OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telesat Holdings Inc. ("Telesat") today announced its financial results for the three month and one year periods ended December 31, 2014. All amounts are in Canadian dollars and are reported under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") unless otherwise noted.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, Telesat reported consolidated revenues of $923 million, an increase of approximately 3% ($26 million) compared to 2013. Revenue was favorably impacted by the conversion of Telesat's U.S. dollar denominated revenue into Canadian dollars as a result of a stronger U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar exchange rate in 2014. When adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, revenue was unchanged compared to 2013 as increased revenue earned on the Anik G1 satellite was offset by a decrease in revenue earned on the Nimiq 2 satellite and lower equipment sales revenue.
Operating expenses of $188 million were 6% ($13 million) lower than in 2013 or 9% ($18 million) lower when taking into account changes in foreign exchange rates. This reduction was primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation expense related to stock options granted during the second quarter of 2013, a decrease in the provision for variable compensation expense and lower cost of equipment sales in 2014.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $746 million, an increase of 5% ($35 million) over 2013. When adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, Adjusted EBITDA was 2% ($14 million) higher than in 2013. The Adjusted EBITDA margin1 for 2014 was 81% compared to 79% for 2013.
Telesat's net income for 2014 was $13 million compared to net income of $68 million for 2013. The variation was primarily due to a larger non-cash loss on foreign exchange and reduced gains on financial instruments in 2014. The foreign exchange loss was principally driven by a stronger U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar spot rate at December 31, 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, and the resulting impact on the translation of Telesat's U.S. dollar denominated debt. Increased revenue, lower operating expenses and lower interest expense mitigated, in part, the impact of the foreign exchange loss on net income.
For the three month period ended December 31, 2014, consolidated revenues were $227 million, an increase of approximately 1% ($3 million) compared to the same period in 2013. When adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, revenue decreased by 2% ($4 million) compared to the same period in 2014. Operating expenses were $46 million, a decrease of 8% ($4 million) compared to the same period in 2013, or a decrease of 10% ($5 million) taking into account foreign exchange rate changes. The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense compared to the same period in 2013. Adjusted EBITDA1 for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $183 million, an increase of 3% ($6 million) compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. When adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, Adjusted EBITDA1 was unchanged compared to the same period in 2013. The Adjusted EBITDA margin1 was 81% for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to 79% for the same period in 2013.
"I am very pleased with our performance last quarter and last year," commented Dan Goldberg, Telesat's President and CEO. "Through careful and focused execution, we achieved stable revenues, reduced operating expenses, modestly increased Adjusted EBITDA1 and expanded our Adjusted EBITDA margin1 relative to 2013. Our industry-leading contractual backlog provides visibility into the stability of our future revenue and cash flow, and anticipated growing demand for satellite services positions us well to expand our activities going forward."
Business Highlights
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At December 31, 2014:
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Telesat had contracted backlog for future services of approximately $4.5 billion.
- Fleet utilization was 92% for Telesat's North American fleet and 82% for Telesat's international fleet.
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Telesat had contracted backlog for future services of approximately $4.5 billion.
Telesat's report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and may be accessed on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Telesat has scheduled a conference call on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. ET to discuss its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other recent developments. The call will be hosted by Daniel S. Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michel Cayouette, Chief Financial Officer, of Telesat.
Dial-in Instructions:
The toll-free dial-in number for the teleconference is +1 (800) 396-7098. Callers outside of North America should dial +1 (416) 340-2218. The conference reference number is 4210279. Please allow at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to connect to the teleconference.
Dial-in Audio Replay:
A replay of the teleconference will be available one hour after the end of the call on February 26, 2015, until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 12, 2015. To access the replay, please call +1 (800) 408-3053. Callers outside of North America should dial +1 (905) 694-9451. The access code is 9330944 followed by the number sign (#).
All Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins included in this release are non-IFRS financial measures, as described in the End Notes section of this release. For information reconciling non-IFRS financial measures to the most comparable IFRS financial measures, please see the consolidated financial information below.
Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are ''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "visibility", "future", "anticipated", "positions us well", "going forward" or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Detailed information about some of the known risks and uncertainties is included in the "Risk Factors" section of Telesat Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 which can be obtained on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance, volatility in exchange rates and risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects Telesat's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, Telesat disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.
