PLDT(US:PHI)2025-05-15 08:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net service revenue increased slightly year on year, with gross revenue reaching $27.9 billion, up 2% from last year [4] - EBITDA grew by 2% to $7.9 billion, driven by strength in fiber and ICT segments, along with prudent cost management [4][11] - Telco core income was recorded at $8.8 billion, down 6% year on year due to increased depreciation linked to strategic investments [4][12] - Core income remained steady year on year, supported by Maya's positive contribution, which turned profitable this quarter [12][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Home segment revenue rose by 4% year on year to $15.2 billion, with fiber now accounting for 97% of home revenues, up from 92% in 2024 [5][8] - Enterprise segment total revenue remained steady at $11.9 billion, with corporate data and ICT revenues slightly up by 1% [5][9] - ICT revenue grew by 16% year on year, now accounting for over 22% of enterprise revenues, up from 19% a year ago [6][9] - Mobile revenues decreased slightly due to lower packet Wi-Fi usage, but 5G adoption and data traffic are on the rise, indicating potential for future growth [6][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mobile data, fiber, corporate data, and ICT now account for 89% of total revenues, up from 88% in 2024 [7] - 5G data traffic surged by 81% year on year, with 5G device adoption growing by 60% quarter on quarter [11] - The churn rate remains below 2%, one of the lowest in the industry, reflecting effective customer retention strategies [8][59] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to pursue steady revenue growth, disciplined expense management, asset monetization, and prudent capital allocation [5] - PLDT is focusing on expanding its fiber footprint and enhancing its digital infrastructure, including the launch of the Asia Direct Cable to improve international connectivity [22][24] - Maya, the fintech driver, is positioned for sustainable growth with its all-in-one ecosystem combining payment, banking, and lending services [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's market position despite near-term challenges, supported by strong operational fundamentals and strategic investments [33] - The company anticipates continued growth in the home segment and is optimistic about the enterprise segment recovering as new capacities come online [36][40] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong focus on customer experience and product innovation to drive future growth [72] Other Important Information - PLDT's net debt stood at $270.7 billion, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.48 times, slightly improved from the previous year [15] - The company retains investment-grade credit ratings, underscoring investor confidence in its financial health [17] - PLDT is committed to generating positive free cash flow by 2026 and reducing leverage to around a 2.0x net debt to EBITDA ratio over the medium term [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the enterprise segment regarding Pogo-related revenue pressures? - Management indicated that the impact from Pogo cancellations is expected to continue until at least Q3, but efforts are being made to mitigate revenue loss [38] Question: Can you provide updates on VITRO's capacity take-up and profitability contributions? - A significant hyperscale customer has already signed for 4 megawatts of capacity, with ongoing discussions for further capacity fill [40] Question: What is the profit momentum expected for Maya for the rest of the year? - Management expects steady and gradual margin improvement rather than a sharp increase, as operating leverage continues to strengthen [42] Question: How is the mobile business expected to perform in the second quarter? - Management noted that while the market has softened, they continue to see growth in traffic, which is expected to help monetize demand [44] Question: What is the current water usage rate for VITRO Santa Rosa? - Water usage is currently at normal levels, with expectations for an increase as AI workloads ramp up [47] Question: What is the target loan to deposit ratio for Maya? - There is no specific target, but the company aims to maintain a conservative loan to deposit ratio compared to traditional banks [50] Question: How does the company plan to improve working capital efficiency? - Strategies include asset monetization, consolidation of central offices, and seeking strategic partners in data centers [82]