TELMEX PRESS RELEASE: SECOND QUARTER 2004 JULY 15,2004

Second Quarter 2004

Second Quarter Results

Traffic

Financial

Relevant figures

(Millions of Mexican constant pesos as of June 2004)

2Q2004

2Q2003

% Increase

6 months 2004

6 months 2003

% Increase

Revenues

30,080

29,137

3.2

59,153

58,061

1.9

EBITDA

15,087

14,659

2.9

29,825

29,559

0.9

Operating income

9,675

9,703

(0.3)

19,352

19,456

(0.5)

Net income

4,401

6,468

(32.0)

9,904

11,664

(15.1)

Earnings per share (pesos)*

0.36

0.52

(30.9)

0.82

0.94

(12.8)

Earnings per ADR (dollars)**

0.64

0.95

(32.6)

1.43

1.72

(16.9)

Outstanding shares (millions)

12,119

12,418

(2.4)

12,119

12,418

(2.4)

Equivalent ADRs (millions)

606

621

(2.4)

606

621

(2.4)

*Considers outstanding shares at the end of each period

**One ADR represents 20 shares

Operating results

Voice business

(Thousand units)

2Q 2004

1Q 2004

4Q 2003

3Q 2003

2Q 2003

% Inc. vs. 2Q 2003

             

Lines in service

16,466

16,083

15,683

15,356

15,065

9.3

Net line gain *

383

399

327

290

329

16.3

Multifon Hogar

899

796

639

513

416

116.0

Lines with digital services

6,004

5,774

5,488

5,278

4,958

27.4

Penetration

36.5%

35.9%

35.0%

34.4%

32.9%

3.6

Voice mail

6,491

5,775

5,355

4,759

2,160

200.5

Penetration

39.4%

35.9%

34.2%

31.0%

14.3%

25.1

             

*Amounts of each quarter.

 

Local traffic

(Million units)

2Q 2004

1Q 2004

4Q 2003

3Q 2003

2Q 2003

% Inc. vs. 2Q 2003

             

Local calls

6,709

6,743

6,693

6,876

6,559

2.3

Interconnection minutes

7,502

6,862

6,568

6,646

6,507

15.3

             

Local

Line gain for the quarter was 382,893, 16.3% higher than the second quarter of 2003. At June 30, there were 16,465,654 lines, an annual increase of 9.3%. Of the additions during the quarter, the prepaid system generated 26.9%, bringing the total of Multifon Hogar lines to 899,311, 116.0% more than the previous year.

In the second quarter, digital services attained market penetration of 36.5% of lines in service. At June 30, there were 6,491,121 basic voice mails (Buzon TELMEX) in operation, an increase of 200.5% compared with the previous year and market penetration of 39.4% of lines in service.

During the quarter, 6,709 million local calls were made, an annual increase of 2.3%. For the six months, total local traffic was 13,463 million calls, 3.1% higher than the same period of 2003.

Interconnection traffic totaled 7,502 million minutes during the quarter, 15.3% more than in the same period of the previous year. For the first half, interconnection traffic increased 14.2% compared with the same period of last year totaling 14,365 million minutes.

Long distance traffic

(Million minutes)

2Q 2004

1Q 2004

4Q 2003

3Q 2003

2Q 2003

% Inc. vs. 2Q 2003

             

Domestic long distance

4,158

4,030

3,763

3,919

3,868

7.5

International long distance

1,627

1,314

1,406

1,197

984

65.3

             

Long distance

In the second quarter, DLD traffic totaled 4,158 million minutes, 7.5% higher than the same period of 2003. In the first half, DLD traffic totaled 8,188 million minutes, with an increase of 6.4% compared with the same period of the previous year.

ILD outgoing minutes increased 9.1% totaling 415 million minutes. Incoming ILD minutes totaled 1,212 million minutes, 100.7% higher than the same period of 2003. The incoming-outgoing ratio was 2.9 compared with 1.6 last year. For the six months, ILD outgoing minutes totaled 834 million and incoming 2,107 million, providing increases of 8.3% and 84.7%, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2003.

 

 

 

 

Data business

(Thousand units)

2Q 2004

1Q 2004

4Q 2003

3Q 2003

2Q 2003

% Inc Vs 2Q 2003

             

Internet access accounts

1,552

1,521

1,452

1,373

1,288

20.5

Penetration

9.4%

9.5%

9.3%

8.9%

8.6%

0.9

Prodigy (Dial Up)

1,198

1,278

1,258

1,205

1,148

4.3

Prodigy Infinitum (ADSL)

339

229

179

152

123

177.0

Line equivalents for data transmission

2,769

2,464

2,291

2,178

2,077

33.3

             

 

Data

At June 30, Internet access accounts (dial-up and broadband) rose to 1,551,610, an increase of 20.5% compared with the same period of the previous year.

