Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of ___August___ 2007
(Commission File No. 000-24876)
TELUS Corporation
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
21st Floor, 3777 Kingsway
Burnaby, British Columbia V5H 3Z7
Canada
(Address of principal registered offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
X
Form 20-F _____ Form 40-F _____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
X
Yes _____ No _____
This Form 6-K consists of the following:
______________________________________________________________________________
TELUS Reports Second Quarter Results
August 3, 2007
Earnings impacted by implementation of WNP and new wireline billing system
No intention to submit competing offer to acquire BCE
_______________________________________________________________________________
VANCOUVER, Aug. 3 /CNW/ - TELUS Corporation today reported its financial
results for the second quarter of 2007. Revenue increased four per cent to
$2.23 billion from a year ago due to continued wireless and data growth.
Reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) decreased by $12.5 million in the second quarter when compared to the
same period in 2006. EBITDA was negatively impacted by increased wireless
expenses in the first full quarter of wireless number portability (WNP) in
Canada as well as increased wireline expenses from the implementation of a new
billing and client care system in Alberta. Wireless customer acquisition and
retention costs increased by an estimated $47 million largely from the
introduction of WNP, while the implementation of the new system resulted in a
negative revenue adjustment and increased operating costs totaling
$29 million.
Excluding tax related adjustments, net income was up $4.5 million and
earnings per share (EPS) increased by four cents per share. Including tax
related adjustments, net income decreased by $103.5 million in the quarter,
while EPS declined 27 cents when compared to the same period a year ago.
Second quarter net income and EPS included favourable tax related adjustments
of $10 million or 3 cents per share, compared to $118 million or 34 cents a
year ago. EPS was also negatively impacted by four cents due to TELUS' venture
investment and business with AMP'd Mobile, Inc., which recently entered into
bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Free cash flow this quarter was
$162 million, down 15 per cent due to higher wireless capital expenditures and
lower operating profit.
During the second quarter TELUS continued to repurchase shares under its
normal course issuer bid (NCIB) program, completing $170 million of share buy
backs - shares outstanding are three per cent lower from a year ago. Since the
repurchase program began in December 2004, a total of 45.6 million shares have
been repurchased for $2.14 billion resulting in a 7.5% reduction in shares
outstanding.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 months ended
C$ in millions, except June 30
per share amounts %
(unaudited) 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 2,228.1 2,135.2 4.4
EBITDA(1) 884.6 897.1 (1.4)
EBITDA (as adjusted)(2) 886.4 897.1 (1.2)
Income before income taxes and
non-controlling interest 348.1 377.9 (7.9)
Net income(3) 253.1 356.6 (29.0)
Earnings per share (EPS), basic(3) 0.76 1.03 (26.2)
Cash provided by operating activities 1,061.9 813.0 30.6
Capital expenditures 481.8 458.8 5.0
Free cash flow(4) 161.7 191.0 (15.3)
(1) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) is defined as Operating revenues less Operations expense
less Restructuring costs. See Section 11.1 of Management's discussion
and analysis.
(2) Excludes a non-cash charge of $1.8 million to Operations expense in
2007 for introducing a net cash settlement feature for share option
awards granted prior to 2005.
(3) Net income and EPS for the three month period in 2007 includes
favourable tax related adjustments of $10 million or 3 cents per
share, compared to $118 million or 34 cents for the same period in
2006.
(4) See Section 11.2 of Management's discussion and analysis.
Darren Entwistle, TELUS president and CEO, said "I am less than satisfied
with these quarterly results. While wireless revenue and subscriber growth of
11 per cent and wireline data revenue growth of eight per cent remained
robust, earnings did not meet expectations. This was largely caused by excess
costs associated with the implementation of the new wireline billing and
client care system as well as from the introduction of wireless number
portability and the commercial failure of the launch of AMP'd Mobile. We are
dedicated to much better performance in coming quarters, as evidenced by the
reiteration of our public guidance for 2007."
"Despite the challenging quarter, there were notable positive
developments." Mr. Entwistle added, "In particular, the $200 million
Department of National Defence contract awarded to TELUS this quarter
illustrates the continued strength of our national growth strategy focused on
data services. The DND deal validates our leadership in IP networking and we
look forward to yet another major and successful implementation of managed
telecommunications services at their national and international locations."
"On a different note, there has been much continued speculation and
uncertainty in the market about the potential for TELUS to pursue an offer to
acquire BCE," noted Mr. Entwistle. "After a thorough assessment of the
opportunity and based on multiple factors, we are confirming today that TELUS
does not intend to submit a competing offer to acquire BCE. We believe that
TELUS on a stand-alone basis with its strong growth oriented asset mix and
investment grade financial strength will continue to create significant future
value for investors."
Robert McFarlane, executive vice president and CFO, noted, "TELUS
demonstrated our considerable financial strength with the successful launch of
an up to $800 million commercial paper program and refinancing of the $1.5
billion 7.5% notes due in June 2007. With the attractive 4.8% blended rate on
the $1 billion raised in March and lower cost of commercial paper, we expect
to enjoy lower interest costs going forward. Given recent capital market and
industry developments, TELUS' considerable investment grade financial strength
should provide competitive advantage in the future."
Mr. McFarlane added, "TELUS' commitment to return excess cash to
shareholders was again evident this quarter with 2.7 million of share
repurchases. Due to the new net-cash settlement feature for options in 2007,
we have accelerated the reduction in shares outstanding."
=========================================================================
This news release contains statements about expected future events and
financial and operating results of TELUS that are forward-looking. By
their nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make
assumptions 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
results and events to differ materially from that expressed in the
forward-looking statements. Accordingly this news release is subject to
the disclaimer and qualified by the assumptions (including assumptions
for 2007 guidance and share purchases), qualifications and risk factors
referred to in the Management's discussion and analysis - August 1, 2007.
=========================================================================
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
TELUS wireless
- Net subscriber additions increased by 3.5% to 128,200, a strong
second quarter result despite increased competition. Postpaid
additions were 99,200 while prepaid loading was 29,000
- Revenues increased by $103 million or 11% to $1.05 billion in the
second quarter of 2007, when compared with the same period in 2006
- ARPU (average revenue per subscriber unit per month) improved by 0.7%
to $63.65. The data component increased by 48% to $6.58, which more
than offset the ongoing decline in voice ARPU
- EBITDA (as adjusted) increased by $12 million over the second quarter
of 2006, representing 3% growth
- Cost of acquisition per gross addition increased 8% year over year to
$425 due to higher subsidies on certain popular handsets and higher
advertising and promotion spending related to the commencement of
industry-wide wireless number portability (WNP)
- Two thirds of the $30 million increase in cost of acquisition expense
is related to higher gross loading, and cost of retention increased
by $27 million, both of which are largely attributable to WNP.
- Blended monthly subscriber churn increased to 1.45% from 1.30% a year
ago, reflecting the first full quarter since the implementation of
WNP. Postpaid churn remained low at 1.07%
- Cash flow (EBITDA less capital expenditures) based on EBITDA (as
adjusted) decreased $14 million or 5% to $279 million in the quarter
due to increased capital expenditures, including continued
investments in higher speed wireless networks.
TELUS wireline
- Revenues decreased by $10 million or 0.8% to $1.2 billion in the
second quarter of 2007, when compared with the same period in 2006,
due to data growth partially offsetting declines in local and long
distance revenues
- Data revenues increased by $32 million or 8% due to strong year-over-
year high-speed Internet growth and enhanced data service growth.
- Long-distance revenue declined $38 million or 19% due to lower
average per-minute rates and wholesale minute volumes, partly offset
by increased retail minutes. In addition, revenues were impacted by a
one-time reduction of $13 million as a result of the billing system
implementation
- EBITDA (as adjusted) decreased by $22 million or 5%, due to higher
expenses including non-recurring expenses for new billing and client
care system support and development. If normalized for the system
implementation costs, EBITDA would have increased by 1.5%
- TELUS added 13,900 net high-speed Internet subscribers, taking
TELUS' high-speed base to 962,700, a 16% increase from a year ago.
High-speed Internet net additions were lower due to provisioning
constraints from the new billing and client care system implemented
in Alberta.
- Network access lines (NALs) declined by 48,000 in the quarter. Total
NALs were down 3.1% from a year ago, reflecting continued residential
line losses from ongoing competitive activity and wireless
substitution partially mitigated by an increase in business access
lines.
- Cash flow (EBITDA less capital expenditures) based on EBITDA (as
adjusted) declined 14% to $125 million, due to decreased EBITDA as a
result of impact of a new integrated billing system implementation in
Alberta.
Canadian telecommunications industry developments
BCE strategic review process - TELUS not making competing offer to
acquire BCE
In mid-April 2007, Canada's largest telecommunications service provider
BCE announced, under investor pressure, a strategic review process to enhance
its shareholder value. Three consortia that included Canadian pension funds
and U.S. private equity investors signed non-disclosure and standstill
agreements to gain access to a BCE data room allowing them to potentially
prepare an offer to BCE shareholders under a competitive auction process. On
June 21, 2007, TELUS confirmed that it had entered into a mutual
non-disclosure and standstill agreement and was pursuing non-exclusive
discussions to acquire BCE based on a financial approach that would retain
investment grade credit ratings. On June 26, the three consortia submitted
bids to acquire BCE, while TELUS announced that inadequacies of BCE's bid
process did not make it possible for TELUS to submit an offer as part of the
strategic review process announced by BCE.
