Global Markets - Latest Developments


Luxembourg, February 20, 2014

ses-10.gifAirbus Defence and Space (formerly Astrium)  has won a contract with SES for the design and construction of the latest addition to its fleet, the SES-10 satellite which will be covering the Americas. The new satellite will be based on the Eurostar E3000 platform and will be equipped with a dual chemical and electrical propulsion system.

El Segundo, Calif., February 20, 2014

DIRECTV today reported that fourth quarter 2013 revenues increased 7% to US$ 8.59 billion, operating profit before depreciation and amortization (OPBDA) increased 6% to US$ 2.04 billion and operating profit increased 3% to US$1.33 billion compared to last year's fourth quarter. DIRECTV reported that fourth quarter net income declined to  and diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.53 compared with the same period last year.

Washington, D.C., February 20, 2014

Intelsat S.A. today reported total revenue of US$ 642.8 million and net income attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 72.6 million, or $0.62 per share on a diluted basis, for the three months ended  December 31, 2013. The company reported adjusted diluted net income per  common share of $0.84 for the three months ended December 31, 2013. 

Singapore, February 20, 2014

With the ever increasing demand for mobile broadband anytime, anywhere, the explosive growth of Over-the-Top (OTT) content has accelerated rapidly with a staggering 352.4 million people expected to pay for access to OTT programming by 2016[1]. As Asian consumers continue to demand easily-accessible entertainment, OTT services such as pay TV are increasingly becoming a necessity in the region with revenues expected to grow to US$43.9 billion by 2018, according to a research report[2].

Dulles, Va., February 19, 2014

cygnus.gifOrbital Sciences Corporation completed today the first of eight CygnusTM operational cargo logistics spacecraft missions to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the company’s US$ 1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. The Cygnus spacecraft unberthed from the ISS yesterday morning at 6:41 a.m. (EST), completing a 37-day stay at the orbiting laboratory. Today, Cygnus reentered Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand at approximately 1:20 p.m. (EST).

Las Vegas, Nev., February 18, 2014

 wheeler-caption.gifFederal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler will provide the “FCC Keynote” at the 2014 NAB Show in Las Vegas, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today. The address, which will be held Tuesday, April 8, 9:00-10:00 a.m., is expected to provide insight into the Chairman’s views on broadcasting and what his expectations are on the regulatory front in the coming years.

McLean, Va., Feb. 18, 2014

Aireon LLC, the developer of the world's first space-based global air traffic surveillance system, announced today that it has closed the previously announced investment transaction with three new investors and major Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs): ENAV (Italy), the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), and Naviair (Denmark), and has received their first tranche investment totaling US$ 50 million. 

Petah Tikva, Israel - February 18, 2014

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. today reported its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013. Revenue for 2013 was US$ 234.9 million with EBITDA of US$ 16.3 million. Gilat reported strong backlog of US$ 228 million at the end of 2013 more than doubled as compared to US$98.9 million at the end of 2012.

Net cash increased to US $50.9 million as compared to US$ 18.7 million at the end of 2012.

Baikonur, Kazakhstan, February 15, 2014

turksat-launch-2014.jpgInternational Launch Services (ILS) successfully launched the TURKSAT-4A satellite into orbit today on an ILS Proton vehicle. The satellite was built by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for TURKSAT Satellite Communication, Cable TV and Operation Inc. Co. (TURKSAT A.S.). This was the first ILS Proton launch for both the satellite operator and the manufacturer; it was also the first Proton launch of the year.

Paris, France, February 14, 2014

Eutelsat anounced financial results for half year ending December 31, 2013, reporting revenue growth of 2.2%, and 3.1% at constant currency and excluding non-recurring revenues in line with full-year objectives. EBITDA was  €501 million (approximately US$ 676.83 million). The EBITDA margin was 77.4%.

Group share of net income of €147 million with a net margin at 22.8%. Eutelsat said that they have a backlog of €5.3 billion representing more than four years of revenues.