QBR.B Quebecor Inc

MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Quebecor Inc. ("Quebecor" or "the Corporation") today reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2022. Quebecor consolidates the financial results of its wholly owned Quebecor Media Inc. ("Quebecor Media") subsidiary. 

First quarter 2022 highlights

• Revenues: $1.09 billion, down $3.1 million (-0.3%) from the same period of 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA:¹ $442.1 million, down $10.6 million (-2.3%).
• Net income attributable to shareholders: $121.4 million ($0.51 per basic share), an increase of $0.1 million ($0.02 per basic share).
• Adjusted income from continuing operating activities:² $128.7 million ($0.54 per basic share), a decrease of $1.2 million (increase of $0.02 per basic share).
• Adjusted cash flows from operations:³ $316.1 million, up $8.5 million (2.8%).
• In the Telecommunications segment, quarterly revenues were down $10.6 million (-1.2%), adjusted EBITDA was up $9.1 million (2.0%), and adjusted cash flows from operations were up $31.7 million (10.1%).
• Videotron Ltd. ("Videotron") increased revenues from mobile services and equipment by $20.1 million (8.7%) and from Internet access services by $2.0 million (0.7%) in the first quarter of 2022.
• Net increase of 13,800 (0.2%) revenue-generating units (RGUs)⁴ in the first quarter of 2022, including 24,500 (1.5%) connections to the mobile telephony service, 17,500 (3.5%) subscriptions to over-the-top ("OTT") video services, and 5,300 (0.3%) subscriptions to Internet access service.
• The Media and Sports and Entertainment segments increased their revenues by $7.0 million (4.0%) and $2.9 million (9.3%), respectively.

Comments by Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor

In the first quarter of 2022, Quebecor continued to perform well in a competitive environment in Québec, increasing RGUs in mobile, Internet access and OTT services, and growing the market share of TVA Network and the specialty channels.

To maintain its leading position amidst the accelerating proliferation of content and of distribution platforms, the Corporation stepped up its spending on content. While these investments had a short-term adverse impact on profitability, as evidenced by the 2.3% decline in adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2022, the Corporation maintained financial discipline: we generated 2.8% growth in adjusted cash flows from operations and increased available liquidity to $1.65 billion as of the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Videotron generated $344.6 million in adjusted cash flows from operations in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 10.1%. Videotron's flagship mobile telephone and Internet access services continued to attract growing numbers of customers, with increases of 123,200 connections, or 8.2%, and 41,200 customers, or 2.3%, respectively, over the past 12 months. Driven by rich and diverse content, our OTT services also performed strongly, posting a 9.0% increase over the past 12 months. With their diverse, constantly updated selection of original content, Vrai and Club illico now have more than half a million subscribers, a strong indication of the soundness of our choices and investments in the production of Québec content.

The recent Competition Bureau decision against the Rogers Communications Inc. ("Rogers") bid to acquire the assets of Shaw Communications Inc. ("Shaw"), coupled with statements from the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), allow us to look with increasing favour on the expansion of our wireless business, in view of the prospect that we will have the alternatives of acquiring Shaw's wireless assets which might have to be divested by Rogers, or launching a telecom offering in the Canadian provinces where we have acquired - despite TELUS' legal challenge - the spectrum needed to start up our operations. We believe that these alternatives position us very favourably, as governmental and administrative authorities, including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, pursue the public policy of establishing the conditions for true competition in wireless services in Canada. Our undeniable success, as evidenced by our market share of more than 22% in Québec, demonstrates our multidimensional expertise. We would apply that expertise with equal energy in the other parts of Canada. The opportunities are many and the alternatives promising.

The increase in investment by TVA Group Inc. ("TVA Group"), particularly in variety programming and series for the TVA Network, has proven to be a sound move. TVA Network gained 0.7 points in market share in the first quarter of 2022 and had four of the top five shows in Québec during the period. The combined market share of the TVA Network and the specialty channels was 40.6% in the first quarter of 2022, up 1.2 points from the same quarter of 2021. As a result of the increase in total advertising revenues from broadcasting activities, combined with the impact of higher volume in production and distribution services, as well as in film and audiovisual services, TVA Group posted a $3.7 million increase in revenues in the first quarter of 2022.

We have a solid foundation on which to build and we're upbeat about the future. We are staying focused on the disciplined execution of our strategic priorities and sound management of our assets, guided by our commitment to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.

COVID-19 pandemic

Since March 2020, the COVID–19 pandemic has had an impact on some of the Corporation's quarterly results, more particularly in the Media and the Sports and Entertainment segments. Given the uncertainty around the future evolution of the pandemic, including any new major waves, all future impacts of the health crisis on the results of operations cannot be determined with certainty.

