Netanya, Israel – August 17, 2009 – Cellcom Is ra el Ltd. (NYSE: CEL TASE: CEL) ("Cellcom Israel", the "Company"), announced today its financial results for the second quarter of 2009. Revenues for the second quarter 2009 totaled NIS 1,608 million ($410 million); EBITDA for the second quarter 2009 totaled NIS 637 million ($163 million), or 39.6% of revenues; and net income for the second quarter 2009 reached NIS 277 million ($71 million). Basic earnings per share for the second quarter 2009 reached NIS 2.82 ($0.72).

 

Commenting on the results, Amos Shapira, Chief Executive Officer said, “This quarter Cellcom Israel, Israel’s largest and leading cellular operator, further strengthened its standing in the market, continuing to present growth in revenues, operating and net profit and cash flow, as well as steadily increasing and improving its subscriber base. These results are especially noteworthy as we are operating in a challenging competitive environment, highly regulated and turbulent macro-economic environment. This macro-economic environment mainly affected our roaming revenues, as inbound and outbound tourism continued to be impacted by the global economic slowdown. This effect of the decrease in roaming revenues was entirely offset by the rapidly growing demand for content and value added services, which increased by over 30% this quarter, as well as land line services in which we continue to present a significant growth almost without adding to the Company's costs due to the existing synergy to our core business. Moreover, our ongoing efficiency measures this quarter enabled us to further reduce operating expenses, as well as operating expense as a percent of revenues, enabling us to present growth in both operating and net income and cash flow.

 

This quarter we continued to execute on our strategy of focusing on our core competencies, mobile communications, addressing the growing needs of the always on, anywhere consumer; the consumer that is constantly seeking entertainment and information content, known as Infotainment. We continued with our policy to offer our subscribers a variety of handsets to fulfill their changing needs, while keeping a prudent purchase policy. In this framework, we have launched, in a primary launch in Israel, the "Android" by Samsung with Google's operating system and in the near future we will launch the iPhone by Apple."

 

Shapira added, commenting on the change in Chief Financial Officers: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tal Raz for his tremendous dedication and contribution to Cellcom Israel. Tal has been instrumental in bringing the Company to where it stands today, taking advantage of financial opportunities to restructure our debt in an optimal and most successful manner. Tal leaves us to take on the role of CEO of Clal Finance, another company in the IDB Group, and I wish him the best of success. I would like to also take the opportunity to welcome Yaacov Heen to the position of CFO. Yaacov, a highly experienced manager has grown through the Cellcom Israel ranks in the past 12 years, and is highly attuned and knowledgeable of the company. I wish Yaacov the best of success and believe you will have the opportunity to meet him in person in the near future.”

 

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Tal Raz, Chief Financial Officer, commented: "These strong quarterly results were achieved mainly due to the increased revenues from content and value added services as well as fixed line revenues, which totally offset the 3.1% erosion in ARPU we witnessed this quarter, compared to last year, which resulted mainly from lower roaming revenues. Moreover, our very tight rein on expenses further contributed to profitability as marketing, sales, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of revenues, decreased from 21.9% in second quarter last year to 21.3% in second quarter this year. In terms of cash generation, we continued to generate a very healthy Free Cash Flow, increasing 33% from last year to NIS 400 million, enabling us to once again distribute a dividend totaling approximately NIS 300 million, representing 108% of net income, to our shareholders.”

