KDDI Q2 net profit up despite slowing subs growth; 5G will start 'in certain areas' in 2019

摘要

Japan's second largest mobile operator by subscribers KDDI (au) recorded solid profit growth in its fiscal second quarter ending 30 September 2018 but noted that a decline in mobile revenue due to falling tariffs offset stronger gains for its Life Design and Business operating units. KDDI booked consolidated net profit of JPY166.81 billion (US$1.48 billion) for the three months under review, up 6.9% from JPY155.97 billion in the same period a year ago, as operating revenue rose 1.9% to JPY1.24 trillion from JPY1.22 trillion. Second-quarter operating income of JPY272.33 billion compared with JPY261.12 billion in fiscal 2017/18 (operating margin was up 0.6pp to 22.0%) and EBITDA improved to JPY412.51 billion from JPY405.43 billion; EBITDA margin was 33.3% (unchanged).