Latest news with #XLSmart
The Star
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Positive response to Axiata's bid to unlock value
HLIB Research viewed the potential monetisation of Axiata's stake in edotco as a key near-term catalyst for share price rerating. PETALING JAYA: Axiata Group Bhd 's earnings are likely to remain lacklustre in the near term and the market is likely to respond positively to the group's efforts to unlock value, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research. It viewed the potential monetisation of Axiata's stake in edotco as a key near-term catalyst for share price rerating. It slightly raised its financial year 2025 (FY25) to FY27 earnings forecasts by 2% to 15% to reflect management's guidance and fine-tuned assumptions. It said the second quarter (2Q25) financial results and headline earnings might see a lot of noise due to XLSmart deconsolidation, disposal gains on XLSmart stake sale to Sinar Mas and the disposal loss on the Edotco Myanmar divestment, besides foreign exchange (forex) volatility. It retained its 'buy' call on the stock with a target price of RM2.50 a share. It said the recent divestment of Myanmar tower assets would pave the way for Edotco's monetisation, with reports suggesting a Khazanah Nasional Bhd-Employees Provident Fund consortium could acquire Axiata's 63% stake at a US$3.5bil valuation. It is strategically consistent, given that Khazanah had acquired the entire 21% stake from Innovation Network Corp of Japan in early March 2025, boosting its ownership in Edotco to 32%. The remaining 5% stake is currently held by Retirement Fund Inc. Assuming this materialises, Axiata could net around RM6.3bil from the sale. With up to US$475mil in equalisation payments from the concluded XLSmart merger in April 2025, the proceeds would accelerate balance sheet-repair for Axiata.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Axiata's Q1 earnings more than double to RM160mil
KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd posted a strong set of results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025), with net profit more than doubling to RM159.8 million from RM60.03 million a year earlier. This was underpinned by merger synergies, lower depreciation and amortisation expenses, favourable foreign exchange (Forex) movements and a higher profit contribution from CelcomDigi Bhd. However, its revenue fell 11.3 per cent to RM5.09 billion, weighed down by the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah and Bangladeshi taka. The improved bottom line was also supported by reduced impairment charges, lower marketing and promotional spending, and net forex gains amounting to RM28.4 million. In a statement, the group noted that all of its telecommunications units except XLSmart, contributed to earnings growth, alongside continued momentum from CelcomDigi. "Underlying net profit was impacted by one-off losses, without which it would have recorded a 7.4 per cent growth," it said. Chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said the results demonstrate Axiata's ability to adapt, integrate and grow amid a volatile macroeconomic environment. "With a solid financial footing, strategic clarity and strong leadership across our markets, we are laying the groundwork for enduring relevance in Southeast and South Asia's digital future. "The board remains focused on ensuring governance strength, strategic discipline and long-term resilience as we continue to shape the next chapter of the group," he added. Axiata's basic earnings per share rose to 1.7 sen in 1QFY2025 from 0.7 sen in the corresponding quarter last year. Axiata said both of its jointly controlled entities are progressing well in their integration efforts, with synergy realisation on track. CelcomDigi is expected to generate RM700 million in annual run-rate synergies by 2027, while XLSmart is targeting annual pre-tax synergies of between US$300 million (RM1.27 billion) and US$400 million within the same period. The group is actively monetising its infrastructure assets, including Link Net and Edotco Group, as part of its strategy to attract capital investment and pare down debt. Axiata's frontier market operations - Robi Axiata Ltd, Dialog Axiata PLC and Smart Axiata - continued to demonstrate resilience, posting strong profit growth and positive cash flow despite ongoing market volatility.
