Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:CHT) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript January 30, 2024

Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. isn’t one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).

Operator: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Chunghwa Telecom Conference Call for the company's Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Results. During the presentation, all lines will be on listen-only mode. When the briefing is finished, directions for submitting your questions will be given in the question-and-answer session. For your information, this conference call is now being broadcasted live over the Internet. Webcast replay will be available within an hour after the conference is finished. Please visit CHT IR website www.cht.com.tw/ir under the IR calendar section. And now, I would like to turn it over to Ms. Angela Tsai, the Director of Investor Relations. Thank you. Ms. Tsai, please go ahead.

Angela Tsai: Thank you. I'm Angela Tsai, Assistant Vice President of Financial Department for Chunghwa Telecom. Welcome to our fourth quarter 2023 results conference call. Joining me on the call today are our Chairman, Harrison Kuo; our President, Ivan Lin; and Vincent Chen, our Chief Financial Officer. During today's call, management will begin by providing the Chairman's message, our business overview, a discussion of our segment performance and the financial results, followed by management guidance for 2024. After, we will move on to the question-and-answer portion of the call. On Slide 2, please read our disclaimers and notes concerning forward-looking statements. Now, without further delay, I will turn the call over to our Chairman. Chairman Kuo, please go ahead.

Harrison Kuo: Thank you, Angela, and hello, everyone. Welcome to our fourth quarter results conference call. And I would like to begin with our strong financial performance for 2023. We concluded 2023 with an EPS of NT$4.76, while both revenue and EPS exceeded the high end of our full year guidance and hit six-year highs. We are proud to beat the full year guidance and also commit to investors to give all-out efforts for this year. During the fourth quarter of last year, Taiwan's telecom industry entered a new three-player landscape, where Chunghwa Telecom continues to be the largest telco, followed by the other two players. Our market cap represents 60% of the industry market value. Our revenue share in Taiwan mobile market also exceeded 40%.

In addition, we have the most 5G subscribers in Taiwan, with more than 3 million, not to mention, the overall mobile subscriber number. All the stats highlight that our leading position far outweighs our peers. At the same time, we are happy to see the domestic industry evolution, and believe that under the current structure, value creation for customers will continue to remain the industry focus and the digital transformation will continue to develop and serve as one of the key strong growth drivers. Keeping our #1 position, we reiterate our confidence in widening our leading against the peers due to our solid strengths and growth momentum. In 2023, our mobile postpaid subscriber numbers continued its year-over-year growth throughout the whole year despite the total number of mobile SIMs in Taiwan decreased in 2023.

We also achieved the highest mobile service revenue in the industry. Our success in attracting subscribers speaks for our network strengths, including the most extensive mobile coverage, largest capacity and fastest speeds, supported by our most numerous number -- mobile base station already in use. We believe our mobile subscriber gains and revenue growth in 2023 will continue and roll over to 2024. Our competitive advantage also come from our cross-sector business wins, including our growing fixed broadband business, accelerating technology momentum -- monetization and the ongoing investment in content and digital ecosystems. With our continuous efforts and the business development, we maintain optimistic about positive outlook for the next year ahead.

Last, I am pleased to share that we are establishing a subsidiary in Germany in the first half of 2024, which will serve as the forerunner for International Business expansion in Europe. This marks a meaningful milestone of our international expansion. Now, let me hand the call over to Ivan for the business update of the fourth quarter of 2023.

Ivan Lin: Thank you, Chairman Kuo, and hello, everyone. Now, please flip to Page 5 for an update on our outperformance in the mobile service. As of November 2023, we maintained our leading position in Taiwan's mobile market with the largest subscriber share of 37.1%. Meanwhile, we were excited to see our revenue share reach a remarkable milestone, [exceeding] (ph) 40% in the third quarter and hitting 40.2% by the end of last November, further widening our lead against our peers. Our excess revenue share over subscriber share increased to 3.1%, [which] (ph) is encouraging. In addition, our mobile service revenue in fourth quarter recorded 5.8% year-over-year increase, maintaining its growth for 33 consecutive months. While our postpaid ARPU report 4.3% year-over-year increase, continuing this consecutive growth for 11th quarter.

