Cogeco Communications

Press release details

Cogeco Cable reports strong first quarter results and improves its fiscal 2011 guidelines

Cogeco Cable
improves its fiscal 2011 guidelines
Montréal, January 13, 2011 Today,
Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA) (“Cogeco Cableor the “Corporation”) announced its
financial results for the first quarter
of fiscal 2011,
For the first quarter of fiscal 2011:
Revenue increased by 4.5
% to reach $
O
perating income before amortization
fiscal 2010;
Operating margin
(1)
increased to
39
year. The
growth in the operating
in the European operations;
Net income amounted to $33.6
million compared to $
the first
quarter of the prior fiscal year
related to the reduction of
Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates for the Canadian operations
adjustment, first
quarter net income progress
to the adjusted net income
(1)
of $
26.9
$62
million was generated which included a one
corporate structure;
A
dividend of $0.17 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting
$0.03 per share, or 21.4%, when
Revenue-
generating units (“RGU”)
November 30, 2010.
“Cogeco Cable has improved most of its key indicators in the first quarter which repr
Corporation’s 2011 fiscal year. Our Canadian operations grew steadily, adding 70,690 RGU in the first quarter. In Portugal,
growth across a
ll services generated 20,179 RGU in this quarter illustrating that our strategies to
have proved effective despite the difficult competitive environment. With these
guidelines for t
he 2011 fiscal year. Projected RGU growth, operating income before amortization and free cash flow have been
increased to reflect the expected trend generated by the strong financial results we delivered in this quarter.
with our financial r
esults to date and will continue to strive to be the first choice for
customers in all of our territories”, declared
Louis Audet, President and CEO of Cogeco Cable.
(1)
The indicated terms do not have standard
definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details, please consult the “Non
analysis.
(2)
Represents the sum of Basic Cable, High Speed Interne
For immediate release
Cogeco Cable
reports
strong first quarter results and
improves its fiscal 2011 guidelines
Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA) (“Cogeco Cableor the “Corporation”) announced its
of fiscal 2011,
ended November 30, 2010.
% to reach $
331.5 million;
perating income before amortization
(1)
increased by 5.6% to $129.4 million
when compared to the first quarter of
39
% from 38.6% in the first
quarter when compared to the
growth in the operating
margin primarily reflects rate increases
implemented in the second half of the
2010 fiscal year, partly offset by the continued impact of
the retention strategies and additional marketing activities
million compared to $
56.7 million for the same period
of the previous fiscal year
quarter of the prior fiscal year
, net income included
a favourable income tax adjustment of $29.8
Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates for the Canadian operations
quarter net income progress
ion in fiscal 2011 amounted to $6.8
million, or
26.9
million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010;
In the first quarter of the year, a negative free cash flow
(1)
of $30
million was posted which included the recognition
of current income tax expense of $78.1
million primarily attributable to the 2010 fiscal year, as a result of previous
modifications made to the corporate structure. For the same period of last year
, a positive free cash flow of
million was generated which included a one
-time tax recovery of $22.2
million also stemming from the modified
dividend of $0.17 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting
compared to a dividend of $0.14 per share the year before
generating units (“RGU”)
(2)
grew by 90,869
net additions in the quarter, for a total of
“Cogeco Cable has improved most of its key indicators in the first quarter which repr
esents a positive start for the
Corporation’s 2011 fiscal year. Our Canadian operations grew steadily, adding 70,690 RGU in the first quarter. In Portugal,
ll services generated 20,179 RGU in this quarter illustrating that our strategies to
retain and attract
have proved effective despite the difficult competitive environment. With these
positive results,
we have revised most of our
he 2011 fiscal year. Projected RGU growth, operating income before amortization and free cash flow have been
increased to reflect the expected trend generated by the strong financial results we delivered in this quarter.
esults to date and will continue to strive to be the first choice for
telecommunications services to the
Louis Audet, President and CEO of Cogeco Cable.
definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details, please consult the “Non
-
GAAP financial measures” section of the Ma
rnet (“HSI”), Digital Television and Telephony service customers.
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
strong first quarter results and
Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA) (“Cogeco Cableor the “Corporation”) announced its
when compared to the first quarter of
quarter when compared to the
same period of the prior
implemented in the second half of the
the retention strategies and additional marketing activities
of the previous fiscal year
. In
a favourable income tax adjustment of $29.8
million
Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates for the Canadian operations
. Excluding this
million, or
25.1% when compared
million was posted which included the recognition
million primarily attributable to the 2010 fiscal year, as a result of previous
, a positive free cash flow of
million also stemming from the modified
dividend of $0.17 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting
shares, an increase of
compared to a dividend of $0.14 per share the year before
;
net additions in the quarter, for a total of
3,270,218 RGU at
esents a positive start for the
Corporation’s 2011 fiscal year. Our Canadian operations grew steadily, adding 70,690 RGU in the first quarter. In Portugal,
retain and attract
customers
we have revised most of our
he 2011 fiscal year. Projected RGU growth, operating income before amortization and free cash flow have been
increased to reflect the expected trend generated by the strong financial results we delivered in this quarter.
We are pleased
telecommunications services to the
definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be comparable
GAAP financial measures” section of the Ma
nagement’s discussion and
- 2 -
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009 Change
($000, except percentages and per share data) $ $ %
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Operations
Revenue 331,519 317,365 4.5
Operating income before amortization
(1)
129,428 122,606 5.6
Operating margin
(1)
39.0% 38.6%
Operating income 66,438 57,041 16.5
Net income 33,637 56,666 (40.6)
Adjusted net income
(1)
33,637 26,884 25.1
Cash Flow
Cash flow from operating activities 55,003 (3,618)
Cash flow from operations
(1)
36,433 130,229 (72.0)
Capital expenditures and increase in deferred charges 66,447 68,221 (2.6)
Free cash flow
(1)
(30,014)
62,008
Financial Condition
(2)
Fixed assets 1,326,099 1,325,077 0.1
Total assets 2,847,210 2,702,819 5.3
Indebtedness
(3)
1,143,393 958,939 19.2
Shareholders’ equity 1,159,985 1,136,301 2.1
RGU growth 90,869 89,785 1.2
Per Share Data
(4)
Earnings per share
Basic 0.69 1.17 (41.0)
Diluted 0.69 1.16 (40.5)
Adjusted earnings per share
(1)
Basic 0.69 0.55 25.5
Diluted 0.69 0.55 25.5
(1)
The indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details, please consult the “Non-GAAP financial measures section of the Management’s discussion and
analysis.
(2)
At November 30, 2010 and August 31, 2010.
(3)
Indebtedness is defined as the total of bank indebtedness, principal on long-term debt and obligations under derivative financial instruments. On November 16, 2010, the
Corporation completed the issuance of $200 million Senior Secured Debentures Series 2. Proceeds from the issuance were mainly used to redeem the $175 million Senior
Secured Notes Series B on December 22, 2010.
(4)
Per multiple and subordinate voting share.
- 3 -
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking
information may relate to Cogeco Cable’s future outlook and anticipated events, business, operations, financial performance, financial
condition or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may"; "will"; "should"; "expect"; "plan"; "anticipate";
"believe"; "intend"; "estimate"; "predict"; "potential"; "continue"; "foresee", "ensure" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not
historical facts. In particular, statements regarding the Corporation’s future operating results and economic performance and its objectives and
strategies are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results
of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities, which Cogeco Cable believes are reasonable as of the current date.
While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Corporation, they may
prove to be incorrect. The Corporation cautions the reader that the economic downturn experienced over the past two years makes forward-
looking information and the underlying assumptions subject to greater uncertainty and that, consequently, they may not materialize, or the
results may significantly differ from the Corporation’s expectations. It is impossible for Cogeco Cable to predict with certainty the impact that
the current economic downturn may have on future results. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and
uncertainties (described in the “Uncertainties and main risk factors” section of the Corporation’s 2010 annual Management’s Discussion and
Analysis (MD&A)) that could cause actual results to differ materially from what Cogeco Cable currently expects. These factors include
technological changes, changes in market and competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions, the
development of new products and services, the enhancement of existing products and services, and the introduction of competing products
having technological or other advantages, many of which are beyond the Corporation’s control. Therefore, future events and results may vary
significantly from what management currently foresee. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and
should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While management may elect to, the Corporation is under no obligation (and
expressly disclaims any such obligation), and does not undertake to update or alter this information before the next quarter.
This analysis should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, prepared in
accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the MD&A included in the Corporation’s 2010 Annual Report.
Throughout this discussion, all amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (“MD&A”)
CORPORATE STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES
Cogeco Cable Inc.’s (“Cogeco Cable” or the “Corporation”) objectives are to improve profitability and create shareholder value. The strategies
for reaching those objectives are sustained growth through the diversification and the improvement of products, services, clientele and
territories, as well as the continuous improvement of networks and equipment and tight controls over costs and business processes. The
Corporation measures its performance, with regard to these objectives by monitoring operating income before amortization
(1)
, operating
margin
(1)
, revenue-generating units (“RGU”)
(2)
growth and free cash flow
(1)
.
During the first three months of fiscal 2011, the Corporation invested approximately $30 million in its network infrastructure and equipment to
upgrade its capacity, improve its robustness and extend its territories in order to better serve and increase its service offerings for new and
existing clientele.
RGU growth and penetration of service offerings
During the first quarter ended November 30, 2010, the number of RGU increased by 90,869, or 2.9%, to reach 3,270,218 RGU, mainly as a
result of targeted marketing initiatives in the Canadian operations and customer acquisition and retention strategies in the European
operations designed to improve penetration, and to the continuing interest for high definition (“HD”) television service. As a result of the strong
RGU growth in the first quarter of the year, Cogeco Cable expects to surpass its fiscal 2011 guidelines of 250,000 net additions, and
accordingly is revising the RGU growth guideline to 275,000 net additions for the 2011 fiscal year, representing growth of approximately 8.6%
when compared to August 31, 2010. RGU growth is expected to stem primarily from the continued strong interest in Digital Television
services, enhanced service offerings, and through promotional activities. Please consult the fiscal 2011 revised projections in the “Fiscal 2011
financial guidelines” section for further details.
