
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) COGECO CABLE INC. Q1 2012 7
In the first quarter, positive free cash flow amounted to $21 million, compared to negative free cash flow of $30 million in the comparable
period of fiscal 2011, representing an increase of $51 million. The growth in free cash flow over the prior year is due to the increase in
operating income before depreciation and amortization combined with the current income tax expense reduction, partl y offset by the increase
in property, plant and equipment acquisitions.
In the first three months of fiscal 2012, Indebtedness affecting cash increased by $40.4 million mainly due to the cash outflows of $63.3 million
from the changes in non-cash operating activities, to $14.6 million and $3.2 million of income tax and financial expense payments made during
the quarter but recorded in 2011 fiscal year and dividend payment of $12.2 million, partly offset by the positive free cash flow of $21 million
and the decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $35.5 million. In the first three months of fiscal 2011, Indebtedness affecting cash increased
by $183.7 million mainly due the cash outflows of $57.7 million from the changes in non-cash operating activities, the increase in cash and
cash equivalents of $161.8 million, negative free cash flow of $30 million and the dividend payment of $8.2 million, partly offset by
$78.1 million of income tax expense recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 but not paid due to modifications made to the corporate
structure. Indebtedness mainly increased in 2011 through the issuance of $200 million Senior Secured Debent ures Series 2, partl y offset b y a
net repayment of $13.8 million on the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a dividend of $0.25 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares, totalling
$12.2 million, compared to a dividend of $0.17 per share, or $8.2 million the year before.
As at November 30, 2011, the Corporation had a working capital deficiency of $151.4 million compared to $ 178.2 million at August 31, 2011.
The decrease in the deficiency is mainly attributable to a decrease in trade and other payables and income tax liabilities, partly offset by
decreases in cash and cash equivalents and in income taxes receivable and by an increase in bank indebtedness. As part of the usual
conduct of its business, Cogeco Cable maintains a working capital deficiency due to a low level of accounts receivable as a large portion of
the Corporation’s customers pay before their services are rendered, unlike trade and other payables, which are paid after products are
delivered or services are rendered, thus enabling the Corporat ion to use cash and cash equivalents to reduce Indebtedness.
At November 30, 2011, the Corporation had used $151.2 million of its $750 million Term Revolving Facility for a remaining availability of
$598.8 million.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Since August 31, 2011, there have been significant changes to the balances of, “trade and other payables”, “property, plant and equipment”,
“income taxes receivable”, “income tax liabilities”, “future income tax liabilities”, “long-term debt”, “derivative financial instruments”, “cash and
cash equivalents” and “bank indebtedness”.
The $68.3 million decrease in trade and other payables is related to the timing of payments made to suppliers. The $14.5 million increase in
property, plant and equipment reflects the acquisitions discussed in the “Cash flow and Liquidity” section net from the depreciation expense.
The decrease of $25.2 million in income taxes receivable, of $39.7 million in income tax liabilities and of $7.9 million in future income tax
liabilities primarily reflect the timing of the recognition of income tax liabilities as a result of modifications made to the corporate structure
combined with the increase in operating income before depreciation and amortization. The increase of $21 million in bank indebtedness, of
$27.8 million in long-term debt and the decrease of $35.5 million in cash and cash equivalents are due to the factors previousl
y discussed in
the “Cash Flow and Liquidity” section. The $7 million decrease in derivative financial instruments is due to the factors discussed in the
“Financial management” section.
A description of Cogeco Cable’s share data as of December 31, 2011 is presented in the table below:
Number of
shares/options
mount
($000)
Common shares
Multiple voting shares
Subordinate voting shares
15,691,100
33,117,508
98,346
899,997
Options to purchase Subordinate voting shares
Outstanding options
Exercisable options
607,925
406,565
In the normal course of business, Cogeco Cable has incurred financial obligations, primarily in the form of long-term debt, operating and
finance leases and guarantees. Cogeco Cable’s obligations, as discussed in the 2011 Annual Report, have not materially changed since
August 31, 2011, except as mentioned below.
On November 22, 2011, Cogeco Cable renewed its credit agreement for a $750 million credit facility, with an option to increase to a total
amount of up to $1 billion, subject to lenders’ participation, in the form of a five year Term Revolving Facility. The renewed Term Revolving
Facility was arranged by a group of financial institutions led by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Bank of Montreal. The renewed
Term Revolving Facility will mature on November 22, 2016, but may be extended by additional one-year periods on an annual basis, subject to
lenders’ approval. The Term Revo lving Facility is indirectly secured by a first priority fixed and floating charge on substantially all present and
future real and personal propert y and undertaking of every natu re and kind of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries, and provides for
certain permitted encumbrances, including purchased money obligations, existing funded obligations and charges granted by any subsidiary
prior to the date when it becomes a subsidiary, subject to a maximum amount.