P
R
/35/10

Note : This press release contains unaudited consolidated financial statements prepared under IFRS, adopted by the Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications on July 29, 2010 and reviewed by the Audit Committee July 28, 2010. These accounts will be subject to the approval of shareholders of Eutelsat Communications at the Annual General Shareholders Meeting of November 9, 2010.



EUTELSAT COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS A RECORD FULL YEAR 2009-2010 WITH

REVENUE AND EBITDA GROWTH ABOVE 11%





Paris, July 30, 2010 – The Board of Directors’ meeting of Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris: ETL), under the chairmanship of Giuliano Berretta, met yesterday and reviewed its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2010.

Twelve months ended June 30


2009

2010

Change

Key elements of consolidated income statement

Revenues

m

940.5

1,047.2

+11.3%

EBITDA

m

742.1

827.8

+11.5%

EBITDA margin

%

78.9

79.0

+0.1 pt

Group share of net income

m

247.3

269.5

+9.0%

Diluted earnings per share

1,126

1,224

+8.7%

Key elements of consolidated cash flow statement

Net cash flow from operating activities

m

654.7

698.3

+6.7%

Capital expenditure

m

416.6

494.4

+18.7%

Operating free cash flow

m

358.7

203.9

-43.2%2

Key elements of financial structure

Net debt

m

2,326

2,424

+4.2%

Net debt/EBITDA

X

3.13

2.93


Backlog

Backlog

bn

3.94

4.88

+23.8%


Commenting on the full year 2009-2010 results, Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat Communications, said: “Our record growth of more than 11% achieved for both revenues and EBITDA benefited from the rapid take-up of the in orbit expansion programme which we began three years ago. Our strategy puts us at the heart of the most dynamic markets of the digital economy:  television and broadband in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our backlog has increased by 24% in one year to 4.9 billion euros, reflecting the strength of our orbital positions in markets with high potential for growth. It gives us exceptional visibility equivalent to 4.7 years of sales. Our ambition for the long-term is to continue to deliver growth, profitability and reliability. Seven satellites currently in construction will increase our in-orbit capacity by 25% within three years. Our goal over this period is clear: to exceed the average rate of 7% annual growth in revenues achieved since 2005, while maintaining an EBITDA margin of more than 77% which ensures we can continue to deliver an attractive return to our shareholders.”




RECORD REVENUE GROWTH OF MORE THAN €100 MILLION

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all growth indicators or comparisons are made against the previous fiscal year or June 30, 2009. The share of each application as a percentage of total revenues is calculated excluding “other revenues” and “one-off revenues”.

Revenues by business application (in millions of euros)




Change

Twelve months ended June 30

2009

2010

(in € million)

(in %)

Video Applications

679.7

742.0

+62.3

+9.2%

Data & Value Added Services

173.0

203.7

+30.8

+17.8%

Data Services

134.1

157.4

+23.2

+17.3%

Value Added Services

38.8

46.3

+7.5

+19.3%

Multi-usage

75.4

98.1

+22.7

+30.1%

Others and one-off revenues 3

12.5

3.4

-9.1

NM

Total

940.5

1,047.2

+106.7

+11.3%

At a constant euro-dollar exchange rate, revenue growth would have been 12.6% compared with 2008-2009 fiscal year. Excluding one-off revenues and at a constant euro-dollar exchange rate, growth would have been 12.4%.

The reported sales performance is the result of the development of Eutelsat’s in-orbit resources, particularly:



VIDEO APPLICATIONS (71.1% of revenues4)

Video Applications registered strong growth of +9.2% at €742 million.

In total, the number of TV channels broadcast by Eutelsat’s fleet at June 30, 2010 was 3,662, marking an increase of 471 channels (+ 14.8% year-on-year). HDTV was a major growth factor with the number of HDTV channels up by 69 (+80%). As of June 30, 2010, Eutelsat’s fleet was broadcasting 155 HDTV channels of which 61 from its premium HOT BIRDTM and EUROBIRDTM 1 neighbourhoods targeting Western Europe, and 94 from other neighbourhoods serving the Second Continent.



Sharp increase in the number of TV channels broadcast from video neighbourhoods serving the Second Continent

Orbital position

Markets

30/06/09

30/06/10

% Change

7°West

North Africa, Middle East

181

321

+77.3%

7°East

Turkey

181

198

+9.4%

9°East

Europe

245

272

+11.0%

16°East

Eastern and Central Europe, Indian Ocean islands

376

415

+10.4%

36°East

Russia, Africa

451

525

+16.4%

Total


1,434

1,731

+20.7%



DATA and VALUE-ADDED SERVICES (19.5% of revenues)

Data and Value-Added Services registered strong revenue growth of 17.8%. The entry into service in May 2009 and in January 2010 of two satellites offering excellent coverage of Africa and of the Middle East resulted in the strengthening of Eutelsat’s position on these markets which enjoy robust demand for satellite capacity for corporate networks, interconnecting GSM networks and backbone Internet connectivity for Internet Service Providers beyond range of fibre.

During the past fiscal year, Eutelsat further extended its distribution network for the TOOWAY™ consumer broadband service in anticipation of the arrival of the KA-SAT satellite in 2011 which will support service roll-out on a large scale. A total of 63 distributors in 30 countries are now part of the distribution network for TOOWAY™ which addresses homes beyond range of high-speed networks. With KA-SAT, Eutelsat will also be able to sell innovative solutions targeted at professional data networks, and local or regional television.



MULTI-USAGE (9.4% of revenues)

Multi-usage services (up 30.1%6) continue to benefit from strong demand from governments, notably to serve regions in Central Asia and the Middle East. Business momentum benefited from the redeployment of the EUROBIRD™ 4A7 satellite to 4 degrees East in June 2009.



OTHER AND NON-RECURRING REVENUES

Non-recurring and other revenues mainly include payment of late delivery penalties related to the W2A and W7 satellites.



LEASED TRANSPONDERS INCREASED 9%

Having successfully anticipated increased demand from its main markets, Eutelsat brought its available resources to 652 transponders in stable orbit as of June 30, 2010, marking an 11% increase (or 63 transponders) compared to the prior year. These resources were activated within the framework of the Group’s ambitious investment programme which is fully self-financed from cash generated from operations.

The Group leased an additional 47 transponders (+9%) during the year. The fill rate consequently fell to 87.5% as of June 30, 2010.

Fleet evolution

As of June 30

2008

2009

2010

Operational transponders8

501

589

652

Leased transponders9

468

523

570

Fill rate

93.4%

88.8%

87.5%

Note: The evolution of the number of operational transponders during the second half 2009-2010 is explained by the entry into service of the W7 satellite, by the relocation of several satellites and by the end of life in January 2010 of the W2 satellite which had 27 transponders.



REMARKABLE 23.8% INCREASE OF BACKLOG AT €4.9 BILLION

The backlog increased by 23.8% during the fiscal year thanks to additional capacity leased by leading operators such as Intersputnik (Russia), MultiChoice Africa (Africa), Nilesat and Noorsat (both in the Middle East).

This performance substantially increases the Group’s long-term visibility on revenues and operating cash flow. Based on 2009-2010 revenues, the backlog is equivalent to almost 4.7 times annual revenues, with weighted average residual life of contracts of eight years.



Backlog10 main indicators:

As of June 30

2008

2009

2010

Value of contracts (in billions of euros)

3.4

3.9

4.9

In number of annual revenues based on last fiscal year

3.9

4.2

4.7

Weighted average residual life of contracts (in years)

7.4

7.8

8.0

Share of Video Applications

93%

92%

92%



FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF key income statement metrics

EBITDA margin maintained at the highest level of leading satellite operators

Significantly above the initial target of more than €795 million, EBITDA registered a strong increase of 11.5% to €827.8 million compared with the prior fiscal year due to excellent sales performance and continued tight cost control.

Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues were almost flat compared with the prior fiscal year. The 10.6% increase in operating expenses, which was lower than revenue growth, reflects:

Thus, EBITDA margin was 79.0%, slightly above the level of 2008-2009 (78.9%).



Group share of Net income increase of 9% to €269.5 million

The efficient refinancing of the Eutelsat S.A. subsidiary, and the foreign exchange and interest rate hedging policies kept the financial result at a level almost identical to last year, despite non-recurring costs related to the refinancing and the unwinding of certain derivative interest rate hedging contracts tied to the previous financing. Those charges were noteably offset by a sharp reduction in loan interest, after the effect of the hedges, linked to lower interest rates.

Group net share increased €22.2 million (+9.0%), despite the non-recurring income of €25.0 million recorded in the previous fiscal year in exchange for the transfer of certain rights related to Hispasat.11

Unlike the previous year, the Group share of Net Income for fiscal year 2009-2010 did not have any significant non-recurring items. The progress reflects:



Extract from the consolidated income statement (in millions of euros)13

Twelve months ended June 30

2009

2010

Change (%)

Revenues

940.5

1,047.2

+11.3%

Operating expenses14

(198.4)

(219.4)

+10.6%

EBITDA

742.1

827.8

+11.5%

Depreciation and amortisation15

(294.3)

(313.4)

+6.5%

Other operating income (charges)

23.8

(5.8)

NM

Operating income

471.6

508.6

+7.8%

Financial result

(99.6)

(100.6)

+1.0%

Income tax expense

(128.0)

(143.2)

+11.8%

Income from associates

16.0

17.8

+11.8%

Portion of net income attributable to non-controlling interests

(12.6)

(13.0)

+3.0%

Group share of net income

247.3

269.5

+9.0%



HIGH LEVEL OF NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net cash flow from operating activities: nearly €700 million, or 66.7% of revenues



Confirming the strength of its business model, the Group continued to generate high cash flows from its operating activities, up €43.6 million (+6.7%) compared to last year despite the following:

Excluding these non-recurring items, cash flow from operating activities would have increased 14.8%.

More than €200 million of operating free cash flow remains a surplus. The decline of €154.8 million compared to the previous year is the result of:

Excluding non-recurring items17, operating free cash flow would have increased 6.4%.



Strengthening of Group financial structure

The net debt18 to EBITDA ratio improved for the fifth year in a row, from 3.13x a year ago to 2.93x at June 30, 2010, despite increased investments and distribution to shareholders (up 10% at €156.2 million).

Net debt to EBITDA ratio

As of June 30


2009

2010

Change (€m)

Net debt at the beginning of the period

m

2,422

2,326

-96

Net debt at the end of the period

m

2,326

2,424

+98

Net debt / EBITDA

X

3.13

2.93




In March 2010, Eutelsat S.A. of which Eutelsat Communications owns 96% of the share capital, fully refinanced its €1.3 billion credit facility which was due to maturity in November 2011. The Group’s financial debt now comprises:

Given the refinancing of Eutelsat S.A., average maturity of Eutelsat Communications’ debt was extended to 4.8 years as of June 30, 2010, compared with 3.2 years as of June 30, 2009.

The average cost of debt drawn by the Group decreased to 3.61% (after hedging) in 2009-2010 compared with 4.15% in 2008-2009, reflecting lower interest rates.



CONTINUATION OF IN-ORBIT renewal and expansion programME

Eutelsat continued to implement its investment programme with seven satellites in construction and scheduled for launch over the coming three years. Its objective is to increase fleet capacity by 25% over this period and to renew five satellites19 coming to their end of life.

The Group has selected Thales Alenia Space, EADS Astrium and Space Systems/Loral to build, respectively, the W6A, W5A and EUROBIRD™ 2A (in partnership with ictQATAR) satellites which are expected to be launched in 2012-2013:

The launch of the W3B and KA-SAT satellites are scheduled respectively for September and November 2010:

The W3C and ATLANTIC™ BIRD 7 satellites are under construction with launches scheduled in fiscal year 2011-2012:



DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS OF 62% OF GROUP SHARE OF NET INCOME

The July 29, 2010 Board of Directors decided to submit to the approval of shareholders at the November 9, 2010 AGM the distribution of 0.76 euro per share, compared with 0.66 euro for fiscal year 2008-2009.

This amount which represents an increase of 15% over the previous year and a pay-out ratio of 62%, demonstrating Eutelsat’s willingness to regularly offer its shareholders an attractive remuneration.



MEDIUM-TERM OUTLOOK: GROWTH, PROFITABILITY AND VISIBILITY



Solid Medium-term growth outlook

The Group now targets revenues in excess of €1.120 billion for fiscal year 2010-2011 and a 3-year CAGR above 7% over the next three fiscal years 2010-2011 to 2012-2013. This increase is consistent with the 25% fleet capacity expansion (including KA-SAT) planned over the same period by the investment programme described above.

Objective of high level profitability

Given the excellent performance achieved in 2009-2010, the Group is adjusting its profitability objectives: it targets EBITDA margin above 77% for each fiscal year until June 2013 – against the objective announced in July 2009 of around 77% - with EBITDA above €875 million for fiscal year 2010-2011.

Active and targeted investment policy

With the aim of leveraging its unique positioning in Western Europe and in the rapidly growing markets of its Second Continent, the Group will pursue an active and targeted investment policy with average capital expenditure of €450 million per annum over the period fiscal years 2011 - 2013, to finance the acquisition and launches (including insurance) of the seven satellites listed above.

Sound financial structure

The Group intends to maintain a sound financial structure targeting a net debt to EBITDA ratio lower than 3.5x, in order to keep its investment grade credit ratings attributed by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Attractive shareholder remuneration

Over the period fiscal years 2011 - 2013, the Group is committed to share its profits with its shareholders targeting a pay-out ratio in the range of 50% to 75%.



CORPORATE GOVERNANCE



In June 2010, the Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications co-opted two new directors:

Both nominations will be submitted for approval to the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. With these two new appointments, the Board of Eutelsat Communications comprises 11 directors, including two independent directors.

* * *

Documentation

Consolidated accounts are available at www.eutelsat.com in Investors section



Results presentation meeting to Analysts and Investors

Eutelsat Communications will hold an analysts and investors meeting on Friday July 30, 2010 to present its financial results for the full year 2009-2010. The meeting will take place at Group headquarters, 70 rue Balard, 75015 Paris, starting at 10am.


The call-in numbers for audio (French and English) are 01 70 99 42 66 (from France) and +44 20 7138 0824 (from abroad).


A replay will be available from July 30, 2010 from 2pm (Paris time) to August 5, 2010 midnight (Paris time), by dialling
01 74 20 28 00 (from France), access code:
7491462#, or +44 207 111 1244 (from abroad), access code: 6074112#.


Conference call in English

Eutelsat Communications will also hold a conference call in English for analysts and investors on July 30, 2010. The call will begin at 3:30pm Paris time (New York: 9:30am, London: 2:30pm).


This conference call will be webcast live from the home page of the Investor Relations section at www.eutelsat.com. It can also be accessed via the following telephone numbers:


A replay of the call will be available from July 30, 2010 at 8:00pm (Paris time) to August 5, 2010 midnight (Paris time), by dialling:

Access code: 1714998#.


A presentation and consolidated accounts will be available on the Group’s website (www.eutelsat.com) from 7:30am (Paris time) on July 30, 2010.



Financial calendar

The financial calendar below is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated.



About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2010, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 3,600 television channels. More than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD™ video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ nearly 661 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information



Press



Vanessa O’Connor 

Tel. : + 33 1 53 98 37 91

voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frédérique Gautier 

Tel. : + 33 1 53 98 37 91 

fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Analysts and Investors



Lisa Finas 

Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30

investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Appendix



Quarterly revenues by business application (financial year 2008-2009)


Three months ended

In millions of euros

30/09/2008

31/12/2008

31/03/2009

30/06/2009

Video Applications

166.7

169.8

172.3

170.8

Data & Value-Added Services

41.1

43.2

42.3

46.4

Multi-usage

15.6

19.3

19.7

20.8

Other

3.2

4.5

2.2

0.8

Sub-total

226.7

236.8

236.5

238.8

One-off revenues

-

-

-

1.8

Total

226.7

236.8

236.5

240.5



Quarterly revenues by business application (financial year 2009 -2010)


Three months ended

In millions of euros

30/09/2009

31/12/2009

31/03/2010

30/06/2010

Video Applications

180.8

180.6

189.6

191.0

Data & Value-Added Services

47.7

48.7

52.0

55.3

Multi-usage

22.9

21.5

25.1

28.6

Other

1.7

1.0

0.7

(4.0)

Sub-total

253.0

251.8

267.4

270.9

One-off revenues

-

3.2

0.9

-

Total

253.0

255.0

268.3

270.9

Note: At a constant euro-dollar exchange rate, revenue growth would have been 12.5% in Q4 2009-2010 compared with Q4 2008-2009. Excluding one-off revenues and at a constant euro-dollar exchange rate, growth would have been 13.3% in Q4 2009-2010 compared with Q4 2008-2009.