This increase was mainly owned to the 5G migration upsells, international roaming recovery and the increase of the postpaid subscriber numbers. Thanks to 5G adoption, we see the average monthly fee uplift from customer who migrate from 4G to 5G increase to 49% in the fourth quarter, further from the 44% in the third quarter, maintaining an [inspiring upward] (ph) trajectory. Going forward, we expect the overall 5G penetration in Taiwan will continue to steadily develop in 2024. We believe that Chunghwa will benefit the most, given our #1 position in the best 5G quality ranked by the well-known international institutes. Let's move on to Slide 6 for update in our fixed broadband business. In the fourth quarter, we are glad to see a positive performance in the fixed broadband sector, as the revenue and ARPU increased by 2.6% and 1.1%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis, mainly attributed to the increased higher-speed migration.

Our sing-ups for service of the 300 megabit per second or higher continue to be popular among all speed mix since the second quarter of 2023, with a year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter achieved 32%, maintaining double-digital growth. It's worth noting that our speed profile optimization promoted by the market incentives also worked in upgrading speeds from the below the 100 megabit per second to transition to higher speed above the 100 megabit per second. We see the 12% year-over-year increase in sign-ups for service at 100 megabit per second or higher. As the optimization strategy will go on in 2024, we are confidently seeing the upward trend of the fixed broadband ARPU continue going forward. Now, let's move on to the performance of our customer-centric business group.

Slide 8 presents the performance of our CBG Group. In the fourth quarter, total CBG revenue rose by 4.4% year-over-year. The increase was mainly driven by the notable increase of our outperforming mobile service revenue at 5.3% increase on year, owing to the continued 5G migration and postpaid subscribers increase, better sales of iPhone 15 series and a stable growth of the fixed broadband revenue with 3.3% uplift on year, while fixed-line revenue decreased. In addition, I would like to highlight our notable international roaming revenue in 2023, which increased by 270% year-over-year and has already surged to existing pre-COVID-19 level. In addition to busy international activities in 2023, our popular global roaming package also contributed to the success.

We cover 125 countries to offer customer with the convenience of using one package to enjoy transformational data roaming during one trip. We expect strong demand from customers will continue to drive the growth of our roaming business in 2024. CBG income before tax decreased by 0.2% year-over-year, owing to the asset impairment loss accompanied with the phase-out of the 3G network. Excluding one-time factor, CBG income before tax increased by 3.6% on year. Slide 9 further illustrate our Consumer Business Group highlight. In the fourth quarter, our multiple-play package continued to grow on a yearly basis. The subscriber numbers of the mobile and fixed broadband and WiFi service all together demonstrate a 14% quarter-over-quarter growth, [entering the seventh] (ph) consecutive quarter of the double-digital quarter-over-quarter growth.

In terms of the individual and home-centric application, we were happy to record subscriber gains as well. Our video subscribers continued to grow steady by 3.7% year-over-year, mainly due to the rich content provided on both MOD and Hami Video, in particular the exclusive and award-winning dramas. In addition, we observed an increasing demand for CBG cybersecurity service as the consumer has become accustomed to assessing the Internet across mobile and fixed broadband in post-pandemic era. In the fourth quarter, our customer cybersecurity sign-ups increased by 19% year-over-year and demonstrate a potential for further growth. Going forward, we will continue to develop consumer application to grow both application and telecom revenue in the sector.

