QBR.A Quebecor Inc

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 4, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Quebecor Inc. ("Quebecor" or the "Corporation") today reported consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2016. Quebecor consolidates the financial results of its Quebecor Media Inc. ("Quebecor Media") subsidiary, in which it holds an 81.1% interest.

Highlights 

Second quarter 2016

• Revenues: $992.5 million, up $28.7 million (3.0%).
• Adjusted operating income:¹ $360.3 million, up $11.0 million (3.1%).
• Net income attributable to shareholders: $9.8 million ($0.08 per basic share) in the second quarter of 2016, compared with $72.1 million ($0.59 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, a decrease of $62.3 million ($0.51 per basic share), including the $105.3 million unfavourable impact of losses and gains on embedded derivatives related to convertible debentures.
• Adjusted income from continuing operating activities:² $69.9 million ($0.57 per basic share) in the second quarter of 2016, compared with $66.5 million ($0.54 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, an increase of $3.4 million ($0.03 per basic share).
• Telecommunications segment revenues increased by $38.9 million (5.2%) and adjusted operating income by $20.3 million (5.9%) in the second quarter of 2016.
• Videotron Ltd. ("Videotron") significantly increased its revenues from mobile telephony ($26.5 million or 27.5%), Internet access ($16.5 million or 7.3%), business solutions ($10.3 million or 62.0%) and Club illico over‑the top video service ("Club illico") ($2.0 million or 37.0%).
• Videotron's average monthly revenue per user³ ("ARPU") was up $9.30 (7.0%) from $133.71 in the second quarter of 2015 to $143.01 in the second quarter of 2016.
• Subscriber connections to the mobile telephony service up 33,200 (4.2%) from the previous quarter. 

"Quebecor grew its revenues by $28.7 million (3.0%) and its adjusted operating income by $11.0 million (3.1%) in the second quarter of 2016, reflecting a solid performance by the Telecommunications segment," commented Pierre Dion, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor. "Customers continue to respond positively to the depth and quality of Videotron's offerings, as is evident from the increase of 33,200 subscriber connections (4.2%) to its mobile telephony service in the second quarter of 2016. Our wise investment choices in operations with strong growth potential and the repositioning of our asset portfolio over the past few years are paying off, demonstrating our strategy's long-term viability. The 5.1% increase in adjusted income from continuing operating activities is also noteworthy; the factors in that increase included the positive impact of the various financial operations carried out over the past 12 months."

"Once again, Videotron's flagship products helped drive up its results, particularly mobile telephony, Internet access, business solutions and Club illico," said Manon Brouillette, President and Chief Executive Officer of Videotron. "The number of revenue generating units⁴ increased by 128,300 (2.3%) during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2016, including an increase of 126,000 subscriber connections (17.9%) to the mobile telephony service. The mobile service's ARPU was $50.51 in the second quarter of 2016, up 7.4% from the same quarter of 2015. Our business solutions segment also continued to make a substantial contribution to our results in the second quarter of 2016, mainly due to the acquisition of Fibrenoire inc. and the business impacts from our major investments in our data centres."

In July 2016, Videotron launched its new Giga Fibre Hybrid Internet access service, which offers residential and business customers download speeds of up to 940 Mbps. "With Giga Fibre Hybrid service, Videotron maintains its pioneering posture. More than 20 years ago, we were among the first to offer high-speed Internet in Québec and we have since been able to differentiate ourselves by rapidly upgrading our services to meet our customers' present and future needs," concluded Manon Brouillette.

"In the Media segment, the advertising revenues and operating income of our TVA Sports specialty channel were unfortunately affected by the Montréal Canadiens' failure to qualify for the National Hockey League playoffs, which was not the case in the second quarter of 2015," noted Julie Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Media Group. Meanwhile, the soundstage and equipment leasing operations of Mels Studios and Post-production G.P. ("MELS") suffered from the absence of any major Hollywood production in the second quarter of 2016, whereas the movie X-Men Apocalypse was filming on MELS' soundstages in the same period of 2015. However, we are pleased with the bookings we have in the coming months. The growth in the magazine publishing segment's operating income resulted from a concerted effort to successfully integrate the magazines acquired from Transcontinental on April 12, 2015.