Operating income before amortization and operating margin
First-quarter operating income before amortization increased by 5.6% when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 to reach $129.4 million
and operating margin increased to 39% from 38.6%. Primarily as a result of the increase in the RGU growth guideline, Management has
increased the projection for fiscal 2011 operating income before amortization to $545 million, an increase of $15 million, or 2.8% over the
projection of $530 million in operating income before amortization issued on October 27, 2010. This increase in operating income before
amortization is expected to result in an operating margin of approximately 40.1% for the 2011 fiscal year, compared to 39.6% as issued on
October 27, 2010. Please consult the fiscal 2011 revised projections in the “Fiscal 2011 financial guidelines” section for further details.
Free cash flow
For the three-month period ended November 30, 2010, Cogeco Cable reports negative free cash flow of $30 million, compared to positive free
cash flow of $62 million for the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, representing a decrease of $92 million. The negative free cash flow in
the first quarter of fiscal 2011 reflects the timing of the recognition of income tax liabilities as a result of modifications made to the corporate
structure in fiscal 2009, and will return to positive free cash flow in the second quarter of the fiscal year. Mainly as a result of the improvement
of the operating income before amortization, Management expects an increase in cash flow from operations
(1)
in fiscal 2011 while the increase
in capital expenditures and increase in deferred charges should remain unchanged from the October 27, 2010 guidance. Management has
revised its free cash flow guidelines for fiscal 2011 to $70 million, an increase of $15 million, or 27.3%, when compared to the free cash flow
guideline of $55 million issued on October 27, 2010. Please consult the fiscal 2011 revised projections in the “Fiscal 2011 financial guidelines”
section for further details.
(1)
The indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details, please consult the “Non-GAAP financial measures” section.
(2)
Represents the sum of Basic Cable, High Speed Internet (“HSI”), Digital Television and Telephony service customers.
- 4 -
OPERATING RESULTS – CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009 Change
($000, except percentages) $ $ %
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
331,519
317,365
4.5
Operating costs 195,447 188,418 3.7
Management fees - COGECO Inc.
6,644 6,341 4.8
Operating income before amortization 129,428 122,606 5.6
Operating margin 39.0% 38.6%
Revenue
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter revenue rose by $14.2 million, or 4.5%, to reach $331.5 million, when compared to the prior year. For further details
on the Corporation’s operating results, please refer to the “Canadian operations” and “European operations” sections.
Operating costs
For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, operating costs, excluding management fees payable to COGECO Inc., increased by $7 million, to reach
$195.4 million, an increase of 3.7% compared to the prior year. For further details on the Corporation’s operating results, please refer to the
“Canadian operations” and “European operations” sections.
Operating income before amortization and operating margin
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter operating income before amortization increased by 5.6% to reach $129.4 million. Cogeco Cable’s first-quarter
operating margin increased to 39% from 38.6% in the comparable period of the prior year. For further details on the Corporation’s operating
results, please refer to the “Canadian operations” and “European operations” sections.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Cogeco Cable is a subsidiary of COGECO Inc., which holds 32.3% of the Corporation’s equity shares, representing 82.7% of the votes
attached to the Corporation’s voting shares. Under a management agreement, the Corporation pays COGECO Inc. monthly management fees
equal to 2% of its total revenue, capped annually and subject to an adjustment based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index in Canada,
for certain executive, administrative, legal, regulatory, strategic and financial planning and additional services. Accordingly, for fiscal 2011,
management fees have been set at a maximum of $9.2 million, which is expected to be paid within the first six months of the fiscal year. For
fiscal 2010, management fees were capped at $9 million, and were fully paid in the first half of the year.
Cogeco Cable granted 35,800 stock options to COGECO Inc.’s employees during the first three months of fiscal 2011, compared to 33,266 for
the same period last year. During the first quarter, Cogeco Cable charged COGECO Inc. an amount of $58,000 with regards to Cogeco
Cable’s options granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees, compared to $115,000 in the first quarter of the prior year. Details regarding the
management agreement and stock options granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees are provided in the Corporation’s 2010 Annual Report.
During fiscal 2009, Cogeco Cable established an incentive share unit plan for senior executives and designated employees. During the first
three months of this year, the Corporation granted 10,000 Incentive Share Units to COGECO Inc.’s employees, compared to 9,981 Incentive
Share Units in the first three months of fiscal 2010. During the first quarter, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. an amount of $39,000 with
respect to these Incentive Share Units, compared to $9,000 in the comparable period of the previous fiscal year.
There were no other material related party transactions during the periods covered.
FIXED CHARGES
Quarter
s ended
November 30
,
2010 2009 Change
($000, except percentages) $ $ %
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Amortization
62,990
65,565
(3.9)
Financial expense 16,700 16,141 3.5
First-quarter 2011 amortization amounted to $63 million, compared to $65.6 million for the same period of the prior year. The decrease is
mainly due to a reduction in amortization in the European operations stemming from certain acquired assets that are now fully amortized and
the depreciation of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar in fiscal 2011, partly offset by additional capital expenditures in the Canadian
operations arising from customer premise equipment acquisitions to support RGU growth.
Financial expense amounted to $16.7 million in the first quarter compared to $16.1 million in the prior year. The financial expense for the first
quarter of the current year includes a foreign exchange gain of $0.3 million, compared to $0.5 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The
- 5 -
variance in foreign exchange gains is mainly due to fluctuations in the relative value of the US dollar to the Canadian dollar, affecting mainly
the Canadian operations as the majority of customer premise equipment is purchased and subsequently paid in US dollars. The remaining
increase of $0.4 million in the first quarter is due to the timing of fluctuations in bank indebtedness when compared with the same period of the
previous fiscal year.
INCOME TAXES
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter income tax expense amounted to $16.1 million, compared to an income tax recovery of $15.8 million in the prior year.
The income tax recovery in the first three months of the prior year included the favourable impact of $29.8 million from the reduction in
corporate income tax rates announced on March 26, 2009 by the Ontario provincial government and considered substantively enacted on
November 16, 2009 (the “reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates”). Excluding this prior year impact, income tax expense
would have amounted to $14 million. Fiscal 2011 first quarter income tax expense increase is mainly due to operating income before
amortization growth and the decrease in amortization, partly offset by the previously announced annual declines in the enacted Canadian
federal and provincial income tax rates.
NET INCOME
Fiscal 2011 first quarter net income amounted to $33.6 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to $56.7 million, or $1.17 per share, for the same
period in fiscal 2010 which included the reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates described in the “Income Taxes” section
above. Excluding this prior year effect, fiscal 2011 net income increased by $6.8 million, or 25.1%, and of $0.14 per share, or 25.5%, when
compared to adjusted net income
(1)
of $26.9 million, or $0.55 per share
(1)
, for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Net income progression has
resulted mainly from the growth in operating income before amortization and the decrease in amortization expense in the first three months of
the 2011 fiscal year.
CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009
($000)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Operating activities
Cash flow from operations 36,433 130,229
Changes in non-cash operating items
18,570 (133,847)
55,003 (3,618)
Investing activities
(1)
(66,447)
(68,060)
Financing activities
(1)
173,484 49,495
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in a foreign currency (229)
202
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
161,811 (21,981)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 35,842 39,458
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 197,653 17,477
(1)
Excludes assets acquired under capital leases.
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter cash flow from operations reached $36.4 million, 72% lower than the comparable period last year, primarily due to the
recognition of current income tax expense relating to the modifications to the corporate structure which took effect in the prior year. Changes in
non-cash operating items generated cash inflows of $18.6 million, mainly as a result of an increase in income tax liabilities, partly offset by a
decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. In the prior year, changes in non-cash operating items required cash outflows of
$133.8 million, mainly as a result of decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and income tax liabilities and an increase in income
taxes receivable.
(1)
The indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by Canadian GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other
companies. For more details, please consult the “Non-GAAP financial measures” section.
- 6 -
Investing activities, including capital expenditures segmented according to the National Cable Television Association (“NCTA”) standard
reporting categories, are as follows:
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009
($000)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Customer premise equipment
(1)
26,946 33,475
Scalable infrastructure 16,004 12,827
Line extensions 3,890 5,434
Upgrade / Rebuild 10,229 10,470
Support capital 6,140 2,951
Total capital expenditures
(2)
63,209 65,157
Increase in deferred charges and others 3,238 3,044
Total investing activities
(2)
66,447 68,201
(1)
Includes mainly home terminal devices as well as new and replacement drops.
(2)
Includes capital leases, which are excluded from the statements of cash flows.
Fiscal 2011 first quarter Total capital expenditures amounted to $63.2 million, a decrease of 3% when compared to $65.2 million in the first
quarter of the prior year due to the following factors:
A decrease in customer premise equipment spending mainly due to the timing of equipment purchases in the Canadian operations
and the depreciation of the value of the Euro relative to the Canadian dollar, which offset the increase in customer premise
equipment spending required to support RGU growth in the European operations;
An increase in scalable infrastructure in the Canadian operations to improve network capacity in existing areas served;
An increase in support capital reflecting mainly the improvement of business information systems.
Deferred charges and others are mainly attributable to reconnect and additional service activation costs. For the first quarter, the increase in
deferred charges and others amounted to $3.2 million, essentially the same when compared to $3 million for the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal
year.
