B Communications Reports Financial Results For the Third Quarter of 2018

November 20, 2018

– Net Profit of the Bezeq Group for the Third Quarter of 2018 of NIS 234 Million –
– B Communications Received a Dividend of NIS 84 Million from Bezeq in October 2018 –

Ramat Gan, Israel, Nov. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — B Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market and TASE: BCOM), a holding company with a controlling interest in Israel’s largest telecommunications provider, Bezeq, The Israel Telecommunication Corporation Ltd. (TASE: BEZQ), today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2018.

“We are very pleased with Bezeq’s results for the third quarter of 2018 in which it achieved net profit of NIS 234 million ($65 million), in line with its 2018 guidance. As of today, B Communications has a liquid position of more than NIS 640 million ($177 million) together with an advantageous long-term debt structure” said Doron Turgeman, CEO of B Communications.

B Communications’ Unconsolidated Financial Liabilities and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2018, B Communications’ unconsolidated liquidity balances (comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, dividend receivable and funds deposited in a pledged account on behalf of debenture holders) totaled NIS 642 million ($177 million) and its financial liabilities totaled NIS 2.5 billion ($684 million), including NIS 2.3 billion ($622 million) of Series C Debentures and NIS 226 million ($62 million) of Series B Debentures (including accrued interest and unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs for both series).

(In millions)

September 30,

December 31,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Financial liabilities

Series B debentures

226

453

460

Series C debentures

2,256

622

2,005

1,987

Total financial liabilities

2,482

684

2,458

2,447

Liquidity

Cash and short-term investments

518

143

325

475

Dividend receivable ^(*)

186

–

Pledged account ^(**)

Total liquidity

642

177

548

511

Net debt

1,840

507

1,910

1,936

* The dividend was received by the Company on October 10, 2018.
** Pledged for the benefit of the holders of the Series C Debentures. Pursuant to the indenture for the Series C Debentures, the account is required to include sufficient funds to meet the next interest payment payable to the holders of those debentures.

B Communications Unconsolidated Sources and Uses for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

(In millions)	NIS			US$

Net debt as of December 31, 2017		1,936			534

Dividend received from Bezeq		(96	)		(27	)
Dividend receivable from Bezeq ^(*)		(84	)		(23	)
Financing expenses, net		64			17
Tax payment		6			2
Operating expenses		14			4

Net debt as of September 30, 2018		1,840			507

* The dividend was received by the Company on October 10, 2018.

Bezeq’s dividend distribution policy: On March 6, 2018, Bezeq’s Board of Directors decided to update Bezeq’s dividend distribution policy, whereby Bezeq will distribute to its shareholders, on a semi-annual basis, a dividend equal to 70% of Bezeq’s semi-annual net profit based on its consolidated financial statements, commencing with Bezeq’s May 2018 distribution.

In addition, Bezeq’s Board of Directors determined that in the event the expected capital gains generated from the sale of the Sakia property (“Sakia Profits”) are recognized during 2018, they will not be distributed until the full consideration is received in cash, which date is uncertain at this time. Bezeq’s Board of Directors may decide at a later date to declare a dividend with respect to the Sakia Profits based upon the prevailing circumstances and in accordance with the law.

Dividend from Bezeq: On October 10, 2018, after the balance sheet date, Bezeq distributed a cash dividend of NIS 318 million ($88 million), representing 70% of its net profit for the first half of 2018. B Communications received NIS 84 million ($23 million) as its share of the dividend distribution.

B Communications Third Quarter Consolidated Financial Results

B Communications’ consolidated revenues for the third quarter of 2018 totaled NIS 2.3 billion ($630 million), a 4.7% decrease from NIS 2.4 billion reported in the third quarter of 2017. For both the current and the prior year periods, B Communications’ consolidated revenues consisted entirely of Bezeq’s revenues.

B Communications’ consolidated operating profit for the third quarter of 2018 totaled NIS 384 million ($105 million), an 8.6% decrease from NIS 420 million reported in the third quarter of 2017.

B Communications’ consolidated net profit for the third quarter of 2018 totaled NIS 179 million ($49 million), a 13.9% decrease from NIS 208 million reported in the third quarter of 2017.

