Month: November 2019

Manila, Philippines – November 29, 2019 Ayala Corporation (Ayala) recently hosted the McMicking Wings Awards, a prestigious recognition given yearly to Philippine Air Force (PAF) Flying School graduates with the highest proficiency in pilot training and overall performance rating. Twenty-one of 96 total recipients attended the awarding ceremony held at Ayala Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Makati City.

The McMicking Wings Awards was created by Col. Joseph R. McMicking, the visionary who transformed post-war Makati into the country’s premier Central Business District. He was also a decorated World War II pilot, who in 1939 created this distinction to celebrate excellence amongst the best military pilots in the PAF.

“The much-coveted McMicking Wings worn on an awardees’ right breast remains an honor and a privilege to this day. We are treated with great respect because it is a symbol of excellence. . . The McMicking Wings motivate students in the military pilot training to excel and give their best in carrying out higher responsibility—always in good moral standing to achieve the mission we seek to accomplish,” said BGen. Adelberto F. Yap (Ret.), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), who was the last recipient to be personally awarded by Col. McMicking in 1968.

This year’s only awardee, 2Lt. Realyn G. Janoras, PAF, is the first ever female recipient of the McMicking Wings. Former awardees in attendance included 1949 awardee BGen. Mariano F. Castañeda Jr. (Ret.), AFP, the first McMicking Wings recipient after the war, class 1951 awardee Col. Vicente C. Rivera Jr. (Ret.), PAF, former Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, and class 1985 awardee Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor B. Mison Jr., former Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP. 1988 McMicking Wings awardee Lt. Gen. Rozzano D.  Briguez, Commanding General of the PAF, was represented by MGen. Ferdinand M. Cartujano, AFP, Commander of Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

“The Ayala group has been a strong advocate of initiatives in support of the Armed Forces… We understand the enormous responsibility you carry in helping secure our peace and security, and we truly appreciate all that you have done for our country,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala in his welcome address. Zobel is the grandnephew of Col. McMicking, who, he revealed, taught US President Dwight D. Eisenhower how to fly.

Col. McMicking was inducted into the US Air Force from the Philippine Air Force Reserve Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He accompanied Gen. Douglas MacArthur to Corregidor and Australia, and later on, to Leyte with President Sergio Osmeña. He was given the Distinguished Service Star by the Philippine government, while the US government awarded him the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Philippine Defense Ribbon. He passed away on October 5, 1990 in Sotogrande, Spain.

By continuing the McMicking Wings Awards, Ayala upholds the tradition started by Col. McMicking to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the PAF. It is also a commemorative celebration of Col. McMicking’s legacy and patriotism.

Seated from L to R:
MGen. Ferdinand M. Cartujano, AFP, Commander of Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command
Col. Vicente C. Rivera Jr. (Ret.), PAF, former Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO
BGen. Mariano F. Castañeda AFP (Ret.), McMicking Wings awardee of class 1949, and the first recipient of the award after WWII
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation President & COO
BGen. Adelberto F. Yap (Ret.), AFP, who was the last recipient to be personally awarded by Col. McMicking in 1968

Manila, Philippines – November 14, 2019 Ayala Corporation (Ayala) is forging a strategic partnership with the Yoma Group, Myanmar’s leading conglomerate led by the Pun family. The Yoma Group, which is comprised of two holding companies, Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd. (YSH) and Myanmar-listed First Myanmar Investment Public Co. Ltd. (FMI), is selling a maximum 20% stake to Ayala for up to USD 237.5 million, making Ayala the second largest investor in both entities. This is a milestone international transaction in Ayala’s history, and the biggest ever Philippine conglomerate investment into Myanmar.

“Our partnership with the Yoma Group gives Ayala a unique opportunity to participate in Myanmar’s growth story. We could not imagine a better way to do this than with the Pun family, whose solid, decades-long reputation as a business house has cemented their expertise in multiple sectors such as real estate, banking, automotive, healthcare, power, and tourism, among others,” said Ayala Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. “We have always believed that ASEAN has massive potential to reap the benefits of Asia’s rise in the global economy. Ayala can definitely move closer to this aspiration by working with a respected and diversified conglomerate in the region.”

Myanmar’s underpenetrated market is the second fastest growing in the region with GDP growth over 6% year on year for the last three years. With its unique geographic location between India and China to the North, Myanmar incentivizes the construction of multiple infrastructure projects and Special Economic Zones. Its government’s broad liberalization initiatives have opened several key sectors to foreign investment, with real estate alone acquiring over USD 4 billion in foreign investment since 2012 when Myanmar transitioned to democratic rule.