On June 30, BCE announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement
for BCE to be acquired by a consortium led by Teachers Private Capital, a
division of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. The BCE Board recommended that
their common shareholders accept the offer at an all-cash price of $42.75 per
common share. Other consortium members include Providence Equity Partners,
Madison Dearborn Partners and the Toronto-Dominion Bank. This offer, if
successful, is expected to entail high leverage at BCE with large amounts of
non-investment grade debt being issued to finance the transaction.
TELUS in July continued its assessment of whether it should potentially
make a competing offer for BCE. TELUS has concluded this assessment and it
does not intend to submit a competing offer to acquire BCE.
TELUS a founding member of new independent complaints commission for
consumers
On July 23, a new independent telecommunications complaints commission,
known as the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services
(CCTS), was launched to help consumers and small businesses handle un-resolved
service concerns. The CCTS was created in response to a request from the
Minister of Industry to telecommunications companies to work together to
establish and fund this independent agency. Founding members TELUS, Bell
Aliant, Bell Canada, SaskTel, MTS Allstream, Rogers, Virgin Mobile, Cogeco,
Videotron, and Vonage filed a joint proposal on the structure and mandate of
the new organization with the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission) for its consideration. The CCTS is intended to
assist customers where the normal complaint resolution process of member
companies do not resolve their concerns.
Fort McMurray among one of first markets where residential phone service
deregulated
On July 25, 2007, the CRTC announced that it had accepted TELUS'
application for deregulation of local residential phone services in Fort
McMurray, Alberta. TELUS has also applied for deregulation of local
residential phone services in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary
and Rimouski following the April 4, 2007 announcement by Industry Canada that
telecommunications companies can apply for deregulation in communities where
significant competition exists. TELUS later applied for deregulation of
regulated business phone services in phone exchanges covering 78 per cent of
business lines in B.C. and Alberta, and 52 per cent in eastern Quebec.
The new rules allow incumbent telecommunications carriers to apply to the
CRTC for deregulation in any community where customers have a choice between
service providers and where they meet specific quality of service measures for
six months. The new rules state that local business services will be
deregulated where there is a choice of at least two phone providers with their
own network infrastructure. Deregulation for consumer services will occur
where there is a choice of at least three service providers with their own
network infrastructure, one of which can be a wireless provider.
Corporate developments
TELUS wins $200 million contract for Department of National Defence
Following a competitive bid process, the Department of Public Works and
Government Services Canada selected TELUS to provide and manage
telecommunications services for the Department of National Defence (DND). The
five-year Global Defence Network Services contract is valued at an estimated
$200 million.
TELUS will provide the DND managed telecommunications services including
voice, data, video and IP solutions, at national and international locations.
Debt refinancing completed for $1.5 billion
In May 2007, TELUS entered into an unsecured commercial paper program,
which is backstopped by a portion of its credit facility, enabling TELUS to
issue commercial paper up to a maximum of $800 million (or U.S. dollar
equivalent), to be used for general corporate purposes.
Using the proceeds generated by TELUS' $1 billion debt issue in March
2007 with a blended interest cost of approximately 4.8%, the commercial paper
program and accounts receivable securitization, TELUS redeemed its publicly
issued $1.5 billion (U.S. $1.17 billion) 7.5% Notes on June 1, 2007.
TELUS continues share repurchases
During the second quarter, TELUS continued to purchase shares under its
Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB). These repurchases totaled approximately
2.7 million shares for a total outlay of $170 million. Since commencement in
December 2004, TELUS has repurchased a total of 45.6 million shares for
$2.14 billion under three NCIB programs, resulting in a 7.5% reduction in
shares outstanding.
Contract with Closing the Gap Healthcare Group
TELUS signed a contract with Ontario's Closing the Gap Healthcare Group
to implement the TELUS Community Care Management Solution (CCMS). The CCMS
will allow the group's mobile care-givers to access patient records and test
results over a secure connection to a laptop or PDA, and to instantly share
critical information with other healthcare providers over the same connection.
TELUS has an exclusive partnership agreement with Healthphone, a New
Zealand based software company, to implement and host their software solutions
in Canada. CCMS is powered by Healthphone, Microsoft's global lead solution
partner for long-term condition management.
Through this agreement, TELUS will implement the CCMS solution, host and
manage the application, provide network connectivity and security support,
provide 24x7 customer service and required hardware such as PDAs and mobile
phones, as well as all infrastructure and servers.
TELUS garners award for Emergency Management Operating System
CATAAliance honoured the TELUS Emergency Management Operating System
(EMOS) with its award for Outstanding Product Development in July, recognizing
the system for excellence in technological engineering, innovation and
leadership. EMOS is a secure web-based system that supports the mitigation,
preparation for, response and recovery from emergencies. It gives governments
and first responders access to real-time information on an online mapping
system, allowing them to share critical information instantly. Part of the
TELUS SafetyNet suite of products and services, EMOS has been used by the
governments of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
TELUS speeds wireless up
TELUS implemented even faster speeds to its EVDO service with upgrades to
EVDO Rev A. Now available in regions containing 60 per cent of the Canadian
population, the upgrade enables upload speeds up to seven times faster than
previous EVDO services, with typical upload speeds of 300 to 400 kilobits per
second and maximum upload speeds of 1.8 megabits per second. TELUS has
invested more than $100 million to bring customers the latest technology for
Canada's fastest coast-to-coast wireless network.
International Blackberry
In June, TELUS introduced the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone,
expanding the suite of TELUS wireless devices for the global traveler. The
high speed wireless BlackBerry works on both the CDMA and GSM networks,
keeping jet-setting clients connected to email and voice services. The 8830 is
also the first BlackBerry from TELUS to support a music and video player as
well as TELUS Navigator.
TELUS steps up music focus with sponsorship of Canadian Idol and launch
of hot new music device
TELUS is returning as Canadian Idol's wireless sponsor for the second
year. Through the sponsorship, TELUS customers get exclusive Idol content
including downloads of songs performed by contestants using TELUS Mobile
Music, ringtones, and videos of weekly performances.
In the quarter TELUS also made available the Samsung m620 mobile phone
and music player. Featuring a slim dual faced form, one side is a mobile phone
and the other is a stylish multimedia player with access to TELUS Mobile Music
and TELUS Mobile Radio. To help Canadian Idol contestants communicate with
friends and family and satisfy their craving for music, a Samsung m620 was
given to each of the top 10 finalists.
AMP'd Mobile
In March 2007, AMP'd Mobile Canada Inc. launched its interactive and
customized mobile entertainment, information and messaging services targeting
the high value, young adult market segment in Canada. In early June, the U.S.
based parent company AMP'd Mobile, Inc. entered bankruptcy proceedings.
Certain costs related to the Canadian launch impacted our operating results.
In addition a write down of our venture investment in the U.S. parent and
other adjustments were incurred in the second quarter which are detailed in
Section 4.2 of management's discussion and analysis. AMP'd Mobile sales have
been discontinued in Canada. However, TELUS is reaffirming our commitment to
AMP'd clients by ensuring that all voice and basic messaging services continue
to function until we are able to contact subscribers to offer them a
comparable or better package of voice and Spark multimedia services.
TELUS World Skins Game caddie auction
TELUS raised $220,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with
a charity caddie auction, long drive challenge, par 3 challenge and other
activities at the June TELUS World Skins Game at Ontario's Raven Golf Club at
Lora Bay. Five Canadian golf fans won the golfer's dream of caddying for a PGA
star playing in the Skins game through the TELUS World Skins Game Charity
Auction on eBay. Canadian fan favourite Stephen Ames upped the value of his
charity caddie package by adding two practice round passes for the 2008
Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
TELUS Victoria Community Board
TELUS launched an eighth community board in Victoria during the quarter.
Part of a national program, the boards consist of community leaders and TELUS
team members who are charged with building relationships with grassroots
charities in their community and inviting them to apply for donations up to
$20,000 in support of projects giving children a boost in life. The TELUS
Victoria Community Board is chaired by Mel Cooper - a long-time B.C.
broadcasting executive and recipient of the Order of Canada, Order of British
Columbia, Lifetime Achievement Award and Entrepreneur of the Year honour.
TELUS recognized for corporate citizenry
This quarter, TELUS was recognized as a respected corporate citizen by
two groups.
Nationally, TELUS was named one of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in
Canada by Corporate Knights, a Canadian-based organization specializing in
corporate social responsibility. Corporate Knights compiles this list based on
environment, social and governance indicators.
TELUS was also honoured as one of Alberta's Most Respected Corporations
by Alberta Venture magazine as readers voted TELUS first in the 'Business
Services' category. They were asked to rate organizations in Alberta they
deemed most respectable based on the following criteria: corporate
performance, culture of innovation, corporate brand, human resources
practices, environmental stewardship and community involvement.
Dividend Declaration
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of thirty-seven and
a half cents ($0.375) per share on outstanding Common and Non-Voting Shares
payable on October 1, 2007 to shareholders of record on the close of business
on September 10, 2007. This represents a 36% increase from the twenty-seven
and a half cent quarterly dividend paid in 2006.
For further information:
Media relations: Investor relations:
Allison Vale, (416) 629-6425, Robert Mitchell, (416) 279-3219,
allison.vale(at)telus.com; ir(at)telus.com
(T.A. T. TU)
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications
company in Canada, with $8.9 billion of annual revenue and 10.9 million
customer connections including 5.3 million wireless subscribers, 4.5 million
wireline network access lines and 1.1 million Internet subscribers. TELUS
provides a wide range of communications products and services including data,
Internet protocol (IP), voice, entertainment and video. Committed to being
Canada's premier corporate citizen, we give where we live. Since 2000, TELUS
and our team members have contributed more than $91 million to charitable and
non-profit organizations and volunteered more than 1.7 million hours of
service to local communities. Eight TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead
our local philanthropic initiatives. For more information about TELUS, please
visit telus.com.