B Communications’ profit attributable to shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 31 million ($8 million), a 20.5% decrease from NIS 39 million reported in the third quarter of 2017.

B Communications Third Quarter Unconsolidated Financial Results

(In millions)	Three months ended September 30,									Year ended December 31,
	2018			2018			2017			2017
	NIS			US$			NIS			NIS

Financing expenses, net		(20	)		(5	)		(19	)		(100	)
Operating expenses		(2	)		(1	)		(2	)		(17	)
PPA amortization, net		(9	)		(2	)		(25	)		(130	)
Interest in Bezeq’s net profit		62			16			85			325
Net profit		31			8			39			78

As of September 30, 2018, B Communications held approximately 26.3% of Bezeq’s outstanding shares. B Communications’ interest in Bezeq’s net profit for the third quarter of 2018 totaled NIS 62 million ($16 million), a 27.1% decrease from NIS 85 million reported in the third quarter of 2017.

During the third quarter of 2018, B Communications recorded net amortization expenses of NIS 9 million ($2 million), related to its Bezeq purchase price allocation (“Bezeq PPA”). From April 14, 2010, the date of the acquisition of its interest in Bezeq, until September 30, 2018, B Communications has amortized approximately 82% of the total Bezeq PPA. The Bezeq PPA amortization expense is a non-cash expense that is subject to adjustment.

B Communications’ unconsolidated net financial expenses for the third quarter of 2018 totaled NIS 20 million ($5 million) compared with NIS 19 million in the third quarter of 2017. Net financial expenses for the third quarter of 2018 included NIS 25 million ($6 million) of financial expenses related to the Company’s Series B and C debentures. These expenses were partially offset by financial income of NIS 5 million ($1 million) generated by short term investments.

B Communications’ unconsolidated net profit for the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 31 million ($8 million) compared with NIS 39 million reported in the third quarter of 2017.

Bezeq Group Results (Consolidated)

To provide further insight into its results, the Company is providing the following summary of the consolidated financial report of the Bezeq Group for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For a full discussion of Bezeq’s results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, please refer to its website: http://ir.bezeq.co.il.

Bezeq Group (consolidated)	Q3-2018			Q3-2017			% change
	(NIS millions)

Revenues		2,301			2,415			(4.7	%)
Operating profit		429			544			(21.1	%)
Operating margin		18.6	%		22.5	%
Net profit		234			322			(27.3	%)
EBITDA		976			980			(0.4	%)
EBITDA margin		42.4	%		40.6	%
Diluted EPS (NIS)		0.08			0.12			(33.3	%)
Cash flow from operating activities		883			982			(10.1	%)
Payments for investments		412			353			16.7	%
Free cash flow ¹		374			677			(44.8	%)
Total debt		11,947			11,533			3.6	%
Net debt		9,022			8,968			0.6	%
EBITDA (trailing twelve months)		3,725			3,911			(4.8	%)
Net debt/EBITDA (end of period) ²		2.42			2.29			5.6	%

* As of January 1, 2018, the Bezeq Group has early adopted accounting standard IFRS 16 “Leases”. The impact of the implementation of IFRS16 on EBITDA and cash flow from operating activities in the third quarter of 2018 was an increase of NIS 105 million and NIS 102 million, respectively.
¹ Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less net payments for investments.
² EBITDA in this calculation refers to the trailing twelve months.

Revenues of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 were NIS 2.3 billion ($630 million) compared to NIS 2.4 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 4.7%. The decrease in revenues was due to lower revenues in all key Group segments.

Salary expenses of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 were NIS 494 million ($136 million) compared to NIS 502 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 1.6%.

Operating expenses of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 were NIS 815 million ($225 million) compared to NIS 956 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 14.7%. The decrease was primarily due to the early adoption of accounting standard IFRS 16 whereby rental expenses relating to assets rented through operating leases are capitalized. In addition, lower expenses were recorded in terminal equipment and marketing and general expenses.

