Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B; NYSE: RCI) today
announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the
first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
"We continued to deliver industry-leading growth
in the first quarter, our ninth straight quarter of growth and
momentum," said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO. "At the one-year
milestone of the Shaw merger, more Canadians continue to choose
Rogers than any other carrier and we're one year ahead of our
synergy targets. I am proud of our team and I remain confident in
our future."
Consolidated Financial
Highlights
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts,
unaudited) |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
4,901 |
|
3,835 |
28 |
|
Total service revenue |
|
4,357 |
|
3,314 |
31 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA 1 |
|
2,214 |
|
1,651 |
34 |
|
Net income |
|
256 |
|
511 |
(50 |
) |
Adjusted net income 1 |
|
540 |
|
553 |
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.46 |
$1.00 |
(54 |
) |
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 1 |
$0.99 |
$1.09 |
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
|
1,180 |
|
453 |
160 |
|
Free cash flow 1 |
|
586 |
|
370 |
58 |
|
__________________________1 Adjusted EBITDA
is a total of segments measure. Free cash flow is a capital
management measure. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a
non-GAAP ratio. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure
and is a component of adjusted diluted earnings per share. See
"Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2024 Management's
Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), available at www.sedarplus.ca,
and this earnings release for more information about each of these
measures. These are not standardized financial measures under
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and might not be
comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other
companies.
Strategic Highlights
The five objectives set out below guide our work
and decision-making as we further improve our operational execution
and make well-timed investments to grow our core businesses and
deliver increased shareholder value. Below are some highlights for
the quarter.
Build the biggest and best networks in the
country
- Expanded our cable network to
approximately 50,000 new homes passed.
- Expanded Canada's largest and most
reliable 5G network to over 40 new communities.
- Completed Canada's first national
live trial of 5G network slicing.
Deliver easy to use, reliable products and
services
- Launched Rogers 5G Home Internet
across our wireless network coverage area.
- Launched our Ignite Self Protect
home security solution in Western Canada.
- Automated over 84% of Rogers
Business wireless activations.
Be the first choice for Canadians
- Led the industry with 98,000
Wireless postpaid mobile phone net additions.
- Broadcast Canada's first Law &
Order original series and premiered at #1 in the country.
- Sportsnet was the most-watched
specialty channel in Canada.
Be a strong national company investing in
Canada
- Advanced our Shaw Transaction
commitments with network investments in Western Canada and growth
in our Connected for Success program.
- Launched our official
telecommunications partnership with the Professional Women's Hockey
League.
- Improved wireless coverage on new
sections of Highway 16 in British Columbia.
Be the growth leader in our industry
- Grew total service revenue by 31%
and adjusted EBITDA by 34%.
- Reported industry-leading growth in
our Wireless and Cable operations.
- Completed $1 billion of Shaw
Transaction synergy targets one year ahead of schedule.
Quarterly Financial Highlights
Revenue Total revenue and total
service revenue increased by 28% and 31%, respectively, this
quarter, driven by revenue growth in our Cable and Wireless
businesses.
Wireless service revenue increased by 9% this
quarter, primarily as a result of the cumulative impact of growth
in our mobile phone subscriber base and revenue from Shaw Mobile
subscribers acquired through the Shaw Transaction. Wireless
equipment revenue increased by 4%, primarily as a result of a
continued shift in the product mix towards higher-value
devices.
Cable service revenue increased by 94% this quarter
as a result of the Shaw Transaction.
Media revenue decreased by 5% this quarter
primarily as a result of lower subscriber revenue, including due to
a negotiation of certain content rates last year, and lower Today's
Shopping Choice revenue, partially offset by higher advertising
revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA and
marginsConsolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 34% this
quarter and our adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 210 basis
points, as a result of improving synergies and efficiencies.
Wireless adjusted EBITDA increased by 9%,
primarily due to the flow-through impact of higher revenue as
discussed above. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of
64.3%.
Cable adjusted EBITDA increased by 97% due to
the flow-through impact of higher revenue as discussed above and
the achievement of cost synergies associated with integration
activities. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of
56.2%.
Media adjusted EBITDA decreased by $65 million,
or 171%, this quarter primarily due to lower revenue as discussed
above, higher programming and production costs as a result of the
timing of broadcasts, and higher Toronto Blue Jays expenses,
including player payroll, as a result of the timing of games
played.
Net income and adjusted net
incomeNet income decreased by 50% and adjusted net income
decreased by 2% this quarter, primarily as a result of higher
depreciation and amortization associated with assets acquired
through the Shaw Transaction and higher finance costs, partially
offset by higher adjusted EBITDA. Net income was also impacted by
higher restructuring, acquisition and other costs.