About Telesat (www.telesat.com)
Telesat is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, the company's state-of-the-art fleet consists of 14 satellites and the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 with another satellite under construction. Telesat also manages the operations of additional satellites for third parties. Privately held, Telesat's principal shareholders are Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:LORL).
| Telesat Holdings Inc. | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income | ||||
| For the period ended December 31 | ||||
| Three months | Twelve months | |||
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Revenue | $ 227,475 | $ 224,127 | $ 922,871 | $ 896,896 |
| Operating expenses | (45,936) | (50,144) | (187,789) | (201,062) |
| 181,539 | 173,983 | 735,082 | 695,834 | |
| Depreciation | (54,177) | (54,273) | (216,496) | (211,151) |
| Amortization | (7,668) | (8,143) | (30,825) | (32,659) |
| Other operating (losses) gains, net | (58) | 26,928 | (304) | 25,335 |
| Operating income | 119,636 | 138,495 | 487,457 | 477,359 |
| Interest expense | (46,872) | (53,497) | (206,933) | (224,099) |
| Gain (loss) on financing | -- | 6 | -- | (18,487) |
| Interest and other (expense) income | (222) | 355 | 3,056 | 11,668 |
| Gain on changes in fair value of financial instruments | 24,883 | 69,399 | 48,931 | 80,928 |
| Loss on foreign exchange | (101,654) | (84,031) | (241,087) | (194,909) |
| (Loss) income before tax | (4,229) | 70,727 | 91,424 | 132,460 |
| Tax expense | (21,404) | (22,400) | (78,220) | (64,367) |
| Net (loss) income | $ (25,633) | $ 48,327 | $ 13,204 | $ 68,093 |
| Telesat Holdings Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) |
December 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
| Assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 497,356 | $ 298,713 |
| Trade and other receivables | 49,534 | 50,266 |
| Other current financial assets | 765 | 7,174 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 17,202 | 18,665 |
| Total current assets | 564,857 | 374,818 |
| Satellites, property and other equipment | 1,861,015 | 1,962,759 |
| Deferred tax assets | 3,183 | 10,024 |
| Other long-term financial assets | 38,442 | 76,006 |
| Other long-term assets | 3,170 | 2,765 |
| Intangible assets | 820,572 | 845,286 |
| Goodwill | 2,446,603 | 2,446,603 |
| Total assets | $ 5,737,842 | $ 5,718,261 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Trade and other payables | $ 36,714 | $ 34,484 |
| Other current financial liabilities | 35,633 | 164,755 |
| Other current liabilities | 124,145 | 122,058 |
| Current indebtedness | 58,822 | 57,364 |
| Total current liabilities | 255,314 | 378,661 |
| Long-term indebtedness | 3,486,857 | 3,284,502 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 484,758 | 515,207 |
| Other long-term financial liabilities | 60,753 | 72,803 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 318,992 | 345,185 |
| Total liabilities | 4,606,674 | 4,596,358 |
| Shareholders' Equity | ||
| Share capital | 656,874 | 656,660 |
| Accumulated earnings | 451,628 | 456,013 |
| Reserves | 22,666 | 9,230 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 1,131,168 | 1,121,903 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 5,737,842 | $ 5,718,261 |
| Telesat Holdings Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013(2) |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net income | $ 13,204 | $ 68,093 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Depreciation | 216,496 | 211,151 |
| Amortization | 30,825 | 32,659 |
| Tax expense | 78,220 | 64,367 |
| Interest expense | 206,933 | 224,099 |
| Interest income | (2,711) | (1,288) |
| Unrealized foreign exchange loss | 238,386 | 194,041 |
| Gain on changes in fair value of financial instruments | (48,931) | (80,928) |
| Share-based compensation | 9,655 | 13,517 |
| Impairment reversal on intangible assets | -- | (17,274) |
| Gain on other post-employment benefit plan amendment | -- | (9,786) |
| Loss on disposal of assets | 304 | 1,725 |
| Loss on financing | -- | 18,487 |
| Other | (57,538) | (49,755) |
| Income taxes paid, net of income taxes received | (80,799) | (12,569) |
| Interest paid, net of capitalized interest and interest received | (192,897) | (211,141) |
| Customer prepayments on future satellite services | -- | 32,305 |
| Repurchase of stock options and exercise of share appreciation rights | -- | (1,196) |
| Operating assets and liabilities | 1,052 | 3,023 |
| Net cash from operating activities | $ 412,199 | $ 479,530 |
| Cash flows used in investing activities | ||
| Satellite programs, including capitalized interest | $ (84,591) | $ (71,178) |
| Purchase of other property and equipment | (10,695) | (8,772) |
| Purchase of intangible assets | (185) | (6) |
| Proceeds from sale of assets | 311 | 1,081 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ (95,160) | $ (78,875) |
| Cash flows used in financing activities | ||
| Repayment of indebtedness | $ (70,692) | $ (271,448) |
| Settlement of derivatives | (60,824) | (1,219) |
| Payment of premium on early retirement of indebtedness | -- | (13,793) |
| Payment of debt issue costs | -- | (810) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 202 | 99 |
| Dividends paid on preferred shares | (20) | (10) |
| Satellite performance incentive payments | (5,452) | (4,770) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ (136,786) | $ (291,951) |
| Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | $ 18,390 | $ 9,048 |
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ 198,643 | $ 117,752 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 298,713 | 180,961 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ 497,356 | $ 298,713 |
| Telesat's Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | ||||
| Three months | Twelve months | |||
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Net (loss) income | $ (25,633) | $ 48,327 | $ 13,204 | $ 68,093 |
| Tax expense | 21,404 | 21,404 | 21,404 | 21,404 |
| Gain on changes in fair value of financial instruments | (24,883) | (24,883) | (24,883) | (24,883) |
| Loss on foreign exchange | 101,654 | 101,654 | 101,654 | 101,654 |
| Interest and other expense (income) | 222 | 222 | 222 | 222 |
| (Gain) loss on financing | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Interest expense | 46,872 | 46,872 | 46,872 | 46,872 |
| Depreciation | 54,177 | 54,177 | 54,177 | 54,177 |
| Amortization | 7,668 | 7,668 | 7,668 | 7,668 |
| Other operating losses (gains), net | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
| Special compensation, benefits expense and severance payments | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Non-cash expense related to share-based compensation | 1,375 | 1,375 | 1,375 | 1,375 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ 183,364 | $ 177,598 | $ 746,292 | $ 711,499 |
| Revenue | $ 227,475 | $ 224,127 | $ 922,871 | $ 896,896 |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 80.6% | 79.2% | 80.9% | 79.3% |
End Notes
1 The common definition of EBITDA is "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization." In evaluating financial performance, Telesat uses revenue and deducts certain operating expenses (including share-based compensation expense and unusual and non-recurring items, including restructuring related expenses) to obtain operating income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") and the Adjusted EBITDA margin (defined as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to revenue) as measures of Telesat's operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA allows Telesat and investors to compare Telesat's operating results with that of competitors exclusive of depreciation and amortization, interest and investment income, interest expense, taxes and certain other expenses. Financial results of competitors in the satellite services industry have significant variations that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the amount of intangible assets recorded, the differences in assets' lives, the timing and amount of investments, the effects of other income (expense), and unusual and non-recurring items. The use of Adjusted EBITDA assists Telesat and investors in making comparisons of operating results exclusive of these items. Competitors in the satellite services industry have significantly different capital structures. Telesat believes the use of Adjusted EBITDA improves comparability of performance by excluding interest expense.
Telesat believes the use of Adjusted EBITDA and the Adjusted EBITDA margin along with IFRS financial measures enhances the understanding of Telesat's operating results and is useful to Telesat and investors in comparing performance with competitors, estimating enterprise value and making investment decisions. Adjusted EBITDA as used here may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by competitors. Adjusted EBITDA should be used in conjunction with IFRS financial measures and is not presented as a substitute for cash flows from operations as a measure of Telesat's liquidity or as a substitute for net income as an indicator of Telesat's operating performance.
2 Changes in accounting policies have resulted in changes to the 2013 comparative figures on the consolidated statement of cash flows. For more information on the impacts of these changes, please refer to Note 3 of Telesat's audited consolidated financial statements, filed with the SEC on a Form 20-F dated today.