 Non-IFRS financial measures

The Corporation uses financial measures not standardized under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), such as adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from continuing operating activities, adjusted cash flows from operations, free cash flows from continuing operating activities and consolidated net debt leverage ratio, and key performance indicators, including RGU. Definitions of the non-IFRS measures and key performance indicator used by the Corporation are provided in the "Definitions" section.

Financial tables

Table 1
Consolidated summary of income, cash flows and balance sheet
(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per basic share data)

2022/2021 First quarter comparison

Revenues: $1.09 billion, a $3.1 million (-0.3%) decrease.

• Revenues decreased in Telecommunications ($10.6 million or -1.2% of segment revenues).
• Revenues increased in Media ($7.0 million or 4.0%) and Sports and Entertainment ($2.9 million or 9.3%).

Adjusted EBITDA: $442.1 million, a $10.6 million (-2.3%) decrease.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased in Telecommunications ($9.1 million or 2.0% of segment adjusted EBITDA).
• There were unfavourable variances in Media ($13.2 million) and in Sports and Entertainment ($2.2 million), and at Head Office ($4.3 million).
• The change in the fair value of Quebecor stock options and stock-price-based share units resulted in a $1.4 million favourable variance in the Corporation's stock-based compensation charge in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same period of 2021.

Net income attributable to shareholders: $121.4 million ($0.51 per basic share) in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $121.3 million ($0.49 per basic share) in the same period of 2021, an increase of $0.1 million ($0.02 per basic share).

• The main favourable variances were:
• • $5.6 million decrease in financial expenses;
  • $3.6 million favourable variance in restructuring of operations and other items;
  • $3.0 million favourable variance in non-controlling interest.
• The main unfavourable variances were:
• • $10.6 million decrease in adjusted EBITDA;
  • $1.5 million unfavourable variance related to losses on valuation and translation of financial instruments, without any tax consequences.

Adjusted income from continuing operating activities: $128.7 million ($0.54 per basic share) in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $129.9 million ($0.52 per basic share) in the same period of 2021, a decrease of $1.2 million ($0.02 increase per basic share).

Adjusted cash flows from operations: $316.1 million, an $8.5 million (2.8%) increase due primarily to an $18.5 million decrease in additions to intangible assets, partially offset by the $10.6 million decrease in adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flows provided by operating activities: $227.7 million, a $33.9 million (-13.0%) decrease due primarily to the unfavourable net change in non-cash balances related to operating activities, the increase in current income taxes and the decrease in adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by the decrease in the cash portion of financial expenses.

Financing operations 

On February 15, 2022, TVA Group amended its $75.0 million secured revolving credit facility to extend its term from February 2022 to February 2023 and amend certain terms and conditions. 

Capital stock

On April 27, 2022, the Corporation received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to amend its normal course issuer bid in order to increase the maximum number of Class B Subordinate Voting Shares ("Class B Shares") that may be repurchased to 10,000,000 Class B shares, representing approximately 6.8% of the Class B Shares public float as of July 30, 2021. No other terms of the normal course issuer bid have been amended.

In the first quarter of 2022, the Corporation purchased and cancelled 890,051 Class B Shares for a total cash consideration of $26.0 million (2,649,300 Class B Shares for a total cash consideration of $84.4 million in the same period of 2021). The $20.8 million excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the repurchased Class B Shares was recorded as a reduction in retained earnings ($68.8 million in the same period of 2021).

Dividend

On May 11, 2022, the Board of Directors of Quebecor declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share on its Class A Multiple Voting Shares ("Class A Shares") and Class B Shares, payable on June 21, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 27, 2022. This dividend is designated an eligible dividend, as provided under subsection 89(14) of the Canadian Income Tax Act and its provincial counterpart.

Detailed financial information

For a detailed analysis of Quebecor's first quarter 2022 results, please refer to the Management Discussion and Analysis and condensed consolidated financial statements of Quebecor, available on the Corporation's website at www.quebecor.com/en/investors/financial-documentation 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 first quarter 2022 results on May 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. There will be a question period reserved for financial analysts. To access the call, please dial 1-877-293-8052, access code for participants 61055#. The conference call will also be broadcast live on Quebecor's website at www.quebecor.com/en/investors/conferences–and–annual–meeting. 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. Anyone unable to attend the conference call will be able to listen to a recording by dialing 1-877-293-8133, access code 61055#, recording access code 0112173#. The recording will be available until August 10, 2022.

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 service interruptions resulting from equipment breakdown, network failure, the threat of natural disaster, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability in some countries, risks associated with emergency measures implemented by various governments, 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, 2021.

The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect Quebecor's expectations as of May 12, 2022, 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.

Québec-based Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A) (TSX: QBR.B) employs nearly 10,000 people in Canada. 