Cash flow and available
liquidityThis quarter, we generated cash provided by
operating activities of $1,180 million (2023 - $453 million); the
increase is primarily a result of higher adjusted EBITDA, partially
offset by higher interest paid. We also generated free cash flow of
$586 million (2023 - $370 million), up 58% as a result of higher
adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by higher interest on long-term
debt and higher capital expenditures.
As at March 31, 2024, we had $4.6 billion
of available liquidity2 (December 31, 2023 - $5.9 billion),
consisting of $0.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $3.8
billion available under our bank credit and other facilities.
Our debt leverage ratio2 as at March 31,
2024 was 4.7 (December 31, 2023 - 5.0, or 4.7 on an as
adjusted basis to include trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA of a
combined Rogers and Shaw as if the Shaw Transaction had closed on
January 1, 2023).
We also returned $265 million in dividends to
shareholders this quarter and we declared a $0.50 per share
dividend on April 23, 2024.
__________________________2 Available liquidity
and debt leverage ratio are capital management measures. Pro forma
debt leverage ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. Pro forma trailing
12-month adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a
component of pro forma debt leverage ratio. See "Non-GAAP and Other
Financial Measures" in our Q1 2024 MD&A for more information
about this measure, available at www.sedarplus.ca. These are not
standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be
comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other
companies. See "Financial Condition" in our Q1 2024 MD&A for a
reconciliation of available liquidity.
About this Earnings Release
This earnings release contains important
information about our business and our performance for the three
months ended March 31, 2024, as well as forward-looking
information (see "About Forward-Looking Information") about future
periods. This earnings release should be read in conjunction with
our First Quarter 2024 Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements (First Quarter 2024 Interim Financial Statements) and
notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting,
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);
our First Quarter 2024 MD&A; our 2023 Annual MD&A; our 2023
Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto,
which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the IASB; and our other
recent filings with Canadian and US securities regulatory
authorities, including our Annual Information Form, which are
available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca or EDGAR at sec.gov,
respectively.
For more information about Rogers, including
product and service offerings, competitive market and industry
trends, our overarching strategy, key performance drivers, and
objectives, see "Understanding Our Business", "Our Strategy, Key
Performance Drivers, and Strategic Highlights", and "Capability to
Deliver Results" in our 2023 Annual MD&A. References in this
earnings release to the Shaw Transaction are to our acquisition of
Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw) on April 3, 2023. For additional
details regarding the Shaw Transaction, see "Shaw Transaction" in
our 2023 Annual MD&A and our 2023 Annual Audited Consolidated
Financial Statements.
We, us, our, Rogers, Rogers Communications, and
the Company refer to Rogers Communications Inc. and its
subsidiaries. RCI refers to the legal entity Rogers Communications
Inc., not including its subsidiaries. Rogers also holds interests
in various investments and ventures.
All dollar amounts in this earnings release are
in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated and are unaudited. All
percentage changes are calculated using the rounded numbers as they
appear in the tables. This earnings release is current as at
April 23, 2024 and was approved by RCI's Board of Directors
(the Board) on that date.
In this earnings release, this quarter, the
quarter, or first quarter refer to the three months ended
March 31, 2024, unless the context indicates otherwise. All
results commentary is compared to the equivalent period in 2023 or
as at December 31, 2023, as applicable, unless otherwise
indicated.
Trademarks in this earnings release are owned or
used under licence by Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate.
This earnings release may also include trademarks of other parties.
The trademarks referred to in this earnings release may be listed
without the ™ symbols. ©2024 Rogers Communications
Reportable segmentsWe report our
results of operations in three reportable segments. Each segment
and the nature of its business is as follows:
Segment |
Principal activities |
Wireless |
Wireless telecommunications operations for Canadian consumers and
businesses. |
Cable |
Cable telecommunications operations, including Internet, television
and other video (Video), Satellite, telephony (Home Phone), and
smart home monitoring services for Canadian consumers and
businesses, and network connectivity through our fibre network and
data centre assets to support a range of voice, data, networking,
hosting, and cloud-based services for the business, public sector,
and carrier wholesale markets. |
Media |
A diversified portfolio of media properties, including sports media
and entertainment, television and radio broadcasting, specialty
channels, multi-platform shopping, and digital media. |
Wireless and Cable are operated by our wholly
owned subsidiary, Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (RCCI), and
certain other wholly owned subsidiaries. Media is operated by our
wholly owned subsidiary, Rogers Media Inc., and its
subsidiaries.
