to values in current currency as of March 31,
2024. This is as consequence of the restatement process of the financial information described in point d). When applicable, certain reclassifications
were made for comparative purposes.
TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
These unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024, were approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting held
on May 8, 2024.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain
all disclosures required under IAS 34. Some additional disclosures required by the LGS and/or by the CNV have been also included.
The Executive Committee and the CEO have a strategic
and operational vision of Telecom as a single business unit, according to the current regulatory context of the converged ICT Services
industry (adding to the same segment both the activities related to the mobile services, internet services, cable television and fixed
and data services, services governed by the same regulatory framework of ICT Services). To exercise its functions, both the Executive
Committee and the CEO receive periodically the economic-financial information of Telecom Argentina and its subsidiaries (in current currency
as of the date of each transaction), that is prepared as a single segment and evaluate the evolution of business as a unit of generation
of results, administrating the resources in a unique way to achieve the objectives. Regarding costs, they are not specifically allocated
to a type of service, considering that the Company has a single payroll and operating expenses that affect all services in general (non-specific).
Further, decisions on CAPEX affect all the types of services provided by Telecom in Argentina and are not allocated specifically to one
of them.
Additionally, Telecom, through Micro Sistemas,
develops activities in the fintech industry in Argentina. Telecom also carries out activities abroad (Paraguay, USA, Uruguay and Chile).
The operations that Telecom develops through Micro
Sistemas, and those developed abroad, are not analyzed as a separate segment by the Executive Committee and the CEO, considering that
they are not considered as individually significant. These operations do not meet the aggregation criteria established by the standard
to be grouped within the "ICT Services in Argentina" segment, and considering that they do not exceed any of the quantitative
thresholds identified in the standard to qualify as reportable segments, they are grouped within the category "Other segments".
The Executive Committee and the CEO continue to
monitor this business to evaluate the manner in which its performance is reviewed and, eventually, its consideration as a separate reportable
segment provided it complies with the requirements established by IFRS Accounting Standards to that effect.
The Executive Committee and the CEO evaluate the
profitability for each reportable segment based on the measure of the Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as our net (loss) income
less income tax, financial results, Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures, and depreciation, amortization and impairment
of Fixed Assets.
Presented below is the Segment financial information
as it is analyzed by the Executive Committee and the CEO for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Consolidated Income Statement as of March 31,
2024
|
ICT
Services
in
Argentina |
ICT
Services in
Argentina –
Inflation
restatement |
ICT
Services in
Argentina
restated for
inflation |
Other
segments |
Other
segments –
Inflation
restatement |
Other
segments
restated for
inflation |
Eliminations |
Total |
Revenues |
559,149 |
61,935 |
621,084 |
59,745 |
7,242 |
66,987 |
(4,155) |
683,916 |
Operating costs without depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
(371,804) |
(58,286) |
(430,090) |
(45,390) |
(5,457) |
(50,847) |
4,155 |
(476,782) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
187,345 |
3,649 |
190,994 |
14,355 |
1,785 |
16,140 |
- |
207,134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
|
|
|
|
(233,281) |
Operating loss |
|
|
|
|
(26,147) |
Losses from associates and joint ventures |
|
|
|
|
(1,359) |
Financial cost |
|
|
|
|
797,844 |
Other financial results, net |
|
|
|
|
115,520 |
Income before income tax |
|
|
|
|
885,858 |
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
(210,826) |
Net income for the period |
|
|
|
|
675,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling Company |
|
|
|
|
672,260 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
2,772 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
675,032 |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
Consolidated Income Statement as of March 31, 2023
|
ICT Services
in Argentina |
ICT
Services in
Argentina –
Inflation
restatement |
ICT
Services in
Argentina
restated for
inflation |
Other
segments |
Other
segments –
Inflation
restatement |
Other
segments
restated for
inflation |
Eliminations |
Total |
Revenues |
188,104 |
594,368 |
782,472 |
13,126 |
41,451 |
54,577 |
(3,836) |
833,213 |
Operating costs without depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
(130,435) |
(416,014) |
(546,449) |
(9,219) |
(29,088) |
(38,307) |
3,836 |
(580,920) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
57,669 |
178,354 |
236,023 |
3,907 |
12,363 |
16,270 |
- |
252,293 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
|
|
|
(264,278) |
Operating loss |
|
|
|
|
|
(11,985) |
Earnings from associates and joint ventures |
|
|
|
|
1,648 |
Financial cost |
|
|
|
|
34,582 |
Other financial results, net |
|
|
|
|
40,567 |
Income before income tax |
|
|
|
|
64,812 |
Income tax benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
45,665 |
Net income for the period |
|
|
|
|
|
110,477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling Company |
|
|
|
|
|
107,669 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
2,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,477 |
Additional information
per geographical area is disclosed below:
|
As of March 31, |
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
2023 |
Revenues from customers located in Argentina |
619,569 |
779,675 |
n/a |
Revenues from foreign customers |
64,347 |
53,538 |
n/a |
|
|
|
|
CAPEX corresponding to the segment “ICT Services in Argentina” |
94,063 |
89,453 |
n/a |
CAPEX corresponding to the segment “Other segments” |
10,605 |
8,964 |
n/a |
|
|
|
|
Fixed Assets corresponding to the segment “ICT Services in Argentina” |
7,004,080 |
n/a |
7,091,335 |
Fixed Assets corresponding to the segment “Other segments” |
298,221 |
n/a |
395,633 |
|
|
|
|
Borrowings corresponding to the segment “ICT Services in Argentina” |
2,405,516 |
n/a |
3,142,343 |
Borrowings corresponding to the segment “Other segments” |
40,520 |
n/a |
84,276 |
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing
the net income attributable to the Controlling Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
On the other hand, diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to the Controlling Company for the period
by the weighted average number of common shares issued and to be potentially issued at the end of the period. Since the Company has no
dilutive potential common stock outstanding, basic and dilutive earnings per share amounts do not differ.
For the three-month period ended March 31,
2024 and 2023, the weighted average number of shares outstanding amounted to 2,153,688,011.
| d) | Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies |
Since Argentina has been considered a high-inflation
economy for accounting purposes in accordance with IAS 29 since July 1, 2018, the financial information expressed in Argentine pesos
is restated in current currency of March 31, 2024.
The table below shows the evolution of the indexes
as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 and December 31, 2023 according to official statistics (INDEC) in accordance with Resolution No. 539/18
of the FACPCE and the devaluation of the Argentine peso vs. de US dollar for the same years / periods:
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
|
As
of March 31,
2023 |
As
of December 31,
2023 |
As of March 31,
2024 |
|
|
|
|
National Consumer Price Index (National CPI) (December 2016=100) |
1,381.16 |
3,533.19 |
5,357.09 |
|
|
|
|
Variation in prices |
|
|
|
Annual |
104.3% |
211.4% |
287.9% |
Accumulated 3 months |
21.7% |
n/a |
51.6% |
|
|
|
|
Banco Nación US$/$ exchange rate |
209.01 |
808.45 |
858 |
|
|
|
|
Variation in the exchange rate |
|
|
|
Annual |
88.3% |
356.3% |
310.5% |
Accumulated 3 months |
18.0% |
n/a |
6.1% |
The Company followed the same
restatement policies for items identified in the annual consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023.
| e) | New Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB not in force |
As of the date to prepare these unaudited consolidated
financial statements, the Company has not applied the following new standards and amendments to the existing ones which application is
mandatory for periods beginning after March 31, 2024:
Standards and amendments |
Description |
Mandatory application date for
years beginning on or after |
IFRS 18 |
Presentation and disclosure in financial statements |
January 1, 2027 |
It should be noted that on August 15, 2023,
the CNV issued General Resolution No. 972/23, which does not allow early application of new IFRS Accounting Standards or their amendments.
While Management is analyzing the potential impacts of such standard.
NOTE 2 –
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| a) | Cash and cash equivalents and Investments |
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Cash and cash equivalents |
2024 |
2023 |
Cash and Banks (1) |
73,831 |
137,926 |
Time deposits |
57,016 |
53,899 |
Mutual funds |
4,400 |
21,085 |
Government bonds at fair value |
15,357 |
29,342 |
Total cash and cash equivalents |
150,604 |
242,252 |
| (1) | As
of March 31, 2024 includes restricted funds for $10,193 million corresponding to the funds to be paid to clients. |
Investments |
|
|
Current |
|
|
Government bonds at fair value |
301,688 |
168,815 |
Time deposits |
12,853 |
18,361 |
Mutual funds |
553 |
788 |
|
315,094 |
187,964 |
Non- current |
|
|
Investments in associates and joint ventures(a) |
32,936 |
36,096 |
2003 Telecommunications Fund |
1 |
1 |
|
32,937 |
36,097 |
Total investments |
348,031 |
224,061 |
| (a) | Information on Investments in associates and joint ventures is detailed below: |
Financial position information:
Companies |
Nature of
relationship |
Main activity |
Country |
Percentage of
capital
stock owned
and
voting rights (%) |
Valuation as
of 03.31.2024 |
Valuation as
of 12.31.2023 |
Ver TV. (1) |
Associate |
Cable television station |
Argentina |
49.00 |
14,895 |
15,909 |
TSMA (1) (2) (3) |
Associate |
Cable television station |
Argentina |
50.10 |
5,770 |
5,783 |
La Capital Cable (1) (2) |
Associate |
Closed-circuit television |
Argentina |
50.00 |
3,474 |
3,409 |
OPH (1)(4) |
Joint venture |
Holding |
USA |
50.00 |
8,797 |
10,995 |
Total |
|
|
|
|
32,936 |
36,096 |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
| (1) | Data about the issuer arises from extra-accounting information. |
| (2) | Direct and indirect interest. |
| (3) | Despite owning a percentage higher than a 50% of interest, the Company does not have the control in accordance
with the requirements of IFRS Accounting Standards. |
| (4) | As of March 31, 2024, includes
$(1,520) million of currency translation adjustments. |
Earnings information:
|
Three-months period ended
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
Profit (loss) |
Ver TV |
(733) |
1,125 |
TSMA |
(13) |
217 |
La Capital Cable |
65 |
306 |
OPH |
(678) |
- |
Total |
(1,359) |
1,648 |
| b) | Additional information on the consolidated statements of cash flows |
Changes in assets/liabilities components:
|
March 31, |
Net (increase) decrease in assets |
2024 |
2023 |
Trade receivables |
(85,087) |
(62,036) |
Other receivables |
(23,965) |
(36,646) |
Inventories |
(11,416) |
(5,166) |
|
(120,468) |
(103,848) |
Net increase (decrease) in liabilities |
|
|
Trade payables |
46,413 |
58,114 |
Salaries and social security payables |
15,282 |
(66) |
Other taxes payables |
23,681 |
14,270 |
Other liabilities and provisions |
17,108 |
(2,486) |
|
102,484 |
69,832 |
Main Financing activities components
The following table presents the main financing
activities components:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Bank overdrafts |
191,171 |
109,631 |
Notes |
- |
49,473 |
Bank and other financial entities loans |
- |
3,976 |
Total borrowings proceeds |
191,171 |
163,080 |
Notes |
(19,263) |
(9,449) |
Bank and other financial entities loans |
(50,829) |
(48,336) |
Loans for purchase of equipment |
(3,395) |
(7,230) |
Total payment of borrowings |
(73,487) |
(65,015) |
Bank overdrafts |
(22,603) |
(8,735) |
Notes |
(30,357) |
(17,546) |
Bank and other financial entities loans |
(22,235) |
(27,590) |
By DFI and loans for purchase of equipment |
(1,214) |
(16,865) |
Total payment of interest and related expenses |
(76,409) |
(70,736) |
Main non-cash operating transactions
Main non-cash operating transactions and that were eliminated from the
consolidated statement of cash flows are the following:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
