Wireless Adjusted Operating Profit Increased 3%, Margin
Grew to 48.3% and Postpaid Churn Declined to 1.20% While Move to
Simplified Customer Friendly Price Plans Reduced Revenue by
2%
Cable TV Subscriber Performance Continues to Improve While
Revenue Growth Slowed by Promotional Activity and Timing of Price
Changes Versus First Quarter of 2013
Media Top Line Growth Improved to 8%
Annualized Dividend Increased by 5% to $1.83 per Share While Average Cost of Debt
Reduced to 5.24% from 5.77% at Q1 2013
TORONTO,
April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Rogers
Communications Inc., a leading diversified Canadian communications
and media company, today announced its unaudited consolidated
financial and operating results for the first quarter ended
March 31, 2014, prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS).
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of
dollars, except per share amounts) |
2014 |
2013 |
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
$ 3,020 |
$ 3,027 |
- |
As adjusted 1 : |
|
|
|
|
Operating profit |
1,161 |
1,179 |
(2) |
|
Net income |
340 |
414 |
(18) |
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share |
0.66 |
0.80 |
(18) |
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow 1 |
356 |
428 |
(17) |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
307 |
353 |
(13) |
Basic earnings per share |
0.60 |
0.69 |
(13) |
Diluted earnings per share |
0.57 |
0.68 |
(16) |
Cash provided by operating
activities |
408 |
805 |
(49) |
|
|
|
|
|
1 Adjusted amounts and free cash flow
are non-GAAP measures and should not be considered as a substitute
or alternative for GAAP measures. They are not defined terms under
IFRS, and do not have standard meanings, so may not be a reliable
way to compare us to other companies. See "Non-GAAP Measures" for
information about these measures, including how we calculate
them.
"During the first quarter, we made a significant
investment in 'beachfront property' 700MHz spectrum to give our
customers an unsurpassed wireless experience, building on our
unprecedented NHL rights deal late in 2013" said Guy Laurence, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Rogers Communications Inc. "We made these long-term
strategic investments while maintaining our balance sheet at
investment grade."
Laurence continued, "Over the past three months
I have met with and listened to thousands of customers,
stakeholders and employees across the country. I can see a number
of opportunities to improve the performance of the business over
time, while further enhancing our customer experience. As is
apparent from our first quarter results, while there are some areas
of strength, there are also areas where we clearly need to and will
improve. Over the coming weeks I will be meeting with our Board and
management team to lay out my plan and priorities for going
forward. I remain excited about the opportunities I see in front of
us for Rogers."
Quarterly Highlights
Operating revenue
- Consolidated operating revenue was nominally lower than the
first quarter of 2013, reflecting a 2% decline in Wireless revenue,
offset by growth at Business Solutions (up 1%) and Media (up 8%).
The decline at Wireless was mainly related to pricing changes
associated with new customer friendly simplified plans and lower
priced roaming plans introduced mid-2013. Cable revenue was flat as
continued Internet revenue growth was offset by television
subscriber losses, promotional activity and the timing of pricing
changes.
- Wireless data revenue grew 10% exceeding voice revenue for the
first time and now represents approximately 51% of total network
revenue. Activated 579,000 smartphones, of which 30% were new
subscribers, and high-value smartphone customers now make up 76% of
Wireless postpaid subscribers.
- Basic cable subscriber losses moderated, both sequentially from
the fourth quarter of 2013 and year-over-year, to 20,000.
Adjusted operating profit and net
income
- The modest decline in consolidated adjusted operating profit
reflects increases in Wireless (up 3%) and Business Solutions (up
22%) which were offset by a 5% decrease at Cable and a $17 million decrease at Media. Cable's results
were negatively impacted by higher investment in customer care and
incremental costs associated with Mountain Cable, while Media's
results were negatively impacted by increased programming costs,
higher merchandise costs at The Shopping Channel and ramp-up costs
for Next Issue Canada. Additionally, Cable and Media results in
2013 benefitted from one-time adjustments associated with the
CRTC's Part II licence fees.
- The reductions in adjusted net income and earnings per share
are primarily the result of higher depreciation and amortization
expenses, finance costs, and the adjusted operating profit impacts
discussed above. Net income and diluted earnings per share were 13%
and 16% lower, respectively, than the first quarter of 2013.
Enhanced our leading networks to monetize
rapid data growth
- Secured "beachfront" spectrum consisting of two 12 MHz blocks
of contiguous, paired lower 700 MHz band spectrum covering the vast
majority of the Canadian population for $3.29 billion. This prime spectrum was the most
sought after and is the spectrum Rogers went into the auction
intending to win for its customers. Cash investment was in line
with recent 700 MHz spectrum transactions in the US.
- Deployed newly acquired 700 MHz spectrum in communities in
Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto to begin providing customers with the
ultimate mobile experience on Rogers' LTE network while carrying
wireless signals deep into basements, elevators and in buildings
with thick concrete walls.
- Expanded data centre operations to 15 locations nationwide with
Business Solutions opening Alberta's first Tier III certified data centre
giving business customers reliable, secure data services.
Enriched the customer experience with premium
products and sports content
- Launched Rogers Next, an early upgrade program for wireless
devices, offering subscribers for a monthly fee the freedom to get
a new premium device every year for $0 on select 2-year plans, with no early upgrade
or connection fees.
- Launched easier international wireless travel packs that offer
customers voice, text and data in one all-inclusive package.