Summary of Consolidated Financial
Results
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except margins and per share amounts) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
2,528 |
|
|
2,346 |
|
8 |
|
Cable |
|
1,959 |
|
|
1,017 |
|
93 |
|
Media |
|
479 |
|
|
505 |
|
(5 |
) |
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations |
|
(65 |
) |
|
(33 |
) |
97 |
|
Revenue |
|
4,901 |
|
|
3,835 |
|
28 |
|
Total service revenue 1 |
|
4,357 |
|
|
3,314 |
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
1,284 |
|
|
1,179 |
|
9 |
|
Cable |
|
1,100 |
|
|
557 |
|
97 |
|
Media |
|
(103 |
) |
|
(38 |
) |
171 |
|
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations |
|
(67 |
) |
|
(47 |
) |
43 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
2,214 |
|
|
1,651 |
|
34 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2 |
|
45.2 |
% |
|
43.1 |
% |
2.1 pts |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
256 |
|
|
511 |
|
(50 |
) |
Basic earnings per share |
$0.48 |
|
$1.01 |
|
(52 |
) |
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.46 |
|
$1.00 |
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income 2 |
|
540 |
|
|
553 |
|
(2 |
) |
Adjusted basic earnings per share 2 |
$1.02 |
|
$1.10 |
|
(7 |
) |
Adjusted diluted earnings per share |
$0.99 |
|
$1.09 |
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
1,058 |
|
|
892 |
|
19 |
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
|
1,180 |
|
|
453 |
|
160 |
|
Free cash flow |
|
586 |
|
|
370 |
|
58 |
|
1 As defined. See "Key Performance
Indicators". 2 Adjusted EBITDA margin is a supplementary
financial measure. Adjusted basic earnings per share is a non-GAAP
ratio. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a
component of adjusted basic earnings per share. These are not
standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be
comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other
companies. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1
2024 MD&A for more information about each of these measures,
available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Results of our Reportable
Segments
WIRELESS
Wireless Financial Results
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except margins) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Service revenue |
1,996 |
|
1,836 |
|
9 |
|
Equipment revenue |
532 |
|
510 |
|
4 |
|
Revenue |
2,528 |
|
2,346 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating costs |
|
|
|
Cost of equipment |
539 |
|
508 |
|
6 |
|
Other operating costs |
705 |
|
659 |
|
7 |
|
Operating costs |
1,244 |
|
1,167 |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
1,284 |
|
1,179 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 |
64.3 |
% |
64.2 |
% |
0.1 pts |
|
Capital expenditures |
404 |
|
452 |
|
(11 |
) |
1 Calculated using service revenue.
Wireless Subscriber Results 1
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In thousands, except churn and mobile phone ARPU) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Postpaid mobile phone 2 |
|
|
|
Gross additions |
|
443 |
|
|
318 |
|
|
125 |
|
Net additions |
|
98 |
|
|
95 |
|
|
3 |
|
Total postpaid mobile phone subscribers 3 |
|
10,486 |
|
|
9,487 |
|
|
999 |
|
Churn (monthly) |
|
1.10 |
% |
|
0.79 |
% |
|
0.31 pts |
|
Prepaid mobile phone 4 |
|
|
|
Gross additions |
|
84 |
|
|
217 |
|
|
(133 |
) |
Net losses |
|
(37 |
) |
|
(8 |
) |
|
(29 |
) |
Total prepaid mobile phone subscribers 3 |
|
1,018 |
|
|
1,247 |
|
|
(229 |
) |
Churn (monthly) |
|
3.90 |
% |
|
5.96 |
% |
|
(2.06 pts |
) |
Mobile phone ARPU (monthly) 5 |
$58.06 |
|
$57.26 |
|
$0.80 |
|
1 Subscriber counts and subscriber churn
are key performance indicators. See "Key Performance
Indicators".2 Effective January 1, 2024, and on a prospective
basis, we adjusted our postpaid mobile phone subscriber base to
remove 110,000 Cityfone subscribers as we stopped selling new plans
for this service as of that date. Given this, we believe this
adjustment more meaningfully reflects the underlying organic
subscriber performance of our postpaid mobile phone
business.3 As at end of period.4 Effective January 1,
2024, and on a prospective basis we adjusted our prepaid mobile
phone subscriber base to remove 56,000 Fido prepaid subscribers as
we stopped selling new plans for this service as of that date.
Given this, we believe this adjustment more meaningfully reflects
the underlying organic subscriber performance of our prepaid mobile
phone business.5 Mobile phone ARPU is a supplementary
financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in
our Q1 2024 MD&A for more information about this measure,
available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Service revenueThe 9% increase
in service revenue this quarter was primarily a result of:
- the cumulative impact of growth in our mobile phone subscriber
base over the past year; and
- the impact of the Shaw Mobile subscribers acquired through the
Shaw Transaction in April 2023.
The increase in mobile phone ARPU this quarter
was primarily associated with the changes in subscribers.
The continued significant postpaid gross and net
additions this quarter were a result of sales execution in a
growing Canadian market.