"We also launched Immersion, a new video advertising format that enables businesses and their brands to leverage existing content and reduce their advertising video production costs. The innovative technology displays full-screen, high‑resolution videos that integrate perfectly into the front end of most websites," concluded Julie Tremblay. 

In the Sports and Entertainment segment, in April 2016 Gestev became the official imprint for all shows and events produced and/or presented by Quebecor, enhancing the total package offered by the Corporation. Gestev was the co‑promoter, with Live Nation, of a concert by the British band Mumford & Sons at Baie de Beauport on June 11, 2016. The successful event provided a compelling demonstration of Gestev's exceptional new offerings for fans of music and live events.

"In the first half of 2016, our Corporation continued investing and pursuing its business plan, focused on lines of business with strong growth potential" and, concluded Pierre Dion, "Quebecor remains well positioned to achieve its shareholder value‑maximization objectives."

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New segment structure

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Corporation changed its organizational structure and transferred its music distribution and production operations from the Sports and Entertainment segment to the Media segment. Accordingly, prior‑period figures in the Corporation's segmented reporting have been reclassified to reflect those changes.

2016/2015 second quarter comparison 

Revenues: $992.5 million, a $28.7 million (3.0%) increase.

• Revenues increased in Telecommunications ($38.9 million or 5.2% of segment revenues) and Sports and Entertainment ($4.6 million).
• Revenues decreased in Media ($22.4 million or -8.9%).

Adjusted operating income: $360.3 million, an $11.0 million (3.1%) increase.

• Adjusted operating income increased in Telecommunications ($20.3 million or 5.9% of segment adjusted operating income).
• Adjusted operating income decreased in Media ($4.2 million or -37.8%). There were unfavourable variances in Sports and Entertainment ($0.2 million or ‑5.1%) and at Head Office ($4.9 million). The change at Head Office was essentially due to an unfavourable variance in the stock-based compensation charge.
• The change in the fair value of Quebecor Media stock options resulted in a $0.3 million favourable variance in the stock‑based compensation charge in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same period of 2015. The change in the fair value of Quebecor stock options resulted in a $6.7 million unfavourable variance in the Corporation's consolidated stock‑based compensation charge in the second quarter of 2016.

Net income attributable to shareholders: $9.8 million ($0.08 per basic share) in the second quarter of 2016, compared with $72.1 million ($0.59 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, a decrease of $62.3 million ($0.51 per basic share).

• The unfavourable variance was essentially due to:
  
  
  • $102.3 million unfavourable variance in losses and gains on valuation and translation of financial instruments, including $105.3 million without any tax consequences;
  • $25.8 million increase in income tax expense.
    
    Partially offset by:
    
    
  • $30.0 million favourable variance arising from recognition of a goodwill impairment charge (without any tax consequences) in the second quarter of 2015;
  • $13.8 million favourable variance due to recognition of a loss on debt refinancing in the second quarter of 2015;
  • $11.8 million favourable variance in the loss related to discontinued operations;
  • $11.0 million increase in adjusted operating income;
  • $5.3 million decrease in the depreciation and amortization charge.

Adjusted income from continuing operating activities: $69.9 million ($0.57 per basic share) in the second quarter of 2016, compared with $66.5 million ($0.54 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, an increase of $3.4 million ($0.03 per basic share).

2016/2015 year-to-date comparison 

Revenues: $1.97 billion, a $75.1 million (4.0%) increase.

• Revenues increased in Telecommunications ($77.2 million or 5.2% of segment revenues) and Sports and Entertainment ($10.1 million).
• Revenues decreased in Media ($16.4 million or -3.5%).

Adjusted operating income: $715.0 million, a $26.5 million (3.8%) increase.

• Adjusted operating income increased in Telecommunications ($35.5 million or 5.2% of segment adjusted operating income).
• Adjusted operating income decreased in Media ($0.8 million or -16.0%). There were unfavourable variances in Sports and Entertainment ($1.1 million) and at Head Office ($7.1 million). The change at Head Office was essentially due to the unfavourable variance in the stock-based compensation charge.
• The change in the fair value of Quebecor Media stock options resulted in a $0.8 million unfavourable variance in the stock‑based compensation charge in the first half of 2016 compared with the same period of 2015. The change in the fair value of Quebecor stock options resulted in a $7.8 million unfavourable variance in the Corporation's stock‑based compensation charge in the first half of 2016.