Also launched a data-only daily rate for international travellers
who only want wireless internet access.
- Launched suretap™ wallet, a new application that lets
customers use their smartphones to safely store eligible payment
cards and make payments at tens of thousands of retailers across
the country.
- Following blockbuster NHL rights deal, announced broadcast
anchors for coverage across all hockey programming including Hockey
Night in Canada with George
Stroumboulopoulos, Daren Millard,
Jeff Marek and the continuation of
Don Cherry and Ron MacLean. This star team will deliver with
more games and more choices to fans, including the NHL Playoffs and
the Stanley Cup Final, "Hometown Hockey" every Sunday night, more
than 500 regular season games across 13 networks, and expanded NHL
content on all Rogers broadcast, wireless, digital and print
channels.
- Announced 12-year extension of our Canadian Hockey League (CHL)
partnership as the exclusive broadcaster of the CHL and Memorial
Cup in Canada including
television, online and mobile rights through the 2025-2026
seasons.
- Introduced MLB Network, a 24-hour network dedicated to
baseball, to Canada for the first
time on Rogers digital cable. In addition, Sportsnet signed 8-year
multi-platform broadcast rights extension with MLB Properties and
MLB Advanced Media to show live and in-progress games and
highlights within Canada.
- Launched FXX, a younger-focused premium programming extension
of FX Canada which will deliver original FX series, acquired movies
and series, and original Canadian programs.
Maintained strong balance sheet and available
liquidity
- Generated $356 million of
consolidated quarterly free cash flow, while cash provided by
operating activities was $408
million.
- Issued $2.1 billion of debt
securities at historically low rates for Rogers, consisting of
$250 million of three year floating
rate senior notes, $400 million of
five year 2.80% senior notes, $600
million of ten year 4.00% senior notes, and US$750 million (Cdn$832
million) of thirty year 5.00% senior notes.
- Repaid or repurchased US$750
million of 6.375% senior notes due in 2014 and US$350 million of 5.50% senior notes due in
2014.
- $4.4 billion of available
liquidity at March 31, 2014 includes
$2.2 billion cash on hand,
$2.0 billion available under the bank
credit facility and $0.2 billion
available under the accounts receivable securitization
program.
Returning cash to shareholders
- Increased dividend by 5% to $1.83
per share effective April 4, 2014, to
be paid in quarterly amounts of $0.4575 per share.
About non-GAAP measures
This earnings release contains non-GAAP measures
such as adjusted operating profit, adjusted net income, adjusted
basic and diluted earnings per share, adjusted net debt and free
cash flow. These are non-GAAP measures and should not be considered
as a substitute or alternative for GAAP measures. They are not
defined terms under IFRS, and do not have standard meanings, so may
not be a reliable way to compare us to other companies. See the
section "Non-GAAP Measures" for information about these measures,
including how we calculate them.
This earnings release contains important
information about our business and our performance in the first
quarter of 2014.
This earnings release is a summary of our first
quarter 2014 results, and should be read in conjunction with our
first quarter 2014 MD&A, our first quarter 2014 Unaudited
Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto which have been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), our 2013 Annual MD&A and
our 2013 Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto, and our other recent filings with Canadian and U.S.
securities regulatory authorities, which are available on SEDAR at
sedar.com or EDGAR at sec.gov.
All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless
otherwise stated. All percentage changes are calculated using the
rounded numbers as they appear in the tables. Information is
current as of April 21, 2014 and was
approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. This
earnings release includes forward-looking statements and
assumptions. See "About Forward-Looking Information" for more
information.
We, us, our, Rogers,
Rogers Communications and the Company refer to Rogers
Communications Inc. and our subsidiaries: Wireless, Cable, Business
Solutions and Media. RCI refers to the legal entity Rogers
Communications Inc., not including our subsidiaries. RCI also holds
interests in various investments and ventures.
Consolidated Financial Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except per
share amounts) |
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
$ |
1,727 |
|
$ |
1,760 |
|
|
(2) |
|
Cable |
|
860 |
|
|
861 |
|
|
- |
|
Business Solutions |
|
94 |
|
|
93 |
|
|
1 |
|
Media |
|
367 |
|
|
341 |
|
|
8 |
|
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations |
|
(28) |
|
|
(28) |
|
|
- |
Operating revenue |
|
3,020 |
|
|
3,027 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
790 |
|
|
765 |
|
|
3 |
|
Cable |
|
409 |
|
|
429 |
|
|
(5) |
|
Business Solutions |
|
28 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
22 |
|
Media |
|
(24) |
|
|
(7) |
|
|
n/m |
|
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations |
|
(42) |
|
|
(31) |
|
|
35 |
Adjusted operating profit
1 |
|
1,161 |
|
|
1,179 |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit margin |
|
38.4% |
|
|
38.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
307 |
|
|
353 |
|
|
(13) |
Diluted earnings per share |
|
0.57 |
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
(16) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income
1 |
|
340 |
|
|
414 |
|
|
(18) |
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
1 |
|
0.66 |
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
(18) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
$ |
488 |
|
$ |
464 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow 1 |
|
356 |
|
|
428 |
|
|
(17) |
Cash provided by operating
activities |
|
408 |
|
|
805 |
|
|
(49) |
1 |
Adjusted operating profit, adjusted net income,
adjusted diluted earnings per share and free
cash flow are non-GAAP measures and should not be considered as a
substitute or alternative
for GAAP measures. These are not defined terms under IFRS, and do
not have standard
meanings, so may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other companies.