PP&E and intangible assets acquisition financed with accounts payable |
48,710 |
94,939 |
Right of use assets acquisition through leases |
40,804 |
35,506 |
Trade payables cancelled with borrowings |
- |
2,510 |
Trade payables cancelled with government bonds |
1,456 |
- |
Dividends distribution from associates uncollected |
- |
504 |
Dividends proceeds
Brief information on dividends proceeds by the
Company is provided below:
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
Three-month
period ended
March 31 |
Paying
Company |
Distributed amount |
Dividends collected |
Distribution
month |
Currency of the
transaction
date |
Current currency
as of March 31,
2024 |
Collection
month |
Current currency
as of March 31,
2024 |
2024 |
Ver TV |
March, 2024 |
281 |
281 |
March, 2024 |
281 |
|
|
|
|
281 |
|
281 |
NOTE 3 – TRADE RECEIVABLES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Current Trade receivables |
2024 |
2023 |
Ordinary receivables |
256,157 |
253,593 |
Companies under section 33 - Law No. 19,550 and related parties (Note 24.b) |
1,541 |
1,051 |
Contractual asset IFRS 15 |
48 |
67 |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
(49,099) |
(53,254) |
|
208,647 |
201,457 |
Non-current Trade receivables |
|
|
Ordinary receivables |
338 |
356 |
Contractual asset IFRS 15 |
17 |
26 |
|
355 |
382 |
Total trade receivables, net |
209,002 |
201,839 |
Movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts
are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(53,254) |
(72,656) |
Increases |
(17,020) |
(25,208) |
Uses |
1,907 |
10,728 |
RECPAM and currency translation adjustments |
19,268 |
13,979 |
At the end of the period |
(49,099) |
(73,157) |
NOTE 4 – OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Current Other Receivables |
2024 |
2023 |
Prepaid expenses |
17,713 |
14,255 |
Other tax credits |
10,817 |
8,750 |
Companies under section 33 - Law No. 19,550 and related parties (Note 24.b) |
322 |
328 |
DFI |
1,831 |
2,349 |
Indemnification assets |
48 |
68 |
Guarantee deposits |
2,903 |
3,665 |
Call option |
4,277 |
6,115 |
Other |
15,887 |
18,740 |
Allowance for other receivables |
(2,024) |
(2,659) |
|
51,774 |
51,611 |
Non-Current Other Receivables |
|
|
Prepaid expenses |
2,297 |
3,070 |
Income tax credits |
12,687 |
15,499 |
Other tax credits |
102 |
83 |
DFI |
271 |
663 |
Guarantee deposits |
5,454 |
7,235 |
Other |
540 |
3,213 |
|
21,351 |
29,763 |
Total other receivables, net |
73,125 |
81,374 |
Movements in the allowance for current other receivables
are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(2,659) |
(3,537) |
Increases |
(270) |
(66) |
RECPAM and currency translation adjustments |
905 |
632 |
At the end of the period |
(2,024) |
(2,971) |
NOTE 5 –
INVENTORIES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Mobile handsets and others |
47,147 |
49,878 |
Allowance for obsolescence of inventories |
(2,939) |
(2,073) |
Total inventories |
44,208 |
47,805 |
Movements in the allowance for obsolescence of
inventories are as follows:
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(2,073) |
(2,312) |
Increases |
(895) |
(116) |
Uses |
29 |
78 |
At the end of the period |
(2,939) |
(2,350) |
NOTE 6 – GOODWILL
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Argentina |
2,328,158 |
2,328,158 |
Abroad |
8,977 |
12,830 |
Total goodwill |
2,337,135 |
2,340,988 |
Movements in Goodwill are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
2,340,988 |
2,336,054 |
Increases |
- |
29 |
Currency translation adjustments |
(3,853) |
(49) |
At the end of the period |
2,337,135 |
2,336,034 |
NOTE 7 – PP&E
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
PP&E |
3,321,601 |
3,481,709 |
Allowance for obsolescence and impairment of materials |
(33,831) |
(33,346) |
Impairment allowance of PP&E |
(3,840) |
(3,759) |
|
3,283,930 |
3,444,604 |
Movements in PP&E (without allowance for obsolescence
and impairment of materials and impairment allowance of PP&E) are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
3,481,709 |
3,789,784 |
CAPEX |
98,191 |
94,403 |
Currency translation adjustments |
(80,204) |
(1,986) |
Net carrying value of decreases and consumption of materials |
(154) |
(198) |
Depreciation of the period |
(177,941) |
(205,796) |
At the end of the period |
3,321,601 |
3,676,207 |
Movements in the allowance for obsolescence and
impairment of materials are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(33,346) |
(42,867) |
(Increases)/Decreases |
(743) |
3,293 |
Currency translation adjustments |
258 |
12 |
At the end of the period |
(33,831) |
(39,562) |
Movements in the impairment allowance of PP&E
are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(3,759) |
(3,642) |
Increases |
(81) |
(977) |
At the end of the period |
(3,840) |
(4,619) |
NOTE
8 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Intangible assets |
1,407,030 |
1,425,767 |
Impairment allowance |
(51,427) |
(51,427) |
|
1,355,603 |
1,374,340 |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
Movements in Intangible assets (without considering the impairment allowance)
are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
1,425,767 |
1,254,419 |
CAPEX |
6,477 |
4,014 |
Currency translation adjustments |
(4,341) |
(159) |
Amortization of the period |
(20,873) |
(33,299) |
At the end of the period |
1,407,030 |
1,224,975 |
Movements in Impairment allowance of intangible assets are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
(51,427) |
(51,315) |
Increases |
- |
- |
At the end of the period |
(51,427) |
(51,315) |
NOTE
9 – RIGHT OF USE ASSETS
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Leases rights of use |
|
|
Sites |
205,424 |
208,734 |
Real estate and others |
31,941 |
32,138 |
Poles |
27,267 |
22,191 |
Indefeasible right of use |
6,337 |
6,828 |
Asset retirement obligations |
54,664 |
57,145 |
|
325,633 |
327,036 |
Movements in right of use assets are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At the beginning of the year |
327,036 |
297,143 |
Increase |
40,804 |
35,506 |
Net carrying value of decreases |
(184) |
(70) |
Currency translation adjustments |
(7,637) |
(93) |
Amortization of the period |
(34,386) |
(24,118) |
At the end of the period |
325,633 |
308,368 |
NOTE
10 – TRADE PAYABLES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Current |
2024 |
2023 |
Suppliers |
407,528 |
532,484 |
Companies under Sect. 33–Law No. 19,550 and Related Parties (Note 24.b) |
7,912 |
8,585 |
|
415,440 |
541,069 |
Non-current |
|
|
Suppliers |
11,192 |
1,386 |
|
11,192 |
1,386 |
Total trade payables |
426,632 |
542,455 |
NOTE
11 – BORROWINGS
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Current |
2024 |
2023 |
Bank overdrafts – principal |
190,603 |
35,652 |
Bank and other financial entities loans – principal |
213,479 |
310,443 |
Notes – principal |
298,092 |
286,531 |
Loans for purchase of equipment |
15,366 |
23,626 |
Remeasurement, interest and related expenses |
136,608 |
198,104 |
|
854,148 |
854,356 |
Non-current |
|
|
Notes – principal |
1,049,918 |
1,514,903 |
Bank and other financial entities loans – principal |
397,014 |
606,002 |
Loans for purchase of equipment |
8,903 |
16,261 |
Remeasurement, interest and related expenses |
136,053 |
235,097 |
|
1,591,888 |
2,372,263 |
Total borrowings |
2,446,036 |
3,226,619 |
TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
Movements
in Borrowings are as follows:
|
Balances
at
the
beginning of
the year |
Net Cash
Flows |
Accrued
interests |
Exchange
differences,
currency
translation
adjustments
and others |
Balances
as of
March 31,
2024 |
Bank
overdrafts |
35,652 |
191,171 |
- |
(36,220) |
190,603 |
Bank
and other financial entities loans – principal |
916,445 |
(50,829) |
- |
(255,123) |
610,493 |
Notes
– principal |
1,801,434 |
(19,263) |
- |
(434,161) |
1,348,010 |
Loans
for purchase of equipment |
39,887 |
(3,395) |
- |
(12,223) |
24,269 |
Remeasurement,
interest and related expenses |
433,201 |
(76,409) |
56,538 |
(140,669) |
272,661 |
Total
as of March 31, 2024 |
3,226,619 |
41,275 |
56,538 |
(878,396) |
2,446,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
as of March 31, 2023 |
2,215,334 |
26,031 |
12,059 |
(*) (43,074) |
2,210,350 |
(*) Includes $2,510 million of loans that do not represent cash movement.
In relation to the situation described in Note
13.c) in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, the Company has complied with: a) the EBITDA/ Net Interest
ratio and b) the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio established in the waivers obtained in March 2024, and is also in compliance with the rest
of the commitments assumed and in force on the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 12 – SALARIES AND SOCIAL
SECURITY PAYABLES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Current |
|
|
Salaries,
annual complementary salaries, vacation, bonuses and their social security payables |
119,540 |
132,006 |
Termination
benefits |
8,236 |
6,182 |
|
127,776 |
138,188 |
Non-current |
|
|
Termination
benefits |
5,836 |
5,654 |
|
5,836 |
5,654 |
Total
salaries and social security payables |
133,612 |
143,842 |
NOTE 13 – INCOME TAX PAYABLE
AND DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS/LIABILITIES
Income tax payable by company is presented below:
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Núcleo |
2,218 |
1,913 |
NYSSA |
258 |
224 |
Adesol |
354 |
158 |
Pem |
36 |
58 |
Opalker |
13 |
15 |
Telecom
USA |
50 |
- |
|
(*) 2,929 |
2,368 |
(*) Includes $(925) million corresponding
to the currency translation adjustments on initial balances of foreign subsidiaries, RECPAM and to compensation made with tax credits.
Deferred Income tax assets and liabilities, net
of Telecom and its subsidiaries, and the actions for recourse tax receivable are presented below:
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Tax
carryforward |
(167,621) |
(749,569) |
Allowance
for doubtful accounts |
(21,098) |
(25,447) |
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
(8,956) |
(11,093) |
PP&E,
intangible assets and right of use assets |
929,152 |
943,905 |
Cash
dividends from foreign companies |
15,464 |
20,669 |
Income
tax inflation adjustment effect |
147,179 |
501,365 |
Other
deferred tax liabilities (assets), net |
(3,061) |
(239) |
Total
deferred tax liabilities, net |
891,059 |
679,591 |
Actions
for recourse tax receivable |
(888) |
(1,346) |
Total
deferred tax liability, net |
(*) 890,171 |
678,245 |
|
|
|
Net
deferred tax assets |
(16,282) |
(20,947) |
Net
deferred tax liabilities |
906,453 |
699,192 |
(*) Includes $2,571 million of currency translation
adjustments on foreign subsidiaries’ initial balances.
TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
As of
March 31, 2024, Telecom and some subsidiaries have cumulative tax loss carryforwards of $479,244 million (including $296 million
of unrecognized tax loss carryforwards for considering them non-recoverable), that calculated considering statutory income tax rate,
represents a deferred tax asset of $167,621 million.
The detail of the maturities of estimated Tax loss carryforward is
disclosed below:
Company |
Tax
loss carryforward
generation year |
Tax
loss carryforward
amount as of 03.31.2024 |
Tax
loss carryforward
expiration year |
Telecom |
2023 |
450,562 |
2028 |
Micro
Sistemas |
2021 |
240 |
2026 |
Micro
Sistemas |
2022 |
3,424 |
2027 |
Micro
Sistemas |
2023 |
17,505 |
2028 |
Micro
Sistemas |
2024 |
7,102 |
2029 |
Interradios |
2023 |
1 |
2028 |
Pem |
2024 |
63 |
2029 |
Ubiquo |
2022 |
5 |
No deadline |
Ubiquo |
2023 |
46 |
No deadline |
AVC Continente
Audiovisual |
2021 |
3 |
2026 |
AVC Continente
Audiovisual |
2022 |
37 |
2027 |
AVC Continente
Audiovisual |
2023 |
135 |
2028 |
AVC Continente
Audiovisual |
2024 |
33 |
2029 |
Cable
Imagen |
2021 |
6 |
2026 |
Cable
Imagen |
2022 |
16 |
2027 |
Cable
Imagen |
2023 |
51 |
2028 |
Cable
Imagen |
2024 |
15 |
2029 |
|
|
479,244 |
|
Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed
by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rate to pre-tax income as a result of the following:
|
Three-month
period
ended March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
Profit
(loss) |
Income
before income tax |
885,858 |
64,812 |
Non-taxable
items – Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures |
1,359 |
(1,648) |
Non-taxable
items – Other |
320 |
(1,695) |
Restatement
in current currency of Equity, goodwill and other |
447,470 |
427,734 |
Subtotal |
1,335,007 |
489,203 |
Effective
income tax rate |
34.83% |
34.74% |
Income
tax expense at statutory tax rate of each companies |
(464,927) |
(169,949) |
Deferred
tax liability restatement in current currency and other |
638,688 |
348,948 |
Income
tax inflation adjustment |
(382,755) |
(130,080) |
Income
tax on cash dividends of foreign companies |
(1,832) |
(3,254) |
Income
tax benefit (expense) |
(210,826) |
45,665 |
|
|
|
Current
tax |
(1,738) |
(310) |
Deferred
tax |
(209,088) |
45,975 |
Income
tax benefit (expense) |
(210,826) |
45,665 |
NOTE 14 –OTHER TAXES PAYABLES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Current |
|
|
Other
national taxes |
54,352 |
50,329 |
Provincial
taxes |
4,623 |
6,311 |
Municipal
taxes |
2,325 |
2,717 |
|
61,300 |
59,357 |
Non-
current |
|
|
Provincial
taxes |
7 |
17 |
|
7 |
17 |
Total
other taxes payables |
61,307 |
59,374 |
TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.
