Cogeco Cable posts strong results stemming from solid growth in the Canadian operations and increases its dividend despite a write-off of its Cabovisão investment
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Cogeco Cable posts strong results stemming from solid growth in the Canadian
operations and increases its dividend despite a write-off of its Cabovisão investment
Montréal, July 7, 2011 – Today, Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA) (“Cogeco Cable” or the “Corporation”) announced its financial
results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2011, ended May 31, 2011.
For the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2011:
• Revenue increased by 7.4% to reach $342.9 million, and by 5.6% to reach $1,011 million;
• Operating income before amortization
(1)
increased by 13.7% to $144.1 million when compared to the third quarter of
fiscal 2010, and by 9.7% to $407.9 million when compared to the first nine months of the prior fiscal year;
• Operating margin
(1)
increased to 42% from 39.7% in the quarter, and to 40.3% from 38.9% in the first nine months
when compared to the same periods of the prior year;
• In the third quarter of fiscal 2011, a write-off of the Corporation’s net investment in Cabovisão was recorded through a
non-cash impairment loss in the amount of $225.9 million as a result of the severe decline in the economic
environment in Portugal, with the Country ultimately requiring financial assistance from the International Monetary
Fund and the European Central Bank, combined with subscriber losses in the third quarter despite additional
marketing initiatives designed to generate RGU growth in the near term;
• In the first nine months, the Corporation redeemed the $175 million Senior Secured Notes Series B, bearing interest
at 7.73%, from the net proceeds of the issuance, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, of the $200 million Senior Secured
Debentures Series 2, bearing interest at 5.15%. A one-time make-whole premium of $8.8 million was paid on the
redemption, which increased financial expense;
• Net loss amounted to $182 million in the third quarter, compared to net income of $31.2 million for the same period of
the previous fiscal year. The net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 was due to the write-off of the Corporation’s
net investment in Cabovisão described above. Excluding this amount, adjusted net income
(1)
would have amounted
to $43.9 million, an increase of $12.7 million, or 40.6% when compared to the third quarter of the prior year;
• For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, net loss amounted to $117.2 million, also as a result of the write-off of the
Corporation’s net investment in Cabovisão described above. In the first nine months of fiscal 2010, net income
amounted to $117.6 million, which included a favourable income tax adjustment of $29.8 million related to the
reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates for the Canadian operations. Excluding these adjustments,
adjusted net income
(1)
of $108.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2011 represents a progression of
$20.8 million, or 23.7% when compared to $87.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010;
• Free cash flow
(1)
reached $61.2 million for the quarter, an increase of $11.2 million, or 22.5%, when compared to
$50 million in the comparable quarter of the prior year. For the first nine months, free cash flow amounted to
$79.3 million, compared to $155.9 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2010. This reduction is primarily due to
the recognition of current income tax expense relating to the modifications to the corporate structure which reduced
the future income tax expense accordingly, and the increase in financial expense;
• Quarterly dividends of $0.17 per share were paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares, a quarterly
increase of $0.03 per share, or 21.4%, when compared to quarterly dividends of $0.14 per share in the first nine
months of fiscal 2010. Dividend payments in the first nine months totalled $0.51 per share in fiscal 2011, compared to
$0.42 per share in fiscal 2010. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.20 per share payable in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, an increase of 42.9% when compared to the prior year, reflecting the continued
strong financial performance;
• Revenue-generating units (“RGU”)
(2)
grew by 41,819 net additions in the quarter and 189,767 net additions in the first
nine months, for a total of 3,369,116 RGU at May 31, 2011.
“Cogeco Cable’s solid results in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 are attributable to the performance of our Canadian operations,
which generated continued RGU and revenue growth. As the Corporation’s consolidated results and future outlook remain
(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-GAAP financial measures” section of the
Management’s discussion and analysis.
(2) Represents the sum of Basic Cable, High Speed Internet (“HSI”), Digital Television and Telephony service customers.
positive, the quarterly dividend has been increased from $0.17 to $0.20 per share. However, the Portuguese economy is still in
a recession and the budgetary deficit remains high. To curtail its deficit, the Portuguese government has increased the income
and sales tax rates, reduced its spending on social programs, which were necessary to reform the economy. As a result, there
is a downward pressure on customer spending since there is less disposable income. For Cabovisão, this situation has
translated into net customer losses and service downgrades by customers across all the services in the third quarter of
fiscal 2011. Management considers that this situation, as evidenced by the customer losses, is more significant and persistent
than expected, resulting in the write-off of Cogeco Cable’s investment in the Portuguese subsidiary. Despite this loss, we
expect to meet most of fiscal 2011 financial targets”, declared Louis Audet, President and CEO of Cogeco Cable.
“In the past weeks, we have concluded an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Quiettouch Inc., a leading independent
provider of outsourced managed information technology and infrastructure services to mid-market and larger enterprises in
Canada. We expect the transaction, which will boost our business offering, to close during the last quarter of fiscal 2011. The
overall performance to date in fiscal 2011 lead us to issue robust fiscal 2012 preliminary financial guidelines, which exclude
the financial projections from the acquisition of Quiettouch Inc. until the transaction has been completed. We expect to
continue to generate growth for most of our key performance indicators, with 225,000 RGU net additions, operating income
before amortization reaching $580 million and free cash flow of $95 million,” declared Mr. Audet.
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, 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 –
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.: 514-764-4746
Analyst Conference Call:
Thursday
,
July 7
,
2011
at 11:00 a.m. (EDT)
Media representatives may attend as listeners only.
Please use the following dial-in number to have access to the conference call by dialing five
minutes before the start of the conference:
Canada/USA Access Number: 1 866 321-8231
International Access Number: + 1 416 642-5213
Confirmation Code: 3298006
By Internet at www.cogeco.ca/investors
A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until July 14, 2011, by dialing:
Canada and USA access number: 1 888 203-1112
International access number: + 1 647 436-0148
Confirmation code: 3298006
SHAREHOLDERS’ REPORT
Third quarter ended May 31, 2011
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
($000, except percentages and per share data)
$
$
%
$
$
%
Operations (unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
342,910
319,291
7.4
1,010,998
957,053
5.6
Operating income before amortization
(1)
144,085
126,700
13.7
407,885
371,919
9.7
Operating margin
(1)
42.0%
39.7%
–
40.3%
38.9%
–
Operating income
78,444
62,929
24.7
214,175
176,744
21.2
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
225,873
–
–
225,873
–
–
Net income (loss)
(182,019)
31,185
–
(117,231)
117,640
–
Adjusted net income
(1)
43,854
31,185
40.6
108,642
87,858
23.7
Cash Flow
Cash flow from operating activities
148,147
112,451
31.7
295,813
222,870
32.7
Cash flow from operations
(1)
131,746
119,243
10.5
286,998
367,790
(22.0)
Capital expenditures and increase in deferred charges
70,562
69,283
1.8
207,677
211,883
(2.0)
Free cash flow
(1)
61,184
49,960
22.5
79,321
155,907
(49.1)
Financial Condition
(2)
Fixed assets
–
–
–
1,151,049
1,325,077
(13.1)
Total assets
–
–
–
2,543,743
2,
702,819
(5.9)
Indebtedness
(3)
–
–
–
958,012
958,939
(0.1)
Shareholders’ equity
–
–
–
1,002,256
1,
136,301
(11.8)
RGU growth 41,819
64,241
(34.9)
189,767
222,808
(14.8)
Per Share Data
(4)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic
(3.74)
0.64
–
(2.41)
2.42
–
Diluted
(3.74)
0.64
–
(2.41)
2.42
–
Adjusted earnings per share
(1)
Basic
0.90
0.64
40.6
2.24
1.81
23.8
Diluted
0.90
0.64
40.6
2.22
1.80
23.3
(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 May 31, 2011 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.
(4) Per multiple and subordinate voting share.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (MD&A)
Third quarter ended May 31, 2011
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this report 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 few 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 report 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 COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 4
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 regards 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 nine months of fiscal 2011, the Corporation invested approximately $100 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 nine month period ended May 31, 2011, the number of RGU increased by 189,767, or 6%, to reach 3,369,116 RGU, mainly as a
result of targeted marketing initiatives in the Canadian operations and of the continuing interest for high definition (“HD”) television service,
which offset the lower customer growth in the European operations resulting primarily from the impact of further austerity measures
announced by the Portuguese government in recent months which adversely impact consumer spending. In light of the lower RGU growth in
the European operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2011, the Corporation has revised its guidelines from 275,000 RGU as issued on
January 12, 2011 to 250,000 net additions, for growth of approximately 7.9% when compared to August 31, 2010. RGU growth is expected to
stem primarily from the Canadian operations and reflect the continued strong interest in Digital Television services, enhanced service offerings
and promotional activities. Please consult the “Fiscal 2011 financial guidelines” section for further details.
Operating income before amortization and operating margin
First nine-month operating income before amortization increased by 9.7% when compared to the same period of fiscal 2010 to reach
$407.9 million, in line to achieve management’s revised projection of $545 million in operating income before amortization for fiscal 2011.
Operating margin increased to 40.3% from 38.9% in the first nine months of the prior year. An operating margin of approximately 40.1% is
expected for the 2011 fiscal year.
Free cash flow
For the nine month period ended May 31, 2011, Cogeco Cable achieved free cash flow of $79.3 million, compared to $155.9 million for the
first nine months of the previous fiscal year, a decrease of $76.6 million. The decrease in free cash flow reflects the timing of the recognition of
income tax liabilities as a result of modifications made to the corporate structure in fiscal 2009. As a result of an increase in capital
expenditures expected in the last quarter of fiscal 2011, management maintains its revised free cash flow guideline of $70 million for the 2011
fiscal year.
Other
On June 27, 2011, Cogeco Cable concluded an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Quiettouch Inc. (the “Quiettouch acquisition”), a
leading independent provider of outsourced managed information technology and infrastructure services to mid-market and larger enterprises
in Canada. Quiettouch offers a full suite of differentiated services that allow customers to outsource their mission-critical information
technology infrastructure and application requirements, including managed infrastructure and hosting, virtualization, firewall services, data
backup with end-to-end monitoring and reporting, and enhanced and traditional colocation services. Quiettouch operates three data centres in
Toronto and Vancouver, as well as a fibre network within key business areas of downtown Toronto. The transaction is subject to certain
arrangements and commercial approvals, and is expected to close during the last quarter of fiscal 2011.
OPERATING RESULTS – CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
342,910
319,291
7.4
1,010,998
957,053
5.6
Operating costs
198,825
192,591
3.2
593,941
576,115
3.1
Management fees - COGECO Inc.