“We are confident that by leveraging our own capabilities and experiences over the last 185 years, Ayala’s partnership with the Yoma Group could certainly help improve the lives of people in Myanmar through purposeful business. In October 2019, Ayala’s energy unit, AC Energy, together with YSH, announced its plans to help develop around 200MW of renewable energy in Myanmar, sustainably powering up 70% of its population mostly in rural areas. Through partnerships of this kind, we see greater potential to deploy and explore shared expertise, knowledge and resources to grow in multiple sectors,” said Ayala President & COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“Today marks a new milestone for the Yoma Group. I am extremely pleased and honoured to have Ayala become one of our most important strategic partners, a partnership that reflects their faith in the future of Myanmar, and validates the Yoma Group’s business model. Ayala is one of the foremost conglomerates in the Philippines; a family business that has endured generations of change, while maintaining a stellar track record in many sectors across the economy. We have much to learn, and they have much to teach us. We look forward to leveraging their expertise and experience to strengthen our existing businesses, and to explore potential new opportunities in Myanmar,” said Serge Pun, Executive Chairman of YSH and FMI.

To date, Ayala has established its presence in Indonesia, Vietnam, and China, as well as Australia, Europe, the US, and Mexico. Ayala pursues international expansion opportunistically, in markets and sectors where it can bring its strengths and expertise.

Ayala Corporation’s net income almost doubled during the first nine months of the year to reach ₱46.2 billion, lifted by the solid contribution of its banking, telecommunications, real estate, and power units.

Equity earnings from Ayala’s business units grew 77 percent to reach ₱51.9 billion, boosted by contributions coming from the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Land, and AC Energy. Further, Ayala recognized gains from the merger of AC Education with iPeople and from the partial divestment of AC Energy’s thermal assets.

All these cushioned the impact of weaker results of AC Industrials, which is experiencing headwinds from one of the sharpest and most widespread downturns in global manufacturing that significantly weighed on most of its business lines.

In the third quarter, Ayala’s net profits expanded seven percent to ₱8.3 billion, supported by robust results from BPI and AC Energy. Equity earnings from Ayala’s business units, meanwhile, rose four percent year-on-year to ₱10.2 billion in the third quarter.

“We are pleased to see sustained growth in most of our core businesses continuing to provide stability in our earnings. AC Energy has quickly become a significant contributor to our portfolio,” Ayala President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala said. “We continue to be mindful of the challenges in some sectors, particularly AC Industrials and the global manufacturing space,” Mr. Zobel noted. “We believe the strategies put forth in AC industrials continue to be promising but are saddled near-term by geopolitical and trade issues. The pipeline of opportunities remains strong and efforts to manage the effects of this near-term uncertainty are being aggressively addressed,” he explained.

Ayala Land

Ayala Land saw its net income reach ₱23.2 billion in the first nine months of 2019, climbing 12 percent from ₱20.8 billion in the same period last year. This was driven by strong revenues from office, commercial and industrial lot sales, and commercial leasing assets.

Revenues from property development went down 2 percent to ₱85.4 billion year-on-year. The decrease was due to lower contributions from its high-end and upscale residential projects as well as from the full sell-out of projects by Malaysia-based MCT. This was offset by office for sale revenues that saw a 51 percent increase to ₱11.1 billion from ₱7.3 billion from projects in Makati and Bonifacio Global City. The sale of commercial and industrial lots, which grew 16 percent to ₱6.5 billion, likewise supported Ayala Land’s revenues during the period. In the third quarter, Ayala Land infused ₱37.8 billion worth of new inventory, bringing the launches to ₱57.3 billion during the nine-month period.

Commercial leasing revenues, on the other hand, expanded 16 percent to ₱27.6 billion from ₱23.9 billion year-on-year as openings from new malls, offices, and hotel assets provided uplift to the segment. Ayala Land continued its expansion of mall and office leasing spaces, adding 2.1 million and 1.2 million, respectively, in gross leasable area to its portfolio during the period. It opened the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, which also houses a BPO office space.

Capital spending reached ₱78.2 billion after the first three quarters wherein 42 percent was spent for residential projects, 22 percent for malls, offices, and hotels, 17 percent for land acquisition, and the rest for estate development and others.

Bank of the Philippine Islands

Strong revenues from its core intermediation and fee-based businesses drove the 30 percent hike in Bank of the Philippine Islands’ net earnings to ₱22 billion in the first nine months.

