Value-oriented business management

Key per­for­mance indicators for planning and managing business op­er­a­tions are revenue, operating income before de­pre­ci­a­tion and amor­ti­sa­tion (EBITDA) and capital ex­pen­di­ture. The enterprise value/EBITDA ratio also permits comparisons of Swisscom’s enterprise value derived from the share price on the balance sheet date with that of similar com­pa­nies (European telecom­mu­ni­ca­tions com­pa­nies) as well as with the prior year. The members of the Board of Directors and Group Executive Board are paid a portion of their re­mu­ner­a­tion in the form of Swisscom shares, which are blocked for a period of three years. They are also subject to a minimum share­hold­ing requirement. Variable re­mu­ner­a­tion based on financial and non-financial targets, the partial settlement of re­mu­ner­a­tion in shares and the minimum share­hold­ing requirement ensure that the financial interests of management are aligned with the interests of shareholders.

Swisscom’s enterprise value increased by 5.4% or CHF 1.9 bil­lion to CHF 36.7 bil­lion in 2019. The main reason for this was the CHF 2.2 bil­lion increase in market capitalisation. On a comparable basis, EBITDA declined, however. Nevertheless, the ratio of total enterprise value to EBITDA increased slightly to 8.4 (prior year: 7.9). Swisscom’s relative market valuation is therefore well above the average for comparable com­pa­nies in Europe’s telecoms sector. The higher relative valuation is supported by Swisscom’s solid market position and attractive dividend. In addition, the lower interest rates and lower profit tax rates in Switzer­land compared to other European countries have a positive effect.