–
–
–
9,172
9,019
1.7
Operating income before amortization
144,085
126,700
13.7
407,885
371,919
9.7
Operating margin
42.0%
39.7%
40.3%
38.9%
Revenue
Fiscal 2011 third-quarter revenue rose by $23.6 million, or 7.4%, to reach $342.9 million, when compared to the prior year. For the first nine
months, revenue amounted to $1,011 million, an increase of $53.9 million, or 5.6% when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2010. For
further details on the Corporation’s operating results, please refer to the “Canadian operations” and “European operations” sections.
(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.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 5
Operating costs
For the third quarter of fiscal 2011, operating costs increased by $6.2 million, to reach $198.8 million, an increase of 3.2% compared to the
prior year. For the first nine months of 2011, operating costs amounted to $593.9 million, an increase of $17.8 million, or 3.1%, when
compared to the same period of fiscal 2010. 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 operating income before amortization increased by $17.4 million, or 13.7%, to reach $144.1 million in the third quarter, and by
$36 million, or 9.7%, in the first nine months to reach $407.9 million. Cogeco Cable’s third-quarter operating margin increased to 42% from
39.7% in the comparable period of the prior year. For the first nine months, the operating margin grew to 40.3% from 38.9% in the comparable
period of fiscal 2010. 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 32.2% of the Corporation’s equity shares, representing 82.6% 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 were 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 nine months of fiscal 2011, compared to 33,266 for
the same period last year. During the third quarter and first nine months, Cogeco Cable charged COGECO Inc. amounts of $59,000 and
$174,000, respectively, with respect to Cogeco Cable’s options granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees, compared to $63,000 and $240,000 in
the comparable periods of the prior year.
Cogeco Cable has also established an incentive share unit plan for senior executives and designated employees. During the first nine 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 nine months of fiscal 2010. During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2011, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc.
amounts of $59,000 and $156,000 with respect to these incentive share units, compared to $27,000 and $64,000, respectively, in the
comparable periods of the previous fiscal year.
Details regarding the management agreement and stock options and incentive share units granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees are provided
in the Corporation’s 2010 Annual Report.
There were no other material related party transactions during the periods covered.
FIXED CHARGES
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Amortization
65,641
63,771
2.9
193,710
195,175
(0.8)
Financial expense
16,043
16,684
(3.8)
56,868
47,858
18.8
Third-quarter 2011 amortization amounted to $65.6 million, $1.9 million, or 2.9% higher when compared to $63.8 million for the same period of
the prior year. The increase is mainly due to additional capital expenditures in the Canadian operations arising from customer premise
equipment acquisitions to support RGU growth, partly offset by a reduction in amortization in the European operations stemming from certain
acquired assets that are now fully amortized. For the first nine months, amortization was essentially the same at $193.7 million when
compared to $195.2 million in the first nine months of the prior year.
Financial expense amounted to $16 million in the third quarter compared to $16.7 million in the prior year. Lower financial expense is mainly
attributable to the impact of the lower interest rate on the $200 million Senior Secured Debentures Series 2 issued on November 16, 2010
compared to the Senior Secured Notes Series B issued in 2001. In the first nine months of fiscal 2011, financial expense amounted to
$56.9 million, compared to $47.9 million in the same period of the prior year. Financial expense in the first nine months includes the payment
of a make-whole premium amounting to $8.8 million on the early repayment, on December 22, 2010, of the $175 million Senior Secured Notes
Series B due on October 31, 2011. The remaining variances are mainly attributable to the financial expense impact of fluctuations in the level
of bank indebtedness, combined with the impact of the lower interest rate on the $200 million Senior Secured Debentures Series 2 issued on
November 16, 2010.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND FIXED ASSETS
During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the economic environment in Portugal continued to deteriorate, with the Country ultimately requiring
financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. As part of the negotiated financial assistance
package, the Portuguese government has committed to financial reforms which include increases in sales and income taxes combined with
reductions in government spending on social programs. These measures are expected to put further downwards pressure on consumer
spending capacity. The rate of growth for our services has diminished in this environment, with net customer losses and service downgrades
by customers in the European operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Please refer to the “European operations” section for further
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 6
details. In accordance with current accounting standards, management considered that this situation combined with net customer losses in the
third quarter, which were significantly more important and persistent than expected, will continue to negatively impact the financial results of
the European operations and indicate a decrease in the value of the Corporation’s investment in the Portuguese subsidiary. As a result, the
Corporation tested goodwill and all long-lived assets for impairment at May 31, 2011.
Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two step approach. The first step consists of determining whether the fair value of the reporting unit
to which goodwill is assigned exceeds the net carrying amount of that reporting unit, including goodwill. In the event that the net carrying
amount exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed in order to determine the amount of the impairment loss. The impairment loss is
measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. The Corporation completed its
impairment test on goodwill and concluded that goodwill was impaired at May 31, 2011. As a result, a non-cash impairment loss of
$29.3 million was recorded in the third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year. Fair value of the reporting unit was determined using the discounted
cash flow method. Future cash flows were based on internal forecasts and consequently, considerable management judgement was
necessary to estimate future cash flows.
Long-lived assets with finite useful lives, such as fixed assets, are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or
group of assets to the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset or group of assets. The impairment loss is
measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Accordingly, the Corporation completed its impairment
test on the fixed assets of the Portuguese subsidiary at May 31, 2011, and determined that the carrying value of these assets exceeded the
expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by these assets. As a result, a non-cash impairment loss of $196.5 million was
recognized in the third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year.
The impairment of goodwill and fixed assets (the “impairment loss”), which effectively wrote-off the Corporation’s net investment in Cabovisão
affected the Corporation’s financial results as follows for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2011:
($000)
Impairment of goodwill 29,344
Impairment of fixed assets 196,529
Impairment loss
225,873
Income taxes
–
Impairment loss net of income taxes
225,873
INCOME TAXES
Fiscal 2011 third-quarter income tax expense amounted to $18.5 million, compared to $15.1 million in the prior year. The increase of
$3.5 million, or 23.2%, is mainly due to operating income before amortization growth, partly offset by the previously announced declines in the
enacted Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates.
In the first nine months, income tax expense amounted to $48.7 million, compared to $11.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The
income tax expense in the first nine months of the prior year included a 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 impact in the prior year, income tax
expense would have amounted to $41 million. Fiscal 2011 income tax expense increase is mainly due to operating income before amortization
growth and the decrease in amortization, partly offset by the increase in financial expense and the previously announced declines in the
enacted Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates.
NET INCOME (LOSS)
For the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2011, net losses amounted to $182 million, or $3.74 per share, and $117.2 million, or
$2.41 per share, respectively, as a result of the previously described impairment loss of $225.9 million. For the comparable periods of fiscal
2010, net income amounted to $31.2 million, or $0.64 per share in the quarter, and $117.6 million, or $2.42 per share in the first nine months.
Fiscal 2010 first nine months net income included the reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates described in the “Income
Taxes” section.
Excluding the impairment loss in the current year and the reduction of income tax rates in the prior year, fiscal 2011 adjusted net income
(1)
amounted to $43.9 million, or $0.90 per share
(1)
in the third quarter, representing growth of $12.7 million and of $0.26 per share, or 40.6%
each, when compared to $31.2 million, or $0.64 per share in the prior year. Adjusted net income in the first nine months of fiscal 2011 grew by
$20.8 million, or 23.7%, and $0.43 per share, or 23.8%, to reach $108.6 million or $2.24 per share when compared to $87.9 million or
$1.81 per share in the comparable period of the prior year. Net income progression for both periods has resulted mainly from the growth in
operating income before amortization, partly offset in the first nine months by the make-whole premium on early repayment of debt of
$6.4 million, net of income taxes.
(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.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 7
CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Operating activities
Cash flow from operations
131,746
119,243
286,998
367,790
Changes in non-cash operating items
16,401
(6,792)
8,815
(144,920)
148,147
112,451
295,813
222,870
Investing activities
(1)
(70,346)
(69,260)
(207,461
)
(211,597)
Financing activities
(1)
(8,359)
(39,946)
(28,541
)
(34,979)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in a
foreign currency 573
(846)
438
(1,746)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 70,015
2,399
60,249
(25,452)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
26,076
11,607
35,842
39,458
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 96,091
14,006
96,091
14,006
(1) Excludes assets acquired under capital leases.
Fiscal 2011 third-quarter cash flow from operations reached $131.7 million compared to $119.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year.
The increase of $12.5 million, or 10.5%, is mainly attributable to the increase in operating income before amortization, partly offset by the
decrease in current income tax recovery. Changes in non-cash operating items generated cash inflows of $16.4 million, mainly as a result of
an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and a decrease in accounts receivable, partly offset by a decrease in income tax
liabilities. In the prior year, changes in non-cash operating items required cash outflows of $6.8 million, mainly as a result of an increase in
income taxes receivable and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partly offset by a decrease in accounts receivable.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, cash flow from operations amounted to $287 million, $80.8 million or 22%, lower than the comparable
period last year. This reduction is primarily due to the recognition of current income tax expense relating to the modifications to the corporate
structure which reduced the future income tax expense accordingly and to the payment of a make-whole premium amounting to
$8.8 million on the early repayment of the Senior Secured Notes Series B, partly offset by the increase in operating income before
amortization. Changes in non-cash operating items generated cash inflows of $8.8 million, mainly as a result of an increase in income tax
liabilities and a decrease in income taxes receivable, 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 $144.9 million, mainly as a result of decreases in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities and in income tax liabilities, combined with increases in income taxes receivable and accounts receivable, partly offset by an
increase in deferred and prepaid revenue and other liabilities.
Investing activities, including capital expenditures segmented according to the National Cable Television Association (“NCTA”) standard
reporting categories, are as follows:
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Customer premise equipment
(1)
25,015
16,890
79,54
9
76,995
Scalable infrastructure
17,587
14,151
54,
734
44,491
Line extensions
3,652
6,916
11,597
18,704
Upgrade / Rebuild
12,449
14,687
33,627
40,372
Support capital
9,078
14,105
19,635
23,268
Total capital expenditures
(2)
67,781
66,749
199,142
203,830
Increase in deferred charges and others 2,565
2,511
8,
319
7,908
Total investing activities
(2)
70,346
69,260
207,
461
211,738
(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 third-quarter total capital expenditures amounted to $67.8 million, an increase of 1.5% when compared to $66.7 million in the third
quarter of the prior year due to the following factors:
• An increase in customer premise equipment spending mainly due to the timing of equipment purchases to support RGU growth in
the Canadian operations. This increase was partly offset by the decrease in customer premise equipment spending reflecting lower
RGU growth in the European operations, net of the impact of the higher value of the Euro relative to the Canadian dollar when
compared to the third quarter of the prior year;
• A decrease in support capital spending since there were prior year acquisitions of new facilities in the Canadian operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 8
For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, total capital expenditures amounted to $199.1 million, a decrease of 2.3% when compared to
$203.8 million in the comparable period of the prior year due to the following factors:
• An increase in customer premise equipment spending mainly due to the timing of equipment purchases to support RGU growth in
the Canadian operations. This increase was partly offset by the decrease in customer premise equipment spending reflecting lower
RGU growth in the European operations combined with the impact of the lower value of the Euro relative to the Canadian dollar
when compared to the same period of the prior year;
• An increase in scalable infrastructure in the Canadian operations to improve network capacity in existing areas served;
• Decreases in upgrades and rebuilds and in line extensions stemming from the timing of the various initiatives undertaken by the
Corporation in order to expand its network and improve its capacity;
• A decrease in support capital spending since there were prior year acquisitions of new facilities in the Canadian operations.