 

Main Financial and Performance Indicators6:

 

	Q2/2009	Q2/2008	% Change	Q2/2009	Q2/2008
	million NIS			million US$ (convenience translation)
Total Services revenues	1,420	1,410	0.7%	362.3	359.8
Revenues from content and value added services	209	160	30.6%	53.3	40.8
Handset and accessories revenues	188	190	(1.1%)	48.0	48.5
Total revenues	1,608	1,600	0.5%	410.3	408.3
Operating Profit, after elimination of a one-time effect in Q2/2008 *	444	417	6.5%	113.3	106.4
Net Income, after elimination of a one-time effect in Q2/2008 **	277	241	15.0%	70.7	61.5
Cash Flow from Operating Activities, net of Investing Activities	400	300	33.3%	102.1	76.6
EBITDA, after elimination of a one-time effect in Q2/2008 ***	637	619	2.9%	162.5	157.9
EBITDA, as percent of Revenues, after elimination of a one-time effect in Q2/2008 ****	39.6%	38.7%	2.3%
Subscribers end of period (in thousands)	3,228	3,117	3.6%
Estimated Market Share7	34.7%	34.5%	0.6%
Monthly ARPU	143.7	148.9	(3.5%)	36.7	38.0
Average Monthly MOU *****	330.4	331.8	(0.4%)

 

*	Without the elimination, operating income for the second quarter of 2008 totaled NIS 431 million ($110 million),  representing an increase of 3.0% in the second quarter of 2009.

**	Without the elimination, net income for the second quarter of 2008 totaled NIS 230 million ($59 million), representing an increase of 20.4% in the second quarter of 2009.

***	Without the elimination, EBITDA for the second quarter of 2008 totaled NIS 633 million ($162 million), representing an increase of 0.6% in the second quarter of 2009.

****	Without the elimination, EBITDA as percent of revenues for the second quarter of 2008 was 39.6%, similar to the second quarter of 2009.

*****

Following the regulatory requirement to change the basic airtime charging unit from twelve-second to one-second units commencing January 1, 2009, MOU for the second quarter of 2008 has been adjusted to the same per-one second unit basis to enable a comparison. MOU for the second quarter of 2008 based on the former charging units was 354.3 minutes.

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6	See "Subscriber acquisition and retention costs" section in this press release for a change in accounting policy regarding recognition of certain costs for capitalization. Comparison data for second quarter 2008 was changed to reflect the retrospective application of that change.
7	In order to estimate the Company's market share, the Company was required to estimate the number of subscribers of one additional Israeli cellular operator Mirs Communications Ltd. ("Mirs"), as at June 30, 2009, since Mirs does not publish this information.

 

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Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs

 

Following the Company's earnings release for the first quarter of 2009, dated May 26, 2009, relating to the accounting treatment for subscriber acquisition and retention costs, management has decided to change its accounting policy to recognize certain subsidies provided to handsets which are sold with a service agreement containing guaranteed minimum future revenue, as additional costs that are eligible for capitalization. Under the Company's previous accounting policy, capitalized customer acquisition and retention costs included only deferred costs in respect of sales commissions related to the acquisition and retention of subscribers, provided the costs could be measured reliably and were directly attributable to obtaining a specific subscriber, and the Company recognized subsidies on handset sales as an expense in the period incurred. The change in policy has been retrospectively applied from January 1, 2007, and therefore, the comparable data for previous periods has been amended to reflect this change in accounting policy. The deferral and capitalization of such subsidies increased the Company’s retained earnings, as of January 1, 2009 by approximately NIS 48 million ($12 million). The impact of the change in accounting policy on the EBITDA for the second quarter of 2009 totaled approximately NIS 16 million ($4 million), similar to the impact on the EBITDA for the second quarter last year. The impact on the Company's net income for the second quarter of 2009 totaled approximately NIS 4 million ($1 million), while net income for the second quarter last year did not change as a result of the change in the accounting policy.

 

Financial Review

 

Revenues for the second quarter of 2009 increased 0.5% totaling NIS 1,608 million ($410 million), compared to NIS 1,600 million ($408 million) in the second quarter last year. The increase in revenues is mainly attributed to a 0.7% increase in revenues from services, which reached NIS 1,420 million ($362 million) in the second quarter 2009 as compared to NIS 1,410 million ($360 million) in the second quarter last year. This increase was offset in part by a 1.1% decrease in handset and accessories’ revenues, from NIS 190 million ($48 million) in the second quarter last year, to NIS 188 million ($48 million) in the second quarter 2009.