See "Non-GAAP Measures" for information about these measures,
including how we calculate
them. |
|
n/m: not meaningful |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key Changes in Financial Results from
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended |
(In millions of dollars) |
March 31 |
Operating revenue changes - higher
(lower): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network revenue - Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(47) |
Equipment sales - Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
Cable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Business Solutions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Media |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
Lower operating revenue compared to
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit changes - higher
(lower): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
Cable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20) |
Business Solutions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
Media |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17) |
Corporate items and intercompany
eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11) |
Lower adjusted operating profit1
compared to 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18) |
Lower stock-based compensation
expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
Higher depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69) |
Higher finance costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44) |
Lower income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
Change in net income compared to
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46) |
1 |
Adjusted operating profit is a Non-GAAP measure and
should not be considered as a substitute
or alternative for GAAP measures. It is not a defined term under
IFRS, and does not have a
standard meaning, so may not be a reliable way to compare us to
other companies. See "Non-
GAAP Measures" for information about these measures, including how
we calculate them. |
Operating revenue
Wireless network revenue was lower this quarter
compared to the same period last year, mainly because of pricing
changes made over the past year primarily associated with our
simplified plans and the introduction in 2013 of lower priced
roaming plans.
Cable operating revenue this quarter was
consistent with the same period last year, mainly because Internet
revenue growth was offset by a decline in television and phone
revenue associated with competitive TV subscriber losses and a more
competitive pricing environment compared to the prior year.
Business Solutions operating revenue this
quarter was in-line with the same period last year as continuing
growth in on-net and next-generation services and increased revenue
from the new data centre businesses was offset by a reduction in
legacy revenue and infrequent equipment sales realized in 2013.
Media operating revenue was higher this quarter
compared to the same period last year, mainly because of revenue
growth at Sportsnet and higher sales at The Shopping Channel.
Adjusted operating profit
Wireless adjusted operating profit was higher
this quarter compared to the same period last year, mainly because
of lower volumes of subsidized smartphone sales, a lower per device
net subsidy, and cost management and productivity initiatives
implemented across various areas, offset in part by reduced network
revenue as described above.
Cable adjusted operating profit was lower this
quarter compared to the same period last year because of increased
spending in customer care and network. Additionally, Cable results
in 2013 benefitted from a one-time $8
million adjustment to licence fees payable to match the
CRTC's billing period.
Media's adjusted operating profit was lower this
quarter compared to the same period last year, as the increase in
Media's operating revenue was more than offset by the higher TV and
Sports programming and production costs and start-up costs
associated with the launch of Next Issue Canada.
Results of our Business Segments
WIRELESS
Financial results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except
percentages) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network revenue |
|
$ |
1,636 |
|
$ |
1,683 |
|
|
(3) |
|
Equipment sales |
|
|
91 |
|
|
77 |
|
|
18 |
Operating revenue |
|
|
1,727 |
|
|
1,760 |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment 1 |
|
|
(297) |
|
|
(349) |
|
|
(15) |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
(640) |
|
|
(646) |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(937) |
|
|
(995) |
|
|
(6) |
Adjusted operating profit |
|
$ |
790 |
|
$ |
765 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit margin as
a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of network revenue |
|
|
48.3% |
|
|
45.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
|
$ |
181 |
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
(24) |
1 |
Includes the cost of equipment sales and direct
channel subsidies. |
|
|
Subscriber results 1,2 |
|
|
(Subscriber statistics in
thousands, |
Three
months ended March 31 |
except ARPU and churn) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross additions |
|
|
293 |
|
|
319 |
|
|
(26) |
|
Net additions |
|
|
2 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
(30) |
|
Total postpaid subscribers |
|
|
8,076 |
|
|
7,878 |
|
|
198 |
|
Monthly churn |
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
1.22% |
|
|
(0.02 pts) |
|
Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) |
|
$ |
65.20 |
|
$ |
68.56 |
|
$ |
(3.36) |
Prepaid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross additions |
|
|
76 |
|
|
118 |
|
|
(42) |
|
Net losses |
|
|
(73) |
|
|
(93) |
|
|
20 |
|
Total prepaid subscribers |
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
1,498 |
|
|
(142) |
|
Monthly churn |
|
|
3.55% |
|
|
4.48% |
|
|
(0.93 pts) |
|
ARPU |
|
$ |
13.84 |
|
$ |
14.63 |
|
$ |
(0.79) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blended ARPU |
|
$ |
57.63 |
|
$ |
59.68 |
|
$ |
(2.05) |
1 |
Does not include subscribers from our wireless
home phone product. |
2 |
ARPU, subscriber counts and subscriber churn are
key performance indicators. |
Lower network revenue this quarter due to
price plan and roaming changes
Network revenue was down this quarter compared
to last year, the net result of:
- the continued adoption of customer friendly simplified pricing
plans, which often bundle in certain features like voicemail,
caller ID and domestic long-distance for which we have charged
separately in the past
- our introduction in mid-2013 of lower priced US and
international roaming plans and rates which offer consumers more
value
- partially offset by higher data revenue related to an increase
in postpaid subscriber levels and higher usage of wireless data
services.