In the first quarter, negative free cash flow amounted to $30 million, compared to positive free cash flow of $62 million in the comparable
period of fiscal 2010, representing a decrease of $92 million. The decline in free cash flow over the prior year is due to an increase of
$100.2 million in current income tax expense stemming from modifications made to the corporate structure, which offset the increase in
operating income before amortization in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
In the first three months of fiscal 2011, Indebtedness affecting cash increased by $183.7 million mainly due to the increase in cash and cash
equivalents of $161.8 million from the net proceeds of $198.3 million as a result of the issuance, on November 16, 2010, of Senior Secured
Debentures Series 2 (“Fiscal 2011 debentures”) to repay, on December 22, 2010, the $175 million Senior Secured Notes Series B due on
October 31, 2011 and the related make-whole premium on early repayment. Indebtedness affecting cash also increased due to negative free
cash flow of $30 million and the dividend payment of $8.2 million described below, partly offset by the cash inflows of $18.6 million from the
changes in non-cash operating items. Indebtedness mainly increased through the issuance of the Fiscal 2011 debentures, partly offset by a
net repayment of $13.8 million on the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility. In the first quarter of 2010, Indebtedness affecting cash increased
by $58 million mainly due to the decrease in non-cash operating items of $133.8 million and the dividend payment of $6.8 million described
below, partly offset by the free cash flow of $62 million and the decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $22 million. Indebtedness mainly
increased through an increase of $44.3 million in bank indebtedness and a net amount of $14.9 million drawn on the Corporation’s Term
Facility.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, a dividend of $0.17 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares, totalling
$8.2 million, compared to a dividend of $0.14 per share, or $6.8 million the year before.
As at November 30, 2010, the Corporation had a working capital deficiency of $164.2 million compared to $195.5 million at August 31, 2010.
The decrease in the deficiency is mainly attributable to an increase in cash and cash equivalents and a decrease in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities. This decrease was partly offset by an increase in the current portion of the long-term debt, combined with an increase in
income tax liabilities which exceeded the decrease in future income tax liabilities, reflecting the modifications made to the corporate structure.
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 accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which
are paid after products are delivered or services are rendered, thus enabling the Corporation to use cash and cash equivalents to reduce
Indebtedness.
At November 30, 2010, the Corporation had used $114.5 million of its $750 million Revolving Term Facility for a remaining availability of
$635.5 million.
- 7 -
FINANCIAL POSITION
Since August 31, 2010, there have been significant changes to the balances of “accounts payable and accrued liabilities”, “income tax
liabilities”, “future income tax assets”, “future income tax liabilities”, “long-term debt”, “derivative financial instruments” and “cash and cash
equivalents”.
The $62.9 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is related to the timing of payments made to suppliers. The increase of
$78.9 million in income taxes liabilities and the decreases of $9.9 million in future income tax assets and of $71.9 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. The
increase of $175 million in the current portion of the long-term debt reflects the maturity in 2011 of the Corporation’s Senior Secured Notes
Series B which were redeemed on December 22, 2010 pursuant to the issuance of the Fiscal 2011 debentures. The $161.8 million increase in
cash and cash equivalents is due to the factors previously discussed in the “Cash Flow and Liquidity” section combined with the fluctuations in
foreign exchange rates. The $5.8 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, 2010 is presented in the table below:
Number of
shares/options
Amount
($000)
Common shares
Multiple voting shares
Subordinate voting shares
15,691,100
32,896,997
98,346
892,708
Options to
purchase Subordinate voting shares
Outstanding options
Exercisable options
768,182
576,743
In the normal course of business, Cogeco Cable has incurred financial obligations, primarily in the form of long-term debt, operating and
capital leases and guarantees. Cogeco Cable’s obligations, as discussed in the 2010 Annual Report, have not materially changed since
August 31, 2010, except as mentioned below.
On November 16, 2010, the Corporation completed, pursuant to a public debt offering, the issue of $200 million Senior Secured Debentures
Series 2. These debentures mature on November 16, 2020 and bear interest at 5.15% per annum, payable semi-annually. These debentures
are indirectly secured by a first priority fixed and floating charge and a security interest on substantially all present and future real and personal
property and undertaking of every nature and kind of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries. The net proceeds of sale of the
debentures were used to redeem in full, on December 22, 2010, the Senior Secured Notes Series B due October 31, 2011 for an amount of
$175 million plus accrued interest and make-whole premium, and the remainder for working capital and general corporate purposes.
DIVIDEND DECLARATION
At its January 12, 2011 meeting, the Board of Directors of Cogeco Cable declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.17 per share for
subordinate and multiple voting shares, payable on February 9, 2011, to shareholders of record on January 26, 2011. The declaration, amount
and date of any future dividend will continue to be considered and approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation based upon the
Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors, at its sole
discretion, deems relevant. There is therefore no assurance that dividends will be declared, and if declared, the amount and frequency may
vary.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Cogeco Cable has entered into a swap agreement with a financial institution to fix the floating benchmark interest rate with respect to a portion
of the Euro-denominated loans outstanding under the Term Revolving Facility, and previously the Term Facility, for a notional amount of
€111.5 million, which has been reduced to €95.8 million on July 28, 2009, and to €69.6 million on July 28, 2010. The interest rate swap to
hedge these loans has been fixed at 2.08% until the maturity of the swap agreement on July 28, 2011. In addition to the interest rate swap of
2.08%, Cogeco Cable will continue to pay the applicable margin on these loans in accordance with its Term Revolving Facility. In the first
quarter of fiscal 2011, the fair value of interest rate swap increased by $0.5 million, which is recorded as an increase of other comprehensive
income, net of income taxes, compared to a decrease of $0.1 million which was recorded as a decrease of other comprehensive income, net
of income taxes, in the prior year.
The Corporation has also entered into cross-currency swap agreements to set the liability for interest and principal payments on its
US$190 million Senior Secured Notes Series A maturing on October 1, 2015. These agreements have the effect of converting the U.S. interest
coupon rate of 7.00% per annum to an average Canadian dollar interest rate of 7.24% per annum. The exchange rate applicable to the
principal portion of the debt has been fixed at $1.0625 per US dollar. During the first three months of fiscal 2011, amounts due under the
US$190 million Senior Secured Notes Series A decreased by $7.6 million due to the US dollar’s depreciation relative to the Canadian dollar.
The fair value of cross-currency swaps decreased by a net amount of $6.3 million, of which a decrease of $7.6 million offsets the foreign
exchange gain on the debt denominated in US dollars. The difference of $1.2 million was recorded as an increase of other comprehensive
income, net of income taxes. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, amounts due under the US$190 million Senior Secured Notes Series A
decreased by $7.5 million due to the US dollar’s depreciation over the Canadian dollar. The fair value of cross-currency swaps decreased by a
net amount of $5.8 million, of which $7.5 million offsets the foreign exchange gain on the debt denominated in US dollars. The difference of
$1.7 million was recorded as an increase of other comprehensive income, net of income taxes.
Furthermore, the Corporation’s net investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries is exposed to market risk attributable to fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates, primarily changes in the values of the Canadian dollar versus the Euro. This risk is mitigated since the major
part of the purchase price for Cabovisão was borrowed directly in Euros. This debt is designated as a hedge of a net investment in self-
sustaining foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, the Corporation recorded a foreign exchange loss of $1.9 million in the first quarter, compared
to a foreign exchange gain of $0.6 million in the comparable period of the prior year, which is deferred and recorded in the consolidated
- 8 -
statement of comprehensive income. The exchange rate used to convert the Euro currency into Canadian dollars for the balance sheet
accounts as at November 30, 2010 was $1.3326 per Euro compared to $1.3515 per Euro as at August 31, 2010. The average exchange rate
prevailing during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 used to convert the operating results of the European operations was $1.3833 per Euro
compared to $1.5732 per Euro in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Since the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements are expressed in
Canadian dollars but a portion of its business is conducted in the Euro currency, exchange rate fluctuations can increase or decrease revenue,
operating income before amortization, net income and the carrying value of assets and liabilities.
The following table shows the Canadian dollar impact of a 10% fluctuation in the average exchange rate of the Euro currency into Canadian
dollars on European operating results for the three month period ended November 30, 2010:
Three months ended November 30, 2010 As reported
Exchange rate
impact
($000) $ $
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue 43,263 4,326
Operating income before amortization 4,271 427
Net income (loss) (8,159)
(816)
The Corporation is also impacted by foreign currency exchange rates, primarily changes in the values of the US dollar relative to the Canadian
dollar with regards to purchases of equipment, as the majority of customer premise equipment is purchased and subsequently paid in US
dollars. Please consult the “Fixed charges” section of this MD&A and the “Foreign Exchange Risk” section in note 13 of the Consolidated
financial statements for further details.
CANADIAN OPERATIONS
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Net additions % of Penetration
(1)
Quarters ended November 30,
November 30,
November 30, 2010
2010
2009
2010
2009
RGU 2,421,267 70,690 63,172
Basic Cable service customers 881,543 7,038 8,919
HSI service customers 575,929 16,872 17,506 67.4 64.5
Digital Television service customers 588,332 28,914 16,106 67.5 59.8
Telephony service customers 375,463 17,866 20,641 46.1 38.0
(1)
As a percentage of Basic Cable service customers in areas served.
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter RGU net additions were higher than in the comparable period of the prior year, and the Canadian operations continue
to generate RGU growth despite higher penetration rates, category maturity and aggressive competition. The net customer additions for Basic
Cable service customers stood at 7,038 for the first quarter, compared to 8,919 in the first quarter of the prior year. Basic Cable service net
additions in fiscal 2011 were mainly due to expansions in the network and the combined effect of continued growth in HSI and Telephony
services. In the quarter, Telephony service customers grew by 17,866 compared to 20,641 for the same period last year, and the number of
net additions to the HSI service stood at 16,872 customers compared to 17,506 customers in the first quarter of the prior year. HSI and
Telephony net additions continue to stem from the enhancement of the product offering, the impact of the bundled offer (Cogeco Complete
Connection) of Television, HSI and Telephony services, and promotional activities. For the three-month period ended November 30, 2010,
additions to the Digital Television service stood at 28,914 customers, compared to 16,106 for the comparable period of the prior year. Digital
Television service net additions are due to targeted marketing initiatives to improve penetration, the launch of new HD channels and the
continuing interest for HD television service.
- 9 -
OPERATING RESULTS
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009 Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue 288,256 264,360 9.0
Operating costs 156,455 145,589 7.5
Management fees – COGECO Inc. 6,644 6,341 4.8
Operating income before amortization 125,157 112,430 11.3
Operating margin 43.4% 42.5%
Revenue
Driven by RGU growth and rate increases implemented in the second half of fiscal 2010 and the revenue related to the new levy amounting to
1.5% of gross Cable Television service revenue imposed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) in
order to finance the new Local Programming Improvement Fund (“LPIF”), first-quarter revenue rose by $23.9 million, or 9%, to reach
$288.3 million.