 

The higher service revenues resulted mainly from a 30.6% increase in content and value added services (including SMS) revenues in the second quarter 2009, compared to the second quarter last year. Revenues from content and value added services reached NIS 209 million ($53 million), or 14.7% of service revenues. Furthermore, the increase in landline services revenues during the quarter also contributed to the higher service revenues. These increases were partially offset by the ongoing airtime price erosion as well as a substantial decrease in revenues from roaming services following the significant reduction in incoming and outgoing tourism resulting from the global economic slowdown.

 

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Cost of revenues for the second quarter of 2009 totaled NIS 819 million ($209 million), similar to the second quarter last year. Cost of revenues reflects the deferral of handsets subsidies, as described above under -"Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs" - which amounted to NIS 16 million ($4 million) in the second quarter of 2009, as well as in the second quarter last year. The amortization of such deferred handsets subsidies totaled NIS 21 million ($5 million) in the second quarter 2009 compared to NIS 16 million ($4 million) in the second quarter 2008. Cost of revenues also reflects a decrease in royalties to the Ministry of Communications due to the reduced royalties' rate in 2009, as well as lower depreciation expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in cost of content and value-added services, due to increased usage, and in rent expenses, due to the one-time reversal of rent expenses in the amount of approximately NIS 14 million ($4 million) in the second quarter of 2008 following the clarification by the Israel Accounting Standards Board to the International Accounting Standard no. 39 ("Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement").

 

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2009 increased 1% reaching NIS 789 million ($201 million), compared to NIS 781 million ($199 million) in the second quarter of 2008. Gross profit margin for the second quarter 2009 increased to 49.1% from 48.8% in the second quarter last year.

 

Selling, Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A Expenses") for the second quarter of 2009 totaled NIS 343 million ($87 million), compared to NIS 350 million ($89 million) in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in SG&A Expenses in the quarter is mainly due to a decrease in advertising expenses and in salaries and related expenses primarily resulted from a decrease in option related expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions from NIS 8 million ($2 million) in second quarter last year to NIS 14 million ($4 million) in the second quarter this year, while deferred sales commissions slightly increased from approximately NIS 14 million ($4 million) in second quarter last year to approximately NIS 15 million ($4 million) in the second quarter this year. The decrease in SG&A Expenses was also offset in part by an increase in bad debts and doubtful accounts expenses, mainly following the number portability, which allows subscribers to switch between cellular operators prior to settling their outstanding debt. The increase in bad debts and doubtful accounts may also have been influenced by the global economic slowdown.

 

Operating income for the second quarter 2009 increased 6.5%, or 3.0% without elimination of the effect of the one-time reversal of rent expenses in the second quarter 2008 as mentioned above, reaching NIS 444 million ($113 million), compared to NIS 431 million ($110 million) in the second quarter last year.

 

EBITDA for the second quarter 2009 increased 2.9%, or 0.6% without elimination of the effect of the one-time reversal of rent expenses in the second quarter 2008 as mentioned above, reaching NIS

 

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637 million ($163 million), compared to NIS 633 million ($162 million) in the second quarter of 2008. EBITDA as a percent of revenues, totaled 39.6% similar to the second quarter last year (without elimination of the above mentioned one-time effect).

 

Financing Expenses, net for the second quarter 2009 totaled NIS 67 million ($17 million), compared to NIS 109 million ($28 million) in the second quarter last year. The decrease resulted mainly from the 1.9% inflation in the second quarter this year, compared to 2.4% in the second quarter last year, which led to lower linkage expenses to the Israeli Consumer Price Index (CPI), associated with the Company's debentures. The decrease also resulted from the one-time reversal, in the second quarter last year, of financing income in the amount of approximately NIS 29 million related to embedded derivatives. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in interest expenses related to the Company's debentures, due to the increased debt level.

