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05.03.2024
Teleperformance Bond Yield Surges as AI Disruption Concerns
Teleperformance Bond Yield Surges as AI Disruption Concerns
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Teleperformance's bond yield surged as concerns mounted over the impact of AI following a significant drop in its shares, sparked by Klarna's success with AI-powered customer service, despite Teleperformance's reassurances and prior AI initiatives.

The Teleperformance 5.75% Nov 2031 EUR (FR001400M2G2) bond has experienced a notable surge in its yield, rising by 70 basis points to 5.4% over the past week.

Yield curve illustration showing the performance of the Teleperformance bond (FR001400M2G2), with a 5.7% coupon, due on November 22, 2031, in Euros.

The surge in the bond's yield is attributed to growing concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Teleperformance, a prominent French call center firm. Teleperformance's shares plummeted to a 7-year low on February 28, declining by 19% to 107.9 euros.

The drop in Teleperformance shares was linked by market analysts to a statement from Swedish fintech company Klarna. Klarna highlighted the positive effects of its AI customer service assistant, powered by Open AI, on its business results. The AI assistant managed two-thirds of Klarna's customer service chats in just a month, equivalent to the workload of 700 full-time agents. This efficiency led to a 25% drop in repeat inquiries, contributing to Klarna's forecasted $40 million boost to profit in 2024.

Teleperformance, in response to the share price decline, sought to reassure investors through a press release. The company emphasized that the current market activity does not reflect negative conclusions about its business due to technological developments in AI. Additionally, Teleperformance highlighted its existing deployment of AI solutions and ongoing research and development programs, both internally and in collaboration with technology companies.

Notably, Teleperformance had already embarked on a strategic initiative in 2023, aiming to automate 20% to 30% of its activities within the next three years through generative AI. However, the company later downplayed expectations due to a lukewarm response from clients to the new technology. Analysts had flagged Teleperformance in 2023 as a company potentially vulnerable to the disruptive effects of AI, a sentiment echoed in the recent market reaction.

As investors continue to assess the implications of AI on Teleperformance's business model, the bond market remains dynamic, reflecting the evolving landscape of technology's influence on traditional sectors. The company is set to announce its financial results as planned on March 6, providing further insights into its resilience and adaptation strategies amid technological disruptions.

The company's senior unsecured debt is currently rated 'BBB' by S&P.

On November 6, 2023, Teleperformance released its quarterly and nine-month revenue figures for the period ended September 30, 2023, showcasing a net debt/EBITDA ratio of 2.0x, indicating its leverage position.

The Yield Map for Teleperformance SE Euro-denominated bonds as of March 5, 2024:

The Yield Map for Teleperformance SE Euro-denominated bonds as of March 5, 2024

About Teleperformance

Teleperformance SE specializes in offering business process outsourcing, telemarketing, customer relationship management, technical support, and communication services. Its clientele spans across various sectors including automotive, banking, financial services, healthcare, retail, electronic commerce, technology, telecommunications, media, energy, utilities, travel, logistics, hospitality, and video games. Established in 1978 by Daniel Ernest Henri Julien and Jacques Berrebi, the company is headquartered in Paris, France. Teleperformance SE has a market capitalization of €7.04 billion as of March 01, 2024.

This article does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bondfish does not recommend using the data and information provided as the only basis for making any investment decision. You should not make any investment decisions without first conducting your own research and considering your own financial situation.