Operating costs
For the three months ended November 30, 2010, operating costs excluding management fees payable to COGECO Inc. increased by
$10.9 million, or 7.5%, at $156.5 million. The increase in operating costs is mainly attributable to servicing additional RGU, the launch of new
HD channels and additional marketing initiatives.
Operating income before amortization
Operating income before amortization rose by $12.7 million, or 11.3%, to reach $125.2 million in the first quarter, mainly due to the increased
revenue exceeding the growth in operating costs. Cogeco Cable’s Canadian operations’ operating margin increased to 43.4% in the first
quarter compared to 42.5% for the same period of the prior year. The growth in the operating margin for the first quarter stems from rate
increases, RGU growth and the introduction in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 of customer billing for the new LPIF which offset the
associated operating costs.
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Net additions (losses) % of Penetration
(1)
Quarters ended November 30, November 30,
November 30, 2010
2010
2009
2010
2009
RGU 848,951 20,179 26,613
Basic Cable service customers 260,855 588 (562)
HSI service customers 166,779 3,592 5,209 63.9 57.5
Digital Television service customers 172,587 12,735 16,114 66.2 45.9
Telephony service customers 248,730 3,264 5,852 95.4 89.8
(1)
As a percentage of Basic Cable service customers in areas served.
During the last half of fiscal 2010, the Corporation’s European operations generated net basic subscriber growth as a result of its general
policy re-assessment during the last half of the 2009 calendar year. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the number of Basic Cable service
customers grew by 588 customers compared to a loss of 562 customers in the comparable period of the prior year. Economic conditions in
Portugal continued to be difficult. Management has not yet detected clear signs of a sustained economic recovery. Consequently, the
Corporation continues to closely control costs and is focusing on generating RGU growth in the near term. The rate of growth for our services
has diminished in this environment. HSI service customers increased by 3,592 for the quarter compared to 5,209 customers in the first quarter
of fiscal 2010. The number of Digital Television service customers grew by 12,735 customers in the first quarter ended November 30, 2010,
compared to 16,114 customers in the comparable period of the previous fiscal year. Telephony service customers increased by
3,264 customers in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to 5,852 customers in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
- 10 -
OPERATING RESULTS
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009 Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue 43,263 53,005 (18.4)
Operating costs 38,992 42,829 (9.0)
Operating income before amortization 4,271 10,176 (58.0)
Operating margin 9.9% 19.2%
Revenue
In the first quarter of fiscal 2011 revenue decreased by $9.7 million, or 18.4%, at $43.3 million, mainly due to the decline of the Euro in relation
to the Canadian dollar and reflecting the impact of retention strategies implemented in the second half of fiscal 2009 in order to curtail
customer attrition. Revenue from the European operations in the local currency for the 2011 first quarter amounted to €31.3 million, a
decrease of €2.4 million, or 7.2%, when compared to the same period of the prior year.
Operating costs
Fiscal 2011 first-quarter operating costs decreased by $3.8 million, or 9%, at $39 million, mainly due to the decline of the value of the Euro
over the Canadian dollar which surpassed increases in operating costs related to additional marketing initiatives and the launch of new HD
channels by Cabovisão. Operating costs of the European operations for the first quarter in the local currency amounted to €28.2 million, an
increase of €1 million, or 3.5% when compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.
Operating income before amortization
Operating income before amortization decreased to $4.3 million in the first quarter from $10.2 million for the same period of the prior year,
representing a decrease of $5.9 million, or 58%, mainly due to decreases in revenue which outpaced the decreases in operating costs.
European operations’ operating margin decreased to 9.9% from 19.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Operating income before amortization
in the local currency amounted to €3.1 million compared to €6.5 million in the first quarter of the prior year, representing a decrease of 52.2%.
- 11 -
FISCAL 2011 FINANCIAL GUIDELINES
Consolidated
Given the improved financial results during the first quarter and the expected trend, guidelines for the 2011 fiscal year were revised upwards to
reflect higher than expected RGU growth and average revenue per unit in its Canadian operations mainly attributable to effective marketing
strategies and the continued demand for cable telecommunications services. For its European operations, Management has taken into
consideration the impact of the rate increases implemented in January 2011 combined with the impact on consumer spending of the value
added tax increase from 21% to 23%, among others, and the austerity measures recently introduced by the Portuguese government.
Subsequent to these adjustments, projected revenue, operating income before amortization, operating margin and net income were revised
upwards. The increase in projected revenue to $1,360 million from $1,340 million should come from the Canadian operations. The operating
income before amortization should increase to $545 million from $530 million, operating margin should increase to 40.1% from 39.6% and net
income should increase to about $140 million. Amortization expense has been reduced to $265 million from $275 million to reflect the impact
of lower than expected capital expenditures in fiscal 2010 as well as the revised timing of 2011 capital expenditures.
As a result of the revised projections, free cash flow is now expected to reach $70 million from the $55 million initially projected last October.
Revised projections Projections
January 12, 2011 October 27, 2010
Fiscal 2011 Fiscal 2011
(in millions of dollars, except net customer additions and operating margin) $ $
Financial guidelines
Revenue 1,360 1,340
Operating income before amortization 545 530
Operating margin 40.1% 39.6%
Amortization 265 275
Financial expense 72 70
Current income taxes 63 65
Net income 140 120
Capital expenditures and increase in deferred charges 340 340
Free cash flow 70 55
Net customer additions guidelines
RGU 275,000 250,000
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), together with
Management, are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over
financial reporting, as defined in NI 52-109. Cogeco Cable’s internal control framework is based on the criteria published in the report “Internal
Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and is designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with Canadian GAAP.
The CEO and CFO, supported by Management, evaluated the design of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal
controls over financial reporting as at November 30, 2010, and have concluded that they were adequate. Furthermore, no significant changes
to the internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 2010.
However, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Corporation introduced a new financial suite under an integrated Oracle platform. This project
was required in order to adequately support the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and to remain
current with the operational platform used by the Corporation. Following the introduction of this new financial suite, internal controls over
financial reporting have been updated in order to support adequate disclosure controls and procedures.
UNCERTAINTIES AND MAIN RISK FACTORS
There has been no significant change in the uncertainties and main risk factors faced by the Corporation since August 31, 2010. A detailed
description of the uncertainties and main risk factors faced by Cogeco Cable can be found in the 2010 Annual Report.
- 12 -
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
There has been no significant change in Cogeco Cable’s accounting policies, estimates and future accounting pronouncements since
August 31, 2010, except as described below. A description of the Corporation’s policies and estimates can be found in the 2010 Annual
Report.
Future accounting pronouncements
Harmonization of Canadian and International accounting standards
In March 2006, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board (“AcSB”) of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”) released its
new strategic plan, which proposed to abandon Canadian GAAP and effect a complete convergence to the IFRS for Canadian publicly
accountable entities. This plan was confirmed in subsequent exposure drafts issued in April 2008, March 2009 and October 2009. The
changeover will occur no later than fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Accordingly, the Corporation’s first interim consolidated
financial statements presented in accordance with IFRS will be for the quarter ending November 30, 2011, and its first annual consolidated
financial statements presented in accordance with IFRS will be for the year ending August 31, 2012.
IFRS uses a conceptual framework similar to Canadian GAAP, but there are significant differences in recognition, measurement and
disclosure requirements. The Corporation has established a project team including representatives from various areas of the organization to
plan and complete the transition to IFRS. This team reports periodically to the Audit Committee, which oversees the IFRS implementation
project on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Corporation is assisted by external advisors as required.
The implementation project consists of three primary phases, which may occur concurrently as IFRS are applied to specific areas of
operations:
Phase Area of impact Key activities Status
Scoping and
diagnostic
Pervasive Perform a high-level impact assessment to identify key areas that are expected to be impacted by the
transition to IFRS.
Completed
Rank IFRS impacts in order of priority to assess the timing and complexity of transition efforts that will
be required in subsequent phases.
Impact analysis,
evaluation and
design
For each area
identified in the
scoping and
diagnostic phase
Identify the specific changes required to existing accounting policies. Completed
Analyse policy choices permitted under IFRS.
Present analysis and recommendations on accounting policy choices to the Audit Committee.
Pervasive Identify impacts on information systems and business processes. Completed
Prepare draft IFRS consolidated financial statement template.
Identify impacts on internal controls over financial reporting and other business processes.
Implementation and
review
For each area
identified in the
scoping and
diagnostic phase
Test and execute changes to information systems and business processes. Completed
Obtain formal approval of required accounting policy changes and selected accounting policy choices.
In progress - to be
completed in fiscal 2011
Communicate impact on accounting policies and business processes to external stakeholders. To be completed during
fiscal 2011
Pervasive Gather financial information necessary for opening balance sheet and comparative IFRS financial
statements.
In progress - to be
completed in fiscal 2011
Update and test internal control processes over financial reporting and other business processes.
Collect financial information necessary to compile IFRS-compliant financial statements. In progress - to be
completed during fiscal
2012
Provide training to employees and end-users across the organization.
Prepare IFRS compliant financial statements.
Obtain the approval from the Audit Committee of the IFRS consolidated financial statements.
Continually review IFRS and implement changes to the standards as they apply to the Corporation. To be completed
throughout transition and
post-conversion periods
The Corporation’s project for the transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS is progressing according to the established plan and the Corporation
expects to meet its target date for migration.
Multiple deliverable revenue arrangements
In December 2009, the Emerging Issues Committee (“EIC”) of the Canadian AcSB issued a new abstract concerning multiple deliverable
revenue arrangements, EIC-175, Multiple deliverable revenue arrangements, which amended EIC-142, Revenue arrangements with multiple
deliverables. EIC-175 requires a vendor to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the
relative selling price method, thereby eliminating the use of the residual value method. The amendment also changes the level of evidence of
the standalone selling price required to separate deliverables when more objective evidence of the selling price is not available. EIC-175
should be adopted prospectively to revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in the first annual fiscal period beginning on or
after January 1, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Corporation has elected not to early-adopt this EIC, and in light of the harmonization
of Canadian and International accounting standards taking effect at that same date, this EIC will not be applicable to the Corporation.