In the second quarter, the number of new Prodigy Infinitum (ADSL) customers doubled compared with the first quarter as 110,414 signed up for the broadband service. At June 30, there were 339,306 Prodigy Infinitum accounts in operation, 177.0% more than the same period of 2003.

In corporate services related to data transmission, there was an increase of 33.3% in line equivalents compared with the previous year, bringing the total to 2,768,980 line equivalents for data.

 

Acquisitions

TELMEX continued its international expansion with three transactions that will help the company to consolidate its presence in the Chilean and Brazilian markets and complement the services it offers in the region.

In April, TELMEX announced that it would acquire the participation of MCI, Inc. in Embratel Participações S.A. (Embratel) for 400 million dollars. The shares to be purchased represent approximately 51.8% of the outstanding voting stock of Embratel and approximately 19.3% of Embratel's total equity. As part of this process, Anatel approved TELMEX's acquisition of Embratel.

In April, TELMEX acquired 40% of Chilesat Corp. S.A. (Chilesat) in a private transaction. In accordance with Chilean law, the company announced that it would make a public offer to acquire the remaining shares. In June, TELMEX acquired 278.5 million of Chilesat's additional shares, increasing TELMEX's participation to 99.3% of Chilesat. The total amount invested in this company was 114 million dollars.

In June, TELMEX announced its intention to acquire a participation in Net Serviços de Comunicação S.A. (Net). The price of the transaction will depend on Net's debt restructure and it is estimated that it will be between 250 and 370 million dollars for a participation of between 30% to 60% of the total shares outstanding. The transaction is subject to the debt restructuring and to related regulatory approvals.

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Financial Results

Revenues

In the second quarter of 2004, total revenues rose to 30,080 million pesos, an increase of 3.2%, compared with the same period of the previous year. For the six months, revenues increased 1.9%, totaling 59,153 million pesos.

Costs and Expenses

Costs and expenses increased 5.0% compared with the same period of the previous year and 3.1% for the six months totaling 20,405 and 39,801 million pesos, respectively.

 

EBITDA and Operating Income

EBITDA rose to 15,087 million pesos in the quarter, 2.9% higher than the same period of last year. Operating income totaled 9,675 million pesos, almost the similar amount as the same period of the previous year. The EBITDA and operating margins were 50.2% and 32.2%, respectively. For the six months, EBITDA and operating income were 29,825 and 19,352 million pesos, respectively an increase of 0.9% and a decrease of 0.5%, compared with the same period in the previous year.

Comprehensive Financing Cost

Comprehensive financing cost was 1,648 million pesos during the second quarter compared with a positive impact (due to an exchange gain) of 800 million pesos in the year-ago period. The cost in the 2004 period was due to a net interest charge of 700 million pesos and an exchange loss of 991 million pesos caused by the 2.3% devaluation of the peso to the US dollar (11.4116 vs. 11.1540 pesos per dollar), partially offset by a monetary gain of 43 million pesos.

Net Income

Net income totaled 4,401 million pesos, 32.0% lower than the same period of 2003, partially due to the impact of comprehensive financing cost. For the six months, net income totaled 9,904 million pesos, 15.1% lower than the same period of 2003. Earnings per share for the second quarter, based on the number of shares outstanding at period end, were 0.36 pesos, and earnings per ADR were 0.64 dollars.

Repurchase of Shares

From April 1st to June 30, the company repurchased 201,963,800 of its own shares outstanding, representing 1.7% of outstanding shares at the end of March.

Debt

Total debt, short-term and long-term equaled 5.482 billion dollars compared with 5.627 billion dollars in June 2003, a decrease of 2.6%. Excluding hedges, 83.3% of total debt was foreign-denominated and at the end of the quarter, currency hedges covered 350 million dollars of the total debt. Additionally, interest rate swaps were carried out for 12,390 million pesos producing a new fixed rate of 9.2% with average maturities of 5 years and interest rate swaps for 1,050 million dollars resulting in an integrated effect of a reduction of 91 basis points in the cost of the floating interest rate. After the interest rate swaps, fixed rate debt represents 69.0% of total debt.

Syndicated Bank Loan

On July 15, TELMEX closed on a syndicated bank loan for 2.425 billion dollars in two tranches. The first includes 1.525 billion dollars with a three-year maturity at Libor plus 0.45% and the second is for 900 million dollars with a five-year maturity at Libor plus 0.525%. Twenty-two banks participated in this transaction.

Convertible Senior Debentures

On June 16, TELMEX announced that it issued 385,285,200 series "L" shares from treasury as a result of the maturity and conversion of its U.S.$1,000,000,000 4.25% Convertible Senior Debentures issued in June 1999 with maturity on June 15, 2004. The transaction covered the outstanding balance at the moment of conversion of approximately 570 million dollars of the debentures.

Consolidation Effect of Subsidiaries in Latin America

Integrating TELMEX's subsidiaries in Latin American in the second quarter income statement resulted in recognizing additional revenues of 548 million pesos and operating expenses of approximately 646 million pesos including depreciation of 166 million pesos. EBITDA totaled 68 million pesos.

Consolidated Income Statements

(Millions of Mexican constant pesos as of June 2004)

2Q2004

2Q2003

% Increase

6 months 2004

6 months 2003

% Increase

Operating revenues

           

Local

13,856

13,580

2.0

27,349

27,066

1.0

Domestic long distance

8,125

7,730

5.1

16,052

15,588

3.0

International long distance

2,288

2,193

4.3

4,407

4,288

2.8

Interconnection

4,597

4,530

1.5

8,980

8,930

0.6

Others

1,214

1,104

10.0

2,365

2,189

8.0

Total

30,080

29,137

3.2

59,153

58,061

1.9

             

Operating costs and expenses

           

Cost of sales and services

7,332

6,858

6.9

14,106

13,535

4.2

Commercial, administrative and general

4,499

4,452

1.1

8,934

8,714

2.5

Interconnection

3,162

3,168

(0.2)

6,288

6,253

0.6

Depreciation and amortization

5,412

4,956

9.2

10,473

10,103

3.7

Total

20,405

19,434

5.0

39,801

38,605

3.1

             

Operating income

9,675

9,703

(0.3)

19,352

19,456

(0.5)

             

Comprehensive financing cost

           

Net interest

700

793

(11.7)

1,730

926

86.8

Exchange loss (gain), net

991

(1,521)

(165.2)

674

690

(2.3)

Monetary gain, net

(43)

(72)

(40.3)

(719)

(737)

(2.4)

Total

1,648

(800)

(306.0)

1,685

879

91.7

             

Income before tax and employee profit sharing

8,027

10,503

(23.6)

17,667

18,577

(4.9)

             

Provisions for income tax and employee profit sharing

3,614

3,970

(9.0)

7,722

6,810

13.4

             

Income before equity in results of affiliates

4,413

6,533

(32.5)

9,945

11,767

(15.5)

             

Equity in results of affiliates

(12)

(65)

(81.5)

(41)

(103)

(60.2)

             

Net income

4,401

6,468

(32.0)

9,904

11,664

(15.1)

             
             

EBITDA

15,087

14,659

2.9

29,825

29,559

0.9

EBITDA Margin (%)

50.2

50.3

(0.1)

50.4

50.9

(0.5)

Operating Margin (%)

32.2

33.3

(1.1)

32.7

33.5

(0.8)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Millions of Mexican constant pesos as of June 2004)

June 2004

June 2003

Assets

   

Cash and short-term investments

6,643

2,185

Other current assets

29,928

30,046

Plant, property and equipment, net

122,715

124,596

Other assets

5,021

2,723

Intangible assets

 

6,837

Projected net asset

23,465

 

Total assets

187,772

166,387

     

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

   

Current portion of long-term debt

14,451

19,337

Other current liabilities

20,040

17,599

Long-term debt

48,114

42,142

Pensions and seniority premiums

 

4,446

Deferred taxes

20,760

14,794

Total liabilities

103,365

98,318

Stockholders' equity

84,407

68,069

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

187,772

166,387

Outstanding shares at June 30, 2004: 12,118,859,954

Exchange rate used at June 30, 2004: 11.4116 pesos per dollar

 

 

 

Local Service Business Mexico

Income statements

(Millions of Mexican constant pesos as of June 2004)

2Q2004

2Q2003

% Increase

6 months 2004

6 months 2003

% Increase

Operating revenues

           

Access, rent and measured service

13,753

13,598

1.1

27,216

27,091

0.5

Recovery of LADA special projects

605

462

31.0

1,124

942

19.3

LADA interconnection

1,145

875

30.9

2,127

1,782

19.4

Interconnection with operators

359

293

22.5

637

569

12.0

Interconnection with cellular

4,199

4,235

(0.9)