NOTE
15 – LEASES LIABILITIES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Current |
|
|
Argentina |
38,295 |
40,909 |
Abroad |
1,883 |
2,661 |
|
40,178 |
43,570 |
Non-
current |
|
|
Argentina |
56,632 |
68,732 |
Abroad |
16,719 |
22,103 |
|
73,351 |
90,835 |
Total
leases liabilities |
113,529 |
134,405 |
Movements in Leases liabilities are as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
At
the beginning of the year |
134,405 |
136,445 |
Increases
(*) |
36,696 |
35,505 |
Financial
results, net (**) |
4,538 |
8,902 |
Payments |
(13,619) |
(17,594) |
Decreases
(included RECPAM and currency translation adjustments) |
(48,491) |
(24,943) |
At
the end of the period |
113,529 |
138,315 |
(*) Included in Rights of use assets acquisitions.
(**) Included in Other foreign currency exchange gains (losses) and
Other interests, net.
NOTE 16 – OTHER LIABILITIES
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Current |
|
|
Deferred
revenues on prepaid credit |
9,912 |
12,063 |
Deferred
revenues on connection fees and international capacity leases |
2,179 |
2,614 |
Debt
for acquisition of NYSSA |
600 |
860 |
Companies
under section 33 - Law No. 19,550 and related parties (Note 24.b) |
2,559 |
3,575 |
Funds
to be paid to clients |
10,193 |
10,946 |
Other |
1,293 |
964 |
|
26,736 |
31,022 |
Non-current |
|
|
Deferred
revenues on connection fees and international capacity leases |
1,661 |
2,314 |
Pension
benefits |
2,936 |
3,410 |
Companies
under section 33 - Law No. 19,550 and related parties (Note 24.b) |
4,485 |
6,267 |
Debt
for acquisition of NYSSA |
1,043 |
1,556 |
Other
|
88 |
163 |
|
10,213 |
13,710 |
Total
other liabilities |
36,949 |
44,732 |
NOTE 17 –
PROVISIONS
The evolution of provisions as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 is as
follows:
|
Balances
as of
December 31,
2023 |
Additions |
Reclassifica-
tions |
Payments
|
RECPAM,
currency
translation
adjustments |
Balances
as of
March 31, 2024 |
|
Capital
(i) |
Financial
result
(ii) |
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
8,097 |
97 |
- |
1,376 |
(1,772) |
(2,570) |
5,228 |
Total
current provisions |
8,097 |
97 |
- |
1,376 |
(1,772) |
(2,570) |
5,228 |
Non-
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
19,418
|
1,749
|
1,460
|
(1,376) |
(5) |
(3,516) |
17,730
|
Asset
retirement obligations |
20,181 |
4,108 |
- |
- |
- |
(6,997) |
17,292 |
Total
non-current provisions |
39,599 |
5,857 |
1,460 |
(1,376) |
(5) |
(10,513) |
35,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
provisions |
47,696 |
5,954 |
1,460 |
- |
(1,777) |
(13,083) |
40,250 |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
|
Balances
as of
December 31,
2022 |
Additions |
Reclassifica-
tions |
Payments
|
RECPAM,
currency
translation
adjustments |
Balances
as of
March 31, 2023 |
|
Capital
(iii) |
Financial
result
(ii) |
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
12,435 |
1,098 |
- |
3,091 |
(1,792) |
(2,156) |
12,676 |
Total
current provisions |
12,435 |
1,098 |
- |
3,091 |
(1,792) |
(2,156) |
12,676 |
Non-
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
30,723 |
4,177 |
1,458 |
(3,091) |
- |
(3,664) |
29,603 |
Asset
retirement obligations |
24,304 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(4,325) |
19,979 |
Total
non-current provisions |
55,027 |
4,177 |
1,458 |
(3,091) |
- |
(7,989) |
49,582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
provisions |
67,462 |
5,275 |
1,458 |
- |
(1,792) |
(10,145) |
62,258 |
| (i) | $1,846 million charged to Other operating expenses and $4,108 million
to Right of use assets. |
| (ii) | Charged to Other financial results, net - Other interests, net. |
| (iii) | Charged to Other operating expenses. |
NOTE 18 –
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Financial assets and liabilities denominated
in foreign currencies
Financial assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 are the following:
|
03.31.2024 |
12.31.2023 |
|
In
equivalent millions of Argentine pesos |
Assets |
189,971 |
271,373 |
Liabilities |
(2,341,538) |
(3,414,888) |
Net
Liabilities |
(2,151,567) |
(3,143,515) |
Offsetting of financial assets and financial
liabilities
The following table presents financial assets
and liabilities that are offset as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
|
As
of March 31, 2024 |
|
Trade
receivables |
Other
receivables |
Trade
payables |
Other
liabilities |
Current
and non-current assets (liabilities) - Gross value |
212,151 |
29,578 |
(429,781) |
(22,644) |
Offsetting |
(3,149) |
(2,472) |
3,149 |
2,472 |
Current
and non-current assets (liabilities) – Book value |
209,002 |
27,106 |
(426,632) |
(20,172) |
|
As
of December 31, 2023 |
|
Trade
receivables |
Other
receivables |
Trade
payables |
Other
liabilities |
Current
and non-current assets (liabilities) - Gross value |
212,880 |
37,122 |
(553,496) |
(25,489) |
Offsetting |
(11,041) |
(1,322) |
11,041 |
1,322 |
Current
and non-current assets (liabilities) – Book value |
201,839 |
35,800 |
(542,455) |
(24,167) |
Fair value hierarchy and other disclosures
The measurement at fair value of the financial
instruments of Telecom are classified according to the three levels set out in IFRS 13:
| - | Level 1:
Fair value determined by quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities. |
| - | Level 2:
Fair value determined based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (e.g. as prices) or indirectly
(e.g. derived from prices). |
| - | Level 3:
Fair value determined by unobservable inputs where the reporting entity is required to develop
its own assumptions. |
Financial assets and liabilities recognized at
fair value as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and the level of hierarchy are listed below:
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
March 31,
2024 |
|
Level
1 |
|
Level
2 |
|
Total |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual
Funds (1) |
|
4,953
|
|
- |
|
4,953
|
Government
bonds (1) |
|
317,045
|
|
- |
|
317,045
|
Other
receivables: DFI |
|
- |
|
1,831
|
|
1,831
|
Other
receivables: Indemnification assets |
|
- |
|
10
|
|
10
|
Non-current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
receivables: DFI |
|
- |
|
271
|
|
271
|
Total assets |
|
321,998
|
|
2,112
|
|
324,110
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities: Debt for acquisition of NYSSA |
|
- |
|
600
|
|
600
|
Non-current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities: Debt for acquisition of NYSSA |
|
- |
|
1,043
|
|
1,043
|
Total Liabilities |
|
- |
|
1,643
|
|
1,643
|
| (1) | Mutual
Funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Investments”. Government bonds are included in “Cash
and cash equivalents” and “Investments”. |
December 31,
2023 |
|
Level
1 |
|
Level
2 |
|
Total |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual
Funds (1) |
|
21,873 |
|
- |
|
21,873 |
Government
bonds (1) |
|
198,157 |
|
- |
|
198,157 |
Other
receivables: DFI |
|
- |
|
2,349 |
|
2,349 |
Other
receivables: Indemnification assets |
|
- |
|
15 |
|
15 |
Non-current
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
receivables: DFI |
|
- |
|
663 |
|
663 |
Total
assets |
|
220,030 |
|
3,027 |
|
223,057 |
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities: Debt for acquisition of NYSSA |
|
- |
|
860 |
|
860 |
Non-current
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities: Debt for acquisition of NYSSA |
|
- |
|
1,556 |
|
1,556 |
Total
liabilities |
|
- |
|
2,416 |
|
2,416 |
| (1) | Mutual Funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents”
and “Investments”. Government bonds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents”
and “Investments”. |
In relation to the fair values set forth above,
as of March 31, 2024, there were no changes in the methods and assumptions used with respect to what was reported in Note 22 to
the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023.
The Company also has certain financial instruments
that are not measured at fair value for which the book value approximates their fair value, except for:
Borrowings
As of March 31,
2024, fair value of borrowings is as follows:
|
Carrying
Value |
Fair
Value |
|
|
|
Notes |
1,450,479 |
1,374,040 |
Other
borrowings |
995,557 |
1,001,432 |
|
2,446,036 |
2,375,472 |
The fair value of the borrowings was assessed
as follows:
| a) | The fair value of Notes traded in active
markets was measured based on quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period. As
a result, its valuation classifies as Level 1. |
| b) | The fair value of Notes that are not
traded in an active market was measured based on quotes provided by first-tier financial
entities, so their valuation qualifies as Level 2. |
| c) | Fort the rest of the borrowings, the
fair values were calculated based on cash flows discounted using a current lending rate,
so as they are classified as level 3. |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
NOTE
19 – PURCHASE COMMITMENTS
The Company has entered into various purchase
commitments with domestic and foreign suppliers amounting to approximately $555,780 million as of March 31, 2024 (of which $166,041
million corresponds to Fixed Assets commitments). These purchase commitments include those that contain “take or pay” clauses,
which force the buyer to purchase a quantity of a product or service in a period, usually annually, or, alternatively, to pay that amount
even if it has not been taken or accepted to receive it.
NOTE
20 – EQUITY
As of March 31,
2024 and December 31, 2023, the capital stock of Telecom Argentina amounts to $2,153,688,011, represented by the same number
of common book-entry shares with nominal value of $1, as detailed below:
Class of
Shares |
|
Total |
Class “A” |
|
683,856,600 |
Class “B” |
|
628,058,019 |
Class “C” |
|
106,734 |
Class “D” |
|
841,666,658 |
Total |
|
2,153,688,011 |
As of the date of these unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements, all the shares of Telecom Argentina are authorized by the CNV for public offering.
Class B Shares are listed and traded on the
leading companies’ panel of the BYMA and the ADS representing 5 Class “B” shares of the Company are traded on
the NYSE under the symbol TEO.
| b) | Restrictions
on distribution of profits |
Under the LGS, the by-laws of the Company and
rules and regulations of the CNV, a minimum of 5% of net income for the year in accordance with the statutory books, plus/less previous
years’ adjustments and accumulated losses must be appropriated by resolution of the shareholders to a legal reserve until such
reserve reaches 20% of the outstanding capital (common stock) plus inflation adjustment of common stock.
