
Management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) COGECO CABLE INC. Q2 2014 7
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD
For the second quarter of fiscal 2014, profit for the period amounted to $60.4 million, or $1.24 per share, compared to $50.8 million, or $1.05 per
share last year. For the six-month period ended February 28, 2014, profit for the period amounted to $110.1 million, or $2.26 per share, compared
to $92.9 million, or $1.91 for the comparable period. Profit progression for both periods is mostly attributable to the improvement of the adjusted
EBITDA explained above and the decrease in integration, restructuring and acquisition costs, partly offset by the increase in the fixed charges.
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Consolidated
Net additions (losses) Net additions (losses)
Consolidated UNITED STATES CANADA Quarters ended Six months ended
February 28, 2014
February 28,
2014
February 28,
2013
February 28,
2014
February 28,
2013
PSU
(1)
2,454,627 492,550 1,962,077 (10,305) 6,074 (13,030) 21,862
Television service customers 1,044,611 228,759
815,852
(13,248) (10,660) (22,341) (12,736)
HSI service customers 857,786 184,805
672,981
8,889 11,184 19,341 22,737
Telephony service customers 552,230 78,986
473,244
(5,946) 5,550 (10,030) 11,861
(1) Represents the sum of Television, High Speed Internet ("HSI") and Telephony service customers.
At February 28, 2014 , PSU reached 2,454,627 of which 1,962,077 come from the Canadian cable services segment and 492,550 come from
the American cable services segment. For the three and six-month periods ended February 28, 2014, PSU net losses stood at 10,305 and 13,030 ,
respectively, compared to net additions of 6,074 and 21,862 for the comparable periods of fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2014 second-quarter and first six
months net losses for Television service customers stood at 13,248 and 22,341 compared to 10,660 and 12,736, HSI service customers grew
by 8,889 and 19,341 compared to 11,184 and 22,737 and the Telephony service customers net losses stood at 5,946 and 10,030 compared to
net additions of 5,550 and 11,861 for the comparable periods of fiscal 2013. HSI net additions continue to stem from the enhancement of the
product offering and the impact of the bundle offer.
In the Canadian cable services segment, PSU decreased by 13,425 for the second-quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to an increase of 2,314 for
the comparable period last year. For the first six months of fiscal 2014, PSU decreased by 18,045, compared to an increase of 18,102 for the
comparable period in 2013. The decrease is explained by service category maturity and a much more competitive environment in all services.
In the American cable services segment, PSU increased by 3,120 for the second-quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to an increase of 3,760 for
the same period of prior year. For the first six months of fiscal 2014, PSU increased by 5,015, compared to an increase of 3,760 for the comparable
period in 2013. The increase is explained by additional HSI and Telephony services, offset by losses in the Television service.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Cogeco Cable Inc. is a subsidiary of COGECO Inc., which holds 32.0% of the Corporation’s equity shares, representing 82.5% of the Corporation’s
voting shares. On September 1, 1992, Cogeco Cable Inc. executed a management agreement with COGECO Inc. under which the parent company
agreed to provide certain executive, administrative, legal, regulatory, strategic and financial planning services and additional services to the
Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Management Agreement”). These services are provided by COGECO Inc.’s senior executives, including
the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal
Officer and Secretary, the Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Copyright, the Vice President, Corporate Development, the Vice President and
Treasurer, the Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications and the Vice President, Internal Audit and Risk Management. No direct
remuneration is payable to such senior executives by the Corporation. However, the Corporation granted 83,650 stock options (71,233 in 2013)
to these senior executives as senior executives of Cogeco Cable during the first six months of fiscal year 2014. During the second quarter and
first six months of fiscal 2014, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. amounts of $68,000 and $162,000 ($86,000 and $176,000 in 2013) with
regards to the Corporation’s stock options granted to these senior executives.
During the first six months of fiscal 2014 the Corporation also granted 12,450 (12,280 in 2013) Incentive Share Units (“ISUs”) to these senior
executives as senior executives of Cogeco Cable. During the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014, the Corporation charged COGECO
Inc. amounts of $119,000 and $318,000 ($112,000 and $219,000 in 2013) with regards to the Corporation’s ISUs granted to these senior executives.
Under the Management Agreement, the Corporation pays monthly fees equal to 2% of its total revenue to COGECO Inc. for the above-mentioned
services. The management fees are subject to annual upward adjustment based on increases in the Consumer Price Index in Canada. This limit
can be increased under certain circumstances upon request to that effect by COGECO Inc. For fiscal year 2014, management fees have been
set at a maximum of $9.7 million ($9.6 million in 2013), which were paid within the first half of the fiscal year. For fiscal year 2013, management
fees were also fully paid in the first half of the year. In addition, the Corporation reimburses COGECO Inc.’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred with
respect to services provided to the Corporation under the Management Agreement.
Details regarding the Management Agreement and stock options and ISUs granted to COGECO Inc.’s senior executives are provided in the
Corporation’s 2013 Annual Report.
There were no other material related party transactions during the periods covered.