 

Net Income for the second quarter 2009 increased 15%, or 20.4% without elimination of the one-time effects in the second quarter 2008 as mentioned above, reaching NIS 277 million ($71 million), compared to NIS 230 million ($59 million) in the second quarter last year. Basic earnings per share for the second quarter 2009 totaled NIS 2.82 ($0.72), compared to NIS 2.35 ($0.60) in the second quarter 2008.

 

Operating Review

 

New Subscribers – at the end of June 2009 the Company had approximately 3.228 million subscribers. During the second quarter of 2009 the Company added approximately 20,000 net new subscribers, mostly post-paid.

 

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company added approximately 44,000 net new 3G subscribers to its 3G subscriber base, reaching approximately 877,000 3G subscribers at the end of June 2009, representing 27.2% of the Company’s total subscriber base, an increase from the 26% 3G subscribers represented of total subscribers at the end of March 2009.

 

The Churn Rate in the second quarter 2009 declined to 4.6%, compared to 4.7% in the second quarter last year and 5.0% in the first quarter this year. The churn for those quarters primarily consists of lower contribution pre-paid subscribers and subscribers with collection problems.

 

Average monthly subscriber Minutes of Use ("MOU") in the second quarter 2009 totaled 330.4 minutes, compared to 331.8 minutes in the second quarter 2008, a decrease of 0.4%. Following the regulatory requirement to change the basic airtime charging units from twelve-second to one-second units commencing January 1, 2009, MOU for the second quarter 2008 has been adjusted to the same

 

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per-one second unit basis to enable a comparison. MOU for the second quarter of 2008 based on the former charging units was 354.3 minutes.

 

The monthly Average Revenue per User (ARPU) for the second quarter 2009 decreased 3.5% and totaled NIS 143.7 ($36.7), compared to NIS 148.9 ($38.0) in the second quarter last year. This decrease was, among others, the result of the lower roaming revenues recorded during the second quarter following the decline in tourism.

 

Financing and Investment Review

 

Cash Flow

 

Free cash flow (Cash provided by operating activities, net of cash used in investing activities) for the second quarter of 2009 increased 33.3%, reaching NIS 400 million ($102 million), compared to NIS 300 million ($77 million) generated in the second quarter of 2008. The increase in Free Cash Flow resulted mainly from an increase in net cash provided by operating activities totaled NIS 522 million ($133 million) in second quarter this year, compared to NIS 449 million ($115 million) in the second quarter last year.

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

Shareholders' Equity as of June 30, 2009 amounted to NIS 412 million ($105 million), primarily consisting of accumulated undistributed retained earnings.

 

Investment in Fixed Assets and Intangible Assets

 

During the second quarter 2009, the Company invested NIS 170 million ($43 million) in fixed assets and intangible assets (including, among others, deferred sales commissions and handsets subsidies and investments in information systems and software), compared to NIS 143 million ($36 million) in the second quarter 2008.

 

Dividend

On August 16, 2009, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 3.05 per share, and in the aggregate amount of approximately NIS 300 million (the equivalent of approximately $0.80 per share and approximately $79 million in the aggregate, based on the representative rate of exchange on August 14, 2009; The actual US$ amount for dividend paid in US$ will be converted from NIS based upon the representative rate of exchange published by the Bank of Israel on September 10, 2009), subject to withholding tax described below. The dividend will be payable to all of the Company’s shareholders of record at the end of the trading day in the NYSE on August 31, 2009. The payment date will be September 14, 2009. According to the Israeli tax law, the Company will deduct at source 20% of the dividend amount payable to each shareholder, as aforesaid, subject to applicable exemptions. The dividend per share that the Company will pay for the

 

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second quarter of 2009 does not reflect the level of dividends that will be paid for future quarterly periods, which can change at any time in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy. A dividend declaration is not guaranteed and is subject to the Company's board of directors’ sole discretion, as detailed in the Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008 on Form 20-F, under “Item 8 - Financial Information - Dividend Policy”.

