GVIC Reports Year End Results

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 26, 2015) - GVIC Communications Corp. ("GVIC" or the "Company") (GCT.TO) reported cash flow, earnings and revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary Results

The following results are presented on an adjusted basis(1) to include both 1) the Company's share of its joint venture operations on a proportionate basis, because this is the basis on which management bases its operating decisions and performance evaluation and 2) to include discontinued operations that were owned during the year but sold subsequent to year end in January 2015. For a reconciliation to results in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), refer to both the reconciliation of discontinued operations in "Adjusted Revenue and Profit from Continuing Operations" and the "Reconciliation of IFRS to Adjusted Results" as presented below and in Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A).

(thousands of dollars)

except share and per share amounts

2014 (1)(4)

2013 (1)(4)

Revenue

$

322,734

$

328,898

EBITDA

$

46,353

$

43,714

EBITDA margin

14.4%

13.3%

EBITDA per share

$

0.154

$

0.146

Net income attributable to common shareholders before non-recurring items (2)

$

17,932

$

17,295

Net income attributable to common shareholders per share before non-recurring items (2)

$

0.060

$

0.058

Cash flow from operations (2)

$

44,942

$

43,156

Cash flow from operations per share (2)

$

0.150

$

0.144

Debt net of cash outstanding before deferred financing charges

$

107,195

$

126,771

Dividends paid (3)

$

7,210

$

5,408

Dividends paid per share (3)

$

0.024

$

0.018

Weighted average shares outstanding, net

300,425,031

300,425,031

Notes:

  1. These results are prepared on an adjusted basis to include the Company's share of the results of its joint venture interests for purposes of comparability to past years' results. Refer to "Financial Measures" section of this press release.

  2. Net income attributable to common shareholders and cash flow from operations have been adjusted for non-recurring items.

  3. Dividends in 2014 and 2013 total $0.024 per share, paid quarterly. Dividends in 2013 were paid in April and July.

  4. Results are presented including the results for the trade media assets that were sold subsequent to year end and which are presented as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements.

Key Financial Highlights (1)

  • For the year ended December 31, 2014, adjusted consolidated EBITDA including discontinued operations increased 6.0 % to $46.4 million from $43.7 million in the prior year. The related EBITDA margin increased to 14.1% from 13.1%;

  • For the year ended December 31, 2014, adjusted consolidated revenues including discontinued operations declined 1.9% to $322.7 million as compared to $328.9 million in the prior year. This included the impact of the closure of the Kamloops Daily News and some other small publications;

  • Adjusted cash flow from operations (before changes in non-cash operating accounts and non-recurring items) including discontinued operations increased 4.1% to $44.9 million from $43.2 million in the prior year;

  • Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders before non-recurring items and including discontinued operations increased to $17.9 million from $17.3 million in the prior year;

  • Adjusted EBITDA per share including discontinued operations increased to $0.154 per share compared to $0.146 per share in the prior year;

  • Adjusted cash flow from operations per share (before changes in non-cash operating accounts and non-recurring items) including discontinued operations increased to $0.150 per share compared to $0.144 per share in the prior year;

  • Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per share before non-recurring items and including discontinued operations decreased to $0.060 per share from $0.058 per share compared to the prior year;

  • $28 million of cash proceeds were realized from the sale of non-core operating assets and real estate during the year and subsequent to year end at attractive valuations that underscore the value of GVIC's business information assets. As part of this $28 million, GVIC received $19.65 million for the trade media assets sold that were located in Toronto (see Strategic Restructuring Efforts below). The sale of these assets has been presented as discontinued operations in the Company's 2014 financial statements. The proceeds were used to 1) pay the 50% deposit made to appeal the previously disclosed Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") re-assessment and related total liabilities of $45 million, 2) pay down debt and 3) acquire a majority position in Evaluate Energy, a UK- based energy information database and research company with a strong presence in Canada;

  • Subsequent to year-end, the Company sold a group of community media assets on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland of B.C. and acquired several community media assets in the Lower Mainland. The net proceeds from the transaction were used to pay down debt. The transaction immediately increases the profitability of the
    Company's community media operations;

  • Adjusted consolidated debt net of cash outstanding (before deferred financing charges) was reduced to 2.4x trailing 12 months consolidated adjusted EBITDA (including discontinued operations) as at December 31, 2014.