Net income attributable to shareholders: $79.7 million ($0.65 per basic share) in the first half of 2016, compared with $101.5 million ($0.83 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, an unfavourable variance of $21.8 million ($0.18 per basic share).

• The unfavourable variance was essentially due to:
  
  
  • $90.6 million unfavourable variance in losses and gains on valuation and translation of financial instruments, including $89.9 million without any tax consequences;
  • $31.6 million unfavourable variance in the income tax expense;
  • $3.4 million increase in the charge for restructuring of operations and other items.
    
    Partially offset by:
    
    
  • recognition of a $30.0 million goodwill impairment charge in the first half of 2015 (without any tax consequences);
  • $26.5 million increase in adjusted operating income;
  • $25.1 million decrease in the depreciation and amortization charge;
  • $16.1 million favourable variance in the loss related to discontinued operations;
  • $12.1 million favourable variance due to recognition of a loss on debt refinancing in the second quarter of 2015;
  • $7.7 million decrease in financial expenses.

Adjusted income from continuing operating activities: $137.6 million ($1.12 per basic share) in the first half of 2016, compared with $107.9 million ($0.88 per basic share) in the same period of 2015, an increase of $29.7 million ($0.24 per basic share).

Financial transactions 

In June 2016, Quebecor amended its revolving credit facility to extend its term to July 2019, Quebecor Media amended its secured revolving credit facility to extend its term to July 2020 and Videotron amended its secured revolving credit facility and its unsecured revolving credit facility to extend their term to July 2021. Some of the terms and conditions of the credit facilities were also amended. 

Dividend

On August 3, 2016, the Board of Directors of Quebecor declared a quarterly dividend of $0.045 per share on its Class A Multiple Voting Shares ("Class A Shares") and Class B Subordinate Voting Shares ("Class B Shares"), payable on September 13, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2016. This dividend is designated an eligible dividend, as provided under subsection 89(14) of the Canadian Income Tax Act and its provincial counterpart.

Normal course issuer bid

On August 3, 2016, the Board of Directors of Quebecor authorized the renewal of a normal course issuer bid for a maximum of 500,000 Class A Shares representing approximately 1.3% of issued and outstanding Class A Shares, and for a maximum of 2,000,000 Class B Shares representing approximately 2.4% of issued and outstanding Class B Shares as of July 31, 2016.

The purchases will be made from August 15, 2016 to August 14, 2017 at market prices on the open market through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, in accordance with the requirements of that exchange, or through other alternative trading systems. All shares purchased under the bid will be cancelled. As of July 31, 2016, 38,863,172 Class A Shares and 83,490,392 Class B Shares were issued and outstanding.

The average daily trading volume of the Class A Shares and Class B Shares of the Corporation between February 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016 was 1,524 Class A Shares and 320,852 Class B Shares. Consequently, the Corporation will be authorized to purchase a maximum of 1,000 Class A Shares and 80,213 Class B Shares during the same trading day, pursuant to its normal course issuer bid.

The Corporation believes that the repurchase of these shares under this normal course issuer bid is in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.

Between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016, the Corporation did not purchase any Class A Shares and purchased 319,600 Class B Shares at a weighted price of $30.35723 per share.

Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Notice filed with the Toronto Stock Exchange, without charge, by contacting the Office of the Secretary of the Corporation at 514 380-1994.

Detailed financial information

For a detailed analysis of Quebecor's second quarter 2016 results, please refer to the Management Discussion and Analysis and consolidated financial statements of Quebecor, available on the Corporation's website at www.quebecor.com/en/quarterly_doc_quebecor_inc or from the SEDAR filing service at www.sedar.com.