 

Other developments during the second quarter of 2009 and subsequent to balance sheet date

 

Site Licensing

As previously disclosed, following the Israeli Attorney General's opinion that the exemption from obtaining building permits relied upon by cellular operators, including us, applies to cellular networks, a petition seeking to annul his opinion and apply a District Court ruling that the cellular operators devices do not meet the exemption's requirements was filed with the Supreme Court in July 2008. Furthermore, an inter-ministry committee was established, as per the Attorney General's opinion, to examine the appropriateness of future application of the exemption. In June 2009, another petition seeking similar remedies as the July 2008 petition, was filed with the Supreme Court, against the Attorney General, the Inter-ministry committee, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Environmental Protection, the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Health and the cellular companies, including us. The petitioners also requested an interim order to prevent the construction of cell sites in reliance on the exemption. The petition and the request for interim order are awaiting determination by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided to hear both petitions together in November 2009. In July 2009, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the inter-ministry committee published its recommendations for future application of the exemption. While the Ministry of Communication recommended that, given the difficulties in obtaining permits for the construction of cell sites, the exemption should be reviewed after the lapse of one to two years from the approval of the new National Zoning Plan 36, to verify that it provides an adequate solution that allows the cellular operators to provide required communication services, the Ministries of Interior and Environmental Protection recommended that the exemption be annulled within 6 months from the date of the recommendations, based ,among others, on the following claims: (1) current cellular infrastructure is sufficient, given it is currently used to provide advanced services such as internet, radio and television broadcasting, while such services may be provided by a landline network; and (2) sites constructed pursuant to a building permit are preferable to radio access devices regarding radiation safety and the provision of advanced services which can be provided through a landline network, over a cellular network,  is unjustified in light of the preventive care principle set in the Israeli Non-Ionizing Radiation Law.

 

For additional details see the Company’s most recent annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008 on Form 20-F under “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors – Risks related to our business –

 

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We may not be able to obtain permits to construct cell sites” as well as under "Item 4. Information on the Company – B. Business Overview – Government Regulations – Permits for Cell site Construction – Site Licensing” and “Construction and operating permits from the commissioner of environmental radiation”.

 

MVNO

The Israeli Communication Law was amended in July 2009, subsequent to the balance sheet date, to include a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO, license. Under the amendment, the Ministry of Communications is required to enact the regulations necessary for the provision of the MVNO license by September 1, 2009. The amendment further instructs that in the event that a MVNO and the cellular operator will not have reached an agreement as to the provision of service by way of MVNO within six months from the date the MVNO has approached the cellular operator, and if the Ministry of Communications together with the Ministry of Commerce determine that the failure to reach an agreement is due to unreasonable conditions imposed by the cellular operator, the Ministry Of Communications will use its authority to provide instructions. Such instructions may include intervening in the terms of the agreement, including by setting the price of the service.

 

For additional details see the Company’s most recent annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008 on Form 20-F under “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors – Risks related to our business – We face intense competition in all aspects of our business” as well as under "Item 4. Information on the Company – B. Business Overview – Competition" and "Government Regulations – Mobile Virtual Network Operators”.

 

Handset Procurement

The Company has entered an agreement with Apple Sales International, for the purchase and distribution of iPhone handsets in Israel. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to purchase a minimum quantity of handsets during a period of three years, which is expected to represent a significant portion of the Company's expected handset purchase amount over that period. The total amount of the purchases will depend on the handsets purchase price at the time of purchase.

 

MIRS

In August 2009, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Company submitted a preliminary non-binding indication of interest to purchase 100% of the equity of MIRS Communications Ltd, another Israeli cellular provider with an estimated market share of 4-5%. For additional details regarding MIRS see our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2008 under "B. Business Overview – The Telecommunications Industry in Israel – Cellular Services".