Equipment revenueThe 4% increase
in equipment revenue this quarter was primarily as a result of:
- an increase in new subscribers
purchasing devices; and
- a continued shift in the product
mix towards higher-value devices; partially offset by
- lower device upgrades by existing
customers.
Operating costsCost of equipment
The 6% increase in the cost of equipment this quarter was a result
of the equipment revenue changes discussed above.
Other operating costsThe 7% increase in other
operating costs this quarter was primarily a result of:
- higher costs associated with the
increased revenue and subscriber additions including commissions
and costs associated with our expanded network; and
- investments made in customer
service.
Adjusted EBITDA The 9% increase in
adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the revenue and
expense changes discussed above.
CABLE
Cable Financial Results
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars, except margins) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Service revenue |
1,947 |
|
1,006 |
|
94 |
Equipment revenue |
12 |
|
11 |
|
9 |
Revenue |
1,959 |
|
1,017 |
|
93 |
|
|
|
|
Operating costs |
859 |
|
460 |
|
87 |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
1,100 |
|
557 |
|
97 |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
56.2 |
% |
54.8 |
% |
1.4 pts |
Capital expenditures |
480 |
|
319 |
|
50 |
Cable Subscriber Results 1
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In thousands, except ARPA and penetration) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Homes passed 2 |
|
9,992 |
|
|
4,829 |
|
|
5,163 |
|
Customer relationships |
|
|
|
Net additions |
|
7 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
Total customer relationships 2 |
|
4,643 |
|
|
2,591 |
|
|
2,052 |
|
ARPA (monthly) 3 |
$140.10 |
|
$129.58 |
|
$10.52 |
|
|
|
|
|
Penetration 2 |
|
46.5 |
% |
|
53.7 |
% |
|
(7.2 pts |
) |
|
|
|
|
Retail Internet |
|
|
|
Net additions |
|
26 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
12 |
|
Total retail Internet subscribers 2 |
|
4,188 |
|
|
2,298 |
|
|
1,890 |
|
Video |
|
|
|
Net losses |
|
(27 |
) |
|
(8 |
) |
|
(19 |
) |
Total Video subscribers 2 |
|
2,724 |
|
|
1,517 |
|
|
1,207 |
|
Smart Home Monitoring |
|
|
|
Net losses |
|
(1 |
) |
|
(5 |
) |
|
4 |
|
Total Smart Home Monitoring subscribers 2 |
|
88 |
|
|
96 |
|
|
(8 |
) |
Home Phone |
|
|
|
Net losses |
|
(35 |
) |
|
(13 |
) |
|
(22 |
) |
Total Home Phone subscribers 2 |
|
1,594 |
|
|
823 |
|
|
771 |
|
1 Subscriber results are key performance indicators. See
"Key Performance Indicators".2 As at end of period.3 ARPA
is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other
Financial Measures" in our Q1 2024 MD&A for more information
about this measure, available at www.sedarplus.ca
Service revenue The 94% increase
in service revenue this quarter was a result of:
- revenue related to our acquisition
of Shaw, which contributed approximately $1 billion for the
quarter; partially offset by
- continued increased competitive
promotional activity; and
- declines in our Home Phone, Smart
Home Monitoring, and Satellite subscriber bases.
The higher ARPA this quarter was primarily a
result of the acquisition of Shaw.
Operating costs The 87% increase
in operating costs this quarter was primarily a result of:
- our acquisition of Shaw, partially
offset by the realization of cost synergies associated with
integration activities; and
- investments in customer
service.
Adjusted EBITDA The 97% increase
in adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the service revenue
and expense changes discussed above.
MEDIA
Media Financial Results
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except margins) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
479 |
|
505 |
|
(5 |
) |
Operating costs |
582 |
|
543 |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
(103 |
) |
(38 |
) |
171 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
(21.5 |
)% |
(7.5 |
)% |
(14.0 pts |
) |
Capital expenditures |
120 |
|
61 |
|
97 |
|
RevenueThe 5% decrease in revenue
this quarter was a result of:
- lower subscriber revenue due to the
negotiation of certain content rates in the prior year; and
- lower Today's Shopping Choice
revenue; partially offset by
- higher advertising revenue.
Operating costsThe 7% increase in
operating costs this quarter was a result of:
- higher programming and production
costs as a result of the timing of broadcasts; and
- higher Toronto Blue Jays expenses,
including players payroll as a result of the timing of games
played; partially offset by
- lower Today's Shopping Choice costs in
line with lower revenue.
Adjusted EBITDAThe decrease in
adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the revenue and
expense changes discussed above.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except capital intensity) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
404 |
|
452 |
|
(11 |
) |
Cable |
480 |
|
319 |
|
50 |
|
Media |
120 |
|
61 |
|
97 |
|
Corporate |
54 |
|
60 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures 1 |
1,058 |
|
892 |
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital intensity 2 |
21.6 |
% |
23.3 |
% |
(1.7 pts |
) |
1 Includes additions to property, plant and
equipment net of proceeds on disposition, but does not include
expenditures for spectrum licences, additions to right-of-use
assets, or assets acquired through business
combinations.2 Capital intensity is a supplementary financial
measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2024
MD&A for more information about this measure, available at
www.sedarplus.ca.
One of our objectives is to build the biggest
and best networks in the country. As we continually work towards
this, we once again plan to spend more on our wireless and wireline
networks this year than we have in the past several years. We
continue to roll out our 5G network (the largest 5G network in
Canada as at March 31, 2024) across the country, as we work toward
our commitment to expand coverage across Western Canada. We also
continue to invest in fibre deployments, including
fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), in our cable network and we are expanding
our network footprint to reach more homes and businesses, including
in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
These investments will strengthen network
resilience and stability and will help us bridge the digital divide
by expanding our network further into rural and underserved areas
through participation in various programs and projects.
WirelessThe decrease in capital
expenditures in Wireless this quarter was due to the timing of
investments. We continue to make investments in our network
development and 5G deployment to expand our wireless network. The
ongoing deployment of 3500 MHz spectrum continues to augment the
capacity and resilience of our earlier 5G deployments in the 600
MHz spectrum band.
CableThe increase in capital
expenditures in Cable this quarter reflects our acquisition of Shaw
and continued investments in our infrastructure, including
additional fibre deployments to increase our FTTH distribution.
These investments incorporate the latest technologies to help
deliver more bandwidth and an enhanced customer experience as we
progress in our connected home roadmap, including service footprint
expansion and upgrades to our DOCSIS 3.1 platform to evolve to
DOCSIS 4.0, offering increased network resilience, stability, and
faster download speeds over time.
MediaThe
increase in capital expenditures in Media this quarter was
primarily a result of higher Toronto Blue Jays stadium
infrastructure-related expenditures associated with the second
phase of the Rogers Centre modernization project.
Capital intensity Capital
intensity decreased in the quarter as the increase in capital
expenditure investments, as noted above, was partially offset by
higher revenue.
Review of Consolidated
Performance
This section discusses our consolidated net
income and other income and expenses that do not form part of the
segment discussions above.
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
2,214 |
1,651 |
|
34 |
|
Deduct (add): |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
1,149 |
631 |
|
82 |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other |
142 |
55 |
|
158 |
|
Finance costs |
580 |
296 |
|
96 |
|
Other expense (income) |
8 |
(27 |
) |
n/m |
|
Income tax expense |
79 |
185 |
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
256 |
511 |
|
(50 |
) |
n/m - not meaningful
Depreciation and amortization
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
906 |
557 |
63 |
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
110 |
68 |
62 |
Amortization |
133 |
6 |
n/m |
|
|
|
|
Total depreciation and amortization |
1,149 |
631 |
82 |
Total depreciation and amortization increased
this quarter, primarily as a result of the property, plant and
equipment, right-of-use assets, and customer relationship
intangible assets acquired through the Shaw Transaction.
Restructuring, acquisition and
other
|
Three months ended March 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
Restructuring and other |
112 |
22 |
Shaw Transaction-related costs |
30 |
33 |
|
|
|
Total restructuring, acquisition and other |
142 |
55 |
The Shaw Transaction-related costs in 2023 and
2024 consisted of incremental costs supporting acquisition (in
2023) and integration activities (in 2023 and 2024) related to the
Shaw Transaction.
The restructuring and other costs in 2023 and
2024 were primarily severance and other departure-related costs
associated with the targeted restructuring of our employee base,
which also included costs associated with a voluntary departure
program in 2024. These costs also included costs related to real
estate rationalization programs.
Finance costs
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest on borrowings 1 |
508 |
|
393 |
|
29 |
|
Interest earned on restricted cash and cash equivalents |
— |
|
(146 |
) |
(100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Interest on borrowings, net |
508 |
|
247 |
|
106 |
|
Interest on lease liabilities |
35 |
|
23 |
|
52 |
|
Interest on post-employment benefits |
(2 |
) |
(2 |
) |
— |
|
Loss on foreign exchange |
109 |
|
14 |
|
n/m |
|
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
(98 |
) |
(11 |
) |
n/m |
|
Capitalized interest |
(12 |
) |
(8 |
) |
50 |
|
Deferred transaction costs and other |
40 |
|
33 |
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total finance costs |
580 |
|
296 |
|
96 |
|
1 Interest on borrowings includes interest
on short-term borrowings and on long-term debt.
Interest on borrowings, netThe 106% increase in
net interest on borrowings this quarter was primarily a result
of:
- a reduction in interest earned on
restricted cash and cash equivalents, as we used these funds to
partially fund the Shaw Transaction on April 3, 2023;
- interest expense associated with
senior notes issued in September 2023 and February 2024;
- interest expense associated with
the borrowings under the term loan facility used to partially fund
the Shaw Transaction; and
- interest expense associated with
the long-term debt assumed through the Shaw Transaction; partially
offset by
- the repayment at maturity of senior
notes in March 2023, October 2023, November 2023, January 2024, and
March 2024 at different underlying interest rates.
Income tax expense
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except tax rates) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Statutory income tax rate |
26.2 |
% |
26.5 |
% |
Income before income tax expense |
335 |
|
696 |
|
Computed income tax expense |
88 |
|
184 |
|
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from: |
|
|
Non-(taxable) deductible stock-based compensation |
(6 |
) |
6 |
|
Non-taxable portion of equity income |
— |
|
(4 |
) |
Non-taxable income from security investments |
— |
|
(3 |
) |
Other items |
(3 |
) |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Total income tax expense |
79 |
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
Effective income tax rate |
23.6 |
% |
26.6 |
% |
Cash income taxes paid |
74 |
|
150 |
|
Cash income taxes paid decreased this quarter
due to the timing of installment payments. The decrease in our
statutory income tax rate this quarter was a result of a greater
portion of our income being earned in provinces with lower income
tax rates.
Net income
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
256 |
|
511 |
(50 |
) |
Basic earnings per share |
$0.48 |
$1.01 |
(52 |
) |
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.46 |
$1.00 |
(54 |
) |
Adjusted net incomeWe calculate
adjusted net income from adjusted EBITDA as follows:
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Chg |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
2,214 |
|
1,651 |
|
34 |
|
Deduct: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization 1 |
|
907 |
|
631 |
|
44 |
|
Finance costs |
|
580 |
|
296 |
|
96 |
|
Other income (expense) |
|
8 |
|
(27 |
) |
n/m |
|
Income tax expense 2 |
|
179 |
|
198 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income 1 |
|
540 |
|
553 |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted basic earnings per share |
$1.02 |
$1.10 |
|
(7 |
) |
Adjusted diluted earnings per share |
$0.99 |
$1.09 |
|
(9 |
) |
1 Our calculation of adjusted net income
excludes depreciation and amortization on the fair value increment
recognized on acquisition of Shaw Transaction-related property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets. For purposes of
calculating adjusted net income, we believe the magnitude of this
depreciation and amortization, which is significantly affected by
the size of the Shaw Transaction, affects comparability between
periods and the additional expense recognized may have no
correlation to our current and ongoing operating results.
Depreciation and amortization excludes depreciation and
amortization on Shaw Transaction-related property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets for the three months ended
March 31, 2024 of $242 million (2023 - nil). Adjusted net
income includes depreciation and amortization on the acquired Shaw
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets based on Shaw's
historical cost and depreciation policies.2 Income tax expense
excludes recoveries of $100 million (2023 - recoveries of $13
million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 related to
the income tax impact for adjusted items.
Key Performance Indicators
We measure the success of our strategy using a
number of key performance indicators that are defined and discussed
in our 2023 Annual MD&A and this earnings release. We believe
these key performance indicators allow us to appropriately measure
our performance against our operating strategy and against the
results of our peers and competitors. The following key performance
indicators, some of which are supplementary financial measures (see
"Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures"), are not measurements in
accordance with IFRS. They include:
- subscriber counts;
- Wireless;
- Cable; and
- homes passed (Cable);
- Wireless subscriber churn
(churn);
- Wireless mobile phone average
revenue per user(ARPU);
|
- Cable average revenue per account
(ARPA);
- Cable customer relationships;
- Cable market penetration
(penetration);
- capital intensity; and
- total service revenue.
|
Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures
Reconciliation of adjusted
EBITDA
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
256 |
511 |
|
Add: |
|
|
Income tax expense |
79 |
185 |
|
Finance costs |
580 |
296 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
1,149 |
631 |
|
EBITDA |
2,064 |
1,623 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
Other expense (income) |
8 |
(27 |
) |
Restructuring, acquisition and other |
142 |
55 |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
2,214 |
1,651 |
|
Reconciliation of pro forma trailing
12-month adjusted EBITDA
|
As at December 31 |
(In millions of dollars) |
2023 |
|
|
Trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA - 12 months ended December 31,
2023 |
8,581 |
Add (deduct): |
|
Acquired Shaw business adjusted EBITDA - January 2023 to March
2023 |
514 |
|
|
Pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA |
9,095 |
Reconciliation of adjusted net
income
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
256 |
|
511 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other |
142 |
|
55 |
|
Depreciation and amortization on fair value increment of Shaw
Transaction-related assets |
242 |
|
— |
|
Income tax impact of above items |
(100 |
) |
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
Adjusted net income |
540 |
|
553 |
|
Reconciliation of free cash
flow
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
(In millions of dollars) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
1,180 |
|
453 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(1,058 |
) |
(892 |
) |
Interest on borrowings, net and capitalized interest |
(496 |
) |
(239 |
) |
Interest paid, net |
555 |
|
323 |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other |
142 |
|
55 |
|
Program rights amortization |
(16 |
) |
(18 |
) |
Change in net operating assets and liabilities |
289 |
|
704 |
|
Other adjustments 1 |
(10 |
) |
(16 |
) |
|
|
|
Free cash flow |
586 |
|
370 |
|
1 Consists of post-employment benefit
contributions, net of expense, cash flows relating to other
operating activities, and other investment income from our
financial statements.
