StarHub Q3 profits fell 14% to $113m

It rose marginally by 2% for the first nine months.

For the nine months, StarHub's profit from operations rose 2% year-on-year (YoY) to S$356 million. The management said this was a result of the lower volume of subsidised handsets sold but offset by lower service revenue. 

YoY profit from operations for the quarter was 14% lower at S$113 million, primarily due to lower revenue.

Looking at the nine-month period, EBITDA of S$554 million was lower by S$1 million compared to the same period a year ago while EBITDA margin was up 0.2% points to 33.8%.

3Q2016 EBITDA decreased 10% YoY to S$179 million and EBITDA margin as a percentage of service revenue was at 32.8%

Year-to-date (YTD), service revenue was slightly lower at S$1,642 million while total revenue was 3% lower at S$1,762 million due to lower revenues collected from mobile services and sale of equipment.

On a quarter basis, total revenue was also 3% lower at S$585 million compared to a year ago.

In YTD2016, free cash flow was 17% higher YoY at S$229 million mainly due to higher cash from operations.

The Group also had cash CAPEX which was 6% higher at S$240 million compared to the same period last year.

For the quarter, free cash flow was 98% lower YoY and cash CAPEX was at S$150 million as it included the S$80 million spectrum payment made.