Telkom's first half profit drops 18.7%
Telkom's first half profit drops 18.7%
Tony Hotland, Jakarta
Publicly listed telecommunications firm PT Telkom said on Friday
first half net profit dropped by 18.7 percent compared to the
same period last year due to foreign exchange losses and a higher
interest rate burden.
Telkom president Kristiono said that net profit in the first
semester ending June 30 declined to Rp 2.87 trillion (US$312.46
million) from Rp 3.53 trillion in the first half of 2003.
"The drop in profit is largely caused by the depreciation of
the rupiah as we have debts in foreign currencies, mostly in the
U.S. dollar," Kristiono said after the company's shareholders
meeting.
Telkom suffered some Rp 869.81 billion in foreign exchange
losses during the semester.
The firm's outstanding debts in foreign currencies are
estimated at $800 million.
"However, the loss is just seasonal as our total revenue
increased by 27 percent to Rp 16.1 trillion, so the company is
showing good performance. We believe the loss would have been
much less if the rupiah had strengthened against the U.S.
dollar," he explained.
The rupiah has been under pressure due to a combination of
rising political uncertainty at home amid the elections and a
rising interest rate trend in the U.S., which had prompted some
people to switch investments from local assets to dollar-based
assets.
Telkom's total revenue surged by 27.9 percent to Rp 16.1
trillion in the first half, led by big gains in its fixed-line
and cellular services.
The shareholders meeting also approved the company's plan for
a two-for-one stock split (one old share splits into two new
shares). The split will double the number of the firm's shares to
80 million shares. The split will also halve the nominal value of
a share to Rp 250.
"The split is expected to increase the liquidity and the trade
volume of Telkom's shares, which has been declining over the last
year, as the shares will be more affordable for people." said
Kristiono.
The meeting also approved Telkom's 2003 financial report.
Profit dropped by 24.29 percent to Rp 6.09 trillion from the
previous year.
Half of the profit will be used to pay dividends, which means
Rp 301.94 per share, and the rest will be allocated for
investment (48 percent) and internal cash reserves (2 percent).
Telkom management had previously proposed a 40 percent
dividend payout, but the government as a major shareholder
demanded a 50 percent dividend.
Kristiono said that Telkom's planned capital expenditure for
2004 was about Rp 8.9 trillion, with some Rp 3.9 trillion to be
contributed by Telkom's long-term investments with its joint-
operation (KSO) partners.
Telkom's shares remained unchanged on Friday from the previous
day, closing at Rp 7,750.