Other operating expenses, net of the Bezeq Group in the second quarter of 2018 amounted to NIS 16 million ($4 million) compared to other operating income, net of NIS 23 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to lower capital gains from the sale of real estate of NIS 1 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared with NIS 45 million in the corresponding quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 were NIS 547 million ($151 million) compared to NIS 436 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, an increase of 25.5%. The increase was due to the amortization of right-of-use assets resulting from the early adoption of accounting standard IFRS 16 beginning January 1, 2018.

Operating profit of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 429 million ($118 million) compared to NIS 544 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 21.1%. The decrease in operating profit in the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to the decrease in revenues and in capital gains from the sale of real estate compared with the corresponding quarter.

Financing expenses, net of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 amounted to NIS 109 million ($30 million) compared to NIS 94 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, an increase of 16.0%. The increase in financing expenses was primarily due to the early adoption of accounting standard IFRS 16 beginning January 1, 2018.

Income tax expenses of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 were NIS 85 million ($23 million) compared to NIS 128 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 33.6%. The decrease in tax expenses was primarily due to a reduction in profitability as well as a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 24% to 23% in 2018.

Net profit of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 234 million ($65 million) compared to NIS 322 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 27.3%. The decrease in net profit was primarily due to the decrease in operating profit, partially offset by the decrease in income tax expenses.

EBITDA of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 976 million ($269 million) (EBITDA margin of 42.4%) compared to NIS 980 million (EBITDA margin of 40.6%) in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 0.4%.

Cash flow from operating activities of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 883 million ($243 million) compared to NIS 982 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 10.1%. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to the decrease in profitability and changes in working capital in Yes and Pelephone.

Payments for investments (Capex) of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 412 million ($114 million) compared to NIS 353 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, an increase of 16.7%.

Free cash flow of the Bezeq Group in the third quarter of 2018 was NIS 374 million ($103 million) compared to NIS 677 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, a decrease of 44.8%. The decrease in free cash flow was mainly due to the decrease in cash flow from operating activities, an increase in investments in PP&E and a decrease in capital gains from the sale of real estate.

Total debt of the Bezeq Group as of September 30, 2018 was NIS 11.9 billion ($3.3 billion) compared to NIS 11.5 billion as of September 30, 2017.

Net debt of the Bezeq Group was NIS 9.02 billion ($2.49 billion) as of September 30, 2018 compared to NIS 8.97 billion as of September 30, 2017.

Net debt to EBITDA (trailing twelve months) ratio of the Bezeq Group as of September 30, 2018, was 2.42, compared to 2.29 as of September 30, 2017.

Notes:

Convenience translation to U.S Dollars

Unless noted specifically otherwise, the dollar denominated figures were converted to US$ using a convenience translation based on the New Israeli Shekel (NIS)/US$ exchange rate of NIS 3.627 = US$ 1 as published by the Bank of Israel for September 30, 2018.

Use of non-IFRS financial measures

We and the Bezeq Group’s management regularly use supplemental non-IFRS financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate its business and make operating decisions. The following non-IFRS measures are provided in the press release and accompanying supplemental information because management believes these measurements are useful for investors and financial institutions to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating performance:

EBITDA – defined as net profit plus net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization;
EBITDA trailing twelve months – defined as net profit plus net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization during last twelve months;
Net debt – defined as long and short-term liabilities minus cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments; and
Net debt to EBITDA ratio – defined as net debt divided by the trailing twelve months EBITDA.
Free Cash Flow (FCF) – defined as cash from operating activities less cash for the purchase/sale of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, net.

These non-IFRS financial measures may differ materially from the non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies.

We present the Bezeq Group’s EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe that it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structure, tax positions (such as the impact of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age of, and depreciation expenses associated with, fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense).

EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net profit or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account our debt service requirements and other commitments, including capital expenditures, and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. In addition, EBITDA, as presented in this press release, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the way that these measures are calculated.