Please turn to Slide 10 for an overview of our Enterprise Business Group performance. In the fourth quarter, EBG revenue increased by 2.5%, primarily attributed to substantial 13% increase in other revenue, driven by the equipment sales from subsidiaries and launch of the high-end mobile phones contributing to a boost in sales revenue. Additionally, ICT business revenue increased by 2.3%, propelled by a rise in the project revenue, sustained growth in cybersecurity service revenue and robust expansion in AIoT service revenue. Furthermore, EBG mobile service revenue increased by 3%, fueled by the 5G upselling and recovery of international roaming revenue. Although fixed-line revenue slightly decreased year-over-year mainly due to voice decline, data commutation revenue and broadband access revenue continued to grow.

In spite of the revenue growth, EBG reported a 6.2% year-over-year decrease of its income before tax, mainly because of the fixed voice decline and the asset impairment loss related relating to 3G phase-out. Excluding the one-time impairment, the EBG income before tax decreased by 4.8% on year. Most importantly, ICT business revenue continued to increase and profit margin kept improvement. Slide 11 illustrate our Enterprise Business highlights. In the fourth quarter, our AIoT and cybersecurity business demonstrated robust growth, while total emerging enterprise business revenue of our major applications decreased by 2.7% year-over-year, due to the higher base of the revenue recognition in the period relating to e-learning and fintech projects.

Specifically, cybersecurity business achieved 7.3% growth in the fourth quarter, driven by increasing service demand from our enterprise clients, climbing upward for the eight consecutive quarter on a year-over-year basis. Furthermore, our AIoT business also experienced a year-over-year increase, owing to revenue injection from the large project relating to smart energy and intelligent buildings. Furthermore, although our cloud service revenue and IDC revenue decreased on a year basis due to one-time project recognized last year that created a high revenue base, we are glad to see our recurrent revenue for these two services deliver stable growth. On year-over-year basis, recurring revenue from the international public cloud service [indiscernible] grew by 20%, whereas recurring revenue of the IDC grew 15% in the fourth quarter.

In terms of our applications, in the fourth quarter, we achieved a milestone by established Taiwan's most extensive 5G network slicing verification field in Kaohsiung to support innovation development and successfully deliver the multiple innovative and cybersecurity and encrypted divided-storage cloud solution and catering to the diverse needs of our clients. Slide 12 illustrates our International Business performance. In the fourth quarter, total revenue and income before tax of IBG increased about 33% and 39% year-over-year, respectively. The impressive growth was mainly fueled by the growing demand for emerging business, include IDC and cloud service from our global clients. During the quarter, we see ICT project completion and continue to find growing opportunities for global expansion.

We are glad to announce that we signed an MOU with NTT Corporation in the fourth quarter, aiming to accelerate the relation of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network service. Looking forward, we are optimistic to see the growth momentum roll over into 2024. In addition, as the SJC2 international undersea cable is expected to launch service this year, we're looking forward to capitalizing our undersea cable asset amid growing opportunity from international OTT service providers. Now, I would like to turn the call to Vincent.

Vincent Chen: Thank you, President Ivan. Good afternoon, everyone. Now, I will present a financial summary of our fourth quarter results in 2023 and financial guidance for 2024. Let's begin with Slide 14, income statement highlights. During the fourth quarter in 2023, total revenue increased by 4% compared to the same quarter last year, primarily attributed by growing ICT business revenue, sales revenue, mobile service revenue and broadband service revenue. Income from operations and net income decreased by 4.6% and 1.7% on year, respectively, mainly due to the impairment loss of telecom equipment caused by the phase-out of 3G network and the impairment loss of investment property. Excluding the impact of aforementioned one-time impairment losses, income from operations and net income increased by 2.2% and 7.2% on year, respectively.

For the full year results, total revenue increased by 3% year-over-year as a result of solid growth of our mobile, ICT and broadband services. Income from operations decreased by 1% due to the one-time impairment losses mentioned above. Excluding the one-time effect, income from operations grew by 0.6%. Net income increased by 1.2% on year. EPS rose from NT$4.7 to NT$4.76. It's noteworthy that both of our revenue and EPS reached a six-year high and have maintained growth momentum for four consecutive years. Now, move on to Page 15 for balance sheet highlights. As of December 31 of 2023, total assets increased by 0.2% on year, mainly due to the increase in current assets, long-term investments and other assets, which offset the decrease in intangible assets.

