Tata Communications: Soft growth led to margin dilution, Motilal Oswal

In 4QFY23, TCOM experienced a 4% QoQ decrease in EBITDA (8% miss), while the revenue grew by a modest 1%. This decline in EBITDA is mainly attributed to heavy operational expenditure, leading to a weak data EBITDA margin. But FCF yield remained steady at 7% with a healthy ROCE of 28%.

With the management underscoring that the growth-oriented opex investments will continue in the near term, we have trimmed our consolidated EBITDA estimate by 5%, building revenue/EBITDA CAGR of 12%/10% over FY23-25E. While growth in data business remains soft, healthy FCF generation and continued deleveraging provide a silver lining, aiding valuations. We reiterate our Neutral rating on the stock.

EBITDA declined 4% QoQ; FCF and dividend yield remain healthy

• Consolidated revenue grew 1% QoQ to INR 45.7b (in line), led by 2% QoQ improvement in data segment. While revenue from the voice segment witnessed a 9% QoQ decline, ‘other revenue’ grew by 1% over the quarter.
• EBITDA declined 4% QoQ to INR 10.3b (8% miss), led by a 7% QoQ decline in data segment EBITDA. This subsequently resulted in a 120 bp QoQ decline in consolidated EBITDA margin to 22.6% (150bp miss), slightly lower than the company guidance of 23-25%.
• PAT after minority declined 17% QoQ to INR 3.3b (in-line), supported by less effective tax and increase in ‘other income’.
• Revenue/ EBITDA/ PAT grew 7%/2%/23% YoY in FY23.
• Annual committed CapEx increased to INR16.9b from INR16.1b in FY22. FCF increased 16% YoY to INR25.4b in FY23 from INR21.8b in FY22, due to a 10% YoY reduction in cash CapEx (unlike the company guidance of increase in CapEx) and 5% increase in OCF.
• Net Debt/ Gross Debt declined INR10.3b/INR9b YoY to INR 57.1b/ INR 75.3b. The company reported an RoCE of 28.3% in FY23 v/s 25.4% in FY22.

Key takeaways from the management interaction

• The company is focused on achieving double-digit revenue growth, which may result in margins falling at the lower end of the EBITDA guidance (i.e. 23%) in FY24. The company plans to maintain its opex and CapEx investments to achieve their growth targets.
• The CapEx forecast remains in the range of USD 250–300m (excluding fibre replacement cost). Despite maintaining a 25% RoCE, FY24 may require additional investments, particularly in DPS.
• The company plans to focus on having a 50:50 split between digital services and core connectivity.
• Funnel additions were the best in FY23, due to a considerable increase in major agreements (which are above USD 1mn). The Digital platform and solutions account for 40% of the order book. The business has not seen any retreat from the fragile global macro IT environment.

Valuation and view

• We have reduced our consolidated EBITDA estimate and building revenue/EBITDA CAGR of 12%/10% over FY23-25E.
• The data segment reported a YoY revenue growth of 10% and the management has reiterated improved funnel of new deal. However, the crucial factor for TCOM to achieve double-digit earnings growth will be the effective conversion of these deals into meaningful growth.
• In FY23, the committed and cash CapEx has been less than the management guidance of USD 250-300 million, which may limit future FCF growth. Nonetheless, it might still generate a healthy ROCE of over 20% and an FCF yield in mid-single digits. The reduction in leverage could be a silver lining, driving PAT growth.
• We reiterate our Neutral rating with a TP of INR1,200 (assigned 8x/3x EBITDA to the Data/Voice business). Consistent improvement in earnings growth visibility will be vital for valuation rerating.

For report, https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/tata-communications-soft-growth-led-to-margin-dilution/

CT Bureau