Total revenues increased 25 percent to ₱71 billion, driven by a 20 percent year-on-year growth in net interest income which reached ₱48.7 billion. Net interest margin widened 26 basis points on higher asset yields which rose 89 basis points. This was partially offset by higher cost of funds.

Meanwhile, total loans as of end-September reached ₱1.4 trillion, up 8.2 percent year-on-year on the back of consumer and corporate loan growth of 12.5 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively. Within the consumer segment, credit card loans continued its upward trajectory, climbing 25 percent from a year ago. Total deposits reached ₱1.6 trillion, 5 percent higher than a year ago. The bank’s current account savings account deposit ratio stood at 69 percent while the loan-to-deposit ratio was at 85 percent.

Non-interest income reached ₱22.3 billion in the nine-month period, growing 38 percent, driven by higher securities trading gains and fee-based income. BPI’s total securities position stood at ₱393 billion, up 17 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, fees, commissions, and other income increased 19 percent, primarily driven by higher fee revenues from credit cards, transaction banking, electronic channels, deposit products, and insurance.

Operating expenses stood at ₱37.1 billion in the nine-month period, 16 percent higher year-on-year. Cost-to-income ratio was at 52.2 percent, lower than the 56.4 percent recorded in the same period last year. Provision for losses for the nine-month period, including specific reserves for Hanjin, was at ₱4.6 billion, bringing BPI’s loss coverage ratio to 102.7 percent. Non-performing loans ratio ended flat at 1.81 percent.

In August, S&P Global Ratings assigned a ‘BBB+’ long-term and an ‘A-2’ short-term issuer credit rating to the bank. S&P’s outlook on BPI’s long-term rating is stable and its standalone credit profile was assessed to be ‘bbb+’.

During the period, BPI priced its inaugural CHF 100 million two-year interest free ASEAN Green Bond, the first public Swiss franc-denominated benchmark out of the Philippines, the first ASEAN Green Bond benchmark for BPI, the first ever rated Philippine Green Bond in the international capital markets, and the first negative yielding bonds to be issued out of the Philippines in the international capital markets. Subsequently, the bank priced a US$300 million Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate ASEAN Green Bond via a drawdown under its US$2 billion Medium Term Note Program.

Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom’s net profits in the first nine months of 2019 reached ₱17.7 billion from last year’s comparative period of ₱14.8 billion, expanding 20 percent mainly due to the continued shift towards data-related services and a growing subscriber base. The company’s mobile, home broadband, and corporate data segments bolstered its service revenues during the period, which saw a 13 percent growth year-on-year ending at ₱110.6 billion.

Mobile data revenues grew 44 percent to ₱52.2 billion lifted by higher traffic, which jumped 87 percent to 1,200 petabytes. Mobile data users ended at almost 38 million for the period, or 8 percent higher year-on-year.

In home broadband, revenues improved 19 percent to ₱16.1 billion resulting from a 24 percent year-on-year increase in subscriber base at 1.9 million as of the first three quarters of 2019. Corporate data revenues likewise grew 12 percent to ₱9.5 billion. As a whole, data-related services accounted for 70 percent of total service revenues in the first nine months of the year.

Globe’s robust revenues and subdued operating expenses supported the 17 percent growth in its EBITDA, which reached ₱57.9 billion during the period.

Capital expenditure ended at ₱32 billion to support the growing subscriber base and demand for data. Bulk of this amount at 75 percent was allocated for data-related services.

In a move aimed at strengthening the products and services catering to its enterprise clients, Globe reacquired a 51 percent stake in Yondu. From a content developer and provider of mobile value-added services, Yondu has evolved to become a leading IT solutions company in the Philippines since its acquisition by Xurpas Inc. in 2015.

Manila Water

Manila Water’s nine-month net profits dropped 11 percent from its year-ago level to ₱4.4 billion as Metro Manila’s water crisis early this year continued to weigh down on its core concession. The impact, however, was partly cushioned by the improved performance of its domestic subsidiaries.

Manila Concession’s net income declined 17 percent to ₱4 billion, driven by the impact of the water supply crisis. Non-revenue water remained at an efficient level of 11.5 percent to mitigate the impact of a still-reduced water supply allocation. Despite the ongoing challenges in water source, Manila Watercontinues to efficiently allocate the limited supply across the concession and provide consistent service to its customers.

Manila Water’s revenues expanded 10 percent to ₱16 billion on robust net income performance of its domestic subsidiary, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, which more than doubled to ₱301 million. Strong contributions from Laguna Water, Boracay Water, and Estate Water provided the boost.