Total liabilities decreased mildly on year primarily attributable to the decrease in accounts payable. Additionally, debt ratio decreased slightly and net debt over EBITDA remained zero. Altogether, we continue to maintain a strong balance sheet with great financial flexibility to fully support our operations and business expansions and swiftly adapt to fast-changing macroeconomic climate. Page 16 provides the summary of our cash flows. For 2023, we continue to generate stable and solid cash flows from operations. While our operating cash flows were down by 1.8% relative to the prior year, the decrease was mainly due to income taxes payments and settlement of accounts payable. Capital expenditures decreased by 2.5% on year, of which, mobile-related CapEx was reduced by 19.3%, whereas non-mobile CapEx increased by 10.6%.

The latter was largely attributable to greater IDC investments. On top of that, free cash flows decreased by 1.4% on year. Collectively, our robust balance sheet together with solid operating cash flows enable us to seize business opportunities amidst trends of digital and sustainability transformations and further create sustainable and long-term value for our shareholders. On Slide 17, the table presents financial results against management guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2023, total revenue was about on par with our revenue projection. Profit-related metrics fell short of our expectations, largely attributed to the higher maintenance and material expenses, impairment losses on the phase-out of 3G network and investment property. For the full year results, our revenue and profit related measures mostly exceeded the high-end target of our full year guidance, driven by our steady growing core business and improved margin of ICT business.

That concludes the overview of our 2023 financial results. Moving on to Slide 18, please see our guidance for 2024. Looking ahead, total revenue for 2024 compared to 2023 is expected to increase by between 2.4% and 3.1%, primarily driven by growth momentum in our core business. Well-received 5G services and the speed upgrade promotion packages of fixed broadband are expected to continuously lift subscriber numbers and ARPU. ICT business also contributes as we expect growing emerging services to cater to customers' demands for digital transformation. Operating costs and expenses are expected to rise between 4% and 4.6% as a result of the investments in talents and infrastructure that support future business development in core and emerging businesses.

Given these projections, we expect our EPS to be in the range between NT$4.6 and NT$4.8. As for capital spending, we budget about NT$34 billion for 2024 as our 5G network is close to its full deployment and its #1 quality has been consistently endorsed by Opensignal and Speedtest for consecutive years. Our mobile-related CapEx is expected to decrease by 14% on year, which continues its downtrend since 2021 for three consecutive years. Non-mobile-related CapEx, which consists of investments in fixed-line network, IDC and submarine cables, is expected to increase by 24.7% on year to support business expansion in emerging business. Now, I would like to turn the call over to Chairman Harrison for awards and recognitions.

Harrison Kuo: Thank you, Vincent. On Slide 19 is our awards and ESG achievement highlights in the fourth quarter. In 2023, Chunghwa Telecom was recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index as #1 of the world-class telecommunication sustainability leaders, as well as the Emerging Market Index reflecting recognition from investors for our ESG practices. We also received a AA ESG rating from MSCI. In addition, we were reaffirmed the highest AA credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, continuing our exclusive leading position among global telcos. Besides to enhance interest alignment between top management team and shareholders, we are the only telecom operator in Taiwan to follow the international best practice of implementing the Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy.

In addition, as we implemented an internal carbon pricing mechanism of NT$1,600 per ton in 2023, we are delighted to report that the internal carbon fee collected for 2023 was approximately NT$1 billion, all used to encourage carbon reduction initiatives and technologies. In the fourth quarter, we also completed carbon credit procurement to further utilize product carbon neutralization. Meanwhile, we initiated the first environmental footprint standard of network equipment in Taiwan to facilitate a low carbon supply chain. This concludes our prepared remarks. Thank you for your attention. At this time, I would like to open our conference call for questions.

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