Management of Bezeq believes that free cash flow is an important measure of its liquidity as well as its ability to service long-term debt, fund future growth and to provide a return to shareholders. We also believe this free cash flow definition does not have any material limitations. Free cash flow is a financial index which is not based on IFRS. Free cash flow is defined as cash from operating activities less cash for the purchase/sale of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, net. Bezeq also uses the net debt and net debt to EBITDA trailing twelve months ratio to analyze its financial capacity for further leverage and in analyzing the company’s business and financial condition. Net debt reflects long and short-term liabilities minus cash and cash equivalents and investments.

Reconciliations between the Bezeq Group’s results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis with respect to these non-IFRS measurements are provided in tables immediately following the Company’s consolidated results. The non-IFRS financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable IFRS measures and should be read only in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

IFRS 16

Effective January 1, 2018 (“the Initial Application Date”), the Bezeq Group early adopted IFRS 16, Leases (“IFRS16” or “the Standard”). The main effect of early adoption of IFRS16 is reflected in the cancellation of the existing requirement that lessees classify leases as operating (off-balance sheet) or financing leases. The new Standard presents a uniform model for the accounting treatment of all leases, pursuant to which the lessee is to recognize the asset and the liability in respect of the lease in its financial statements. The Standard also sets out new disclosure requirements that are more extensive than the existing requirements. Accordingly, until the Initial Application Date, the Bezeq Group classified most of the leases in which it is the lessee as operating leases, since it did not substantially bear all the risks and rewards from the assets.

In accordance with IFRS16, for agreements in which the Bezeq Group is the lessee, the Bezeq Group applies a unified accounting model, by which it recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the inception of the lease contract for all the leases in which the Bezeq Group has a right to control identified assets for a specified period of time. Accordingly, the Bezeq Group recognizes depreciation and amortization expenses in respect of a right-of-use asset, tests a right-of-use asset for impairment in accordance with IAS 36, Impairment of Assets (hereinafter: “IAS 36”) and recognizes financing expenses on a lease liability. Therefore, as from the Initial Application Date, lease expenses relating to assets leased under an operating lease, which were presented as part of general and administrative expenses in the income statement, are recognized as assets and written down as depreciation and amortization expenses.

The Bezeq Group applies the standard using the cumulative effect approach without a restatement of comparative information.

In respect of all the leases, the Bezeq Group has elected to apply the transitional provision of recognizing a lease liability at the Initial Application Date according to the present value of the future lease payments discounted at the incremental interest rate of the lessee at that date and concurrently recognizing a right-of-use asset at the same amount of the liability, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments that were recognized as an asset or liability before the Initial Application Date. Therefore, application of the standard did not have an effect on the balance of the Bezeq Group’s retained earnings at the Initial Application Date.

Upon initial application, the Bezeq Group also elected to apply the following expedients, as permitted by the standard:

a.     Relying on a previous assessment of whether an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at the application date of the standard. Accordingly, the agreements that were previously classified as operating leases are accounted for in accordance with the new Standard, and the agreements that were previously classified as service contracts continue to be accounted for as such without change.
b.     Applying a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics.
c.    Not separating non-lease components from the lease components and accounting for all the components as a single lease component.
d.     Relying on a previous assessment of whether a contract is onerous in accordance with IAS 37 at the transition date, as an alternative to assessing the impairment of right-of-use assets.
e.     Excluding initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the Initial Application Date.
f.     Using hindsight in determining the lease period if the contract includes options to extend or cancel the lease.

Presented below are the principal accounting policies for leases in which the Bezeq Group is the lessee, which were applied as from January 1, 2018 following the application of the Standard:

(1) Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

At the inception of the arrangement, the Bezeq Group determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease and examines whether the arrangement transfers the right to control the use of an identifiable asset for a period of time in return for payment. When assessing whether the arrangement transfers control over the use of an identifiable asset, the Bezeq Group estimates, over the lease term, whether it has both rights set out below:

(A) The right to essentially obtain all the economic rewards associated with the use of the identifiable asset

(B) The right to direct the use of the identifiable asset

For lease contracts that include non-lease components, such as services or maintenance, which are related to a lease component, the Bezeq Group elected to account for the contract as a single lease component without separating the components.