NOTE
21 – REVENUES
|
Three-month
period ended
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Mobile
Services |
278,328 |
339,812 |
Internet
Services |
168,535 |
182,364 |
Cable
Television Services |
101,424 |
154,795 |
Fixed
and Data Services |
95,749 |
95,032 |
Other
services revenues |
7,836 |
6,769 |
Subtotal
Services revenues |
651,872 |
778,772 |
Equipment
revenues |
32,044 |
54,441 |
Total
Revenues |
683,916 |
833,213 |
NOTE
22 – OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense
amounted to $710,063 million and $845,198 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The main
components of the operating expenses are the following:
|
|
Three-month
period ended
March 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
Profit
(loss) |
|
Employee
benefit expenses and severance payments |
|
|
|
Salaries,
social security expenses and benefits |
|
(141,159) |
(187,705) |
|
Severance
indemnities |
|
(13,484) |
(10,085) |
|
Other
employee expenses |
|
(3,181) |
(2,618) |
|
|
|
(157,824) |
(200,408) |
|
Fees
for services, maintenance, materials and supplies |
|
|
|
|
Maintenance
and materials |
|
(53,495) |
(46,924) |
|
Fees
for services |
|
(45,757) |
(49,919) |
|
Directors
and Supervisory Committee’s members’ fees |
|
(785) |
(842) |
|
|
|
(100,037) |
(97,685) |
|
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
|
Three-month
period ended
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
Profit
(loss) |
Taxes
and fees with the Regulatory Authority |
|
Turnover
tax |
(27,284) |
(30,820) |
Regulatory
Entity Fees |
(13,687) |
(16,453) |
Municipal
taxes |
(6,315) |
(8,591) |
Other
taxes and fees |
(5,414) |
(8,297) |
|
(52,700) |
(64,161) |
Cost
of equipment |
|
|
Inventory
balance at the beginning of the year |
(49,878) |
(32,756) |
Plus: |
|
|
Purchases |
(23,501) |
(46,149) |
Other |
2,375 |
4,275 |
Less: |
|
|
Inventory
balance at the end of the period |
47,147 |
35,967 |
|
(23,857) |
(38,663) |
Other
operating expenses |
|
|
Legal
Claims and contingent liabilities |
(1,846) |
(5,275) |
Rental
and internet capacity |
(4,862) |
(4,837) |
Energy,
water and other services |
(14,025) |
(16,543) |
Postage,
freight and travel expenses |
(4,138) |
(5,508) |
Other |
(2,422) |
(1,457) |
|
(27,293) |
(33,620) |
Depreciation,
amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
|
|
Depreciation
of PP&E |
(177,941) |
(205,796) |
Amortization
of intangible assets |
(20,873) |
(33,299) |
Amortization
of rights of use assets |
(34,386) |
(24,118) |
Impairment
of Fixed Assets |
(81) |
(1,065) |
|
(233,281) |
(264,278) |
Operating expenses, disclosed per function are
as follows:
Concept |
Operating
costs |
Administration
costs |
Commercialization
costs |
Other
expenses |
Total
03.31.2024 |
Total
03.31.2023 |
Employee
benefit expenses and severance payments |
(83,022) |
(35,354) |
(39,448) |
- |
(157,824) |
(200,408) |
Interconnection
costs and transmission costs |
(25,088) |
- |
- |
- |
(25,088) |
(24,855) |
Fees
for services, maintenance, materials and supplies |
(36,373) |
(19,608) |
(44,056) |
- |
(100,037) |
(97,685) |
Taxes
and fees with the Regulatory Authority |
(52,094) |
(365) |
(241) |
- |
(52,700) |
(64,161) |
Commissions
and advertising |
- |
- |
(35,507) |
- |
(35,507) |
(48,550) |
Cost
of equipment and handsets |
(23,857) |
- |
- |
- |
(23,857) |
(38,663) |
Programming
and content costs |
(37,456) |
- |
- |
- |
(37,456) |
(47,770) |
Bad
debt expenses |
- |
- |
(17,020) |
- |
(17,020) |
(25,208) |
Other
operating expenses |
(17,795) |
(4,891) |
(4,607) |
- |
(27,293) |
(33,620) |
Depreciation,
amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
(184,044) |
(32,396) |
(16,760) |
(81) |
(233,281) |
(264,278) |
Total
as of 03.31.2024 |
(459,729) |
(92,614) |
(157,639) |
(81) |
(710,063) |
|
Total
as of 03.31.2023 |
(552,320) |
(102,657) |
(189,156) |
(1,065) |
|
(845,198) |
NOTE
23 – FINANCIAL RESULTS
|
Three-month
period ended
March 31, |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
Profit
(loss) |
Interests
on borrowings (*) |
(26,368) |
(26,833) |
Remeasurement
in borrowings (**) |
(29,511) |
10,981 |
Foreign
currency exchange gains on borrowings (***) |
853,723 |
51,644 |
Borrowings
renegotiation results |
- |
(1,210) |
Total
financial cost |
797,844 |
34,582 |
Fair
value gains/(losses) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
(23,767) |
(11,047) |
Other
foreign currency exchange gains (losses) |
97,655 |
(3,157) |
Other
interests, net |
5,536 |
4,976 |
Other
taxes and bank expenses |
(15,621) |
(8,064) |
Financial
expenses on pension benefits |
(714) |
(1,043) |
Financial
discounts on assets, debts and others |
(269) |
(3,227) |
RECPAM |
52,700 |
62,129 |
Total
other financial results, net |
115,520 |
40,567 |
Total
financial results, net |
913,364 |
75,149 |
(*) Includes $659 million and $217 million
corresponding to net income and losses generated by DFI in the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(**) Related to Notes issued in UVA.
(***) Includes $(1,916) million corresponding to net losses generated
by DFI in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023.
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
NOTE
24 - BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH COMPANIES UNDER SECTION 33 - LAW No. 19,550 AND RELATED PARTIES
CVH is the controlling company of Telecom Argentina,
holding 28.16% of the capital stock of the Company. Additionally, both VLG (company subsequently absorbed by CVH) and Fintech, contributed
to the Voting Trust, in accordance with the Shareholders´ Agreement, shares representing 10.92% of the capital of the Company so
the shares subject to such agreement represent 21.84% of the total capital of the Company (the “Shares in Trust”).
According to the Voting Trust Agreement, the trustee
appointed by CVH must vote the Shares in Trust as instructed or voted by CVH with respect to all issues except in respect of certain
matters subject to veto under the Shareholders’ Agreement.
b) | Balances with Companies under section
33 - Law No. 19,550 and Related Parties |
· | Companies
under section 33 - Law No. 19,550 – Associates and joint ventures |
CURRENT
ASSETS |
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Trade
receivables |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Ver
TV |
Associate |
15 |
15 |
OPH |
Joint
venture |
23 |
41 |
|
|
38 |
56 |
Other
receivables |
|
|
|
La
Capital Cable |
Associate |
317 |
318 |
Ver
TV |
Associate |
2 |
3 |
|
|
319 |
321 |
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES |
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Trade
payables |
|
2024 |
2023 |
La
Capital Cable |
Associate |
5 |
5 |
TSMA |
Associate |
- |
2 |
OPH |
Joint
venture |
997 |
1,624 |
|
|
1,002 |
1,631 |
Other
liabilities |
|
|
|
OPH |
Joint
venture |
2,559 |
3,575 |
|
|
2,559 |
3,575 |
NON
- CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Other
liabilities |
|
|
|
OPH |
Joint
venture |
4,485 |
6,267 |
|
|
4,485 |
6,267 |
CURRENT
ASSETS |
|
March 31, |
December 31, |
Trade
receivables |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Other
related parties |
|
1,503 |
995 |
|
|
1,503 |
995 |
Other
receivables |
|
|
|
Other
related parties |
|
3 |
7 |
|
|
3 |
7 |
CURRENT
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Trade
payables |
|
|
|
Other
related parties |
|
6,910 |
6,954 |
|
|
6,910 |
6,954 |
| c) | Transactions with companies under section 33 - Law No. 19,550
and related parties |
| · | Companies
under section 33 - Law No. 19,550– Associates and joint ventures |
|
Transaction |
Kind
of related
party |
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
Profit
(loss)
Revenues |
La
Capital Cable |
Services
revenues and other revenues |
Associate |
23 |
- |
Ver
TV |
Services
revenues and other revenues |
Associate |
17 |
12 |
OPH |
Services
revenues and other revenues |
Joint
venture |
66 |
- |
|
|
|
106 |
12 |
|
|
|
Operating
costs |
La
Capital Cable |
Fees
for services |
Associate |
(181) |
(877) |
|
|
|
(181) |
(877) |
TELECOM
ARGENTINA S.A.
|
Transaction |
Three-month period
ended March 31, |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
Profit
(loss) |
|
|
Revenues |
Other
related parties |
Services
and advertising revenues |
1,068 |
655 |
|
|
1,068 |
655 |
|
|
Operating
costs |
Other
related parties |
Programming
costs |
(5,777) |
(7,067) |
Other
related parties |
Editing
and distribution of magazines |
(832) |
(1,253) |
Other
related parties |
Advisory
services |
(836) |
(1,152) |
Other
related parties |
Advertising
purchases |
(137) |
(427) |
Other
related parties |
Other
purchases and commissions |
(756) |
(322) |
|
|
(8,338) |
(10,221) |
The transactions discussed above were made by
Telecom Argentina under the same conditions than would have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. When Telecom Argentina’s
transactions represented more than 1% of its total shareholders’ equity, they were approved according to Law No. 26,831, the
Bylaws and the Executive Committees’ Faculties and Performance Regulation.
NOTE
25 – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
| a) | Decree No. 690/20 - Amendment
to the LAD |
In relation to the
situation described in Note 2.c).i) in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, on February 20, 2024
the precautionary measure, which suspended the application of the Decree No. 690/20, was extended for an additional period
of six months, remaining in force until August 20, 2024. Consequently, the precautionary measure is fully in force as of the issuance
date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Finally, through Decree No. 302/24 published
in the Official Gazette on April 9, 2024, the PEN derogated the aforementioned Decree No. 690/20. As of the date of issuance
of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is analyzing the effects of the derogation of the Decree.
NOTE 26 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS TO MARCH 31,
2024
| 1) | Provisions of the Telecom Ordinary
and Extraordinary Shareholders’ meeting |
At the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’
Meeting held on April 25, 2024, the shareholders of Telecom decided, among other:
| (i) | To approve the Board of Directors’
proposal stated in current currency as of March 31, 2024 using the National Consumer
Price Index pursuant to CNV Resolution No. 777/18 in connection with the Accumulated
Deficit as of December 31, 2023 for $257,730 million ($390,775 million in current currency
as of March 31, 2024): (i) absorb the amount of $257,730 million ($390,775 million
in current currency as of March 31, 2024) from the “Voluntary reserve to maintain
the Company's level of capital expenditures and its current solvency level”; |
| (ii) | to reclassify the amount of $84.257 million
($127,752 million in current currency as of March 31, 2024) from “Voluntary reserve
to maintain the Company's level of capital expenditures and its current solvency level”
and to be charged against the “Contributed Surplus”; |
| (iii) | to
delegate on the Board of Directors the power to reverse between October 1, 2024 and
December 31, 2024 the “Voluntary reserve to maintain the Company's level of capital
expenditures and its current solvency level” in an amount that allows distribution
of dividends in cash or in kind or any combination of both options, for up to the maximum
amount of distribution of US$ 100 million, once the conditions detailed in Note 13.c) to
the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 are met or waived. |
|
|
Carlos
Moltini |
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman
of the Board of
Directors |
CORPORATE INFORMATION
| · | INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS Price Waterhouse & Co S.R.L. (member of PricewaterhouseCoopers) |
BYMA
|
Market
quotation ($/share) |
Volume
of shares |
Quarter |
High |
Low |
traded
(in millions) |
1Q23 |
499.50 |
332.25 |
8.4 |
2Q23 |
687.45 |
390.73 |
7.0 |
3Q23 |
959.80 |
621.60 |
11.9 |
4Q23 |
1,752.45 |
773.30 |
10.6 |
1Q24 |
2,073.15 |
1,333.80 |
8.5 |
NYSE*
|
Market
quotation (US$/ADR) |
Volume
of ADRs |
Quarter |
High |
Low |
traded
(in millions) |
1Q23 |
6.70 |
4.24 |
8.2 |
2Q23 |
6.72 |
4.71 |
6.5 |
3Q23 |
6.43 |
4.79 |
8.0 |
4Q23 |
8.64 |
4.60 |
11.0 |
1Q24 |
7.97 |
6.53 |
8.7 |
* Calculated at 1 ADR = 5 shares
| · | INVESTOR
RELATIONS for information about Telecom Argentina S.A., please contact: |
In
Argentina |
Telecom
Argentina S.A. |
Investor
Relations Division |
General
Hornos 690 |
(1272)
Autonomous City of Buenos Aires |
Argentina |
https://inversores.telecom.com.ar/ar/es/contacto.html |
Outside
Argentina |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A. |
383
Madison Avenue, Floor 11. |
New York, NY10179
Attn: Depositary Receipts Group
Tel: +1 212 622 5935 |
| · | INTERNET
http://institucional.telecom.com.ar/inversores/ |
| · | DEPOSIT
AND TRANSFER AGENT FOR ADSs |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A. |
383
Madison Avenue, Floor 11 |
New
York, NY10179 |
Attn: Depositary Receipts Group
adr@jpmorgan.com –
www.adr.com |
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2024
(In millions of Argentine pesos in current currency
- except per share data in Argentine pesos in current currency- or as expressly indicated)
As provided under Resolution
No. 777 issued by the CNV on December 28, 2018, this operating and financial review and prospects discloses the comparative
balances set forth below, restated to current currency as of March 31, 2024.