 

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At this stage there is no certainty a transaction will be agreed upon nor executed. Any such transaction would be subject, among others, to certain regulatory approvals and there is no certainty that such approvals will be given.

 

Change of Chief Financial Officer

In July 2009, Mr. Tal Raz notified the Company of his resignation from office as the Company's CFO, effective September 20, 2009, following his nomination as CEO of Clal Finance, an IDB group affiliate of the Company. The Company's board of directors has nominated Mr. Yaacov Heen as the Company's CFO, effective September 21, 2009, and resolved to recommend to the General Meeting of Shareholders to nominate Tal Raz as a director of the Company. For additional details see the Company's immediate report (on Form 6-K) dated July 20, 2009 and the Company's Proxy Statement (on Form 6-K) dated July 21,2009.

 

Conference Call Details

 

The Company will be hosting a conference call on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 09:00 am EDT, 04:00 pm Israel time, and 02:00 pm UK time. On the call, management will review and discuss the results, and will be available to answer questions. To participate, please either access the live webcast on the Company's website, or call one of the following teleconferencing numbers below.  Please begin placing your calls at least 10 minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, please try the international dial-in number.

 

US Dial-in Number: 1 888 407 2553                        UK Dial-in Number: 0 800 917 9141

 

Israel Dial-in Number: 03 918 0610                         International Dial-in Number:  +972 3 918 0610

 

at: 09:00 am Eastern Time; 06:00 am Pacific Time; 02:00 pm UK Time; 04:00 pm Israel Time

 

To access the live webcast of the conference call, please access the investor relations section of Cellcom Israel's website: www.cellcom.co.il. After the call, a replay of the call will be available under the same investor relations section.

 

About Cellcom Israel

 

Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the leading Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its approximately 3.228 million subscribers (as at June 30, 2009) with a broad range of value added services including cellular and landline telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE and TDMA networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers its customers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for the hearing impaired, etc. As of 2006, Cellcom Israel, through its wholly owned subsidiary Cellcom Fixed Line Communications L.P., provides landline telephone communication services in Israel, in addition to data communication services. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York

 

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Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website www.cellcom.co.il

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following information contains, or may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology.  These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial results, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business.  These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events.  There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: changes to the terms of our license, new legislation or decisions by the regulator affecting our operations, the outcome of legal proceedings to which we are a party, particularly class action lawsuits, our ability to maintain or obtain permits to construct and operate cell sites, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements.  Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements.  We assume no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Unless noted specifically otherwise, the dollar denominated figures were converted to US$ using a convenience translation based on the US$\New Israeli Shekel (NIS) conversion rate of NIS 3.919 = US$ 1 as published by the Bank of Israel on June 30, 2009.

 

Use of non-GAAP financial measures

 

EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as income before financing income (expenses), net; other income (expenses), net; income tax; depreciation and amortization. This is an accepted measure in the communications industry. The Company presents this measure as an additional performance measure as the Company believes that it enables us to compare operating performance between periods and companies, net of any potential differences which may result from differences in capital structure, taxes, age of fixed assets and related depreciation expenses. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for operating income, any other performance measures, or cash flow data, which were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as measures of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account debt service requirements, or other commitments, including capital expenditures, and therefore, does not necessarily indicate the amounts that may be available for the Company's use. In addition, EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, due to differences in the way these measures are calculated. See the reconciliation between the net income and the EBITDA presented at the end of this Press Release.

 

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as the net cash provided by operating activities minus the net cash used in investing activities. See the reconciliation note at the end of this Press Release.

 

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Company Contact Shiri Israeli Investor Relations Coordinator investors@cellcom.co.il Tel: +972 52 998 9755

Investor Relations Contact Ehud Helft / Ed Job CCGK Investor Relations ehud@gkir.com / ed.job@ccgir.com Tel: (US) 1 866 704 6710 / 1 646-213-1914

Financial Tables Follow

 

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Cellcom Israel Ltd.

