TELUS reports strong results for third quarter 2017
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- (TSX: T)(NYSE: TU) - TELUS Corporation
Consolidated revenue and EBITDA growth of 4.0 per cent and 4.4 per cent respectively
152,000 new wireless, Internet and TELUS TV customer additions, up 41 per cent over last year
Strong wireless loading with 124,000 total net additions, including 115,000 high-valued postpaid additions, up 32 per cent over last year
Customers first focus delivering industry-leading wireless postpaid churn of 0.86 per cent
Wireless blended ARPU growth of 3.0 per cent yielding industry-leading lifetime revenue of $6,540, up 16 per cent over last year
Quarterly dividend increase to $0.5050 per share, up 7.1 per cent for the year
TELUS Corporation's consolidated operating revenue increased by 4.0 per cent to $3.4 billion in the third quarter of 2017, over the same quarter a year ago, reflecting an increase in revenue from our growth services, including wireless and wireline data revenues. Revenues from our growth services represented 89 per cent of our consolidated revenues in the third quarter. Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 5.9 per cent to $1.2 billion, while Adjusted EBITDA was up 4.4 per cent due to higher revenue growth and cost savings from ongoing operational efficiency and effectiveness initiatives.
"TELUS reported strong third quarter results as we continue to drive high quality wireless, Internet and TV customer additions, anchored by solid-revenue and EBITDA growth and industry-leading performance for customer service and loyalty," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO. "Further supporting these results is the TELUS team's consistent execution of our longstanding broadband growth strategy, underpinned by the long-term investments we are making in our generational fibre build which is resulting in TELUS networks being consistently recognized as among the fastest and most reliable in the world. In addition to benefitting our customers and the Canadian economy, our capital investments have been instrumental in the success of our wireless and wireline growth strategy, which has now delivered 28 consecutive quarters of wireless ARPU growth and 20 successive quarters of wireline EBITDA growth."
Mr. Entwistle added, "As a result of these investments and the TELUS team's strong and consistent performance, we are increasing our quarterly dividend for the second time in 2017 to $0.5050 per share. This represents the fourteenth time since 2011 that we have raised our dividend, and reflects the continuation of our successful three year annual dividend growth program targeting between seven and 10 per cent growth from 2017 through to 2019. Our track record of delivering on our industry-leading shareholder-friendly initiatives continues to generate significant value for our shareholders. Notably, TELUS has now returned $14.8 billion to shareholders, including $9.6 billion in dividends, representing $25 per share since 2004."
Doug French, Executive Vice-President and CFO said, "Our teams' ongoing commitment to drive operational excellence, financial discipline and ongoing cost efficiencies continues to support TELUS' financial strength, customer growth, and capital allocation programs focused on delivering long-term value for our customers and investors. Through our approach to consistent and targeted capital investments, we are seeing momentum in the progress and success of our next generation fibre build. We will reach the 50 per cent completion mark in early 2018 and are encouraged by the customer acceptance of these advanced capabilities and the efficiency our teams are achieving in completing this next generation broadband wireless and wireline network. Given this progress, we are estimating our capital expenditures in 2018 to be approximately $2.85 billion, making us well positioned to achieve our target of being free cash flow positive after dividends next year."
In wireless, our network revenue increased by 6.8 per cent to $1.8 billion, reflecting higher ARPU as customers move to higher-rate plans, including Premium Plus, and increased data consumption, continued postpaid subscriber growth, including smartphone adoption and subscribers we acquired from MTS, and higher roaming revenues. In wireline, our data services and equipment revenue increased by 4.1 per cent to $1.1 billion, reflecting increased Internet and enhanced data service revenues from continued high-speed Internet subscriber growth and higher revenue per customer, higher TELUS Health revenues driven by organic growth through additional professional services and support revenue, and through acquisitions, growth in business process outsourcing revenues inclusive of foreign exchange impacts on foreign operations, and an increase in TELUS TV revenues from subscriber growth.
In the quarter, we attracted 152,000 new wireless, high-speed Internet and TELUS TV customers, up 44,000 over the same quarter a year ago. The higher net additions included 124,000 wireless customers, including 115,000 postpaid net additions, 19,000 high-speed Internet subscribers, and 9,000 TELUS TV customers. Our total wireless subscriber base of 8.8 million is up 3.7 per cent from a year ago, reflecting a 5.4 per cent increase in our postpaid subscriber base to 7.9 million. Our high-speed Internet connections have increased 5.6 per cent to 1.7 million over the last twelve months, while our TELUS TV subscriber base of 1.1 million is higher by 3.9 per cent.
For the quarter, net income of $370 million and basic earnings per share (EPS) of $0.62 increased by 4.2 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively, while adjusted net income and adjusted basic EPS increased by 2.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.
Free cash flow of $215 million in the third quarter increased by $117 million over the same quarter a year ago due primarily to lower cash taxes paid.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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C$ and in millions, except per Three months ended
share amounts September 30 Per cent
(unaudited) 2017 2016 change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 3,366 3,238 4.0
Operating expenses before
depreciation and amortization 2,170 2,107 3.0
EBITDA(1) 1,196 1,131 5.9
Adjusted EBITDA(1)(2) 1,232 1,181 4.4
Net income 370 355 4.2
Adjusted net income(3) 391 383 2.1
Net income attributable to
common shares 367 348 5.5
Basic EPS 0.62 0.59 5.1
Adjusted basic EPS(3) 0.66 0.65 1.5
Capital expenditures 821 787 4.3
Free cash flow(4) 215 98 119.4
Total subscriber connections(5) 12.942 12.577 2.9
(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and does not have any standardized
meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB. TELUS issues guidance on and
reports EBITDA because it is a key measure used to evaluate
performance. For further definition and explanation of this measure,
see Section 11.1 in the accompanying 2017 third quarter Management's
discussion and analysis.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined in this news release as excluding 1)
restructuring and other costs of $36 million and $60 million from
the third quarter of 2017 and 2016 respectively; and 2) net gains
and equity income of $10 million in the third quarter of 2016
related to real estate joint venture developments.
(3) Adjusted net income and adjusted basic EPS are non-GAAP measures and
do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB. These
terms are defined in this news release as excluding from net income
attributable to common shares and basic EPS (after income taxes), 1)
restructuring and other costs from both periods; 2) net gains and
equity income in the third quarter of 2016 related to real estate
joint venture developments; and 3) favourable income tax-related
adjustments in both periods. For further analysis of adjusted net
income and adjusted basic EPS, see Section 1.3 in the accompanying
2017 third quarter Management's discussion and analysis.
(4) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and does not have any
standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB. For further definition
and explanation of this measure, see Section 11.1 in the
accompanying 2017 third quarter Management's discussion and
analysis.
(5) The sum of active wireless subscribers, residential network access
lines (NALs), high-speed Internet access subscribers and TELUS TV®
subscribers measured at the end of the respective periods based on
information in billing and other systems. In relation to an
acquisition and a divestiture that were both undertaken during the
first quarter of 2017, January 1, 2017 residential NALs, high-speed
Internet and TELUS TV subscriber balances were increased by a net
1,000, 6,000 and 5,000 respectively. Effective April 1, 2017,
postpaid subscribers, total subscribers and associated operating
statistics (gross additions, net additions, ARPU and churn) have
been adjusted to include an estimated migration of 85,000 MTS
subscribers in the opening subscriber balances. Cumulative
subscriber connections also include an April 1, 2017 adjustment to
remove approximately 19,000 prepaid and 25,000 postpaid
subscriptions from the respective subscriber bases, primarily due to
our national CDMA network shutdown.
============================================================================
This news release contains statements about financial and operating
performance of TELUS (the Company) and future events that are forward
looking, including with respect to the Company's 2017 annual guidance,
preliminary 2018 capital expenditure targets, free cash flow targets, cash
tax assumptions, future dividend increases and share purchases. By their
nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make assumptions
and predictions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There
is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be
accurate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-
looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future
performance and events to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the forward-looking statements in
this news release should be read together with the cautionary note in the
accompanying 2017 third quarter Management's discussion and analysis.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made based on the
assumptions (including assumptions regarding both the 2017 annual guidance
and preliminary 2018 capital expenditure and free cash flow targets, semi-
annual dividend increases through 2019, and our ability or intention to
purchase shares under any normal course issuer bid (NCIB) including our 2018
NCIB), and subject to the qualifications and risk factors referred to in the
accompanying Management's discussion and analysis for the third quarter of
2017, in the 2016 annual Management's discussion and analysis, and in other
TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions in
Canada (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and in the United States (on EDGAR at
sec.gov). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release
describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly,
are subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, TELUS
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements, and reserves the right to change, at any time at its sole
discretion, its current practice of updating annual targets and guidance.
============================================================================
Third Quarter 2017 Operating Highlights
TELUS wireless
-- Wireless network revenues increased by $115 million or 6.8 per cent
year-over-year to $1.8 billion. This growth was driven by growth in the
subscriber base, including subscribers we acquired from MTS, a larger
proportion of higher-rate two-year plans in the revenue mix, including
Premium Plus plans launched in June 2016, increased adoption of larger
data buckets or topping up of data buckets, a more favourable postpaid
subscriber mix, a higher smartphone mix, and higher roaming revenues.
-- Blended ARPU was higher by 3.0 per cent to $68.67. This represents our
twenty-eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth and was
driven by network revenue growth as described above.
-- Monthly postpaid subscriber churn declined by 8 basis points year-over-
year to 0.86 per cent. The improvement reflects our focus on executing
customers first initiatives and retention programs. Blended monthly
churn declined by 13 basis points to 1.05 per cent reflecting
improvements in both postpaid and prepaid churn rates, as well as an
increase in the mix of postpaid versus prepaid subscribers.
-- Wireless net additions of 124,000 increased by 44,000 over the prior
year. Postpaid net additions of 115,000 were higher year-over-year by
28,000 due to higher gross additions, reflecting our success of targeted
promotions and marketing efforts focused on higher-value postpaid and
smartphone loading, and lower churn. Prepaid net additions totaled 9,000
due to improvements in our prepaid churn rate.
-- EBITDA increased by $29 million or 3.9 per cent while Adjusted EBITDA of
$812 million increased by $39 million or 5.1 per cent over last year,
reflecting higher network revenue partly offset by increased costs of
acquiring and retaining customers, increased network operating expenses,
higher administrative costs and increased external labour.
-- Wireless capital expenditures decreased by 20 per cent over the same
period a year ago as we incurred costs in the third quarter of 2016 to
upgrade our radio access network in Ontario and Quebec, which was
completed in the second quarter of 2017.
TELUS wireline
-- External wireline revenues increased by $12 million or 0.8 per cent to
$1.4 billion. This growth was generated primarily by higher data
services revenue and partly offset by continued declines in legacy voice
services.
-- Data services and equipment revenues increased by $42 million or 4.1 per
cent, due to increased Internet and enhanced data revenues from
continued high-speed Internet subscriber growth and higher revenue per
customer, increased TELUS Health revenues driven by organic growth
through additional professional services and support revenue, and
through acquisitions, growth in business process outsourcing services
inclusive of foreign exchange impacts on foreign operations, and higher
TELUS TV revenues from continued subscriber growth and certain rate
increases.
-- High-speed Internet net additions of 19,000 increased by 5,000 over the
same quarter a year ago due to the ongoing expansion of our high-speed
broadband footprint, including fibre to the premises, and the success of
recently launched innovative product offerings.
-- Total TELUS TV net additions of 9,000 were lower by 5,000 over the same
quarter a year ago, as a result of lower gross additions and satellite-
TV subscriber losses due to slower subscriber growth for paid TV
services reflecting heightened competitive intensity, including from
over-the-top services, and a high rate of market penetration for TV
services. These factors were partly offset by the ongoing expansion of
our addressable high-speed Internet and Optik TV footprint, connecting
more homes and businesses directly to fibre and bundling of these
services together.
-- Residential network access lines (NALs) declined by 20,000 in the
quarter, an improvement of 5,000 over the same quarter a year ago.
Residential NAL losses continue to reflect the ongoing trend towards
wireless and Internet substitution, as well as increased competition,
partially mitigated by the success of our bundled service offerings and
our customers first initiatives.
-- Wireline EBITDA increased by $36 million or 9.8 per cent while Adjusted
EBITDA increased by $12 million or 3.0 per cent over last year. This
growth reflects ongoing growth in data service margins, including
Internet, TELUS Health, and TELUS TV, as well as cost savings from
operating efficiency and effectiveness initiatives.
-- Wireline capital expenditures increased 19 per cent over the same period
a year ago due primarily to continued strategic investments in broadband
network infrastructure, including connecting more homes and businesses
directly to our fibre-optic network. These investments support high-
speed Internet and Optik TV subscriber growth, as well as our growing
customer demand for faster Internet speeds, and extend the reach and
functionality of our business and healthcare solutions. Additionally,
the increases were also attributed to readying product in preparation
for deployment.
TELUS sets preliminary 2018 capital expenditure target and provides update to cash tax assumptions
In an effort to provide TELUS investors with increased clarity with regard to our capital expenditure plans, our consolidated capital expenditures for 2018, excluding the purchase of spectrum licences, is estimated to be approximately $2.85 billion. In 2018, we expect to continue connecting more homes and businesses directly to our fibre-optic network, to support ongoing high-speed Internet and Optik TV subscriber growth and faster Internet broadband speeds. The investments in fibre will also continue supporting our small-cell technology strategy to improve coverage and prepare for a more efficient and timely evolution to 5G.
As a result of a reorganization to our corporate structure to realize efficiencies and streamline processes, our 2017 cash income tax payments assumption has been revised downward to a range of $170 to $230 million, from our original assumption of $300 to $360 million. In 2018, cash income tax payments are expected to be in a similar range as our revised 2017 range. The lower cash tax payments in 2017 and 2018 are timing in nature and will reverse in later years. Our official 2018 cash tax assumption will be provided with the release of our fourth quarter of 2017 results and 2018 targets in February 2018.
Dividend Declaration - quarterly dividend increased to $0.5050 per share
The TELUS Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.5050 Canadian per share on the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company payable on January 2, 2018 to holders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2017.
Our 2017 annually declared dividend of $1.97 represents a 7.1 per cent increase from our 2016 annually declared dividend of $1.84. This is the fourteenth dividend increase since TELUS announced its original multi-year dividend growth program in May 2011. Over this period, TELUS' dividend is higher by 92 per cent.
Marc Parent to join TELUS Board of Directors
Effective November 7, 2017, Marc Parent, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE Inc., joined our Board. CAE Inc. (CAE), which is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. CAE's healthcare business designs and manufactures simulators, audiovisual and simulation centre management solutions, develops courseware, and offers services for training of medical, nursing and allied healthcare students as well as clinicians in educational institutions, hospitals and defence organizations worldwide. A native of Montreal, Marc is a graduate of mechanical engineering from Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique and of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Ecole Polytechnique for his contributions to the aerospace industry in Montreal and internationally.
TELUS receives approval for new normal course issuer bid (NCIB)
In November, TELUS received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) for a new NCIB commencing on November 13, 2017 to purchase and cancel, when and if considered advisable, up to $250 million in shares over the next 12 months.
The new NCIB will permit the purchase of up to 8 million TELUS shares (1.35 per cent of its outstanding shares as at October 26, 2017) for an aggregate purchase price of up to $250 million from November 13, 2017 to November 12, 2018 through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and alternative trading platforms or as otherwise permitted by applicable securities laws. The maximum number of shares that can be purchased during the same trading day on the TSX is 233,441 shares (being 25 per cent of the average daily trading volume for the six months ended October 31, 2017, which was equal to 933,767 shares), subject to certain exceptions for block purchases. As of October 26, 2017, TELUS had 594,529,300 shares issued and outstanding.
Shares purchased through the facilities of the TSX, NYSE or alternative trading platforms will be purchased at market price. TELUS may also purchase shares privately pursuant to exemption orders from applicable securities regulatory authorities, and such purchases will generally be at a discount to the prevailing market price.
Our 2017 NCIB, for which we had received approval to purchase up to 8 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of up to $250 million, concluded on September 29, 2017 with TELUS having purchased, in the same manner as the new NCIB, 1,962,109 shares or 0.3 per cent of our outstanding shares for $80 million at an average price of approximately $40.97 per share.
TELUS may enter into automatic share purchase plans (ASPP) with a broker to permit TELUS to purchase shares under its NCIB during internal blackout periods. Such purchases would be at the discretion of the broker based on prearranged parameters. Subject to TSX approval, the ASPP may be implemented on January 1, 2018, and from time to time thereafter.
TELUS' Board of Directors believes that any purchases made under the NCIB will be in the best interest of TELUS and that such purchases will constitute an attractive investment opportunity that should enhance the value of the remaining shares.
Corporate Highlights
TELUS makes significant contributions and investments in the communities where team members live, work and serve and to the Canadian economy on behalf of customers, shareholders and team members. These include:
-- Paying, collecting and remitting a total of approximately $1,503 million
in taxes in the first nine months of 2017 to federal, provincial and
municipal governments in Canada consisting of corporate income taxes,
sales taxes, property taxes, employer portion of payroll taxes and
various regulatory fees. Since 2000, we have remitted approximately $22
billion in these taxes.
-- Disbursing spectrum renewal fees of $50 million to Innovation, Science
and Economic Development Canada in the first nine months of 2017. Since
2000, our total tax and spectrum remittances to federal, provincial and
municipal governments in Canada have totaled approximately $27 billion.
-- Investing $2.4 billion in capital expenditures primarily in communities
across Canada in the first nine months of 2017 and $34 billion since
2000.
-- Spending $5.8 billion in total operating expenses in the first nine
months of 2017, including goods and service purchased of $4.1 billion.
Since 2000, we have spent $105 billion and $69 billion respectively in
these areas.
-- Generating a total team member payroll of $2.0 billion in the first nine
months of 2017, including payroll taxes of $117 million. Since 2000,
total team member payroll totals $41 billion.
-- Returning over $1.1 billion in dividends in 2017 to individual
shareholders, mutual fund owners, pensioners and institutional
investors. Since 2004, we have returned $14.8 billion to shareholders
through our dividend and share purchase programs, including $9.6 billion
in dividends and $5.2 billion in share purchases, representing $25 per
share.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T)(NYSE: TU) is Canada's fastest-growing national telecommunications company, with $13.1 billion of annual revenue and 12.9 million subscriber connections, including 8.8 million wireless subscribers, 1.7 million high-speed Internet subscribers, 1.3 million residential network access lines and 1.1 million TELUS TV customers. TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video. TELUS is also Canada's largest healthcare IT provider, and TELUS International delivers business process solutions around the globe.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed over $482 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered more than 7.7 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Created in 2005 by President and CEO Darren Entwistle, TELUS' 13 Canadian community boards and 5 International boards have led the Company's support of grassroots charities and have contributed more than $60 million in support of 5,595 local charitable projects, enriching the lives of more than 2 million children and youth, annually. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.
Access to Quarterly results information
Interested investors, the media and others may review this quarterly earnings news release, management's discussion and analysis, quarterly results slides, audio and transcript of the investor webcast call, supplementary financial information, and our 2016 annual report at telus.com/investors.
TELUS' third quarter 2017 conference call is scheduled for Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 11:00am ET (8:00am PT) and will feature a presentation followed by a question and answer period with investment analysts. Interested parties can access the webcast at telus.com/investors. An audio recording will be available on November 9 until December 15, 2017 at 1-855-201-2300. Please use reference number 1224111# and access code 77377#. An archive of the webcast will also be available at telus.com/investors and a transcript will be posted on the website within a few business days.
TELUS CORPORATION
Management's discussion and analysis
2017 Q3
Caution regarding forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements about expected events and the financial and operating performance of TELUS Corporation. The terms TELUS, the Company, we, us and our refer to TELUS Corporation and, where the context of the narrative permits or requires, its subsidiaries.
Forward-looking statements include any statements that do not refer to historical facts. They include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives and our strategies to achieve those objectives, our targets, outlook, updates, our multi-year dividend growth program, and our normal course issuer bid. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words assumption, goal, guidance, objective, outlook, strategy, target and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as aim, anticipate, believe, could, expect, intend, may, plan, predict, seek, should, strive and will.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions, including assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. These assumptions may ultimately prove to have been inaccurate and, as a result, our actual results or events may differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. An update to our assumptions for 2017 is presented in Section 9 Update to assumptions in this Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A).
Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in other TELUS filings include, but are not limited to, the following:
-- Competition including: our ability to continue to retain customers
through an enhanced customer service experience, including through the
deployment and operation of evolving wireless and wireline networks; the
ability of industry competitors to successfully launch their respective
platforms and to combine a mix of residential local voice over Internet
protocol (VoIP), long distance, high-speed Internet access (HSIA) and,
in some cases, wireless services under one bundled and/or discounted
monthly rate, along with their existing broadcast or satellite-based TV
services; the success of new products, new services and supporting
systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) services for Internet-
connected devices; continued intense rivalry across all services among
wireless and wireline telecommunications companies, cable-TV providers,
other communications companies and over-the-top (OTT) services, which,
among other things, places pressures on average revenue per subscriber
unit per month (ARPU), cost of acquisition, cost of retention and churn
for all services, as do customer usage patterns, flat-rate pricing
trends for voice and data, inclusive rate plans for voice and data and
availability of Wi-Fi networks for data; mergers and acquisitions of
industry competitors; pressures on high-speed Internet and TV ARPU and
churn resulting from market conditions, government actions and customer
usage patterns; residential and business network access line (NAL)
losses; subscriber additions and retention volumes, and associated costs
for wireless, TV and high-speed Internet services; and our ability to
obtain and offer content on a timely basis across multiple devices on
wireless and TV platforms at a reasonable cost.
-- Technological substitution including: reduced utilization and increased
commoditization of traditional wireline voice local and long distance
services from impacts of OTT applications and wireless substitution, a
declining overall market for paid TV services; the increasing number of
households that have only wireless and/or Internet-based telephone
services; potential wireless ARPU declines as a result of, among other
factors, substitution to messaging and OTT applications; substitution to
increasingly available Wi-Fi services; and disruptive technologies such
as OTT IP services, such as Network as a Service in the business market,
that may displace our existing data services.
-- Technology including: subscriber demand for data that may challenge
wireless networks and spectrum capacity levels in the future; our
reliance on information technology and our need to streamline our legacy
systems; technology options, evolution paths and roll-out plans for
wireless and wireline networks (including broadband initiatives, such as
fibre to the premises (FTTP), wireless small-cell deployment, 5G
wireless and availability of resources and ability to build out adequate
broadband capacity); our reliance on wireless network access agreements,
which have facilitated our deployment of wireless technologies; choice
of suppliers and those suppliers' ability to maintain and service their
product lines, which could affect the success of upgrades to and
evolution of technology that we offer; supplier concentration and market
power for network equipment, TELUS TVr and wireless handsets; the
performance of wireless technology; our expected long-term need to
acquire additional spectrum capacity through future spectrum auctions
and from third parties to address increasing demand for data; deployment
and operation of new wireline broadband networks at a reasonable cost
and availability and success of new products and services to be rolled
out on such networks; network reliability and change management; and
uncertainties around our strategy to replace certain legacy wireline
networks, systems and services to reduce operating costs.
-- Capital expenditure levels and potential outlays for spectrum licences
in spectrum auctions or from third parties, due to: our broadband
initiatives, including connecting more homes and businesses directly to
fibre; our ongoing deployment of newer wireless technologies, including
wireless small cells to improve coverage and capacity and prepare for a
more efficient and timely evolution to 5G wireless services; utilizing
acquired spectrum; investments in network resiliency and reliability;
subscriber demand for data; evolving systems and business processes;
implementing efficiency initiatives; supporting large complex deals; and
future wireless spectrum auctions held by Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada (ISED). Our capital expenditure levels could
be impacted if we do not achieve our targeted operational and financial
results.
-- Regulatory decisions and developments including: the potential of
government intervention to further increase wireless competition; the
CRTC wireless wholesale services review, in which it was determined that
the CRTC will regulate wholesale GSM-based domestic roaming rates and
the setting of such rates charged to wireless service providers (WSPs);
the Governor in Council's request to the CRTC to reconsider whether Wi-
Fi networks could count as a home network for WSPs seeking mandated
roaming; future spectrum auctions and spectrum policy determinations
(including limitations on established wireless providers, proposed
spectrum set-aside that favours certain carriers and other advantages
provided to new and foreign participants, and the amount and cost of
spectrum acquired); restrictions on the purchase, sale and transfer of
spectrum licences; the undetermined long-term impact of the CRTC's
wireline wholesale services review; disputes with certain municipalities
regarding rights-of-way bylaws; the potential impacts from the CRTC's
decision to require pro-rated refunds when customers terminate their
services; the CRTC's examination of the competitor quality of service
regime; the CRTC's examination of the regulatory framework for message
relay service; the CRTC's proposed phase-out of the local service
subsidy regime and corresponding establishment of a broadband funding
regime to support the enhancement of high-speed Internet services
focusing on underserved areas in Canada; the impact from the review of
the Minister of Canadian Heritage's new Creative Canada policy framework
announced on September 28, 2017; the CRTC's consultation and report on
distribution models of the future; vertical integration in the
broadcasting industry resulting in competitors owning broadcast content
services and timely and effective enforcement of related regulatory
safeguards; the review of the Copyright Act scheduled to begin in fall
2017; the federal government's stated intention to review the
Broadcasting Act and Telecommunications Act as announced in the March
22, 2017 federal budget; the North American Free Trade Agreement
renegotiation; and restrictions on non-Canadian ownership of TELUS
Common Shares and the ongoing monitoring and compliance with such
restrictions.
-- Human resource matters including: recruitment, retention and appropriate
training in a highly competitive industry, and the level of employee
engagement.
-- Process and business combination risks including: our reliance on legacy
systems and ability to implement and support new products and services
and business operations; our ability to implement effective change
management for system replacements and upgrades, process redesigns and
business integrations (such as our ability to successfully integrate
acquisitions, complete divestitures or establish partnerships in a
timely manner, and realize expected strategic benefits including
following compliance with any regulatory orders), the risk that Manitoba
Telecom Services Inc.'s postpaid wireless customers acquired by us from
BCE Inc. may not be successfully migrated; the implementation of complex
large enterprise deals that may be adversely impacted by available
resources, system limitations and degree of co-operation from other
service providers; our ability to successfully manage operations in
foreign jurisdictions; information security and privacy breaches,
including data loss or theft of data; intentional threats to our
infrastructure and business operations; and real estate joint venture
re-development risks.
-- Ability to successfully implement cost reduction initiatives and realize
planned savings, net of restructuring and other costs, without losing
customer service focus or negatively affecting business operations.
Examples of these initiatives are: our operating efficiency and
effectiveness program to drive improvements in earnings before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), including the
future benefits of the immediately vesting transformative compensation
initiative; business integrations; business product simplification;
business process outsourcing; offshoring and reorganizations, including
any full-time equivalent (FTE) employee reduction programs; procurement
initiatives; and real estate rationalization. Additional revenue and
cost efficiency and effectiveness initiatives will continue to be
assessed and implemented.
-- Financing and debt requirements including our ability to carry out
financing activities and our ability to maintain investment grade credit
ratings in the range of BBB+ or the equivalent.
-- Ability to sustain our dividend growth program through 2019. This
program may be affected by factors such as the competitive environment,
economic performance in Canada, our earnings and free cash flow, our
levels of capital expenditures and spectrum licence purchases,
acquisitions, the management of our capital structure, and regulatory
decisions and developments. Quarterly dividend decisions are subject to
assessment and determination by our Board of Directors (Board) based on
the Company's financial position and outlook. Shares may be purchased
under our normal course issuer bid (NCIB) when and if we consider it
opportunistic, based on the Company's financial position and outlook,
and the market price of TELUS shares. There can be no assurance that our
dividend growth program or any NCIB will be maintained, not changed
and/or completed through 2019.
-- Taxation matters including: interpretation of complex domestic and
foreign tax laws by the tax authorities that may differ from our
interpretations; including the timing of income and deductions such as
tax depreciation and operating expenses; changes in tax laws, including
tax rates; tax expenses being materially different than anticipated
including the taxability of income and deductibility of tax attributes;
elimination of income tax deferrals through the use of different tax
year-ends for operating partnerships and corporate partners; and tax
authorities adopting more aggressive auditing practices for example, tax
reassessments or adverse court decisions impacting the tax payable by
us.
-- Litigation and legal matters including: our ability to successfully
respond to investigations and regulatory proceedings and defend against
claims and lawsuits, including intellectual property infringement claims
and class actions pending against us, as well as possible proceedings,
intellectual property infringement claims and class actions based on
consumer claims, data, privacy or security breaches and secondary market
liability; and the complexity of legal compliance in domestic and
foreign jurisdictions.
-- Health, safety and the environment, including lost employee work time
resulting from illness or injury, public concerns related to radio
frequency emissions, environmental issues affecting our business
including climate change, waste and waste recycling, risks relating to
fuel systems on our properties, and changing government and public
expectations regarding environmental matters and our responses.
-- Business continuity events including: our ability to maintain customer
service and operate our networks in the event of human error or human-
caused threats, such as cyber attacks and equipment failures that could
cause various degrees of network outages; supply chain disruptions;
natural disaster threats; epidemics; pandemics; and the completeness and
effectiveness of business continuity and disaster recovery plans and
responses.
-- Economic growth and fluctuations including: the state of the economy in
Canada, which may be influenced by economic and other developments
outside of Canada including potential outcomes of yet unknown policies
and actions of foreign governments; future interest rates; inflation;
unemployment levels; effects of low oil prices; effects of low business
spending (such as reducing investments and cost structure); pension
investment returns, funding and discount rates; and Canadian dollar:
U.S. dollar exchange rates.
These risks are described in additional detail in Section 9 General trends, outlook and assumptions and Section 10 Risks and risk management in our 2016 annual MD&A. Those descriptions are incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement but are not intended to be a complete list of the risks that could affect the Company.
Many of these factors are beyond our control or our current expectations or knowledge. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. Except as otherwise indicated in this document, the forward-looking statements made herein do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or special items or any mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or other business combinations or transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date of this document.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document describe our expectations and are based on our assumptions as at the date of this document and are subject to change after this date. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
This cautionary statement qualifies all of the forward-looking statements in this document.
Management's discussion and analysis
November 9, 2017
Contents
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Section Description
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1. Introduction 1.1 Preparation of the MD&A
1.2 The environment in which we operate
1.3 Consolidated highlights
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2. Core business and strategy
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3. Corporate priorities for 2017
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4. Capabilities 4.1 Principal markets addressed and
competition
4.2 Operational resources
4.3 Liquidity and capital resources
4.4 Changes in internal control over
financial reporting
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5. Discussion of operations 5.1 General
5.2 Summary of consolidated quarterly
results and trends
5.3 Consolidated operations
5.4 Wireless segment
5.5 Wireline segment
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6. Changes in financial position
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7. Liquidity and capital resources 7.1 Overview
7.2 Cash provided by operating
activities
7.3 Cash used by investing activities
7.4 Cash used by financing activities
7.5 Liquidity and capital resource
measures
7.6 Credit facilities
7.7 Sale of trade receivables
7.8 Credit ratings
7.9 Financial instruments, commitments
and contingent liabilities
7.10 Outstanding share information
7.11 Transactions between related
parties
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8. Accounting matters 8.1 Critical accounting estimates
8.2 Accounting policy developments
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9. Update to assumptions 9.1 Telecommunications industry
regulatory developments and proceedings
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10. Risks and risk management
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11. Definitions and reconciliations 11.1 Non-GAAP and other financial
measures
11.2 Operating indicators
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1. Introduction
The forward-looking statements in this section, including estimates regarding economic growth, are qualified by the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A).
1.1 Preparation of the MD&A
The following sections are a discussion of our consolidated financial position and financial performance for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, and should be read together with our September 30, 2017, unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (subsequently referred to as the interim consolidated financial statements). The generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) we use are the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Our interim consolidated financial statements comply with IFRS-IASB and Canadian GAAP and have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting. Our use of the term IFRS in this MD&A is a reference to these standards. In our discussion, we also use certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our performance, monitor compliance with debt covenants and manage our capital structure. These measures are defined, qualified and reconciled with their nearest GAAP measures in Section 11.1. All currency amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.
Additional information relating to the Company, including our annual information form and other filings with securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, is available on SEDAR (sedar.com). Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States, including Form 40-F, are available on EDGAR (sec.gov).
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to senior management on a timely basis, so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure. This MD&A and the interim consolidated financial statements were reviewed by our Audit Committee and approved by our Board of Directors (Board) for issuance on November 9, 2017.
In this MD&A, unless otherwise indicated, results for the third quarter of 2017 (three-month period ended September 30, 2017) and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, are compared with results from the third quarter of 2016 (three-month period ended September 30, 2016) and nine-month period ended September 30, 2016.
1.2 The environment in which we operate
The success of our business and the challenges we face can best be understood with reference to the environment in which we operate, including broader economic factors that affect our customers and us, and our competitive industry. Our estimates regarding our environment also form an important part of the assumptions on which our targets are based.
Economic growth
We have updated our assumptions since our first quarter 2017 MD&A. We now estimate that the annual rate of economic growth in Canada in 2017 will be approximately 3.0% (previously 2.2%), based on a composite of estimates from Canadian banks and other sources. For our incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) provinces in Western Canada, we currently estimate that annual rates of economic growth will be approximately 3.2% in 2017 (previously 2.3%) in British Columbia (B.C.) and 3.5% in 2017 (previously 2.4%) in Alberta. The Bank of Canada's October 2017 Monetary Policy Report estimated that annual economic growth in Canada will be 3.1% in 2017. Which sectors of the economy that experience these growth estimates and the competitive and dynamic environment in which we operate will affect when, and to what extent, we will experience the effects of these economic growth estimates.
In respect of the national unemployment rate, Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey reported a rate of 6.2% for September 2017 (6.9% for December 2016 and 7.0% for September 2016). The unemployment rate for B.C. was 4.9% for September 2017 (5.8% for December 2016 and 5.7% for September 2016), and the unemployment rate for Alberta was 7.9% for September 2017 (8.5% in December 2016 and 8.5% for September 2016).
1.3 Consolidated highlights
Voxpro Limited
On August 31, 2017, through our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary, we acquired 55% of Voxpro Limited (Voxpro), a business process outsourcing and contact centre services company with facilities in Ireland, the U.S. and Romania, for cash consideration of $58 million. The investment was made with a view to expanding further into supporting customers who provide Internet-related services and products, bolstering sales capabilities in our chosen markets, and acquiring multi-site redundancy in support of other facilities. We concurrently provided a written put option to and have a purchased call option from the remaining selling shareholders under which they could put or we could call, the remaining 45% of the shares commencing in 2021. If either of these options are exercised, total consideration is estimated to be approximately $152 million.
Xavient Information Systems
On October 30, 2017, through our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary, we entered into an agreement to acquire 65% of Xavient Information Systems, a group of information technology consulting and software services companies with facilities in the U.S. and in India for consideration of approximately $144 million (U.S.$115 million) in cash and approximately $19 million (U.S.$15 million) in TELUS International (Cda) Inc. common shares, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. We expect the transaction to close in 2017. We will concurrently provide a written put option to the remaining selling shareholders under which they could put the remaining 35% interest on or before December 31, 2020. The written put option sets out that the share pricing methodology will be dependent upon earnings. If this option is exercised, total consideration would be in the range of $310 million (U.S.$250 million). Concurrent with closing, the non-controlling shareholders are to provide us with a purchased call option, which will substantially mirror the written put option. The investment is being made with a view to enhancing our ability to provide complex and higher value information technology services, improve our related sales and solutioning capabilities and acquire multi-site redundancy in support of other facilities.
Changes to the Board of Directors
Effective November 7, 2017, Marc Parent, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE Inc. (CAE), joined our Board. CAE, which is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. CAE's healthcare business designs and manufactures simulators, audiovisual and simulation centre management solutions, develops courseware, and offers services for training of medical, nursing and allied healthcare students as well as clinicians in educational institutions, hospitals and defence organizations worldwide. A native of Montreal, Marc is a graduate of mechanical engineering from Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique and of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Ecole Polytechnique for his contributions to the aerospace industry in Montreal and internationally.
Consolidated highlights
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Third quarters ended September 30
--------------------------------------
($ millions, unless otherwise
noted) 2017 2016 Change
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Consolidated statements of income
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 3,366 3,238 4.0%
Operating income 649 616 5.4%
Income before income taxes 500 487 2.7%
Net income 370 355 4.2%
Net income attributable to Common
Shares 367 348 5.5%
Earnings per share (EPS) ($)
Basic EPS 0.62 0.59 5.1%
Adjusted basic EPS(1) 0.66 0.65 1.5%
Diluted EPS 0.62 0.59 5.1%
Dividends declared per Common
Share ($) 0.4925 0.46 7.1%
Basic weighted-average Common
Shares outstanding (millions) 594 592 0.4%
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Consolidated statements of cash
flows
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Cash provided by operating
activities 1,133 1,032 9.8%
Cash used by investing activities (866) (680) 27.4%
Capital expenditures(2) (821) (787) 4.3%
Cash used by financing activities (150) (370) (59.5)%
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Other highlights
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Subscriber connections(3)
(thousands)
EBITDA (earnings before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and
amortization)(1) 1,196 1,131 5.9%
Restructuring and other costs(1) 36 60 (40.0)%
Adjusted EBITDA(4) 1,232 1,181 4.4%
Adjusted EBITDA margin(5) (%) 36.6 36.5 0.1pts.
Free cash flow(1) 215 98 119.4%
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding
restructuring and other costs(1)
(times)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month periods ended September 30
------------------------------------------
($ millions, unless otherwise
noted) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated statements of income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 9,837 9,494 3.6%
Operating income 2,046 1,946 5.1%
Income before income taxes 1,617 1,560 3.7%
Net income 1,197 1,149 4.2%
Net income attributable to Common
Shares 1,179 1,142 3.2%
Earnings per share (EPS) ($)
Basic EPS 1.99 1.93 3.1%
Adjusted basic EPS(1) 2.08 2.05 1.5%
Diluted EPS 1.99 1.93 3.1%
Dividends declared per Common
Share ($) 1.4650 1.36 7.7%
Basic weighted-average Common
Shares outstanding (millions) 592 593 (0.1)%
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Consolidated statements of cash
flows
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Cash provided by operating
activities 2,968 2,487 19.3%
Cash used by investing activities (2,909) (2,075) 40.2%
Capital expenditures(2) (2,355) (2,174) 8.3%
Cash used by financing activities (3) (225) (98.7)%
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Other highlights
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Subscriber connections(3)
(thousands) 12,942 12,577 2.9%
EBITDA (earnings before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and
amortization)(1) 3,651 3,460 5.5%
Restructuring and other costs(1) 79 131 (39.7)%
Adjusted EBITDA(4) 3,727 3,557 4.8%
Adjusted EBITDA margin(5) (%) 37.9 37.5 0.4pts.
Free cash flow(1) 692 332 108.4%
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding
restructuring and other costs(1)
(times) 2.76 2.62 0.14
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notations used in MD&A: n/m - not meaningful; pts. - percentage points.
1 Non-GAAP and other financial measures. See Section 11.1.
2 Capital expenditures include assets purchased, but not yet paid for, and
consequently differ from Cash payments for capital assets, excluding
spectrum licences, as reported on the condensed interim consolidated
statements of cash flows.
3 The sum of active wireless subscribers, residential network access lines
(NALs), high-speed Internet access subscribers and TELUS TV subscribers,
measured at the end of the respective periods based on information in
billing and other systems. In relation to an acquisition and a
divestiture that were both undertaken during the first quarter of 2017,
January 1, 2017 residential NALs, high-speed Internet and TELUS TV
subscriber balances were increased by a net 1,000, 6,000 and 5,000,
respectively, and are not included in subscriber connection net
additions metrics in Section 5.5. Effective April 1, 2017, postpaid
subscribers, total subscribers and associated operating statistics
(gross additions, net additions, average revenue per subscriber unit per
month (ARPU) and churn) have been adjusted to include an estimated
migration of 85,000 Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) subscribers in
the opening subscriber balances. Cumulative subscriber connections also
include an April 1, 2017 adjustment to remove approximately 19,000
prepaid and 25,000 postpaid subscriptions from the respective subscriber
bases, primarily due to our national CDMA network shutdown.
4 Adjusted EBITDA for all periods excludes restructuring and other costs
(See Section 11.1 for restructuring and other cost amounts). Adjusted
EBITDA for the first nine months of 2017 excludes net gains and equity
income of $3 million related to real estate joint venture developments.
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2016 excludes net gains and
equity income of $10 million related to real estate joint venture
developments. Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2016
excludes: (i) a $15 million gain in the second quarter of 2016 from the
exchange of wireless spectrum licences; and (ii) net gains and equity
income of $19 million ($9 million in the second quarter and $10 million
in the third quarter) related to real estate joint venture developments.
5 Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by Operating revenues,
where the calculation of the Operating revenues excludes the net gains
and equity income related to real estate joint venture developments, as
well as the gain from exchange of wireless spectrum licences in the
second quarter of 2016.
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Operating highlights
-- Consolidatedoperating revenues increased by $128 million in the third
quarter of 2017 and $343 million in the first nine months of 2017:
Service revenues increased by $129 million in the third quarter of 2017
and $371 million in the first nine months of 2017, mainly due to growth
in wireless network revenue and wireline data services revenue, partly
offset by the ongoing decline in legacy wireline voice revenue.
Equipment revenues were relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017. In
the first nine months of 2017, equipment revenues decreased by $9
million, reflecting a combination of higher wireless per-unit subsidies
including devices on Premium Plus plans and wireless competitive
intensity, partly offset by increased wireless postpaid gross additions
and higher wireless retention volumes.
Other operating income was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017
and decreased by $19 million in the first nine months of 2017 largely
due to lower net gains in the current period than in the comparable
period. This change includes lower net gains and equity income related
to real estate joint venture developments, in addition to non-recurring
2016 gains related to the exchange of wireless spectrum licences and
from the sale of property, plant and equipment, partly offset by the
non-recurrence of 2016 provisions related to written put options in
respect of non-controlling interests in TELUS International (Cda) Inc.
For additional details on operating revenues, see Section 5.4 Wireless
segment and Section 5.5 Wireline segment.
-- During the 12-month period ending on September 30, 2017, our total
subscriber connections increased by 365,000, reflecting a 5.4% increase
in wireless postpaid subscribers, a 3.9% increase in TELUS TV
subscribers and a 5.6% increase in high-speed Internet subscribers,
partly offset by an 8.4% decline in wireless prepaid subscribers and a
6.0% decline in wireline residential NALs.
Our postpaid wireless subscriber net additions were 115,000 in the third
quarter of 2017 and 258,000 in the first nine months of 2017, up 28,000
and 102,000, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016 from
higher gross additions due to the success of our promotions including
our focus on higher-value loading, and cost-effective prepaid
migrations. Our monthly postpaid subscriber churn rate was 0.86% in the
third quarter of 2017 and 0.86% in the first nine months of 2017, as
compared to 0.94% in the third quarter of 2016 and 0.93% in the first
nine months of 2016. (See Section 5.4 Wireless segment for additional
details.)
Net additions of high-speed Internet subscribers were 19,000 in the
third quarter of 2017 and 60,000 in the first nine months of 2017, up
5,000 in the quarter and 16,000 in the nine-month period. The increases
resulted from the continued expansion of our high-speed broadband
footprint, including fibre to the premises (FTTP) and the success of
recently launched innovative product offerings. Net additions of TELUS
TV subscribers were 9,000 in the third quarter of 2017 and 21,000 in the
first nine months of 2017, down 5,000 in the quarter and 17,000 in the
nine-month period. These net addition results reflect lower gross
additions and a decline in satellite-TV subscribers due to a declining
overall market for paid TV services resulting from the effects of
heightened competitive intensity, including from over-the-top (OTT)
services and a high rate of market penetration. These pressures were
partly offset by the continued focus on expanding our addressable high-
speed Internet and Optik TV footprint, connecting more homes and
business directly to fibre, and bundling these services together. This
contributed to overall combined Internet and TV subscriber growth of
132,000 or 4.9% over the last 12 months. (See Section 5.5 Wireline
segment for additional details.)
-- Operating income increased by $33 million in the third quarter of 2017
and $100 million in the first nine months of 2017. The increases reflect
growth in EBITDA partially offset by increased depreciation and
amortization expenses resulting from higher expenditures associated with
both our capital asset base and intangible asset base, including
acquisitions, and the impact of our continuing program of asset life
studies.
EBITDA includes restructuring and other costs, and includes net gains
and equity income related to real estate joint venture developments
recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and the second and third quarters
of 2016, as well as a gain from the exchange of wireless spectrum
licences recorded in the second quarter of 2016. EBITDA increased by $65
million in the third quarter of 2017 and $191 million in the first nine
months of 2017. The increases reflect: (i) growth in wireless network
revenues and increased wireline data revenues, partially offset by
increased costs associated with higher wireless gross loading and
retention volumes; (ii) lower restructuring and other costs, partly
offset by costs associated with the migration of subscribers acquired
from MTS; and (iii) lower employee benefits expense.
Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring and other costs, and excludes net
gains and equity income related to real estate joint venture
developments recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and the second and
third quarters of 2016, in addition to the exclusion of a gain from the
exchange of wireless spectrum licences recorded in the second quarter of
2016. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $51 million or 4.4% in the third
quarter of 2017 and $170 million or 4.8% in the first nine months of
2017. (See Section 5.4 Wireless segment and Section 5.5 Wireline segment
for additional details.)
-- Income before income taxes increased by $13 million in the third quarter
of 2017 and $57 million in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting
higher Operating income as noted above, partly offset by an increase in
Financing costs. The increase in Financing costs resulted from lower
capitalized long-term debt interest costs for spectrum licences that are
now being deployed and higher average long-term debt outstanding. (See
Financing costs in Section 5.3.)
-- Income taxes were relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017 and
increased by $9 million in the first nine months of 2017 primarily due
to higher Income before income taxes.
-- Net income attributable to Common Shares increased by $19 million in the
third quarter of 2017 and $37 million in the first nine months of 2017.
These increases were driven by higher Operating income partly offset by
increased Financing costs. Adjusted Net income excludes the effects of
restructuring and other costs, net gains and equity income related to
real estate joint venture developments recorded in the second quarter of
2017 and second and third quarters of 2016, income tax-related
adjustments, and a non-recurring gain from the exchange of wireless
spectrum licences recorded in the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted Net
income increased by $8 million or 2.1% in the third quarter of 2017 and
$20 million or 1.7% in the first nine months of 2017.
Analysis of Net income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
----------------------- -------------------------
($) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income attributable
to Common Shares 367 348 19 1,179 1,142 37
Add back (deduct):
Gain on the exchange of
wireless spectrum
licences, after income
taxes - - - - (13) 13
Net gains and equity
income from real estate
joint venture
developments, after
income taxes - (6) 6 (2) (11) 9
Restructuring and other
costs, after income
taxes 26 44 (18) 58 96 (38)
Favourable income tax-
related adjustments (2) (3) 1 (3) (2) (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted Net income 391 383 8 1,232 1,212 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Basic EPS increased by $0.03 or 5.1% in the third quarter of 2017 and
$0.06 or 3.1% in the first nine months of 2017. Adjusted basic EPS
excludes the effects of restructuring and other costs, net gains and
equity income related to real estate joint venture developments recorded
in the second quarter of 2017 and second and third quarters of 2016,
income tax-related adjustments, and a non-recurring gain from the
exchange of wireless spectrum licences recorded in the second quarter of
2016. Adjusted basic EPS increased by $0.01 or 1.5% in the third quarter
of 2017 and $0.03 or 1.5% in the first nine months of 2017.
Analysis of basic EPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
----------------------- -------------------------
($) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic EPS 0.62 0.59 0.03 1.99 1.93 0.06
Add back (deduct):
Gain on the exchange of
wireless spectrum
licences, after income
taxes, per share - - - - (0.02) 0.02
Net gains and equity
income from real estate
joint venture
developments, after
income taxes, per share - (0.01) 0.01 - (0.02) 0.02
Restructuring and other
costs, after income
taxes, per share 0.05 0.08 (0.03) 0.10 0.16 (0.06)
Favourable income tax-
related adjustments,
per share (0.01) (0.01) - (0.01) - (0.01)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted basic EPS 0.66 0.65 0.01 2.08 2.05 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Dividends declared per Common Share were $0.4925 in the third quarter of
2017 and $1.4650 in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting increases
of 7.1% from the third quarter of 2016 and 7.7% from the first nine
months of 2016. This is consistent with our announced intention of
dividend growth in the range of 7 to 10% per annum through 2019. On
November 8, 2017, the Board declared a fourth quarter dividend of
$0.5050 per share on the issued and outstanding Common Shares, payable
on January 2, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business
on December 11, 2017. The fourth quarter dividend reflects a quarterly
increase of $0.025 per share or 5.2% from the $0.48 per share dividend
declared one year earlier and an annualized increase of $0.13 per share
or 7.1% in 2017 compared to the $1.84 per share dividend declared in
2016.
Liquidity and capital resource highlights
-- Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs was 2.76
times at September 30, 2017, up from 2.62 times at September 30, 2016,
as the increase in net debt exceeded the growth in EBITDA - excluding
restructuring and other costs. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital
resource measures.)
-- Cash provided by operating activities increased by $101 million in the
third quarter of 2017 and $481 million in the first nine months of 2017
due to lower income taxes instalments paid and growth in Adjusted
EBITDA.
-- Cash used by investing activities increased by $186 million in the third
quarter of 2017 and $834 million in the first nine months of 2017
attributed to higher cash payments for acquisitions and higher capital
expenditures. Acquisitions increased by $68 million in the third quarter
of 2017 and $544 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due
to the acquisition of Voxpro, in addition to the second quarter
acquisitions of approximately one-quarter of MTS postpaid wireless
subscribers, certain network assets and rights to 15 retail locations in
Manitoba, as well as Kroll Computer Systems Inc. Capital expenditures
increased by $34 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $181 million
in the first nine months of 2017, mainly due to continued generational
capital investments in broadband infrastructure and our network
enhancement investments in Manitoba to improve coverage, capacity and
speeds to significantly enhance our customer experience and supplement
the business acquisition of MTS subscribers, dealers and network.
Investments in our broadband infrastructure include our fibre-optic
network, which supports our small-cell technology strategy to improve
coverage and capacity and prepare for a more efficient and timely
evolution to 5G, as well as connect more homes and businesses directly
to our fibre-optic network. (See Section 7.3 Cash used by investing
activities.)
-- Cash used by financing activities decreased by $220 million in the third
quarter of 2017 reflecting increased issuances of long-term debt net of
redemptions. In the first nine months of 2017, Cash used by financing
activities decreased by $222 million as increased issuances of long-term
debt net of redemptions, coupled with no share repurchase activity in
2017, was partly offset by the impact of the 2016 non-recurring issuance
of shares by a subsidiary to a non-controlling interest. (See Section
7.4 Cash used by financing activities.)
-- Free cash flow increased by $117 million in the third quarter of 2017
and $360 million in the first nine months of 2017, resulting from lower
income taxes paid and increased EBITDA, partially offset by an increase
in capital expenditures. (See calculation in Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and
other financial measures.)
2. Core business and strategy
Our core business was described in our 2016 annual MD&A. The following are business updates grouped under the applicable strategic imperatives.
Focusing relentlessly on growth markets of data, IP and wireless
External wireless revenues and wireline data revenues totalled $8.7 billion in the first nine months of 2017, up $428 million or 5.2%, while remaining revenues totalled $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2017, down $85 million or 7.0%. These external wireless revenues and wireline data revenues represented 89% of our consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $8.2 billion, or 87%, in the same period in 2016.
Providing integrated solutions that differentiate TELUS from our competitors
In July 2017, TELUS Health announced the launch of MedDialog, a national clinical solution that allows doctors to communicate electronically with other physicians regarding the care of their patients directly from their electronic medical record systems. This technology will enable more efficient clinical practice and better patient care by eliminating the need for phone and fax communications and ensuring all patient communication history remains within the digital chart.
Building national capabilities across data, IP, voice and wireless
In September 2017, we successfully completed Canada's first test of licensed assisted access (LAA) on indoor and outdoor live networks. The test delivered wireless download speeds of 970 Mbps indoors and 966 Mbps outdoors using 80Mhz of aggregated spectrum in a live, dynamic production network. LAA technology will enhance the TELUS network as it continues to evolve towards next-generation 5G speeds, bringing customers higher throughput and a better overall network experience as we deploy the technology into our network in the coming years.
Partnering, acquiring and divesting to accelerate the implementation of our strategy and focus our resources on core business
As discussed in Section 1.3, on August 31, 2017, we acquired 55% of Voxpro and approximately 2,700 Voxpro team members joined us through our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary. The Ireland headquartered company now operates as Voxpro - powered by TELUS International.
3. Corporate priorities for 2017
Our 2017 corporate priorities were listed in our 2016 annual MD&A and updated in our first quarter 2017 MD&A. They are:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Delivering on TELUS' future friendly® brand promise by putting customers first - Elevating our winning culture for sustained competitive advantage - Generating profitable top-line revenue growth while enhancing our operational efficiency - Increasing our competitive advantage through advanced, client-centric technology, networks and systems that lead the world in reliability - Driving TELUS' leadership position in our chosen business, public sector and international markets - Advancing TELUS' leadership in healthcare information management for better human outcomes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Capabilities
The forward-looking statements in this section, including statements regarding our dividend growth program and our financial objectives in Section 4.3, are qualified by the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.
4.1 Principal markets addressed and competition
For a discussion of our principal markets and an overview of competition, please refer to Section 4.1 of our 2016 annual MD&A.
4.2 Operational resources
For a discussion of our operational resources, please refer to Section 4.2 of our 2016 annual MD&A.
Wireless
Churn is defined in Section 11.2 of this MD&A. Our monthly postpaid churn rate was 0.86% in the third quarter of 2017 and has now been below 1% for 16 of the past 17 quarters despite strong competitive and economic pressures. In the third quarter of 2017, we continued to deliver leading blended customer churn on a national basis. Our monthly blended churn was 1.05% in the third quarter of 2017, which represented our lowest third quarter churn rate since we became a national carrier 17 years ago. This further exemplifies the success of our differentiated customers first culture, our ongoing focus on delivering an outstanding customer experience, combined with attractive new products and services, and our retention programs.
Since mid-2013, we have invested more than $3.6 billion to acquire wireless spectrum licences in spectrum auctions and other transactions, which has more than doubled our national spectrum holdings in support of our top corporate priority of putting customers first. Wireless data consumption has been increasing rapidly and we have responded by investing to extend the capacity of our network to support the additional data consumption and growth in our wireless customer base. This includes investments in wireless small cells connected to our fibre network to improve coverage and capacity and prepare for a more efficient and timely evolution to 5G wireless services.
As at September 30, 2017, our 4G long-term evolution (LTE) network covered 99% of Canada's population, up from 97% at September 30, 2016. Furthermore, we have continued to invest in our LTE advanced network roll-out, which covered more than 85% of Canada's population at September 30, 2017, up from 61% at September 30, 2016. Outside of LTE advanced and LTE coverage areas, the LTE devices we offer also operate on our HSPA+ network, which covered 99% of Canada's population at September 30, 2017.
Wireline
We have continued to invest in our incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) urban and rural communities with commitments to deliver broadband network capabilities to as many Canadians as possible. We are expanding our fibre footprint by connecting more homes and businesses directly to fibre in communities across B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec. We have also increased broadband Internet speeds, expanded our IP TV video-on-demand library and high-definition content, including 4K TV, and enhanced marketing of data products and bundles. Our fibre network is also an essential component of our wireless network, and will enable 5G deployment in the future.
As at September 30, 2017, our high-speed broadband coverage reached approximately 3 million households and businesses in B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec, including approximately 1.33 million homes and businesses covered by fibre-optic cable, up from approximately 0.95 million homes and businesses in the third quarter of 2016, which provides these premises with immediate access to our gigabit-capable fibre-optic network.
4.3 Liquidity and capital resources
Capital structure financial policies
Our objective when managing capital is to maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost and availability of capital at acceptable risk.
In the management of capital and in its definition, we include Common Share equity (excluding Accumulated other comprehensive income), Long-term debt (including long-term credit facilities, commercial paper backstopped by long-term credit facilities and any associated hedging assets or liabilities, net of amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income), Cash and temporary investments, and securitized trade receivables.
We manage our capital structure and make adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of our telecommunications infrastructure. In order to maintain or adjust our capital structure, we may change the amount of dividends paid to holders of Common Shares, purchase shares for cancellation pursuant to our normal course issuer bid (NCIB) programs, issue new debt, issue new debt to replace existing debt with different characteristics, issue new shares, and/or increase or decrease the amount of trade receivables sold to an arm's-length securitization trust.
We monitor capital by utilizing a number of measures, including net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio and the dividend payout ratio. (See definitions in Section 11.1.)
Financing and capital structure management plans
Report on financing and capital structure management plans ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pay dividends to the holders of Common Shares under our multi-year dividend growth program - In May 2016, we announced our intention to target ongoing semi-annual dividend increases, with the annual increase in the range of 7 to 10% from 2017 through to the end of 2019, thereby extending the policy first announced in May 2011. Notwithstanding this target, dividend decisions will continue to be subject to our Board's assessment and the determination of our financial position and outlook on a quarterly basis. Our long-term dividend payout ratio guideline is 65 to 75% of prospective net earnings per share. There can be no assurance that we will maintain a dividend growth program or that it will not be changed through 2019. (See Caution regarding forward-looking statements - Ability to sustain our dividend growth program through 2019 and Section 10.7 Financing, debt requirements and returning cash to shareholders in our 2016 annual MD&A.) - On November 8, 2017, a fourth quarter dividend of $0.5050 per share was declared on our issued and outstanding Common Shares, payable on January 2, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2017. The fourth quarter dividend for 2017 reflects a quarterly increase of $0.025 per share or 5.2% from the $0.48 per share dividend paid on January 3, 2017 and an annualized increase of $0.13 per share or 7.1% in 2017 compared to the $1.84 per share dividend declared in 2016. - In connection with dividends declared during the three-month and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2017, our dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan trustee purchased approximately 0.5 million dividend reinvestment Common Shares for $24 million, and approximately 1.6 million dividend reinvestment Common Shares for $68 million, respectively, with no discount applicable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Purchase Common Shares - During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, we did not have any transactions pursuant to our NCIB. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use proceeds from securitized trade receivables (Short-term borrowings), bank facilities and commercial paper as needed, to supplement free cash flow and meet other cash requirements - Our issued and outstanding commercial paper was $1,092 million at September 30, 2017, all of which was denominated in U.S. dollars (U.S.$875 million), compared to $613 million at December 31, 2016, and $137 million at September 30, 2016. - Our net draws on the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility were $358 million ($353 million net of unamortized costs) at September 30, 2017, compared to $340 million ($332 million net of unamortized issue costs) at December 31, 2016, and $361 million ($352 million net of unamortized costs) at September 30, 2016. - Proceeds from securitized trade receivables were $100 million at September 30, 2017, (September 30 and December 31, 2016 - $100 million). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maintain compliance with financial objectives Certain of our current financial objectives will be reviewed in 2017 for possible revision due to changes arising from the adoption of new accounting standards, IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 16, Leases. (See Section 8.2Accounting policy developments in our 2016 annual MD&A.) - Maintain investment grade credit ratings in the range of BBB+ or the equivalent - On November 9, 2017, investment grade credit ratings from the four rating agencies that cover TELUS were in the desired range. (See Section 7.8 Credit ratings.) - Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio of 2.00 to 2.50 times - As measured at September 30, 2017, the ratio was 2.76 times, outside of the range, primarily due to the funding of spectrum licences acquired in wireless spectrum auctions held during 2014 and 2015, and the elevated strategic capital investments in our fibre- optic network. We expect this ratio to decline in 2018 and we continue to expect to return to within the objective range in the medium term, consistent with our long-term strategy. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.) - Dividend payout ratio of 65 to 75% of net earnings per share on a prospective basis - Our target ratio is on a prospective basis. The dividend payout ratio we present in this MD&A is a historical measure utilizing the last four quarters of dividends declared and earnings per share, and is disclosed for illustrative purposes in evaluating our target guideline. As at September 30, 2017, the historical ratio of 91% and the adjusted historical ratio of 79% exceeded the objective range, however, we currently expect that we will be within our target guideline when considered on a prospective basis within the medium term. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.) - Generally maintain a minimum of $1 billion in unutilized liquidity - As at September 30, 2017, our unutilized liquidity was more than $1 billion. (See Section 7.6 Credit facilities.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4 Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
5. Discussion of operations
This section contains forward-looking statements, including those with respect to average revenue per subscriber unit per month (ARPU) growth, high-speed Internet subscriber growth, and the various trends described in this section as they relate to the future. There can be no assurance that we have accurately identified the trends based on past results or that these trends will continue. See Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.
5.1 General
A significant judgment we make is in respect of distinguishing between our wireless and wireline operations and cash flows (and this extends to allocations of both direct and indirect expenses and of capital expenditures). The clarity of such distinction has been increasingly affected by the convergence and integration of our wireless and wireline telecommunications infrastructure and technology. The continued build-out of our technology-agnostic fibre-optic infrastructure, in combination with converged edge technology, has significantly affected this judgment, as has the commercialization of fixed-wireless telecommunications solutions for customers and the consolidation of our non-customer facing operations. As a result, it has become increasingly impractical and difficult to objectively and clearly distinguish between our wireless and wireline operations and cash flows. As we do not currently aggregate operating segments, our reportable segments as at September 30, 2017, are also wireless and wireline. Segmented information in Note 5 of the interim consolidated financial statements is regularly reported to our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (our chief operating decision-maker).
5.2 Summary of consolidated quarterly results and trends
Summary of quarterly results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ($ millions, except per share amounts) 2017 Q3 2017 Q2 2017 Q1 2016 Q4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenues 3,366 3,273 3,198 3,305 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses Goods and services purchased(1) 1,531 1,433 1,313 1,574 Employee benefits expense(1) 639 646 624 962 Depreciation and amortization 547 526 532 533 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total operating expenses 2,717 2,605 2,469 3,069 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income 649 668 729 236 Financing costs 149 142 138 134 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 500 526 591 102 Income taxes 130 140 150 15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income 370 386 441 87 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income attributable to Common Shares 367 379 433 81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income per Common Share: Basic earnings per share (basic EPS) 0.62 0.64 0.73 0.14 Adjusted basic EPS(2) 0.66 0.68 0.74 0.53 Diluted EPS 0.62 0.64 0.73 0.14 Dividends declared per Common Share 0.4925 0.4925 0.48 0.48 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional information: EBITDA(2) 1,196 1,194 1,261 769 Restructuring and other costs(2) 36 39 4 348 Gains on the exchange of wireless spectrum licences - - - - Net gains and equity income from real estate joint venture developments - 3 - 7 Adjusted EBITDA(2) 1,232 1,230 1,265 1,110 Cash provided by operating activities 1,133 1,126 709 732 Free cash flow(2) 215 260 217 (191) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of quarterly results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ($ millions, except per share amounts) 2016 Q3 2016 Q2 2016 Q1 2015 Q4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenues 3,238 3,148 3,108 3,217 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses Goods and services purchased(1) 1,426 1,331 1,300 1,482 Employee benefits expense(1) 681 628 668 757 Depreciation and amortization 515 499 500 518 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total operating expenses 2,622 2,458 2,468 2,757 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income 616 690 640 460 Financing costs 129 134 123 114 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 487 556 517 346 Income taxes 132 140 139 85 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income 355 416 378 261 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income attributable to Common Shares 348 416 378 261 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income per Common Share: Basic earnings per share (basic EPS) 0.59 0.70 0.64 0.44 Adjusted basic EPS(2) 0.65 0.70 0.70 0.54 Diluted EPS 0.59 0.70 0.64 0.44 Dividends declared per Common Share 0.46 0.46 0.44 0.44 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional information: EBITDA(2) 1,131 1,189 1,140 978 Restructuring and other costs(2) 60 23 48 99 Gains on the exchange of wireless spectrum licences - 15 - - Net gains and equity income from real estate joint venture developments 10 9 - - Adjusted EBITDA(2) 1,181 1,188 1,188 1,077 Cash provided by operating activities 1,032 892 563 870 Free cash flow(2) 98 126 108 197 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Goods and services purchased and Employee benefits expense amounts include restructuring and other costs. 2 See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other financial measures. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trends
The trend of year-over-year increases in consolidated revenue reflects: (i) wireless network revenue generated from growth in both our ARPU and subscriber base; and (ii) wireline data service revenue, driven by Internet and enhanced data, TELUS Health, TELUS TV services and business process outsourcing revenues. Increased Internet and TV service revenues are being generated by subscriber growth and higher Internet revenue per customer. Consolidated revenue growth was partially offset by the continued decline in wireline voice revenues and the general decline in wireless equipment revenues. For additional information on wireless and wireline revenue and subscriber trends, see Section 5.4 Wireless segment and Section 5.5 Wireline segment.
The trend of year-over-year increases in Goods and services purchased expense reflects higher equipment expenses associated with increased postpaid gross additions and retention volumes, as well as increasing per-unit device costs including higher-value smartphones in the sales mix; increasing wireless customer service, administrative, roaming, and external labour expenses to support growth in our subscriber base; and increased wireline TV costs of sales associated with a growing subscriber base. These were partly offset by lower wireline equipment costs.
The general trend of year-over-year decreases in net Employee benefits expense reflects moderating wages and salaries resulting from a decrease in the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) domestic employees and the impact of benefits from certain contract concessions associated with our immediately vesting transformative compensation (recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 and described in our 2016 annual MD&A) that are yielding efficiency improvements and continue to support our customer service focus. This was partly offset by increases in the number of employees to support business process outsourcing revenue growth and from business acquisitions.
The trend of year-over-year increases in Depreciation and amortization reflects increases due to growth in capital assets, which is supporting the expansion of our broadband footprint and enhanced long-term evolution (LTE) network coverage, and growth in business acquisitions, as well as the present impact of our continuing program of asset life studies. The investments in our fibre-optic network also support our small-cell technology strategy to improve coverage and capacity while preparing for a more efficient and timely evolution to 5G.
The trend of year-over-year increases in Financing costs reflects an increase in long-term debt outstanding, mainly associated with our generational investments in fibre to homes and businesses and our wireless network, and the significant investments in wireless spectrum licences acquired during auctions in 2014 and 2015. Financing costs are net of capitalized interest which was related to spectrum licences acquired during the wireless spectrum licence auctions. Capitalization of interest ceased in the first quarter of 2017, as cell sites are now capable of utilizing those spectrum frequencies. Financing costs also include the Employee defined benefit plans net interest expense. Additionally, for the eight periods shown, Financing costs include varying amounts of foreign exchange gains or losses and varying amounts of interest income.
The trend in Net income reflects the items noted above, as well as non-cash adjustments arising from legislated income tax changes and adjustments recognized in the current periods for income taxes of prior periods, including any related after-tax interest on reassessments. Historically, the trend in basic EPS has also been impacted by share purchases under our normal course issuer bid programs. However, there have been no repurchases in the first nine months of 2017.
The general trend of year-over-year increases in Cash provided by operating activities reflects generally higher consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. It also reflects increased interest payments arising from increases in debt outstanding, offset by lower fixed-term interest rates. Both income tax payments and restructuring and other costs have generally increased in 2016, but cash income tax payments have decreased in fiscal 2017, consistent with our assumption described in Section 9.3 of our 2016 annual MD&A and updated in Section 9 Update to assumptions. The trend in free cash flow reflects the factors affecting Cash provided by operating activities, as well as increases in capital expenditures. For further discussion on trends, see Section 5.4 Wireless segment and Section 5.5 Wireline segment.
5.3 Consolidated operations
The following is a discussion of our consolidated financial performance. Segment information in Note 5 of the interim consolidated financial statements is regularly reported to our CEO. We discuss the performance of our segments in Section 5.4 Wireless segment,Section 5.5 Wireline segment and Section 7.3 Cash used by investing activities.
Operating revenues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- --------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service 3,174 3,045 4.2% 9,292 8,921 4.2%
Equipment 181 180 0.6% 507 516 (1.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from
contracts with
customers 3,355 3,225 4.0% 9,799 9,437 3.8%
Other operating income 11 13 (15.4)% 38 57 (33.3)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,366 3,238 4.0% 9,837 9,494 3.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated operating revenues increased by $128 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $343 million in the first nine months of 2017.
-- Service revenues increased by $129 million in the third quarter of 2017
and $371 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily reflecting
growth in wireless network revenue and wireline data services, partly
offset by the continuing decline in wireline voice revenues. Wireless
network revenue reflects growth in blended ARPU and a growing wireless
subscriber base and, to a lesser extent, revenues related to postpaid
subscribers we acquired from Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS).
Wireline data service revenue reflects increases in Internet and
enhanced data service, TELUS Health, and TELUS TV revenues. Higher TELUS
Health revenues were driven by organic growth through additional
professional services and support revenue, and through acquisitions.
Professional services revenue increased in large part due to being
selected as the technology solution provider for PrescribeIT, a national
e-prescribing service, and support revenue growth has arisen from
additional physicians using our electronic medical records offering.
Internet and TV revenues increased due to subscriber growth, as well as
higher Internet revenue per customer.
-- Equipment revenues were relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017.
For the nine-month period, equipment revenues decreased by $9 million,
primarily reflecting a decrease in wireless equipment revenue from a
combination of higher per-unit subsidies including devices on Premium
Plus plans and wireless competitive intensity, partly offset by
increased postpaid gross additions and higher wireless retention
volumes.
-- Other operating income was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017
and decreased by $19 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily
due to lower net gains in the current period than in the comparable
period. These changes include lower net gains and equity income related
to real estate joint venture developments, in addition to non-recurring
2016 gains related to the exchange of wireless spectrum licences and
from the sale of property, plant and equipment, partly offset by the
non-recurrence of 2016 provisions related to written put options issued
in a 2012 business combination for the non-controlling interests.
Operating expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- --------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goods and services
purchased 1,531 1,426 7.4% 4,277 4,057 5.4%
Employee benefits
expense 639 681 (6.2)% 1,909 1,977 (3.4)%
Depreciation 410 388 5.7% 1,203 1,158 3.9%
Amortization of
intangible assets 137 127 7.9% 402 356 12.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,717 2,622 3.6% 7,791 7,548 3.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated operating expenses increased by $95 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $243 million in the first nine months of 2017.
-- Goods and services purchased increased by $105 million in the third
quarter of 2017 and $220 million in the first nine months of 2017,
reflecting increased costs associated with higher wireless gross loading
and retention volumes (retention volumes increased by 6.5% in the third
quarter of 2017 and 1.9% in the first nine months of 2017), higher
handset costs, increased roaming costs, increased advertising and
promotion expense, increased external labour to support a growing
subscriber base, higher non-labour restructuring costs including those
associated with the migration of subscribers from MTS, customer support
costs related to acquired MTS subscribers and higher TV content costs.
-- Employee benefits expense decreased by $42 million in the third quarter
of 2017 and $68 million in the first nine months of 2017 due to the non-
recurrence of labour-related restructuring expenses from 2016, and the
benefits from certain contract concessions associated with our
immediately vesting transformative compensation that are yielding
efficiency improvements and continue to support our customer service
focus.
-- Depreciation increased by $22 million in the third quarter of 2017 and
$45 million in the first nine months of 2017 due to increased
expenditures associated with capital assets, including those arising
from business acquisitions, as well as the impact of our continuing
program of asset life studies.
-- Amortization of intangible assets increased by $10 million in the third
quarter of 2017 and $46 million in the first nine months of 2017,
reflecting increased expenditures associated with the intangible asset
base, including those arising from business acquisitions.
Operating income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless EBITDA (See
Section 5.4) 788 759 3.9% 2,391 2,308 3.6%
Wireline EBITDA (See
Section 5.5) 408 372 9.8% 1,260 1,152 9.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1,196 1,131 5.9% 3,651 3,460 5.5%
Depreciation and
amortization (discussed
above) (547) (515) 6.2% (1,605) (1,514) 6.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
649 616 5.4% 2,046 1,946 5.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income increased by $33 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $100 million in the first nine months of 2017. EBITDA increased by $65 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $191 million in the first nine months of 2017 and was negatively affected by in-quarter costs and revenue impacts of $4 million related to the wildfires in Western Canada. Adjusted EBITDA (see Section 11.1) increased by $51 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $170 million in the first nine months of 2017. These increases reflect wireless network revenue growth driven by higher ARPU and a larger customer base, in addition to growth in data service margins.
Financing costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross interest expense 144 137 5.1% 430 412 4.4%
Capitalized long-term
debt interest - (12) n/m - (40) n/m
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense 144 125 15.2% 430 372 15.6%
Employee defined benefit
plans net interest 1 1 -% 4 3 33.3%
Interest (income) (1) - n/m (2) (1) 100.0%
Foreign exchange losses
(gains) 5 3 66.7% (3) 12 (125.0)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
149 129 15.5% 429 386 11.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing costs increased by $20 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $43 million in the first nine months of 2017, mainly due to the following factors:
-- Gross interest expense, prior to capitalization of long-term debt
interest, increased by $7 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $18
million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to the increase
in average long-term debt balances outstanding, partly offset by a
reduction in the effective interest rate. Our weighted average interest
rate on long-term debt (excluding commercial paper and the revolving
component of the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility) was
4.16% at September 30, 2017, as compared to 4.23% one year earlier. (See
Long-term debtissues and repayments in Section 7.4.)
-- Capitalized long-term debt interest is in respect of debt incurred for
the purchase of spectrum licences during spectrum auctions held by
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), which we
deploy in our existing network. Capitalization of long-term debt
interest occurs until substantially all of the activities necessary to
prepare the spectrum for its intended use are complete, effectively when
cell sites are ready to be put into service. The capitalization of
interest ceased in the first quarter of 2017.
-- Employee defined benefit plans net interest was flat in the third
quarter of 2017 and was relatively flat in the first nine months of
2017. There was a small increase in the defined benefit plan deficit at
December 31, 2016, compared to December 31, 2015, and minimal change in
the discount rate.
-- Foreign exchange losses (gains) have fluctuated as a result of the
strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar in
2017, combined with the impact of our hedging activities and the impacts
from our international business process outsourcing operations.
Income taxes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended September 30
-------------------------------------------
($ millions, except tax rates) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax computed at
applicable statutory rates 133 129 3.1%
Adjustments recognized in the
current period for income taxes
of prior periods (2) (3) (33.3)%
Revaluation of deferred income
tax liability to reflect future
statutory income tax rates - - -%
Other (1) 6 (116.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 130 132 (1.5)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes computed at
applicable statutory rates (%) 26.6 26.6 - pts.
Effective tax rate (%) 26.0 27.1 (1.1) pt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month periods ended September 30
--------------------------------------------
($ millions, except tax rates) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax computed at
applicable statutory rates 431 414 4.1%
Adjustments recognized in the
current period for income taxes
of prior periods (3) (3) -%
Revaluation of deferred income
tax liability to reflect future
statutory income tax rates - 1 (100.0)%
Other (8) (1) n/m
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 420 411 2.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes computed at
applicable statutory rates (%) 26.7 26.5 0.2 pts.
Effective tax rate (%) 26.0 26.3 (0.3) pts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax expense was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017 and increased by $9 million in the first nine months of 2017. The increase for the nine-month period was primarily due to higher Income before income taxes.
Comprehensive income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended September 30
---------------------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 370 355 4.2%
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(net of income taxes):
Items that may be subsequently
reclassified to income 5 - n/m
Item never subsequently
reclassified to income -
Employee defined benefit plans
re-measurements (22) 150 (114.7)%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income 353 505 (30.1)%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month periods ended September 30
----------------------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 1,197 1,149 4.2%
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(net of income taxes):
Items that may be subsequently
reclassified to income 18 (10) n/m
Item never subsequently
reclassified to income -
Employee defined benefit plans
re-measurements 64 167 (61.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income 1,279 1,306 (2.1)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income decreased by $152 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $27 million in the nine-month period, primarily due to decreases in employee defined benefit plan re-measurement amounts, partly offset by increases in Net income. Items that may be subsequently reclassified to income are composed of changes in the unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments arising from translating financial statements of foreign operations and changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments.
5.4 Wireless segment
Wireless trends and seasonality
The historical trend in wireless network revenue reflects growth in both ARPU and our subscriber base, driven by larger proportions of higher-rate plans in the revenue mix and higher data consumption. This growth, coupled with higher-value smartphones in the sales mix, was partially offset by the general decline in wireless equipment revenues. This general decline in wireless equipment revenues reflects higher per-unit subsidies including devices on Premium Plus plans, driven by competitive intensity. The general trend of year-over-year increases in subscriber net additions resulted from the success of our promotions, including marketing efforts focused on higher-value postpaid and smartphone loading, coupled with the effects of market growth arising from a growing population, changing population demographics and an increasing number of customers with multiple activated devices. Although there has historically been significant third and fourth quarter seasonal effects that result in increased loading, competitive intensity in both the consumer and business markets as well as other factors may impact subscriber addition results and trends for future periods.
The wireless ARPU growth trend increased in 2017 due to an emphasis on marketing and increased mix of higher-rate plans, including the Premium Plus plans launched in June 2016 and a higher mix of data share plans. This was partly offset by competitive pressures driving larger allotments of data provided in rate plans, including data sharing and international data roaming features and plans, consumer behavioural response to increased frequency of customer data usage notifications, and offloading of data traffic to Wi-Fi hotspots. ARPU is expected to continue to increase modestly, as a result of the continued growth in data consumption and the ongoing shift in our subscriber base towards higher-value postpaid customers. However, the level of ARPU is highly dependent on competition, the economic environment, consumer behaviour, the regulatory environment, device selection and other factors, and, as a consequence, there cannot be assurance that ARPU growth will continue to materialize.
The trend of year-over-year improvements in our average monthly postpaid subscriber churn reflects our efforts of putting customers first and retention programs. We may experience pressure on our postpaid subscriber churn if the level of competitive intensity increases, in part due to increased promotional activity, an increase in customers on expired contracts, as well as customers bringing their own devices and therefore not entering into new contracts. Accordingly, our wireless segment historical operating results and trends may not be reflective of results and trends for future periods.
Historically, the third and fourth quarter seasonal effects described above have reflected higher wireless subscriber additions, an increase in related acquisition costs and equipment sales, and higher retention costs due to contract renewals in those quarters. These impacts can be more pronounced around popular device launches and seasonal promotional events such as back to school, Black Friday and the Christmas holiday season. The costs associated with higher seasonal loading volumes have typically resulted in sequential decreases in wireless EBITDA from the second quarter through to the fourth quarter, and are usually followed by sequential increases in wireless EBITDA from the fourth quarter through to the second quarter. The fourth quarter of 2016 included the immediately vesting transformative compensation expense. Subscriber additions have generally been lowest in the first quarter. Historically, wireless ARPU has experienced seasonal sequential increases in the second and third quarters, reflecting higher levels of usage and roaming in the spring and summer, followed by seasonal sequential declines in the fourth and first quarters. This seasonal effect on ARPU has moderated, as unlimited nationwide voice plans have become more prevalent and chargeable voice and long distance usage spikes have become less pronounced. In addition, customers are opting for higher-capacity data plans with higher base prices and benefiting from flexible data top-up features, resulting in less variability in chargeable data usage but higher monthly recurring revenue. These historical seasonal ARPU patterns are tempering similar to the associated loading patterns. Marketing and promotions aimed at attracting and retaining customers have become more prevalent throughout the year. The trends in revenue and revenue-based operating metrics will be impacted by our adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as discussed further in Section 8.2 Accounting policy developments of our 2016 annual MD&A.
Wireless operating indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As at September 30 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribers (000s):
Postpaid 7,868 7,463 5.4%
Prepaid 956 1,044 (8.4)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 8,824 8,507 3.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postpaid proportion
of subscriber base
(%) 89.2 87.7 1.5 pts.
HSPA+ population
coverage(1)
(millions) 36.7 35.7 2.8%
LTE population
coverage(1)
(millions) 36.6 35.1 4.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
--------------------- ---------------------------
2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscriber gross
additions (000s):
Postpaid 306 283 8.1% 793 742 6.9%
Prepaid 93 96 (3.1)% 243 259 (6.2)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 399 379 5.3% 1,036 1,001 3.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscriber net
additions (000s):
Postpaid 115 87 32.2% 258 156 65.4%
Prepaid 9 (7) n/m (60) (61) 1.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 124 80 55.0% 198 95 n/m
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blended ARPU, per
month(2) ($) 68.67 66.67 3.0% 67.04 64.72 3.6%
Churn, per
month(2)(%)
Blended 1.05 1.18 (0.13) pts. 1.07 1.20 (0.13) pts.
Postpaid 0.86 0.94 (0.08) pts. 0.86 0.93 (0.07) pts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Including network access agreements with other Canadian carriers.
2 See Section 11.2 Operating indicators. These are industry measures useful
in assessing operating performance of a wireless company, but are not
measures defined under IFRS-IASB.
3 Effective April 1, 2017, postpaid subscribers, total subscribers and
associated operating statistics (gross additions, net additions, ARPU and
churn) have been adjusted to include an estimated migration of 85,000 MTS
subscribers in the opening subscriber balances. Cumulative subscriber
connections also include an April 1, 2017 adjustment to remove
approximately 19,000 prepaid and 25,000 postpaid subscriptions from the
respective subscriber bases, primarily due to our national CDMA network
shutdown.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues - Wireless segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions, except
ratios) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network revenue 1,794 1,679 6.8% 5,192 4,860 6.8%
Equipment and other
service revenues 135 135 -% 366 382 (4.2)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from
contracts with customers 1,929 1,814 6.3% 5,558 5,242 6.0%
Other operating income 5 4 25.0% 5 32 (84.4)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
External operating
revenues 1,934 1,818 6.4% 5,563 5,274 5.5%
Inter-service revenues 11 15 (26.7)% 33 43 (23.3)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating
revenues 1,945 1,833 6.1% 5,596 5,317 5.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network revenue from external customers increased by $115 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $332 million in the first nine months of 2017. Network revenue increased, reflecting: (i) growth in the subscriber base, including subscribers we acquired from MTS; (ii) a larger proportion of higher-rate plans in the revenue mix, including the Premium Plus plans launched in June 2016; (iii) a larger proportion of customers selecting plans with larger data buckets or periodically topping up their data buckets; (iv) a higher postpaid subscriber mix; (v) a higher smartphone mix; and (vi) higher roaming revenues.
-- Monthly blended ARPU was $68.67 in the third quarter of 2017 and $67.04
in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting increases of $2.00 for the
quarter and $2.32 for the nine-month period. The increases were
primarily driven by the effects of higher network revenue (as described
above).
-- Gross subscriber additions were 399,000 in the third quarter of 2017 and
1,036,000 in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting increases of
20,000 for the quarter and 35,000 for the nine-month period. Postpaid
gross additions increased by 23,000 for the quarter and 51,000 for the
first nine months due to the success of promotions, including our
marketing efforts focused on higher-value postpaid and smartphone
loading. Prepaid gross activations decreased by 3,000 for the quarter
and 16,000 for the first nine months mainly from competitive intensity,
and our marketing efforts focused on higher-value postpaid loading.
-- Our average monthly postpaid subscriber churn rate was 0.86% in the
third quarter of 2017 and 0.86% in the first nine months of 2017, as
compared to 0.94% and 0.93%, respectively, in the comparable periods of
2016. The continuing low postpaid subscriber churn rates during 2017
reflect our focus on executing customers first initiatives and retention
programs. Our blended monthly subscriber churn rate was 1.05% in the
third quarter of 2017 and 1.07% in the first nine months of 2017, as
compared to 1.18% and 1.20%, respectively, in the comparable periods of
2016. The improvement in our blended subscriber churn rates in 2017
reflects the changes in the postpaid churn rate as described above and
improvements in prepaid churn rates, as well as an increase in the mix
of postpaid subscribers versus prepaid subscribers in our subscriber
base.
-- Net subscriber additions reflect postpaid net additions of 115,000 in
the third quarter of 2017 and 258,000 in the first nine months of 2017,
compared to 87,000 and 156,000, respectively, in the comparable periods
of 2016, attributed to the factors affecting gross subscriber additions
as described above, as well as our marketing efforts focused on cost-
effective prepaid to postpaid migrations. Prepaid subscribers increased
by 9,000 in the third quarter of 2017 due to improvements in prepaid
churn rates, as compared to a decrease of 7,000 in 2016. Prepaid
subscribers decreased by 60,000 in the first nine months of 2017, as
compared to a decrease of 61,000 in the comparable period in 2016,
reflecting our focus on higher-value postpaid loading, increased
competition for prepaid services and conversions to postpaid services as
described above. Net subscriber additions were 124,000 in the third
quarter of 2017 and 198,000 in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting
year-over-year improvements of 44,000 for the quarter and 103,000 for
the first nine months of 2017 due to lower blended monthly churn and
higher postpaid gross additions.
Equipment and other service revenues were flat in the third quarter of 2017 as higher volumes were offset by higher per-unit subsidies. In the first nine months of 2017, equipment and other service revenues decreased by $16 million, mainly from a combination of higher per-unit subsidies combined with competitive intensity, partly offset by increased postpaid gross additions and higher retention volumes.
Other operating income was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2017. In the first nine months of 2017, other operating income decreased by $27 million, mainly due to non-recurring 2016 gains from the exchange of wireless spectrum licences, lower gains from sales of property, plant and equipment, and lower net gains and equity income related to real estate joint venture developments, partly offset by gains on the sale of investments.
Inter-service revenues represent network services that are eliminated upon consolidation along with the associated wireline expenses.
Operating expenses - Wireless segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goods and services
purchased:
Equipment sales
expenses 465 437 6.4% 1,237 1,171 5.6%
Network operating
expenses 215 200 7.5% 612 573 6.8%
Marketing expenses 113 101 11.9% 301 289 4.2%
Other(1) 208 170 22.4% 583 486 20.0%
Employee benefits
expense(1) 156 166 (6.0)% 472 490 (3.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating
expenses 1,157 1,074 7.7% 3,205 3,009 6.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Includes restructuring and other costs. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and
other financial measures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless operating expenses increased by $83 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $196 million in the first nine months of 2017.
Equipment sales expenses increased by $28 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $66 million in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting an increase in postpaid gross additions and retention volumes (retention volumes increased by 6.5% in the third quarter of 2017 and 1.9% in the first nine months of 2017), an increase in higher-value smartphones in the sales mix, including premium devices on Premium Plus plans, and increasing handset costs.
Network operating expenses increased by $15 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $39 million in the first nine months of 2017, mainly due to increased roaming expenses.
Marketing expenses increased by $12 million in the third quarter and in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to higher advertising and promotions expenses, as well as higher commission expense driven by higher gross additions and higher retention volumes.
Other goods and services purchased increased by $38 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $97 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to higher non-labour restructuring costs, including those associated with the migration of subscribers from MTS, customer support costs related to acquired MTS subscribers, an increase in external labour and higher administrative costs supporting the higher customer base.
Employee benefits expense decreased by $10 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $18 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to the non-recurrence of significant labour-related restructuring costs from efficiency initiatives in 2016 and higher capitalized labour costs.
EBITDA - Wireless segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended
September 30
-----------------------------------
($ millions, except margins) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 788 759 3.9%
Add back restructuring and other costs
included in EBITDA 24 18 33.3%
Deduct gain on the exchange of wireless
spectrum licences - - n/m
Deduct net gains and equity income from
real estate joint venture developments - (4) (100.0)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA(1) 812 773 5.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA margin (%) 40.5 41.4 (0.9) pts.
Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) (%) 41.7 42.3 (0.6) pts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA - Wireless segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month periods ended
September 30
------------------------------------
($ millions, except margins) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 2,391 2,308 3.6%
Add back restructuring and other costs
included in EBITDA 52 36 44.4%
Deduct gain on the exchange of wireless
spectrum licences - (15) n/m
Deduct net gains and equity income from
real estate joint venture developments (1) (8) (87.5)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA(1) 2,442 2,321 5.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA margin (%) 42.7 43.4 (0.7) pts.
Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) (%) 43.6 43.8 (0.2) pts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 See description under EBITDA in Section 11.1.
2 The calculation of the Adjusted EBITDA margin excludes the net gains and
equity income from real estate joint venture developments, as well as the
gain on the exchange of wireless spectrum licences from both EBITDA and
Operating revenues, and excludes restructuring and other costs from
EBITDA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless EBITDA increased by $29 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $83 million in the first nine months of 2017. Wireless Adjusted EBITDA increased by $39 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $121 million in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting network revenue growth driven by higher ARPU and a larger customer base including the subscribers we acquired from MTS, partly offset by increased equipment sales expenses, increased network operating expenses, higher administrative costs and increased external labour.
5.5 Wireline segment
Wireline trends
The trend of increasing wireline service revenue reflects growth in high-speed Internet and enhanced data services, TELUS Health revenues, TELUS TV revenues and business process outsourcing services, and is partly offset by declining wireline voice revenues and equipment revenues. The increases in Internet and TV service revenues are being generated by subscriber growth and higher Internet revenue per customer from upgrades to faster speeds and larger data usage rate plans. The trend of increasing TELUS Health revenues has been driven by organic growth and through acquisitions. Although growth rates of business process outsourcing services have moderated, revenues have remained stable. The trend of declining wireline voice revenues is due to technological substitution, greater use of inclusive long distance coupled with lower long distance minutes used, and continuing increased competition in the small and medium-sized business market, as well as, impacts of the economic slowdown in previous quarters, particularly in Alberta, which were more prominent in the business markets.
We expect continued high-speed Internet subscriber base growth as the economy grows and as we continue our investments in expanding our fibre-optic network. TELUS TV subscriber base growth has moderated due to a declining overall market for paid TV services resulting from the high rate of market penetration and increased competition, including from over-the-top (OTT) services. Residential network access line (NAL) losses continue to reflect the ongoing trend of substitution to wireless and Internet-based services.
Wireline operating indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
At September 30 (000s) 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscriber connections:
High-speed Internet
subscribers(1) 1,722 1,631 5.6%
TELUS TV subscribers(1) 1,084 1,043 3.9%
Residential NALs(1) 1,312 1,396 (6.0)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total wireline subscriber
connections(1) 4,118 4,070 1.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
(000s) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscriber connection net
additions (losses):
High-speed Internet 19 14 35.7% 60 44 36.4%
TELUS TV 9 14 (35.7)% 21 38 (44.7)%
Residential NALs (20) (25) 20.0% (62) (71) 12.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total wireline subscriber
connection net additions 8 3 166.7% 19 11 72.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 In relation to an acquisition and a divestiture that were both undertaken
during the first quarter of 2017, January 1, 2017 residential NALs, high-
speed Internet and TELUS TV subscriber balances were increased by a net
1,000, 6,000 and 5,000, respectively.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues - Wireline segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data services and
equipment 1,067 1,025 4.1% 3,147 3,008 4.6%
Voice services 305 335 (9.0)% 936 1,023 (8.5)%
Other services and
equipment 54 51 5.9% 158 164 (3.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from
contracts with customers 1,426 1,411 1.1% 4,241 4,195 1.1%
Other operating income 6 9 (33.3)% 33 25 32.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
External operating
revenues 1,432 1,420 0.8% 4,274 4,220 1.3%
Inter-service revenues 51 48 6.3% 155 143 8.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline operating
revenues 1,483 1,468 1.0% 4,429 4,363 1.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Data services and equipment revenues increased by $42 million in the
third quarter of 2017 and $139 million in the first nine months of 2017.
The increases were primarily due to: (i) increased Internet and enhanced
data service revenues resulting from a 5.6% increase in our high-speed
Internet subscribers over the last 12 months, higher revenue per
customer from upgrades to faster Internet speeds and larger data usage
Internet rate plans, and certain rate increases; (ii) increased TELUS
Health revenues driven by organic growth through additional professional
services and support revenue, and through acquisitions. Professional
services revenue increased in large part due to being selected as the
technology solution provider for PrescribeIT, and support revenue growth
has arisen from additional physicians using our electronic medical
records offering; (iii) increased TELUS TV revenues resulting from a
3.9% subscriber growth over the last 12 months and certain rate
increases; and (iv) growth in business process outsourcing revenues,
inclusive of foreign exchange impacts on foreign operations. This growth
was partly offset by the ongoing decline in legacy data services.
-- Voice services revenues decreased by $30 million in the third quarter of
2017 and $87 million in the first nine months of 2017. The decreases
reflect the ongoing decline in legacy revenues from technological
substitution including wireless and Internet, increased competition,
greater use of inclusive long distance plans and lower long distance
minutes of use, partially offset by higher wholesale volumes and certain
rate increases. We experienced a 6.0% decline in residential NALs in the
12-month period ended September 30, 2017.
-- Wireline subscriber connection net additions were 8,000 in the third
quarter of 2017 and 19,000 in the first nine months of 2017, reflecting
increases of 5,000 and 8,000 compared to the respective periods in 2016.
Net additions of high-speed Internet subscribers were 19,000 in the
third quarter of 2017 and 60,000 in the first nine months of 2017,
reflecting increases of 5,000 and 16,000, respectively, compared to the
net additions in the same periods in 2016. The increases were due to the
continued expansion of our high-speed broadband footprint, including
fibre to the premises and the success of recently launched innovative
product offerings in addition to our efforts of putting customers first.
Net additions of TELUS TV subscribers were 9,000 for the third quarter
of 2017 and 21,000 for the first nine months of 2017, down 5,000 and
17,000 compared to the net additions in the respective periods in 2016.
These net addition results reflect lower gross additions and satellite-
TV subscriber losses due to a declining overall market for paid TV
services resulting from the effects of heightened competitive intensity,
including from OTT services and a high rate of market penetration. These
pressures were partly offset by the continued focus on expanding our
addressable high-speed Internet and Optik TV footprint, connecting more
homes and businesses directly to fibre (as we approach nearly 50% of our
targeted coverage footprint), and bundling these services together. This
contributed to combined Internet and TV subscriber growth of 132,000 or
4.9% over the last 12 months.
Residential NAL losses were 20,000 in the third quarter of 2017 and
62,000 in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to NAL losses of
25,000 and 71,000, respectively, in the same periods in 2016. This
reflects the trend of substitution to wireless and Internet-based
services, as well as increased competition, partially mitigated by the
success of our bundled service offerings and our customers first
initiatives.
-- Other services and equipment revenues increased by $3 million in the
third quarter of 2017. In the first nine months of 2017, other services
and equipment revenues decreased by $6 million, mainly due to declines
in voice equipment sales.
Other operating income decreased by $3 million in the third quarter of 2017 due to write-down of investments and non-recurrence of gains and equity income related to real estate joint venture developments, partly offset by the non-recurrence of a 2016 provision related to written put options issued in a 2012 TELUS International (Cda) Inc. business combination. Other operating income increased by $8 million in the first nine months of 2017, largely attributable to the non-recurrence of 2016 provisions related to written put options issued in a 2012 business combination for the non-controlling interests (such written put options were exercised in the fourth quarter of 2016), coupled with higher net gains on the sale of investments, partly offset by lower net gains and equity income related to real estate joint venture developments.
Inter-service revenues represent services provided to the wireless segment. Such revenue is eliminated upon consolidation together with the associated expenses in wireless.
Operating expenses - Wireline segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goods and services
purchased(1) 592 581 1.9% 1,732 1,724 0.5%
Employee benefits
expense(1) 483 515 (6.2)% 1,437 1,487 (3.4)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline operating
expenses 1,075 1,096 (1.9)% 3,169 3,211 (1.3)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Includes restructuring and other costs. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and
other financial measures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total wireline operating expenses decreased by $21 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $42 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to the following factors:
Goods and services purchased increased by $11 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $8 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily from higher TV content costs mainly driven by higher numbers of TV subscribers, partly offset by lower non-labour restructuring costs.
Employee benefits expense decreased by $32 million in the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to the non-recurrence of significant labour-related restructuring costs from efficiency initiatives in 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, Employee benefits expense decreased by $50 million, primarily due to the non-recurrence of significant labour-related restructuring costs from efficiency initiatives in 2016, benefits from certain contract concessions associated with our immediately vesting transformative compensation, lower compensation and benefits costs resulting from a decrease in the average number of domestic FTE employees and higher capitalized labour costs. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in the number of employees supporting growing business process outsourcing revenue, net of the effects of foreign exchange on foreign operations.
EBITDA - Wireline segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- --------------------------
($ millions, except
margins) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 408 372 9.8% 1,260 1,152 9.3%
Add back restructuring
and other costs
included in EBITDA 12 42 (71.4)% 27 95 (71.6)%
Deduct net gains and
equity income from real
estate joint venture
developments - (6) (100.0)% (2) (11) (81.8)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA(1) 420 408 3.0% 1,285 1,236 3.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA margin (%) 27.5 25.3 2.2 pts. 28.4 26.4 2.0 pts.
Adjusted EBITDA
margin(2) (%) 28.3 27.8 0.5 pts. 29.0 28.3 0.7 pts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 See description under EBITDA in Section 11.1.
2 The calculation of the Adjusted EBITDA margin excludes the net gains and
equity income from real estate joint venture developments from both
EBITDA and Operating revenues, and excludes restructuring and other costs
from EBITDA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline EBITDA increased by $36 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $108 million in the first nine months of 2017. Wireline Adjusted EBITDA increased by $12 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $49 million in the first nine months of 2017 due to growth in data service margins (including Internet, TELUS Health services, and TELUS TV) and our execution of cost efficiency programs, partly offset by continued declines in legacy voice services.
6. Changes in financial position
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
Financial position at: Sept. 30 Dec. 31 Change includes:
------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 ($ millions) (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets
See Section 7
Liquidity and
Cash and temporary capital
investments, net 488 432 56 13% resources
An increase in
roaming
revenue
accruals, as
well as the
accrued
receivable
related to the
business
acquisition of
Manitoba
Telecom
Services Inc.
(MTS)
subscribers
partially
offset by
lower customer
Accounts receivable 1,539 1,471 68 5% receivables
An increase
due to the
timing of tax
instalments in
excess of
current income
tax expense as
well as
payment of
Income and other taxes taxes owing
receivable 54 9 45 n/m for 2016
An increase in
wireless
handset
Inventories 356 318 38 12% inventory
An increase
due to the
annual
prepayment of
statutory
employee
benefits,
maintenance
contracts,
property taxes
and annual
wireless
spectrum
licence fees,
net of
Prepaid expenses 359 233 126 54% amortization
A decrease in
the fair value
of U.S.
Current derivative currency
assets 5 11 (6) (55)% hedging items.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities
See Section
7.7Sale of
trade
Short-term borrowings 100 100 - -% receivables
An increase in
accounts
payables
associated
with higher
capital
expenditures,
partly offset
by a decrease
in payroll and
other
employee-
related
liabilities
due to payment
of variable
pay for 2016
made in the
Accounts payable and first quarter
accrued liabilities 2,447 2,330 117 5% of 2017
An increase
due to the
timing of
current income
tax expense in
Income and other taxes excess of tax
payable 43 37 6 16% instalments
Dividends payable 292 284 8 3% n/m
An increase in
advance
billings due
to the upfront
payment for
the hardware,
maintenance
and
installation
of a managed
voice
solution, as
well as
increased
subscriber
Advance billings and growth during
customer deposits 769 737 32 4% the year
Amounts paid
out under
restructuring
initiatives
exceeded new
restructuring
Provisions 66 124 (58) (47)% provisions
An increase of
$479 in
outstanding
commercial
paper, as well
as $250 of our
1.50% Notes,
Series CS in
March 2018
reclassified
from long-term
debt, offset
by the
maturation of
$700 of our
4.95% Notes,
Current maturities of Series CD in
long-term debt 1,357 1,327 30 2% March 2017
An increase in
the fair value
of U.S.
Current derivative currency
liabilities 30 12 18 n/m hedging items.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increases of
$327 in
Current assets
and $153 in
Current
liabilities.
Historically,
TELUS has had
a negative
working
capital
position. See
Capital
structure
management
policies in
Section 4.3 of
this MD&A and
the Liquidity
risk
Working capital discussion in
(Current assets Section 7.9 of
subtracting Current our 2016
liabilities) (2,303) (2,477) 174 7% annual MD&A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current assets
See Capital
expenditures
in Section 7.3
Cash used by
investing
activities and
Property, plant and Depreciation
equipment, net 11,184 10,464 720 7% in Section 5.3
See Capital
expenditures
in Section 7.3
Cash used by
investing
activities and
Amortization
of intangible
assets in
Intangible assets, net 10,651 10,364 287 3% Section 5.3
Acquisitions
including MTS
subscribers, a
pharmacy
management
services
provider, and
a business
process
outsourcing
and contact
centre
services
Goodwill, net 4,215 3,787 428 11% company
Increases in
pension and
post-
retirement
assets due to
positive
returns earned
on plan assets
as well as
pension cash
funding offset
by pension
Other long-term assets 715 640 75 12% expense.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current liabilities
An increase
due to a
business
acquisition
provision in
respect of
non-
controlling
Provisions 473 395 78 20% interests
See Section
7.4 Cash used
by financing
Long-term debt 12,261 11,604 657 6% activities
An increase in
Other long-
term
liabilities
due to an
increase in
the accrual
for share-
based
compensation,
as well as an
increase in
the fair value
of U.S.
Other long-term currency
liabilities 827 736 91 12% hedging items
Increase in
temporary
differences
between the
accounting and
tax basis of
assets and
liabilities,
as well as
adjustments
recognized in
the current
period for
income taxes
of prior
Deferred income taxes 2,404 2,107 297 14% periods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owners' equity
Includes Net
income of
$1,179 and
Other
comprehensive
income of $81,
issue of
shares in a
business
combination of
$100,
dividends
reinvested and
optional cash
payments of
$48, and other
of $1, net of
dividend
declarations
of $868 (see
Section 7.4
Cash used by
financing
Common equity 8,458 7,917 541 7% activities)
Includes Net
income of $18,
Other
comprehensive
income of $1
and
adjustments
arising from
the 35% non-
controlling
interests in
TELUS
International
Non-controlling (Cda) Inc. of
interests 39 19 20 105% $1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Liquidity and capital resources
This section contains forward-looking statements, including those with respect to our dividend payout ratio and net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio. See Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.
7.1 Overview
Our capital structure financial policies and financing and capital structure management plans are described in Section 4.3.
Cash flows
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
----------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by
operating activities 1,133 1,032 9.8% 2,968 2,487 19.3%
Cash used by investing
activities (866) (680) 27.4% (2,909) (2,075) 40.2%
Cash used by financing
activities (150) (370) (59.5)% (3) (225) (98.7)%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in
Cash and temporary
investments, net 117 (18) n/m 56 187 (70.1)%
Cash and temporary
investments, net,
beginning of period 371 428 (13.3)% 432 223 93.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and temporary
investments, net, end of
period 488 410 19.0% 488 410 19.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.2 Cash provided by operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $101 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $481 million in the first nine months of 2017.
Analysis of changes in cash provided by operating
activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third Nine-month
($ millions) quarter period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities, three-month and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 1,032 2,487
Year-over-year changes:
Higher EBITDA (See Section 5.4 Wireless segment and
Section 5.5 Wireline segment) 65 191
Higher share-based compensation cash outflows, net
of expense (5) (4)
Higher employer contributions to defined benefits
plans, net of expense (6) (5)
Lower restructuring disbursements, net of
restructuring expenses 31 24
Higher interest paid, net of interest received (13) (25)
Lower income taxes paid, net of recoveries received 128 372
Other (99) (72)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities, three-month and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 1,133 2,968
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, decreased in 2017,
reflecting lower required instalment payments and a larger final income
tax payment in the first quarter of 2016 in respect of the 2015 income
tax year.
-- Other operating working capital changes in the first nine months of 2017
include an increase in inventories and a decrease in provisions, net of
an increase in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. (See Section 6
Changes in financial position and Note 31(a) in the interim consolidated
financial statements.)
7.3 Cash used by investing activities
Cash used by investing activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash payments for capital
assets, excluding
spectrum licences (794) (711) (83) (2,344) (1,971) (373)
Cash payments for
spectrum licences - - - - (145) 145
Cash payments for
acquisitions, net (82) (14) (68) (560) (16) (544)
Real estate joint venture
advances (6) (5) (1) (19) (28) 9
Real estate joint venture
receipts 14 50 (36) 18 91 (73)
Proceeds on dispositions
and Other 2 - 2 (4) (6) 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by investing
activities (866) (680) (186) (2,909) (2,075) (834)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- The increase in Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum
licences, for both the third quarter of 2017 and first nine months of
2017 was composed of:
-- An increase in capital expenditures of $34 million in the third
quarter of 2017 and $181 million in the first nine months of 2017
(see Capital expenditure measures table and discussion below)
-- Increased capital expenditure payments with respect to payment
timing differences, as associated Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities decreased by $49 million in the third quarter of 2017
and $192 million in the first nine months of 2017.
-- For the first nine months of 2017, there were no cash payments for
acquisition of spectrum licences. Payments for spectrum licences in 2016
were monetary consideration as part of an approved spectrum licence
exchange.
-- In the third quarter of 2017, we made cash payments for the Voxpro
business acquisition described in Section 1.3 as well as individually
immaterial acquisitions complementary to our existing lines of business.
In the first nine months of 2017, in addition to the Voxpro business
acquisition, cash payments for acquisitions included second quarter
payments for approximately one-quarter of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.
(MTS) postpaid wireless subscribers, certain network assets and rights
to 15 retail locations in Manitoba, as well as Kroll Computer Systems
Inc.
-- Receipts from real estate joint ventures, net of advances in 2016,
resulted mainly from repayment of construction financing from the TELUS
Garden real estate joint venture as TELUS Garden opened in September
2015.
Capital expenditure measures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters Nine-month periods
ended September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- ------------------------
($ millions, except
capital intensity) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures(1)
Wireless segment 237 295 (19.7)% 745 733 1.6%
Wireline segment 584 492 18.7% 1,610 1,441 11.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated 821 787 4.3% 2,355 2,174 8.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment capital
intensity (%) 12 16 (4) pts. 13 14 (1) pt.
Wireline segment capital
intensity (%) 39 34 5 pts. 36 33 3 pts.
Consolidated capital
intensity(2) (%) 24 24 - pts. 24 23 1 pt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Capital expenditures include assets purchased but not yet paid for, and
therefore differ from Cash payments for capital assets, as presented on
the interim consolidated statements of cash flows.
2 See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other financial measures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment capital expenditures decreased by $58 million in the third quarter of 2017 as we incurred costs in the third quarter of 2016 to update our radio access network in Ontario and Quebec, which was completed in the second quarter of 2017. In the first nine months of 2017, wireless segment capital expenditures increased by $12 million due to continuing investments in our fibre-optic network to support our small-cell technology strategy to improve coverage, capacity and back-haul while preparing for a more efficient and timely evolution to 5G. We also expanded our investment in Manitoba to improve coverage, capacity and speeds to significantly enhance our customer experience and supplement the business acquisition of MTS subscribers, dealers and network. Additionally, we continued to invest in system and network resiliency and reliability in support of our ongoing customers first initiatives and to ready the network and systems for future retirement of legacy assets. During the third quarter of 2017, retirement of legacy CDMA network assets cost and accumulated depreciation was approximately $1 billion.
Wireline segment capital expenditures increased by $92 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $169 million in the first nine months of 2017. The increases were due to continuing investments in our broadband infrastructure, including connecting more homes and businesses directly to our fibre-optic network. These investments support our high-speed Internet and Optik TV subscriber growth, as well as our customers' demand for faster Internet speeds, and extends the reach and functionality of our business and healthcare solutions. Additionally, the increases were also attributed to readying TELUS TV product in preparation for deployment.
7.4 Cash used by financing activities
Cash used by financing activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
------------------------- -------------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends paid to holders
of Common Shares (269) (274) 5 (813) (798) (15)
Purchase of Common Shares
for cancellation - (19) 19 - (140) 140
Issuance and repayment of
short-term borrowings - (3) 3 - - -
Long-term debt issued net
of redemptions and
repayment 118 (67) 185 819 437 382
Issue of shares by
subsidiary to non-
controlling interests - (1) 1 - 291 (291)
Other 1 (6) 7 (9) (15) 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(150) (370) 220 (3) (225) 222
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares
In connection with dividends declared during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, the dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan trustee (Trustee) purchased shares from Treasury for the dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan instead of acquiring Common Shares in the stock market. For the third quarter of 2017, cash dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares decreased due to the Trustee purchasing dividend reinvestment Common Shares from Treasury, partly offset by higher dividend rates under our dividend growth program (see Section 4.3). For the first nine months of 2017, the increase in dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares reflect higher dividend rates under our dividend growth program, partly offset by the Trustee purchasing Common Shares from Treasury. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, the Trustee purchased approximately 0.5 million dividend reinvestment Common Shares for $24 million, and approximately 1.6 million dividend reinvestment Common Shares for $68 million, respectively, with no discount applicable. In October 2017, we paid dividends of $269 million to the holders of Common Shares and the Trustee purchased dividend reinvestment Common Shares from Treasury for $23 million, totaling $292 million.
Purchase of Common Shares for cancellation
No Common Shares were purchased for cancellation in the third quarter or first nine months of 2017.
Short-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings are composed primarily of amounts advanced to us from an arm's-length securitization trust pursuant to the transfer of receivables securitization transactions (see Section 7.7 Sale of trade receivables). Such proceeds were $100 million at September 30, 2017, unchanged since September 30, 2016.
Long-term debt issues and repayments
In the third quarter of 2017, long-term debt issues net of repayments increased by $185 million, primarily composed of:
-- A net increase in commercial paper, including foreign exchange effects,
of $60 million in the third quarter of 2017, to a balance of $1,092
million (U.S.$875 million) at September 30, 2017, from $1,032 million
(U.S.$794 million) at June 30, 2017. Our commercial paper program, when
utilized, provides low-cost funds and is fully backstopped by the five-
year committed credit facility (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities).
-- An increase in net draws on the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit
facility. As at September 30, 2017, net draws were $358 million ($353
million net of unamortized issue costs), all of which were denominated
in U.S. dollars (U.S.$287 million). As at June 30, 2017, net draws were
$294 million ($288 million net of unamortized issue costs), all of which
were denominated in U.S. dollars (U.S.$226 million). The increase in net
draws on the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility was used for
an acquisition in the third quarter of 2017.
In the first nine months of 2017, long-term debt issues net of repayments increased by $382 million, primarily composed of:
-- A net increase in commercial paper, including foreign exchange effects,
of $479 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $613 million
(U.S.$456 million) at December 31, 2016.
-- An increase in net draws on the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit
facility. As at December 31, 2016, net draws were $340 million ($332
million net of unamortized issue costs), all of which were denominated
in U.S. dollars (U.S.$253 million).
-- The March 2017 issues of U.S.$500 million of senior unsecured notes at
3.70% due September 15, 2027, and $325 million of senior unsecured notes
at 4.70% due March 6, 2048. For the U.S. issuance, we have fully hedged
the principal and interest obligations of the notes against fluctuations
in the Canadian dollar: U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate for the entire
term of the notes by entering into foreign exchange derivatives (cross
currency interest rate exchange agreements). These derivatives
effectively converted the principal payments and interest obligations to
Canadian dollar obligations with an effective fixed interest rate of
3.41% and an effective issued and outstanding amount of $667 million
(reflecting a fixed exchange rate of $1.3348). For additional
information on these notes, please refer to Note 26(b) of the interim
consolidated financial statements.
-- The March 2017 repayment of $700 million of Series CD Notes.
In comparison, long-term debt repayments, net of issues, were $67 million in the third quarter of 2016 and were composed of:
-- A reduction in commercial paper to a balance of $137 million (U.S.$104
million) at September 30, 2016, from $975 million (U.S.$755 million) at
June 30, 2016.
-- The September 2016 public issue of U.S.$600 million of senior unsecured
notes at 2.80%, due February 16, 2027.
Long-term debt issues, net of repayments, were $437 million in the first nine months of 2016 and were composed of:
-- A decrease in commercial paper from $256 million (U.S.$185 million) at
December 31, 2015.
-- The above-mentioned September 2016 public issue of U.S.$600 million of
senior unsecured notes.
The average term to maturity of our long-term debt (excluding commercial paper and the revolving component of the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility) increased to approximately 10.8 years at September 30, 2017, compared to approximately 10.7 years at September 30, 2016. Additionally, our weighted average cost of long-term debt (excluding commercial paper and the revolving component of the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility) was 4.16% at September 30, 2017, as compared to 4.23% at September 30, 2016.
Issue of shares by subsidiary to non-controlling interest
In June 2016, we announced the completion of the agreement whereby a subsidiary issued shares to Baring Private Equity Asia, which acquired a 35% non-controlling interest in TELUS International (Cda) Inc. There was no comparable activity in the third quarter or first nine months of 2017.
7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures
Net debt was $13.4 billion at September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.2 billion when compared to one year earlier, resulting mainly from a net increase in commercial paper outstanding in addition to the issuances of the U.S.$500 million of senior unsecured notes and the $325 million of senior unsecured notes, partially offset by the repayment of Series CD Notes, as described in Section 7.4.
Fixed-rate debt as a proportion of total indebtedness was 89% as at September 30, 2017, down from 95% one year earlier, mainly due to the increase in commercial paper, which emulates floating-rate debt, partly offset by the two unsecured note issuances in the first nine months of 2017 described in Section 7.4.
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio was 2.76 times, as measured at September 30, 2017, up from 2.62 one year earlier. Our long-term objective for this measure is within a range of 2.00 to 2.50 times, which we believe is consistent with maintaining investment grade credit ratings in the range of BBB+, or the equivalent and providing reasonable access to capital. As at September 30, 2017, this ratio remains outside of the long-term objective range due to prior issuance of incremental debt primarily for the acquisition in 2014 and 2015 of spectrum licences for approximately $3.6 billion, and the elevated strategic capital investments in our fibre optic network, partially offset by growth in EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs. These acquired licences have more than doubled our national spectrum holdings and represent an investment to extend our network capacity to support continuing data consumption growth, as well as growth in our wireless customer base. We expect this ratio to decline in 2018 and we continue to expect to return to within the objective range in the medium term, consistent with our long-term strategy. While this ratio exceeds our long-term objective range, we are well in compliance with the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, which states that we may not permit our net debt to operating cash flow ratio to exceed 4.00:1.00 (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities).
Liquidity and capital resource measures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As at, or 12-month periods ended, September 30 2017 2016 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Components of debt and coverage ratios(1) ($ millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt 13,394 12,217 1,177 EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs 4,847 4,668 179 Net interest cost 568 548 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debt ratios ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed-rate debt as a proportion of total indebtedness (%) 89 95 (6) pts. Average term to maturity of long-term debt (excluding commercial paper) (years) 10.8 10.7 0.1 Weighted average interest rate on long-term debt (excluding commercial paper) (%) 4.16 4.23 (0.07) pts. Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs(1) (times) 2.76 2.62 0.14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coverage ratios(1)(times) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings coverage 4.0 4.6 (0.6) EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage 8.5 8.5 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other measures(1)(%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividend payout ratio 91 76 15 pts. Dividend payout ratio of adjusted net earnings 79 77 2 pts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other financial measures. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings coverage ratio for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017, was 4.0 times, down from 4.6 times one year earlier. A decrease in income before borrowing costs and income taxes reduced the ratio by 0.4, while an increase in borrowing costs reduced the ratio by 0.2.
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017, was 8.5 times, consistent with one year earlier. An increase in net interest costs reduced the ratio by 0.3, while growth in EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs increased the ratio by 0.3.
Dividend payout ratios: Actual dividend payout decisions will continue to be subject to our Board's assessment and the determination of our financial position and outlook, as well as our long-term dividend payout ratio guideline of 65 to 75% of prospective net earnings per share. The disclosed basic and adjusted dividend payout ratios are historical measures utilizing the last four quarters of dividends declared and earnings per share. We currently expect that we will be within our target guideline when considered on a prospective dividend payout ratio basis within the medium term. The historical measures for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017, are presented for illustrative purposes in evaluating our target guideline and both exceeded the objective range. The immediately vesting transformative compensation expense described in our 2016 annual MD&A impacted the dividend payout ratio for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017 by 14% and was the single largest adjustment in calculating the denominator of adjusted net earnings.
7.6 Credit facilities
At September 30, 2017, we had available liquidity of more than $1.1 billion from the TELUS revolving credit facility, approximately $37 million available liquidity from the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility and $123 million available from uncommitted letters of credit facilities. In addition, we had $400 million available under our trade receivables securitization program (see Section 7.7 Sale of trade receivables). We are well within our objective of generally maintaining at least $1.0 billion of available liquidity.
TELUS revolving credit facility
We have a $2.25 billion (or U.S. dollar equivalent) revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions that expires on May 31, 2021. The revolving credit facility is used for general corporate purposes, including the backstop of commercial paper, as required.
TELUS revolving credit facility at September 30, 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Backstop
Outstanding for
undrawn commercial
letters of paper Available
($ millions) Expiry Size Drawn credit program liquidity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five-year
revolving May 31,
facility(1) 2021 2,250 - - (1,092) 1,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Canadian dollars or U.S. dollar equivalent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our revolving credit facility contains customary covenants, including a requirement that we not permit our consolidated leverage ratio to exceed 4.00 to 1.00 and that we not permit our consolidated coverage ratio to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at the end of any financial quarter. Our consolidated leverage ratio was approximately 2.76 to 1.00 as at September 30, 2017, and our consolidated coverage ratio was approximately 8.53 to 1.00 as at September 30, 2017. These ratios are expected to remain well above the covenants. There are certain minor differences in the calculation of the leverage ratio and coverage ratio under the revolving credit facility, as compared with the calculation of Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs and EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage. Historically, the calculations have not been materially different. The covenants are not impacted by revaluation, if any, of Property, plant and equipment, Intangible assets or Goodwill for accounting purposes. Continued access to our credit facilities is not contingent on maintaining a specific credit rating.
Commercial paper
TELUS Corporation has an unsecured commercial paper program, which is backstopped by our revolving credit facility, enabling us to issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate amount of $1.4 billion at September 30, 2017, including a U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper program for up to U.S.$1.0 billion within this maximum aggregate amount. Foreign currency forward contracts are used to manage currency risk arising from issuing commercial paper denominated in U.S. dollars. The commercial paper program is to be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures and investments. Our ability to reasonably access the commercial paper market in Canada and the U.S. is dependent on our credit ratings (see Section 7.8 Credit ratings).
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility
As at September 30, 2017, TELUS International (Cda) Inc. had a bank credit facility, secured by its assets, expiring on May 31, 2021, with a syndicate of financial institutions. The credit facility is composed of a revolving U.S.$115 million component and an amortizing U.S.$215 million term loan component. The credit facility is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation. As at September 30, 2017, $358 million ($353 million net of unamortized issue costs) was outstanding, all of which was denominated in U.S. dollars (U.S.$287 million), with a weighted average interest rate of 2.71%.
Other letter of credit facilities
At September 30, 2017, we had $219 million of letters of credit outstanding (December 31, 2016 - $210 million) issued under various uncommitted facilities; such letter of credit facilities are in addition to the ability to provide letters of credit pursuant to our committed bank credit facility. Available liquidity under various uncommitted letters of credit facilities was $123 million at September 30, 2017.
7.7 Sale of trade receivables
TELUS Communications Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TELUS, is a party to an agreement with an arm's-length securitization trust associated with a major Schedule I Canadian bank, under which it is able to sell an interest in certain trade receivables for an amount up to a maximum of $500 million. The agreement is in effect until December 31, 2018, and available liquidity was $400 million as at September 30, 2017. (See Note 22 of the interim consolidated financial statements.) Sales of trade receivables in securitization transactions are recognized as collateralized Short-term borrowings and thus do not result in our de-recognition of the trade receivables sold.
TELUS Communications Inc. is required to maintain at least a BB credit rating by DBRS Ltd., or the securitization trust may require the sale program to be wound down prior to the end of the term. The necessary credit rating was exceeded as of November 9, 2017.
7.8 Credit ratings
There were no changes to our investment grade credit ratings as of November 9, 2017.
7.9 Financial instruments, commitments and contingent liabilities
Financial instruments
Our financial instruments and the nature of certain risks they may be subject to were described in Section 7.9 of our 2016 annual MD&A.
Liquidity risk
As a component of our capital structure financial policies, discussed in Section 4.3 Liquidity and capital resources, we manage liquidity risk by: maintaining a daily cash pooling process that enables us to manage our available liquidity and our liquidity requirements according to our actual needs; maintaining an agreement to sell trade receivables to an arm's-length securitization trust; maintaining bilateral bank facilities and syndicated credit facilities; maintaining a commercial paper program; maintaining an in-effect shelf prospectus; continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows; and managing maturity profiles of financial assets and financial liabilities.
As of the date of this MD&A, we can offer up to $1.2 billion of long-term debt or equity securities pursuant to a shelf prospectus that is effective until April 2018.
At September 30, 2017, we had available liquidity of more than $1.1 billion from unutilized credit facilities and $123 million from uncommitted letters of credit facilities (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities), as well as $400 million available under our trade receivables securitization program (see Section 7.7 Sale of trade receivables). We also had $488 million in cash and temporary investments at September 30, 2017. This adheres to our objective of generally maintaining at least $1 billion of available liquidity. We believe that our investment grade credit ratings contribute to reasonable access to capital markets.
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Purchase obligations
As at September 30, 2017, our contractual commitments related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment were $198 million through to December 31, 2019, as compared to $436 million over a period ending December 31, 2020, reported in our 2016 annual report. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of the update to our radio access network in the second quarter of 2017, combined with a decrease in commitments related to our fibre expansion.
Claims and lawsuits
A number of claims and lawsuits (including class actions and intellectual property infringement claims) seeking damages and other relief are pending against us and, in some cases, numerous other wireless carriers and telecommunications service providers. As well, we have received notice of, or are aware of, certain possible claims (including intellectual property infringement claims) against us.
It is not currently possible for us to predict the outcome of such claims, possible claims and lawsuits due to various factors, including: the preliminary nature of some claims; uncertain damage theories and demands; an incomplete factual record; uncertainty concerning legal theories, procedures and their resolution by the courts, at both the trial and the appeal levels; and the unpredictable nature of opposing parties and their demands. However, when it is determined in respect of a particular claim that payments to claimants are probable, we accrue an estimate of the liability.
Subject to the foregoing limitations, management is of the opinion, based upon legal assessments and information presently available, that it is unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided for through insurance or otherwise, would have a material effect on our financial position and the results of our operations, including cash flows, with the exception of the items disclosed in Note 29 of the interim consolidated financial statements.
Indemnification obligations
At September 30, 2017, we had no liability recorded in respect of our indemnification obligations.
7.10 Outstanding share information
September October 31,
Outstanding shares (millions) 30, 2017 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Shares 594 595
Common Share options - all exercisable (one for one) 1 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.11 Transactions between related parties
Transactions with key management personnel
Our key management personnel have authority and responsibility for overseeing, planning, directing and controlling our activities. They consist of our Board of Directors and our Executive Leadership Team. Total compensation expense amounts for key management personnel were $11 million and $30 million, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, as compared to $15 million and $40 million in the comparable periods in 2016, respectively. See Note 30(a) of the interim consolidated financial statements for additional detail.
Transactions with defined benefit pension plans
We provided management and administrative services to our defined benefit pension plans. Charges for these services were on a cost recovery basis and were immaterial.
Transactions with real estate joint ventures
In the third quarter of 2017, we had transactions with real estate joint ventures, which are related parties to us, as set out in Note 21 of our interim consolidated financial statements.
As at September 30, 2017, the proportion of space leased in the TELUS Garden office tower was approximately 99%. Closing was completed for the majority of residential units in the TELUS Garden residential condominium project in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the remaining units were closed subsequent to September 30, 2017.
For the TELUS Sky real estate joint venture, commitments and contingent liabilities include construction-related contractual commitments through to 2019 (approximately $96 million at September 30, 2017) and construction credit facilities ($342 million with three Canadian financial institutions as 66 2/3% lender and TELUS as 33 1/3% lender).
8. Accounting matters
8.1 Critical accounting estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting estimates and significant judgments are generally discussed with the Audit Committee each quarter and are described in Section 8.1 of our 2016 annual MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
8.2 Accounting policy developments
Our accounting policy developments were discussed in Section 8.2 Accounting policy developments of our 2016 annual MD&A. See Note 2 of the interim consolidated financial statements for additional details.
9. Update to assumptions
This section contains forward-looking statements, which should be read together with the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.
The assumptions for our 2017 outlook, as described in Section 9 General trends, outlook and assumptions of our 2016 annual MD&A, remain the same, except for the following updates as follows:
-- Our revised estimate for economic growth in Canada in 2017 will be
approximately 3.0% (previously 2.2% as updated in our first quarter 2017
MD&A). For our incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) provinces in
Western Canada, we currently estimate that annual rates of economic
growth in B.C. will be approximately 3.2% in 2017 (previously 2.3% as
reported in our 2016 annual MD&A), and that economic growth in Alberta
will be approximately 3.5% in 2017 (previously 2.4% as updated in our
first quarter 2017 MD&A).
Which sectors of the economy that experience these growth estimates and the competitive and dynamic environment in which we operate will affect when, and to what extent, we will experience the effects of these economic growth estimates.
-- Our cash income tax payments assumption has been revised downward to a
range of $170 million to $230 million, from an original assumption of a
range between $300 million to $360 million, due to a reorganization to
simplify our legal structure to realize efficiencies and streamline
processes which also impacts the timing of cash income tax payments.
9.1 Telecommunications industry regulatory developments and proceedings
Our telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunication services are regulated under federal laws by various authorities, including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The following are updates to Section 9.4 Telecommunications industry regulatory developments and proceedings in our 2016 annual MD&A.
Radiocommunication licences and spectrum-related matters
ISED regulates, among other matters, the allocation and use of radio spectrum in Canada. It also licenses radio apparatus, frequency bands and/or radio channels within various frequency bands to service providers and private users. As well, ISED establishes the terms and conditions attaching to such radio authorizations, including restrictions on licence transfers, coverage obligations, research and development obligations, annual reporting, and obligations concerning mandated roaming and antenna site sharing with competitors.
ISED periodically initiates spectrum-related consultation notices.
ISED Consultation on a Technical, Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 600 MHz Band
On August 4, 2017, ISED issued Consultation on a Technical, Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 600 MHz Band. ISED is proposing a 30 MHz set-aside of the 70 MHz of spectrum that will be auctioned off for non-national incumbent providers (i.e. service providers having less than 10% of the national wireless subscriber market share). TELUS has filed comments on October 2, 2017 and reply comments on October 25, 2017 in which we aggressively advocated for an open auction process. No specific auction timing has been announced. It is too early to determine the potential impact that this consultation and ensuing auction process may have on TELUS.
ISED Consultation on the Spectrum Outlook 2018 to 2022
On October 6, 2017, ISED issued Consultation on the on the Spectrum Outlook 2018 to 2022 to obtain feedback on spectrum activities over the next five years relating to "the release of spectrum for commercial mobile services, licence-exempt applications, satellite services and wireless backhaul services". ISED is also seeking comments on future technology advancements and associated spectrum demand, as well as on the proposed release of specific spectrum bands, and timing thereof, to meet these future needs. TELUS will be actively participating in this consultation process and filing submissions on the issues under consideration. It is too early to determine the potential impact that this consultation may have on TELUS.
Regulatory and federal government reviews
The CRTC and the federal government have initiated public proceedings to review various matters. They are discussed below.
Telecommunications-related issues
Review of competitor quality of service regime
The CRTC has commenced Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-49 to review the regulatory framework for the competitor quality of service regime (CQoS). CQoS applies to certain wholesale services we provide to competitors. It establishes standards for certain aspects of service provision and requires TELUS to rebate a portion of rates where we fail to meet those standards. TELUS is also subject to tracking, reporting and auditing requirements. This proceeding will consider whether a regime is needed, what services should be subject to the regime, which service providers will be subject to the regime, the appropriateness of the rate rebates and other similar matters. The proceeding is now complete and a decision is not expected before the first quarter of 2018. It is not expected that the outcome of this proceeding will have a significant impact on TELUS.
Review of regulatory framework for message relay service
On February 2, 2017, the CRTC initiated a proceeding to review the regulatory framework and marketplace environment for text-based message relay services. Local exchange carriers are required to provide these services that enable people with a hearing or speech disability to make and receive telephone calls. The CRTC has initiated this review because these services are in declining use in light of technological developments that have made other text messaging services convenient for customers. TELUS is participating in this review. It is not expected that the outcome of this proceeding will have a significant impact on TELUS.
Phase-out of local service subsidy regime
The CRTC has issued Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-92 in which it is seeking comments on its proposed approach to the phase-out of the local service subsidy regime and associated policies. This notice is part of the followup activities resulting from Modern Telecommunications Services - The path forward for Canada's digital economy, Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-496 issued on December 21, 2016. TELUS is characterized by the CRTC as an incumbent local exchange carrier with respect to wireline voice service. As such, TELUS is subject to certain mandatory service obligations that do not necessarily apply to all of TELUS' competitors. TELUS participated in this proceeding seeking greater pricing flexibility in regulated high cost exchanges if subsidies are removed and to ensure we are compensated for any obligation to serve. The proceeding is now complete and is scheduled to be followed by a further proceeding to review the price cap and the local forbearance regimes applicable to local service. It is too early to determine the potential impacts of the proceedings on TELUS.
Development of the CRTC's new broadband funding regime
On April 25, 2017, the CRTC issued Development of the Commission's broadband funding regime, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-112. This consultation follows on the CRTC's Modern Telecommunications Services decision issued on December 21, 2016, in which the CRTC set a new universal service objective that included fixed and mobile wireless broadband Internet access services, and stated that it would begin to shift the focus of its current regulatory frameworks from wireline voice services to broadband in order to assist in expanding the availability and adoption of broadband Internet access services. The CRTC also set out its preliminary views on the establishment of a new broadband funding mechanism in that decision. The CRTC has subsequently issued a new notice calling for comments on the various issues pertaining to the establishment of its new broadband funding regime, including governance of the new fund, operating and accountability frameworks, as well as eligibility and assessment criteria for proposed projects. TELUS is participating in this proceeding and has filed its intervention and responded to interventions filed by other parties thus far, and is awaiting potential requests for information from the CRTC. It is too early to determine the potential impact that this proceeding may have on TELUS.
Governor in Council's request to the CRTC to reconsider wireless service providers' wholesale mobile roaming service tariffs
The Governor in Council has ordered the CRTC to reconsider Wholesale mobile wireless roaming service tariffs - Final terms and conditions, Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-56. More specifically, the CRTC has been asked to reconsider whether Wi-Fi networks could count as a home network for wireless service providers seeking mandated roaming. The CRTC's reconsideration is to be completed by March 31, 2018. In response to this request, the CRTC has issued Reconsideration of Telecom Decision 2017-56 regarding final terms and conditions for wholesale mobile wireless roaming service, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-259, thereby initiating a proceeding to review this matter. Subsequent to the Governor in Council's order, a company called TNW Wireless Inc. brought an application requesting the CRTC to order TELUS (and Bell Mobility) to provide wholesale roaming for a primarily Wi-Fi based service offering. It is not yet clear whether the CRTC will consider this matter separately from the review proceeding. It is too early to determine the potential impact that this proceeding may have on TELUS.
Decision on Review of the Wireless Code
On June 15, 2017, the CRTC issued Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2017-200, Review of the Wireless Code. The major changes to the Wireless Code relate to: (i) the removal of unlocking fees and the requirement to sell all devices unlocked as of December 1, 2017; (ii) changes to how the $50 data usage cap and $100 data roaming cap are calculated and how consent to obtain additional usage is obtained; and (iii) amendments to the mandated trial period for customers who obtain a postpaid wireless contract. Changes to the Wireless Code are to be implemented by December 1, 2017. TELUS has commenced its implementation process and is assessing the impacts of these changes. However, it is not expected that these changes will have a significant impact on TELUS.
Broadcasting-related issues
Review and modernizing of the Broadcasting Act and Telecommunications Act
In the federal government's budget announcement on March 22, 2017, the federal government recognized the impact of the digital age on Canada's media and broadcasting industries and indicated its intention to review and modernize the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act, looking specifically at issues relating to content creation in the digital age, net neutrality and cultural diversity. This announcement dovetails with the review of Canada's cultural policies as described in Section 9.4 of our 2016 annual MD&A and with the new order for the CRTC to hold hearings and report back to the federal government on distribution models of the future and how Canadians will access programming, described below.
CRTC ordered to report back to the federal government on distribution models of the future
On September 22, 2017, the federal government issued an Order in Council pursuant to section 15 of the Broadcasting Act to request that the CRTC hold hearings and report on distribution models of the future and how Canadians will access programming. The deadline for the CRTC's report back to the federal government is June 1, 2018. It is expected that the CRTC will launch a consultation process by the end of 2017. TELUS will participate in these hearings. While the CRTC's report to the federal government will likely form part of the record for the later review of the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act, it is not expected to have a significant impact on TELUS.
Minister of Canadian Heritage's Creative Canada Policy Framework
On September 28, 2017, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced her Creative Canada Policy Framework. This policy framework is focused on: 1) investing in Canadian creators and cultural entrepreneurs; 2) promoting discovery and distribution of Canadian content at home and globally; and 3) strengthening public broadcasting and support local news. The Minister has indicated in her official speech unveiling this new policy framework that the federal government would not support any new tax on Internet service providers. As a result, this new policy framework is not expected to have a significant impact on TELUS.
Review of the Copyright Act and Copyright Board
The Copyright Act is slated for a review in 2017 and is expected to begin soon. While the Minister of Canadian Heritage has indicated her intention that this review be focused on creators, the Copyright Act falls under the mandate of the Minister of ISED which will also look to balance the interests of consumers in innovation. The policy approach for copyright has traditionally been based on a balancing of interests. The review is not expected to have a significant impact on TELUS.
North American Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
The Office of the United States Trade Representative has released its summary of objectives for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The United States government has identified a number of objectives including trade in services (including telecommunications services), digital trade in goods and services and cross-border data flows, intellectual property (including copyright) and competition policy, amongst other issues, as potential items for negotiation. The Government of Canada has since outlined Canada's ten priorities for the NAFTA renegotiations, none of which include detailed telecommunications or intellectual property objectives. On the issue of cultural exemptions, the Government of Canada has clearly stated that it is committed to maintaining the current exemption for the cultural industries found in NAFTA. NAFTA negotiations have begun but are expected to continue through to the end of 2017. It remains unclear what issues will be negotiated, the outcome of negotiations, and the potential impact that the NAFTA negotiations may have on TELUS.
10. Risks and risk management
The principal risks and uncertainties that could affect our future business results and associated risk mitigation activities were described in our 2016 annual MD&A and have not materially changed since December 31, 2016. Reference is made as well to the summary of risks and uncertainties in the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.
11. Definitions and reconciliations
11.1 Non-GAAP and other financial measures
We have issued guidance on and report certain non-GAAP measures that are used to evaluate the performance of TELUS, as well as to determine compliance with debt covenants and to manage our capital structure. As non-GAAP measures generally do not have a standardized meaning, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Securities regulations require such measures to be clearly defined, qualified and reconciled with their nearest GAAP measure.
Adjusted Net income and adjusted basic earnings per share: These measures are used to evaluate performance at a consolidated level and exclude items that may obscure the underlying trends in business performance. These measures should not be considered alternatives to Net income and basic earnings per share in measuring TELUS' performance. Items that may, in management's view, obscure the underlying trends in business performance include significant gains or losses associated with real estate redevelopment partnerships, gains on the exchange of wireless spectrum licences, restructuring and other costs, long-term debt prepayment premiums (when applicable), income tax-related adjustments and asset retirements related to restructuring activities. (See Analysis of Net income and Analysis of basic EPS in Section 1.3).
Capital intensity: This measure is calculated as capital expenditures (excluding spectrum licences) divided by total operating revenues. This measure provides a basis for comparing the level of capital expenditures to those of other companies of varying size within the same industry.
Dividend payout ratio: This is a historical measure calculated as the sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared per Common Share, as reported in the financial statements, divided by the sum of basic earnings per share for the most recent four quarters for interim reporting periods. For fiscal years, the denominator is annual basic earnings per share. Our policy guideline for the annual dividend payout ratio is on a prospective basis, rather than on a trailing basis, and is 65 to 75% of sustainable earnings per share on a prospective basis. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.)
Calculation of Dividend payout ratio ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-month periods ended September 30 ($) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Numerator - sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared per Common Share 1.9450 1.80 Denominator - Net income per Common Share 2.13 2.37 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio (%) 91 76 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend payout ratio of adjusted net earnings: This ratio is a historical measure calculated as the sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared per Common Share, as reported in the financial statements, divided by adjusted net earnings per share. Adjusted net earnings per share is basic earnings per share, as used in the Dividend payout ratio, adjusted to exclude the gain on the exchange of wireless spectrum licences, net gains and equity income from real estate joint venture developments, business acquisition-related provisions, immediately vesting transformative compensation expense, long-term debt prepayment premium (when applicable) and income tax-related adjustments.
Calculation of Dividend payout ratio of adjusted net earnings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12-month periods ended September 30 ($) 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerator - sum of the last four quarterly dividends
declared per Common Share 1.9450 1.80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted net earnings ($ millions):
Net income attributable to Common Shares 1,260 1,403
Deduct net gains and equity income from real
estate joint venture developments, after income
taxes (7) (11)
Deduct gain on the exchange of wireless spectrum
licences, after income taxes - (13)
Add back business acquisition-related provisions,
after income taxes 2 13
Add back transformative compensation expense,
after income taxes 224 -
Add back net unfavourable (deduct net favourable)
income tax-related adjustments (18) (11)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,461 1,381
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denominator - Adjusted net earnings per Common Share 2.47 2.33
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted ratio (%) 79 77
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings coverage: This measure is defined in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 41-101 and related instruments, and is calculated as follows:
Calculation of Earnings coverage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income attributable to Common Shares 1,260 1,403 Income taxes (attributable to Common Shares) 431 493 Borrowing costs (attributable to Common Shares)(1) 557 532 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Numerator 2,248 2,428 Denominator - Borrowing costs 557 532 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio (times) 4.0 4.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Interest on Long-term debt plus Interest on short-term borrowings and other plus long-term debt prepayment premium, adding back capitalized interest and deducting borrowing costs attributable to non-controlling interests. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization): We have issued guidance on and report EBITDA because it is a key measure used to evaluate performance at a consolidated level. EBITDA is commonly reported and widely used by investors and lending institutions as an indicator of a company's operating performance and ability to incur and service debt, and as a valuation metric. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to Net income in measuring TELUS' performance, nor should it be used as an exclusive measure of cash flow. EBITDA as calculated by TELUS is equivalent to Operating revenues less the total of Goods and services purchased expense and Employee benefits expense.
We calculate EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs, as it is a component of the EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio and the Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio.
We may also calculate Adjusted EBITDA to exclude items of an unusual nature that do not reflect our ongoing operations and should not, in our opinion, be considered in a valuation metric, or should not be included in an assessment of our ability to service or incur debt.
EBITDA reconciliation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month
Third quarters periods ended
ended September 30 September 30
------------------- ----------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 370 355 1,197 1,149
Financing costs 149 129 429 386
Income taxes 130 132 420 411
Depreciation 410 388 1,203 1,158
Amortization of intangible assets 137 127 402 356
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1,196 1,131 3,651 3,460
Add back restructuring and other costs 36 60 79 131
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and
other costs 1,232 1,191 3,730 3,591
Deduct gain on the exchange of wireless
spectrum licences - - - (15)
Deduct net gains and equity income from
real estate joint venture developments - (10) (3) (19)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA 1,232 1,181 3,727 3,557
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage: This measure is defined as EBITDA -excluding restructuring and other costs, divided by Net interest cost, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis. This measure is similar to the coverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, as described in Section 7.6 Credit facilities.
Free cash flow: We report this measure as a supplementary indicator of our operating performance. It should not be considered an alternative to the measures in the interim consolidated statements of cash flows. Free cash flow excludes certain working capital changes (such as trade receivables and trade payables), proceeds from divested assets and other sources and uses of cash, as found in the Consolidated statements of cash flows. It provides an indication of how much cash generated by operations is available after capital expenditures (excluding purchases of spectrum licences) that may be used to, among other things, pay dividends, repay debt, purchase shares or make other investments. Free cash flow may be supplemented from time to time by proceeds from divested assets or financing activities.
Free cash flow calculation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters Nine-month periods
ended September 30 ended September 30
-------------------- --------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1,196 1,131 3,651 3,460
Deduct non-cash gains from the sale
of property, plant and equipment (2) (4) (3) (15)
Restructuring costs net of
disbursements (18) 12 (64) (27)
Deduct net gains and equity income
from real estate joint venture
developments - (10) (3) (19)
Deduct gain on the exchange of
wireless spectrum licences - - - (15)
Items from the interim consolidated
statements of cash flows:
Share-based compensation 22 27 61 65
Net employee defined benefit
plans expense 20 23 61 67
Employer contributions to
employee defined benefit plans (17) (14) (52) (53)
Interest paid (146) (132) (413) (387)
Interest received 1 1 2 1
Capital expenditures (excluding
spectrum licences) (821) (787) (2,355) (2,174)
Other - - 6 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow before income taxes 235 246 891 903
Income taxes paid, net of refunds (20) (148) (199) (571)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow 215 98 692 332
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following reconciles our definition of free cash flow with cash provided by operating activities.
Free cash flow reconciliation with Cash provided by operating activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
-------------------- --------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow 215 98 692 332
Add (deduct):
Capital expenditures (excluding
spectrum licences) 821 787 2,355 2,174
Adjustments to reconcile to Cash
provided by operating activities 97 147 (79) (19)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating
activities 1,133 1,032 2,968 2,487
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt: We believe that net debt is a useful measure because it represents the amount of Short-term borrowings and long-term debt obligations that are not covered by available Cash and temporary investments. The nearest IFRS measure to net debt is Long-term debt, including Current maturities of Long-term debt. Net debt is a component of the Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio.
Calculation of Net debt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- At September 30 ($ millions) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt including current maturities 13,618 12,454 Debt issuance costs netted against long-term debt 72 67 Derivative liabilities, net 76 24 Accumulated other comprehensive income amounts arising from financial instruments used to manage interest rate and currency risks associated with U.S. dollar- denominated long-term debt (excluding tax effects) 16 (18) Cash and temporary investments (488) (410) Short-term borrowings 100 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt 13,394 12,217 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs: This measure is defined as net debt at the end of the period divided by 12-month trailing EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs. Our long-term policy guideline for this ratio is from 2.00 to 2.50 times. (See discussion in Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.) This measure is similar to the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, as described in Section 7.6 Credit facilities.
Net interest cost: This measure is the denominator in the calculation of EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage. Net interest cost is defined as financing costs, excluding capitalized long-term debt interest, employee defined benefit plans net interest and recoveries on redemption and repayment of debt, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis. No recoveries on redemption and repayment of debt were recorded in 2017 and 2016. Expenses recorded for the long-term debt prepayment premium, if any, are included in net interest cost. Net interest cost was $568 million in the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017, and $548 million in the 12-month period ended September 30, 2016.
Restructuring and other costs: With the objective of reducing ongoing costs, we incur associated incremental, non-recurring restructuring costs. We may also incur atypical charges when undertaking major or transformational changes to our business or operating models. In addition, we include incremental external costs incurred in connection with business acquisition or disposition activity, as well as litigation costs, in the context of significant losses and settlements, in other costs.
Components of restructuring and other costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarters ended Nine-month periods
September 30 ended September 30
-------------------- --------------------
($ millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goods and services purchased 31 23 58 39
Employee benefits expense 5 37 21 92
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring and other costs
included in EBITDA 36 60 79 131
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.2 Operating indicators
The following measures are industry metrics that are useful in assessing the operating performance of a wireless and wireline telecommunications entity, but do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS-IASB.
Average revenue per subscriber unit per month (ARPU) for wireless subscribers is calculated as network revenue divided by the average number of subscriber units on the network during the period and is expressed as a rate per month.
Churn per month (or churn) is calculated as the number of subscriber units deactivated during a given period divided by the average number of subscriber units on the network during the period and is expressed as a rate per month. A TELUS, Koodo or Public Mobile brand prepaid wireless subscriber is deactivated when the subscriber has no usage for 90 days following expiry of the prepaid credits.
Wireless subscriber unit (subscriber) is defined as an active mobile recurring revenue-generating unit (e.g. mobile phone, tablet or mobile Internet key) with a unique subscriber identifier (SIM or IMEI number). In addition, TELUS has a direct billing or support relationship with the user of each device. Subscriber units exclude machine-to-machine devices (a subset of the Internet of Things), such as those used for asset tracking, remote control monitoring and meter readings, vending machines and wireless automated teller machines.
Wireline subscriber connection is defined as an active recurring revenue-generating unit that has access to stand-alone services, including fixed Internet access, TELUS TV and residential network access lines (NALs). In addition, TELUS has a direct billing or support relationship with the user of each service. Reported subscriber units exclude business NALs as the impact of migrating from voice lines to IP services has led to business NAL losses without a similar decline in revenue, thus diminishing its relevance as a key performance indicator.
condensed interim consolidated statements of income and other
comprehensive income (unaudited)
Three months Nine months
Periods ended September 30
(millions except per share
amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING REVENUES
Service $ 3,174 $ 3,045 $ 9,292 $ 8,921
Equipment 181 180 507 516
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from contracts
with customers 3,355 3,225 9,799 9,437
Other operating income 11 13 38 57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,366 3,238 9,837 9,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Goods and services purchased 1,531 1,426 4,277 4,057
Employee benefits expense 639 681 1,909 1,977
Depreciation 410 388 1,203 1,158
Amortization of intangible
assets 137 127 402 356
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,717 2,622 7,791 7,548
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME 649 616 2,046 1,946
Financing costs 149 129 429 386
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 500 487 1,617 1,560
Income taxes 130 132 420 411
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME 370 355 1,197 1,149
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Items that may subsequently be
reclassified to income
Change in unrealized fair value
of derivatives designated as
cash flow hedges 12 (4) 22 (13)
Foreign currency translation
adjustment arising from
translating financial
statements of foreign
operations (5) 2 (2) 4
Change in unrealized fair value
of available-for-sale financial
assets (2) 2 (2) (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 18 (10)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item never subsequently
reclassified to income
Employee defined benefit plan
re-measurements (22) 150 64 167
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(17) 150 82 157
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 353 $ 505 $ 1,279 $ 1,306
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO:
Common Shares $ 367 $ 348 $ 1,179 $ 1,142
Non-controlling interests 3 7 18 7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 370 $ 355 $ 1,197 $ 1,149
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ATTRIBUTABLE TO:
Common Shares $ 351 $ 501 $ 1,260 $ 1,298
Non-controlling interests 2 4 19 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 353 $ 505 $ 1,279 $ 1,306
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic $ 0.62 $ 0.59 $ 1.99 $ 1.93
Diluted $ 0.62 $ 0.59 $ 1.99 $ 1.93
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic 594 592 592 593
Diluted 594 592 593 593
condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position (unaudited)
September December
As at (millions) 30, 2017 31, 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and temporary investments, net $ 488 $ 432
Accounts receivable 1,539 1,471
Income and other taxes receivable 54 9
Inventories 356 318
Prepaid expenses 359 233
Current derivative assets 5 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,801 2,474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net 11,184 10,464
Intangible assets, net 10,651 10,364
Goodwill, net 4,215 3,787
Other long-term assets 715 640
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
26,765 25,255
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 29,566 $ 27,729
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings $ 100 $ 100
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,447 2,330
Income and other taxes payable 43 37
Dividends payable 292 284
Advance billings and customer deposits 769 737
Provisions 66 124
Current maturities of long-term debt 1,357 1,327
Current derivative liabilities 30 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,104 4,951
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current liabilities
Provisions 473 395
Long-term debt 12,261 11,604
Other long-term liabilities 827 736
Deferred income taxes 2,404 2,107
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
15,965 14,842
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities 21,069 19,793
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owners' equity
Common equity 8,458 7,917
Non-controlling interests 39 19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8,497 7,936
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 29,566 $ 27,729
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)
Three months Nine months
Periods ended September 30
(millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 370 $ 355 $ 1,197 $ 1,149
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 547 515 1,605 1,514
Deferred income taxes 57 47 243 48
Share-based compensation
expense, net 22 27 61 65
Net employee defined benefit
plans expense 20 23 61 67
Employer contributions to
employee defined benefit
plans (17) (14) (52) (53)
Other 10 8 15 (5)
Net change in non-cash
operating working capital 124 71 (162) (298)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating
activities 1,133 1,032 2,968 2,487
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash payments for capital
assets, excluding spectrum
licences (794) (711) (2,344) (1,971)
Cash payments for spectrum
licences - - - (145)
Cash payments for acquisitions,
net (82) (14) (560) (16)
Real estate joint ventures
advances (6) (5) (19) (28)
Real estate joint venture
receipts 14 50 18 91
Proceeds on disposition 6 3 12 3
Other (4) (3) (16) (9)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by investing
activities (866) (680) (2,909) (2,075)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to holders of
Common Shares (269) (274) (813) (798)
Purchase of Common Shares for
cancellation - (19) - (140)
Issuance and repayment of short-
term borrowings - (3) - -
Long-term debt issued 1,267 1,336 5,328 4,623
Redemptions and repayment of
long-term debt (1,149) (1,403) (4,509) (4,186)
Issue of shares by subsidiary to
non-controlling interests - (1) - 291
Other 1 (6) (9) (15)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by financing
activities (150) (370) (3) (225)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH POSITION
Increase (decrease) in cash and
temporary investments, net 117 (18) 56 187
Cash and temporary investments,
net, beginning of period 371 428 432 223
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and temporary investments,
net, end of period $ 488 $ 410 $ 488 $ 410
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF
OPERATING CASH FLOWS
Interest paid $ (146) $ (132) $ (413) $ (387)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest received $ 1 $ - $ 2 $ 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes paid, net $ (20) $ (148) $ (199) $ (571)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
segmented information (unaudited)
Three-month periods ended
September 30 (millions) Wireless Wireline
2017 2016 2017 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenues
Service $ 1,800 $ 1,685 $ 1,374 $ 1,360
Equipment 129 129 52 51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from contracts
with customers 1,929 1,814 1,426 1,411
Other operating income 5 4 6 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,934 1,818 1,432 1,420
Inter-service revenues 11 15 51 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,945 $ 1,833 $ 1,483 $ 1,468
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1 $ 788 $ 759 $ 408 $ 372
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPEX 2 $ 237 $ 295 $ 584 $ 492
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three-month periods ended
September 30 (millions) Eliminations Consolidated
2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenues
Service $ - $ - $ 3,174 $ 3,045
Equipment - - 181 180
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from contracts
with customers - - 3,355 3,225
Other operating income - - 11 13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - 3,366 3,238
Inter-service revenues (62) (63) - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (62) $ (63) $ 3,366 $ 3,238
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1 $ - $ - $ 1,196 $ 1,131
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPEX 2 $ - $ - $ 821 $ 787
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
- external (above) $ 3,366 $ 3,238
Goods and services
purchased 1,531 1,426
Employee benefits
expense 639 681
---------------------------------------
EBITDA (above) 1,196 1,131
Depreciation 410 388
Amortization 137 127
---------------------------------------
Operating income 649 616
Financing costs 149 129
---------------------------------------
Income before
income taxes $ 500 $ 487
---------------------------------------
1 Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB
and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented
by other issuers; we define EBITDA as operating revenues less goods and
services purchased and employee benefits expense. We have issued
guidance on, and report, EBITDA because it is a key measure that
management uses to evaluate the performance of our business, and it is
also utilized in measuring compliance with certain debt covenants.
2 Total capital expenditures (CAPEX).
Nine-month periods ended September
30 (millions) Wireless Wireline
2017 2016 2017 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenues
Service $ 5,211 $ 4,880 $ 4,081 $ 4,041
Equipment 347 362 160 154
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from contracts
with customers 5,558 5,242 4,241 4,195
Other operating income 5 32 33 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,563 5,274 4,274 4,220
Inter-service revenues 33 43 155 143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 5,596 $ 5,317 $ 4,429 $ 4,363
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1 $ 2,391 $ 2,308 $ 1,260 $ 1,152
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPEX 2 $ 745 $ 733 $ 1,610 $ 1,441
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine-month periods ended September
30 (millions) Eliminations Consolidated
2017 2016 2017 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenues
Service $ - $ - $ 9,292 $ 8,921
Equipment - - 507 516
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues arising from contracts
with customers - - 9,799 9,437
Other operating income - - 38 57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - 9,837 9,494
Inter-service revenues (188) (186) - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (188) $ (186) $ 9,837 $ 9,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 1 $ - $ - $ 3,651 $ 3,460
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPEX 2 $ - $ - $ 2,355 $ 2,174
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
- external (above) $ 9,837 $ 9,494
Goods and services
purchased 4,277 4,057
Employee benefits
expense 1,909 1,977
---------------------------------------
EBITDA (above) 3,651 3,460
Depreciation 1,203 1,158
Amortization 402 356
---------------------------------------
Operating income 2,046 1,946
Financing costs 429 386
---------------------------------------
Income before
income taxes $ 1,617 $ 1,560
---------------------------------------
1 Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB
and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented
by other issuers; we define EBITDA as operating revenues less goods and
services purchased and employee benefits expense. We have issued
guidance on, and report, EBITDA because it is a key measure that
management uses to evaluate the performance of our business, and it is
also utilized in measuring compliance with certain debt covenants.
2 Total capital expenditures (CAPEX).
Contacts: Media relations Richard Gilhooley (778) 868-0235 [email protected] Investor Relations: Paul Carpino (647) 837-8100 [email protected]
Source: TELUS Corporation
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