Manila Water’s topline growth was tempered by the one-time bill waiver implemented in March and higher operating expenses resulting from the penalty imposed by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in connection with the water supply shortage. These items were already recognized by the company during the first half of this year.

AC Energy

AC Energy’s nine-month net profits reached ₱24.3 billion, lifted by the recovery of costs incurred from adjustments in the construction and operations of its power plants and gains from the partial divestment of its thermal assets. In addition, it realized earnings from 410MW of new solar projects in Vietnam following the start of commercial operations in the second quarter, in time to meet the solar feed-in tariff deadline. Remeasurement gain from a higher stake in South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation following the acquisition of PHINMA Energy also boosted AC Energy’s net earnings during the period.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has since approved the renaming of PHINMA Energy to AC Energy Philippines, which will serve as AC Energy’s platform for growth in the Philippines. In October, AC Energy announced the transfer of its interests in SLTEC, its onshore renewable assets, and its Philippine development platform to ACEPH under a share-for-share swap.

For its international business, AC Energy has announced a new solar joint venture with UPC Solar Asia Pacific for the development of solar projects in the Asia-Pacific region. UPC Renewables is the company’s existing partner in the 81MW wind farm in the Philippines North Luzon Renewables as well as in the 75MW Sidrap wind project in Indonesia.

In October, AC Energy signed an agreement to enter into a joint venture with Yoma Strategic Holdings where the proposed joint venture will invest at least US$30 million into Yoma Micro Power and jointly explore developing around 200MW of additional renewable energy projects within Myanmar, including participation in large utility scale renewable projects. Yoma Micro Power builds micro power plants and mini-grids that provide electricity to off-grid rural communities and telecommunications towers in Myanmar.

These new investments and joint ventures support AC Energy’s goal of achieving 5GW of attributable capacity from renewable energy, with a target of generating at least 50 percent of total output from renewable sources by 2025.

AC Industrials

AC Industrials posted a net loss of ₱1.6 billion on weak performance across its business lines.

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc., its electronics manufacturing services platform, continues to weather challenges in its main market segments in the slowing global automotive space. IMI recorded a significant drop in its net profit to US$451,000 from US$41.4 million a year ago as the continued slowdown in IMI’s main market segments, compounded by the effects of various geopolitical issues, hindered growth. Persistent contraction in the automotive sector, particularly in China, has brought down customer demand forecasts, leading to challenged margins as new manufacturing lines are temporarily underutilized.

Revenues from IMI’s wholly owned businesses stood at US$755M, down three percent from a year ago. China’s domestic market challenges proved to be the largest contributor to the decline, with IMI’s factories in the region showing a 22 percent decrease year-on-year. Despite the global slowdown, the company’s Mexico and Bulgaria/Serbia operations showed a growth of 66 percent and three percent, respectively.

IMI subsidiaries Via Optronics and STI, Ltd. together posted $184 million in revenues, a 20% decline against the same period last year. The delays in the production of next generation computer processors affected Via’s consumer laptop business. It remains ready to serve the market as the segment rebounds and rolls out new products towards the end of the year. Meanwhile, continued political tensions in the UK as a result of the Brexit situation have depressed revenue growth in STI, where revenues were down 11 percent during the period. However, IMI’s UK subsidiary expects business to improve in the near term having won US$62M in new business projects.

In vehicle distribution and retail, AC Motors registered a net loss of ₱262 million on lower sales volume of the Honda, Isuzu, and Volkswagen brands due to continued intensifying competition, combined with supply issues which affected unit availability. Players in the highly competitive Philippine automotive market continue to compete aggressively for incremental sales volumes in spite of the slowly recovering customer demand.

Meanwhile, AC Industrials’ startup investments, Merlin Solar and MT Technologies, recorded higher net losses during the period on challenges in new product launches, margin pressures, and underutilization of capacity resulting from the global downturn in automotive and manufacturing.

Balance Sheet

Ayala’s balance sheet remains strong with sufficient capacity to support its future investments and cover dividend and debt obligations. Its parent level cash stood at ₱12 billion, with net debt at ₱74.4 billion. Ayala’s net debt-to-equity ratio stood at 56 percent at the parent level and 60 percent at the consolidated level. The conglomerate’s loan-to-value ratio, the ratio of its parent net debt to the total value of its assets, was at 7.7 percent at the end of the first three quarters of 2019.

During the nine-month period, Ayala spent ₱15.1 billion in capital expenditure at the parent level, accounting for 67 percent of the allocation for the year, primarily to support its investments in power, industrial technology, and infrastructure.