Deferred charges and others are mainly attributable to reconnect and additional service activation costs. For the third quarter and first nine
months, the increase in deferred charges and others amounted to $2.6 million and $8.3 million, respectively, essentially the same when
compared to $2.5 million and $7.9 million for the same periods of the 2010 fiscal year.
In the third quarter, free cash flow amounted to $61.2 million, compared to $50 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2010, representing an
increase of $11.2 million, or 22.5%. The growth in free cash flow over the prior year is due to the increase in operating income before
amortization, partly offset by the decrease in current income tax recovery.
For the first nine months, free cash flow amounted to $79.3 million, compared to $155.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2010, representing
a decrease of $76.6 million, or 49.1%. The decline in free cash flow over the prior year is due to an increase of $107.8 million in current
income tax expense stemming primarily from modifications to the corporate structure and the increase in financial expense, which offset the
increase in operating income before amortization and the decrease in capital expenditures in the first nine months of fiscal 2011.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2011, Indebtedness affecting cash remained essentially the same due to the free cash flow of $61.2 million and the
cash inflows of $16.4 million from the changes in non-cash operating items, offset by the increase in cash and cash equivalents of $70 million
and the dividend payment of $8.3 million described below. In the third quarter of fiscal 2010, Indebtedness affecting cash decreased by
$32.9 million mainly due to the free cash flow of $50 million, partly offset by the dividend payment of $6.8 million described below, the cash
outflows of $6.8 million from the changes in non-cash operating items and the increase in cash and cash equivalents of $2.4 million.
Indebtedness mainly decreased through a net repayment of $33.2 million on the Corporation’s Term Facility.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, a dividend of $0.17 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares,
totalling $8.3 million, compared to a dividend of $0.14 per share, or $6.8 million the year before.
In the first nine months of fiscal 2011, Indebtedness affecting cash decreased by $6.3 million mainly due to the free cash flow of $79.3 million,
and the cash inflows of $8.8 million from the changes in non-cash operating items, offset by the increase in cash and cash equivalents of
$60.2 million and the dividend payment of $24.8 million described below. Indebtedness mainly decreased through the repayment, on
December 22, 2010, of the $175 million Senior Secured Notes Series B due on October 31, 2011 and the related make-whole premium on
early repayment, combined with a net repayment of $27.4 million on the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility. The Senior Secured Notes
Series B were repaid 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”). In the first nine months of fiscal 2010, Indebtedness affecting cash decreased by
$12.9 million mainly due to the free cash flow of $155.9 million and the decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $25.5 million, partly offset by
the cash outflows of $144.9 million from the changes in non-cash operating items and the dividend payment of $20.4 million described below.
Indebtedness mainly decreased through a net repayment of $54.7 million on the Corporation’s Term Facility, partly offset by an increase of
$44.7 million in bank indebtedness.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2011, quarterly dividends of $0.17 per share, for a total of $0.51 per share, were paid to the holders of
subordinate and multiple voting shares, totalling $24.8 million, compared to quarterly dividends of $0.14 per share, for a total of $0.42 per
share, or $20.4 million the year before.
As at May 31, 2011, the Corporation had a working capital deficiency of $126.8 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 decreases in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities and future income tax liabilities. The decrease was partly offset by an increase in income tax liabilities and a decrease in income
taxes receivable. 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 May 31, 2011, the Corporation had used $112.5 million of its $750 million Term Revolving Facility for a remaining availability of
$637.5 million.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Since August 31, 2010, there have been significant changes to the balances of “income tax liabilities”, “future income tax liabilities”, “future
income tax assets”, “income taxes receivable”, “accounts payable and accrued liabilities”, “long-term debt”, “cash and cash equivalents”,
“derivative financial instruments”, “fixed assets” and “goodwill”.
The increase of $66.7 million in income taxes liabilities and the decreases of $29.4 million in future income tax liabilities, $7 million in future
income tax assets and $6.3 million in income taxes receivable primarily reflect the timing of the recognition of income tax liabilities as a result
of modifications made to the corporate structure combined with the increase in operating income before amortization. The
$59.7 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is related to the timing of supplier payments. The decrease of
$20.2 million in long-term debt and the $60.2 million increase in cash and cash equivalents are due to the factors previously discussed in the
“Cash Flow and Liquidity” section combined with the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The $19.4 million decrease in derivative financial
instruments is due to the factors discussed in the “Financial management” section. The decreases of $174 million in fixed assets and
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 9
$28.5 million in goodwill are primarily attributable to the impairment loss recorded in the third quarter of the fiscal year, combined with the
capital expenditures discussed in the “Cash Flow and Liquidity” section which surpassed the amortization expense and the impact of the
depreciation of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar.
A description of Cogeco Cable’s share data as of June 30, 2011 is presented in the table below:
Number of
shares/options
Amount
($000)
Common shares
Multiple voting shares
15,691,100
98,346
Subordinate voting shares
33,073,656
898,327
Options to purchase Subordinate voting shares
Outstanding options
562,787
Exercisable options
393,802
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 for net proceeds of $198.3 million, net of discounts and transaction costs. 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 July 6, 2011 meeting, the Board of Directors of Cogeco Cable declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.20 per share for subordinate
and multiple voting shares, payable on August 3, 2011, to shareholders of record on July 20, 2011, an increase of 42.9% compared to the
dividend of $0.14 per share declared last year. The increased dividend mainly reflects the strong financial performance of the Canadian
operations. 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 settlement of the swap agreement on June 28, 2011. In addition to the interest rate swap
of 2.08%, Cogeco Cable continued to pay the applicable margin on these loans in accordance with its Term Revolving Facility. In the first nine
months of fiscal 2011, the fair value of the interest rate swap increased by $1.1 million, which is recorded as an increase of other
comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, compared to an increase of $0.6 million 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. In the first nine months of fiscal 2011, amounts due under the
US$190 million Senior Secured Notes Series A decreased by $18.6 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 $20.4 million, of which a decrease of $18.6 million offsets the foreign
exchange gain on the debt denominated in US dollars. The difference of $1.8 million was recorded as a decrease of other comprehensive
income (loss), net of income taxes. In the first nine months of the prior year, amounts due under the US$190 million Senior Secured Notes
Series A decreased by $9.8 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 $3.2 million, of which $9.8 million offsets the foreign exchange gain on the debt denominated in US dollars. The
difference of $6.5 million was recorded as an increase of other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes.
Furthermore, the Corporation’s net investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries was 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 was mitigated since the
major part of the purchase price for Cabovisão was borrowed directly in Euros. This debt was designated as a hedge of a net investment in
self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, the Corporation recorded a foreign exchange gain of $3.9 million in the first nine months
of fiscal 2011, compared to a foreign exchange loss of $13.4 million in the comparable period of the prior year, which was deferred and
recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes. The exchange rate used to convert the Euro
currency into Canadian dollars for the balance sheet accounts as at May 31, 2011 was $1.3939 per Euro compared to $1.3515 per Euro as at
August 31, 2010. The average exchange rates prevailing during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2011 used to convert the
operating results of the European operations were $1.3809 per Euro and $1.3670 per Euro, respectively, compared to $1.3472 per Euro and
$1.4703 per Euro in the comparable periods 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.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 10
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 nine month period ended May 31, 2011:
Nine months ended May 31, 2011
As reported
Exchange rate
impact
($000)
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
128,971
12,897
Operating income before amortization
14,427
1,443
Net loss
(250,955
)
(25,096)
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 “Foreign Exchange Risk” section in note 14 of the Interim Financial Statements for further details.
CANADIAN OPERATIONS
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Net additions (losses)
% of Penetration
(1)
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, May 31,
May 31, 2011 2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
RGU
2,526,591 52,384
36,561
176,014
147,007
–
–
Basic Cable service customers
879,354 (1,401
)
402
4,849
9,267
–
–
HSI service customers
593,468 6,989
6,527
34,411
35,101
69.5
65.3
Digital Television service customers
648,862 34,080
13,388
89,444
43,548
74.6
63.0
Telephony service customers
404,907 12,716
16,244
47,310
59,091
49.6
42.7
(1) As a percentage of Basic Cable service customers in areas served.
Fiscal 2011 third-quarter and first nine-month RGU net additions were higher than in the comparable periods of the prior year, and the
Canadian operations continue to generate RGU growth despite higher penetration rates, category maturity and aggressive competition. Basic
Cable service customer net losses stood at 1,401 for the quarter, compared to net additions of 402 in the third quarter of the prior year. For the
first nine months, Basic Cable service customers increased by 4,849, compared to 9,267 in the prior year. Third quarter Basic Cable service
customer losses are usual and due to the end of the school year for college and university students. Basic Cable service net additions in the
first nine months of fiscal 2011 were mainly due to expansions in the network and the bundling effect of continued growth in HSI and
Telephony services. In the quarter, Telephony service customers grew by 12,716 compared to 16,244 for the same period last year, and the
number of net additions to the HSI service stood at 6,989 customers compared to 6,527 customers in the third quarter of the prior year. For
the first nine months, net additions of Telephony service customers amounted to 47,310 compared to 59,091 for the same period last year,
and the number of HSI service customers grew by 34,411 compared to 35,101 in the first nine months 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 and nine month periods ended May 31, 2011, additions to
the Digital Television service stood at 34,080 and 89,444 customers, compared to 13,388 and 43,548 for the comparable periods 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.
OPERATING RESULTS
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
299,263
275,675
8.6
882,027
811,465
8.7
Operating costs
161,188
155,292
3.8
479,397
455,038
5.4
Management fees - COGECO Inc.