A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports 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: twitter.com/Quebecor 

DEFINITIONS

Adjusted EBITDA

In its analysis of operating results, the Corporation defines adjusted EBITDA, as reconciled to net income under IFRS, as net income before depreciation and amortization, financial expenses, loss on valuation and translation of financial instruments, restructuring of operations and other items, and income tax. Adjusted EBITDA 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 IFRS financial 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 EBITDA 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 EBITDA is also relevant because it is a 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 adjusted cash flows from operations and free cash flows from continuing operating activities. The Corporation's definition of adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

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

Table 2
Reconciliation of the adjusted EBITDA measure used in this press release to the net income measure used in the condensed consolidated financial statements
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

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 on valuation and translation of financial instruments, and restructuring of operations and other items, net of income tax related to adjustments and net income attributable to non-controlling interest related to adjustments. 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 financial results. Adjusted income from continuing operating activities is more representative for 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.

Table 3
Reconciliation of the adjusted income from continuing operating activities measure used in this press release to the net income attributable to shareholders' measure used in the condensed consolidated financial statements
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

Adjusted cash flows from operations and free cash flows from continuing operating activities

Adjusted cash flows from operations

Adjusted cash flows from operations represents adjusted EBITDA, less additions to property, plant and equipment and to intangible assets (excluding licence acquisitions and renewals). Adjusted cash flows from operations represents funds available for interest and income tax payments, expenditures related to restructuring programs, business acquisitions, licence acquisitions and renewals, payment of dividends, repayment of long-term debt and lease liabilities, and share repurchases. Adjusted cash flows from operations is not a measure of liquidity that is consistent with IFRS. It is not intended to be regarded as an alternative to IFRS financial performance measures or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted cash flows from operations is used by the Corporation's management and Board of Directors to evaluate the cash flows generated by the operations of all of its segments, on a consolidated basis, in addition to the operating cash flows generated by each segment. Adjusted cash flows from operations are also relevant because they are a component of the Corporation's annual incentive compensation programs. The Corporation's definition of adjusted cash flows from operations may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Free cash flows from continuing operating activities

Free cash flows from continuing operating activities represents cash flows provided by operating activities calculated in accordance with IFRS, less cash flows used for additions to property, plant and equipment and to intangible assets (excluding expenditures related to licence acquisitions and renewals), plus proceeds from disposal of assets. Free cash flows from continuing operating activities is used by the Corporation's management and Board of Directors to evaluate cash flows generated by the Corporation's operations. Free cash flows from continuing operating activities represents available funds for business acquisitions, licence acquisitions and renewals, payment of dividends, repayment of long-term debt and lease liabilities, and share repurchases. Free cash flows from continuing operating activities is not a measure of liquidity that is consistent with IFRS. It is not intended to be regarded as an alternative to IFRS financial performance measures or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. The Corporation's definition of free cash flows from continuing operating activities may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Tables 4 and 5 provide a reconciliation of adjusted cash flows from operations and free cash flows from continuing operating activities to cash flows provided by operating activities reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table 4
Adjusted cash flows from operations
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

Table 5
Free cash flows from continuing operating activities and cash flows provided by operating activities reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

Consolidated net debt leverage ratio

The consolidated net debt leverage ratio represents consolidated net debt, excluding convertible debentures, divided by the trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated net debt, excluding convertible debentures, represents total long-term debt plus bank indebtedness, lease liabilities, the current portion of lease liabilities and liabilities related to derivative financial instruments, less assets related to derivative financial instruments and cash and cash equivalents. The consolidated net debt leverage ratio serves to evaluate the Corporation's financial leverage and is used by management and the Board of Directors in its decisions on the Corporation's capital structure, including its financing strategy, and in managing debt maturity risks. The consolidated net debt leverage ratio excludes convertible debentures because, subject to certain conditions, those debentures can be repurchased at the Corporation's discretion by issuing Quebecor Class B Shares. Consolidated net debt leverage ratio is not a measure established in accordance with IFRS. It is not intended to be used as an alternative to IFRS measures or the balance sheet to evaluate its financial position. The Corporation's definition of consolidated net debt leverage ratio may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Table 6 provides the calculation of consolidated net debt leverage ratio and the reconciliation to balance sheet items reported in Quebecor's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table 6
Consolidated net debt leverage ratio
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR Revenue-generating unit

The Corporation uses RGU, an industry metric, as a key performance indicator. An RGU represents, as the case may be, subscriptions to the Internet access, television and OTT services, and subscriber connections to the mobile and wireline telephony services. RGU is not a measurement that is consistent with IFRS and the Corporation's definition and calculation of RGU may not be the same as identically titled measurements reported by other companies or published by public authorities.

QUEBECOR INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

QUEBECOR INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

QUEBECOR INC.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION

QUEBECOR INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

QUEBECOR INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

QUEBECOR INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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SOURCE Quebecor