Conference call for investors and webcast

Quebecor will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2016 results on August 4, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. There will be a question period reserved for financial analysts. To access the conference call, please dial 1 877 293‑8052, access code for participants 90393#. A tape recording of the call will be available from August 4 to November 4, 2016 by dialling 1 877 293‑8133, conference number 1202475, access code for participants 90393#. The conference call will also be broadcast live on Quebecor's website at www.quebecor.com/en/content/conference-call. It is advisable to ensure the appropriate software is installed before accessing the call. Instructions and links to free player downloads are available at the Internet address shown above.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Corporation's actual results for future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the conditional or by forward-looking terminology such as the terms "plans," "expects," "may," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "seeks," "believes," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms. Certain factors that may cause actual results to differ from current expectations include seasonality (including seasonal fluctuations in customer orders), operating risk (including fluctuations in demand for Quebecor's products and pricing actions by competitors), new competition and Quebecor's ability to retain its current customers and attract new ones, risks related to fragmentation of the advertising market, insurance risk, risks associated with capital investments (including risks related to technological development and equipment availability and breakdown), environmental risks, risks associated with cybersecurity and the protection of personal information, risks associated with labour agreements, credit risk, financial risks, debt risks, risks related to interest rate fluctuations, foreign exchange risks, risks associated with government acts and regulations, risks related to changes in tax legislation, and changes in the general political and economic environment. Investors and others are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive and that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause Quebecor's actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to Quebecor's public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.quebecor.com, including, in particular, the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of Quebecor's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect Quebecor's expectations as of August 4, 2016, and are subject to change after that date. Quebecor expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward‑looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

About Quebecor 

Quebecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications, entertainment, news media and culture, is one of the best-performing integrated communications companies in the industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the best possible customer experience, all of Quebecor's subsidiaries and brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform, convergent products and services.

Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) is headquartered in Québec. It holds an 81.07% interest in Quebecor Media, which employs close to 11,000 people in Canada. 

A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports people working with more than 400 organizations in the vital fields of culture, health, education, the environment, and entrepreneurship. 

Visit our website: www.quebecor.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Quebecor

DEFINITIONS

Adjusted operating income 

In its analysis of operating results, the Corporation defines adjusted operating income, as reconciled to net income under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as net income before depreciation and amortization, financial expenses, (loss) gain on valuation and translation of financial instruments, charge for restructuring of operations and other items, impairment of goodwill, loss on debt refinancing, income tax, and the loss on discontinued operations. Adjusted operating income as defined above is not a measure of results that is consistent with IFRS. It is not intended to be regarded as an alternative to other financial operating performance measures or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Corporation uses adjusted operating income in order to assess the performance of its investment in Quebecor Media. The Corporation's management and Board of Directors use this measure in evaluating its consolidated results as well as the results of the Corporation's operating segments. This measure eliminates the significant level of impairment and depreciation/amortization of tangible and intangible assets and is unaffected by the capital structure or investment activities of the Corporation and its business segments.

Adjusted operating income is also relevant because it is a significant component of the Corporation's annual incentive compensation programs. A limitation of this measure, however, is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in the Corporation's segments. The Corporation also uses other measures that do reflect such costs, such as cash flows from segment operations and free cash flows from continuing operating activities of the Quebecor Media subsidiary. The Corporation's definition of adjusted operating income may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Table 2 below provides a reconciliation of adjusted operating income to net income as disclosed in Quebecor's condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Adjusted income from continuing operating activities

The Corporation defines adjusted income from continuing operating activities, as reconciled to net income attributable to shareholders under IFRS, as net income attributable to shareholders before (loss) gain on valuation and translation of financial instruments, charge for restructuring of operations and other items, impairment of goodwill, loss on debt refinancing, net of income tax related to adjustments and net income attributable to non-controlling interest related to adjustments, and before the loss on discontinued operations attributable to shareholders. Adjusted income from continuing operating activities, as defined above, is not a measure of results that is consistent with IFRS. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Corporation uses adjusted income from continuing operating activities to analyze trends in the performance of its businesses. The above-listed items are excluded from the calculation of this measure because they impair the comparability of the financial results. Adjusted income from continuing operating activities is more representative for the purpose of forecasting income. The Corporation's definition of adjusted income from continuing operating activities may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. 

Table 3 provides a reconciliation of adjusted income from continuing operating activities to the net income attributable to shareholders measure used in Quebecor's condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 

The Corporation uses ARPU, an industry metric, as a key performance indicator. This indicator is used to measure monthly revenues from its cable television, Internet access, cable and mobile telephony services and Club illico, per average basic customer. ARPU is not a measurement that is consistent with IFRS and the Corporation's definition and calculation of ARPU may not be the same as identically titled measurements reported by other companies. The Corporation calculates ARPU by dividing the combined revenues from its cable television, Internet access, cable and mobile telephony services and Club illico by the average number of basic customers during the applicable period, and then dividing the resulting amount by the number of months in the applicable period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Quebecor Inc.