The table below shows
the evolution of the national consumer price index (CPI) in light of the fact that Argentina has been considered a high-inflation economy
for accounting purposes in accordance with IAS 29 since July 1, 2018, as further discussed in Note 1.d) to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for 2023 and as of March 31, 2024 and 2023. According to official statistics from the Argentine
National Statistics and Censuses Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos) and the Banco Nación U.S.
dollar exchange rate used for the preparation of this operating and financial review and prospects are as follows:
| |
As
of March 31,
2023 | | |
As
of December 31,
2023 | | |
As
of March 31,
2024 | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
National
CPI (December 2016=100) | |
| 1,381.16 | | |
| 3,533.19 | | |
| 5,357.09 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Variation
in prices | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Annual | |
| 104.3% | | |
| 211.4% | | |
| 287.9% | |
Accumulated
three months | |
| 21.7% | | |
| n/a | | |
| 51.6% | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Banco
Nación US$/$ exchange rate | |
| 209.01 | | |
| 808.45 | | |
| 858.00 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Variation
in the exchange rate | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Annual | |
| 88.3% | | |
| 356.3% | | |
| 310.5% | |
Accumulated
three months | |
| 18.0% | | |
| n/a | | |
| 6.1% | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
The CPI has registered
an increase of 287.9% for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the twelve-month period ended March 31,
2023.
| 2. | Telecom’s activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 (“3M24”) and 2023 (“3M23”) |
| |
3M24 | |
3M23 | |
Variation |
| |
$ million | |
$ million | |
% |
Revenues | |
683,916 | |
833,213 | |
(149,297) | |
(17.9) |
Employee benefit expenses and severance payments | |
(157,824) | |
(200,408) | |
42,584 | |
(21.2) |
Interconnection and transmission costs | |
(25,088) | |
(24,855) | |
(233) | |
0.9 |
Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies | |
(100,037) | |
(97,685) | |
(2,352) | |
2.4 |
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority | |
(52,700) | |
(64,161) | |
11,461 | |
(17.9) |
Commissions and advertising | |
(35,507) | |
(48,550) | |
13,043 | |
(26.9) |
Cost of equipment and handsets | |
(23,857) | |
(38,663) | |
14,806 | |
(38.3) |
Programming and content costs | |
(37,456) | |
(47,770) | |
10,314 | |
(21.6) |
Bad debt expenses | |
(17,020) | |
(25,208) | |
8,188 | |
(32.5) |
Other operating expenses | |
(27,293) | |
(33,620) | |
6,327 | |
(18.8) |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets | |
(233,281) | |
(264,278) | |
30,997 | |
(11.7) |
Operating loss | |
(26,147) | |
(11,985) | |
(14,162) | |
118.2 |
Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures | |
(1,359) | |
1,648 | |
(3,007) | |
n/a |
Financial costs | |
797,844 | |
34,582 | |
763,262 | |
n/a |
Other financial results, net | |
115,520 | |
40,567 | |
74,953 | |
184.8 |
Income before income tax | |
885,858 | |
64,812 | |
821,046 | |
n/a |
Income tax benefit (expense) | |
(210,826) | |
45,665 | |
(256,491) | |
n/a |
Net income for the period | |
675,032 | |
110,477 | |
564,555 | |
n/a |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Net income attributable to: | |
| |
| |
| |
|
Controlling Company | |
672,260 | |
107,669 | |
564,591 | |
n/a |
Non-controlling interest | |
2,772 | |
2,808 | |
(36) | |
(1.3) |
| |
675,032 | |
110,477 | |
564,555 | |
n/a |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Earnings per share for income attributable to the Controlling Company - Basic and diluted | |
312.14 | |
49.99 | |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | |
207,134 | |
252,293 | |
(45,159) | |
(17.9) |
| (1) | Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, defined as our net (loss) income less income tax benefit (expense),
financial results, earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures, depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets. For
further information on the use of adjusted EBITDA, see “Adjusted EBITDA”. |
In 3M24,
net income amounted to $675,032 million (compared to a net income of $110,477 million in 3M23), representing 98.7% of revenues (compared
to 13.3% of revenues in 3M23). The increase in 3M24 compared to 3M23 was mainly due to an increase in financial result, net of $838,215
million, which was partially offset by a decrease in income tax benefit (expense) of $256,491 million.
In 3M24, Adjusted
EBITDA totaled $207,134 million, representing 30.3% of revenues in 3M24. Adjusted EBITDA in 3M23 totaled $252,293 million, representing
30.3% of revenues in 3M23. The decrease of $45,159 million in 3M24 compared to 3M23 was mainly due to a decrease in revenues of $149,297
million, partially offset by the decrease in operating costs (without depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets)
of $104,138 million.
| |
3M24 | |
3M23 | |
Variation |
| |
$ million | |
$ million | |
% |
Mobile Services | |
278,328 | |
339,812 | |
(61,484) | |
(18.1) |
Internet Services | |
168,535 | |
182,364 | |
(13,829) | |
(7.6) |
Cable Television Services | |
101,424 | |
154,795 | |
(53,371) | |
(34.5) |
Fixed and Data Services | |
95,749 | |
95,032 | |
717 | |
0.8 |
Other services revenues | |
7,836 | |
6,769 | |
1,067 | |
15.8 |
Subtotal Services revenues | |
651,872 | |
778,772 | |
(126,900) | |
(16.3) |
Equipment revenues | |
32,044 | |
54,441 | |
(22,397) | |
(41.1) |
Total Revenues | |
683,916 | |
833,213 | |
(149,297) | |
(17.9) |
During 3M24 revenues decreased 17.9% or $149,297
million compared to 3M23, amounting to $683,916 million.
While there was a greater demand for services,
revenues decreased mainly due to the fact that, as a consequence of the 287.9% annual inflation in Argentina (from 3M23 to 3M24), the
Company (similarly to its competitors in the ICT industry) was unable to increase its prices during 3M24 to the same extent as the increase
in inflation.
Services revenues amounted to $651,872 million
in 3M24, decreasing 16.3% as compared to $778,772 million in 3M23 and represented 95.3% of consolidated revenues. Equipment revenues amounted
to $32,044 million in 3M24 as compared to $54,441 million in 3M23, and represented 4.7% of consolidated revenues.
Revenues included $68,571 million and $632,905
million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively, related to the effect generated by the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024.
Consolidated revenues for 3M24 and 3M23 are comprised
as follows:
Mobile Services
Mobile services revenues in 3M24 amounted to $278,328
million (a decrease of $61,484 million or 18.1% as compared to 3M23), being the principal contributor to our total services revenues for
3M24 (42.7% of services revenues in 3M24 as compared to 43.6% in 3M23). Mobile internet services revenues remained stable in 3M24 and
3M23 and accounted for 92% of total mobile service revenues in both quarters.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Mobile services revenues amounted to $28,053 million and $258,294 million in 3M24 and 3M23,
respectively.
Mobile services revenues in Argentina amounted
to $248,513 million (a decrease of $66,084 million or 21% as compared to 3M23). This decrease was mainly due to 23.6% decrease in the
ARPU (average revenue per user), partially offset by a 3.3% increase in the number of customers.
The ARPU amounted
to $3,872.0 as of March 31, 2024 (compared to $5,071.0 as of March 31, 2023). This decrease was mainly explained by the fact
that, as a consequence of the annual 287.9% inflation in Argentina, the Company (similarly to its competitors in the ICT industry) was
unable to increase its prices during 3M24 to the same extent as the increase in inflation (the effect generated by the restatement in
current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in ARPU amounted to $381.7 and $3,844.2 as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively).
Additionally, the decrease in ARPU is also explained by the fact that we granted greater discounts to customers in order to maintain the
customer base, considering the intense competition in the market and an increase in the migration of customers from postpaid to prepaid
services (which have a lower ARPU than postpaid customers).
Our mobile customers in Argentina amounted to
21.2 million and 20.5 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Out of the total mobile customers as of
March 31, 2024, 61% were prepaid customers and 39% were postpaid customers, whereas as of March 31, 2023, 58% were prepaid
customers and 42% were postpaid customers. We observed a change in customer behavior, resulting in an increase in prepaid services
customers of 8.7% and a decrease in the postpaid services customers of 4.2% as of March 31, 2024, as compared to March 31, 2023. Additionally, the average churn rate per month
amounted to 1.5% in 3M24 (compared to a 1.7% average in 3M23).
ARPU of Mobile Services in Argentina
A monthly operational
measure used in the mobile services is ARPU, which we calculate by dividing adjusted total service revenues—excluding out
collect wholesale roaming, cell site rental and reconnection fees revenues and others—(divided by three months) by the average number
of customers during 3M24. ARPU is not a measure calculated in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and our measure of ARPU may not
be calculated in the same manner as similarly titled measures used by other companies. In particular, certain components of service revenues
are excluded from Personal’s ARPU calculations presented in this operating and financial review and prospects as of March 31,
2024. Management believes that this measure is helpful in assessing the development of the subscriber base of mobile services. The following
table shows the reconciliation of total service revenues to such revenues included in the ARPU calculations of 3M24:
| |
3M24 |
| |
$ million |
Total Mobile service revenues | |
248,513 |
Components of service revenues not included in the ARPU calculation: out collect (wholesale) roaming, cell sites rental, reconnection fees revenues and others | |
(3,357) |
Adjusted total service revenues included in the ARPU calculation | |
245,156 |
Average number of customers during 3M24 (millions) | |
21.1 |
Mobile services revenues generated in Paraguay
amounted to $29,815 million in 3M24 (a $4,600 million or 18.2% increase compared to 3M23). The increase was mainly due to the appreciation
of the Guaraní against the Argentine Peso.
Núcleo’s ARPU amounted to $4,251.3
as of March 31, 2024 (compared to $3,464.8 as of March 31, 2023), representing a 22.7% increase.
Núcleo’s customer base remained stable
amounting to 2.4 million customers as of March 31, 2024. Out of the total mobile customers as of March 31, 2024, 75% were prepaid
customers and 25% were postpaid customers, whereas as of March 31, 2023, 79% were prepaid customers, and 21% were postpaid customers.
The average churn rate per month amounted to 2.6% in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Internet Services
Internet services revenues amounted to $168,535
million in 3M24 (equivalent to 25.9% of total consolidated services revenues), decreasing $13,829 million or 7.6% as compared to 3M23.
The effect generated by the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in internet services revenues amounted
to $16,558 million and $138,526 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
The decrease in internet services revenues in Argentina
in 3M24 was mainly due to the decrease in the Broadband Internet access ARPU of 9.8%.
The ARPU reached
$12,733.2 in 3M24 as compared to $14,122.3 in 3M23. This decrease in ARPU is mainly explained by the fact that, as a consequence of the
annual 287.9% inflation in Argentina, the Company (similarly to its competitors in the ICT industry) was unable to increase its
prices during 3M24 to the same extent as the increase in inflation (the effect generated by the restatement in current currency as of
March 31, 2024 included in ARPU amounted to $1,184.7 and $10,711.2 as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively).
