IIJ Announces its Nine Months Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2020

TOKYO, Feb. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (“IIJ”, TSE: 3774) today announced its nine months consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020 (“1Q-3Q19”, from April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019) under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).¹Overview of 1Q-3Q19 Financial Results and Business Outlook“We continued to achieve stronger than expected enterprise revenue and profit growth, supported by overall favorable Japanese enterprises’ IT demands and our growth strategy of cross-selling various network services, combined with systems integration. In this nine-month period, enterprise recurring revenues⁶ grew by 10.0% YoY in which enterprise mobile, security, and cloud especially strongly grew by 25.1%, 17.4% and 16.2% respectively. Operating profit also increased by 51.4% YoY, based on normalized costs⁴, as strong revenue growth led to both network services and systems integration gross profit expansion,” said Eijiro Katsu, President and COO of IIJ.“In general, Japanese enterprises are said to be behind American and European enterprises when it comes to IT services adoption such as cloud and security. However, they seem to become more willing to use them. As a result, demands for network services and systems are gradually growing and I believe this trend should be sustainable for the middle-to-long term. Security services revenue growth was particularly strong as Japanese enterprises start to see them as “critical element” for their business continuity. Also, multi-cloud adoption for enterprises systems has also been growing and making visible revenue contribution. Enterprise mobile revenue has been continuously expanding by leveraging full-MVNO infrastructure and along with increasing IoT demands among our existing customer base. Along with the start of local 5G spectrum allocation in Japan, we’re seeing growing demands to build and/or outsource mobile infrastructure, as seen in our local 5G joint venture project with Sumitomo Corporation and Japanese cable TV operators,⁷” said Koichi Suzuki, Founder, Chairman and CEO of IIJ.“Ever since our inception, we have devoted ourselves to develop Internet infrastructure in Japan. After building them as the first commercial ISP, we have diversified and enhanced our business portfolio to cover various network and system needs. We believe we should be able to achieve sustainable revenue and profit growth by pursuing reliable and high-valued network services developments while also contributing to society by offering stable life-lined network and system platforms which could ultimately improve efficiency and quality of human life and the environment,” concluded Suzuki.____________________¹ Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures discussed in this announcement are prepared in accordance with IFRS, unaudited and consolidated.
² YoY is an abbreviation for year over year change.
³ Net profit is “profit for the period attributable to owners of the parent.”
⁴ Normalized profits are calculated by allocating JPY2.05 billion of additional cost recorded in 4Q18, as a result of the difference between our estimate (14% decrease) and the actual revision (5% decrease) of NTT Docomo’s mobile interconnectivity unit charge to the attributable each quarter of FY2018. Please refer page 5 of our presentation material for 1Q-3Q19 earnings which explains this year over year operating profit in details.
⁵ We revised our full-year financial targets on November 8, 2019.
⁶ Enterprise recurring revenue described here is the sum of Internet connectivity services for enterprise (excluding MVNE), outsourcing, and systems operation and maintenance. It does not include WAN revenues, which decreased YoY due to existing large clients’ migration from WAN to mobile.