- 13 -
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This section describes non-GAAP financial measures used by Cogeco Cable throughout this MD&A. It also provides reconciliations between
these non-GAAP measures and the most comparable GAAP financial measures. These financial measures do not have standard definitions
prescribed by Canadian GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures
include “cash flow from operations”, “free cash flow”, “operating income before amortization”, “operating margin”, “adjusted net income” and
“adjusted earnings per share”.
Cash flow from operations and free cash flow
Cash flow from operations is used by Cogeco Cable’s management and investors to evaluate cash flows generated by operating activities,
excluding the impact of changes in non-cash operating items. This allows the Corporation to isolate the cash flows from operating activities
from the impact of cash management decisions. Cash flow from operations is subsequently used in calculating the non-GAAP measure, “free
cash flow”. Free cash flow is used, by Cogeco Cable’s management and investors, to measure its ability to repay debt, distribute capital to its
shareholders and finance its growth.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP measure is cash flow from operating activities. Cash flow from operations is calculated as follows:
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009
($000)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Cash flow from operating activities 55,003 (3,618)
Changes in non-cash operating items
(18,570)
133,847
Cash flow from operations 36,433 130,229
Free cash flow is calculated as follows:
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009
($000)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Cash flow from operations 36,433 130,229
Acquisition of fixed assets
(63,209)
(65,016)
Increase in deferred charges
(3,238)
(3,064)
Assets acquired under capital leases – as per note 11 c)
(141)
Free cash flow (30,014)
62,008
Operating income before amortization and operating margin
Operating income before amortization is used by Cogeco Cable’s management and investors to assess the Corporation’s ability to seize
growth opportunities in a cost effective manner, to finance its ongoing operations and to service its debt. Operating income before amortization
is a proxy for cash flows from operations excluding the impact of the capital structure chosen, and is one of the key metrics used by the
financial community to value the business and its financial strength. Operating margin is a measure of the proportion of the Corporation's
revenue which is available, before income taxes, to pay for its fixed costs, such as interest on Indebtedness. Operating margin is calculated by
dividing operating income before amortization by revenue.
- 14 -
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income. Operating income before amortization and operating margin
are calculated as follows:
Quarters ended November 30,
2010
2009
($000, except percentages)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Operating income 66,438 57,041
Amortization 62,990 65,565
Operating income before amortization 129,428 122,606
Revenue 331,519 317,365
Operating margin 39.0% 38.6%
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are used by Cogeco Cable’s management and investors to evaluate what would have
been the net income and earnings per share excluding unusual adjustments. This allows the Corporation to isolate the unusual adjustments in
order to evaluate the net income and earnings per share from ongoing activities.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measures are net income and earnings per share. Adjusted net income and adjusted
earnings per share are calculated as follows:
Quarters ended November 30,
2010 2009
($000
, except number of shares and per share data
)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Net income 33,637 56,666
Adjustments:
Reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates
(29,782)
Adjusted net income 33,637 26,884
Weighted average number of multiple voting and subordinate voting shares
outstanding 48,513,441 48,550,216
Effect of dilutive stock options
171,502 81,872
Effect of dilutive
subordinate voting
shares held in trust under the Incentive
Share Unit Plan 66,838 8,310
Weighted average number of diluted multiple voting and subordinate voting
shares outstanding 48,751,781 48,640,398
Adjusted earnings per share
Basic 0.69 0.55
Diluted 0.69 0.55
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This MD&A was prepared on January 12, 2011. Additional information relating to the Corporation, including its Annual Information Form, is
available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
ABOUT COGECO CABLE
Cogeco Cable (www.cogeco.ca) is a telecommunications company, the second largest hybrid fibre coaxial cable operator in Ontario, Québec
and Portugal. Through its two-way broadband cable networks, Cogeco Cable provides its residential customers with Audio, Analogue and
Digital Television, as well as HSI and Telephony services. Cogeco Cable also provides, to its commercial customers, data networking, e-
business applications, video conferencing, hosting services, Ethernet, private line, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), HSI access, dark
fibre, data storage, data security and co-location services and other advanced communication solutions. Cogeco Cable’s subordinate voting
shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).
– 30 –
- 15 -
Source: Cogeco Cable Inc.
Pierre Gagné
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Tel.: 514-764-4700
Information: Media
René Guimond
Vice-President, Public Affairs and Communications
Tel.: 514-764-4700
Analyst Conference Call: Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. (EST)
Media representatives may attend as listeners only.
Please use the following dial-in number to have access to the conference call by dialling five minutes
before the start of the conference:
Canada/USA Access Number: 1 888 300-0053
International Access Number: + 1 647 427-3420
Confirmation Code: 27875882
By Internet at www.cogeco.ca/investors
A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until January 20, 2011, by dialling:
Canada and USA access number: 1 800 642-1687
International access number: + 1 706 645-9291
Confirmation code: 27875882
- 16 -
Supplementary Quarterly Financial Information
(unaudited)
Quarters ended
November 30,
August 31
,
May 31
,
February 28
,
($000, except percentages and per
share data)
2010
2009
2010
2009
2010
200
9
20
10
200
9
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Revenue
331,519
317,365
324,323
307,807
319,291
305,672
320,397
304,920
Operating income before
amortization
(1)
129,428 122,606 138,177 143,892 126,700 125,951 122,613 122,303
Operating margin
(1)
39.0%
38.6%
42.6%
46.7%
39.7%
41.2%
38.3%
40.1%
Operating income
66,438
57,041
74,481
75,624
62,929
62,086
56,774
59,105
Impairment of goodwill and intangible
assets 399,648
Income taxes
16,101
(15,766)
17,772
22,005
15,060
26,357
11,952
(207)
Net
income (loss)
33,637
56,666
39,663
44,698
31,185
32,453
29,789
(358,324)
Adjusted net income
(1)
33,637
26,884
39,663
26,123
31,185
27,665
29,789
25,306
Cash flow from operating activities
55,003
(3,618)
194,414
175,450
112,451
99,956
114,037
115,282
Cash flow from operations
(1)
36,433
130,229
127,024
108,631
119,243
92,030
118,318
95,928
Capital expenditures and increase in
deferred charges 66,447 68,221 107,799 93,872 69,283 60,139 74,379 64,963
Free cash flow
(1)
(30,014)
62,008
19,225
14,759
49,960
31,891
43,939
30,965
Earnings (loss) per share
(2)
Basic
0.69
1.17
0.82
0.92
0.64
0.67
0.61
(7.38)
Diluted
0.69
1.16
0.81
0.92
0.64
0.67
0.61
(7.38)
Adjusted earnings per share
(1)(2)
Basic
0.69
0.55
0.82
0.54
0.64
0.57
0.61
0.52
Diluted
0.69
0.55
0.81
0.54
0.64
0.57
0.61
0.52
(1)
The indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore, may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details, please consult the “Non-GAAP financial measures” section of the Management’s
discussion and analysis.
(2)
Per multiple and subordinate voting share.
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
Cogeco Cable’s operating results are not generally subject to material seasonal fluctuations. However, the customer growth in the Basic Cable
and HSI service are generally lower in the second half of the fiscal year as a result of a decrease in economic activity due to the beginning of
the vacation period, the end of the television seasons, and students leaving their campuses at the end of the school year. Cogeco Cable offers
its services in several university and college towns such as Kingston, Windsor, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Peterborough, Trois-Rivières and
Rimouski in Canada, and Aveiro, Covilhã, Evora, Guarda and Coimbra in Portugal. Furthermore, the third and fourth quarter’s operating
margin is usually higher as no management fees are paid to COGECO Inc. Under the Management Agreement, Cogeco Cable pays a fee
equal to 2% of its total revenue subject to a maximum amount. As the maximum amount is expected to be reached in the second quarter of
fiscal 2011, Cogeco Cable does not expect to pay management fees in the second half of fiscal 2011. Similarly, as the maximum amount was
paid in the first six months of fiscal 2010, Cogeco Cable paid no management fees in the second half of the previous fiscal year.
- 17 -
Customer Statistics
(unaudited)
November 30, 2010 August 31, 2010
Homes passed
Canada 1,600,938 1,593,743
Portugal
(1)
905,445 905,359
Total 2,506,383 2,499,102
Homes connected
(2)
Canada 990,533 979,590
Portugal 269,553 269,194
Total 1,260,086 1,248,784
Revenue-generating units
(3)
Canada 2,421,267 2,350,577
Portugal 848,951 828,772
Total 3,270,218 3,179,349
Basic Cable service customers
Canada 881,543 874,505
Portugal 260,855 260,267
Total 1,142,398 1,134,772
High Speed Internet service customers
Canada 575,929 559,057
Portugal 166,779 163,187
Total 742,708 722,244
Digital Television service customers
Canada 588,332 559,418
Portugal 172,587 159,852
Total 760,919 719,270
Telephony service customers
Canada 375,463 357,597
Portugal 248,730 245,466
Total 624,193 603,063
(1)
The Corporation is currently assessing the number of homes passed.
(2)
Represents the sum of Basic Cable service customers and High Speed Internet (“HSI”) and Telephony service customers who do not subscribe to the Basic Cable
service.
(3)
Represents the sum of Basic Cable, HSI, Digital Television and Telephony service customers.
- 18 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
Three months ended November 30,
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
2010 2009
$ $
Revenue
Service
328,336 315,333
Equipment
3,183 2,032
331,519 317,365
Operating costs
195,447 188,418
Management fees – COGECO Inc.