(2) Leased assets and lease liability

Contracts that award the Bezeq Group the right to control the use of an identifiable asset over a period of time for a consideration are accounted for as leases. At initial recognition, the Bezeq Group recognizes a liability at the present value of the future minimum lease payments (these payments do not include variable lease payments that are not linked to the CPI, or to any change in the rate of interest, or any change in the exchange rate), and concurrently, the Bezeq Group recognizes a right-of-use asset at the amount of the liability, adjusted for lease payments paid in advance or accrued, plus direct costs incurred in the lease.

Since the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the incremental borrowing rate of the Bezeq Group is used (the borrowing rate that the Bezeq Group would be required to pay to borrow the amounts required to obtain an asset at a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment, in a similar period and with similar collateral).

Subsequent to initial recognition, the asset is accounted for using the cost model and it is amortized over the lease term or the useful life of the asset (whichever is earlier).

(3) The lease term

The lease term is the non-cancellable period of the lease plus periods covered by an extension or termination option if it is reasonably certain that the Bezeq Group will exercise or not exercise the option.

(4) Depreciation of right-of-use asset

After lease commencement, a right-of-use asset is measured on a cost basis less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses and is adjusted for re-measurements of the lease liability. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the useful life or contractual lease period, whichever earlier, as follows:

Type of asset		Weighted average depreciation period as of January 1, 2018 (In years)
Cellular communications sites		6.5
Buildings		7
Vehicles		2

At the Initial Application Date of IFRS 16, the Bezeq Group recognized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the amount of NIS 1.5 billion.

In measurement of the lease liabilities, the Bezeq Group discounted lease payments using the nominal incremental borrowing rate at January 1, 2018. The discount rates used to measure lease liabilities range between 1.3% and 3.6% (weighted average of 1.5%). This range is affected by differences in the lease term.

The difference between the Bezeq Group’s agreements for the minimum contractual lease payments in the amount of NIS 1,020 million, as reported in Note 21A to the Annual Financial Statements, and the lease liabilities recognized at the Initial Application Date, amounting to NIS 1.5 billion, is mainly due to the options for extending the lease, which will most likely be exercised, which were not included in Note 21A to the Annual Statements.

About B Communications Ltd.

B Communications is a holding company with the controlling interest in Israel’s largest telecommunications provider, Bezeq. For more information please visit the following Internet sites:

www.igld.com
www.bcommunications.co.il

www.ir.bezeq.co.il

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the industry, changes in the regulatory and legal compliance environments, the failure to manage growth and other risks detailed from time to time in B Communications’ filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

For further information, please contact:

Yaniv Salomon – IR Manager
[email protected] / Tel: +972-3-924-0000

Hadas Friedman – Investor Relations
[email protected] / Tel: +972-3-516-7620

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position as at

(In millions)

September 30,

December 31,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

1,559

430

2,542

2,386

Investments

1,923

530

385

596

Trade receivables

1,792

494

1,948

1,915

Other receivables

293

294

270

Related party

Inventory

101

125

Total current assets

5,673

1,564

5,313

5,335

Non-Current Assets

Trade and other receivables

423

118

520

493

Property, plant and equipment

6,924

1,909

6,974

6,940

Intangible assets

5,257

1,449

6,102

5,840

Deferred expenses and investments

569

156

557

558

Broadcasting rights

470

130

457

454

Rights of use assets

1,434

395

–

Deferred tax assets

1,041

287

1,014

1,019

Investment Property

140

–

Total non-current assets

16,258

4,483

15,624

15,304

Total assets

21,931

6,047

20,937

20,639

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position as at

(In millions)

September 30,

December 31,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Current Liabilities

Bank loans and credit and debentures

2,023

558

780

1,858

Leases liabilities

443

122

–

Trade and other payables

1,630

449

1,831

1,719

Dividend Payable

234

522

–

Current tax liabilities

125

160

Provisions

106

Employee benefits

330

251

280

Total current liabilities

4,782

1,318

3,603

4,111

Non-Current Liabilities

Bank loans and debentures

12,379

3,414

13,186

12,437

Leases liabilities

1,024

282

–

Employee benefits

266

260

272

Other liabilities

212

292

234

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

446

123

516

459

Total non-current liabilities

14,367

3,961

14,302

13,442

Total liabilities

19,149

5,279

17,905

17,553

Equity

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

996

275

1,288

1,246

Non-controlling interests

1,786

493

1,744

1,840

Total equity

2,782

768

3,032

3,086

Total liabilities and equity

21,931

6,047

20,937

20,639

B Communications Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income for the