–
–
–
9,172
9,019
1.7
Operating income before amortization
138,075
120,383
14.7
393,458
347,408
13.3
Operating margin
46.1%
43.7%
44.6%
42.8%
Revenue
Driven by RGU growth combined with an increase in rentals of home terminal devices stemming from the strong growth in Digital Television
services and rate increases implemented in April 2011 and in the second half of fiscal 2010, third-quarter revenue rose by $23.6 million, or
8.6%, to reach $299.3 million, and first nine-month revenue increased by $70.6 million, or 8.7%, at $882 million. The revenue related to the
levy amounting to 1.5% of gross Cable Television service revenue imposed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 11
Commission (“CRTC”) in order to finance the Local Programming Improvement Fund (“LPIF”) also contributed to the revenue growth in the
first nine months of fiscal 2011.
Operating costs
For the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2011, operating costs increased by $5.9 million, or 3.8%, at $161.2 million, and by
$24.4 million, or 5.4%, to reach $479.4 million, respectively. The increases in operating costs are 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 $17.7 million, or 14.7%, to reach $138.1 million in the third quarter, mainly due to revenue
growth exceeding the increase in operating costs. Cogeco Cable’s Canadian operations’ operating margin increased to 46.1% in the third
quarter compared to 43.7% for the same period of the prior year. In the first nine months of fiscal 2011, operating income before amortization
amounted to $393.5 million, $46.1 million, or 13.3%, higher than in the same period of the prior year. The operating margin increased to 44.6%
from 42.8% when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The growth in the operating margin stems from rate increases and RGU
growth.
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Net additions (losses)
% of Penetration
(1)
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, May 31,
May 31, 2011 2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
RGU
842,525 (10,565
)
27,680
13,753
75,801
–
–
Basic Cable service customers
258,127 (1,973
)
498
(2,140)
(804)
–
–
HSI service customers
164,992 (2,229
)
5,793
1,805
16,795
63.9
62.0
Digital Television service customers
169,762 (6,041
)
16,779
9,910
45,082
65.8
57.2
Telephony service customers
249,644 (322
)
4,610
4,178
14,728
96.7
93.3
(1) As a percentage of Basic Cable service customers in areas served.
Economic conditions in Portugal continued to be difficult. During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, and as part of the negotiated financial
assistance package, the Portuguese government has committed to financial reforms which include increases in sales and income taxes
combined with reductions in government spending on social programs. Please consult the “Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets” section
for further details. These measures are expected to put further downwards pressure on consumer spending. The rate of growth for our
services has diminished in this environment, with net customer losses across all of the Corporation’s services in the European operations in
the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The number of Basic Cable service customers decreased by 1,973 in the third quarter, compared to an
increase of 498 customers in the comparable period of the prior year. For the first nine months, Basic Cable service customers decreased by
2,140 in fiscal 2011, compared to 804 in fiscal 2010. HSI service customers decreased by 2,229 for the quarter compared to an increase of
5,793 in the third quarter of the prior year. In the first nine months, net customer additions to the HSI service amounted to 1,805 compared to
16,795 in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The number of Digital Television service customers decreased by 6,041 customers in the third
quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to a growth of 16,779 customers in the same quarter of fiscal 2010, and increased by 9,910 in the first nine
months of fiscal 2011 compared to 45,082 in the first nine months of the prior year. The number of Telephony service customers fell by 322 in
the three months ended May 31, 2011, compared to a growth of 4,610 customers in the same period of the prior year. For the first nine
months, Telephony service customer net additions amounted to 4,178 in fiscal 2011 compared to 14,728 in fiscal 2010.
OPERATING RESULTS
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
($000, except percentages)
$
$
%
$
$
%
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue
43,647
43,616
0.1
128,971
145,588
(11.4)
Operating costs
37,637
37,299
0.9
114,544
121,077
(5.4)
Operating income before amortization
6,010
6,317
(4.9)
14,427
24,511
(41.1)
Operating margin
13.8%
14.5%
11.2%
16.8%
Revenue
In the third quarter of fiscal 2011 revenue remained essentially the same at $43.6 million when compared to the same period of the prior year
as a result of the higher value of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of the year when compared to the prior year,
partly offset by lower revenue in local currency as a result of a decreased demand for services. First nine-month revenue amounted to
$129 million, $16.6 million, or 11.4%, less than in the prior year. The decline in revenue in the first nine months was mainly due to RGU losses
combined with the lower value of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar. Revenue from the European operations in the local currency for
the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011 amounted to €31.6 million and €94.3 million, decreases of €0.8 million, or 2.3%, and
€4.6 million, or 4.6%, respectively, when compared to the same periods of the prior year.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 12
Operating costs
Fiscal 2011 third-quarter operating costs remained essentially the same at $37.6 million when compared to $37.3 million in the third quarter of
the prior year, primarily due to the higher value of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year. 2011
first nine-months operating costs decreased by $6.5 million, or 5.4%, at $114.5 million, mainly reflecting RGU losses combined with the lower
value of the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar. These decreases in operating costs offset increases related to additional marketing
initiatives and the launch of new HD channels by Cabovisão. Operating costs of the European operations for the third quarter and first nine
months in the local currency amounted to €27.3 million, essentially the same when compared to €27.7 million, and €83.8 million, an increase
of €1.4 million, or 1.7%, respectively, when compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year.
Operating income before amortization
Operating income before amortization amounted to $6 million in the third quarter, compared to $6.3 million for the same period of the prior
year. In the first nine months, operating income before amortization decreased by $10.1 million, or 41.1%, at $14.4 million. The reductions are
mainly due to decreases in revenue which outpaced the decreases in operating costs. European operations’ operating margin decreased to
13.8% in the third quarter and 11.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2011 from 14.5% and 16.8%, respectively, in the third quarter and first
nine months of fiscal 2010. Operating income before amortization in the local currency amounted to €4.4 million compared to €4.7 million in
the third quarter of the prior year, representing a decrease of 7.1%, and €10.5 million compared to €16.5 million in the first nine months,
representing a decrease of 36.2%.
FISCAL 2011 FINANCIAL GUIDELINES
In the third quarter of fiscal 2011, a non-cash impairment loss of the Corporation’s investment in Cabovisão was recorded in the amount of
$225.9 million as a result of the severe decline in the economic environment in Portugal, with the Country ultimately requiring financial
assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. As part of the negotiated financial assistance package, the
Portuguese government has committed to financial reforms which are expected to put further downwards pressure on consumer spending due
to increases in taxes. The rate of growth for our services has diminished, with net customer losses and service downgrades by customers in
the European operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. In order to reflect the impact of this unfavourable economic environment and the
impairment loss recorded by the Corporation, management has revised its net income guideline for the 2011 fiscal year to a net loss of
approximately $85 million, from net income of $140 million as issued on January 12, 2011.
Additionally, net customer additions are now expected to amount to approximately 250,000 RGU, or 7.9% when compared to August 31, 2010,
from 275,000 RGU as issued on January 12, 2011. RGU growth in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 will stem primarily from the growth in
Digital Television service customers and promotional activities in the Canadian operations. The decrease in revenue stemming from the
revision of the RGU growth guideline is expected to be offset by strong continuing interest for HD television services in the Canadian
operations, and an increase in operating costs attributable to the launch of new HD channels and increased marketing initiatives. Accordingly,
management has not revised its other financial projections for the 2011 fiscal year.
FISCAL 2012 PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL GUIDELINES
For fiscal 2012, Cogeco Cable expects to achieve revenue of $1,420 million, representing growth of $60 million, or 4.4% when compared to
the revised fiscal 2011 guidelines issued on January 12, 2011. The preliminary guidelines take into consideration the current uncertain global
economic environment. In Canada, while the recovery phase seems sustainable, recent reforms to the mortgage market and further tightening
from the Bank of Canada will nonetheless constrain housing market activity and should coincide with a contraction in consumer spending. In
previous recessionary periods, demand for cable telecommunications services has generally proven to be resilient, however there is no
assurance that demand would remain resilient in a prolonged difficult economic environment. In Portugal, during the third quarter of fiscal
2011, the unfavourable economic environment continued to deteriorate, with the Country ultimately requiring financial assistance from the
International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. As part of the negotiated financial assistance package, the Portuguese
government has committed to financial reforms which include increases in sales and income taxes combined with reductions in government
spending on social programs. These measures are expected to put further downwards pressure on consumer spending and the rate of growth
for our services has diminished and is expected to continue to slow down in this environment. These preliminary guidelines also take into
consideration the competitive environment that prevails in Portugal and, in Canada, the deployment of new technologies such as Fibre to the
Home (“FTTH”), Fibre to the Node (“FTTN”) and Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) by the incumbent telecommunications providers.
Revenue from the Canadian operations should increase as a result of RGU growth stemming from targeted marketing initiatives to improve
penetration rates of the Digital Television, HSI and Telephony services. Furthermore, the Digital Television service should continue to benefit
from the customers’ ongoing strong interest in the Corporation’s growing HD service offerings. Canadian operations revenue will also benefit
from the impact of rate increases implemented in April 2011 in Ontario and Québec, averaging $2 per Basic Cable service customer. Cogeco
Cable’s strategies include consistently effective marketing, competitive product offerings and superior customer service, which combined, lead
to the expansion and loyalty of the Canadian operations’ Basic Cable Service clientele. As the penetration of HSI, Telephony and Digital
Television services increase, the new demand for these products should slow, reflecting early signs of maturity.
Management anticipates that the decline in the customer base of the European operations, which began during the second half of fiscal 2011,
is likely to continue in the next year. Net losses are expected in Basic Cable and Digital Television service customers partly offset by net
additions coming from HSI and Telephony service customers. Management is expected to maintain its retention strategies and marketing
initiatives implemented over the last few years, but the economic difficulties being experienced by the European market at large and the
competitive environment which has plagued the Portuguese telecommunications industry for the past years are continuing to negatively
impact the financial results of the European operations. As a result of the economic environment in Portugal, revenue in local currency is
expected to decrease in fiscal 2012. For fiscal 2012, it is anticipated that the Euro should be converted at a rate of approximately $1.35 per
Euro, essentially the same when compared to the revised fiscal 2011 guidelines issued on January 12, 2011.
As a result of increased costs to service additional RGU, inflation and manpower increases, as well as the continuation of the marketing
initiatives and retention strategies launched in Portugal in the past few years, consolidated operating costs are expected to expand by
approximately $25 million, or 3.1% in the 2012 fiscal year when compared to the revised projections for fiscal 2011.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 13
For fiscal 2012, the Corporation expects operating income before amortization of $580 million, an increase of $35 million, or 6.4% when
compared to the revised fiscal 2011 projections issued on January 12, 2011. The operating margin is expected to reach approximately 40.8%
in fiscal 2012, compared to revised projections of 40.1% for the 2011 fiscal year, reflecting revenue growth which is expected to exceed the
increase in operating costs.