Data revenue was 10% higher this quarter than
the same period last year, mainly because of the continued
penetration and growing use of smartphones, tablet devices and
wireless laptops, which are increasing the use of e-mail, wireless,
Internet access, text messaging and other wireless data services.
Data revenue exceeded voice revenue for the first time this
quarter, representing approximately 51% of total network revenue,
compared to approximately 45% in the same period last year.
Excluding the decline in roaming revenue this
quarter compared to the same period last year, network revenue
would have been approximately flat and data revenue would have
increased 16%.
Postpaid churn improved to 1.20% this quarter,
compared to 1.22% for the same period last year. We believe the
improved churn rate is partly attributable to the simplified
pricing plans and higher value roaming plans we introduced.
Gross postpaid subscriber additions were 293,000
this quarter or 8% lower than the same period last year, which
reduced net postpaid subscriber additions to 2,000, despite lower
postpaid churn. The industry transition from three year to two year
plans as a result of the recent adoption of the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Wireless
Code appears to have slowed overall wireless subscriber growth over
the past three quarters.
We activated and upgraded approximately 579,000
smartphones this quarter, compared to approximately 673,000 in the
same period last year. The decrease was mainly because there was a
14% reduction in hardware upgrades by existing subscribers this
quarter, which we also believe is partly due to the move from three
to two year contracts and the associated pricing changes.
The percentage of subscribers with smartphones
increased this quarter to 76% of our total postpaid subscriber
base, compared to 71% last year. Smartphone subscribers typically
generate significantly higher ARPU and are less likely to
churn.
Higher equipment sales
Revenue from equipment sales was higher this
quarter, mainly due to a shift in the mix of smartphones activated
to higher priced devices, partially offset by fewer existing
subscribers upgrading their devices and fewer gross
activations.
Lower operating expenses
The cost of equipment sales was 15% lower this
quarter compared to the same period last year, mainly because 14%
fewer existing subscribers upgraded their hardware and there were
8% fewer gross activations, as described above.
Total customer retention spending (including
subsidies on handset upgrades) was $212
million this quarter compared to $247
million in the same period last year. The reduction was
mainly because of the 14% lower number of existing subscribers who
upgraded their hardware.
Other operating expenses (excluding retention
spending) were down by 2% this quarter due to a continued focus on
cost productivity initiatives we are implementing across various
functions.
Higher adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating profit was 3% higher this
quarter compared to the same period last year because of:
- continued growth of wireless data
- our improvements in cost management and efficiency
- lower volumes of hardware sales and upgrades
- partially offset by the decrease in network revenue.
CABLE
Financial results
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except
percentages) |
|
2014 |
|
20131 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Television |
|
$ |
431 |
|
$ |
458 |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
Internet |
|
|
305 |
|
|
277 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
Phone |
|
|
121 |
|
|
123 |
|
|
(2) |
|
Service revenue |
|
|
857 |
|
|
858 |
|
|
- |
|
Equipment sales |
|
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
- |
Operating revenue |
|
|
860 |
|
|
861 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
- |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
(449) |
|
|
(430) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(451) |
|
|
(432) |
|
|
4 |
Adjusted operating profit |
|
$ |
409 |
|
$ |
429 |
|
|
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit margin |
|
|
47.6% |
|
|
49.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
|
$ |
251 |
|
$ |
181 |
|
|
39 |
1 |
Results of operations exclude Mountain Cable's
operating results, as it was
acquired on May 1, 2013.
|
|
|
Subscriber results 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(Subscriber statistics in
thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable homes passed |
|
|
3,990 |
|
|
3,828 |
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Television |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net losses |
|
|
(20) |
|
|
(25) |
|
|
5 |
|
Total television subscribers
2 |
|
|
2,107 |
|
|
2,189 |
|
|
(82) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net additions |
|
|
20 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
(6) |
|
Total Internet subscribers
2 |
|
|
1,981 |
|
|
1,890 |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phone |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net additions |
|
|
10 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
(7) |
|
Total phone subscribers
2 |
|
|
1,163 |
|
|
1,091 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total service units
2,3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net additions |
|
|
10 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
(8) |
|
Total service units |
|
|
5,251 |
|
|
5,170 |
|
|
81 |
1 |
Subscriber count is a key performance
indicator. |
2 |
On May 1, 2013, we acquired 40,000 television
subscribers, 38,000 digital
cable households, 34,000 cable high-speed Internet subscribers and
37,000
cable telephony lines from our acquisition of Mountain Cable. The
acquisition
also increased homes passed by 59,000. |
3 |
Includes television, Internet and phone
subscribers. |
Operating revenue
Overall cable revenue this quarter was
consistent with the first quarter last year, the net result of:
- continued growth in subscribers for our Internet and phone
products
- the May 2013 acquisition of
Mountain Cable
- offset by television subscriber losses and retention related
discounting.
Lower television revenue
Revenue from television was down this quarter as
a result of:
- the year-over-year decline in television subscribers (although
losses moderated this quarter)
- the impact of promotional and retention pricing activity
associated with heightened pay TV competition from IPTV
offerings
- timing of pricing changes
- partially offset by the acquisition of Mountain Cable.
The digital cable subscriber base represented
85% of our total television subscriber base at the end of the
quarter, compared to 81% at March 31,
2013. We believe that the larger selection of digital
content, video on-demand, HDTV and PVR equipment, combined with the
ongoing analog to digital conversion initiative, continues to
contribute to the increasing penetration of the digital subscriber
base as a percentage of our total television subscriber base.
