Cogeco Cable Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2014 Financial Results

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Apr 9, 2014) - Today, Cogeco Cable Inc. (CCA.TO) ("Cogeco Cable" or the "Corporation") announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, ended February 28, 2014, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014:

  • Second quarter revenue increased by $56.3 million, or 13.1%, to reach $486.0 million driven by growth of 2.3% in the
    Canadian cable services segment, of 14.2% in the American cable services segment and of 98.4% in the Enterprise services segment. Revenue growth results mainly from the full quarter impact of the acquisition of Peer 1 Hosting(2) ("PEER 1") which was acquired during the second quarter of fiscal 2013, on January 31, 2013, combined with favorable foreign exchange rates compared to last year and the organic growth from all of our operating units. For the six-month period ended February 28, 2014, revenue reached $961.0 million, an increase of $203.4 million, or 26.8%. Revenue increased mainly attributable to the full impact of the acquisitions of Atlantic Broadband and PEER 1 ("the recent acquisitions") which both occurred in fiscal 2013 combined with the favorable foreign exchange rates and the organic growth from all of our operating units;

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 13.2% to $221.6 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2013, and by 26.3% to $433.1 million compared to the first half of the prior year. The rapid progression for both periods results mainly from the recent acquisitions, the favorable foreign exchange rates compared to the same period of last year as well as the improvement in the Canadian cable services segment;

  • Operating margin(1) remained the same at 45.6% in the quarter and slightly decreased to 45.1% from 45.3% in the first six months compared to the same period of the prior year as a result of lower margins from the business activities of the Enterprise services segment;

  • Profit for the period amounted to $60.4 million in the second quarter compared to $50.8 million in fiscal 2013. For the first half of fiscal 2014, profit for the period amounted to $110.1 million compared to $92.9 million for the comparable period of the prior year. Profit progression for both periods is mostly attributable to the improvement of the adjusted EBITDA explained above and the decrease in integration, restructuring and acquisition costs, partly offset by the increases in financial expense and depreciation and amortization expense all related to the recent acquisitions;

  • Second quarter free cash flow(1) increased by $57.2 million to reach $93.2 million compared to $36.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. For the first six months, free cash flow increased by $108.5 million to reach $161.4 million compared to $52.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2013. The increase for both periods is attributable to the improvement of adjusted EBITDA explained above, the decrease in acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets due to the timing of certain initiatives as well as the decrease in integration, restructuring and acquisition costs, partly offset by the increase in financial expense as a result of higher indebtedness;

  • Fiscal 2014 second-quarter cash flow from operating activities reached $181.6 million compared to $150.1 million, an increase of $31.5 million, or 21.0%, compared to fiscal 2013 second-quarter. For the first six months of fiscal 2014, cash flow from operating activities reached $244.7 million compared to $149.8 million, an increase of $94.9 million, or 63.4%, compared to the same period in fiscal 2013. The increase for both periods is mainly explained by an increase in profit for the period explained above and depreciation and amortization expense; and

  • A quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares, an increase of $0.04 per share, or 15.4%, compared to a dividend of $0.26 per share paid in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Dividend payments in the first six months totaled $0.60 per share in fiscal 2014 compared to $0.52 per share in the comparable period of fiscal 2013.