⁷ Please refer to our press release “Pursuing the Wireless Platform Business Using Local 5G” published on December 24, 2019 which can be found here https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/news/pressrelease/2019/1224.htmlRegarding the retroactively adjusted 1Q-3Q18 financial resultsAs an MVNO, we purchase mobile infrastructure mainly from NTT Docomo Inc. The unit price for mobile interconnectivity charge is revised every year and has been decreasing. Because the unit price is fixed at the end of our fiscal year, we apply our own estimate of unit price decrease rate to calculate mobile infrastructure cost throughout a fiscal year. Difference amount between our estimate and revised charge is recorded as a one-time cost or reduction in cost in 4Q.In FY2018, the difference between our estimate and the revised was large and we recorded JPY2.05 billion of cost in 4Q18. Essentially this one-time additional cost should have been allocated to attributable each quarter of FY2018. Adjusted figures by the result of such allocation (“Adjusted”) are as follows:Adjusted 1Q-3Q18 results and Adjusted YoY changes are as follows:Operating ResultsSegment Results1Q-3Q19 Financial Results SummaryWe have adopted IFRS 16 “Leases” (hereinafter “IFRS 16”) from 1Q19. As for the details, please refer to “Changes in Accounting Policies” written in the page 18 of this document.Operating Results Summary
Segment Results SummaryWe have omitted segment analysis because most of our revenues are dominated by network services and systems integration (SI) business.1Q-3Q19 Revenues and IncomeRevenues
Total revenues were JPY150,688 million, up 7.9% YoY (JPY139,628 million for 1Q-3Q18).Network services revenue was JPY91,525 million, up 3.8% YoY (JPY88,134 million for 1Q-3Q18).Revenues for Internet connectivity services for enterprise were JPY27,258 million, up 11.5% YoY from JPY24,440 million for 1Q-3Q18, mainly due to an increase in mobile-related services revenues such as MVNE and IoT type revenues by leveraging our full-MVNO infrastructure.Revenues for Internet connectivity services for consumers were JPY19,530 million, up 3.3% YoY from JPY18,904 million for 1Q-3Q18. The revenue growth was mainly due to “IIJmio Mobile Service,” consumer mobile services.Revenues for WAN services were JPY20,796 million, down 10.5% YoY from JPY23,241 million for 1Q-3Q18, mainly because of the planned migration projects of large enterprises clients who are moving away from dedicated line to mobile to connect their multiple locations.Revenues for Outsourcing services were JPY23,941 million, up 11.1% YoY from JPY21,549 million for 1Q-3Q18, mainly due to an increase in security-related services revenues.Network Services Revenues BreakdownNumber of Contracts and Subscription for Connectivity ServicesSI revenues, including equipment sales, were JPY56,062 million, up 15.8% YoY (JPY48,402 million for 1Q-3Q18). Systems construction and equipment sales revenue, a one-time revenue, was JPY22,081 million, up 25.5% YoY (JPY17,601 million for 1Q-3Q18). In addition to an increase in usual revenue of completed project, we recognized JPY1.76 billion of revenue along with construction progresses (There was no revenue recognized based on percentage of completion in FY2018). Systems operation and maintenance revenue, a recurring revenue, was JPY33,981 million, up 10.3% YoY (JPY30,801 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to continued accumulation of systems operation orders as well as an increase in private cloud services’ revenues.Orders received for SI, including equipment sales, totaled JPY60,231 million, up 12.4% YoY (JPY53,608 million for 1Q-3Q18); orders received for systems construction and equipment sales were JPY23,305 million, up 7.8% YoY (JPY21,609 million for 1Q-3Q18), and orders received for systems operation and maintenance were JPY36,926 million, up 15.4% YoY (JPY31,999 million for 1Q-3Q18).Order backlog for SI, equipment sales, as of December 31, 2019 amounted to JPY55,284 million, up 6.7% YoY (JPY51,802 million as of December 31, 2018); order backlog for systems construction and equipment sales was JPY9,064 million, down 17.3% YoY, reflecting 1Q-3Q19 revenue recognition based on percentage of completion (JPY10,966 million as of December 31, 2018) and order backlog for systems operation and maintenance was JPY46,220 million, up 13.2% YoY (JPY40,836 million as of December 31, 2018).ATM operation business revenues were JPY3,101 million, up 0.3% YoY (JPY3,092 million for 1Q-3Q18).Cost of sales
Total cost of sales was JPY126,994 million, up 8.1% YoY (JPY117,487 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY118,991 million as Adjusted) and Adjusted YoY change was up 6.7%.Cost of network services revenue was JPY76,211 million, up 3.3% YoY (JPY73,776 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY75,280 million as Adjusted) and Adjusted YoY change in cost of network services revenue was up 1.2% YoY. There were an increase in outsourcing-related costs along with our mobile-related revenue increase and a decrease in circuit-related costs along with our WAN services revenue decrease. Gross profit was JPY15,314 million, up 6.7% YoY (JPY14,359 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY12,854 million as Adjusted), Adjusted YoY change in gross profit was up 19.1%, and gross profit ratio was 16.7% (16.3% for 1Q-3Q18 and 14.6% as Adjusted).Cost of SI revenues, including equipment sales was JPY49,111 million, up 17.0% YoY (JPY41,973 million for 1Q-3Q18). There were an increase in purchasing costs along with increase in our systems construction revenue and an increase in network operation-related costs. Gross profit was JPY6,951 million, up 8.1% YoY (JPY6,429 million for 1Q-3Q18) and gross profit ratio was 12.4% (13.3% for 1Q-3Q18).Cost of ATM operation business revenues was JPY1,672 million, down 3.8% YoY (JPY1,738 million for 1Q-3Q18). Gross profit was JPY1,429 million (JPY1,353 million for 1Q-3Q18) and gross profit ratio was 46.1% (43.8% for 1Q-3Q18).               Selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating income and expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses, which include research and development expenses, totaled JPY17,680 million, up 6.5% YoY (JPY16,597 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to increases in personnel-related expenses and outsourcing expenses.Other operating income was JPY187 million (JPY104 million for 1Q-3Q18).