6,644 6,341
Operating income before amortization
129,428 122,606
Amortization (note 3)
62,990 65,565
Operating income
66,438 57,041
Financial expense (note 4)
16,700 16,141
Income before income taxes
49,738 40,900
Income taxes (note 5)
16,101 (15,766)
Net income
33,637 56,666
Earnings per share (note 6)
Basic
0.69 1.17
Diluted
0.69 1.16
- 19 -
COGECO CABLE INC
.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
Three months ended November 30,
(In thousands of dollars)
2010
2009
$
$
Net income
33,637 56,666
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax recovery
of $966,000 ($2,141,000 in 2009)
(4,867)
(3,769)
Reclassification to net income of unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow
hedges, net of income tax recovery of $917,000 ($1,007,000 in 2009)
6,664
6,479
Unrealized gains (losses) on translation of a net investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries
(3,143) 2,726
Unrealized gains (losses) on translation of long-term debt designated as hedges of a net investment in self-
sustaining foreign subsidiaries
1,227
(2,091)
(119) 3,345
Comprehensive income
33,518 60,011
- 20 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
(unaudited)
Three months ended November 30,
(In thousands of dollars)
2010
2009
$
$
Balance at beginning, as previously reported
123,025 17,172
Changes in accounting policies
(24,279)
Balance at beginning, as restated
123,025 (7,107)
Net income
33,637 56,666
Dividends on multiple voting shares
(2,667) (2,197)
Dividends on subordinate voting shares
(5,582) (4,601)
Balance at end
148,413 42,761
- 21 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
Assets
Current
Cash and cash equivalents (note 11 b))
197,653 35,842
Accounts receivable (note 13)
70,098 67,064
Income taxes receivable
42,983 44,800
Prepaid expenses and other
10,481 13,669
Future income tax assets
4,799 6,133
326,014 167,508
Fixed assets
1,326,099 1,325,077
Deferred charges
27,084 26,974
Intangible assets (note 7)
1,016,465 1,017,658
Goodwill (note 7)
144,297 144,695
Derivative financial instruments
5,085
Future income tax assets
7,251 15,822
2,847,210 2,702,819
Liabilities and Shareholders’ equity
Liabilities
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
172,189 235,087
Income tax liabilities
79,471 558
Deferred and prepaid revenue
45,361 45,602
Derivative financial instrument 674 1,189
Current portion of long-term debt (note 8)
177,307 2,296
Future income tax liabilities
15,257 78,267
490,259 362,999
Long-term debt (note 8)
953,158 952,687
Derivative financial instruments
1,263
Deferred and prepaid revenue and other liabilities
12,532 12,234
Pension plan liabilities and accrued employees benefits
3,951 3,624
Future income tax liabilities
226,062 234,974
1,687,225 1,566,518
Shareholders’ equity
Capital stock (note 9)
986,948 988,830
Contributed surplus
6,384 6,087
Retained earnings
148,413 123,025
Accumulated other comprehensive income (note 10)
18,240 18,359
1,159,985 1,136,301
2,847,210 2,702,819
- 22 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Three months ended November 30,
(In thousands of dollars)
2010
2009
$
$
Cash flow from operating activities
Net income
33,637 56,666
Adjustments for:
Amortization (note 3)
62,990 65,565
Amortization of deferred transaction costs and discounts on long-term debt
731 748
Future income taxes
(61,955) 6,421
Stock-based compensation
419 459
Loss on disposals and write-offs of fixed assets
320 98
Other
291 272
36,433 130,229
Changes in non-cash operating items (note 11 a))
18,570 (133,847)
55,003 (3,618)
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of fixed assets (note 11 c))
(63,209) (65,016)
Increase in deferred charges
(3,238) (3,064)
Other
20
(66,447) (68,060)
Cash flow from financing activities
Increase in bank indebtedness
44,336
Net increases (repayments) under the Term Facility and Term Revolving Facility
(13,800) 14,916
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts and transaction costs
198,320
Repayments of long-term debt
(819) (1,215)
Issuance of subordinate voting shares
290
Acquisition of subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan (note 9)
(2,258) (1,744)
Dividends on multiple voting shares
(2,667) (2,197)
Dividends on subordinate voting shares
(5,582) (4,601)
173,484 49,495
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in a foreign currency
(229) 202
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
161,811 (21,981)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
35,842 39,458
Cash and cash equivalents at end
197,653 17,477
See supplemental cash flow information in note 11.
- 23 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
1. Basis of Presentation
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), present fairly the financial position of Cogeco Cable Inc. (“the Corporation”)
as at November 30, 2010 and August 31, 2010 as well as its results of operations and its cash flows for the three-month periods ended
November 30, 2010 and 2009.
While management believes that the disclosures presented are adequate, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and
notes should be read in conjunction with Cogeco Cable Inc.’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended
August 31, 2010. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting policies and
methods as the most recent annual consolidated financial statements.
Future accounting pronouncements
Multiple deliverable revenue arrangements
In December 2009, the Emerging Issues Committee (“EIC”) of the Canadian Accounting Standards Board issued a new abstract
concerning multiple deliverable revenue arrangements, EIC-175, Multiple deliverable revenue arrangements, which amended EIC-142,
Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. EIC-175 requires a vendor to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of
the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method, thereby eliminating the use of the residual value method. The
amendment also changes the level of evidence of the standalone selling price required to separate deliverables when more objective
evidence of the selling price is not available. EIC-175 should be adopted prospectively to revenue arrangements entered into or
materially modified in the first annual fiscal period beginning on or after January 1, 2011, with early adoption permitted. . The Corporation
has elected not to early-adopt this EIC, and in light of the harmonization of Canadian and International accounting standards taking effect
at that same date, this EIC will not be applicable to the Corporation.
2. Segmented Information
The Corporation’s activities are comprised of Cable Television, High Speed Internet (“HSI”), Telephony and other telecommunications
services. The Corporation considers its Cable Television, HSI, Telephony and other telecommunications activities as a single operating
segment. The Corporation’s activities are carried out in Canada and in Europe.
The principal financial information per business segment is presented in the table below:
Canada
Europe
Consolidated
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
2010
2009
2010
2009
$
$
$
$
$
$
Revenue
288,256
264,360
43,263
53,005
331,519
317,365
Operating costs
156,455
145,589
38,992
42,829
195,447
188,418
Management fees – COGECO Inc. 6,644
6,341
6,644
6,341
Operating income before amortization
125,157
112,430
4,271
10,176
129,428
122,606
Amortization
50,678
45,414
12,312
20,151
62,990
65,565
Operating income (loss)
74,479
67,016
(8,041)
(9,975)
66,438
57,041
Financial expense (revenue)
16,726
15,875
(26)
266
16,700
16,141
Income taxes
15,957
(17,218)
144
1,452
16,101
(15,766)
Net income (loss)
41,796
68,359
(8,159)
(11,693)
33,637
56,666
Total assets
(1)
2,562,138
2,407,059
285,072
295,760
2,847,210
2,702,819
Fixed assets
(1)
1,103,074
1,094,971
223,025
230,106
1,326,099
1,325,077
Intangible assets
(1)
1,016,465
1,017,658
1,016,465
1,017,658
Goodwill
(1)
116,243
116,243
28,054
28,452
144,297
144,695
Acquisition of fixed assets
(2)
54,736
52,148
8,473
13,009
63,209
65,157
(1)
At November 30, 2010 and August 31, 2010.
(2)
Includes fixed assets acquired through capital leases that are excluded from the consolidated statements of cash flows.
- 24 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
3. Amortization
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Fixed assets
59,111 61,565
Deferred charges
2,686 2,807
Intangible assets
1,193 1,193
62,990 65,565
4. Financial expense
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Interest on long-term debt
15,889 15,819
Foreign exchange gains
(332) (488)
Amortization of deferred transaction costs
442 407
Other
701 403
16,700 16,141
5. Income Taxes
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Current
78,056 (22,187)
Future
(61,955) 6,421
16,101 (15,766)
- 25 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
5. Income Taxes (continued)
The following table provides the reconciliation between income taxes at the Canadian statutory federal and provincial income tax rates
and the consolidated income tax expense (recovery):
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Income before income taxes
49,738 40,900
Combined income tax rate
28.91% 31.51%
Income taxes at combined income tax rate
14,379 12,888
Adjustment for losses or income subject to lower or higher tax rates
(919) (2,378)
Decrease in future income taxes as a result of decrease in substantively enacted tax rates
(29,782)
Utilization of pre-acquisition tax losses
4,432
Income taxes arising from non-deductible expenses
165 203
Effect of foreign income tax rate differences
2,461 247
Other
15 (1,376)
Income taxes at effective income tax rate
16,101 (15,766)
6. Earnings per Share
The following table provides the reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Net income
33,637 56,666
Weighted average number of multiple voting and subordinate voting shares outstanding
48,513,441 48,550,216
Effect of dilutive stock options
(1)
171,502 81,872
Effect of dilutive subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan
66,838 8,310
Weighted average number of diluted multiple voting and subordinate voting shares outstanding
48,751,781 48,640,398
Earnings per share
Basic
0.69 1.17
Diluted
0.69 1.16
(1)
For the three-month period ended November 30, 2010, 331,781 stock options (269,857 in 2009) were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as
the exercise price of the options was greater than the average share price of the subordinate voting shares.
- 26 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
Customer relationships
26,913 28,106
Customer base
989,552 989,552
1,016,465 1,017,658
Goodwill
144,297 144,695
1,160,762 1,162,353
a) Intangible assets
During the first three months, intangible assets variations were as follows:
Customer
relationships
Customer
base
Total
$
$
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
28,106 989,552 1,017,658
Amortization
(1,193) (1,193)
Balance at November 30, 2010
26,913 989,552 1,016,465
b) Goodwill
During the first three months, goodwill variation was as follows:
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
144,695
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(398)
Balance at November 30, 2010
144,297
- 27 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
8. Long-Term Debt
Maturity
Interest rate
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
%
$
$
Parent company
Term Revolving Facility
Revolving loan – €80,000,000 (€90,000,000 at August 31, 2010)
2014
2.81
(1)(2)
106,608 121,635
Senior Secured Notes Series B
2011
(3)
7.73
174,793 174,738
Senior Secured Notes
Series A – US$190,000,000
2015
7.00
(4)
193,859 201,387
Series B
2018
7.60
54,619 54,609
Senior Secured Debentures Series 1
2014
5.95
297,538 297,379
Senior Secured Debentures Series 2
(5)
2020 5.15 198,326
Senior Unsecured Debenture
2018
5.94
99,812 99,806
Subsidiaries
Obligations under capital leases
2013
6.71 – 9.93
4,910 5,429
1,130,465 954,983
Less current portion
177,307 2,296
953,158 952,687
(1)
Interest rate on debt as at November 30, 2010, including applicable margin.
