Liberty Global Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results
Liberty Global plc today announced its second quarter 2019 financial results. Our former operations in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, along with our DTH business (collectively, the “Discontinued Operations”) have been accounted for as discontinued operations.
UPC Switzerland will continue to be included in our continuing operations until the pending sale transaction is approved by Sunrise shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this release relates only to our continuing operations.
CEO Mike Fries stated, “Earlier this year we laid out our strategic and operating priorities for 2019, and I’m pleased to report that we are making substantial progress across the board. In July, we completed the sale of our operations in Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic to Vodafone for $21.3 billion, and our transaction to sell our Swiss business for $6.3 billion remains on track for the end of this year. With the net proceeds from these deals, all valued at double-digit OCF multiples, our pro forma cash balance will be over $14 billion.”
“Today we are announcing the first step towards allocating our capital in a value-accretive manner with the intention to launch cash tender offers of up to $2.5
billion consisting of up to $625 million Class A ordinary shares at an expected price range of $25.25 to $29.00 and up to $1.875 billion Class C ordinary shares at an expected price range of $24.75 to $28.50. We expect to launch the tender offers around August 12. We are also focused on enhancing the strategic and financial value of our core operating businesses, particularly Virgin Media which remains the most advanced broadband and fixed/mobile provider in the U.K. with substantial opportunities for expansion and growth. With 500 Mbps already available to nearly 15 million homes and 1 Gbps speeds just around the corner, Virgin Media is miles ahead of other U.K. operators in providing ultrafast broadband, both today and into the future.”
“We are also delivering on our promise to reduce capital intensity and optimize free cash flow after three years of increased network and product expansion. Through June, our P&E additions were down 25% from last year and our operating free cash flow was up nearly 40% on a reported basis, and nearly 75% on a guidance basis which excludes Switzerland. Together with planned and executed reductions in our corporate costs and the restructuring of our technology operations to reflect our reduced customer base and significant TSA revenues, we are on track to hit both our OCF and free cash flow guidance for the
year.”
Read the full release on our second quarter 2019 results here.