(An Israeli Corporation)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

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		June 30, 2009				Convenience translation into US dollar June 30, 2009				June 30, *2008				December 31, *2008
		NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Audited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			1,223				312				195				275
Trade receivables			1,537				393				1,447				1,478
Other receivables, including derivatives			201				51				132				112
Inventory			115				29				150				119
Total current assets			3,076				785				1,924				1,984
Trade and other receivables			620				158				608				602
Property, plant and equipment, net			2,089				533				2,223				2,159
Intangible assets, net			716				183				741				743
Total non- current assets			3,425				874				3,572				3,504
Total assets			6,501				1,659				5,496				5,488
Liabilities
Debentures current maturities			333				85				287				329
Trade payables and accrued expenses			759				194				588				677
Current tax liabilities			128				32				84				85
Provisions			57				15				90				47
Other current liabilities, including derivatives			381				97				367				385
Total current liabilities			1,658				423				1,416				1,523
Debentures			4,266				1,089				3,509				3,401
Provisions			17				4				16				17
Other long-term liabilities			-				-				1				1
Deferred taxes			148				38				137				156
Total non- current liabilities			4,431				1,131				3,663				3,575
Total liabilities			6,089				1,554				5,079				5,098
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital			1				-				1				1
Cash flow hedge reserve			(11	)			(3	)			(60	)			(11	)
Retained earnings			422				108				476				400
Total shareholders’ equity			412				105				417				390
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			6,501				1,659				5,496				5,488

(*) Retrospective application – see "Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs" section in this press release

 

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Cellcom Israel Ltd.

(An Israeli Corporation)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

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		Six- month period ended June 30,												Three- month period ended June 30,												Year ended December 31,
						Convenience translation												Convenience translation
						into US dollar												into US dollar
		2009				2009					*2008			2009				2009					*2008				*2008
		NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Audited)
Revenues			3,169				809				3,195				1,608				410				1,600				6,417
Cost of revenues			1,630				416				1,697				819				209				819				3,396
Gross profit			1,539				393				1,498				789				201				781				3,021
Selling and marketing expenses			335				85				333				178				45				177				701
General and administrative expenses			319				82				327				165				42				173				659
Other (income) expenses, net			4				1				(18	)			2				1				-				(29	)
Operating income			881				225				856				444				113				431				1,690
Financing income			112				29				80				52				13				18				83
Financing expenses			(151	)			(39	)			(234	)			(119	)			(30	)			(127	)			(393	)
Financing income (expenses), net			(39	)			(10	)			(154	)			(67	)			(17	)			(109	)			(310	)
Income before income tax			842				215				702				377				96				322				1,380
Income tax			220				56				198				100				25				92				391
Net income			622				159				504				277				71				230				989
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share in NIS			6.32				1.61				5.16				2.82				0.72				2.35				10.12
Diluted earnings per share in NIS			6.27				1.60				5.09				2.79				0.71				2.32				9.96

 

(*) Retrospective application – see "Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs" section in this press release

 

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Cellcom Israel Ltd.

(An Israeli Corporation)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

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		Six- month period ended June 30,												Three- month period ended June 30,												Year ended December 31,
						Convenience translation												Convenience translation
						into US dollar												into US dollar
		2009				2009				*2008				2009				2009				*2008				*2008
		NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Audited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income for the period			622				159				504				277				71				230				989
Adjustments to reconcile net income to funds generated from operations:
Depreciation			238				61				286				117				30				142				570
Amortization			141				36				117				74				19				60				251
Capital gain on sale of land			-				-				(9	)			-				-				-				(9	)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			4				1				(8	)			2				1				1				(9	)
Income tax expense			220				56				198				100				25				92				391
Financial (income) costs, net			39				10				154				67				17				109				310
Share based payments			-				-				17				-				-				13				28
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Changes in inventories			(28	)			(8	)			50				(3	)			(1	)			57				36
Changes in trade receivables (including long-term amounts)			(51	)			(13	)			(113	)			(12	)			(3	)			(26	)			(117	)
Changes in other receivables (including long-term amounts)			(88	)			(23	)			(42	)			(63	)			(16	)			(33	)			(34	)
Changes in trade payables and accrued expenses			124				32				(269	)			58				14				(92	)			(271	)
Changes in other liabilities (including long-term amounts)			(9	)			(2	)			35				(18	)			(4	)			5				99
Payments for inventory hedging contracts, net			17				4				(20	)			12				3				(11	)			(38	)
Proceeds (payments) for derivative contracts, net			34				9				(4	)			10				2				1				18
Income tax paid			(189	)			(48	)			(260	)			(99	)			(25	)			(99	)			(451	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,074				274				636				522				133				449				1,763