(2)
On January 21, 2009, the Corporation entered into a swap agreement with a financial institution to fix the floating benchmark interest rate with respect to a
portion of Euro-denominated loans outstanding under the Term Revolving Facility, and previously the Term Facility, for a notional amount of €111.5 million
which has been reduced to €95.8 million on July 28, 2009 and to €69.6 million on July 28, 2010. The interest swap rate to hedge the Euro-denominated loans
has been fixed at 2.08% until the maturity of the swap agreement on July 28, 2011. In addition to the interest swap rate of 2.08%, the Corporation will continue
to pay the applicable margin on these Euro-denominated loans in accordance with the Term Revolving Facility.
(3)
On December 22, 2010, the Corporation redeemed the 7.73% Senior Secured Notes Series B in the aggregate principal amount of $175 million. As a result, the
aggregate redemption cash consideration that the Corporation paid totalled $183,771,000, excluding accrued interest. The excess of the redemption price over
the aggregate principal amount will be recorded as financial expense during the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
(4)
Cross-currency swap agreements have resulted in an effective interest rate of 7.24% on the Canadian dollar equivalent of the US denominated debt
(5)
On November 16, 2010, the Corporation completed pursuant to a public debt offering, the issue of $200 million Senior Secured Debentures Series 2 (the
"Debentures"). These Debentures mature on November 16, 2020 and bear interest at 5.15% per annum payable semi-annually. These debentures are indirectly
secured by a first priority fixed and floating charge and a security interest on substantially all present and future real and personal property and undertaking of
every nature and kind of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries.
- 28 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
9. Capital Stock
Authorized
Unlimited number of:
Class A Preference shares, without voting rights, redeemable by the Corporation and retractable at the option of the holder at any time at
a price of $1 per share, carrying a cumulative preferential cash dividend at a rate of 11% of the redemption price per year.
Class B Preference shares, without voting rights, could be issued in series.
Multiple voting shares, 10 votes per share.
Subordinate voting shares, 1 vote per share.
Issued
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
15,691,100 multiple voting shares
98,346 98,346
32,896,997 subordinate voting shares (32,885,337 at August 31, 2010)
892,708 892,332
991,054 990,678
114,612 subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan (57,409 at August 31, 2010)
(4,106) (1,848)
986,948 988,830
During the first three months, subordinate voting share transactions were as follows:
Number of shares
Amount
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
32,885,337
892,332
Shares issued for cash under the Employee Stock Option Plan
11,660 290
Compensation expense previously recorded in contributed surplus for options exercised
86
Balance at November 30, 2010
32,896,997 892,708
- 29 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
9. Capital Stock (continued)
Stock based plans
The Corporation offers, for certain executives a Stock Option Plan, which is described in the Corporation’s annual consolidated financial
statements. During the three-month period ended November 30, 2010, the Corporation granted 66,700 stock options (63,695 in 2009)
with an exercise price of $39.00 ($31.82 in 2009) of which 35,800 stock options (33,266 in 2009) were granted to COGECO Inc.’s
employees. These options vest equally over a period of five years beginning one year after the day such options are granted and are
exercisable over ten years. During the three-month period ended November 30, 2010, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. an amount
of $58,000 ($115,000 in 2009) with regards to the Corporation’s options granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees. As a result, a
compensation expense of $108,000 ($222,000 in 2009) was recorded for the three-month period ended November 30, 2010.
The weighted average fair value of stock options granted for the three-month period ended November 30, 2010 was $9.55
($8.11 in 2009) per option. The weighted average fair value of each option granted was estimated at the grant date for purposes of
determining stock-based compensation expense using the binomial option pricing model based on the following assumptions:
2010
2009
%
%
Expected dividend yield
1.44 1.49
Expected volatility
29 29
Risk-free interest rate
2.05 2.67
Expected life in years
4.9 4.8
At November 30, 2010, the Corporation had outstanding stock options providing for the subscription of 768,182 subordinate voting
shares. These stock options can be exercised at various prices ranging from $7.05 to $49.82 and at various dates up to
October 27, 2020.
Under the Stock Option Plan, the following options were granted by the Corporation and are outstanding at November 30, 2010:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
716,760
Granted
66,700
Exercised
(11,660)
Forfeited / Cancelled
(3,170)
Expired
(448)
Outstanding at November 30, 2010
768,182
Exercisable at November 30, 2010
576,369
- 30 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
9. Capital Stock (continued)
The Corporation also offers a senior executive and designated employee Incentive Share Unit Plan (“ISU Plan”), which is described in
the Corporation’s annual consolidated financial statements. During the three-month period ended November 30, 2010, the Corporation
granted 58,088 (55,094 in 2009) Incentive Share Units ("ISUs”) of which 10,000 (9,981 in 2009) ISUs were granted to COGECO Inc.’s
employees. The Corporation establishes the value of the compensation related to the ISUs granted based on the fair value of the
Corporation’s subordinate voting shares at the date of grant and a compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, which is
three years. A Trust was created for the purpose of purchasing the Corporation’s subordinate voting shares on the stock market in order
to guard against stock price fluctuation. The Corporation instructed the trustee to purchase 57,203 (55,094 in 2009) subordinate voting
shares of the Corporation on the stock market. These shares were purchased for cash consideration aggregating $2,258,000
($1,744,000 in 2009) and are held in trust for the participants until they are fully vested. The Trust, considered as a variable interest
entity, is consolidated in the Corporation’s financial statements with the value of the acquired shares presented as subordinate voting
shares held in trust under the ISU Plan in reduction of capital stock. A compensation expense of $178,000 ($44,000 in 2009) was
recorded for the three-month period ended November 30, 2010 related to this plan. During the three-month period ended
November 30, 2010, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. an amount of $39,000 ($9,000 in 2009) with regards to the Corporation’s
ISUs granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees. Under the ISU Plan, the following ISUs were granted by the Corporation and are
outstanding at November 30, 2010:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
57,409
Granted
58,088
Forfeited / Cancelled
(885)
Outstanding at November 30, 2010
114,612
The Corporation also offers a Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) which is described in the Corporation’s annual consolidated
financial statements. During the three-month periods ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, the Corporation did not issue any Deferred
Share Units (“DSUs”) to the participants in connection with the DSU Plan. A compensation expense of $36,000 ($69,000 in 2009) was
recorded for the three-month period ended November 30, 2010 for the liability related to this plan. Under the DSU Plan, the following
DSUs were issued by Cogeco Cable Inc. and are outstanding at November 30, 2010:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
10,855
Dividend equivalents
47
Outstanding at November 30, 2010
10,902
10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Translation of a net
investment in self-
sustaining foreign
subsidiaries
Cash flow hedges
Total
$
$
$
Balance as at August 31, 2010
15,439 2,920 18,359
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,916) 1,797 (119)
Balance as at November 30, 2010
13,523 4,717 18,240
- 31 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
11. Statements of Cash Flows
a) Changes in non-cash operating items
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Accounts receivable
(3,172) (3,252)
Income taxes receivable
1,788 (20,531)
Prepaid expenses and other
3,161 (1,174)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(62,187) (70,809)
Income tax liabilities
78,918 (40,279)
Deferred and prepaid revenue and other liabilities
62 2,198
18,570 (133,847)
b) Cash and cash equivalents
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
Cash
184,327 35,842
Cash equivalents
(1)
13,326
197,653 35,842
(1)
At November 30, 2010, term deposit of €10,000,000, bearing interest at 0.90%, maturing on December 6, 2010.
c) Other information
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Fixed asset acquisitions through capital leases
141
Financial expense paid
20,997 20,938
Income taxes paid (received)
(2,647) 38,624
- 32 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
12. Employee Future Benefits
The Corporation and its Canadian subsidiaries offer to their employees contributory defined benefit pension plans, a defined contribution
pension plan or a collective registered retirement savings plan, which are described in the Corporation’s annual consolidated financial
statements. The total expense related to these plans is as follows:
Three months ended November 30,
2010
2009
$
$
Contributory defined benefit pension plans
422 377
Defined contribution pension plan and collective registered retirement savings plan
1,235 1,095
1,657 1,472
13. Financial and Capital Management
a) Financial management
Management’s objectives are to protect Cogeco Cable Inc. and its subsidiaries against material economic exposures and variability of
results, and against certain financial risks including credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk represents the risk of financial loss for the Corporation if a customer or counterparty to a financial asset fails to meet its
contractual obligations. The Corporation is exposed to credit risk arising from the derivative financial instruments, cash and cash
equivalents and trade accounts receivable, the maximum exposure of which is represented by the carrying amounts reported on the
balance sheet.
Credit risk from the derivative financial instruments arises from the possibility that counterparties to the cross-currency swap and interest
rate swap agreements may default on their obligations in instances where these agreements have positive fair values for the Corporation.
The Corporation reduces this risk by completing transactions with financial institutions that carry a credit rating equal to or superior to its
own credit rating. The Corporation assesses the creditworthiness of the counterparties in order to minimize the risk of counterparties
default under the agreements. At November 30, 2010, management believes that the credit risk relating to its derivative financial
instruments is minimal, since the lowest credit rating of the counterparties to the agreements is “A”.
Cash and cash equivalents consist mainly of highly liquid investments, such as money market deposits. The Corporation has deposited
the cash and cash equivalents with reputable financial institutions, from which management believes the risk of loss to be remote.