Higher Internet revenue and growing
subscriber base
Internet revenue was 10% higher this quarter
compared to last year as a net result of a larger Internet
subscriber base, general movement to higher end speed and usage
tiers and changes in Internet service pricing.
Our Internet customer base is approximately 2.0
million subscribers, and Internet penetration represents:
- 94% of our television subscribers, compared to 86% at
March 31, 2013
- 50% of the homes passed by our cable network, compared to 49%
at March 31, 2013.
Lower cable telephony revenue and growing
subscriber base
Phone revenue was 2% lower this quarter compared
to last year. This was the net result of:
- higher promotional pricing activity for new subscribers on
bundle products
- partially offset by a higher phone subscriber base.
There were 7% more phone subscribers this
quarter compared last year. They represent:
- 55% of our television subscribers, compared to 50% last
year
- 29% of the homes passed by our cable network, consistent with
last year.
Higher operating expenses
Operating expenses were 4% higher this quarter
compared to last year mainly due to:
- an $8 million positive one-time
adjustment in the first quarter of 2013 related to licence fees
payable to match the CRTC's billing period
- higher investments in customer care and weather related network
maintenance costs
- incremental costs associated with Mountain Cable which was
acquired in May 2013
- partially offset by various cost efficiency and productivity
initiatives.
Lower adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating profit was 5% lower this
quarter compared to the same period last year, mainly the net
result of service revenue levels consistent with the prior year and
higher operating expenses as discussed above.
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Financial results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except
percentages) |
2014 |
2013 1 |
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next generation |
$ |
64 |
$ |
44 |
|
45 |
|
|
Legacy |
|
29 |
|
40 |
|
(28) |
|
Service revenue |
|
93 |
|
84 |
|
11 |
|
Equipment sales |
|
1 |
|
9 |
|
(89) |
Operating revenue |
|
94 |
|
93 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
(66) |
|
(70) |
|
(6) |
Adjusted operating profit |
$ |
28 |
$ |
23 |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit margin |
|
29.8% |
|
24.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant, and
equipment |
$ |
26 |
$ |
15 |
|
73 |
1 Results of operations exclude
Blackiron's and Pivot Data Centres' operating results as they were
acquired on April 17, 2013 and
October 1, 2013, respectively.
Business Solutions continues to focus mainly on
next generation IP-based services, and on leveraging higher margin
on-net and near-net service revenue opportunities, using existing
network facilities to expand offerings to the medium and large
sized enterprise, public sector and carrier markets. Following our
recent data centre acquisitions, Business Solutions is also focused
on data centre colocation, hosting, cloud and disaster recovery
services. Next generation services now represent 69% of total
service revenue. Revenue from the lower margin off-net legacy
business generally includes local and long-distance voice services
and legacy data services which often use facilities that are leased
rather than owned.
Higher operating revenue
Service revenue was 11% higher this quarter
compared to the same period last year, the net result of:
- growth from the acquisitions of Blackiron and Pivot Data
Centres in 2013
- continuing execution of our plan to grow higher margin on-net
and next-generation IP-based services revenue
- partially offset by the continuing decline in the legacy voice
and data business, a trend we expect to continue as we focus the
business on on-net opportunities and customers move to faster and
more reliable IP services.
Equipment sales were lower this quarter as the
first quarter of 2013 included a non-recurring equipment sale.
Lower operating expenses
Operating expenses were 6% lower this quarter
compared to the same period last year, the net result of:
- lower legacy service costs related to lower volumes and
customer levels, as expected, and ongoing initiatives to improve
costs and productivity
- higher cost of sales in 2013 associated with a non-recurring
equipment sale
- partially offset by incremental expenses related to our data
centre acquisitions.
Higher adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating profit was 22% higher this
quarter compared to the same period last year, because of the
contribution of the new data centres, the ongoing growth in higher
margin on-net and next-generation business and cost efficiency and
productivity improvements.
MEDIA
Financial results
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except
percentages) |
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 1 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
$ |
367 |
|
$ |
341 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
(391) |
|
|
(348) |
|
12 |
Adjusted operating loss |
$ |
(24) |
|
$ |
(7) |
|
n/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating loss margin |
|
(6.5%) |
|
|
(2.1%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
$ |
14 |
|
$ |
11 |
|
27 |
1 |
Results of operations exclude Sportsnet 360's
(formerly theScore) operating results as it was acquired on April
30, 2013. |
|
n/m: not meaningful |
Higher operating revenue
Operating revenue was 8% higher this quarter
compared to the same period last year, mainly because of:
- higher subscription and advertising revenue generated by the
Sportsnet properties, including the increase resulting from the
acquisition of Sportsnet 360 in April
2013
- higher sales at The Shopping Channel.
Higher operating expenses
Operating expenses were 12% higher this quarter
compared to the same period last year, the net result of:
- higher programming costs due to contractual rate increases, the
acquisition of Sportsnet 360 and our investment to secure premium
and exclusive content
- higher merchandise costs at The Shopping Channel driven by the
increased sales
- $5 million of costs associated
with the growth of Next Issue Canada which was launched in late
2013
- a $3 million positive one-time
adjustment in the first quarter of 2013 related to licence fees
payable to match the CRTC's billing period.
Higher adjusted operating loss
Adjusted operating loss increased this quarter
compared to last year, reflecting the revenue and expense changes
described above.
