Dec 31, 2023

Liberty Global Q4 2023 Earnings Report

Reported strong Q4 and full year results with continued postpaid momentum and an improved performance in broadband across most markets.

Key Takeaways

Liberty Global reported Q4 2023 financial results, navigating a challenging environment with cost of living pressures and increased competition. The company delivered strong results with postpaid growth and improved broadband performance in most markets, supported by price adjustments. Full Company Distributable Cash Flow was impacted by a $315 million U.S. litigation-related cash tax payment.

Delivered stable to growing revenue across FMC operations for the full year, supported by pricing adjustments and mobile momentum.

Achieved full-year 2023 guidance including operating company targets.

Repurchased 18.5% of total shares outstanding from the beginning of 2023 through end of January 2024.

Delivered postpaid growth across all core FMC operations with over 80,000 aggregate net adds in Q4.

Total Revenue
$1.92B
Previous year: $1.84B
+4.3%
EPS
-$8.24
Previous year: -$9.22
-10.6%
Cash Liquidity
$5.3B
Debt Balance
$15.9B
Previous year: $13.8B
+15.2%
Gross Profit
$1.21B
Previous year: $1.26B
-3.6%
Cash and Equivalents
$3.41B
Previous year: $1.7B
+100.4%
Free Cash Flow
$469M
Previous year: $439M
+6.9%
Total Assets
$42.1B
Previous year: $42.9B
-1.9%

Liberty Global

Liberty Global

Forward Guidance

VMO2 JV expects to deliver stable to declining revenue and low to mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA decline (each excluding nexfibre). Expect revenue pressure from B2B fixed and opex investment into future growth drivers including Off-net.

Positive Outlook

  • Expect Adjusted FCF of around £500 million.
  • Expect cash distributions to shareholders of ~£850 million, supported by CTIL proceeds.

Challenges Ahead

  • Expect to deliver stable to declining revenue (excluding nexfibre).
  • Expect low to mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA decline (excluding nexfibre).
  • Expect revenue pressure from B2B fixed.
  • Expect opex investment into future growth drivers including Off-net.
  • Expect P&E additions of £2.0 to £2.2 billion (excluding ROU additions).