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COGECO Inc. Reports Solid First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan 13, 2015) - Today, COGECO Inc. (CGO.TO) ("COGECO" or the "Corporation") announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, ended November 30, 2014, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

For the first quarter of fiscal 2015:

  • First-quarter revenue increased by $21.4 million, or 4.1%, to reach $538.4 million mainly driven by the growth in the Cable and Enterprise data services segment through the organic growth from most of our operating segments as well as the favorable foreign exchange rates for our foreign operations;

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased by 4.4% to $234.0 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The progression resulted mainly from the organic growth from all our operating segments as well as the favorable foreign exchange rates for our foreign operations compared to the same period of last year;

  • Profit for the period amounted to $65.4 million, of which $26.8 million or $1.60 per share, is attributable to owners of the Corporation compared to profit of $56.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2014, of which $23.1 million or $1.38 per share, was attributable to owners of the Corporation. The progression is mostly attributable to the improvement of the Cable and Enterprise data services segment's adjusted EBITDA and the organic growth, partly offset by the increase in financial expense;

  • First-quarter free cash flow(1) decreased by $1.9 million to reach $70.7 million compared to $72.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. This decrease is mainly due to the increase of $17.6 million in acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, partly offset by the improvement of adjusted EBITDA;

  • Fiscal 2015 first-quarter cash flow from operating activities reached $19.0 million compared to $60.2 million, representing a decrease of $41.2 million or 68.5%, compared to fiscal 2014 first-quarter. The decrease is mainly attributable to the increase in non-cash operating activities as a result of a higher decrease in trade and other payables compared to the same period of last year, combined with the increases in financial expense paid and income taxes paid, partly offset by the improvement of adjusted EBITDA;

  • A quarterly eligible dividend of $0.255 per share was paid to the holders of subordinate and multiple voting shares, an increase of $0.035 per share, or 15.9%, when compared to a dividend of $0.22 per share paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2014;

  • At its January 13, 2015 meeting, the Board of Directors of COGECO declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.255 per share for multiple voting and subordinate voting shares payable on February 10, 2015; and

  • On December 12, 2014, the Corporation amended its Term Revolving Facility. Under the terms of the amendment, the maturity was extended by two additional years until February 1, 2020. Similarly, on the same date, the Corporation's subsidiary, Cogeco Cable Inc., has also amended its Term Revolving Facility to extend the maturity by an additional year until January 22, 2020.