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except
percentages) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
$ |
181 |
$ |
239 |
|
(24) |
Cable |
|
251 |
|
181 |
|
39 |
Business Solutions |
|
26 |
|
15 |
|
73 |
Media |
|
14 |
|
11 |
|
27 |
Corporate |
|
16 |
|
18 |
|
(11) |
Total additions to property, plant
and equipment |
$ |
488 |
$ |
464 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital intensity 1 |
|
16.2% |
|
15.3% |
|
|
1 Capital intensity is a key performance
indicator.
Wireless
Wireless additions were 24% lower this quarter
compared to the same period last year largely due to lower HSPA
capacity investments and timing of our continued deployment of the
LTE network, which reached approximately 76% of Canada's population at March 31, 2014. This was partially offset by
higher site build activity to further enhance network coverage and
quality.
Cable
Cable additions were 39% higher compared to the
same period last year. The higher investments this quarter were to
improve the reliability and capacity of our Internet platforms,
develop new services and capabilities on our video platform and to
reduce the number of homes passed per node in our access network.
We also invested in customer premise equipment related to the
continued roll out of our next generation NextBox digital set-top
boxes and for the analog to digital subscriber migration, various
network components to enhance the reliability and quality of the
network and the integration of the Mountain Cable network we
acquired last year.
Business Solutions
Business Solutions additions were higher this
quarter compared to the same period last year because we spent more
on expanding customer specific networks and capital investments
made by Blackiron and Pivot Data Centres, which we acquired last
year.
Media
Media additions were 27% higher this quarter
compared to the same period last year due to strategic investments
made to our IT infrastructure, digital and broadcast
facilities.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
We have no changes to the 2014 annual
consolidated guidance ranges for adjusted operating profit,
additions to property, plant and equipment, and free cash flow that
we provided on February 12, 2014. See
the sections entitled "About Forward-Looking Information" in this
earnings release and in our 2013 Annual MD&A.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
We use the following Non-GAAP measures. These
are reviewed regularly by management and our Board in assessing our
performance and making decisions regarding the ongoing operations
of our business and its ability to generate cash flows. These
measures are also used by investors, lending institutions and
credit rating agencies as an indicator of our operating performance
and our ability to incur and service debt, and as a measurement to
value companies in the telecommunications sector. These are not
recognized measures under GAAP and do not have a standardized
meaning under IFRS, so they may not be a reliable way to compare us
to other companies.
Non-GAAP measure |
Why we use it |
How we calculate it |
Most comparable IFRS financial
measure |
Adjusted operating profit or loss and related margin
|
- To evaluate the performance of our businesses, and when making
decisions about the ongoing operations of the business and our
ability to generate cash flows.
- We believe that certain investors and analysts use adjusted
operating profit to measure our ability to service debt and to meet
other payment obligations.
- We also use it as one component in determining short-term
incentive compensation for all management employees.
|
Net income
add back
income tax expense, other income (expense),
finance costs, depreciation and amortization, impairment of
assets, stock-based compensation expense (recovery) and
restructuring, acquisition and other expenses.
|
Net income
|
Adjusted net income
Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share |
- To assess the performance of our businesses before the effects
of these items, because they affect the comparability of our
financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of
trends in business performance.
- Excluding these items does not imply they are
non-recurring.
|
Net income from continuing operations
add back
stock-based compensation expense (recovery),
restructuring, acquisition and other expenses,
impairment of assets, gain on spectrum distribution,
gain on sale of investment, loss on repayment of
long-term debt, and income tax adjustments on
these items including adjustments due to legislative change.
|
Net income
Earnings per share |
Free cash flow
|
- An important indicator of our financial strength and
performance because it shows how much cash we have available to
repay debt and reinvest in our company.
- We believe that some investors and analysts use free cash flow
to value a business and its underlying assets.
|
Adjusted operating profit
minus
spending on property, plant and equipment,
interest on long-term debt net of interest
capitalized, and cash income taxes.
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
Adjusted net debt
|
- To conduct valuation-related analysis and make decisions about
capital structure.
- We believe this helps investors and analysts analyze our
enterprise and equity value and assess various leverage ratios as
performance measures.
|
Total long-term debt
plus
current portion of long-term debt, deferred
transaction costs, net Debt Derivative assets
or liabilities, and short-term borrowings
minus
cash and cash equivalents.