On October 23, Ayala together with its subsidiary AYC Finance Limited has set the terms of a US dollar-denominated fixed-for-life (non-deferrable) senior perpetual notes. The notes will be issued by AYC Finance Limited for an aggregate principal amount of US$400 million with an annual coupon of 4.850% for life with no step-up. The notes will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Ayala. AYC Finance Limited may redeem the notes in whole but not in part on October 30, 2024 (first redemption date) or any interest payment date falling after the first redemption date at 100 percent of the principal amount of the notes plus any accrued but unpaid interest. The notes are listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.

In September, Ayala exercised the option for the early redemption of ₱13.5 billion Class B Series 2 Preferred Shares on November 5, 2019. Subsequently, it announced the reissuance of Class B Series 2 Preferred Shares for at least ₱10 billion with an oversubscription option of ₱5 billion.

Manila, Philippines – November 5, 2019 The Ayala group and its foundation, Ayala Foundation (AFI), lead the group’s relief efforts in quake-hit Mindanao. With the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the group continues to send aid to Cotabato, Mindanao, which was struck by deadly 6.6- and 6.5-magnitude earthquakes last October 29 and 31 respectively. As of November 3, the quakes have killed 21 people, displaced over 21,810 individuals in 30 evacuation centers, and affected 178,305 people in 200 barangays across Regions 11 and 12 according to PDRF.

“Ayala is coordinating the efforts across our family of companies to move as one in cooperation with the local government to provide urgent aid for the affected communities in Mindanao,” said John Philip S. Orbeta, Ayala’s Chief Human Resource Officer & Group Head of Corporate Resources.

Other companies across the Ayala group have already started their own relief efforts as well to provide immediate assistance. Globe Telecom (Globe), in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya and through the support of the 39th Infantry Battalion, has distributed food and blankets to about 1,680 displaced families and served over 2,000 individuals at two soup kitchens in three municipalities as of November 1, 2019.

Globe also set up Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations in Kidapawan City Hall, Tulunan City Hall and Plantation Residence, Makilala, to help victims get in touch with their families and friends. Globe remains ready to deploy more free call and charging stations in the affected areas.

Manila Water and its social development arm Manila Water Foundation are distributing 2,320 five-gallon Healthy Family water bottles. One thousand of these bottles will be distributed at Kidapawan and Tulunan, North Cotabato in partnership with OCD and PDRF, another 1,000 bottles at Makilala, 300 units at Magsaysay, Davao del Sur in partnership with Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, and another 20 units for employees of BPI Kidapawan Branch.

Manila Water is on standby to deploy one of its Mobile Treatment Plants (MTP) to any affected area in Mindanao. The MTP, which is stationed in Caticlan, Boracay, can treat and convert any type of raw water—river water, flood water, and even saltwater—into potable drinking water.

Ayala companies are also doing their part to aid the community and the affected families of their employees. Ayala Land (ALI) has been collecting donations in kind at Ayala Malls in nearby provinces since November 1. Abreeza Mall in Davao is cooperating with the local government to collect and deliver donations to the LGU’s Task Force Davao headquarters, who will distribute goods to affected families in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato. Besides collecting shoppers’ donations, Abreeza Mall is also preparing relief packs for the families of mall personnel affected by the earthquakes. Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) is similarly collecting donations that will be distributed by the Philippine Red Cross and AFI in the Makilala and Kidapawan areas. Furthermore, all Ayala Malls are donating old tarpaulins to be used as makeshift shelter.

ALI’s Seda Hotels are also contributing to the relief efforts for its affected employees and communities.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) rolled out initial relief operations for affected employees in Kidapawan and Digos, providing them with basic necessities like temporary shelter, water, food and medical kits.  Through BPI Foundation, it is currently working with relevant organizations for appropriate recovery programs to support the affected communities in Mindanao.

AC Health’s Generika, together with the Ayala Young Leaders Congress Alumni Association in Mindanao, is donating medicines and helping collect donations for the relief efforts in the Tulunan, Makilala and Kidapawan areas.

Private entities and individuals are welcome to donate goods for the immediate assistance of displaced families in Mindanao. Critical needs include but are not limited to the following: blankets, tents, sleeping mats, rice, canned goods, potable water, hygiene products, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, cooking utensils and equipment, clothing, flashlights, etc.

Cash donations for Ayala’s disaster relief efforts may be deposited through AFI’s designated bank account below: 

Account Name:  Ayala Foundation, Inc.
Account No.: 0011-1335-41
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Branch:  Makati Main
Reference No.: G101
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM