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Cogeco Communications Releases its Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024

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New operating model focused on customer experience and operational excellence to power future growth.Expanded our customer value proposition with Breezeline Mobile launched across most of Breezeline’s U.S. broadband footprint.Revenue increased by 1.2% compared to the same period last year to $750.6 million, reflecting revenue growth at Cogeco Connexion and stable revenue at Breezeline, in line with expectations.Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $365.8 million increased by 4.1% over last year.Profit for the period amounted to $76.3 million, a decrease of 24.8%, of which $70.4 million was attributable to owners of the Corporation, reflecting restructuring costs recognized during the quarter. Excluding the impact of restructuring and certain other costs, adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation(1)(3) remained stable.Earnings per share on a diluted basis decreased to $1.67 from $2.16 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023, while adjusted diluted earnings per share(1)(3) rose by 4.7% to $2.45, which excludes the impact of restructuring and certain other costs.Free cash flow(1) amounted to $87.3 million, a decrease of 16.4% compared to last year reflecting restructuring costs recognized during the quarter, while cash flow from operating activities increased by 17.3% to $333.6 million due to the timing of certain working capital items. Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects(1) decreased by 18.0% to $111.7 million.Cogeco Communications maintains its fiscal 2024 financial guidelines.A quarterly dividend of $0.854 per share was declared, representing a 10.1% increase over the prior year.

Montréal, July 11, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA) (“Cogeco Communications” or the “Corporation”) announced its financial results for the third quarter ended May 31, 2024.

“We demonstrated solid performance again in the third quarter of 2024, with revenue growth and healthy expansion of our adjusted EBITDA margin due to an improving product mix, combined with an acceleration of our efforts to drive operational efficiency,” said Frédéric Perron, President and CEO. “In the third quarter, we implemented the initial steps of a new operating model designed to deliver future growth and increase our focus on customer experience and operational excellence.

“Growth in our Canadian telecommunications business was driven by the ongoing expansion of our Internet subscriber base under our Cogeco Connexion and oxio brands. We continue to be impressed by oxio’s performance and its robust adoption by consumers and are cascading our learnings from this digital brand across our organization.

“In the U.S., we rolled out Breezeline Mobile across most of our footprint, which will provide an even stronger incentive for new and existing customers to bundle their digital services with us. In addition, our Internet-first strategy and persistent endeavors to drive operational efficiency helped deliver adjusted EBITDA growth over last year.

“Lastly, the new operating model and transformation we began during the quarter will allow us to sustain our growth, take our competitive agility to new heights, better serve our customers, and continue to build a strong culture where our colleagues thrive and succeed. We expect it to result in significant value creation for Cogeco over the coming years as the benefits of the transformation are realized.”

Consolidated Financial Highlights

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

Change in

constant

currency

(1)

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except % and per share data) (unaudited)

$

$

%

%

Revenue

750,583

741,785

1.2

0.9

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

365,824

351,328

4.1

3.9

Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)

48.7 %

47.4 %

Profit for the period

76,334

101,538

(24.8)

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation

70,402

95,892

(26.6)

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation (1)(3)

103,597

103,826

(0.2)

Cash flows from operating activities

333,626

284,377

17.3

Free cash flow (1)

87,300

104,422

(16.4)

(16.3)

Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects (1)

111,733

136,253

(18.0)

(18.0)

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

171,034

189,656

(9.8)

Net capital expenditures (1)(2)

168,384

169,793

(0.8)

(1.2)

Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects (1)

143,951

137,962

4.3

3.9

Capital intensity (1)

22.4 %

22.9 %

Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects (1)

19.2 %

18.6 %

Diluted earnings per share

1.67

2.16

(22.7)

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)(3)

2.45

2.34

4.7

Operating results

For the third quarter of fiscal 2024 ended on May 31, 2024:

Revenue increased by 1.2% to $750.6 million. On a constant currency basis(1), revenue increased by 0.9% driven by revenue growth in the Canadian telecommunications segment, while revenue remained stable in the American telecommunications segment, as explained below.Canadian telecommunications’ revenue increased by 2.2%, mostly driven by the cumulative effect of high-speed Internet service additions over the past year as well as the Niagara Regional Broadband Network acquisition (“NRBN”) completed on February 5, 2024.American telecommunications’ revenue remained stable as reported and in constant currency, mainly resulting from a higher revenue per subscriber and a better product mix resulting from customers subscribing to increasingly fast Internet speeds, offset by lower video subscriptions and a lower Internet subscriber base over the past year, with an increasing proportion of customers only subscribing to Internet services.Adjusted EBITDA increased by 4.1% to $365.8 million. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.9%, mainly due to higher adjusted EBITDA in both the American and Canadian telecommunications segments, as explained below, and lower corporate costs primarily due to the timing of certain operating expenses.American telecommunications adjusted EBITDA increased by 4.5%, or 3.9% in constant currency, mostly due to lower operating expenses driven by cost reduction initiatives and operating efficiencies.Canadian telecommunications adjusted EBITDA increased by 2.9%, mainly due to revenue growth, partly offset by higher sales and other operating expenses to drive subscriber growth.Profit for the period amounted to $76.3 million, of which $70.4 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, was attributable to owners of the Corporation compared to $101.5 million, $95.9 million, and $2.16 per diluted share, respectively, in the comparable period of fiscal 2023. The decreases in profit for the period and profit attributable to owners of the Corporation resulted mainly from higher restructuring costs and depreciation and amortization expense, partly offset by higher adjusted EBITDA and lower income tax expense.Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation(3) was $103.6 million, or $2.45 per diluted share(3), compared to $103.8 million, or $2.34 per diluted share, last year. While adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation remains stable, the increase of adjusted diluted earnings per share over last year reflects the benefit of the Corporation’s repurchase and cancellation of shares.Net capital expenditures were $168.4 million, a decrease of 0.8% compared to $169.8 million in the same period of the prior year. In constant currency, net capital expenditures(1) were $167.8 million, a decrease of 1.2% compared to last year, mainly due to lower spending in the American telecommunications segment as expected due to the timing of network expansion projects, partly offset by higher purchases of customer premise equipment and other capital spending related to fibre-to-the-home network expansions in the Canadian telecommunications segment.Excluding network expansion projects, net capital expenditures were $144.0 million, an increase of 4.3% compared to $138.0 million in the same period of the prior year. In constant currency, net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects(1) were $143.4 million, an increase of 3.9% compared to last year.Fibre-to-the-home network expansion projects continued in both Canada and the United States, with homes passed additions close to 44,000(4) during the first nine months of fiscal 2024.Capital intensity was 22.4% compared to 22.9% last year. Excluding network expansion projects, capital intensity was 19.2% compared to 18.6% in the same period of the prior year.Acquisition of property, plant and equipment decreased by 9.8% to $171.0 million, mainly resulting from lower spending.Free cash flow decreased by 16.4%, or 16.3% in constant currency, and amounted to $87.3 million as reported and in constant currency, mainly due to higher restructuring costs. Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects decreased by 18.0% as reported and in constant currency, and amounted to $111.7 million.Cash flows from operating activities increased by 17.3% to $333.6 million, mostly due to the timing of payments of trade and other payables and the collection of trade accounts receivable, lower income taxes paid and higher adjusted EBITDA.Cogeco Communications maintains its fiscal 2024 financial guidelines as issued on November 1, 2023.At its July 11, 2024 meeting, the Board of Directors of Cogeco Communications declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.854 per share, an increase of 10.1% compared to $0.776 per share in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2023.

__________________________________

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA and net capital expenditures are total of segments measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin and capital intensity are supplementary financial measures. Constant currency basis, adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation, net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects, free cash flow and free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects are non-IFRS financial measures. Change in constant currency, capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-IFRS ratios. These indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more information on these financial measures, please consult the “Non-IFRS and other financial measures” section of this press release.

(2)

Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance.

(3)

Excludes the impact of acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs, net of tax and non-controlling interest.

(4)

Organic growth calculated by excluding additions resulting from acquisitions.

Financial highlights  

Three and nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

Change in

constant

currency

(1)
(2)

2024

2023

Change

Change in

constant

currency

(1)
(2)

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except % and per share data)

$

$

%

%

$

$

%

%

Operations

Revenue

750,583

741,785

1.2

0.9

2,228,773

2,240,731

(0.5)

(0.8)

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

365,824

351,328

4.1

3.9

1,071,896

1,069,766

0.2

Adjusted EBITDA margin (2)

48.7 %

47.4 %

48.1 %

47.7 %

Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs (3)

45,669

11,368

49,170

20,997

Profit for the period

76,334

101,538

(24.8)

268,648

326,175

(17.6)

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation

70,402

95,892

(26.6)

253,576

305,774

(17.1)

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation (2)(4)

103,597

103,826

(0.2)

301,377

320,785

(6.1)

Cash flow

Cash flows from operating activities

333,626

284,377

17.3

856,042

681,579

25.6

Free cash flow (2)

87,300

104,422

(16.4)

(16.3)

325,048

327,489

(0.7)

(0.9)

Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects (2)

111,733

136,253

(18.0)

(18.0)

405,531

467,396

(13.2)

(13.4)

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

171,034

189,656

(9.8)

504,830

597,260

(15.5)

Net capital expenditures (2)(5)

168,384

169,793

(0.8)

(1.2)

485,580

522,889

(7.1)

(7.3)

Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects (2)

143,951

137,962

4.3

3.9

405,097

382,982

5.8

5.5

Capital intensity (2)

22.4 %

22.9 %

21.8 %

23.3 %

Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects (2)

19.2 %

18.6 %

18.2 %

17.1 %

Per share data (6)

Earnings per share

Basic

1.68

2.17

(22.6)

5.91

6.83

(13.5)

Diluted

1.67

2.16

(22.7)

5.89

6.80

(13.4)

Adjusted diluted (2)(4)

2.45

2.34

4.7

7.00

7.13

(1.8)

Dividends per share

0.854

0.776

10.1

2.562

2.328

10.1

(1)

Key performance indicators presented on a constant currency basis are obtained by translating financial results from the current period denominated in US dollars at the foreign exchange rate of the comparable period of the prior year. For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2023, the average foreign exchange rates used for translation were 1.3562 USD/CDN and 1.3513 USD/CDN, respectively.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA and net capital expenditures are total of segments measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin and capital intensity are supplementary financial measures. Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation, free cash flow, free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects and net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects are non-IFRS financial measures. Change in constant currency, capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-IFRS ratios. These indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more information on these financial measures, please consult the “Non-IFRS and other financial measures” section of this press release.

(3)

For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2024, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs were mostly related to restructuring costs recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2024. For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2023, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs resulted mostly from costs related to the integration of past acquisitions and from a $3.3 million retroactive adjustment recognized during the third quarter, in addition to a $5.1 million adjustment recognized during the second quarter following the Copyright Board preliminary conclusions on the redetermination of the 2014-2018 royalty rates, of which $4.2 million was reversed during the second quarter of fiscal 2024 following the Copyright Board decision issued in January 2024.

(4)

Excludes the impact of acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs, and gains/losses on debt modification and/or extinguishment, net of tax and non-controlling interest.

(5)

Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance.

(6)

Per multiple and subordinate voting share.

 

As at

May 31, 2024

August 31, 2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

$

$

Financial condition

Cash and cash equivalents

54,271

362,921

Total assets

9,778,333

9,768,370

Long-term debt

Current

72,108

41,765

Non-current

4,874,315

4,979,241

Net indebtedness (1)

4,967,156

4,749,214

Equity attributable to owners of the Corporation

2,976,075

2,957,797

(1)

Net indebtedness is a capital management measure. For more information on this financial measure, please consult the “Non-IFRS and other financial measures” section of the Corporation’s MD&A for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to Cogeco Communications Inc.’s (“Cogeco Communications” or the “Corporation”) future outlook and anticipated events, business, operations, financial performance, financial condition or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as “may”; “will”; “should”; “expect”; “plan”; “anticipate”; “believe”; “intend”; “estimate”; “predict”; “potential”; “continue”; “foresee”, “ensure” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Particularly, statements relating to the Corporation’s financial guidelines, future operating results and economic performance, objectives and strategies are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results of operations, purchase price allocation, tax rates, weighted average cost of capital, performance and business prospects and opportunities, which Cogeco Communications believes are reasonable as of the current date. Refer in particular to the “Corporate objectives and strategies” section of the Corporation’s 2023 annual MD&A and of the fiscal 2024 third-quarter MD&A, and the “Fiscal 2024 financial guidelines” section of the Corporation’s 2023 annual MD&A for a discussion of certain key economic, market and operational assumptions we have made in preparing forward-looking statements. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Corporation, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what Cogeco Communications currently expects. These factors include risks such as general market conditions, competitive risks (including changing competitive ecosystems and disruptive competitive strategies adopted by our competitors), business risks, regulatory risks, technology risks (including cybersecurity), financial risks (including variations in currency and interest rates), economic conditions (including inflation pressuring revenue, reduced consumer spending and increasing costs), talent management risks (including highly competitive market for limited pool of digitally skilled employees), human-caused and natural threats to the Corporation’s network (including increased frequency of extreme weather events with the potential to disrupt operations), infrastructure and systems, community acceptance risks, ethical behavior risks, ownership risks, litigation risks and public health and safety, many of which are beyond the Corporation’s control. For more exhaustive information on these risks and uncertainties, the reader should refer to the “Uncertainties and main risk factors” section of the Corporation’s 2023 annual MD&A and of the fiscal 2024 third-quarter MD&A. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Cogeco Communications and future events and results may vary significantly from what management currently foresees. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information contained in this press release and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Cogeco Communications’ expectations as of the date of this press release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. While management may elect to do so, the Corporation is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) and does not undertake to update or alter this information at any particular time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s MD&A for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2024, the Corporation’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the same periods prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Report.

Non-IFRS and other financial measures

This press release includes references to non-IFRS and other financial measures used by Cogeco Communications. These financial measures are reviewed in assessing the performance of Cogeco Communications and used in the decision-making process with regard to its business units.

Reconciliations between non-IFRS and other financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures are provided below. Certain additional disclosures for non-IFRS and other financial measures used in this press release have been incorporated by reference and can be found in the “Non-IFRS and other financial measures” section of the Corporation’s MD&A for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The following non-IFRS financial measures are used as a component of Cogeco Communications’ non-IFRS ratios.

Specified non-IFRS financial measures

Used in the component of the following non-IFRS ratios

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Constant currency basis

Change in constant currency

Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects

Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects

Financial measures presented on a constant currency basis for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2024 are translated at the average foreign exchange rate of the comparable periods of the prior year, which were 1.3562 USD/CDN and 1.3513 USD/CDN, respectively.

Constant currency basis and foreign exchange impact reconciliation

Consolidated

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

750,583

(1,802)

748,781

741,785

1.2

0.9

Operating expenses

379,521

(934)

378,587

386,373

(1.8)

(2.0)

Management fees – Cogeco Inc.

5,238

5,238

4,084

28.3

28.3

Adjusted EBITDA

365,824

(868)

364,956

351,328

4.1

3.9

Free cash flow

87,300

50

87,350

104,422

(16.4)

(16.3)

Net capital expenditures

168,384

(622)

167,762

169,793

(0.8)

(1.2)

 

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

 exchange

 impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

2,228,773

(5,293)

2,223,480

2,240,731

(0.5)

(0.8)

Operating expenses

1,141,163

(2,887)

1,138,276

1,156,081

(1.3)

(1.5)

Management fees – Cogeco Inc.

15,714

15,714

14,884

5.6

5.6

Adjusted EBITDA

1,071,896

(2,406)

1,069,490

1,069,766

0.2

Free cash flow

325,048

(470)

324,578

327,489

(0.7)

(0.9)

Net capital expenditures

485,580

(1,086)

484,494

522,889

(7.1)

(7.3)

Canadian telecommunications segment

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

 impact

In

constant

 currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

381,877

381,877

373,743

2.2

2.2

Operating expenses

180,204

(31)

180,173

177,794

1.4

1.3

Adjusted EBITDA

201,673

31

201,704

195,949

2.9

2.9

Net capital expenditures

91,093

(258)

90,835

84,415

7.9

7.6

 

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

 currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

1,131,804

1,131,804

1,114,161

1.6

1.6

Operating expenses

535,018

(159)

534,859

521,534

2.6

2.6

Adjusted EBITDA

596,786

159

596,945

592,627

0.7

0.7

Net capital expenditures

285,274

(218)

285,056

281,036

1.5

1.4

American telecommunications segment

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

368,706

(1,802)

366,904

368,042

0.2

(0.3)

Operating expenses

190,327

(887)

189,440

197,273

(3.5)

(4.0)

Adjusted EBITDA

178,379

(915)

177,464

170,769

4.5

3.9

Net capital expenditures

72,782

(349)

72,433

82,923

(12.2)

(12.7)

 

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

 impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Revenue

1,096,969

(5,293)

1,091,676

1,126,570

(2.6)

(3.1)

Operating expenses

574,070

(2,716)

571,354

607,237

(5.5)

(5.9)

Adjusted EBITDA

522,899

(2,577)

520,322

519,333

0.7

0.2

Net capital expenditures

191,490

(854)

190,636

236,422

(19.0)

(19.4)

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation

Three months ended May 31

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

2024

2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

$

$

$

$

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation

70,402

95,892

253,576

305,774

Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs

45,669

11,368

49,170

20,997

Loss on debt extinguishment (1)

16,880

Tax impact for the above items

(12,081)

(2,989)

(17,461)

(5,541)

Non-controlling interest impact for the above items

(393)

(445)

(788)

(445)

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation

103,597

103,826

301,377

320,785

(1)

Included within financial expense.

Free cash flow reconciliation

Three months ended May 31

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

2024

2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

$

$

$

$

Cash flows from operating activities

333,626

284,377

856,042

681,579

Changes in other non-cash operating activities

(76,679)

(26,238)

(21,491)

107,797

Income taxes paid (received)

3,918

20,170

(807)

89,648

Current income taxes

(3,177)

(5,944)

(19,594)

(26,359)

Interest paid

62,509

63,335

194,769

174,159

Financial expense

(64,308)

(63,385)

(215,765)

(181,420)

Loss on debt extinguishment (1)

16,880

Amortization of deferred transaction costs and discounts on long-term debt (1)

2,272

3,334

6,953

9,406

Net capital expenditures (2)

(168,384)

(169,793)

(485,580)

(522,889)

Repayment of lease liabilities

(2,477)

(1,434)

(6,359)

(4,432)

Free cash flow

87,300

104,422

325,048

327,489

(1)

Included within financial expense.

(2)

Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance.

Net capital expenditures reconciliation

Three months ended May 31

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

2024

2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

$

$

$

$

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

171,034

189,656

504,830

597,260

Subsidies received in advance recognized as a reduction of the cost of property, plant and equipment during the period

(2,650)

(19,863)

(19,250)

(74,371)

Net capital expenditures

168,384

169,793

485,580

522,889

Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Three months ended May 31

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

2024

2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

$

$

$

$

Profit for the period

76,334

101,538

268,648

326,175

Income taxes

11,199

19,996

47,117

76,642

Financial expense

64,308

63,385

215,765

181,420

Depreciation and amortization

168,314

155,041

491,196

464,532

Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs

45,669

11,368

49,170

20,997

Adjusted EBITDA

365,824

351,328

1,071,896

1,069,766

Net capital expenditures and free cash flow excluding network expansion projects reconciliations 

Net capital expenditures

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Net capital expenditures

168,384

(622)

167,762

169,793

(0.8)

(1.2)

Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects

24,433

(53)

24,380

31,831

(23.2)

(23.4)

Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects

143,951

(569)

143,382

137,962

4.3

3.9

 

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Net capital expenditures

485,580

(1,086)

484,494

522,889

(7.1)

(7.3)

Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects

80,483

(204)

80,279

139,907

(42.5)

(42.6)

Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects

405,097

(882)

404,215

382,982

5.8

5.5

Free cash flow

Three months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Free cash flow

87,300

50

87,350

104,422

(16.4)

(16.3)

Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects

24,433

(53)

24,380

31,831

(23.2)

(23.4)

Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects

111,733

(3)

111,730

136,253

(18.0)

(18.0)

 

Nine months ended May 31

2024

2023

Change

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Actual

Foreign

exchange

impact

In

constant

currency

Actual

Actual

In

constant

currency

$

$

$

$

%

%

Free cash flow

325,048

(470)

324,578

327,489

(0.7)

(0.9)

Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects

80,483

(204)

80,279

139,907

(42.5)

(42.6)

Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects

405,531

(674)

404,857

467,396

(13.2)

(13.4)

Additional information

Additional information relating to the Corporation is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation’s website at corpo.cogeco.com.

About Cogeco Communications Inc.

Rooted in the communities it serves, Cogeco Communications Inc. is a growing competitive force in the North American telecommunications sector, serving 1.6 million residential and business subscribers. Cogeco Communications provides Internet, video and wireline phone services in Canada, and in thirteen states in the United States under the Cogeco Connexion, oxio and Breezeline brand names. Breezeline also offers wireless services in most of the U.S. states in which it operates. Cogeco Communications Inc.’s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).

For information:
Investors 
Troy Crandall
Head, Investor Relations
Cogeco Communications Inc.
Tel.: 514 764-4600
troy.crandall@cogeco.com

Media 
Youann Blouin
Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications
Cogeco Communications Inc.
Tel.: 514 297-2853
youann.blouin@cogeco.com

Conference Call:

Friday, July 12th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)

A live audio of the analyst conference call will be available on both the Investor Relations and the Events and Presentations pages on Cogeco Communications’ website. Financial analysts will be able to access the live conference call and ask questions. Media representatives may attend as listeners only. A recording of the conference call will be available on Cogeco Communications’ website for a three-month period.

Please use the following dial-in number to access the conference call 10 minutes before the start of the conference:

Local – Toronto: 1 289 514-5100

Toll Free – North America: 1 800 717-1738

To join this conference call, participants are required to provide the operator with the name of the company hosting the call, that is, Cogeco Inc. or Cogeco Communications Inc.

SOURCE Cogeco Communications Inc.

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VERNAL CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP. ANNOUNCES PRICING OF $100 MILLION INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

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NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vernal Capital Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: VECA) (“Vernal”) announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 10,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under “VECAU” beginning May 6, 2026. Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one right to receive one-fourth of one ordinary share upon consummation of an initial business combination. Upon separate trading, the ordinary shares and rights are expected to be listed on NYSE under “VECA” and “VECAR,” respectively.

D. Boral Capital LLC is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering. The underwriters have a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional units to cover any over-allotments. The offering is expected to close on May 7, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

A registration statement for these securities was declared effective by the SEC on May 5, 2026. The offering is made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained, from D. Boral Capital LLC, 590 Madison Ave., 39th Floor, New York, New York 10022, by telephone at (212) 970-5150 or by email at dbccapitalmarkets@dboralcapital.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or to buy, nor shall there be any sale where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws.

About Vernal

Vernal is a blank check company formed to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Vernal’s target search will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including statements regarding Vernal’s IPO. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. No assurance can be given that the offering will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, beyond Vernal’s control, including those in the Risk Factors section of Vernal’s registration statement filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Vernal disclaims any obligation to release publicly updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Vernal’s expectations, except as required by law.

Contact

Binghan Yi, CFO
binghan@vernal.com
www.vernalspac.com

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RIVANNA nominated for MedTech Scale-Up of the Year at MedTech World Awards 2026 | North America

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Nomination places the Charlottesville-based company among growth-stage medtech leaders recognized for commercial momentum in AI-powered clinical decision support; public voting is open through May 8

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RIVANNA®, developer of AI-powered clinical decision-support solutions, today announced that it has been nominated for MedTech Scale-Up of the Year at the MedTech World Awards 2026 | North America. Public voting is open through Friday, May 8, 2026, with category winners to be announced at the inaugural North American Awards Gala on May 11, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach in Florida.

The MedTech Scale-Up of the Year category honors a growth-stage company successfully scaling revenues, partnerships, and adoption across the global medical technology ecosystem. Nominees across the program’s 22 categories were selected through a structured process led by the MedTech World Steering Committee, with category winners determined by a combination of expert evaluation and public voting from the global MedTech community.

“We have built RIVANNA on validation earned from the most rigorous technical buyers in healthcare: competitive federal awards translated into FDA-cleared products, each paired with a commercial program that meets clinicians where they work,” said Will Mauldin, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of RIVANNA. “Being nominated for MedTech Scale-Up of the Year is a meaningful affirmation of that approach and the team executing it.”

Public voting closes Friday, May 8, 2026. Members of the MedTech community are invited to support RIVANNA’s nomination at the official voting page: vote here.

The award nomination follows a year of measurable scaling for RIVANNA:

In October 2025, RIVANNA reported on being named a finalist in MedTech Innovator’s 2025 Early-Stage Grand Prize competition, selected from nearly 1,500 global applicants to represent the top 4% of medtech innovations worldwide.In December 2025, RIVANNA reported on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 510(k) clearance of its Accuro® 3S Needle Guide Kit consumables, building on existing Accuro 3S device clearance.In April 2026, RIVANNA reported on peer-reviewed findings, published in 2025 in the Journal of Emergency Medicine (DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2025.11.011), showing that the Accuro® XV musculoskeletal imaging system enables non-physician operators to acquire diagnostic-quality scans after just one hour of hands-on training.In May 2026, RIVANNA reported on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 510(k) clearance of the Accuro® XV Diagnostic Ultrasound System for musculoskeletal imaging, authorizing commercial use across hospital and clinic settings.The company’s clinical program now spans eight sites nationwide with more than 1,500 patients enrolled.

The 2026 MedTech World Awards | North America, powered by Blue Goat Cyber, will be presented Monday, May 11, 2026, at the inaugural North American Awards Gala at the Hilton West Palm Beach, marking the first time the MedTech World Awards have been hosted in the United States.

About the MedTech Scale-Up of the Year Award
Presented by MedTech World, the MedTech Scale-Up of the Year category recognizes growth-stage medical technology companies demonstrating strong commercial momentum, expanding partnerships, and accelerating real-world adoption. The award is one of 22 categories spanning innovation, clinical excellence, regulatory strategy, investment, and leadership across the global MedTech ecosystem.

About RIVANNA
RIVANNA® is a medical technology company developing clinical decision-support solutions powered by proprietary clinical datasets, AI models, and purpose-built imaging hardware. The company’s platform automates complex anatomical analysis at the point of care, enabling faster, more confident clinical decisions while reducing variability and expanding access to advanced capabilities. The first applications target significant market opportunities in regional anesthesia and fracture care. RIVANNA has built a proven FDA regulatory track record across its Accuro® platform, with device clearances for Accuro® 3S (spinal needle guidance) and Accuro® XV (musculoskeletal imaging), a portfolio of supporting cleared consumables, and AI software modules advancing through regulatory review. The company is backed by 100+ patents and validated through clinical partnerships with leading academic medical centers. RIVANNA is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, and operates an FDA-registered, ISO 13485:2016-certified manufacturing facility. Learn more at rivannamedical.com.

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SOURCE RIVANNA

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D2L Launch Week Highlights Latest Product Releases

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Latest innovations are designed to save time, simplify workflows, and help drive better learning outcomes

TORONTO, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – D2L, a global leader in learning innovation, hosted its first-ever D2L Launch Week, a four-day virtual webinar series spotlighting the company’s latest product innovations across D2L Brightspace in 2026.

Throughout the week, D2L showcased a range of product releases through live demos and practical customer use cases, highlighting how institutions, school districts and organizations can help to drive engagement and improve learning outcomes. The featured updates include enhancements to D2L Lumi for idea generation, intervention suggestions, quiz creation and summarization; tools to strengthen parent and guardian outreach; and administrative capabilities designed to help large organizations delegate course and configuration management more effectively.

“We’re proud to showcase the ways D2L continues to innovate to help make learning more personalized, efficient, and scalable,” said Christian Pantel, Chief Product Officer at D2L. “From new D2L Lumi features to enhanced communication tools and more flexible distributed administration capabilities, these updates are designed to help our customers save time, improve usability, and deliver better learning experiences at scale.”

Enhancements to D2L Lumi

Among the new capabilities were several updates to D2L’s AI-native tool, D2L Lumi, designed to improve usability, transparency, and alignment across workflows, including:

D2L Lumi Ideas: Generates assignment and discussion ideas directly within Brightspace, making it easier to generate high quality content aligned to learning outcomes.D2L Lumi Insights: Gives educators access to learning intervention suggestions, designed to provide recommended next steps based on learner data.D2L Lumi Quiz: Helps educators generate questions from multiple course content topics and includes a more streamlined question-generation workflow.D2L Lumi Summary: Supports summarization from more content sources, including nested submodules, and can give educators the ability to preview and adjust source text before summarization.

Updates to Parent and Guardian Communications

D2L also introduced new parent and guardian communication enhancements to help K-12 educators strengthen engagement beyond the classroom. Teachers can now send bulk emails to all parents and guardians associated with students in their class. For individual student outreach, teachers can also email parents and guardians of a specific learner, making it easier to share timely updates on student progress and classroom activity.

Manage Distributed Administration at Scale

Distributed Administration gives organizations more flexibility to delegate administrative responsibilities across organization levels. With Distributed Administration, administrators can manage specific areas, enabling them to oversee courses while helping to reduce bottlenecks and free up time.

Learn more about the latest product releases showcased at D2L Launch Week.

About D2L   
D2L is transforming the way the world learns, helping learners achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with customers all over the world, D2L is on a mission to make learning more inspiring, engaging and human. Find out how D2L helps transform lives and delivers outstanding learning outcomes in K-12, higher education and businesses.

D2L Media Contact
PR@D2L.com
X: @D2L
© 2026 D2L Corporation.

The D2L family of companies includes D2L Inc., D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, D2L India Pvt Ltd, D2L Brasil Soluções de Tecnologia para Educação Ltda and D2L Sistemas de Aprendizaje Innovadores, S. D2 R.L de C.V., and H5P Group AS.

All D2L and H5P marks are owned by the D2L group of companies. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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