Other operating expenses was JPY141 million (JPY139 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to disposal loss on fixed assets.Operating profit
Operating profit was JPY6,060 million (JPY5,509 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY4,004 million as Adjusted), up 10.0% YoY and Adjusted YoY change was up 51.4%.Finance income and expenses, and share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using equity method
Finance income was JPY349 million, compared to JPY479 million for 1Q-3Q18. It included gains on financial assets, such as fund, of JPY192 million (JPY99 million for 1Q-3Q18) and dividend income of JPY75 million (JPY96 million for 1Q-3Q18).Finance expense was JPY432 million, compared to JPY357 million for 1Q-3Q18. It included interest expenses of JPY432 million (JPY321 million for 1Q-3Q18).Share of loss of investments accounted for using equity method was JPY367 million (compared to loss of JPY67 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to our share of loss of investments accounted for DeCurret Inc. of JPY602 million.Profit before tax
Profit before tax was JPY5,610 million (JPY5,564 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY4,059 million as Adjusted), up 0.8% YoY and Adjusted YoY change was up 38.2%.Profit for the period
Income tax expense was JPY2,108 million (JPY1,965 million for 1Q-3Q18). As a result, profit for the period was JPY3,502 million (JPY3,599 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY2,568 million as Adjusted), down 2.7% YoY and Adjusted YoY change was up 36.4%.Profit for the period attributable to non-controlling interests was JPY148 million (JPY131 million for 1Q-3Q18) mainly related to net income of Trust Networks Inc. As a result, profit for the period attributable to owners of parent was JPY3,354 million (JPY3,468 million for 1Q-3Q18 and JPY2,437 million as Adjusted), down 3.3% YoY and Adjusted YoY change was up 37.6%.Financial Position as of December 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2019, the balance of total assets was JPY204,934 million, increased by JPY37,645 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY167,289 million.As of December 31, 2019, the balance of current assets was JPY84,719 million, increased by JPY5,747 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY78,971 million. The major breakdown of fluctuation and balance of current assets was: an increase in cash and cash equivalents by JPY4,393 million to JPY36,351 million, a decrease in trade receivables by JPY1,025 million to JPY32,350 million, a decrease in inventories by JPY1,177 million to JPY2,226 million, an increase in prepaid expenses by JPY1,717 million to JPY10,239 million and an increase in other financial assets by JPY1,837 million to JPY3,418 million.As of December 31, 2019, the balance of non-current assets was JPY120,215 million, increased by JPY31,897 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY88,318 million. Along with the adoption of IFRS 16 from the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, right-of-use assets were newly accounted. The breakdown of right-of-use assets was: JPY31,183 million of assets under operating lease contracts which was newly recognized, mainly related to our office and data centers lease contracts, and JPY16,188 million of assets under finance lease contracts, most of which were transferred from tangible and intangible assets. Other investments was JPY12,060 million, increased by JPY658 million mainly due to increase in fair value of holding marketable equity securities.As of December 31, 2019, the balance of current liabilities was JPY64,791 million, increased by JPY11,886 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY52,904 million. Trade and other payables decreased by JPY2,273 million to JPY19,689 million. Borrowings increased by JPY2,830 million to JPY15,580 million. The breakdown of increase in the borrowings was: an increase by JPY2,500 million in short-term borrowings, a decrease by JPY1,500 million due to payment of long-term borrowings, and an increase by JPY1,830 million due to a transfer from non-current liabilities. Other financial liabilities increased by JPY10,019 million to JPY17,051 million. The increase included JPY8,767 million related to operating lease recognized along with the adoption of IFRS 16.As of December 31, 2019, the balance of non-current liabilities was JPY58,712 million, increased by JPY21,447 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY37,265 million. Long-term borrowings decreased by JPY1,830 million to JPY12,170 million due to a transfer to current portion. Other financial liabilities increased by JPY22,623 million to JPY34,774 million. The increase included JPY22,500 million related to operating lease recognized along with the adoption of IFRS 16.As of December 31, 2019, the balance of equity attributable to owners of parent was JPY80,488 million, increased by JPY4,217 million from the balance as of March 31, 2019 of JPY76,271 million. Ratio of owners’ equity to total assets was 39.3% as of December 31, 2019.1Q-3Q19 Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 were JPY36,351 million (JPY28,720 million as of December 31, 2018).Net cash provided by operating activities for 1Q-3Q19 was JPY25,051 million (net cash provided by operating activities of JPY18,555 million for 1Q-3Q18). There were profit before tax of JPY5,610 million, depreciation and amortization of JPY21,356 million, including JPY9,179 million of depreciation of right-of-use operating lease assets newly recognized by the adoption of IFRS 16, and income taxes paid of JPY2,603 million. Regarding changes in operating assets and liabilities, it was net cash in of JPY314 million mainly due to cash in by collecting trade receivables and deferred revenue and by selling inventories, while there were payment of trade and other payables and prepaid expenses in relation to upfront payment for software licenses and maintenance cost for service facilities.Net cash used in investing activities for 1Q-3Q19 was JPY6,461 million (net cash used in investing activities of JPY6,843 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to payments for purchase of tangible assets of JPY6,222 million (JPY5,358 million for 1Q-3Q18), payments for purchase of intangible assets, such as software, of JPY4,017 million (JPY4,401 million for 1Q-3Q18), and proceeds from sales of other investments, such as equity securities, of JPY2,750 million.Net cash used in financing activities for 1Q-3Q19 was JPY14,154 million (net cash used in financing activities of JPY4,365 million for 1Q-3Q18), mainly due to proceeds from short-term borrowings of JPY2,500 million, payments of other financial liabilities of JPY15,356 million (JPY5,357 million for 1Q-3Q18), including JPY9,144 million of payment of operating lease obligations newly recognized by the adoption of IFRS 16.                                              Future Prospects including FY2019 Financial Targets
Due to seasonal factors, our financial results tend to be large in fourth quarter every fiscal year. Although 1Q-3Q19 total revenue and operating profit exceeded our expectation, because our fourth quarter contribution to the full year results is large, our FY2019 financial targets announced on November 8, 2019 remain unchanged.Please note the followings when comparing year over year. Regarding mobile services costs, we disclose Adjusted Year of Year changes as supplemental information because we recorded one-time additional cost in 4Q18, which should have been allocated to attributable each quarter of FY2018. (For details of this matter, please refer to “Regarding the retroactively adjusted 1Q-3Q18 financial results” which is written on page 2 of this document.) Regarding systems integration, 1Q-3Q19 revenue (JPY1.76 billion) and its profit were recognized based on percentage of completion, which are scheduled to be accepted at or after 4Q19. (There was no revenue recognized based on percentage of completion in FY2018.)Presentation
Presentation materials will be posted on our web site (https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/ir/) on February 7, 2020.Presentation materials are also available in these file archives: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/99e7646d-1ac4-4e01-b319-d3bfab0e1bceAbout Internet Initiative Japan Inc.
Founded in 1992, IIJ is one of Japan’s leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. IIJ’s services include high-quality Internet connectivity services, mobile services, security services, cloud computing services, and systems integration. Moreover, IIJ operates one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan that is connected to the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. IIJ listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006.For inquiries, contact:
IIJ Investor Relations　  Tel: +81-3-5205-6500    E-mail: ir@iij.ad.jp    URL: https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/irDisclaimer:
Statements made in this press release regarding IIJ’s or management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, or predictions for the future are forward-looking statements that are based on IIJ’s and managements’ current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about its business and the industry. These forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding revenues and profits, are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause IIJ’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (UNAUDITED)Going Concern Assumption (Unaudited)