VEON 2Q25 Earnings Release: Direct Digital Revenues Up 57% YoY. Solid Execution, Strong Results

Financial Performance - VEON reported a revenue growth of 5.9% year-on-year to USD 1,087 million in the second quarter of 2025, with local currency growth at 11.2% YoY, surpassing the average inflation rate of 8.6% in its operating countries [2][9] - Direct digital revenues increased by 56.6% YoY in reported currency and 62.4% YoY in local currency, accounting for 16.5% of total revenues, up from 5.4% a year ago [3][9] - EBITDA reached USD 520 million, reflecting a 13.2% YoY increase in reported currency and a 19.6% increase in local currency terms [3][9] Capital Expenditure and Financial Position - Capital expenditures (Capex) for 2Q25 were USD 231 million, resulting in a capex intensity of 21.3% for the quarter [4] - Total cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2025, amounted to USD 1,283 million, with net debt to EBITDA at 1.32x [4][9] Outlook - The company revised its 2025 outlook, expecting local currency revenue growth of 13% to 15% and local currency EBITDA growth of 14% to 16% [5][10] - Capex intensity for 2025 is anticipated to remain within the range of 17% to 19% [5][10] Strategic Initiatives - VEON completed the third phase of its share buyback program, acquiring 722,588 ADSs for a total of USD 35 million, completing a previously announced USD 100 million buyback program [6] - The acquisition of Uklon in April 2025 marks a strategic milestone in expanding VEON's digital services footprint [8]