8,297

8,360

(0.8)

Other

2,286

2,077

10.1

4,445

4,186

6.2

Total

22,347

21,540

3.7

43,846

42,930

2.1

             

Operating costs and expenses

           

Cost of sales and services

5,197

4,890

6.3

9,909

9,282

6.8

Commercial, administrative and general

3,882

3,853

0.8

7,468

7,457

0.1

Interconnection

3,153

3,161

(0.3)

6,270

6,238

0.5

Depreciation and amortization

3,556

3,349

6.2

6,872

6,763

1.6

Total

15,788

15,253

3.5

30,519

29,740

2.6

             

Operating income

6,559

6,287

4.3

13,327

13,190

1.0

             

EBITDA

10,115

9,636

5.0

20,199

19,953

1.2

EBITDA Margin (%)

45.3

44.7

0.6

46.1

46.5

(0.4)

Operating Margin (%)

29.4

29.2

0.2

30.4

30.7

(0.3)

Comments on Local Financial Results Mexico

The local service income statement, prepared in accordance with accounting separation principles, shows that revenues for the second quarter increased 3.7% compared with the same period of the previous year. This result was due to the increase in interconnection on TELMEX's network from LADA and other long distance operators. Total local revenues were 22,347 million pesos and 43,846 million pesos for the six months, an increase of 2.1%

Operating costs and expenses rose 3.5% compared with the second quarter of 2003, reflecting an increase in the cost of sales and services of 5,197 million pesos and higher depreciation and amortization of 3,556 million pesos. Total operating costs and expenses were 15,788 million pesos in the second quarter and 30,519 million pesos for the six months, an increase of 2.6%.

For the quarter, operating income increased 4.3% to 6,559 million pesos and EBITDA totaled 10,115 million pesos, 5.0% higher than the same period of 2003. For the first half, EBITDA increased 1.2%, totaling 20,199 million pesos.

 

 

Long Distance Business Mexico

Income statements

(Millions of Mexican constant pesos as of June 2004)

2Q2004

2Q2003

% Increase

6 months 2004

6 months 2003

% Increase

Operating revenues

           

Domestic long distance

3,925

4,427

(11.3)

7,928

8,928

(11.2)

International long distance

1,840

1,819

1.2

3,614

3,556

1.6

Total

5,765

6,246

(7.7)

11,542

12,484

(7.5)

             

Operating costs and expenses

           

Cost of sales and services

1,175

1,235

(4.9)

2,256

2,388

(5.5)

Commercial, administrative and general

1,181

1,255

(5.9)

2,395

2,458

(2.6)

Interconnection to the local network

1,036

803

29.0

1,932

1,640

17.8

Cost of LADA special projects

543

420

29.3

1,012

859

17.8

Depreciation and amortization

741

743

(0.3)

1,432

1,457

(1.7)

Total

4,676

4,456

4.9

9,027

8,802

2.6

             

Operating income

1,089

1,790

(39.2)

2,515

3,682

(31.7)

             

EBITDA

1,830

2,533

(27.8)

3,947

5,139

(23.2)

EBITDA Margin (%)

31.7

40.6

(8.9)

34.2

41.2

(7.0)

Operating Margin (%)

18.9

28.7

(9.8)

21.8

29.5

(7.7)

Comments on Long Distance Financial Results Mexico

The long distance income statement prepared in accordance with accounting separation principles shows that long distance revenues decreased 7.7% in the second quarter. The decrease in revenues was due the reduction of domestic and international long distance rates in real terms, partially offset by a recovery in international and domestic long distance traffic. Total long distance revenues were 5,765 million pesos in the second quarter and 11,542 for the first half, decreases of 7.7% 7.5%, respectively.

In the second quarter, reductions of 60 million pesos in costs of sales and services and 74 million pesos in commercial, administrative and general expenses partially offset the increase in interconnection charges. Total operating costs and expenses increased 4.9% compared with the second quarter of 2003 and totaled 4,676 million pesos. For the six months, operating costs and expenses increased 2.6%, totaling 9,027 million pesos.

Operating income decreased 39.2% and EBITDA decreased 27.8% in the second quarter, totaling 1,089 and 1,830 million pesos, respectively. For the six months, operating income and EBITDA decreased 31.7% and 23.2%, respectively, with operating income totaling 2,515 million pesos and EBITDA totaling 3,947 million pesos.