Cogeco Cable expects the amortization of capital assets and deferred charges to decrease by $45 million for fiscal 2012, mainly from the
impairment loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 in the European operations, partly offset by capital expenditures and deferred charges
related to RGU growth and other initiatives of fiscal 2012 in the Canadian operations and by the full year impact of those of fiscal 2011. Cash
flows from operations should finance capital expenditures and the increase in deferred charges amounting to $350 million, an increase of
$10 million when compared to the revised fiscal 2011 projections. Capital expenditures projected for the 2012 fiscal year are mainly due to
customer premise equipment required to support RGU growth, scalable infrastructure for product enhancements and the deployment of new
technologies, line extensions to expand existing territories, and support capital to improve business information systems and support facility
requirements.
Fiscal 2012 free cash flow is expected to amount to $95 million, an increase of $25 million, or 35.7% when compared to the projected free
cash flow of $70 million for fiscal 2011, resulting from the growth in operating income before amortization. Generated free cash flow should be
used primarily to reduce Indebtedness, thus improving the Corporation’s leverage ratios. Financial expense will be reduced to $60 million from
the projected $72 million in fiscal 2011 revised projections, as a result of an anticipated decrease in Indebtedness and the one-time make-
whole premium on the early repayment, in fiscal 2011, of the Senior Secured Notes Series B, partly offset by a slight increase in the
Corporation’s cost of debt reflecting current market conditions. As a result, net income of approximately $225 million should be achieved
compared to a net loss of $85 million for the revised fiscal 2011 projections. Fiscal 2012 projected net income represents an increase of
$85 million when compared to the revised fiscal 2011 projection when the impact of the non-cash impairment loss of $225.9 million in the
European operations is excluded.
The fiscal 2012 financial guidelines exclude the Quiettouch acquisition, which is subject to customary closing adjustments and conditions.
Consolidated
Preliminary
projections
Fiscal 2012
Revised
projections
January 12, 2011
(in millions of dollars, except net customer additions and operating margin) $ $
Financial guidelines
Revenue 1,420 1,360
Operating income before amortization 580 545
Operating margin 40.8% 40.1%
Amortization
220 265
Financial expense 60 72
Current income taxes 75 63
Net income (loss)
(1)
225 (85)
Capital expenditures and increase in deferred charges 350 340
Free Cash Flow 95 70
Net customer addition guidelines
RGU
(1)
225,000 250,000
(1) Net loss and net customer addition guidelines for fiscal 2011 were revised on July 6, 2011.
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 May 31, 2011, and have concluded that they were adequate. Furthermore, no significant changes to the
internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the third quarter ended May 31, 2011.
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.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 14
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.
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
Adoption of 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 has completed all activities included in the scoping and diagnostic and impact analysis, evaluation and design phases. The
Corporation has also completed its implementation of a new financial suite under an integrated Oracle platform in order to adequately support
the implementation of IFRS. This financial suite will facilitate the completion of the Corporation’s transition project and the conversion of the
results of operations for fiscal 2011 to be presented as comparative figures to the fiscal 2012 IFRS financial statements. The effects on other
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 15
information technology, data systems, and internal controls have also been assessed, no significant modifications are necessary on
conversion.
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.
Upon conversion to IFRS, an entity is required to apply the guidance contained in these standards retrospectively without limitation unless
there is a specific exemption which modifies this requirement. IFRS 1 – First-time adoption of international financial reporting standards
applies only for first-time adopters of IFRS and contains several mandatory exceptions and optional exemptions to be applied to these entities’
first IFRS financial statements. Management has completed its analysis of the impact of most of the significant transitional optional
exemptions, and Cogeco Cable’s elections to be applied at the date of transition to IFRS for these exemptions are as follows:
International
standard Summary of the optional IFRS 1 exemption Application and impact for the Corporation
IFRS 3 – Business
combinations
A first-time adopter may elect not to apply IFRS 3 retrospectively to
past business combinations.
The Corporation has elected not to restate business combinations
completed prior to September 1, 2010.
IFRS 2 – Share-
based payments
A first-time adopter may elect to apply IFRS 2 only to equity
instruments that were granted after November 7 2002 and which
vested after the date of transition to IFRS.
The Corporation has elected to apply the requirements of IFRS 2 only to
equity instruments granted after November 7, 2002 and which vested
after the date of transition to IFRS.
IAS 16 – Property,
plant and
equipment
A first-time adopter may elect to measure an item of property, plant
and equipment at its fair value at the date of transition to IFRS and
use that fair value as its deemed cost at that date.
The Corporation has elected not to use the fair value of any of its
property, plant and equipment as their deemed cost at the date of
transition to IFRS.
IAS 19 – Employee
benefits
A first-time adopter may elect to recognise all cumulative actuarial
gains and losses at the date of transition to IFRS.
The Corporation has elected to recognise all actuarial gains and losses
at the date of transition to IFRS.
IAS 23 – Borrowing
costs
A first-time adopter may elect to apply IAS 23 only to borrowing
costs relating to qualifying assets for which the commencement
date for capitalisation is on or after the date of transition to IFRS.
The Corporation has elected to apply the requirements of IAS 23 only to
borrowing costs relating to assets for which the commencement date for
capitalisation is on or after the date of transition to IFRS.
The Corporation is currently completing the evaluation of the differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP. The most significant differences
in accounting policies adopted on and after transition to IFRS with respect to the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of
financial information, along with the related expected financial statement impacts, are expected to be in the following key accounting areas:
International
standard Summary of the difference between IFRS and Canadian GAAP Application and impact for the Corporation
IAS 16 – Property,
plant and
equipment
IFRS requires that each significant component of an asset be
depreciated separately.
The Corporation will apply IAS 16 retroactively to all items of property,
plant and equipment. The impact of the retroactive application on the
Corporation’s opening IFRS balance sheet at the date of transition will
reduce property, plant and equipment and retained earnings by an
amount of approximately $6 million before the impact of related income
taxes. Depreciation expense is also expected to be different under
IFRS.
IAS 19 – Employee
benefits
IAS 19 requires an entity to recognize the expense related to past
service cost on an accelerated basis compared to Canadian GAAP.
Furthermore, IAS 19 allows an entity a policy choice for the
recognition of actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension
plans. One of these choices permits the immediate recognition of
actuarial gains and losses as a component of other comprehensive
income, which was not permitted under Canadian GAAP.
The Corporation has elected to recognize actuarial gains and losses
immediately as a component of other comprehensive income. The
impact of this policy choice will depend on the future fluctuations in
market interest rates and actual returns on plan assets.
In addition, at the date of transition, the IFRS 1 optional election
described above will result in a decrease in opening retained earnings
and an increase in pension plan liabilities and accrued employee
benefits of approximately $4 million before the impact of related income
taxes.
IFRS 2 – Share-
based payment
IFRS 2 requires the graded-vesting method for the recognition of
stock-based compensation awards, while Canadian GAAP
permitted the straight-line method. IFRS 2 also requires that an
entity measure cash-settled stock-based payments at their fair
value based on an option pricing model.
The requirement to use the graded-vesting method for the recognition of
stock-based compensation awards will result in an accelerated
recognition of the expense for the Corporation. At the date of transition
to IFRS, and reflecting the IFRS 1 exemption described above, this
difference in accounting policies will result in a decrease in opening
retained earnings and an increase in contributed surplus (equity settled
employee compensation reserve in the Corporation’s IFRS financial
statements) by an amount of approximately $1 million. As a result of this
adjustment, operating expense related to employee benefits are
expected to be slightly lower in the Corporation’s first IFRS financial
statements.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 16
International
standard Summary of the difference between IFRS and Canadian GAAP Application and impact for the Corporation
IAS 36 –
Impairment of
assets
For the purposes of impairment testing, IFRS requires that assets
be grouped into cash generating units (“CGU”s). IFRS then
requires a one-step approach whereby the carrying value of the
CGU is compared to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and
the value in use. Canadian GAAP required grouping at the lowest
level of independent cash flows and used a two-step approach for
impairment testing whereby the carrying values were first compared
to the undiscounted future cash flows in order to determine the
existence of an impairment, and subsequently compared to the fair
value to determine the amount of the impairment.
IFRS also requires the reversal of a previous impairment loss on
assets other than goodwill in the event a change in circumstances
indicates that the impairment no longer exists or has decreased.
The reversal of prior impairment losses is not permitted under
Canadian GAAP.
The Corporation has identified and
tested its CGUs for impairment at the
date of the opening IFRS balance sheet and no impairment was
identified.
IAS 38 – Intangible
assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized under IFRS
or Canadian GAAP. However, IFRS requires full retrospective
application, including the reversal of amortization which was not
reversed under the transitional provisions of Canadian GAAP.
On transition to IFRS, the Corporation will reverse all amortization
recorded on intangible assets with indefinite lives. The impact will
increase
opening retained earnings and increase intangible assets by an
amount of approximately $51 million, before the impact of related
income taxes, on the opening IFRS balance sheet.
IFRS 3 – Business
combinations
Acquisition-related costs, which the Corporation capitalized under
Canadian GAAP, are expensed under IFRS.
In accordance with the IFRS 1 election described above, the
Corporation will apply the requirements of IFRS 3 prospectively from the
date of transition. As part of the application of IFRS 3, the Corporation
will be required to expense acquisition-related costs capitalized on
acquisitions completed since the date of transition to IFRS.
Also as a result of the IFRS 1 election described above, the Corporation
will be required to reverse the retroactive adjustment to intangible assets
acquired in prior business acquisition stemming from the recognition of
deferred income taxes upon application of CICA Handbook section
3465, Income taxes. The impact will decrease intangible assets by an
amount of approximately $73 million, deferred income tax liabilities by
an amount of approximately $62 million and retained earnings by an
amount of approximately $11 million, before the impact of related
income taxes, at the transition date.
IAS 39 – Financial
instruments:
recognition and
measurement
The criteria and method used for assessing hedge effectiveness
may be different under IFRS than Canadian GAAP.
Upon transition to IFRS, the Corporation will continue to apply hedge
accounting under IFRS to all hedging arrangements which the
Corporation recorded under Canadian GAAP. The hedging
documentation and hedge effectiveness tests have been updated to
conform to the requirements of IAS 39.
IAS 23 – Borrowing
costs
IFRS requires that borrowing costs be capitalized on qualifying
assets purchased or constructed by the entity. Canadian GAAP
permitted a policy choice to capitalize or expense these costs,
which the Corporation elected to expense.
In light of the Corporation’s election under IFRS 1, this difference will
have no impact on the Corporation’s opening IFRS balance sheet.
Borrowing costs will be capitalized on any qualifying assets purchased
or constructed after the date of transition to IFRS.