(In millions except per share data)


	Nine months period ended September 30,									Three months period ended September 30,							Year ended December 31,
	2018			2018			2017			2018		2018		2017			2017
	NIS			US$			NIS			NIS		US$		NIS			NIS

Revenues		6,995			1,929			7,331			2,301		630		2,415			9,789

Costs and expenses
Depreciation and amortization		1,740			480			1,590			590		162		537			2,117
Salaries		1,508			416			1,500			494		134		502			2,007
General and operating expenses		2,506			690			2,894			817		225		958			3,906
Other operating expenses (income), net		456			126			(1	)		16		4		(2	)		149

		6,210			1,712			5,983			1,917		525		1,995			8,179

Operating profit		785			217			1,348			384		105		420			1,610

Financing expenses, net		392			108			373			129		35		113			517

Profit after financing expenses, net		393			109			975			255		70		307			1,093

Share of loss in equity-accounted investee		3			1			4			1		–		–			5

Profit before income tax		390			108			971			254		70		307			1,088

Income tax expenses		213			59			273			75		21		99			347

Net profit for the period		177			49			698			179		49		208			741

Profit (loss) attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company		(256	)		(71	)		123			31		8		39			78
Non-controlling interests		433			120			575			148		41		169			663

Net Profit for the period		177			49			698			179		49		208			741

Earnings per share
Basic		(8.57	)		(2.36	)		4.11			1.05		0.29		1.28			2.62
Diluted		(8.57	)		(2.36	)		4.11			1.05		0.29		1.28			2.62

Reconciliation for NON-IFRS Measures

EBITDA

The following is a reconciliation of the Bezeq Group’s net profit to EBITDA:

(In millions)

Three-month period ended
September 30,

Trailing twelve months ended
September 30,

2018

2017

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

US$

NIS

Net profit

234

322

894

246

1,215

Income tax

128

344

562

Share of loss in equity- accounted investee

–

Financing expenses, net

109

447

123

433

Depreciation and amortization

547

151

436

2,036

562

1,696

EBITDA

976

269

980

3,725

1,027

3,911

Net Debt

The following table shows the calculation of the Bezeq Group’s net debt:

(In millions)

As at September 30,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Short term bank loans and credit and debentures

1,798

496

555

Non-current bank loans and debentures

10,149

2,798

10,978

Cash and cash equivalents

(1,408

)

(388

)

(2,471

)

Investments

(1,517

)

(418

)

(94

)

Net debt

9,022

2,488

8,968

Net Debt to Trailing Twelve Months EBITDA Ratio

The following table shows the calculation of the Bezeq Group’s net debt to EBITDA trailing twelve months ratio:

(In millions)

As at September 30,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Net debt

9,022

2,488

8,968

Trailing twelve months EBITDA

3,725

1,027

3,911

Net debt to EBITDA ratio

2.42

2.29

Reconciliation for NON-IFRS Measures

Free Cash Flow

The following table shows the calculation of the Bezeq Group’s free cash flow:

(In millions)	Three-month period ended September 30,
	2018			2018			2017
	NIS			US$			NIS

Cash flow from operating activities		883			243			982
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(308	)		(85	)		(255	)
Investment in intangible assets and deferred expenses		(95	)		(26	)		(98	)
Lease payments		(109	)		(30	)		–
Permit fee		(9	)		(2	)		–
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment		12			3			48

Free cash flow		374			103			677

Effect of Early Adoption of IFRS16

The tables below summarize the effects on the condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position as at September 30, 2018 and on the condensed consolidated interim statements of income for the three months then ended, assuming the Bezeq Group’s previous policy regarding leases continued during that period.