TELUS Corporation
interim consolidated statements of income (unaudited)
Periods ended June 30 Three months Six months
(millions except per
share amounts) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(restated) (restated)
---------- ----------
OPERATING REVENUES $ 2,228.1 $ 2,135.2 $ 4,433.7 $ 4,215.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operations 1,340.3 1,207.4 2,776.9 2,408.5
Restructuring costs 3.2 30.7 7.9 47.4
Depreciation 318.3 335.2 636.0 674.4
Amortization of
intangible assets 72.5 46.9 122.1 110.8
1,734.3 1,620.2 3,542.9 3,241.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME 493.8 515.0 890.8 974.6
Other expense, net 18.5 9.6 22.3 13.9
Financing costs 127.2 127.5 244.8 254.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
AND NON-CONTROLLING
INTEREST 348.1 377.9 623.7 706.2
Income taxes 93.7 18.7 173.0 134.8
Non-controlling interests 1.3 2.6 2.8 4.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME AND COMMON SHARE
AND NON-VOTING SHARE
INCOME 253.1 356.6 447.9 566.7
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Change in unrealized fair
value of derivatives
designated as cash flow
hedges 27.9 - 55.8 -
Foreign currency
translation adjustment
arising from translating
financial statements of
self-sustaining foreign
operations (6.2) 0.1 (3.8) 0.8
Change in unrealized fair
value of available-
for-sale financial
assets (0.1) - (0.1) -
21.6 0.1 51.9 0.8
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 274.7 $ 356.7 $ 499.8 $ 567.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
AND NON-VOTING SHARE
- Basic $ 0.76 $ 1.03 $ 1.34 $ 1.63
- Diluted $ 0.75 $ 1.02 $ 1.32 $ 1.62
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER
COMMON SHARE AND NON-
VOTING SHARE $ 0.375 $ 0.275 $ 0.75 $ 0.55
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE
COMMON SHARES AND NON-
VOTING SHARES OUTSTANDING
- Basic 333.5 344.9 335.3 347.1
- Diluted 336.9 348.5 338.3 350.6
TELUS Corporation
interim consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)
As at (millions) June 30, December 31,
2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(adjusted)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and temporary investments, net $ 2.2 $ -
Short-term investments 54.8 110.2
Accounts receivable 571.8 707.2
Income and other taxes receivable 99.2 95.4
Inventories 158.8 196.4
Prepaid expenses and other 291.7 195.3
Current portion of derivative assets 48.7 40.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,227.2 1,344.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Assets, Net
Property, plant, equipment and other 7,296.7 7,466.5
Intangible assets subject to amortization 813.4 549.2
Intangible assets with indefinite lives 2,966.5 2,966.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
11,076.6 10,982.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets
Deferred charges 1,064.6 956.6
Investments 30.6 35.2
Goodwill 3,168.8 3,169.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,264.0 4,161.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 16,567.8 $ 16,488.3
=========================================================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Cash and temporary investments, net $ - $ 11.5
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,547.9 1,363.6
Income and other taxes payable 6.7 10.3
Restructuring accounts payable and accrued
liabilities 28.8 53.1
Advance billings and customer deposits 609.4 606.3
Current maturities of long-term debt 6.4 1,433.5
Current portion of derivative liabilities 10.1 165.8
Current portion of future income taxes 258.1 137.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,467.4 3,781.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Debt 4,800.5 3,474.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Long-Term Liabilities 1,644.4 1,257.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future Income Taxes 1,018.6 1,023.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Controlling Interests 22.1 23.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' Equity 6,614.8 6,928.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 16,567.8 $ 16,488.3
=========================================================================
TELUS Corporation
interim consolidated statements of cash flows
(unaudited)
Three months Six months
Periods ended June 30
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 253.1 $ 356.6 $ 447.9 $ 566.7
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 390.8 382.1 758.1 785.2
Future income taxes 92.5 25.4 170.7 138.5
Share-based compensation (8.9) 12.7 129.7 21.1
Net employee defined
benefit plans expense (21.0) (1.3) (45.0) (2.9)
Employer contributions to
employee defined benefit
plans (14.7) (45.0) (48.6) (75.5)
Restructuring costs, net
of cash payments (7.3) 19.0 (24.3) 3.4
Amortization of deferred
gains on sale-leaseback
of buildings, amortization
of deferred charges and
other, net 4.3 (7.3) (4.8) 8.6
Net change in non-cash
working capital 373.1 70.8 138.8 41.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating
activities 1,061.9 813.0 1,522.5 1,486.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (481.8) (458.8) (863.7) (779.3)
Acquisitions - (19.5) - (19.5)
Proceeds from the sale of
property and other assets 1.3 0.6 1.3 8.0
Change in non-current
materials and supplies,
purchase of investments
and other 2.7 (8.4) (7.7) (11.4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by investing
activities (477.8) (486.1) (870.1) (802.2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Common Shares and Non-
Voting Shares issued 0.2 12.5 0.6 45.7
Dividends to shareholders (125.0) (94.8) (250.9) (190.7)
Purchase of Common Shares
and Non-Voting Shares for
cancellation (169.5) (249.4) (370.2) (481.0)
Long-term debt issued 993.8 662.2 2,091.6 842.8
Redemptions and repayment
of long-term debt (1,811.1) (362.5) (2,104.6) (615.5)
Partial repayment of
deferred hedging liability - (309.4) - (309.4)
Dividends paid by a
subsidiary to non-
controlling interests (4.3) (3.0) (4.3) (3.0)
Other - - (0.9) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided (used) by
financing activities (1,115.9) (344.4) (638.7) (711.1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH POSITION
Increase (decrease) in
cash and temporary
investments, net (531.8) (17.5) 13.7 (27.2)
Cash and temporary
investments, net,
beginning of period 534.0 (1.1) (11.5) 8.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and temporary
investments, net, end
of period $ 2.2 $ (18.6) $ 2.2 $ (18.6)
=========================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF
CASH FLOWS
Interest (paid) $ (218.5) $ (271.5) $ (242.1) $ (284.6)
=========================================================================
Interest received $ 5.6 $ 0.8 $ 7.5 $ 23.3
=========================================================================
Income taxes (inclusive of
Investment Tax Credits)
(paid) received, net $ (3.6) $ (0.7) $ 2.6 $ 95.0
=========================================================================
TELUS Corporation
segmented information (unaudited)
Three-month periods ended
June 30 Wireline Wireless
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenue $ 1,180.1 $ 1,189.9 $ 1,048.0 $ 945.3
Intersegment revenue 28.7 24.8 6.7 5.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,208.8 1,214.7 1,054.7 950.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations expense 772.1 728.6 603.6 508.8
Restructuring costs 2.8 29.8 0.4 0.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
774.9 758.4 604.0 509.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) $ 433.9 $ 456.3 $ 450.7 $ 440.8
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ 308.7 $ 311.4 $ 173.1 $ 147.4
=========================================================================
EBITDA less CAPEX $ 125.2 $ 144.9 $ 277.6 $ 293.4
=========================================================================
Operating expenses (as
adjusted)(3)
Operations expense (as
adjusted)(3) 772.1 728.6 601.8 508.8
Restructuring costs 2.8 29.8 0.4 0.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
774.9 758.4 602.2 509.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted)(3) $ 433.9 $ 456.3 $ 452.5 $ 440.8
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ 308.7 $ 311.4 $ 173.1 $ 147.4
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted) less
CAPEX $ 125.2 $ 144.9 $ 279.4 $ 293.4
=========================================================================
Three-month periods ended
June 30 Eliminations Consolidated
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenue $ - $ - $ 2,228.1 $ 2,135.2
Intersegment revenue (35.4) (30.0) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(35.4) (30.0) 2,228.1 2,135.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations expense (35.4) (30.0) 1,340.3 1,207.4
Restructuring costs - - 3.2 30.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(35.4) (30.0) 1,343.5 1,238.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) $ - $ - $ 884.6 $ 897.1
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ - $ - $ 481.8 $ 458.8
=========================================================================
EBITDA less CAPEX $ - $ - $ 402.8 $ 438.3
=========================================================================
Operating expenses (as
adjusted)(3)
Operations expense (as
adjusted)(3) (35.4) (30.0) 1,338.5 1,207.4
Restructuring costs - - 3.2 30.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(35.4) (30.0) 1,341.7 1,238.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted)(3) $ - $ - $ 886.4 $ 897.1
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ - $ - $ 481.8 $ 458.8
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted) less
CAPEX $ - $ - $ 404.6 $ 438.3
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted)
(from above) $ 886.4 $ 897.1
Incremental charge(3) 1.8 -
----------------------------------------------
EBITDA (from above) 884.6 897.1
Depreciation 318.3 335.2
Amortization 72.5 46.9
----------------------------------------------
Operating income 493.8 515.0
Other expense, net 18.5 9.6
Financing costs 127.2 127.5
----------------------------------------------
Income before income
taxes and non-
controlling interests 348.1 377.9
Income taxes 93.7 18.7
Non-controlling
interests 1.3 2.6
----------------------------------------------
Net income $ 253.1 $ 356.6
==============================================
(1) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
("EBITDA") is a measure that does not have any standardized meaning
prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to
similar measures presented by other issuers; EBITDA is defined by the
Company as operating revenues less operations expense and
restructuring costs. The Company has issued guidance on, and reports,
EBITDA because it is a key measure used by management to evaluate
performance of its business segments and is utilized in measuring
compliance with certain debt covenants.
(2) Total capital expenditures ("CAPEX").
(3) Substantially all of the Company's share option awards that were
granted prior to January 1, 2005, and which were outstanding on
January 1, 2007, were amended by adding a net-cash settlement
feature; such amendment resulted in an incremental charge to
operations of $1.8 and did not result in an immediate cash outflow.
In respect of 2007 results provided to the Company's chief operating
decision maker, operations expense and EBITDA are being presented
both with, and without, the impact of such amendment.
TELUS Corporation
segmented information (unaudited)
Six-month periods ended
June 30 Wireline Wireless
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenue $ 2,385.7 $ 2,388.5 $ 2,048.0 $ 1,827.2
Intersegment revenue 53.8 48.3 13.0 11.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,439.5 2,436.8 2,061.0 1,838.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations expense 1,677.5 1,469.0 1,166.2 998.9
Restructuring costs 7.2 44.7 0.7 2.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,684.7 1,513.7 1,166.9 1,001.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) $ 754.8 $ 923.1 $ 894.1 $ 836.7
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ 579.4 $ 570.4 $ 284.3 $ 208.9
=========================================================================
EBITDA less CAPEX $ 175.4 $ 352.7 $ 609.8 $ 627.8
=========================================================================
Operating expenses (as
adjusted)(3)
Operations expense (as
adjusted)(3) 1,524.4 1,469.0 1,144.0 998.9
Restructuring costs 7.2 44.7 0.7 2.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,531.6 1,513.7 1,144.7 1,001.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted)(3) $ 907.9 $ 923.1 $ 916.3 $ 836.7
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ 579.4 $ 570.4 $ 284.3 $ 208.9
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted) less
CAPEX $ 328.5 $ 352.7 $ 632.0 $ 627.8
=========================================================================
Six-month periods ended
June 30 Eliminations Consolidated
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues
External revenue $ - $ - $ 4,433.7 $ 4,215.7
Intersegment revenue (66.8) (59.4) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(66.8) (59.4) 4,433.7 4,215.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations expense (66.8) (59.4) 2,776.9 2,408.5
Restructuring costs - - 7.9 47.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(66.8) (59.4) 2,784.8 2,455.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) $ - $ - $ 1,648.9 $ 1,759.8
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ - $ - $ 863.7 $ 779.3
=========================================================================
EBITDA less CAPEX $ - $ - $ 785.2 $ 980.5
=========================================================================
Operating expenses (as
adjusted)(3)
Operations expense (as
adjusted)(3) (66.8) (59.4) 2,601.6 2,408.5
Restructuring costs - - 7.9 47.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(66.8) (59.4) 2,609.5 2,455.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted)(3) $ - $ - $ 1,824.2 $ 1,759.8
=========================================================================
CAPEX(2) $ - $ - $ 863.7 $ 779.3
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted) less
CAPEX $ - $ - $ 960.5 $ 980.5
=========================================================================
EBITDA (as adjusted)
(from above) $ 1,824.2 $ 1,759.8
Incremental charge(3) 175.3 -
----------------------------------------------
EBITDA (from above) 1,648.9 1,759.8
Depreciation 636.0 674.4
Amortization 122.1 110.8
----------------------------------------------
Operating income 890.8 974.6
Other expense, net 22.3 13.9
Financing costs 244.8 254.5
----------------------------------------------
Income before income
taxes and non-
controlling interests 623.7 706.2
Income taxes 173.0 134.8
Non-controlling
interests 2.8 4.7
----------------------------------------------
Net income $ 447.9 $ 566.7
==============================================
(1) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
("EBITDA") is a measure that does not have any standardized meaning
prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to
similar measures presented by other issuers; EBITDA is defined by the
Company as operating revenues less operations expense and
restructuring costs. The Company has issued guidance on, and reports,
EBITDA because it is a key measure used by management to evaluate
performance of its business segments and is utilized in measuring
compliance with certain debt covenants.
(2) Total capital expenditures ("CAPEX").
(3) Substantially all of the Company's share option awards that were
granted prior to January 1, 2005, and which were outstanding on
January 1, 2007, were amended by adding a net-cash settlement
feature; such amendment resulted in an incremental charge to
operations of $175.3 and did not result in an immediate cash outflow.
In respect of 2007 results provided to the Company's chief operating
decision maker, operations expense and EBITDA are being presented
both with, and without, the impact of such amendment.
Caution regarding forward-looking statements
=========================================================================
This report and Management's discussion and analysis contain statements
about expected future events and financial and operating results of TELUS
Corporation (TELUS or the Company) that are forward-looking. By their
nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make
assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is
significant risk that predictions, assumptions (see below) and other
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 results, conditions, actions
or events to differ materially from financial and operating targets,
expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking
statements.
Assumptions for 2007 guidance purposes include: economic growth
consistent with recent provincial and national estimates by the
Conference Board of Canada, including 2007 real GDP (gross domestic
product) growth of approximately 2.5% in Canada; increased wireline
competition in both business and consumer markets, particularly from
cable-TV and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) companies; forbearance
for local retail wireline services in major urban incumbent markets by
the second half of 2007; no further price cap mandated consumer price
reductions; a wireless industry market penetration gain of 4.5 to five
percentage points; restructuring expenses not to exceed $35 million;
statutory tax rate of 33 to 34%; a discount rate of 5.0% and an expected
long-term average return of 7.25% for pension accounting, unchanged from
2006; average shares outstanding of 330 to 335 million; and no
prospective significant acquisitions or divestitures. Earnings per share
(EPS), cash balances, net debt and common equity may be affected by the
potential purchases of up to 24 million TELUS shares over a 12-month
period under the normal course issuer bid that commenced December 20,
2006.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include but
are not limited to: competition; economic growth and fluctuations
(including pension performance, funding and expenses); capital
expenditure levels (including possible spectrum asset purchases);
financing and debt requirements (including share repurchases); tax
matters (including acceleration or deferral of required payments of
significant amounts of cash taxes); human resource developments
(including possible labour disruptions); technology (including reliance
on systems and information technology); regulatory developments
(including local forbearance, wireless number portability, the timing,
rules, process and cost of future spectrum auctions, and possible changes
to foreign ownership restrictions); process risks (including internal
reorganizations, conversion of legacy systems and billing system
integrations); health, safety and environmental developments; litigation
and legal matters; business continuity events (including manmade and
natural threats); any prospective acquisitions or divestitures; and other
risk factors discussed herein and listed from time to time in TELUS'
public disclosure documents including its annual report, annual
information form, and other filings with securities commissions in Canada
(at www.sedar.com) and filings in the United States including Form 40-F
(on EDGAR at www.sec.gov).
For further information, see Section 10: Risks and risk management of
TELUS' 2006 annual and 2007 first quarter Management's discussion and
analyses, as well as updates reported in Section 10 of this document.
=========================================================================
Management's discussion and analysis
August 1, 2007
The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and
results of operations of TELUS Corporation for the three-month and six-month
periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and should be read together with TELUS'
interim Consolidated financial statements. This discussion contains forward-
looking information that is qualified by reference to, and should be read
together with, the discussion regarding forward-looking statements above.
TELUS' interim Consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP),
which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 19 to the interim
Consolidated financial statements for a summary of the principal differences
between Canadian and U.S. GAAP as they relate to TELUS. The interim
Consolidated financial statements and Management's discussion and analysis
were reviewed by TELUS' Audit Committee and approved by TELUS' Board of
Directors. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.
TELUS has issued guidance on and reports on certain non-GAAP measures
that are used by management to evaluate performance of business units,
segments and the Company. In addition, non-GAAP measures are used in measuring
compliance with debt covenants and are used to manage the capital structure.
Because non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning, securities
regulations require that non-GAAP measures be clearly defined and qualified,
and reconciled with their nearest GAAP measure. For the readers' reference,
the definition, calculation and reconciliation of consolidated non-GAAP
measures is provided in Section 11: Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures and
definition of key operating indicators.
Management's discussion and analysis contents
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Introduction and A summary of TELUS' consolidated results for
performance summary the second quarter and first half of 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Core business, vision Examples of TELUS' activities in support of
and strategy its six strategic imperatives
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Key performance drivers TELUS' 2007 priorities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Capability to deliver An update on TELUS' capability to deliver
results results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Results from operations A detailed discussion of operating results
for the second quarter and first half
of 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Financial condition A discussion of changes in the balance sheet
for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Liquidity and capital A discussion of cash flow, liquidity,
resources credit facilities and other disclosures
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Critical accounting A description of accounting estimates and
estimates and changes to accounting policies
accounting policy
developments
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Annual guidance TELUS' revised annual guidance for 2007
for 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Risks and risk An update of risks and uncertainties facing
management TELUS and how it manages these risks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Reconciliation of A description, calculation and
non-GAAP measures and reconciliation of certain measures used by
definition of key management
operating indicators
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Introduction and performance summary
1.1 Materiality for disclosures
Management determines whether or not information is material based on
whether it believes a reasonable investor's decision to buy, sell or hold
securities in the Company would likely be influenced or changed if the
information were omitted or misstated.
1.2 Canadian telecommunications industry developments
In mid-April 2007, Canada's largest telecommunications service provider
BCE Inc. announced a strategic review process. Three consortia that included
Canadian pension funds and U.S. private equity investors signed non-disclosure
and standstill agreements to gain access to a BCE data room in order to enable
them to potentially prepare an offer to BCE shareholders under a competitive
auction process. On June 21, 2007, TELUS confirmed that it had entered into a
mutual non-disclosure and standstill agreement and was pursuing non-exclusive
discussions to acquire BCE. On June 26, the three consortia submitted bids to
acquire BCE, while TELUS announced that inadequacies in BCE's bid process did
not make it possible for TELUS to submit an offer as part of the strategic
review process announced by BCE. On June 30, BCE announced that it had entered
into a definitive agreement for BCE to be acquired by a consortium led by
Teachers Private Capital, a division of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. The
BCE Board recommended that their common shareholders accept the offer at an
all-cash price of $42.75 per common share. Other consortium members include
Providence Equity Partners Inc. and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. TELUS in
July continued its assessment of whether it should potentially make a
competing offer for BCE. TELUS has concluded this assessment and it does not
intend to submit a competing offer to acquire BCE. See Caution regarding
forward-looking statements.
In July 2007, the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Finance
announced the creation of a Competition Review Panel to review Canadian
competition and investment legislation: the Competition Act and the Investment
Canada Act. The Panel will report to the Minister of Industry by June 30,
2008. Implications for the telecommunications industry include possible change
to, or removal of, the effective 47% restriction on foreign ownership for the
telecom sector. See Section 10.1 Regulatory - Foreign ownership restrictions.
On July 23, a new independent telecommunications complaints commission,
known as the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services
(CCTS), was launched to help consumers and small businesses handle un-resolved
service concerns. The CCTS was created in response to a request from the
Minister of Industry to telecommunications companies to work together to
establish and fund this independent agency. Founding members TELUS, Bell
Aliant, Bell Canada, SaskTel, MTS Allstream, Rogers, Virgin Mobile, Cogeco,
Videotron, and Vonage filed a joint proposal for the structure and mandate of
the new organization with the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission) for its consideration. The CCTS is intended to
assist where the normal complaint resolution process of member companies do
not resolve concerns.
1.3 Consolidated highlights
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions, except
shares, per share Quarters ended Six-month periods
amounts, subscribers June 30 ended June 30
and ratios) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated statements of income
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 2,228.1 2,135.2 4.4 % 4,433.7 4,215.7 5.2 %
Operating income 493.8 515.0 (4.1)% 890.8 974.6 (8.6)%
Net-cash settlement
feature expense(1) 1.8 - - 175.3 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Operating income
(as adjusted) 495.6 515.0 (3.8)% 1,066.1 974.6 9.4 %
Income before
income taxes 348.1 377.9 (7.9)% 623.7 706.2 (11.7)%
Net-cash settlement
feature expense 1.8 - - 175.3 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Income before income
taxes (as adjusted) 349.9 377.9 (7.4)% 799.0 706.2 13.1 %
Net income 253.1 356.6 (29.0)% 447.9 566.7 (21.0)%
Net-cash settlement
feature expense,
after tax 1.3 - - 109.0 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net income
(as adjusted) 254.4 356.6 (28.7)% 556.9 566.7 (1.7)%
Earnings per share,
basic ($) 0.76 1.03 (26.2)% 1.34 1.63 (17.8)%
Net-cash settlement
feature per share - - - 0.33 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Earnings per share,
basic (as adjusted)
(2) ($) 0.76 1.03 (26.2)% 1.67 1.63 2.5 %
Earnings per share,
diluted ($) 0.75 1.02 (26.5)% 1.32 1.62 (18.5)%
Cash dividends
declared per
share ($) 0.375 0.275 36.4 % 0.75 0.55 36.4 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated statements of cash flows
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by
operating
activities 1,061.9 813.0 30.6 % 1,522.5 1,486.1 2.4 %
Cash used by
investing
activities 477.8 486.1 (1.7)% 870.1 802.2 8.5 %
Capital
expenditures 481.8 458.8 5.0 % 863.7 779.3 10.8 %
Cash used by
financing
activities 1,115.9 344.4 n.m. 638.7 711.1 (10.2)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribers and other measures
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscriber
connections(3)
(thousands) at
June 30 10,885 10,404 4.6 %
EBITDA(4) 884.6 897.1 (1.4)% 1,648.9 1,759.8 (6.3)%
Net-cash settlement
feature expense 1.8 - - 175.3 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
EBITDA
(as adjusted)(4) 886.4 897.1 (1.2)% 1,824.2 1,759.8 3.7 %
Free cash flow(5) 161.7 191.0 (15.3)% 642.5 826.6 (22.3)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt and payout ratios
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt to total
capitalization
ratio (%)(6) 48.0 47.8 0.2 pts
Net debt to EBITDA
- excluding
restructuring(6) 1.8 1.8 -
Dividend payout
ratio (%)(7) 50 46 4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
n.m. - not meaningful; pts - percentage point(s)
(1) A non-cash expense recorded in 2007 for introducing a net-cash
settlement feature for share option awards granted prior to 2005.
(2) Earnings per share - basic (as adjusted) excludes the charge for
introducing the net cash settlement feature, is regularly reported to
the chief operating decision-maker and corresponds to the definition
used in setting TELUS' 2007 basic earnings per share target and
revised guidance.
(3) The sum of wireless subscribers, network access lines and Internet
subscribers measured at the end of the respective periods.
(4) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See Section 11.1 Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). EBITDA (as
adjusted) is regularly reported to the chief operating decision-maker
and corresponds to the definition used in setting TELUS' 2007 EBITDA
targets and revised guidance.
(5) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. See Section 11.2 Free cash
flow.
(6) See Section 11.4 Definition of liquidity and capital resource
measures.
(7) The current annualized rate of dividend declared per share divided by
basic earnings per share for the 12-month trailing period.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS' annual guidance for 2007, described in Section 9 of its 2007 first
quarter Management's discussion and analysis included the expectation that a
non-cash charge of approximately $180 million would be recorded in Operations
expense as a result of introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share
option awards granted prior to 2005. For the six-month period ended June 30,
2007, $175.3 million in respect of this charge was recorded in Operations
expense ($109.0 million after-tax impact in Net income or 33 cents per share).
Highlights for the second quarter and first six months of 2007, as
discussed in Section 5: Results from operations, include the following:
- Subscriber connections increased by 481,000 during the 12-month
period ended June 30, 2007. The number of wireless subscribers grew
by 11.3% to 5.27 million, the number of Internet subscribers grew by
8.3% to 1.135 million and the number of network access lines
decreased by 3.1% to 4.48 million.
- Operating revenues increased by $92.9 million and $218.0 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
when compared to the same periods in 2006 due primarily to growth in
wireless network revenues and wireline data revenues, which more than
offset declines in long distance revenue.
- Operating income decreased by $21.2 million and $83.8 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 when
compared with the same periods in 2006. When adjusted to exclude the
net-cash settlement feature expense recorded in 2007, Operating
income decreased by $19.4 million in the second quarter and increased
by $91.5 million in the first six months. In the second quarter,
growth in wireless EBITDA (as adjusted) and a lower depreciation
expense were more than offset by lower wireline EBITDA (as adjusted)
and higher amortization expense for a wireline billing and client
care system put into service in March. For the six-month period,
increased wireless EBITDA (as adjusted) and lower net depreciation
and amortization expense exceeded erosion in wireline EBITDA (as
adjusted).
- Income before income taxes decreased by $29.8 million and
$82.5 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007 when compared with the same periods in 2006. Excluding
the effect of the net-cash settlement feature, Income before income
taxes decreased by $28.0 million and increased by $92.8 million,
respectively, as a result of changes in adjusted operating income and
a second quarter 2007 equity investment write-off, partly offset in
the six-month period by lower financing costs.
- Net income included favourable tax-related adjustments of
approximately $10 million or three cents per share in the second
quarter of 2007 and approximately $14 million or four cents per share
in the first six months of 2007. This compares with favourable tax
adjustments of approximately $118 million or 34 cents per share in
the second quarter of 2006 and $115 million or 33 cents per share in
the first six months of 2006.
- Net income and EPS for the second quarter of 2007 decreased by
$103.5 million and 27 cents, respectively, when compared to the same
period in 2006. Similarly, Net income and EPS for the first six
months of 2007 decreased by $118.8 million and 29 cents,
respectively, when compared to the same period in 2006. Excluding the
effect of the net-cash settlement feature for first six months of
2007, Net income (as adjusted) decreased by $9.8 million while EPS -
basic (as adjusted) increased by four cents.
- The average number of shares outstanding during second quarter and
first half of 2007 were approximately 3% lower than in 2006 due to
share repurchase programs and a lower number of shares issued because
of the net-cash settlement feature for options.
Highlights for the second quarter and first half of 2007, as discussed in
Section 7: Liquidity and capital resources, include the following:
- Cash provided by operating activities increased by $248.9 million and
$36.4 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007, when compared to the same periods in 2006.
Contributing to the increase was reduced interest paid. Proceeds from
securitized accounts receivable increased by a net $350 million
during the second quarter of 2007, compared with an increase of
$135 million during the second quarter of 2006 for a comparative
increase in operating cash flow of $215 million.
- Cash used by investing activities decreased by $8.3 million in the
second quarter of 2007 and increased by $67.9 million in the first
six months of 2007, when compared to the same periods in 2006. The
decrease in the second quarter was due mainly to an acquisition in
2006. Otherwise, investing activities increased because of higher
capital expenditures to support new enterprise customers in Central
Canada as well as network sustainment, continued enhancement of
digital wireless capacity and coverage, and strategic investments in
high-speed EVDO (evolution data optimized) wireless network
technology.
- On May 15, 2007, TELUS' entered into an unsecured commercial paper
program, which is backstopped by a portion of its credit facility,
enabling it to issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate of
$800 million (or U.S. dollar equivalent), to be used for general
corporate purposes.
- Cash used by financing activities increased by $771.5 million in the
second quarter of 2007 and decreased by $72.4 million in the first
six months of 2007, when compared to the same periods in 2006. The
increase in the second quarter included the June 1, 2007 repayment of
$1,483.3 million (U.S. $1,166.5 million) for 7.50% Notes that
matured, partly offset by the net issue of $663.5 million of
commercial paper. The decrease for the six-month period included a
lower amount used to repurchase shares under the normal course issuer
bid (NCIB), net of increased dividend payments.
- Free cash flow decreased by $29.3 million and $184.1 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
when compared to the same periods in 2006. The decrease for the
second quarter was caused by lower EBITDA net of restructuring and
share-based compensation payments, and higher capital expenditures
partly offset by lower interest payments. The decrease for the first
six months of 2007 was caused by lower EBITDA net of restructuring
payments, higher capital expenditures, and lower recoveries of cash
taxes, partly offset by shared-based compensation expense in excess
of payments and lower interest payments.
- Net debt to total capitalization of 48% at June 30, 2007 continued to
be in the long-term target range of 45 to 50%.
- Net debt to EBITDA of 1.8 continued to be in the long-term target
range of 1.5 to 2.0 times.
- The dividend payout ratio of 50%, measured as the annualized dividend
declared in the second quarter divided by earnings per share for the
12-month trailing period, was at the guideline midpoint of 45 to 55%
of net sustainable earnings; favourable tax-related adjustments for
the trailing 12 months nearly offset the unfavourable impact of
introducing the net cash settlement feature in 2007.
2. Core business, vision and strategy
The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the Caution
regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of Management's
discussion and analysis. It is also qualified by Section 10: Risks and risk
management of TELUS' 2006 annual and 2007 first quarter Management's
discussions and analyses, as well as updates reported in Section 10 of this
document.
TELUS' core business, vision and strategy were detailed in its 2006
Management's discussion and analysis. Recent activities supporting, and events
affecting, the Company's six strategic imperatives include the following:
Building national capabilities across data, IP, voice and wireless
In May, TELUS announced in that it expects to invest $23 million in
Quebec by the fall of 2007 to expand and upgrade wireless 1X digital network
coverage in up to 30 additional communities, as well as enhance existing
digital coverage in the greater Montreal and Quebec City areas where TELUS
network traffic continues to increase. Through the expansion, 30 new
communities will have access to the full suite of TELUS Spark(TM) mobile
services that includes entertainment, information, messaging, downloadable
music, ringtones and games.
In July, TELUS announced the availability of faster speeds on its
wireless high-speed EVDO network in B.C., Alberta and Quebec. The EVDO network
was upgraded to the next generation, Rev A, which has typical download speeds
of 450 to 800 kilobits per second (with a maximum possible speed of
3.1 megabits per second) and typical upload speeds of 300 to 400 kilobits per
second (with a maximum possible speed of 1.8 megabits per second). The speed
increase helps improve the experience of streaming services and sharing of
large data files such as pictures. TELUS wireless high speed services are
available in areas of British Columbia, Alberta, Winnipeg, Ontario and Quebec,
reaching more than 60 per cent of Canadians. When traveling in the United
States, TELUS customers can roam onto EVDO Rev A networks in 242 major
metropolitan areas. TELUS has a variety of EVDO Rev A-capable devices
available now and more are expected. These products operate throughout the
full EVDO coverage area and are backward compatible with the 1X data network,
which offers coverage to 94 per cent of Canadians, when outside the EVDO
coverage area.
The Company enhanced wireless international roaming for its business and
consumer customers with the June launch of the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
smartphone. TELUS also expanded its global roaming services so that users of
the new BlackBerry can access voice and data services internationally using
GSM-based networks. In North America, coverage is provided on CDMA-based 1X
and high-speed EVDO networks.
In July, TELUS launched its first Ethernet to the suite (ETTS) building -
the Melville - a 42-story multi-dwelling unit tower in Vancouver. ETTS
leverages the latest technology to deliver greater bandwidth and higher speeds
to customers. Melville residents will have access to high-speed Internet at up
to 25 Mbps (five to seven faster than average) and the opportunity to leverage
the full suite of Future Friendly(R) Home products and services.
Focusing relentlessly on the growth markets of data, IP and wireless
TELUS was selected this quarter by the Department of Public Works and
Government Services Canada through a competitive bid process to provide and
manage the telecommunications services for the Department of National Defence
(DND), including national and international locations. TELUS will provide
managed telecommunications services including voice, data, video and IP
solutions. The advanced telecommunications framework supports DND's goals of
accessing a cost-effective infrastructure that supports their current
requirements and, at the same time, provides a secure IP backbone for new
services and solutions.This contract value is estimated at $200 million over
five years.
In addition, TELUS is providing the Government of Alberta with the latest
multimedia technology for some 73 courtrooms in the new Calgary Courts Centre.
TELUS will design, supply, install and maintain technology to provide digital
recording, video-conferencing, remote witness facilitation, electronic
annotation, and remote management, which is expected to improve safety and
efficiency in the justice system.
The Company was also selected to provide the TELUS Community Care
Management Solution (CCMS) to Ontario-based Closing the Gap Healthcare Group.
CCMS is an electronic health record and patient management system that makes
patient data available to community, home care and long-term care providers,
wherever their jobs take them. TELUS will implement, host and manage
application software from New Zealand-based Healthphone, as well as provide
network connectivity and security support, "24x7" customer service and
required hardware such as personal digital assistants, mobile phones,
infrastructure and servers.
Building integrated solutions that differentiate TELUS from its
competitors
TELUS has introduced a number of new services in 2007. One new solution
is TELUS Fleet Tracking Bundle for small businesses, which allows companies to
efficiently track their mobile assets in real-time using global positioning
system (GPS) technology. The bundle includes a TELUS wireless data plan, Fleet
Complete GPS software from Complete Innovations and a GPS modem professionally
installed by TELUS dealers or retailer Best Buy.
Another new service is a new wireless tool for Canadian financial
institutions, TELUS Mobile Customer Self Service(TM). The service provides
two- way interaction between financial institutions and their customers,
enabling secure banking transactions that include actionable alerts (such as
questionable account activity or transaction approvals), on-demand access to
account information and no-hold customer service via text messaging.
Partnering, acquiring and divesting to accelerate the implementation
of TELUS' strategy and focus TELUS' resources on core business
In March 2007, AMP'D Mobile Canada Inc. launched its interactive and
customized mobile entertainment, information and messaging services targeting
the high value, young adult (ages 18 to 35) market segment in Canada. In early
June, the U.S. based parent company AMP'D Mobile, Inc. entered bankruptcy
proceedings in the U.S. As a result, AMP'D Mobile sales have been
discontinued in Canada. See Section 4.2 for financial impacts on TELUS
results.
3. Key performance drivers
The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the Caution
regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of Management's
discussion and analysis. It is also qualified by Section 10: Risks and risk
management of TELUS' 2006 annual and 2007 first quarter Management's
discussions and analyses, as well as updates reported in Section 10 of this
document.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 corporate priorities across wireline and wireless
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advancing TELUS' leadership position in the consumer market
- Combining TELUS' suite of data applications with deregulated heritage
services
- Attaining best-in-class customer loyalty and growth through
unparalleled customer experiences
- Achieving customer addition targets by expanding distribution
channels and addressing key market segments with new service
offerings.
Advancing TELUS' leadership position in the business market
- Progressing further in key industry verticals with specific
applications that provide non-price-based differentiation
- Leveraging wireless number portability to expand TELUS' business
market share in Central Canada
- Focusing on small business customer loyalty and growth with
innovative solutions.
Advancing TELUS' leadership position in the wholesale market
- Growing in domestic and international markets through recognition
that TELUS is Canada's IP leader
- Achieving excellence in customer service to support local forbearance
in key incumbent markets
- Expanding the Company's markets, channels and products by focusing on
strategic relationships with TELUS' partners.
Driving TELUS' technology evolution and improvements in productivity and
service excellence
- Implementing technology roadmaps for Future Friendly Home and
wireless service offerings that simplify TELUS' product portfolio and
improve service development and execution
- Rolling out consolidated customer care systems to replace multiple
legacy systems in Alberta and B.C.
- Accelerating customer service delivery dates.
Strengthening the spirit of the TELUS team and brand, and developing the
best talent in the global communications industry
- Growing TELUS' business ownership culture with a team philosophy of
"our business, our customers, our team, my responsibility" thereby
attracting, developing and retaining great talent
- Leading the way in corporate social responsibility as TELUS strives
to be Canada's premier corporate citizen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Capability to deliver results
The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the Caution
regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of Management's
discussion and analysis.
4.1 Principal markets addressed and competitors
The principal markets addressed and competitors have not changed
significantly from those described in TELUS' annual 2006 Management's
discussion and analysis. Early indications are that implementing wireless
number portability (WNP) in March 2007 has been a net contributing factor to
increased subscriber loading (inbound porting exceeded outbound porting), but
has also contributed to increased wireless customer retention costs (8.2% of
network revenue in the second quarter of 2007 compared to 6.2% of network
revenue in the same period in 2006) and increased subscriber churn (1.45% in
the second quarter of 2007 compared to 1.30% in the same period in 2006).
4.2 Operational capabilities
Regulation
Following the April 2007, Federal Government Order-in-Council that varied
the conditions for forbearance from regulation of local services, TELUS filed
forbearance applications for residential local services in Victoria,
Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Rimouski. TELUS later applied for
deregulation of regulated business phone services in phone exchanges covering
78 per cent of business lines in B.C. and Alberta, and 52 per cent in eastern
Quebec. The CRTC granted forbearance for residential services in Fort McMurray
on July 25, with additional rulings expected for Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary
and Edmonton by early August. Forbearance was previously received for Fort
McMurray, contingent on meeting competitor quality-of-service measures, which
are now met. For further discussion, see Section 10.1 Regulatory.
Development of a new billing and client care system in the
wireline segment
In late-March 2007, the Company converted more than one million wireline
customers in Alberta to a new billing and client care system. The expected
customer service and cost benefits of this project include streamlined and
standardized processes and the elimination over time of multiple legacy
information systems. During the second quarter of 2007, the transition from
pilot to full scale implementation resulted in initial system difficulties
that reduced order processing capability, which caused increased installation
backlogs and higher than expected costs such as extra call centre resources in
order to maintain service levels. The critical billing function performed as
expected and at this time the backlogs have been significantly reduced and
call centre operations are expected to return to normal levels. See Section
10.3 Process risks.
Transition to the new system reduced Wireline EBITDA by approximately
$29 million in the second quarter of 2007, including $16 million of costs
primarily related to additional temporary labour to perform system fixes and
maintain service levels, as well as a one-time reduction of $13 million in
long distance revenue. The one-time revenue reduction resulted from system
enhancements, which provided management with better data for estimating
earned, but unbilled revenue.
AMP'D Mobile Canada
In early June, the U.S. based parent company AMP'D Mobile, Inc. entered
bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. As a result, AMP'D Mobile sales have been
discontinued in Canada. TELUS' interim Consolidated financial statements for
June 30, 2007 include a pre-tax write-off of its $11.8 million equity
investment in AMP'D Mobile, Inc. (reflected in Other expense, net) as well as
pre-tax adjustments of approximately $5 million for accelerated depreciation
and approximately $2 million in Operations expense.
4.3 Liquidity and capital resources
Capital structure financial policies (Note 3 of the interim
Consolidated financial statements)
The Company monitors capital on a number of bases, including: net debt to
total capitalization; net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs; and
dividend payout ratio of sustainable net earnings. For further discussion and
specific guidelines, see Section 7.4 Liquidity and capital resource measures.
TELUS' 2007 financing plan was described in Section 9.3 of its 2006
Management's discussion and analysis. Progress against the financing plan is
outlined below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS' 2007 financing plan and results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase TELUS Common Shares and TELUS Non-Voting Shares under the
normal course issuer bid (NCIB)
During the second quarter of 2007, a total of 2.7 million Common and
Non-Voting Shares were repurchased for cancellation for an outlay of
$169.5 million. From December 20, 2004 to June 30, 2007, TELUS
repurchased a total of 45.6 million Common and Non-Voting Shares for
$2.14 billion under three NCIB programs. See Section 7.3 Cash used by
financing activities.
Pay dividends
The dividend declared in the second quarter of 2007, payable on July 1,
was 37.5 cents per share, an increase of 36.4% from the dividend declared
in the second quarter of 2006.
Use proceeds from securitized receivables and bank facilities, as needed,
to supplement free cash flow and meet other cash requirements
During the second quarter of 2007, the balance of proceeds from
securitized accounts receivable increased from $150 million to
$550 million on May 31, and was later reduced to $500 million at June 30.
The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes including repayment
of U.S. $1,166.5 million 7.50% Notes that matured June 1.
Maintain a minimum $1 billion in unutilized liquidity
TELUS had approximately $1.3 billion of available liquidity from
unutilized credit facilities at June 30, 2007. See Section 7.5 Credit
facilities.
Maintain position of fully hedging foreign exchange exposure for
indebtedness
Maintained for the 8.00% U.S. dollar Notes due 2011, the one remaining
foreign currency-denominated debt issue.
Give consideration to refinancing all or a portion of U.S. dollar Notes
in advance of its June 1, 2007 scheduled maturity
In March 2007, the Company publicly issued $300 million 4.50%, Series CC,
2012 Canadian dollar Notes and $700 million 4.95%, Series CD, 2017
Canadian dollar Notes. Proceeds from these debt issues, combined with a
second quarter commercial paper issue of $663.5 million and the second
quarter increase in proceeds from securitized accounts receivable, were
used for general corporate purposes and repayment of $1,483.3 million for
the June 1 maturity of U.S. $1,166.5 million, 7.50% Notes.
Preserve access to the capital markets at a reasonable cost by
maintaining investment grade credit ratings and targeting improved credit
ratings in the range of BBB+ to A-, or the equivalent, in the future
At June 30, 2007, investment grade credit ratings from the four rating
agencies that cover TELUS were in the desired range. Three of four credit
rating agencies placed their outlooks under review on June 21, 2007, when
TELUS announced that it was in non-exclusive discussions to acquire BCE.
See Section 7.7 Credit Ratings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4 Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company's internal control over financial reporting.
5. Results from operations
5.1 General
The Company has two reportable segments: wireline and wireless.
Segmentation is based on similarities in technology, the technical expertise
required to deliver the products and services, the distribution channels used
and regulatory treatment. Intersegment sales are recorded at the exchange
value. Segmented information is regularly reported to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer (the chief operating decision-maker). See Note 5 of the
interim Consolidated financial statements.
5.2 Quarterly results summary
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in millions, except
per share amounts) 2007 Q2 2007 Q1 2006 Q4 2006 Q3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue (external)
Wireline segment 1,180.1 1,205.6 1,234.3 1,200.3
Wireless segment 1,048.0 1,000.0 1,020.3 1,010.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues (consolidated) 2,228.1 2,205.6 2,254.6 2,210.7
Operations expense 1,340.3 1,436.6 1,368.6 1,245.8
Restructuring costs 3.2 4.7 7.9 12.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) 884.6 764.3 878.1 952.4
Depreciation 318.3 317.7 353.2 325.8
Amortization of intangible assets 72.5 49.6 53.9 57.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 493.8 397.0 471.0 569.1
Other expense (income) 18.5 3.8 10.1 4.0
Financing costs 127.2 117.6 133.6 116.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and
non-controlling interest 348.1 275.6 327.3 448.5
Income taxes 93.7 79.3 89.7 126.5
Non-controlling interests 1.3 1.5 1.4 2.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 253.1 194.8 236.2 319.6
=========================================================================
Net income per Common Share
and Non-Voting Share
- basic 0.76 0.58 0.70 0.94
- diluted 0.75 0.57 0.69 0.92
Dividends declared per Common
Share and Non-Voting Share 0.375 0.375 0.375 0.275
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in millions, except
per share amounts) 2006 Q2 2006 Q1 2005 Q4 2005 Q3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue (external)
Wireline segment 1,189.9 1,198.6 1,209.9 1,198.6
Wireless segment 945.3 881.9 876.8 864.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues (consolidated) 2,135.2 2,080.5 2,086.7 2,062.8
Operations expense 1,207.4 1,201.1 1,316.8 1,221.5
Restructuring costs 30.7 16.7 35.5 1.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) 897.1 862.7 734.4 839.7
Depreciation 335.2 339.2 346.2 335.6
Amortization of intangible assets 46.9 63.9 67.0 73.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 515.0 459.6 321.2 430.5
Other expense (income) 9.6 4.3 9.3 7.1
Financing costs 127.5 127.0 171.7 144.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and
non-controlling interest 377.9 328.3 140.2 278.6
Income taxes 18.7 116.1 58.8 86.9
Non-controlling interests 2.6 2.1 2.9 1.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 356.6 210.1 78.5 190.1
=========================================================================
Net income per Common Share
and Non-Voting Share
- basic 1.03 0.60 0.22 0.53
- diluted 1.02 0.60 0.22 0.53
Dividends declared per Common
Share and Non-Voting Share 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See Section 11.1 Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the
definition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The consolidated revenue trend continues to reflect strong growth in
wireless revenues generated from an increasing subscriber base and increasing
average revenue per subscriber unit (ARPU). ARPU growth was due to increasing
provision and adoption of wireless data services, which more than offset the
declining voice component of ARPU. The consolidated revenue trend also
reflected growth in wireline segment data revenue, while wireline voice local
and long distance revenues continue to decrease due to substitution by
wireless and Internet services, as well as competition from VoIP competitors
and resellers.
Historically, there is significant fourth quarter seasonality with higher
wireless subscriber additions and related acquisition costs and equipment
sales, resulting in lower wireless EBITDA. The seasonality affects, to a
lesser extent, the wireline high-speed Internet subscriber additions and
related costs.
Operations expenses in the first and second quarter of 2007 included non-
cash charges of $173.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for introducing
a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards, as described earlier.
Operations expenses in third and fourth quarter of 2005 were affected by
temporary net labour disruption expenses of approximately $65 million and
$52 million, respectively. Restructuring costs varied by quarter, depending on
the progress of ongoing initiatives underway.
The downward trend in depreciation expense was interrupted by a fourth
quarter 2006 provision of approximately $17 million to align estimated useful
lives for TELUS Quebec assets, resulting from integration of financial
systems. The downward trend in Amortization of intangible assets was reversed
in the second quarter 2007 with approximately $18 million of additional
amortization for a major new wireline billing and client care system being put
into service in March. Amortization expenses in the second and fourth quarters
of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 were reduced by approximately
$12 million, $5 million and $5 million, respectively, for investment tax
credits relating to assets capitalized in prior years that are now fully
amortized, following a determination of eligibility by a government tax
authority.
Within Financing costs shown in the table above, interest expenses
trended lower except for the following items: (i) interest expense in respect
of a court decision in a lawsuit related to a 1997 BC TEL bond redemption
matter (including $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006); and (ii) a
charge of $33.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 for early redemption of
$1.578 billion of Notes. The early redemption of Notes on December 1, 2005,
contributed to lower financing costs in the first half of 2006. Financing
costs are net of varying amounts of interest income.