The customer base
remained stable amounting to 4.1 million customers in both 3M24 and 3M23, as a result of the Company's efforts despite the intense
competition. The churn rate per month amounted to 1.5% and 1.7% in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
ARPU of Internet Services in Argentina
A monthly operational
measure used in the internet services is ARPU, which we calculate by dividing adjusted total service revenues—excluding connection
and rehabilitation fees revenues and others—(divided by three months) by the average number of customers during 3M24. ARPU is not
a measure calculated in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and our measure of ARPU may not be calculated in the same manner as
similarly titled measures used by other companies. In particular, certain components of service revenues are excluded from Internet’s
ARPU calculations presented in this operating and financial review and prospects as of March 31, 2024. Management believes that this
measure is helpful in assessing the development of the subscriber base of Internet services. The following table shows the reconciliation
of total service revenues to such revenues included in the ARPU calculations of 3M24:
| |
3M24 |
| |
$ million |
Total Internet service revenues | |
156,504 |
Components of service revenues not included in the ARPU calculation | |
- |
Adjusted total service revenues included in the ARPU calculation | |
156,504 |
Average number of customers during 3M24 (millions) | |
4.1 |
Cable Television Services
Cable television service revenues amounted to $101,424
million in 3M24 (equivalent to 15.6% of total consolidated services revenues), decreasing $53,371 million or 34.5% as compared to revenues
in 3M23. The effect generated by the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024, included in cable television services
revenues, amounted to $10,167 million and $117,526 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
The decrease in Cable television service revenues
in 3M24 was mainly due to the decrease in ARPU, a 37.5% decrease compared to 3M23, and a 1.5% decrease in the customer base compared to
3M23.
The ARPU amounted
to $9,041.0 as of March 31, 2024 compared to an ARPU of $14,460.9 as of March 31, 2023. The decreased is mainly explained
since annual inflation as of March 31, 2024 amounted to 287.9%, the Company (similarly to its competitors in the ICT industry) was
unable to increase its prices during 3M24 to the same extent as the increase in inflation (the effect generated by the restatement in
current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in ARPU amounts to $894.0 and $10,971.7 as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively).
In 3M24, the customer base in Argentina amounted
to 3.1 million customers, decreasing a 1.5% compared to 3M23. This decrease is mainly due to the economic situation in Argentina and the
changes in customers’ consumption trends. Our Flow digital platform’s customer base reached 1.5 million and our Premium Package’s
customer base amounted to 1.2 million in 3M24, a 7.8% decrease compared to 3M23. The average churn rate per month amounted to 1.8% in
both 3M24 and 3M23.
ARPU of Cable Television Services in Argentina
An important monthly
operational measure used in the Cable Television services is ARPU, which we calculate by dividing adjusted total service revenues—excluding
connection and administration fees, advertising services and others—(divided by three months) by the average number of customers
during 3M24. ARPU is not a measure calculated in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and our measure of ARPU may not be calculated
in the same manner as similarly titled measures used by other companies. In particular, certain components of service revenues are excluded
from Cable Television’s ARPU calculations presented in this operating and financial review and prospects as of March 31, 2024.
Management believes that this measure is helpful in assessing the development of the subscriber base of cable television services. The
following table shows the reconciliation of total cable television service revenues to such revenues included in the ARPU calculations
of 3M24:
| |
3M24 |
| |
$ million |
Total Cable television service revenues | |
85,509 |
Components of service revenues not included in the ARPU calculation: Connection and Reconnection fees and others | |
(170) |
Adjusted total service revenues included in the ARPU calculation | |
85,339 |
Average number of customers during 3M24 (millions) | |
3.1 |
Fixed and Data Services
Revenues generated
by fixed and data services amounted to $95,749 million in 3M24 (equivalent to 14.7% of total consolidated services revenues), increasing
$717 million or 0.8% as compared to 3M23. The effect generated by the restatement in current currency as of March 31 2024 included
in fixed and data services revenues amounted to $9,851 million and $72,201 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
The increase in fixed
and data services in Argentina in 3M24 was mainly due to the appreciation of data service subscriptions that are denominated in dollars,
partially offset by a decrease in ARPU, decreasing 6.4% as compared to 3M23, and a decrease in the customer base of 4.5% compared
to 3M23.
The ARPU of fixed
telephony services amounted to $5,875.6 as of March 31, 2024 compared to an ARPU of $6,276.9 as of March 31, 2023. The
decreased is mainly explained since annual inflation as of March 31, 2024 amounted to 287.9%, the Company (similarly to its competitors
in the ICT industry) was unable to increase its prices during 3M24 to the same extent as the increase in inflation (the effect generated
by the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in ARPU amounts to $640.7 and $4,771.7 as of March 31,
2024 and 2023, respectively).
The customer base of fixed telephony services amounted
to 2.8 million in 3M24, decreasing a 4.5% compared to 3M23. The customer base decreased mainly due to changes in consumption behaviour
of customers.
Other services revenues
Other services revenues generated by other services
amounted to $7,836 million in 3M24, increasing $1,067 million or 15.8% compared to 3M23. The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31 2024 included in other services revenues amounted to $625 million and $5,112 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
These services include mainly revenues related
to fintech services, revenues from billing remuneration and collection management on behalf of third parties, administrative revenues
and revenues from the sale of advertising space, among others.
The increase in other services revenue in 3M24
was mainly due to the increase in fintech services in Argentina of $1,839 million as compared to 3M23, principally due to the growth in
the use of the "Personal Pay" digital wallet and the increase in the number of users, which amounted to 2.5 million and 1.0
million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Equipment
Equipment revenues amounted to $32,044 million
in 3M24 (a decrease of $22,397 million or 41.1% compared to 3M23). This variation is mainly due to a 37% decrease in handsets sold compared
to 3M23.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Equipment revenues amounts to $3,317 million and $41,246 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
| · | Operating costs (without depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed
Assets) |
| |
3M24 | |
3M23 | |
Variation |
| |
$ million | |
$ million | |
% |
Employee benefit expenses and severance payments | |
(157,824) | |
(200,408) | |
42,584 | |
(21.2) |
Interconnection and transmission costs | |
(25,088) | |
(24,855) | |
(233) | |
0.9 |
Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies | |
(100,037) | |
(97,685) | |
(2,352) | |
2.4 |
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority | |
(52,700) | |
(64,161) | |
11,461 | |
(17.9) |
Commissions and advertising | |
(35,507) | |
(48,550) | |
13,043 | |
(26.9) |
Cost of equipment and handsets | |
(23,857) | |
(38,663) | |
14,806 | |
(38.3) |
Programming and content costs | |
(37,456) | |
(47,770) | |
10,314 | |
(21.6) |
Bad debt expenses | |
(17,020) | |
(25,208) | |
8,188 | |
(32.5) |
Other operating expenses | |
(27,293) | |
(33,620) | |
6,327 | |
(18.8) |
Total operating costs | |
(476,782) | |
(580,920) | |
104,138 | |
(17.9) |
Total operating costs
without depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets totaled $476,782 million in 3M24, which represents a decrease of $104,138
million or 17.9% compared to 3M23.
The effect generated by
the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in operating costs without depreciation, amortization and impairment
of Fixed Assets amounted to $63,137 million and $442,188
million in 3M24 and 3M23,
respectively. In general, operating costs did not increase at the same level with the annual inflation of 287.9% as of March 31,
2024.Employee benefit expenses and severance payments
Employee benefit expenses and severance payments
decreased $42,584 million to $157,824 million in 3M24 as compared to $200,408 million in 3M23. The decrease was mainly due to a reduction
in headcount from 21,681 employees in 3M23 to 21,079 employees in 3M24, partially offset by increases in salaries agreed to by the Company
with several trade unions for unionized employees, and also for non-unionized employees, together with related social security charges
and higher severance payments.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $17,334 million and $152,341
million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Interconnection and transmission costs
Interconnection and transmission costs (including
charges for termination from third parties’ mobile networks, roaming and cost of international outbound calls and lease of circuits)
increased $233 million, amounting to $25,088 million in 3M24 as compared to $24,855 million in 3M23, respectively. The increase was mainly
due to increases in the exchange rate in relation to services set in dollars, which accelerated at the end of the year ended 2023, partially
offset by new dynamics of the business that imply an optimization of links and sites.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Interconnection and transmission costs amounted to $2,757 million and $18,867 million in
3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Fees for services, maintenance, materials and
supplies
Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies
increased $2,352 million, or 2.4%, amounting to $100,037 million in 3M24 as compared to $97,685 million in 3M23. The increase is mainly
explained by maintenance and materials costs of $6,571 million compared to $46,924 million in 3M23 and a significant portion of services
being set in dollars, partially offset by fees for services of $4,219 million compared to $49,919 million in 3M23.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $17,000 million and
$74,280 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority, including
turnover tax, municipal taxes and other taxes, decreased $11,461 million or 17.9%, amounting to $52,700 million in 3M24 as compared to
$64,161 million in 3M23. The decrease was mainly due to the effect of the decrease in sales in 3M24.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority amounted to $5,148 million and $48,744 million
in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Commissions and advertising
Commissions and advertising, decreased $13,043
million or 26.9%, amounting to $35,507 million in 3M24, as compared to $48,550 million in 3M23. The decrease is mainly due to lower charges
for agent commissions and collection commissions compared to 3M24.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Commissions and advertising amounted to $3,387 million and $36,844 million in 3M24 and
3M23, respectively.
Cost of equipment
Cost of equipment decreased $14,806 million, amounting
to $23,857 million in 3M24 as compared to $38,663 million for 3M23. This decrease is mainly due to a 37% decrease in handsets sold compared
to 3M23.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Cost of equipment amounted to $9,600 million and $30,112 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Programming and content costs
Programming and content costs decreased by $10,314
million amounting to $37,456 million in 3M24 as compared to $47,770 million in 3M23. The decrease was mainly due to commercial efficiency,
partially offset by price increases in almost all cable television signals.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Programming and content costs amounted to $3,716 million and $36,283 million in 3M24 and
3M23, respectively.
Bad debt expenses
Bad debt expenses decreased $8,188 million or 32.5%,
amounting to $17,020 million for 3M24 as compared to $25,208 million in 3M23, representing 2.5% and 3.0% of the revenues in 3M24 and 3M23,
respectively. The decrease is mainly due to continuing credit recovery actions.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Bad debt expenses amounted to $1,517 million and $19,238 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses (which include legal claims
and contingent liabilities, energy and other public services, insurance, rentals and internet capacity, among others) decreased $6,327
million to $27,293 million in 3M24 as compared to $33,620 million in 3M23. The decrease is mainly due to lower charges in legal claims
and contingent liabilities and energy and other public services.
The effect generated by the restatement in current
currency as of March 31, 2024 included in Other operating expenses amounted to $2,678 million and $25,479 million in 3M24 and 3M23,
respectively.
An important operational performance measure used
by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (as this term is defined in IFRS Accounting Standard 8) is Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted
EBITDA is defined as our net (loss) income less income tax, financial results, Earnings (losses) from associates and joint ventures, and
depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets. We believe Adjusted EBITDA facilitates company-to-company operating performance
comparisons by backing out potential differences caused by variations such as capital structures, taxation and the useful lives and book
depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment (PP&E) and intangible assets, which may vary for different companies
for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Although Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure defined in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards
(a non-GAAP measure), our Management believes that this measure facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and
provides useful information to investors, financial analysts and the public in their evaluation of our operating performance. Adjusted
EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning and, accordingly, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA
as used by other companies.
The following table shows the reconciliation of
Net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| |
3M24 | |
3M23 | |
Variation |
| |
$ million | |
$ million | |
% |
Net income | |
675,032 | |
110,477 | |
564,555 | |
n/a |
Income tax (benefit) expense | |
210,826 | |
(45,665) | |
256,491 | |
n/a |
Other financial results, net | |
(115,520) | |
(40,567) | |
(74,953) | |
184.8 |
Financial cost | |
(797,844) | |
(34,582) | |
(763,262) | |
n/a |
(Earnings) Losses from associates and joint ventures | |
1,359 | |
(1,648) | |
3,007 | |
n/a |
Operating loss | |
(26,147) | |
(11,985) | |
(14,162) | |
118.2 |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets | |
233,281 | |
264,278 | |
(30,997) | |
(11.7) |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
207,134 | |
252,293 | |
(45,159) | |
(17.9) |
Our consolidated Adjusted
EBITDA amounted to $207,134 million in 3M24, representing a decrease of $45,159 million or 17.9% as compared to 3M23. Adjusted EBITDA
represented 30.3% of our total consolidated revenues in both 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets
Depreciation,
amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets amounted to $233,281 million in 3M24, a decrease of $30,997 million or 11.7 % compared
to 3M23.
The variation is due to
the effect of those assets that ended their useful life after March 31, 2023, partially offset by the impact of the amortization
of the CAPEX subsequent to that same date.
