- French telecom Iliad (OTCPK:ILIAY +2.5%) posted increased earnings for its 2015, beating estimates as its low-cost mobile packages gain ground with consumers.
- 2015 EBITDA of €1.49B was up 16%, beating an expected €1.48B.
- The company said it reached mobile market share of 17% last year, just four years after it became France's fourth carrier. Its entry sparked a price war that's fueling consolidation talks among rivals Orange (ORAN +0.6%) and Bouygues (OTCPK:BOUYY) to create a clear market leader.
- Iliad and Numericable-SFR (OTCPK:NUMCF) -- No. 3 and No. 2 in the market respectively -- would pick up some assets if the Orange-Bouygues deal goes through.
- Iliad is targeting 25% market share in the longer term and wants an EBITDA margin of 40% by the end of 2020, up from last year's 33.8%.
- Previously: Orange CFO: Heavy investments, crunch time for Bouygues deal (Feb. 24 2016)
- Previously: Orange-Bouygues talks to take several more weeks (Feb. 16 2016)