 

(*) Retrospective application – see "Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs" section in this press release

 

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Cellcom Israel Ltd.

(An Israeli Corporation)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (cont’d) 

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		Six- month period ended June 30,												Three- month period ended June 30,												Year ended December 31,
						Convenience translation												Convenience translation
						into US dollar												into US dollar
		2009				2009				*2008				2009				2009				*2008				*2008
		NIS millions				US$ millions				NIS millions				NIS millions				US$ millions				US$ millions				NIS millions
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Audited)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment			(196	)			(50	)			(225	)			(84	)			(21	)			(107	)			(429	)
Acquisition of intangible assets			(89	)			(22	)			(93	)			(42	)			(11	)			(40	)			(175	)
Payments for derivative hedging contracts, net			-				-				(10	)			-				-				(5	)			(17	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment			-				-				50				-				-				-				19
Interest received			4				1				13				4				1				3				17
Proceeds from sale of long term receivables			-				-				-				-				-				-				39
Net cash used in investing activities			(281	)			(71	)			(265	)			(122	)			(31	)			(149	)			(546	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from derivative contracts, net			4				1				15				-				-				8				31
Repayment of long-term loans from banks			-				-				(648	)			-				-				-				(648	)
Repayment of Debentures			(164	)			(42	)			-				-				-								(125	)
Proceeds from issuance of debentures, net of issuance costs			989				252				589				989				252				-				589
Dividend paid			(596	)			(152	)			(955	)			(326	)			(83	)			(939	)			(1,525	)
Interest paid			(78	)			(20	)			(88	)			8				2				-				(175	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			155				39				(1,087	)			671				171				(931	)			(1,853	)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents			948				242				(716	)			1,071				273				(631	)			(636	)
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			275				70				911				152				39				826				911
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of the period			1,223				312				195				1,223				312				195				275

(*) Retrospective application – see "Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs" section in this press release

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Cellcom Israel Ltd.

(An Israeli Corporation)

Reconciliation for Non-GAAP Measures

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EBITDA

The following is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA:

			Three-month period ended June 31,												Year ended December 31,
			2009 NIS millions (Unaudited)				Convenience translation into US dollar 2009 US$ millions (Unaudited)				2008 NIS millions (Unaudited)				2008 NIS millions (Audited)
Net income			277				71				230				989
Income taxes			100				25				92				391
Financing income			(52	)			(13	)			(18	)			(83	)
Financing expenses			119				30				127				393
Other expenses (income)			2				1				-				(29	)
Depreciation and amortization			191				49				202				821
EBITDA			637				163				633				2,482

 

Free Cash Flow

The following table shows the calculation of free cash flow:

 

			Three-month period ended June 30,												Year ended December 31,
			2009 NIS millions (Unaudited)				Convenience translation into US dollar 2009 US$ millions (Unaudited)				2008 NIS millions (Unaudited)				2008 NIS millions (Audited)
Cash flows from operating activities			522				133				449				1,763
Cash flows from investing activities			(122	)			(31	)			(149	)			(546	)
Free Cash Flow			400				102				300				1,217

 

17

 

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