The effect generated by
the restatement in current currency as of March 31, 2024 included in depreciation, amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets amounts
to $191,019 million and $245,490 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Operating loss amounted to $26,147 million and
$11,985 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively, representing a decrease of $14,162 million as compared to 3M23. Operating loss represented
(3.8)% and (1.4)% of revenues in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
|
3M24 |
3M23 |
|
Variation |
|
$ million |
|
$ million |
% |
Interests on borrowings |
(26,368) |
(26,833) |
|
465 |
(1.7) |
Remeasurement in borrowings |
(29,511) |
10,981 |
|
(40,492) |
n/a |
Foreign currency exchange gains on borrowings |
853,723 |
51,644 |
|
802,079 |
n/a |
Borrowings renegotiation results |
- |
(1,210) |
|
1,210 |
n/a |
Total
financial cost |
797,844 |
34,582 |
|
763,262 |
n/a |
Other foreign currency exchange gains (losses) |
97,655 |
(3,157) |
|
100,812 |
n/a |
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
(23,767) |
(11,047) |
|
(12,720) |
115.1 |
Other interests, net |
5,536 |
4,976 |
|
560 |
11.3 |
RECPAM |
52,700 |
62,129 |
|
(9,429) |
(15.2) |
Other |
(16,604) |
(12,334) |
|
(4,270) |
34.6 |
Total other financial results, net |
115,520 |
40,567 |
|
74,953 |
n/a |
Total financial results, net |
913,364 |
75,149 |
|
838,215 |
n/a |
Telecom incurred
in a financial gain, net of $913,364 million in 3M24 (compared to a gain of $75,149 million in 3M23). Financial Results, net in 3M24 mainly
included (i) foreign exchange gains measured in real terms of $951,378 million as a result of the U.S. dollar appreciating 6.1% against
the Argentine Peso compared to a 51.6% inflation (compared to a gain of $48,487 million in 3M23 and 18.0% devaluation of the Argentine
Peso against the U.S. dollar compared to a 21.7% inflation in 3M23) and (ii) interest on borrowings, measured in real terms, of $26,368
million (compared to $26,833 million in 3M23). These effects were partially offset by (i) losses from remeasurement in borrowings
of $29,511 million (compared to a gain of $10,981 million in 3M23), (ii) fair value losses on financial assets at fair value through
profit or loss of $23,767 million (compared to a loss of $11,047 million in 3M23), (iii) the Inflation Adjustment Gain (Loss) (Resultado
por exposición a los cambios en el poder adquisitivo de la moneda, or RECPAM), which amounted to a gain of $52,700 million
(compared to a gain of $62,169 million in 3M23), and (iv) other financial results of $11,068 million (compared to $8,568 million
in 3M23).
| · | Income tax benefit (expense) |
Telecom’s income tax includes the following
effects: (i) the current tax payable pursuant to tax legislation applicable to Telecom, and (ii) the effect of applying the
deferred tax method on temporary differences arising out of the Company’s asset and liability valuation according to tax versus
financial accounting criteria, including the income tax inflation effect.
Income tax expense amounted to $210,826 million
in 3M24 compared to a benefit of $45,665 million in 3M23. It includes the following effects: (i) current tax expenses, Telecom’s
generated $1,738 million tax expense in 3M24 (compared to an expense of $310 million in 3M23), (ii) regarding the deferred tax in
3M24, Telecom recorded a deferred tax expense of $209,088 million compared to a gain of $45,975 million in 3M23.
Telecom recorded
net income of $675,032 million in 3M24 as compared to net income of $110,477 million in 3M23 and represented a 98.7% of revenues as compared
to 13.3% in 3M23. The increase in 3M24 compared to 3M23 was mainly due to an increase in
income before income tax of $838,215 million, which was partially offset by a decrease in income tax benefit (expense) of $256,491 million.
Net income attributable to controlling shareholders
amounted to $672,260 million in 3M24 compared to a gain of $107,669 million in 3M23.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
| · | Sources and Uses of Funds |
We expect the main sources of Telecom Argentina’s
liquidity in the short term to be cash flows from Telecom Argentina’s operations and cash flows from financing from third parties,
which may include accessing to domestic and international capital markets and obtaining financing from financial institutions. Telecom
Argentina’s principal uses of cash flows are expected to be capital expenditures, operating expenses, dividend payments to its shareholders,
payments of borrowings and for general corporate purposes. Telecom Argentina expects working capital, funds generated from operations,
dividend payments from its subsidiaries and financing from third parties to be sufficient. Telecom Argentina expects that it will be able
to access the domestic and international capital markets during 2024 to refinance its outstanding debt, if necessary.
| · | Borrowings Developments during 3M24 |
There were no significant
developments related to the borrowings during the first three months of 2024.
The table below summarizes, for the three months
ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, Telecom’s consolidated cash flows.
|
|
3M24
|
|
3M23
|
|
Variation |
|
|
$ million |
Cash flows provided by operating activities |
|
171,229 |
|
206,118 |
|
(34,889) |
Cash flows used in investing activities |
|
(224,218) |
|
(237,682) |
|
13,464 |
Cash flows provided by financing activities |
|
27,656 |
|
9,735 |
|
17,921 |
Net foreign exchange differences and RECPAM on cash and cash equivalents |
|
(66,315) |
|
(5,950) |
|
(60,365) |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(91,648) |
|
(27,779) |
|
(63,869) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
242,252 |
|
189,109 |
|
53,143 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
|
150,604 |
|
161,330 |
|
(10,726) |
As of March 31, 2024
and March 31, 2023, we had $150,604 million and $161,330 million in cash and cash equivalents, respectively.
Cash
flows provided by operating activities were $171,229 million and $206,118 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased
$34,889 million, or (16.9)% in 3M24 compared to 3M23, primarily due to a $51,802 million increase in net loss, adjusted for non-cash income
and expense which was partially offset by (i) a $16,032 million decrease in net cash outflows in connection with changes in our assets
and liabilities and (ii) a $881 million decrease in cash outflows used to pay income tax.
The decrease in net cash outflows was primarily
due to an increase in payments of salaries and social security liabilities, mainly due to the impact of the increase of salaries on the
bonuses, during the first months of 2024, and an increase in payments of other liabilities, partially offset by an increase in the cashflows
related to trade receivables, mainly due to the increase in prices in the first months of 2024.
Cash
flows used in investing activities were $224,218 million and $237,682 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
In 3M24, cash flows used
in investing activities included payments for acquisitions of PP&E and Intangible assets of $74,093 million and payment for investments
not considered as cash and cash equivalents of $161,394 million partially offset by proceeds from sale of investments not considered as
cash and cash equivalents of $8,352 million.
In 3M23, cash flows used
in investing activities included payments for acquisitions of PP&E and Intangible assets of $71,911 million, and payment for investments
not considered as cash and cash equivalents of $166,473 million partially offset by proceeds from sale of investments not considered as
cash and cash equivalents of $698 million.
Cash
flows provided by financing activities were $27,656 million and $9,735 million in 3M24 and 3M23, respectively.
In 3M24, cash flows provided
by financing activities included proceeds from borrowings for $191,171 million partially offset by payments for borrowings, interest and
related expenses and leases liabilities for $163,515 million.
In 3M23, cash flows provided
by financing activities included proceeds from borrowings for $163,080 million partially offset by payments for borrowings, interest and
related expenses and leases liabilities for $153,345 million.
The liquidity position
of Telecom is and will be significantly dependent on its operating performance, its indebtedness, capital expenditure programs and dividends
from its subsidiaries, if any.
Telecom’s working
capital breakdown and its main variations are disclosed below:
|
|
As of
March 31,
2024 |
|
As of
December 31,
2023 |
|
Variation |
|
|
|
$ million |
|
Trade receivables |
|
208,647 |
|
201,457 |
|
7,190 |
|
Other receivables |
|
49,943 |
|
49,262 |
|
681 |
|
Inventories |
|
44,208 |
|
47,805 |
|
(3,597) |
|
Current
liabilities (not considering borrowings) |
|
(679,587) |
|
(823,671) |
|
144,084 |
|
Operating
working capital - negative |
|
(376,789) |
|
(525,147) |
|
148,358 |
|
As
% of Revenues |
|
55% |
|
63% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents |
|
150,604 |
|
242,252 |
|
(91,648) |
|
Other
receivables |
|
1,831 |
|
2,349 |
|
(518) |
|
Investments |
|
315,094 |
|
187,964 |
|
127,130 |
|
Current
borrowings |
|
(854,148) |
|
(854,356) |
|
208 |
|
Net
Current financial (liability) asset |
|
(386,619) |
|
(421,791) |
|
35,172 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Negative
working capital (current assets — current liabilities) |
|
(763,408) |
|
(946,938) |
|
183,530 |
|
Liquidity
rate (current assets / current liabilities) |
|
0.5 |
|
0.5 |
|
- |
|
Telecom has a typical
working capital structure corresponding to a company with intensive capital that obtains spontaneous financing from its suppliers (especially
PP&E and Intangible asset) for longer terms than those it provides to its customers. As a result, Telecom has a negative working capital,
which amounted to $763,408 million as of March 31, 2024 (decreasing $183,530 million compared to March 31, 2023).
Telecom had consolidated cash and cash equivalents
amounting to $150,604 million and $242,252 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Compliance with covenants
Considering the complexity
of Argentina’s economic situation, described in Note 29 to our consolidated financial statements for the year-ended December 31,
2023, which prevented the early and accurate estimation of certain financial ratios, the Company requested and obtained waivers
regarding the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio. Such waivers allow increasing the maintenance of the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio above the originally established
level (raising it to 3.75), for the calculation period between December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, establishing a Net Debt
of US$2.700 billion on each calculation date, among other matters. The Company has complied with the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio established
in the waivers, and is also in compliance with the rest of the commitments assumed and in force on the date hereof. For more information
on our financial ratio waivers, see Note 13 of our consolidated financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2023.
Capital Expenditures
CAPEX and Rights of use assets additions composition
3M24 and 3M23 is as follows:
|
3M24 |
3M23 |
|
Variation |
|
$ million |
|
$ million |
% |
PP&E |
98,191 |
94,403 |
|
3,788 |
4.0 |
Intangibles assets |
6,477 |
4,014 |
|
2,463 |
61.4 |
Total CAPEX |
104,668 |
98,417 |
|
6,251 |
6.4 |
Rights of use assets |
40,804 |
35,506 |
|
5,298 |
14.9 |
Total CAPEX and Right of
use asset additions |
145,472 |
133,923 |
|
11,549 |
8.6 |
Our main CAPEX projects are related to the expansion
of cable TV and Internet services in order to improve the transmission and speed offered to customers; the deployment of 4G and the expansion
of 5G services to support the growth of mobile Internet services, improvement of the quality service together with the launch of innovative
value-added services such as SMS, video streaming, personal video, personal cloud, M2M (communication machine to machine), social networks,
personal messenger, contents and entertainment (content and text subscriptions, games, music ringtones, wallpaper, screensavers, etc.),
MMS (mobile multimedia services) and voice mail.
In terms of infrastructure, during 2024 we have
continued to improve the services we provide by deploying the 4G / LTE network, together with the technological reconversion of our 2G
/ 3G networks to 4G and LTE, and the deployment of fiber optics to connect homes with Broadband, which also had an impact on fixed and
data network. The deployment of 4G/LTE reached a coverage of 97% of urban population. Additionally, we reached a coverage of 98% of the
population of major cities of Argentina. Our customers with access to our 4G network, according to the latest benchmark of March 31,
2024 carried out by Ookla, perceived a better service experience reaching average speeds of 38.6 Mbps, compared to 30 Mbps as of March 31,
2023. In addition, approximately 68% of the calls are made by Volte, a technology that allows making and receiving voice calls over the
4G Network with substantial improvements in audio and video quality. During 2024 we have continued with the expansion of our 5G network
and are planning to reach 200 sites in 2024.
Additionally, we continued to deploy the mobile
sites connectivity in order to achieve better quality and capacity, replacing radio links with high capacity fiber optics connections.
Finally, the plan to connect remote and low-density areas through satellite backhaul continued.