IAS 12 – Income
taxes
Recognition and measurement criteria for deferred tax assets and
liabilities may differ. IFRS also requires that temporary differences
relating to current assets and current liabilities be presented as
non-current liabilities and non-current assets, whereas these were
classified as current under Canadian GAAP.
The differences related to the recognition and measurement of income
taxes are expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s
opening IFRS balance sheet. The Corporation is currently assessing the
impact of these differences. The impact on income taxes of other IFRS
differences are also being assessed.
IAS 37 –
Provisions,
contingent
liabilities and
contingent assets
The threshold for the recognition of a provision is different under
IFRS than Canadian GAAP. Presentation differences also exist
between the two sets of accounting standards.
The Corporation is currently assessing the impact of these differences.
IAS 1 –
Presentation of
financial
statements
Additional disclosures are required under IFRS. Presentation
differences also exist between IFRS and Canadian GAAP, the most
notable of which are presentation choices for the Statement of
income and the Statement of comprehensive income and
Statement of cash flows.
The Corporation has elected to present items of revenue and expense
on its Consolidated statement of income according to the nature of the
item. The Consolidated statement of comprehensive income will be
presented separately from the Consolidated statement of income.
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 adoption of
International accounting standards taking effect at that same date, this EIC will not be applicable to the Corporation.
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
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 17
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 May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Cash flow from operating activities 148,147
112,451
295,813
222,870
Changes in non-cash operating items
(16,401)
6,792
(8,815
)
144,920
Cash flow from operations 131,746
119,243
286,998
367,790
Free cash flow is calculated as follows:
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Cash flow from operations 131,746
119,243
286,998
367,790
Acquisition of fixed assets
(67,781)
(66,749)
(199,142
)
(203,689)
Increase in deferred charges
(2,781)
(2,534)
(8,
535
)
(8,053)
Assets acquired under capital
leases – as per note 12 c)
–
–
–
(141)
Free cash flow 61,184
49,960
79,321
155,907
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.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income. Operating income before amortization and operating margin
are calculated as follows:
Quarters ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000, except percentages)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Operating income 78,444
62,929
214,175
176,744
Amortization
65,641
63,771
193,710
195,175
Operating income before amortization 144,085
126,700
407,885
371,919
Revenue
342,910
319,291
1,010,998
957,053
Operating margin 42.0%
39.7%
40.3%
38.9%
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 18
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 the net income and
earnings per share from ongoing operations without the impact of certain adjustments, net of income taxes, which could affect the
comparability of the Corporation’s financial results. The exclusion of these adjustments does not indicate that they are non-recurring.
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 May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
($000, except numbers of shares and per share data)
$
$
$
$
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Net income (loss) (182,019)
31,185
(117,231
)
117,640
Adjustments:
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
225,873
–
225,873
–
Reduction of Ontario provincial corporate income tax rates
–
–
–
(29,782)
Adjusted net income 43,854
31,185
108,642
87,858
Weighted average number of multiple voting and subordinate voting shares outstanding
48,641,624
48,509,886
48,556,353
48,522,312
Effect of dilutive stock options
170,585
164,884
180,866
134,525
Effect of dilutive subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan
104,627
59,004
94,317
40,817
Weighted average number of diluted multiple voting and subordinate voting shares
outstanding
48,916,836
48,733,774
48,831,536
48,697,654
Adjusted earnings per share
Basic
0.90
0.64
2.24
1.81
Diluted
0.90
0.64
2.22
1.80
SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Quarters ended
(1)
May 31, February 28, November 30, August 31,
($000, except percentages and per share
data)
2011
2010
2011
2010
2010
2009 2010 2009
$
$
$
$
$
$ $ $
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
Revenue
342,910
319,291
336,569
320,397
331,519
317,365 324,323 307,807
Operating income before amortization
144,085
126,700
134,372
122,613
129,428
122,606 138,177 143,892
Operating margin
42.0%
39.7%
39.9%
38.3%
39.0%
38.6% 42.6% 46.7%
Operating income
78,444
62,929
69,293
56,774
66,438
57,041 74,481 75,624
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
225,873
–
–
–
–
– – –
Income taxes
18,547
15,060
14,017
11,952
16,101
(15,766)
17,772 22,005
Net income (loss)
(182,019)
31,185
31,151
29,789
33,637
56,666 39,663 44,698
Adjusted net income
43,854
31,185
31,151
29,789
33,637
26,884 39,663 26,123
Cash flow from operating activities
148,147
112,451
92,663
114,037
55,003
(3,618)
194,414 175,450
Cash flow from operations
131,746
119,243
118,819
118,318
36,433
130,229 127,024 108,631
Capital expenditures and increase in
deferred charges
70,562
69,283
70,668
74,379
66,447
68,221 107,799 93,872
Free cash flow
61,184
49,960
48,151
43,939
(30,014)
62,008 19,225 14,759
Earnings (loss) per share
(2)
Basic
(3.74)
0.64
0.64
0.61
0.69
1.17 0.82 0.92
Diluted
(3.74)
0.64
0.64
0.61
0.69
1.16 0.81 0.92
Adjusted earnings per share
(2)
Basic
0.90
0.64
0.64
0.61
0.69
0.55 0.82 0.54
Diluted
0.90
0.64
0.64
0.61
0.69
0.55 0.81 0.54
(1) The addition of quarterly information may not correspond to the annual total due to rounding.
(2) Per multiple and subordinate voting share.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This MD&A was prepared as of July 6, 2011. Additional information relating to the Corporation, including its Annual Report and Annual
Information Form, is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 19
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 operating
margins are 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 has been reached in the second quarter of fiscal
2011, Cogeco Cable will not 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.
/s/ Jan Peeters
/s/ Louis Audet
Jan Peeters
Chairman of the Board
Louis Audet
President and Chief Executive Officer
Cogeco Cable Inc.
Montréal, Québec
July 7, 2011
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Third quarter ended May 31, 2011
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 21
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
$
$
$
$
Revenue
Service
341,019
316,964
1,001,803
948,727
Equipment
1,891
2,327
9,195
8,326
342,910
319,291
1,010,998
957,053
Operating costs
198,825
192,591
593,941
576,115
Management fees – COGECO Inc.
–
–
9,172
9,019
Operating income before amortization 144,085
126,700
407,885
371,919
Amortization (note 3)
65,641
63,771
193,710
195,175
Operating income 78,444
62,929
214,175
176,744
Financial expense (note 4)
16,043
16,684
56,868
47,858
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets (note 5)
225,873
–
225,873
–
Income (loss) before income taxes (163,472)
46,245
(68,566
)
128,886
Income taxes (note 6)
18,547
15,060
48,665
11,246
Net income (loss) (182,019)
31,185
(117,231
)
117,640
Earnings (loss) per share (note 7)
Basic and diluted
(3.74)
0.64
(2.41
)
2.42
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 22
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
(In thousands of dollars)
$
$
$
$
Net income (loss) (182,019)
31,185
(117,231
)
117,640
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges,
net of income tax expense of $183,000 and income tax recovery of $3,117,000 (income
tax expense of $622,000 and income tax recovery of $1,852,000 in 2010)
483
4,140
(16,250
)
(784)
Reclassification to financial expense of unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax recovery of $72,000 and $2,400,000
($230,000 and $1,316,000 in 2010)
460
1,480
16,201
8,469
Unrealized gains (losses) on translation of a net investment in self-sustaining foreign
subsidiaries
8,952
(25,349)
7,199
(48,939)
Unrealized gains (losses) on translation of long-term debt designated as hedges of a net
investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries
(3,731)
16,958
(3,330
)
35,531
6,164
(2,771)
3,820
(5,723)
Comprehensive income (loss) (175,855)
28,414
(113,411
)
111,917
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
(unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 23
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
(In thousands of dollars)
$
$
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 (loss)
(117,231
)
117,640
Excess of the value attributed to incentive share units at issuance over the
price paid for the acquisition of the subordinate voting shares
11
–
Dividends on multiple voting shares
(8,001
)
(6,591)
Dividends on subordinate voting shares
(16,760
)
(13,789)
Balance at end
(18,956
)
90,153
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 24
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
(In thousands of dollars)
$
$
Assets
Current
Cash and cash equivalents (note 12 b))
96,091
35,842
Accounts receivable (note 14)
71,691
67,064
Income taxes receivable
38,530
44,800
Prepaid expenses and other
14,909
13,669
Future income tax assets
4,523
6,133
225,744
167,508
Fixed assets
1,151,049
1,325,077
Deferred charges
26,230
26,974
Intangible assets (note 8)
1,014,077
1,017,658
Goodwill (note 8)
116,243
144,695
Derivative financial instruments
–
5,085
Future income tax assets
10,400
15,822
2,543,743
2,702,819
Liabilities and Shareholders’ equity
Liabilities
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
175,348
235,087
Income tax liabilities
67,269
558
Deferred and prepaid revenue
47,161
45,602
Derivative financial instrument
132
1,189
Current portion of long-term debt (note 9)
2,322
2,296
Future income tax liabilities
60,356
78,267
352,588
362,999
Long-term debt (note 9)
932,442
952,687
Derivative financial instruments
15,339
–
Deferred and prepaid revenue and other liabilities
13,250
12,234
Pension plan liabilities and accrued employees benefits
4,367
3,624
Future income tax liabilities
223,501
234,974
1,541,487
1,566,518
Shareholders’ equity
Capital stock (note 10)
993,032
988,830
Contributed surplus
6,001
6,087
Retained earnings (deficit)
(18,956)
123,025
Accumulated other comprehensive income (note 11)
22,179
18,359
1,002,256
1,136,301
2,543,743
2,702,819
COGECO CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 25
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
(In thousands of dollars)
$
$
$
$
Cash flow from operating activities
Net income (loss)
(182,019)
31,185
(117,231
)
117,640
Adjustments for:
Amortization (note 3)
65,641
63,771
193,710
195,175
Amortization of deferred transaction costs and discounts on long-term debt
658
751
2,254
2,259
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets (note 5)
225,873
–
225,873
–
Future income taxes
20,815
20,917
(21,631
)
48,726
Stock-based compensation (note 10)
640
355
1,900
1,255
Loss on disposals and write-offs of fixed assets
231
2,443
1,635
2,505
Other
(93)
(179)
488
230
131,746
119,243
286,998
367,790
Changes in non-cash operating items (note 12 a))
16,401
(6,792)
8,815
(144,920)
148,147
112,451
295,813
222,870
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of fixed assets (note 12 c))
(67,781)
(66,749)
(199,142
)
(203,689)
Increase in deferred charges
(2,781)
(2,534)
(8,535
)
(8,053)
Other
216
23
216
145
(70,346)
(69,260)
(207,461
)
(211,597)
Cash flow from financing activities
Increase in bank indebtedness
–
1,070
–
44,743
Net repayments under the Term Facility and Term Revolving Facility
–
(33,156)
(27,392
)
(54,735)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts and transaction costs
–
–
198,295
–
Repayments of long-term debt
(652)
(813)
(177,165
)
(2,882)
Issuance of subordinate voting shares (note 10)
561
–
4,740
283
Acquisition of subordinate voting shares held in
trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan
(note 10)
–
(264)
(2,258
)
(2,008)
Dividends on multiple voting shares
(2,667)
(2,197)
(8,001
)
(6,591)
Dividends on subordinate voting shares
(5,601)
(4,586)
(16,760
)
(13,789)
(8,359)
(39,946)
(28,541
)
(34,979)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in a
foreign currency 573
(846)
438
(1,746)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 70,015
2,399
60,249
(25,452)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
26,076
11,607
35,842
39,458
Cash and cash equivalents at end 96,091
14,006
96,091
14,006
See supplemental cash flow information in note 12.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 26
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 May 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010 as well as its results of operations and its cash flows for the three and nine-month periods
ended May 31, 2011 and 2010.
