ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. triples previous income
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. (ABS) has reported earnings of P741 million in 2006, almost triple from P252 million a year ago.
The listed television network attributed the surge in profits to "improved programming which resulted in higher audience share and lower operating expenses."
This continued improvement in the company’s core business brought ABS-CBN’s earnings to its 2004 level, when it posted a net income of P752 million.
Gross revenues, which consist of gross airtime revenue, sale of services, license fees, and sale of goods went up by 2% to P17.386 billion.
In part, higher airtime revenues propped up the company’s topline, thanks to nontraditional advertisements or creative buys such as product intrusions and product placements, the broadcasting giant said.
Emmanuel Soller, stock market analyst at EquitiWorld Securities, Inc. said the upcoming senatorial election in May bodes well for ABS-CBN, with profits are sure to shoot up as candidates squabble for airtime.
"In 2001, the company’s earnings from political ads stood at an estimated P600 million. For this year’s election, a new base rate will be used, thus revenue from political ads will most likely increase profits for this year compared with last year. This will result in higher revenues for the company," Mr. Soller said.
On the technical side, ABS-CBN is not erratic, unless it makes an aggressive stance on its regular operations, Mr. Soller said.
The target return on investment (ROI) for ABS-CBN shares is between 10% and 15%. The broadcasting firm’s price-earnings ratio of 71x is presently overstated. Also, ABS shares have already breached their 52-week high; the issue opened at P26.50 per share and closed at P26 in Friday’s trading session. As a result, Mr. Soller placed a long-term buy tag on ABS-CBN shares.
Among other developments, ABS-CBN plans to raise its advertising rates by 5% to 7% after the Lopez-led TV network went to the top spot in the ratings war based on a nationwide survey by AGB Nielsen Media Research in late 2006 and early 2007.
"ABS-CBN has kept its advertising rates flat over the past three years," ABS-CBN Vice-president for Finance Miguel Jose T. Navarrete earlier said. "We’re trying to take advantage of our improved audience share."
The prevailing low interest rate regime has encouraged the listed company to prepay $85 million worth of maturing its loans.
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Special Thanks to Shelu, Kapamilya Central