Effect on the condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position as at September 30, 2018:

	In accordance with the previous policy		Change			In accordance with IFRS 16
(In millions)	NIS		NIS			NIS

Other receivables		342		(49	)		293
Right-of-use assets		–		1,434			1,434
Trade and other payables		1,707		(77	)		1,630
Short-term lease liabilities		–		443			443
Long-term lease liabilities		–		1,024			1,024
Equity attributable to shareholders		996		–			996
Non-controlling interests		1,791		(5	)		1,786

Effect on the consolidated interim statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2018:

	In accordance with the previous policy		Change			In accordance with IFRS 16
(In millions)	NIS		NIS			NIS

General and operating expenses		922		(105	)		817
Depreciation and amortization		489		101			590
Operating profit		380		4			384
Financing expenses, net		120		9			129
Profit after financing expenses		260		(5	)		255
Income tax		74		1			75
Net Profit for the period		183		(4	)		179
Profit (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company		31		–			31
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests		152		(4	)		148

Designated Disclosure with Respect to the Company’s Projected Cash Flows

In connection with the issuance of our Series C Debentures in September 2016, we undertook to comply with the “hybrid model disclosure requirements” as determined by the Israeli Securities Authority and as described in the prospectus governing our Series C Debentures.

This model provides that in the event certain financial “warning signs” exist, and for as long as they exist, we will be subject to certain disclosure obligations towards the holders of our Series C Debentures.

In examining the existence of warning signs as of September 30, 2018, our board of directors noted that our unconsolidated unaudited cash flow statement for the third quarter of 2018 indicate as expected, a continuing negative cash flow from operating activities of NIS 2 million.

The Israeli regulations provide that the existence of a continuing negative cash flow from operating activities could be deemed to be a “warning sign” unless our board of directors determines that the possible “warning sign” does not reflect a liquidity problem.

Such continuing negative cash flow from operating activities results from the fact that the Company, as a holding company, does not have any cash inflows from operating activities while it has general operating expenses, which totaled NIS 2 million in the third quarter of 2018. Our main source of cash inflows is generated from dividends (classified as cash flow from investing activities) or debt issuances (classified as cash flow from financing activities).

We believe that such continuing negative cash flow from operating activities does not effect our liquidity in any material manner. Our board of directors reviewed our financial position, outstanding debt obligations and our existing and anticipated cash resources and uses and determined that the existence of the continuing negative cash flow from operating activities, as mentioned above, does not reflect a liquidity problem.

Disclosure with Respect to the Company’s Requirements Under Series C Debentures

The Company declares with respect to the reporting period as follows:

1.     The Company did not record in favor of a third party any lien of any rank whatsoever over its direct or indirect holdings of 691,361,036 shares of Bezeq (the “Bezeq Shares”) including over any of the rights accompanying such shares.
2.     The Company did not make any disposition of the Bezeq Shares.
3.     The Company did not assume any financial debt (as defined in the Trust Deed of the Series C Debentures) during the reporting period (other than in the framework of the issuance of the Debentures), and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including B Communications (SP1) and B Communications (SP2) did not issue any financial debt whatsoever during the reporting period.
4.     As of the reporting date, the Company holds approximately 26.34% of Bezeq’s outstanding shares, directly and through its subsidiary.
5.     The equity attributable to the Company’s shareholders (not including non-controlling interests) according to this report amounts to NIS 996 million and represents 28.6% of the Company’s total balance sheet on an unconsolidated basis.

B Communications’ Unconsolidated Balance Sheet

(In millions)

September 30,

December 31,

2018

2017

NIS

US$

NIS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

152

205

Short-term investments

406

112

291

306

Dividend receivable

186

–

Total current assets

642

177

548

511

Non-current assets

Investment in an investee ^(*)

2,843

784

3,205

3,196

Total assets

3,485

961

3,753

3,707

Current liabilities

Current maturities of debentures

226

226

Other payables

Total current liabilities

260

257

253

Non-current liabilities

Debentures

2,229

614

2,208

Total liabilities

2,489

686

2,465

2,461

Total equity

996

275

1,288

1,246

Total liabilities and equity

3,485

961

3,753

3,707

^(*)Investment in Bezeq.

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