|
Long-term debt |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating
Profit |
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
106 |
|
|
138 |
|
Other income |
|
(10) |
|
|
(10) |
|
Finance costs |
|
225 |
|
|
181 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
519 |
|
|
450 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
5 |
|
|
58 |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other
expenses |
|
9 |
|
|
9 |
Adjusted operating profit |
$ |
1,161 |
|
$ |
1,179 |
|
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income |
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
expense |
|
5 |
|
|
58 |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other
expenses |
|
9 |
|
|
9 |
|
Loss on repayment of long-term
debt |
|
29 |
|
|
- |
Income tax impact of above items |
|
(10) |
|
|
(6) |
Adjusted net income |
$ |
340 |
|
$ |
414 |
|
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating
activities |
$ |
408 |
|
$ |
805 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
expenditures |
|
(488) |
|
|
(464) |
|
Interest on long-term debt expense,
net of capitalization |
|
(183) |
|
|
(172) |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other
expenses |
|
9 |
|
|
9 |
|
Interest paid |
|
236 |
|
|
222 |
|
Change in non-cash working
capital |
|
309 |
|
|
47 |
|
Other adjustments |
|
65 |
|
|
(19) |
Free cash flow |
$ |
356 |
|
$ |
428 |
|
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions of dollars) |
|
March 31, 2014 |
|
|
March 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
$ |
13,536 |
|
$ |
10,409 |
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
918 |
|
|
1,473 |
Deferred transaction costs |
|
113 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
14,567 |
|
|
11,964 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Debt Derivatives (assets)
liabilities |
|
(315) |
|
|
512 |
|
Short-term borrowings |
|
650 |
|
|
400 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
(2,181) |
|
|
(1,434) |
Adjusted net debt |
$ |
12,721 |
|
$ |
11,442 |
|
How we Calculate Adjusted Earnings Per
Share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions of dollars, except per
share amounts; |
Three
months ended March 31 |
number of
shares outstanding in millions) |
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
Adjusted basic earnings per
share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income |
$ |
340 |
|
$ |
414 |
|
|
Divided by: weighted average number of shares
outstanding |
|
515 |
|
|
515 |
Adjusted basic earnings per
share |
$ |
0.66 |
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per
share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income |
$ |
340 |
|
$ |
414 |
|
Divided by: diluted weighted average
number of shares outstanding |
|
517 |
|
|
518 |
Adjusted diluted earnings per
share |
$ |
0.66 |
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
|
Divided by: weighted average number of
shares outstanding |
|
515 |
|
|
515 |
Basic earnings per share |
$ |
0.60 |
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
|
|
Effect on net income of dilutive securities |
|
(13) |
|
|
- |
|
|
Diluted net income |
$ |
294 |
|
$ |
353 |
|
Divided by: diluted weighted average
number of shares outstanding |
|
517 |
|
|
518 |
Diluted earnings per share |
$ |
0.57 |
|
$ |
0.68 |
Rogers Communications Inc.
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31 |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue |
$ |
3,020 |
|
$ |
3,027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating costs |
|
1,864 |
|
|
1,906 |
Restructuring, acquisition and other
expenses |
|
9 |
|
|
9 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
519 |
|
|
450 |
Finance costs |
|
225 |
|
|
181 |
Other income |
|
(10) |
|
|
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
413 |
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
106 |
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.60 |
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
Diluted |
|
0.57 |
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rogers Communications Inc.
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial
Position
(In millions of Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
2,181 |
|
$ |
2,301 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
1,313 |
|
|
1,509 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
537 |
|
|
438 |
|
Current portion of derivative instruments |
|
|
105 |
|
|
73 |
Total current assets |
|
|
4,136 |
|
|
4,321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
10,268 |
|
|
10,255 |
Goodwill |
|
|
3,759 |
|
|
3,751 |
Intangible assets |
|
|
3,195 |
|
|
3,211 |
Investments |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
1,487 |
Derivative instruments |
|
|
310 |
|
|
148 |
Other long-term assets |
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
397 |
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
45 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
24,361 |
|
$ |
23,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowings |
|
$ |
650 |
|
$ |
650 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
1,839 |
|
|
2,344 |
|
Income tax payable |
|
|
52 |
|
|
22 |
|
Current portion of provisions |
|
|
6 |
|
|
7 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
918 |
|
|
1,170 |
|
Current portion of derivative instruments |
|
|
52 |
|
|
63 |
|
Unearned revenue |
|
|
403 |
|
|
350 |
Total current liabilities |
|
|
3,920 |
|
|
4,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provisions |
|
|
37 |
|
|
40 |
Long-term debt |
|
|
13,536 |
|
|
12,173 |
Derivative instruments |
|
|
20 |
|
|
83 |
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
226 |
|
|
328 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
1,704 |
|
|
1,702 |
Total liabilities |
|
|
19,443 |
|
|
18,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity |
|
|
4,918 |
|
|
4,669 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity |
|
$ |
24,361 |
|
$ |
23,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rogers Communications Inc.
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows
(In millions of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31 |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by (used in): |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
$ |
307 |
|
$ |
353 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net
income
to net cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
519 |
|
|
450 |
|
Program rights amortization |
|
|
16 |
|
|
13 |
|
Finance costs |
|
|
225 |
|
|
181 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
106 |
|
|
138 |
|
Pension contributions, net of expense |
|
|
(85) |
|
|
(3) |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
5 |
|
|
58 |
|
Other |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
1,189 |
|
Change in non-cash
operating working capital items |
|
(309) |
|
|
(47) |
|
|
778 |
|
|
1,142 |
|
Income taxes paid |
|
(134) |
|
|
(115) |
|
Interest paid |
|
(236) |
|
|
(222) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating
activities |
|
408 |
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and
equipment |
|
(488) |
|
|
(464) |
|
Change in non-cash working capital items related
to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
property, plant and equipment |
|
(17) |
|
|
(52) |
|
Acquisitions and other strategic
transactions |
|
(658) |
|
|
(241) |
|
Additions to program rights |
|
(7) |
|
|
(14) |
|
Other |
|
(3) |
|
|
(24) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used in investing activities |
|
(1,173) |
|
|
(795) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of long-term debt |
|
2,082 |
|
|
1,030 |
|
Repayment of long-term debt |
|
(1,221) |
|
|
- |
|
Payment on settlement of cross-currency interest
rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
exchange agreements and forward
contracts |
|
(2,115) |
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds on settlement of cross-currency interest
rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
exchange agreements and forward
contracts |
|
2,150 |
|
|
- |
|
Transaction costs incurred |
|
(27) |
|
|
(15) |
|
Proceeds received on short-term
borrowings |
|
- |
|
|
400 |
|
Dividends paid |
|
(224) |
|
|
(204) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by financing activities |
|
645 |
|
|
1,211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(120) |
|
|
1,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period |
|
2,301 |
|
|
213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ |
2,181 |
|
$ |
1,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The change in non-cash operating working
capital items is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
$ |
199 |
|
$ |
173 |
|
Other current assets |
|
(100) |
|
|
(45) |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
(461) |
|
|
(183) |
|
Unearned revenue |
|
53 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(309) |
|
$ |
(47) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Forward-Looking
Information
This earnings release includes "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and
assumptions about, among other things, our business, operations and
financial performance and condition approved by management on the
date of this earnings release. This forward-looking information and
these assumptions include, but are not limited to, statements about
our objectives and strategies to achieve those objectives, and
about our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates or
intentions.