Revenue breakdown by application (in percentage of revenues)*

Twelve months ended June 30

2009

2010

Video Applications

73.3%

71.1%

Data & Value-Added Services

18.6%

19.5%

……..of which Data Services

14.4%

15.1%

…….of which Value-Added Services

4.2%

4.4%

Multi-usage

8.1%

9.4%

Total

100%

100%

*excluding other revenues and one-off revenues (€12.5 million in FY 2008-2009 and €3.4 million in FY 2009-2010)





Change in net debt (in millions of euros)

Twelve months ended June 30

2009

2010

Change (%)

Net cash flow from operating activities

654.7

698.3

+6.7%

Capital expenditure

(416.6)

(494.4)

+18.7%

Insurance indemnities on property and equipment

120.5

-


Operating free cash flow

358.7

203.9

-43.2%

Interest and other fees paid, net

(102.8)

(75.4)

-26.6%

Acquisition of minority interests and others

(7.5)

(6.7)

-

Distributions to shareholders (including minority interests)

(141.7)

(156.2)

+10.2%

Non-recurring expenses related following Eutelsat SA refinancing20

-

(54.1)

-

Other

(11.1)

(9.3)

-

Decrease (increase) in net debt

95.6

(97.8)




Estimated satellite launch schedule

Satellite

Estimated launch

Transponders

W3B

September 2010

56 Ku

KA-SAT

November 2010

> 80 Ka beams

W3C

June – September 2011

56 Ku

ATLANTIC BIRD™ 7

September – December 2011

50 Ku

W6A

July – September 2012

40 Ku

W5A

October – December 2012

48 Ku

EUROBIRD™ 2A

H1 2013

32 Ku / 14 Ka

Note: Satellites generally enter into service one to two months after launch.





1 EBITDA is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortisation, impairments and other operating income/charges (dilution profits (losses), insurance compensations, etc.).

2 Excluding non-recurring items, operating free cash flow was up 6.4%.

3 Non-recurring revenues comprise late delivery penalties and outage penalties

4 Percentage calculated excluding “other revenues” and “one-off revenues”

5 Eutelsat defines its 1st continent (Western Europe) and its 2nd continent which comprises: Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

6 At constant euro-dollar exchange rate, revenue growth would have been 33.1%.

7 Formerly W1 which was redeployed to 4° East.

8 Number of transponders in stable orbit, excluding spare capacity.

9 Number of transponders leased on satellites in stable orbit.

10 Backlog represents future revenues from capacity lease agreements (including contracts for satellites yet to be delivered). These capacity lease agreements can be for the entire operational life of the satellites.

11 A leading satellite operator for Hispanic markets, of which Eutelsat holds 27.69%

12 Excluding non-recurring items, the operating proft would have grown by 13.4%.

13 For more detail, please refer to Group interim consolidated accounts at www.eutelsat.com.

14 Operating expenses is defined as the sum of operating costs and of selling, general & administrative expenses.

15 Comprises amortisation expense of €44.4 million corresponding to the intangible asset “Customer Contracts and Relationships” identified during the acquisition of Eutelsat S.A. by Eutelsat Communications.

16 In exchange for the transfer of certain rights in Hispasat.

17 They include insurance indemnity proceeds related to the W2M satellite (€120.5 million), the non-recurring income of recorded in exchange for certain rights in Hispasat (€25.0 million) and the reimbursement of corporate tax deposit (€21.6 million).

18 Net debt includes all bank debt, bonds and all liabilities from long-term lease agreements, less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities (net of bank credit balances).

19 EUROBIRD™ 16, EUROBIRD™ 2, W5, W6 and SESAT 1.

20 It includes the cash settlement of outstanding balance corresponding to the unwinding of interest rate hedging instruments, following the repayment of Eutelsat S.A.’s senior credit facilities, the bond issue premium and fees related to the refinancing operation.

14