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 adoption of 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
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
Three months ended May 31,
$
$
$
$
$
$
Revenue
299,263
275,675
43,647
43,616
342,910
319,291
Operating costs
161,188
155,292
37,637
37,299
198,825
192,591
Operating income before amortization
138,075
120,383
6,010
6,317
144,085
126,700
Amortization
52,001
47,446
13,640
16,325
65,641
63,771
Operating income (loss)
86,074
72,937
(7,630
)
(10,008)
78,444
62,929
Financial expense (revenue)
16,050
16,612
(7
)
72
16,043
16,684
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
–
–
225,873
–
225,873
–
Income taxes
18,470
16,060
77
(1,000)
18,547
15,060
Net income (loss)
51,554
40,265
(233,573
)
(9,080)
(182,019)
31,185
Total assets
(1)
2,489,999
2,407,059
53,744
295,760
2,543,743
2,702,819
Fixed assets
(1)
1,124,879
1,094,971
26,170
230,106
1,151,049
1,325,077
Intangible assets
(1)
1,014,077
1,017,658
–
–
1,014,077
1,017,658
Goodwill
(1)
116,243
116,243
–
28,452
116,243
144,695
Acquisition of fixed assets
59,847
54,838
7,934
11,911
67,781
66,749
(1) At May 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 27
2. Segmented information (continued)
Canada Europe Consolidated
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
Nine months ended May 31,
$
$
$
$
$
$
Revenue
882,027
811,465
128,971
145,588
1,010,998
957,053
Operating costs
479,397
455,038
114,544
121,077
593,941
576,115
Management fees – COGECO Inc.
9,172
9,019
–
–
9,172
9,019
Operating income before amortization
393,458
347,408
14,427
24,511
407,885
371,919
Amortization
153,642
139,663
40,068
55,512
193,710
195,175
Operating income (loss)
239,816
207,745
(25,641)
(31,001)
214,175
176,744
Financial expense (revenue)
56,953
48,692
(85)
(834)
56,868
47,858
Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
–
–
225,873
–
225,873
–
Income taxes
49,139
12,019
(474)
(773)
48,665
11,246
Net income (loss)
133,724
147,034
(250,955)
(29,394)
(117,231
)
117,640
Total assets
(1)
2,489,999
2,407,059
53,744
295,760
2,543,743
2,702,819
Fixed assets
(1)
1,124,879
1,094,971
26,170
230,106
1,151,049
1,325,077
Intangible assets
(1)
1,014,077
1,017,658
–
–
1,014,077
1,017,658
Goodwill
(1)
116,243
116,243
–
28,452
116,243
144,695
Acquisition of fixed assets
(2)
173,069
162,689
26,073
41,141
199,142
203,830
(1) At May 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010.
(2) Includes fixed assets acquired through capital leases that are excluded from the consolidated statements of cash flows.
3. Amortization
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Fixed assets
61,772
59,878
182,090
183,406
Deferred charges
2,675
2,699
8,039
8,187
Intangible assets
1,194
1,194
3,581
3,582
65,641
63,771
193,710
195,175
4. Financial expense
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Interest on long-term debt
14,631
15,544
54,893
47,094
Foreign exchange losses (gains)
(113)
409
(1,578
)
(470)
Amortization of deferred transaction costs
399
408
1,240
1,222
Other
1,126
323
2,313
12
16,043
16,684
56,868
47,858
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 28
5. Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Impairment of goodwill
29,344
–
29,344
–
Impairment of fixed assets
196,529
–
196,529
–
225,873
–
225,873
–
During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the economic environment in Portugal continued to deteriorate, with the Country ultimately
requiring financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. As part of the negotiated financial
assistance package, the Portuguese government has committed to financial reforms which include increases in sales and income taxes
combined with reductions in government spending on social programs. These measures are expected to put further downwards pressure
on consumer spending capacity. The rate of growth for our services has diminished in this environment, with net customer losses and
service downgrades by customers in the European operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. In accordance with current accounting
standards, management considered that this situation combined with net customer losses in the third quarter, which were significantly
more important and persistent than expected, will continue to negatively impact the financial results of the European operations and
indicate a decrease in the value of the Corporation’s investment in the Portuguese subsidiary. As a result, the Corporation tested goodwill
and all long-lived assets for impairment at May 31, 2011.
Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two step approach. The first step consists of determining whether the fair value of the reporting
unit to which goodwill is assigned exceeds the net carrying amount of that reporting unit, including goodwill. In the event that the net
carrying amount exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed in order to determine the amount of the impairment loss. The
impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. The
Corporation completed its impairment test on goodwill and concluded that goodwill was impaired at May 31, 2011. As a result, a non-
cash impairment loss of $29.3 million was recorded in the third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year. Fair value of the reporting unit was
determined using the discounted cash flow method. Future cash flows were based on internal forecasts and consequently, considerable
management judgement was necessary to estimate future cash flows.
Long-lived assets with finite useful lives, such as fixed assets, are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or
group of assets to the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset or group of assets. The impairment loss is
measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Accordingly, the Corporation completed its
impairment test on the fixed assets of the Portuguese subsidiary at May 31, 2011, and determined that the carrying value of these assets
exceeded the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by these assets. As a result, a non-cash impairment loss of
$196.5 million was recognized in the third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 29
6. Income taxes
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Current
(2,268)
(5,857)
70,296
(37,480)
Future
20,815
20,917
(21,631
)
48,726
18,547
15,060
48,665
11,246
The following table provides the reconciliation between income tax expense (recovery) at the Canadian statutory federal and provincial
income tax rates and the consolidated income tax expense:
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Income (loss) before income taxes
(163,472)
46,245
(68,566
)
128,886
Combined income tax rate
28.91 %
31.52 %
28.91 %
31.51 %
Income tax expense (recovery) at combined income tax rate
(47,259)
14,576
(19,822
)
40,616
Adjustment for losses or income subject to lower or higher tax rates
(1,697)
(1,907)
(4,105
)
(7,536)
Decrease in future income taxes as a result of decrease in substantively enacted tax
rates
–
–
–
(29,782)
Decrease in income tax recovery arising from the non-deductible impairment
of goodwill and fixed assets
59,856
–
59,856
–
Utilization of pre-acquisition tax losses
–
–
–
4,432
Income taxes arising from non-deductible expenses
123
280
447
583
Effect of foreign income tax rate differences
7,725
2,177
12,358
4,301
Other
(201)
(66)
(69
)
(1,368)
Income tax expense at effective income tax rate
18,547
15,060
48,665
11,246
7. Earnings (loss) per share
The following table provides the reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Net income (loss)
(182,019)
31,185
(117,231
)
117,640
Weighted average number of multiple voting and subordinate voting shares outstanding
48,641,624
48,509,886
48,556,353
48,522,312
Effect of dilutive stock options
(1)(2)
–
164,884
–
134,525
Effect of dilutive subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit
Plan
(1)
–
59,004
–
40,817
Weighted average number of diluted multiple voting and subordinate voting shares
outstanding
48,641,624
48,733,774
48,556,353
48,697,654
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic and diluted
(3.74)
0.64
(2.41
)
2.42
(1) The weighted average dilutive potential number of subordinate voting shares which were anti-dilutive for the three and nine-
month periods ended May
31, 2011 amounted to 275,212 and 275,183.
(2) For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011, 69,309 stock options (103,101 and 104,183 in
2010) 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.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 30
8. Goodwill and other intangible assets
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
$
$
Customer relationships
24,525
28,106
Customer base
989,552
989,552
1,014,077
1,017,658
Goodwill
116,243
144,695
1,130,320
1,162,353
a) Intangible assets
During the first nine 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 (note 3)
(3,581)
–
(3,581)
Balance at May 31, 2011
24,525
989,552
1,014,077
b) Goodwill
During the first nine months, goodwill variation was as follows:
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
144,695
Impairment (note 5)
(29,344)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
892
Balance at May 31, 2011
116,243
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 31
9. Long-term debt
Maturity Interest rate
May 31, 2011
August 31,
2010
%
$
$
Parent company
Term Revolving Facility
Revolving loan – €70,000,000 (€90,000,000 at August 31, 2010) 2014
3.25
(1)(2)
97,573
121,635
Senior Secured Notes
Series A – US$190,000,000 2015
7.00
(3)
182,944
201,387
Series B 2018 7.60
54,637
54,609
Senior Secured Debentures Series 1 2014 5.95
297,857
297,379
Senior Secured Debentures Series 2
(4)
2020 5.15
198,367
–
Senior Secured Notes Series B 2011
(5)
7.73
–
174,738
Senior Unsecured Debenture 2018 5.94
99,822
99,806
Subsidiaries
Obligations under capital leases 2013 6.71 – 9.93
3,564
5,429
934,764
954,983
Less current portion
2,322
2,296
932,442
952,687
(1) Interest rate on debt as at May 31, 2011, 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 th
e 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 settlement of the swap agreement on June 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) Cross-currency swap agreements have resulted in an effective interest rate of 7.24% on the Canadian dollar equivalent of the US denominated debt.
(4) On November 16, 2010, the Corporation completed pursuant to a public debt offering, the issue of $200 million Senior Secured De
bentures Series 2 (the
"Debentures") for net proceeds of $198.3 million, net of discounts and transaction costs. These Debentures mature on November
16, 2020 and bear
interest at 5.15% per annum payable semi-annually. These debentures are indirectly secure
d 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 C
orporation and certain of its
subsidiaries.