Forward-looking information and
statements
- typically include words like could, expect,
may, anticipate, assume, believe,
intend, estimate, plan, project,
guidance, outlook and similar expressions, although not all
forward-looking information and statements include them
- include conclusions, forecasts and projections that are based
on our current objectives and strategies and on estimates,
expectations, assumptions and other factors, most of which are
confidential and proprietary and that we believe to be reasonable
at the time they were applied but may prove to be incorrect
- were approved by our management on the date of this earnings
release.
Our forward-looking information and statements include forecasts
and projections related to the following items, among others:
- revenue
- adjusted operating profit
- property, plant and equipment expenditures
- cash income tax payments
- free cash flow
- dividend payments
- expected growth in subscribers and the services they subscribe
to
- the cost of acquiring subscribers and deployment of new
services
- continued cost reductions and efficiency improvements
- the growth of new products and services
- all other statements that are not historical facts.
We base our conclusions, forecasts and projections on the
following factors, among others:
- general economic and industry growth rates
- currency exchange rates
- product pricing levels and competitive intensity
- subscriber growth
- pricing, usage and churn rates
- changes in government regulation
- technology deployment
- availability of devices
- timing of new product launches
- content and equipment costs
- the integration of acquisitions
- industry structure and stability.
Except as otherwise indicated, this earnings
release and our forward-looking statements do not reflect the
potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of
any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other
business combinations or other transactions that may be considered
or announced or may occur after the date the statement containing
the forward-looking information is made.
Risks and uncertainties
Actual events and results can be substantially different from
what is expressed or implied by forward-looking information because
of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond
our control, including but not limited to:
- new interpretations and new accounting standards from
accounting standards bodies
- economic conditions
- technological change
- the integration of acquisitions
- unanticipated changes in content or equipment costs
- changing conditions in the entertainment, information and
communications industries
- regulatory changes
- litigation and tax matters
- the level of competitive intensity
- the emergence of new opportunity
These factors can also affect our objectives,
strategies and intentions. Many of these factors are beyond our
control or our current expectations. Should one or more of these
risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, our objectives,
strategies or intentions change, or any other factors or
assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove
incorrect, our actual results and our plans could vary
significantly from what we currently foresee.
Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise
caution when considering statements containing forward-looking
information and caution them that it would be unreasonable to rely
on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future
results or plans. We are under no obligation (and we expressly
disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements
containing forward-looking information or the factors or
assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
All of the forward-looking information in this earnings release is
qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
Before you make an investment
decision
Before making any investment decisions and for a
detailed discussion of the risks, uncertainties and environment
associated with our business, fully review the sections of our
first quarter MD&A entitled "Updates to Risks and
Uncertainties" and "Regulatory Developments", and also fully review
the sections Annual MD&A. Our 2013 Annual MD&A can be found
online at rogers.com/investors, sedar.com and sec.gov or is
available directly from Rogers.
About Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications is a leading diversified
public Canadian communications and media company. We are
Canada's largest provider of
wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable
television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers
and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and
television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade
publications, sports entertainment, and digital media.
We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE: RCI).
For further information about the Rogers group
of companies, please visit rogers.com/investors. Information in or
connected to our website is not part of or incorporated into this
earnings release.
Quarterly Investment Community Teleconference
The first quarter 2014 results teleconference will be held
on:
- April 21, 2014
- 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- webcast available at rogers.com/webcast
A rebroadcast will be available at
rogers.com/investors on the Events and Presentations page for at
least two weeks following the teleconference. Additionally,
investors should note that from time to time Rogers management
presents at brokerage sponsored investor conferences. Most
often, but not always, these conferences are webcast by the hosting
brokerage firm, and when they are webcast, links are made available
on Rogers' website at rogers.com/events and are placed there
generally at least two days before the conference.
For More Information
You can find additional information relating to
us, including our Annual Information Form on our website
(rogers.com/investors), on SEDAR (sedar.com) and on EDGAR
(sec.gov), or by e-mailing your request to
investor.relations@rci.rogers.com. Information on or connected to
these and other websites referenced above is not part of or
incorporated into this earnings release.
You can also go to rogers.com/investors for
information about our governance practices, corporate social
responsibility reporting, a glossary of communications and media
industry terms, and additional information about our business.
SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.