A period of contraction has passed, but a cautious optimism now defines the outlook for the telecommunications giant. After experiencing a decline in 2025, the company anticipates a return to growth, forecasting low- to mid-single-digit revenue increases in the year ahead.
Recent financial reports reveal a 4.12% dip in net income for 2025, settling at P23.3 billion compared to P24.3 billion the previous year. This downturn was attributed to rising depreciation and interest expenses, coupled with a slight decrease in overall revenues.
Total revenue for 2025 reached P178.24 billion, a 1.3% decrease from the P180.59 billion recorded in 2024. While service revenues remained relatively stable, dipping only 0.04% to P165.08 billion, non-service revenues experienced a more significant 15% decline, landing at P13.16 billion.
Despite these challenges, a bright spot emerged: data revenues continued to fuel the company’s performance, representing approximately 88% of total consolidated revenue. This highlights the increasing reliance on data services within the consumer base.
The home broadband sector demonstrated resilience, generating P24 billion in revenue. Strong adoption of fiber optic technology successfully offset the waning popularity of older, fixed wireless services, signaling a shift in consumer preference.
Efforts to streamline operations yielded positive results, with total costs and expenses decreasing by 3% to P90.62 billion. However, ongoing investments in network infrastructure led to increased depreciation and amortization expenses.
Looking forward, the company’s leadership is focused on enhancing customer impact. Plans include expanding the 5G network, broadening the reach of GFiber Prepaid, and scaling digital ventures like GCash and enterprise solutions to meet evolving consumer demands.
A significant contributor to the company’s financial health is its equity share in Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), the operator of GCash. This stake generated P6.1 billion, accounting for around 22% of the company’s pre-tax income.
Mynt, a partnership between the company, Ayala Corp., and Ant International, is proving instrumental in driving digital and financial inclusion across the nation. Its success underscores the growing importance of digital financial services.
The final quarter of 2025 offered a glimpse of recovery, with core net income rising by 8% to P5.44 billion. Operating revenues also saw an increase, climbing 5% to P46.65 billion compared to the same period the previous year.
Executives emphasized the company’s resilience and adaptability, noting a strong finish to the year after a slower start. Disciplined cost management and sustained growth in mobile, broadband, and corporate data contributed to positive free cash flow.
Mynt’s performance remained robust throughout the year, driven by the rapid expansion of its CreditTech business alongside its core payments and transfer operations. However, a change in accounting policy and regulatory shifts impacted its equity share in the fourth quarter.
For 2026, the company plans a more measured approach to capital expenditure, projecting spending below $1 billion. This reflects a commitment to optimizing existing network investments and maximizing returns as network expansion continues.
Investor confidence appears to be returning, as evidenced by a 5.07% increase in the company’s share price on the local bourse, closing at P1,678 apiece. This positive market reaction suggests optimism about the company’s future prospects.
