January 1, 1970 - TCMFF

Telecom Argentina: The Ghost in the Machine (and the Market)

There's something strange happening with Telecom Argentina (TCMFF). Something that, in my years of analyzing financial data, I've never quite seen before. It's a company that seems to exist simultaneously in two states: booming growth on paper, and near-total invisibility in the market. It's a financial paradox, a ghost in the machine, a silent giant generating a cacophony of questions.

Let's start with the apparent boom. Look at their projected revenue growth for this year: a staggering 80.7%! Their latest quarterly revenue may have dipped slightly year-over-year, but their longer-term trajectory paints a picture of an unstoppable juggernaut. Their EBITDA sits at an impressive 460 billion ARS, more than double their market cap. On paper, this is a company on fire.

But then, the silence. The market whispers, barely acknowledging TCMFF's existence. The stock, trading on the PINK exchange, saw a 52-week high of just $1.60 and an abysmal low of $0.0007. There's a Wall Street target price, a beacon in the fog, set at $12.34, yet the stock seems magnetized to the lower end of the spectrum.

Here's the kicker: despite the phenomenal growth projected in their financial data, there are no earnings estimates for the current or next year. None. Zero. Zilch. It's as if analysts are collectively holding their breath, unsure of whether to declare TCMFF a phoenix rising or a mirage shimmering in the Argentine heat.

What's fueling this bizarre disconnect? A potential clue lies in their recent financial history. A dramatic share consolidation in 2022 saw a five-fold reduction in outstanding shares. Before this, TCMFF was reporting earnings per share in the hundreds of ARS, a figure so outlandish it was likely distorting any meaningful analysis. The consolidation seems to have been an attempt to create a more understandable financial picture, but it's also had the effect of obscuring past performance, making it even harder to predict the future.

Adding another layer of complexity is the economic turmoil in Argentina. Sky-high inflation, currency devaluation, and political instability are all factors that could be making analysts hesitant to commit to any earnings predictions. It's a volatile landscape, and TCMFF, despite its size and potential, is operating on shaky ground.

Here's my hypothesis: The market is waiting. It's waiting for clear and consistent financial reporting from TCMFF, reporting that reflects the reality of their operations in the current Argentinian climate. It's waiting for analysts to dive into the newly consolidated figures, to untangle the past and extrapolate a future that makes sense. It's waiting for signs of stability, both within the company and the country it calls home.

Until then, TCMFF remains a ghost in the machine, a fascinating anomaly demanding a closer look. This is a company with the potential to be a market leader, but it needs to convince the market that its future is more than just a mirage.

TCMFF Key Financial Data

Reference: Source: Financial Statements and Analyst Reports

Historical Outstanding Shares (Millions)

"Fun Fact: Telecom Argentina holds a prominent place in Argentinian pop culture. Their jingle "Llamame" (Call Me), released in the 90s, became a national earworm and is still fondly remembered by many Argentinians. It's a reminder that even in the midst of financial uncertainties, the company has a strong brand presence and a connection with its customer base. Whether this translates into tangible market success, however, remains to be seen."