The Corporation is also exposed to credit risk in relation to its trade accounts receivable. In the current global economic environment, the
Corporation’s credit exposure is higher than usual but it is difficult to predict the impact this could have on the Corporation’s account
receivable balances. To mitigate such risk, the Corporation continuously monitors the financial condition of its customers and reviews the
credit history or worthiness of each new large customer. At November 30, 2010, no customer balance represents a significant portion of
the Corporation’s consolidated trade accounts receivable. The Corporation establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on
specific credit risk of its customers by examining such factors as the number of overdue days of the customer’s balance outstanding as
well as the customer’s collection history. The Corporation believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover the
related credit risk. The Corporation has credit policies in place and has established various credit controls, including credit checks,
deposits on accounts and advance billing, and has also established procedures to suspend the availability of services when customers
have fully utilized approved credit limits or have violated existing payment terms. Since the Corporation has a large and diversified
clientele dispersed throughout its market areas in Canada and Europe, there is no significant concentration of credit risk. The following
table provides further details on the Corporation’s accounts receivable balances:
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
Trade accounts receivable
69,021 67,189
Allowance for doubtful accounts
(7,834) (7,478)
61,187 59,711
Other accounts receivable
8,911 7,353
70,098 67,064
- 33 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
13. Financial and Capital Management (continued)
The following table provides further details on trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade accounts
receivable past due is defined as amount outstanding beyond normal credit terms and conditions for the respective customers. A large
portion of the Corporation’s customers are billed in advance and are required to pay before their services are rendered. The Corporation
considers amount outstanding at the due date as trade accounts receivable past due.
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
$
$
Net trade accounts receivable not past due
46,302 42,817
Net trade accounts receivable past due
14,885 16,894
61,187 59,711
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Corporation will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due. The Corporation
manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure and access to different capital markets. It also manages liquidity
risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected cash flows to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations when due. At
November 30, 2010, the available amount of the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility was $635.5 million. Management believes that the
committed Term Revolving Facility will, until its maturity in July 2014, provide sufficient liquidity to manage its long-term debt maturities
and support working capital requirements.
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the financial liabilities and related capital amounts:
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Thereafter Total
$ $ $ $ $ $ $
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1)
157,620 157,620
Long-term debt
(2)
175,000 406,608 550,054 1,131,662
Derivative financial instruments
Cash outflows (Canadian dollar) 201,875 201,875
Cash inflows (Canadian dollar
equivalent of US dollar)
(195,054)
(195,054)
Obligations under capital leases
(3)
2,184 2,296 889 7 5,376
334,804 2,296 889 406,615 556,875 1,301,479
(1)
Excluding accrued interest
(2)
Principal excluding obligations under capital leases.
(3)
Including interest.
The following table is a summary of interest payable on long-term debt (excluding interest on capital leases) that is due for each of the
next five years and thereafter, based on the principal amount and interest rate prevailing on the current debt at November 30, 2010 and
their respective maturities:
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Thereafter Total
$ $ $ $ $ $ $
Interest payments on long-term debt 47,859 54,918 54,918 54,543 34,070 95,915 342,223
Interest payments on derivative
financial instruments
9,828
14,614
14,614
14,614
14,614
7,306
75,590
Interest receipts on derivative financial
instruments
(8,567)
(13,654)
(13,654)
(13,654)
(13,654)
(6,826)
(70,009)
49,120 55,878 55,878 55,503 35,030 96,395 347,804
- 34 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
13. Financial and Capital Management (continued)
Interest rate risk
The Corporation is exposed to interest rate risks for both fixed interest rate and floating interest rate instruments. Fluctuations in interest
rates will have an effect on the valuation and collection or repayment of these instruments. At November 30, 2010, all of the
Corporation’s long-term debt was at fixed rate, except for the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility. However, on January 21, 2009, the
Corporation entered into a swap agreement with a financial institution to fix the floating benchmark interest rate with respect to a portion
of the Euro-denominated loans outstanding under the Term Revolving Facility and previously the Term Facility, for a notional amount of
€111.5 million which have been reduced to €95.8 million on July 28, 2009 and to €69.6 million on July 28, 2010. The interest swap rate to
hedge the Euro-denominated loans has been fixed at 2.08% until the swap agreement maturity of July 28, 2011. In addition to the
interest swap rate of 2.08%, the Corporation will continue to pay the applicable margin on the revolving loans in accordance with the
Term Revolving Facility. The Corporation elected to apply cash flow hedge accounting on this derivative financial instrument. The
sensitivity of the Corporation’s annual financial expense to a variation of 1% in the interest rate applicable to the Term Revolving Facility
is approximately $0.1 million based on the current debt at November 30, 2010 and taking into consideration the effect of the interest rate
swap agreement.
Foreign exchange risk
The Corporation is exposed to foreign exchange risk related to its long-term debt denominated in US dollars. In order to mitigate this risk,
the Corporation has established guidelines whereby currency swap agreements can be used to fix the exchange rates applicable to its
US dollar denominated long-term debt. All such agreements are exclusively used for hedging purposes. Accordingly, on October 2, 2008,
the Corporation entered into cross-currency swap agreements to set the liability for interest and principal payments on its US$190 million
Senior Secured Notes Series A issued on October 1, 2008. These agreements have the effect of converting the US interest coupon rate
of 7.00% per annum to an average Canadian dollar interest rate of 7.24% per annum. The exchange rate applicable to the principal
portion of the debt has been fixed at $1.0625. The Corporation elected to apply cash flow hedge accounting on these derivative financial
instruments.
The Corporation is also exposed to foreign exchange risk on cash and cash equivalents, bank indebtedness and accounts payable
denominated in US dollars or Euros. At November 30, 2010, cash and cash equivalents in US dollars amounted to US$6,748,000
(US$13,613,000 at August 31, 2010) while accounts payable denominated in US dollars amounted to US$13,268,000 (US$15,850,000 at
August 31, 2010). At November 30, 2010, Euro-denominated bank indebtedness amounted to €384,000 (cash and cash equivalents of
€187,000 at August 31, 2010) while accounts payable denominated in Euros amounted to €6,000 (€nil at August 31, 2010). Due to their
short-term nature, the risk arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates is usually not significant. The impact of a 10% change in the
foreign exchange rates (US dollar and Euro) would change financial expense by approximately $0.7 million.
Furthermore, the Corporation’s net investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries is exposed to market risk attributable to fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily changes in the values of the Canadian dollar versus the Euro. This risk is mitigated since
the major part of the purchase price for Cabovisão was borrowed directly in Euros. At November 30, 2010, the net investment amounted
to €176,206,000 (€182,104,000 at August 31, 2010) while long-term debt denominated in Euros amounted to €80,000,000 (€90,000,000
at August 31, 2010). The exchange rate used to convert the Euro currency into Canadian dollars for the balance sheet accounts at
November 30, 2010 was $1.3326 per Euro compared to $1.3515 per Euro at August 31, 2010. The impact of a 10% change in the
exchange rate of the Euro into Canadian dollars would change financial expense by approximately $0.4 million and other comprehensive
income by approximately $12.8 million.
Fair value
Fair value is the amount at which willing parties would accept to exchange a financial instrument based on the current market for
instruments with the same risk, principal and remaining maturity. Fair values are estimated at a specific point in time, by discounting
expected cash flows at rates for debts of the same remaining maturities and conditions. These estimates are subjective in nature and
involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement, and therefore, cannot be determined with precision. In addition, income taxes
and other expenses that would be incurred on disposition of these financial instruments are not reflected in the fair values. As a result,
the fair values are not necessarily the net amounts that would be realized if these instruments were settled. The Corporation has
determined the fair value of its financial instruments as follows:
a) The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates
fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
b) Interest rates under the terms of the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility are based on bankers’ acceptance, LIBOR, EURIBOR,
bank prime rate loan or US base rate loan plus applicable margin. Therefore, the carrying value is considered to represent fair value
for the Term Revolving Facility.
c) The fair value of the Senior Secured Debentures Series 1 and 2, Senior Secured Notes Series A and B and Senior Unsecured
Debenture are based upon current trading values for similar financial instruments.
d) The fair values of obligations under capital leases are not significantly different from their carrying amounts.
- 35 -
COGECO CABLE INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2010
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
13. Financial and Capital Management (continued)
The carrying value of all the Corporation’s financial instruments approximates fair value, except as otherwise noted in the following table:
November 30, 2010 August 31, 2010
Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Fair value
$
$
$
$
Long-term debt 1,130,465 1,213,134 954,983 1,050,696
In accordance with CICA Handbook Section 3862, Financial instruments disclosures, all financial instruments recognized at fair value
on the consolidated balance sheet must be classified based on the three fair value hierarchy levels, which are as follows:
Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices)
or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and
Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
The Corporation considers that its derivative financial instruments are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy. The fair value
of derivative financial instruments are estimated using valuation models that reflect projected future cash flows over contractual terms of
the derivative financial instruments and observable market data, such as interest and currency exchange rate curves.
b) Capital management
The Corporation’s objectives in managing capital are to ensure sufficient liquidity to support the capital requirements of its various
businesses, including growth opportunities. The Corporation manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of general
economic conditions, the risk characteristics of the underlying assets and the Corporation’s working capital requirements. Management of
the capital structure involves the issuance of new debt, the repayment of existing debts using cash generated by operations and the level
of distribution to shareholders.
The capital structure of the Corporation is composed of shareholders’ equity, bank indebtedness, long-term debt and assets or liabilities
related to derivative financial instruments.
The provisions under the Term Revolving Facility provide for restrictions on the operations and activities of the Corporation. Generally,
the most significant restrictions relate to permitted investments and dividends on multiple and subordinate voting shares, as well as
incurrence and maintenance of certain financial ratios primarily linked to the operating income before amortization, financial expense and
total indebtedness. At November 30, 2010, and August 31, 2010, the Corporation was in compliance with all of its debt covenants and
was not subject to any other externally imposed capital requirements.
The following table summarizes certain of the key ratios used to monitor and manage the Corporation’s capital structure:
November 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
Net indebtedness
(1)
/ shareholders’ equity
0.8 0.8
Net indebtedness
(1)
/ operating income before amortization
(2)
1.8 1.8
Operating income before amortization
(2)
/ financial expense
(2)
7.9 7.9
(1)
Net indebtedness is defined as the total of bank indebtedness, principal on long-term debt and obligations under derivative financial instruments, less cash and cash
equivalents.
(2)
Calculation based on operating income before amortization and financial expense for the twelve-month periods ended November 30, 2010 and August 31, 2010.