Rogers Communications
Inc.Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Income(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share
amounts, unaudited)
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
4,901 |
|
3,835 |
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
Operating costs |
|
2,687 |
|
2,184 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
1,149 |
|
631 |
|
Restructuring, acquisition and other |
|
142 |
|
55 |
|
Finance costs |
|
580 |
|
296 |
|
Other expense (income) |
|
8 |
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
Income before income tax
expense |
|
335 |
|
696 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
79 |
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
|
256 |
|
511 |
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share: |
|
|
Basic |
$0.48 |
$1.01 |
|
Diluted |
$0.46 |
$1.00 |
|
Rogers Communications
Inc.Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position(In millions of Canadian dollars,
unaudited)
|
As atMarch 31 |
As atDecember 31 |
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
764 |
800 |
Accounts receivable |
4,810 |
4,996 |
Inventories |
506 |
456 |
Current portion of contract assets |
170 |
163 |
Other current assets |
1,121 |
1,202 |
Current portion of derivative instruments |
99 |
80 |
Assets held for sale |
137 |
137 |
Total current assets |
7,607 |
7,834 |
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment |
24,530 |
24,332 |
Intangible assets |
17,768 |
17,896 |
Investments |
603 |
598 |
Derivative instruments |
794 |
571 |
Financing receivables |
1,075 |
1,101 |
Other long-term assets |
759 |
670 |
Goodwill |
16,280 |
16,280 |
|
|
|
Total assets |
69,416 |
69,282 |
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders'
equity |
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
Short-term borrowings |
3,066 |
1,750 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
3,780 |
4,221 |
Other current liabilities |
351 |
434 |
Contract liabilities |
845 |
773 |
Current portion of long-term debt |
1,355 |
1,100 |
Current portion of lease liabilities |
531 |
504 |
Total current liabilities |
9,928 |
8,782 |
|
|
|
Provisions |
62 |
54 |
Long-term debt |
38,965 |
39,755 |
Lease liabilities |
2,136 |
2,089 |
Other long-term liabilities |
1,378 |
1,783 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
6,338 |
6,379 |
Total liabilities |
58,807 |
58,842 |
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity |
10,609 |
10,440 |
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
69,416 |
69,282 |
Rogers Communications
Inc.Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows(In millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)
|
Three months ended March 31 |
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
Net income for the period |
256 |
|
511 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities: |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
1,149 |
|
631 |
|
Program rights amortization |
16 |
|
18 |
|
Finance costs |
580 |
|
296 |
|
Income tax expense |
79 |
|
185 |
|
Post-employment benefits contributions, net of expense |
15 |
|
(2 |
) |
Income from associates and joint ventures |
(1 |
) |
(14 |
) |
Other |
4 |
|
5 |
|
Cash provided by operating activities before changes in net
operating assets and liabilities, income taxes paid, and interest
paid |
2,098 |
|
1,630 |
|
Change in net operating assets and liabilities |
(289 |
) |
(704 |
) |
Income taxes paid |
(74 |
) |
(150 |
) |
Interest paid |
(555 |
) |
(323 |
) |
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
1,180 |
|
453 |
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(1,058 |
) |
(892 |
) |
Additions to program rights |
(13 |
) |
(25 |
) |
Changes in non-cash working capital related to capital expenditures
and intangible assets |
87 |
|
(38 |
) |
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions, net of cash
acquired |
(95 |
) |
— |
|
Other |
13 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(1,066 |
) |
(946 |
) |
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
Net proceeds received from short-term borrowings |
1,304 |
|
1,342 |
|
Net repayment of long-term debt |
(1,108 |
) |
(388 |
) |
Net (payments) proceeds on settlement of debt derivatives and
forward contracts |
(2 |
) |
227 |
|
Transaction costs incurred |
(42 |
) |
(264 |
) |
Principal payments of lease liabilities |
(112 |
) |
(81 |
) |
Dividends paid |
(190 |
) |
(253 |
) |
|
|
|
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(150 |
) |
583 |
|
|
|
|
Change in cash and cash
equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents |
(36 |
) |
90 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period |
800 |
|
13,300 |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents,
end of period |
764 |
|
13,390 |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
764 |
|
553 |
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
— |
|
12,837 |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents,
end of period |
764 |
|
13,390 |
|
About Forward-Looking
Information
This earnings release includes "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking
information"), and assumptions about, among other things, our
business, operations, and financial performance and condition
approved by our 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
- typically includes words like
could, expect, may, anticipate, assume, believe, intend, estimate,
plan, project, guidance, outlook, target, and similar
expressions;
- includes conclusions, forecasts,
and projections that are based on our current objectives and
strategies and on estimates, expectations, assumptions, and other
factors that we believe to have been reasonable at the time they
were applied but may prove to be incorrect; and
- was approved by our management on
the date of this earnings release.
