Globe Telecom
- Sector: TechnologyTechnology Media and Telecommunications
- Sub Sector: Telecommunications
- Country: Philippines
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Fundamental View
AS OF 09 May 2023- Globe’s 1Q23 revenues and EBITDA grew modestly YoY as strong mobile and enterprise data revenues outweighed poorer broadband revenues. Credit metrics worsened slightly to 4.0x/3.8x.
- We see a challenging FY23 for Globe in view of high domestic inflation and strong competition, mitigated by Globe’s leading mobile market position and new entrant DITO’s tight liquidity. We expect low-to-mid single digit % YoY revenue growth in FY23.
- We anticipate a mild improvement in Globe’s FY23 credit metrics in view of: 1) Residual PHP 52 bn of tower sales that should conclude by end-FY23 and enlarge Globe’s capex funding and deleveraging buffer; 2) Reduced FY23E capex that is ~22% YoY lower than FY22 actual capex spending.
Business Description
AS OF 09 May 2023- Globe is a leading telecom operator in the Philippines, competing alongside its main rival PLDT in a duopoly setting.
- Globe provides 2G/3G/4G mobile, fixed-line, broadband, enterprise data, and other digital services to retail and corporate customers.
- Globe operates through 2 main business segments – “Mobile Services” and “Fixed Line and Home Broadband Services”.
- Its “Mobile Services” segment offers mobile voice, mobile SMS and mobile data services to retail customers in the Philippines. These services are marketed under the “Globe Postpaid”, “Globe Prepaid” and “TM” brands.
- Its “Fixed Line and Home Broadband Services” segment provides fixed line voice, corporate data and home broadband services to retail and corporate customers in the Philippines.
- Globe commercially launched 5G services on a small-scale basis in Jun-2019. It currently maintains 5G coverage of 96% of the National Capital Region, with over 2,000 5G sites nationwide.
- Globe maintains dominant market shares in the mobile data, voice and SMS space (FY21 revenue market share [RMS] of 52% vs PLDT 47%) and home broadband space (FY21 RMS of 31% vs PLDT 45%). It loses out heavily to PLDT in the fixed line voice space (FY21 RMS of 10% vs PLDT 90%).
- Globe is largely owned by two established corporate groups – Ayala Corporation (~47 stake) and Singtel (~43% stake).
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 09 May 2023- We see a challenging FY23 for Globe in view of high domestic inflation and strong competition, mitigated by Globe’s leading mobile market position and new entrant DITO’s tight liquidity. We expect low-to-mid single digit % YoY revenue growth in FY23.
- Aggressive expansion by new entrant DITO over the next 2-4 years could chew away at Globe’s market share and restrain recoveries in average revenues per user (ARPU).
- Globe incurs significant capex that has pressurized its leverage metrics and free cash flows. That said, management believes capex has peaked and guided towards lower FY23E capex (~22% YoY lower than FY22 actual capex spending).
- Consistent dividend payouts could worsen Globe’s already negative free cash flows.
Key Metrics
AS OF 02 Jun 2023
CreditSights View
AS OF 09 May 2023We have a Market perform recommendation on Globe Telecom. Globe’s Jul-2030 bond trades 49 bp tighter than PLDT’s Jan-2031 bond. We think Globe should trade 25-30 bp wider as its unrated credit status and poorer net leverage outweigh its lower FY23E capex and lower corporate governance uncertainties. While we acknowledge the risks of rising inflation and mounting competitive pressures from new entrant DITO, we think this is mitigated by Globe’s leading mobile market position and DITO’s debt woes that could impede its rapid expansion. Further ~PHP 56 bn of tower sales closures and lower capex could support Globe’s credit profile. We anticipate Globe’s credit metrics to improve mildly in the next 3 quarters.
Recommendation Reviewed: May 09, 2023
Recommendation Changed: December 19, 2022
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