(5) 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 $183.8 million, excluding accrued interest. T
he excess of the
redemption price over the aggregate principal amount was recorded as financial expense during the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 32
10. 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
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
$
$
15,691,100 multiple voting shares
98,346
98,346
33,073,656 subordinate voting shares (32,885,337 at August 31, 2010)
898,327
892,332
996,673
990,678
101,428 subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan (57,409 at August 31, 2010)
(3,641)
(1,848)
993,032
988,830
During the first nine 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
188,319 4,740
Compensation expense previously recorded in contributed surplus for options exercised
– 1,255
Balance at May 31, 2011
33,073,656 898,327
During the first nine months, subordinate voting shares held in trust under the Incentive Share Unit Plan transactions were as follows:
Number of shares Amount
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
57,409 1,848
Subordinate voting shares acquired
57,203 2,258
Subordinate voting shares distributed to employees
(13,184)
(465)
Balance at May 31, 2011
101,428 3,641
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 33
10. 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 first nine months of 2011, the Corporation granted 69,500 stock options (66,174 in 2010) with an exercise price of
$39.00 to $44 ($31.82 to $38.86 in 2010) of which 35,800 stock options (33,266 in 2010) 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 and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011, the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. an amount of
$59,000 and $174,000 ($63,000 and $240,000 in 2010) with respect to the Corporation’s options granted to COGECO Inc.’s employees.
As a result, a compensation expense of $80,000 and $272,000 ($155,000 and $534,000 in 2010) was recorded for the three and nine-
month periods ended May 31, 2011.
The weighted average fair value of stock options granted for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2011 was $9.55 ($8.11 in 2010) 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:
2011
2010
%
%
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
Under the Stock Option Plan, the following options were granted by the Corporation and are outstanding at May 31, 2011:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
716,760
Granted
69,500
Exercised
(188,319)
Forfeited
(34,706)
Expired
(448)
Outstanding at May 31, 2011
562,787
Exercisable at May 31, 2011
391,802
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 first nine months of 2011, the Corporation granted 60,388 (63,666
in 2010) Incentive Share Units ("ISUs”) of which 10,000 (9,981 in 2010) 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
less one day. A trust was created for the purpose of purchasing these shares on the stock market in order to protect against stock price
fluctuation. The Corporation instructed the trustee to purchase 57,203 (62,436 in 2010) subordinate voting shares of the Corporation on
the stock market. These shares were purchased for cash consideration aggregating $2,258,000 ($2,008,000 in 2010) 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 $362,000 and $1,043,000 ($143,000 and $309,000 in 2010) was recorded for the
three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011 related to this plan. During the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011,
the Corporation charged COGECO Inc. an amount of $59,000 and $156,000 ($27,000 and $64,000 in 2010) with respect 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 May 31, 2011:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
57,409
Granted
60,388
Distributed
(13,184)
Forfeited
(885)
Outstanding at May 31, 2011
103,728
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 34
10. Capital stock (continued)
The Corporation also offers a Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) which is described in the Corporation’s annual consolidated
financial statements. During the first nine months of 2011, 4,521 (4,422 in 2010) Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”) were awarded to the
participants in connection with the DSU Plan. A compensation expense of $80,000 and $255,000 (reduction of compensation expense of
$33,000 and compensation expense of $108,000 in 2010) was recorded for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2011 for
the liability related to this plan. Under the DSU Plan, the following DSUs were issued by Cogeco Cable Inc. and are outstanding at
May 31, 2011:
Outstanding at August 31, 2010
10,855
Issued
4,521
Dividend equivalents
166
Outstanding at May 31, 2011
15,542
11. Accumulated other comprehensive income
Translation of a net
investment in self-
sustaining foreign
subsidiaries
Cash flow
hedges
Total
$
$
$
Balance at August 31, 2010
15,439
2,920
18,359
Other comprehensive income (loss)
3,869
(49
)
3,820
Balance at May 31, 2011
19,308
2,871
22,179
12. Statements of cash flows
a) Changes in non-cash operating items
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Accounts receivable
8,115
4,775
(4,349
)
(6,321)
Income taxes receivable
4,770
(6,758)
6,335
(36,897)
Prepaid expenses and other
(288)
(114)
(1,116
)
(1,636)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
8,533
(5,397)
(61,308
)
(67,979)
Income tax liabilities
(6,714)
77
66,698
(40,120)
Deferred and prepaid revenue and other liabilities
1,985
625
2,555
8,033
16,401
(6,792)
8,815
(144,920)
b) Cash and cash equivalents
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
$
$
Cash
89,121
35,842
Cash equivalents
(1)
6,970
–
96,091
35,842
(1) At May 31, 2011, term deposit of €5,000,000, bearing interest at 0.65%, maturing on June 20, 2011.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 35
12. Statements of cash flows (continued)
c) Other information
Three months ended May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Fixed asset acquisitions through capital leases
–
–
–
141
Financial expense paid
19,401
20,597
61,736
52,211
Income taxes paid (received)
(324)
(27)
(2,734
)
39,537
13. Employee future benefits
The Corporation and its Canadian subsidiaries offer to their employees contributory defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution
pension plans 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 May 31,
Nine months ended May 31,
2011
2010
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
Contributory defined benefit pension plans
513
377
1,448
1,131
Defined contribution pension plans and collective registered retirement savings plan
1,322
1,171
3,863
3,346
1,835
1,548
5,311
4,477
14. 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 May 31, 2011, 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 term 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.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 36
14. Financial and capital management (continued)
The Corporation is also exposed to credit risk in relation to its trade accounts receivable. In the current global economic environment,
particularly in Portugal, 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 May 31, 2011, 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:
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
$
$
Trade accounts receivable
69,672
67,189
Allowance for doubtful accounts
(6,939)
(7,478)
62,733
59,711
Other accounts receivable
8,958
7,353
71,691
67,064
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.
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
$
$
Net trade accounts receivable not past due
47,921
42,817
Net trade accounts receivable past due
14,812
16,894
62,733
59,711
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 37
14. Financial and capital management (continued)
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
May 31, 2011, the available amount of the Corporation’s Term Revolving Facility was $637.5 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)
161,890 –
–
– –
–
161,890
Long-term debt
(2)
– –
–
397,573 –
539,034
936,607
Derivative financial instruments
Cash outflows (Canadian dollar)
– –
–
– –
201,875
201,875
Cash inflows (Canadian dollar
equivalent of US dollar) – –
–
– –
(184,034
)
(184,034)
Obligations under capital leases
(3)
663 2,296
889
7 –
–
3,855
162,553 2,296
889
397,580 –
556,875
1,120,193
(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 outstanding debt at May 31, 2011 and
their respective maturities:
2011 2012
2013
2014 2015
Thereafter
Total
$ $
$
$ $
$
$
Interest payments on long-term
debt 9,718 54,320
54,320
53,923 33,298
95,528
301,107
Interest payments on derivative
financial instruments 659 14,614
14,614
14,614 14,614
7,306
66,421
Interest receipts on derivative
financial instruments (526)
(12,882)
(12,882
)
(12,882)
(12,882)
(6,442
)
(58,496)
9,851 56,052
56,052
55,655 35,030
96,392
309,032
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 May 31, 2011, 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 settlement of the swap agreement on June 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 nil based on the outstanding debt at May 31, 2011 and taking into consideration the effect of the interest rate swap
agreement.
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 38
14. Financial and capital management (continued)
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 May 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents in US dollars amounted to US$18,842,000
(US$13,613,000 at August 31, 2010) while accounts payable denominated in US dollars amounted to US$8,901,000 (US$15,850,000 at
August 31, 2010). At May 31, 2011, Euro-denominated cash and cash equivalents amounted to €171,000 (€187,000 at August 31, 2010)
while there were no accounts payable denominated in Euros at May 31, 2011 and 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 $1 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 May 31, 2011, the net investment amounted to
€1,692,000 (€182,104,000 at August 31, 2010) while long-term debt denominated in Euros amounted to €70,000,000 (€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
May 31, 2011 was $1.3939 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
(loss) by approximately $9.5 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 approximates fair value for the Term
Revolving Facility, since the Term Revolving Facility has conditions similar to those currently available to the Corporation.
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.
The carrying value of all the Corporation’s financial instruments approximates fair value, except as otherwise noted in the following table:
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
Carrying value Fair value
Carrying value
Fair value
$ $
$
$
Long-term debt
934,764 1,009,619
954,983
1,050,696
COGECO CABLE INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2011
(unaudited)
(amounts in tables are in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and per share data)
Interim Financial Statements COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 39
14. Financial and capital management (continued)
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 May 31, 2011 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:
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
Net indebtedness
(1)
/ shareholders’ equity
0.9
0.8
Net indebtedness
(1)
/ operating income before amortization
(2)
1.6
1.8
Operating income before amortization
(2)
/ financial expense
(2)
7.4
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 May 31,
2011 and
August 31, 2010.
15. Subsequent event
On June 27, 2011, the Corporation concluded an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Quiettouch Inc. (“Quiettouch”), a leading
independent provider of outsourced managed information technology and infrastructure services to mid-market and larger enterprises in
Canada. Quiettouch offers a full suite of differentiated services that allow customers to outsource their mission-critical information
technology infrastructure and application requirements, including managed infrastructure and hosting, virtualization, firewall services,
data backup with end-to-end monitoring and reporting, and enhanced and traditional colocation services. Quiettouch operates three data
centres in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as a fibre network within key business areas of downtown Toronto. The transaction is subject
to certain arrangements and commercial approvals, and is expected to close during the last quarter of fiscal 2011.
Shareholder’s Report COGECO CABLE INC. Q3 2011 40
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
(unaudited)
May 31, 2011
August 31, 2010
Homes passed
Canada 1,614,210
1,593,743
Portugal
(1)
905,692
905,359
Total
2,519,902
2,499,102
Homes connected
(2)
Canada 992,332
979,590
Portugal 266,680
269,194
Total
1,259,012
1,248,784
Revenue-generating units
(3)
Canada 2,526,591
2,350,577
Portugal 842,525
828,772
Total
3,369,116
3,179,349
Basic Cable service customers
Canada 879,354
874,505
Portugal 258,127
260,267
Total
1,137,481
1,134,772
High Speed Internet service customers
Canada 593,468
559,057
Portugal 164,992
163,187
Total
758,460
722,244
Digital Television service customers
Canada 648,862
559,418
Portugal 169,762
159,852
Total
818,624
719,270
Telephony service customers
Canada 404,907
357,597
Portugal 249,644
245,466
Total
654,551
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 no
t subscribe to the Basic
Cable service.
(3) Represents the sum of Basic Cable, HSI, Digital Television and Telephony service customers.