We expect to finance our capital expenditures through
cash generated from our operations, cash on hand and financing from third parties; therefore, our ability to fund these expenditures is
dependent on, among other factors, our ability to generate sufficient funds from operations. Telecom’s ability to generate sufficient
funds for capital expenditures is also dependent on its ability to increase its service prices, the increase of its operating costs due
to inflation and the increase of the cost of imported materials in Peso terms as a result of the devaluation of the Peso/U.S. dollar and
higher inflation.
Telecom is part of a key industry for Argentina’s
economic development and its regional and global projection, with a major role in creating value not only for the different verticals
of the “Industry 4.0” but also in people's everyday lives, and in generating the talent required for the evolution of society.
“Industry 4.0” refers to technological advancement focused on producing solutions
focused on interconnectivity, automation, real-time data based on artificial intelligence, data analytics and IoT, through the adoption
of 4.0 technologies.
We began a new year with a change in political
leadership in the National Government, amidst a complex socio-economic environment where both macro and micro-economic variables showed
an unfavorable scenario, directly impacting the Company's revenues.
We believe that there will be a trend towards inflation
deceleration and stability in the exchange rate, as well as regularization in the conditions for the purchase of technological equipment.
Despite the challenging context in which we operate,
we continue to uphold our commitment to our customers to offer the best comprehensive ecosystem of digital services, connectivity, and
entertainment, pillars upon which the digital lives of individuals and organizations rely. To bolster the economic sustainability of the
business, we are concentrating our efforts on achieving an optimal balance between the necessary adjustment of our product list prices,
maintaining a scheme of commercial promotions, and adapting to the demands of high competition that characterize this market.
This commitment is also reflected in our sustained
dedication to fulfilling investment plans in systems and infrastructure, which enable the development of new digital services, which we
believe are essential for the evolution of our customer base and the digital development of the country.
In addition, the availability of a dedicated spectrum
for 5G technology resulting from the bidding process that took place in October 2023, increases opportunities to expand and enhance
new services, particularly those associated with B2B industry sectors.
We are prepared to embrace the exponential technological
change brought by 5G, which is expected to serve as the cornerstone for the digital transformation of industries and a competitive factor
for the economy. Beyond offering a new connectivity experience for individuals and households, 5G is positioned as a major enabler of
innovation and technology-based developments.
While the adoption of this technology is not yet
widespread, we are supporting the deployment of 5G networks to meet the demand in areas where a higher concentration of compatible devices
is identified, thus prioritizing the experience of these customers.
We seek to continue to expand infrastructure and
build new 5G sites, adjusting the planning of these deployments, taking into account the intensive dollarized investments required by
this new ecosystem.
With the commitment to connecting Argentinians
and offering them state-of-the-art digital services, we continue to analyze the evolution of international markets in search of financing
opportunities that align with our strategy, and access the local capital market and/or obtain bank loans from local entities to continue
driving our investment plan.
From a regulatory perspective, on April 10,
2024, through Decree No. 302/24, the National Government repealed Decree No. 690/20, enacted in August 2020, which had
declared ICT Services as essential public services and limited, among other things, free competition and the freedom to set prices. The
repeal of the Decree reduces the uncertainty that the ICT Services industry has been experiencing in recent years. This first measure
of the National Government towards the ICT industry generates positive expectations regarding the demands that the sector has been making,
and keeps us attentive to the regulatory developments of this new stage in Argentina.
On the other hand, Telecom continues to analyze
opportunities for regional positioning as leaders in digital services and in its evolution towards becoming a technology company, focusing
on the development of innovative services that expand the footprint of our platform ecosystem.
Our digital transformation facilitates the evolution
of the Company's operational model, incorporating technological enablers that bring innovation, such as automation processes, artificial
intelligence, cloudification, and big data management, to continue scaling the digitalization of operations efficiently and swiftly. These
enablers drive us to expand our footprint in new businesses supported by the digital economy, based on IoT solutions, fintech, cybersecurity,
entertainment, and smart home.
In line with its purpose, the Company we seek to
continue to drive the growth of the digital economy, expand talent, and accompany the evolution of various variables such as energy efficiency,
which are pillars of sustainable management. Along this path, we continue to build the future and be the leading choice of our customers.
|
Carlos Moltini |
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
UNAUDITED
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In millions of Argentine
pesos in current currency - except per share data in Argentine pesos in current currency)
Financial Statements – Application
of Accounting Standards
We prepared our audited consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (our “Annual Financial Statements”) in Pesos in current currency as of December 31, 2023 and in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards,
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS). Our Annual Financial Statements are included in Item 18
of our 2023 20-F.
We prepared our unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (our
“Q1 2024 Unaudited Financial Statements”) in Pesos in current currency as of March 31, 2024 and in accordance with
IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”. Our Unaudited Financial Statements do not include all the information and
disclosures required in our Annual Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with them. Our results for the three
months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31,
2024, or any future period. Our Q1 2024 Unaudited Financial Statements are included elsewhere herein.
We refer to our Annual Financial Statements
and our Q1 2024 Unaudited Financial Statements together as our “Financial Statements”.
Financial Statements – Application
of IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies” (“IAS 29”)
IAS 29 requires for financial statements of an
entity whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, whether they are based on a historical cost approach
or a current cost approach, to be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting year/ period. This requirement
also includes the comparative information of the financial statements. In general terms, by applying to non-monetary items the change
in a general price index from the date of acquisition or the date of revaluation, as appropriate, to the end of the reporting period.
In order to determine whether an economy is categorized
as a high inflation economy under IAS 29, the standard details several factors to be assessed, including the existence of a cumulative
inflation rate over three years approaching, or exceeding, 100%.
The table below shows the evolution of the indexes
as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
| |
As of December 31,
2021 | |
As of December 31,
2022 | |
As of December 31,
2023 | |
As of March 31, 2024 |
National Consumer Price Index (National CPI) (December 2016=100) | |
582.46 | |
1,134.59 | |
3,533.19 | |
5,357.09 |
Variation in Prices | |
| |
| |
| |
|
Annual | |
50.9% | |
94.8% | |
211.4% | |
287.9% |
Accumulated three months | |
n/a | |
n/a | |
n/a | |
51.6% |
Our Annual Financial Statements have been
measured in terms of current pesos as of December 31, 2023 applying the guidance in IAS 29. Our Q1 2024 Unaudited Financial Statements
have been measured in terms of current pesos as of March 31, 2024 applying the guidance in IAS 29.
We have not recast our Annual Financial
Statements to measure them in terms of current pesos as of March 31, 2024, the most recent financial period for which
consolidated financial statements are available. Therefore, the Annual Financial Statements and the Q1 2024 Unaudited
Financial Statements are not comparable.
We have included herein supplemental selected financial
data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 recast in Pesos in current currency as of March 31, 2024, the most
recent financial period for which financial statements are available. We believe the presentation of this supplemental selected financial
data helps to bridge a reader to better understand the impact the inflation for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 would
have had on the Annual Financial Statements should they had been presented on a comparative basis together with the
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. The inflation rate in Argentina for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024
was 51.6%.
The following tables summarize selected statements
of financial position as of December 31, 2022, income statement data and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2023,
2022 and 2021 recast in Pesos in current currency as of March 31, 2024, the most recent financial period for which financial statements
are available. The statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 recast in Pesos in current currency as of March 31,
2024 is included in the Q1 2024 Unaudited Financial Statements as the comparative information to March 31, 2024.
Supplemental
selected consolidated statements of financial position data recast in millions of Pesos in current currency as of March 31,
2024
| |
As of December 31, 2022 | |
| |
$ million | |
Current assets | |
| 533,450 | |
Assets | |
| 8,163,554 | |
Current liabilities | |
| 1,361,295 | |
Liabilities | |
| 4,326,987 | |
Equity | |
| 3,836,566 | |
Liabilities and Equity | |
| 8,163,554 | |
Supplemental
selected consolidated income statement data recast in millions of Pesos - except per share data in Pesos - in current currency as of
March 31, 2024
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, |
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ million |
Revenues |
|
3,122,048 |
|
3,442,921 |
|
3,913,426 |
Employee benefit expenses and
severance payments |
|
(780,037) |
|
(862,471) |
|
(844,532) |
Interconnection and transmission
costs |
|
(92,176) |
|
(106,025) |
|
(140,369) |
Fees for services maintenance
materials and supplies |
|
(392,272) |
|
(417,656) |
|
(454,635) |
Taxes and fees with the Regulatory
Authority |
|
(239,849) |
|
(264,368) |
|
(301,150) |
Commissions and advertising |
|
(182,859) |
|
(208,535) |
|
(224,343) |
Cost of equipment and handsets |
|
(168,419) |
|
(163,085) |
|
(192,789) |
Programming and content costs |
|
(176,142) |
|
(215,972) |
|
(266,257) |
Bad debt expenses |
|
(67,702) |
|
(86,603) |
|
(73,421) |
Other operating expenses |
|
(144,101) |
|
(172,089) |
|
(194,819) |
Depreciation
amortization and impairment of Fixed Assets |
|
(1,068,117) |
|
(2,338,718) |
|
(1,246,744) |
Operating loss |
|
(189,626) |
|
(1,392,601) |
|
(25,633) |
Earnings (losess) from associates
and joint ventures |
|
(2,863) |
|
3,866 |
|
3,636 |
Financial costs |
|
(961,748) |
|
140,440 |
|
263,968 |
Other financial
results net |
|
262,785 |
|
152,197 |
|
155,884 |
Income (loss) before income
tax |
|
(891,452) |
|
(1,096,098) |
|
397,855 |
Income
tax benefit (expense) |
|
512,872 |
|
125,143 |
|
(306,435) |
Net
income (loss) for the year |
|
(378,580) |
|
(970,955) |
|
91,420 |
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, |
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ million |
Attributable
to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling
Company |
|
(390,775) |
|
(981,309) |
|
79,692 |
Non-controlling
interest |
|
12,195 |
|
10,354 |
|
11,728 |
|
|
(378,580) |
|
(970,955) |
|
91,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share for income (loss) attributable to the Controlling Company-Basic and diluted |
|
(181.4) |
|
(455.6) |
|
37.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA (*) |
|
878,491 |
|
946,117 |
|
1,221,111 |
(*) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure,
for further information on the use of adjusted EBITDA, see “Adjusted EBITDA” in our “Operating and financial review
and prospects as of March 31, 2024”.
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, |
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ million |
Net income (loss)
for the year |
|
(378,580) |
|
(970,955) |
|
91,420 |
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
(512,872) |
|
(125,143) |
|
306,435 |
Other financial results, net |
|
(262,785) |
|
(152,197) |
|
(155,884) |
Finance costs |
|
961,748 |
|
(140,440) |
|
(263,968) |
Earnings (losses) from associates
and joint ventures |
|
2,863 |
|
(3,866) |
|
(3,636) |
Operating loss |
|
(189,626) |
|
(1,392,601) |
|
(25,633) |
Depreciation, amortization and
impairment of Fixed Assets |
|
1,068,117 |
|
2,338,718 |
|
1,246,744 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
878,491 |
|
946,117 |
|
1,221,111 |
Supplemental
selected consolidated statement of cash flow data recast in millions of Pesos in current currency as of March 31, 2024
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, |
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ million |
Cash
flows provided by operating activities |
|
936,565 |
|
1,010,539 |
|
1,195,987 |
Cash
flows used in investing activities |
|
(900,190) |
|
(783,154) |
|
(1,058,785) |
Cash
flows used in financing activities |
|
(109,228) |
|
(216,246) |
|
(186,672) |
Net
foreign exchange differences and RECPAM on cash and cash equivalents |
|
125,995 |
|
(4,593) |
|
(25,171) |
Increase/
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
53,142 |
|
6,546 |
|
(74,641) |
Cash
and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
189,110 |
|
182,565 |
|
257,205 |
Cash
and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
242,252 |
|
189,111 |
|
182,564 |
The management’s
discussion and analysis on the results of operations and liquidity included in our 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 continue
to be applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
|
Telecom Argentina S.A. |
|
|
Date: |
July 8, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Luis Fernando Rial Ubago |
|
|
|
Name: |
Luis Fernando Rial Ubago |
|
|
|
Title: |
Responsible for Market Relations |
Grafico Azioni Telecom Argentina (NYSE:TEO)
Storico
Da Nov 2024 a Dic 2024
Grafico Azioni Telecom Argentina (NYSE:TEO)
Storico
Da Dic 2023 a Dic 2024