Our forward-looking information includes
forecasts and projections related to the following items, among
others:
- revenue;
- total service revenue;
- adjusted EBITDA;
- capital expenditures;
- cash income tax payments;
- free cash flow;
- dividend payments;
- the growth of new products and
services;
- expected growth in subscribers and the
services to which they subscribe;
|
- the cost of acquiring and retaining
subscribers and deployment of new services;
- continued cost reductions and
efficiency improvements;
- our debt leverage ratio;
- the benefits expected to result from
the Shaw Transaction, including corporate, operational, scale, and
other synergies, and their anticipated timing; and
- all other statements that are not
historical facts.
|
Our conclusions, forecasts, and projections are
based on a number of estimates, expectations, assumptions, and
other factors, including, among others:
- general economic and industry
conditions, including the effects of inflation;
- currency exchange rates and
interest rates;
- product pricing levels and
competitive intensity;
- subscriber growth;
- pricing, usage, and churn
rates;
- changes in government
regulation;
|
- technology and network
deployment;
- availability of devices;
- timing of new product
launches;
- content and equipment costs;
- the integration of acquisitions;
and
- industry structure and
stability.
|
Except as otherwise indicated, this earnings
release and our forward-looking information 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 on which 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 as a result of risks, uncertainties, and other factors,
many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited
to:
- regulatory changes;
- technological changes;
- economic, geopolitical, and other
conditions affecting commercial activity;
- unanticipated changes in content or
equipment costs;
- changing conditions in the
entertainment, information, and communications industries;
- sports-related work stoppages or
cancellations and labour disputes;
- the integration of acquisitions;
- litigation and tax matters;
- the level of competitive
intensity;
|
- the emergence of new
opportunities;
- external threats, such as epidemics,
pandemics, and other public health crises, natural disasters, the
effects of climate change, or cyberattacks, among others;
- anticipated asset sales may not be
achieved within the expected timeframes or at all for proceeds in
the amount or type expected;
- new interpretations and new accounting
standards from accounting standards bodies; and
- the other risks outlined in "Risks and
Uncertainties Affecting our Business" in our 2023 Annual
MD&A.
|
These factors can also affect our objectives,
strategies, and intentions. Many of these factors are beyond our
control or our current expectations or knowledge. 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 making an investment
decision
Before making any investment decisions and for a
detailed discussion of the risks, uncertainties, and environment
associated with our business, its operations, and its financial
performance and condition, fully review the sections in our 2023
Annual MD&A entitled "Regulation in our Industry" and "Risk
Management", as well as our various other filings with Canadian and
US securities regulators, which can be found at sedarplus.ca and
sec.gov, respectively. Information on or connected to sedarplus.ca,
sec.gov, our website, or any other website referenced in this
document is not part of or incorporated into this earnings
release.
About Rogers
Rogers is Canada's leading wireless, cable and
media company that provides connectivity and entertainment to
Canadian consumers and businesses across the country. Our shares
are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and
RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
Investment community contact |
Media contact |
|
|
Paul Carpino |
Sarah Schmidt |
647.435.6470 |
647.643.6397 |
paul.carpino@rci.rogers.com |
sarah.schmidt@rci.rogers.com |
Quarterly Investment Community
Teleconference
Our first quarter 2024 results teleconference
with the investment community will be held on:
- April 24, 2024
- 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
- webcast available at
investors.rogers.com
- media are welcome to participate on
a listen-only basis
A rebroadcast will be available at
investors.rogers.com 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
investors.rogers.com.
For More Information
You can find more information relating to us on
our website (investors.rogers.com), on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca), and
on EDGAR (sec.gov), or you can e-mail us at
investor.relations@rci.rogers.com. Information on or connected to
these and any other websites referenced in this earnings release is
not part of, or incorporated into, this earnings release.
You can also go to investors.rogers.com for
information about our governance practices, environmental, social,
and governance (ESG) reporting, a glossary of communications and
media industry terms, and additional information about our
business.
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