The generally upward trend in Net income and earnings per share reflect
the items noted above as well as adjustments arising from legislated income
tax changes and tax reassessments for prior years, including any related
interest on reassessments.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-related adjustments
($ in millions, except
EPS amounts) 2007 Q2 2007 Q1 2006 Q4 2006 Q3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Net income impact 10 4 20 30
Approximate EPS impact 0.03 0.01 0.06 0.09
Approximate basic EPS excluding
tax-related impacts 0.73 0.57 0.64 0.85
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-related adjustments
($ in millions, except
EPS amounts) 2006 Q2 2006 Q1 2005 Q4 2005 Q3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Net income impact 118 (3) (3) 17
Approximate EPS impact 0.34 (0.01) (0.01) 0.05
Approximate basic EPS excluding
tax-related impacts 0.69 0.61 0.23 0.48
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3 Consolidated results from operations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in millions except Quarters ended Six-month periods
EBITDA margin in % June 30 ended June 30
and Employees) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 2,228.1 2,135.2 4.4 % 4,433.7 4,215.7 5.2 %
Operations expense 1,340.3 1,207.4 11.0 % 2,776.9 2,408.5 15.3 %
Restructuring costs 3.2 30.7 (89.6)% 7.9 47.4 (83.3)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(1) 884.6 897.1 (1.4)% 1,648.9 1,759.8 (6.3)%
Depreciation 318.3 335.2 (5.0)% 636.0 674.4 (5.7)%
Amortization of
intangible assets 72.5 46.9 54.6 % 122.1 110.8 10.2 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 493.8 515.0 (4.1)% 890.8 974.6 (8.6)%
=========================================================================
Operations expense
(as adjusted)(2) 1,338.5 1,207.4 10.9 % 2,601.6 2,408.5 8.0 %
EBITDA
(as adjusted)(2) 886.4 897.1 (1.2)% 1,824.2 1,759.8 3.7 %
Operating income
(as adjusted)(2) 495.6 515.0 (3.8)% 1,066.1 974.6 9.4 %
EBITDA margin(3) 39.7 42.0 (2.3)pts 37.2 41.7 (4.5)pts
EBITDA margin
(as adjusted)(4) 39.8 42.0 (2.2)pts 41.1 41.7 (0.6)pts
Full-time equivalent
employees at end
of period 32,362 29,157 11.0 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See Section 11.1 Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
(2) Excludes non-cash charges of $1.8 million and $175.3 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 for
introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards
granted prior to 2005. Operations expense (as adjusted) and EBITDA
(as adjusted) are both regularly reported to the chief operating
decision-maker. EBITDA (as adjusted) corresponds to the definition
used in setting TELUS' 2007 EBITDA target and revised guidance.
(3) EBITDA divided by Operating revenues.
(4) EBITDA (as adjusted) divided by Operating revenues.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following discussion is for the consolidated results of TELUS.
Further detail by segment is provided for Operating revenues, Operations
expense, Restructuring costs, EBITDA and Capital expenditures in Section 5.4
Wireline segment results, Section 5.5 Wireless segment results and Section 7.2
Cash used by investing activities - capital expenditures.
Operating revenues
Consolidated Operating revenues increased by $92.9 million and
$218.0 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of
2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006. Wireless revenue and wireline
data revenues continue to exceed erosion in wireline voice local and long
distance revenues. In the second quarter of 2007, a one-time reduction of
about $13 million in long distance revenues resulted from billing system
enhancements, which provided management with better data for estimating
earned, but unbilled revenue.
Operations expense
Consolidated Operations expense increased by $132.9 million and
$368.4 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of
2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006. The increases include non-cash
charges for introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards
granted before 2005. Operations expense adjusted to exclude these non-cash
charges increased by $131.1 million and $193.1 million, respectively,
primarily to support the 11.3% year-over-year growth in the wireless
subscriber base and growth in wireless network revenue. In addition, expenses
in the wireline segment increased primarily due to billing system conversion
costs and external labour costs to improve service levels. TELUS' net defined
benefit pension plan expense decreased by approximately $22 million and
$44 million, respectively, due primarily to favourable returns on plan assets
in 2006.
The number of employees increased to support the wireline segment's
provision of outsourcing services to TELUS' customers, including human
resources outsourcing services and international call centre services, and to
support the growing wireless segment subscriber base. The number of full-time
equivalent employees providing outsourcing services to the Company's customers
increased by about 1,049 at June 30, 2007 when compared to one year earlier,
while elsewhere in the wireline segment the increase was 1,185 including
temporary call centre staff to support billing system conversion. In the
wireless segment, the number of full-time equivalent employees increased by
971 over the same period.
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs decreased by $27.5 million and $39.5 million in the
second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when compared to
the same periods in 2006. Restructuring expenses in 2007 were in respect of
several smaller efficiency initiatives. The Company's estimate of
restructuring costs for the full year of 2007, which arises from its
competitive efficiency program, are not expected to exceed $35 million.
EBITDA
EBITDA decreased by $12.5 million and $110.9 million in the second
quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when compared to the same
periods in 2006. EBITDA adjusted to exclude the net-cash settlement feature
expenses decreased by $10.7 million in the second quarter and increased by
$64.4 million in the first six months. Wireline EBITDA (as adjusted) decreased
by $22.4 million and $15.2 million, respectively, due to second quarter
implementation impacts of a new wireline billing and client care system,
including about $13 million in reduced long distance revenues and $16 million
in conversion costs. Wireless segment EBITDA (as adjusted) increased by
$11.7 million and $79.6 million, respectively, due to strong revenue growth
partially offset by the increased cost of acquisition (COA) related to the
higher gross subscriber additions, higher retention spend related to the
implementation of wireless number portability, and to a lesser extent, higher
operations costs to support subscriber growth.
Depreciation and amortization expenses
Depreciation decreased by $16.9 million and $38.4 million in the second
quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when compared to the same
periods in 2006 primarily due to adjustments in the 2006 periods, partly
offset by write-downs in 2007 for certain network equipment and accelerated
depreciation of approximately $5 million for assets related to AMP'D Mobile
Canada services. Depreciation expense adjustments in 2006 included a reduction
in the estimated useful service lives for computer servers and furniture as
well as write-offs of certain other network assets.
Amortization of intangible assets increased by $25.6 million and
$11.3 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2006. The increase was
mainly due to approximately $18 million of additional expense for putting a
new wireline billing and client care system into service in March 2007, partly
offset by other intangible assets becoming fully amortized. In addition,
amortization expenses were reduced by approximately $5 million for the first
six-months of 2007 and reduced by approximately $12 million in the second
quarter and first six months of 2006 to recognize investment tax credits
relating to assets capitalized in prior years that are now fully amortized,
following determination of eligibility by a government tax authority.
Operating income
Operating income decreased by $21.2 million and $83.8 million in the
second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when compared to
the same periods in 2006. When adjusted to exclude the net-cash settlement
feature expense recorded in 2007, Operating income decreased by $19.4 million
in the second quarter and increased by $91.5 million in the first six months.
The decrease in the second quarter was caused mainly by lower wireline
adjusted EBITDA and a higher amortization expense. The increase for the six-
month period was due mainly to improved wireless adjusted EBITDA and lower net
depreciation and amortization expenses.
Other income statement items
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters ended Six-month periods
Other expense, net June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.5 9.6 92.7 % 22.3 13.9 60.4 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other expense in the second quarter of 2007 included an equity investment
write-off of $11.8 million for AMP'D Mobile Inc. Accounts receivable
securitization expenses of $5.0 million and $8.1 million, respectively, in the
second quarter and first six months of 2007, did not change significantly from
same periods in 2006 (see Section 7.6 Accounts receivable sale).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters ended Six-month periods
Financing costs June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on long-
term debt, short-
term obligations
and other 126.8 125.5 1.0 % 246.1 252.5 (2.5)%
Foreign exchange
losses (gains) 5.7 3.7 54.1 % 7.6 4.8 58.3 %
Interest income (5.3) (1.7) n.m. (8.9) (2.8) n.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
127.2 127.5 (0.2)% 244.8 254.5 (3.8)%
=========================================================================
Interest expenses increased by $1.3 million in the second quarter when
compared with same period in 2006 primarily due to a higher average debt
balance from the March bond issue and commercial paper issue ahead of the
June 1 repayment of maturing debt. This more than offset the positive impact
of a slightly lower effective interest rate. The $6.4 million decrease in
interest expenses for the first six months of 2007 when compared with same
period in 2006 was mainly due to an adjustment for application of the
effective rate method for issue costs as required under CICA Handbook Section
3855 (recognition and measurement of financial instruments). In March 2007,
forward starting interest rate swaps were terminated and prepaid interest of
approximately $10 million was deferred and is being amortized over 10 years,
which is the term of the new debt.
The Company's net debt, as calculated in Section 11.4, was $6,240 million
at June 30, 2007, down slightly from $6,275 million one year earlier.
Interest income increased by $3.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively,
in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 when compared with the same
periods in 2006, due primarily to interest earned on short-term investments in
2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters ended Six-month periods
Income taxes June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blended federal
and provincial
statutory income
tax based on net
income before tax 116.9 125.8 (7.1)% 209.2 237.3 (11.8)%
Revaluation of future
income tax liability (24.2) (107.0) 77.4 % (27.9) (107.0) 73.9 %
Share option award
compensation 1.2 1.6 (25.0)% (6.5) 3.1 n.m.
Other (0.2) (1.7) 88.2 % (1.8) 1.4 n.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.7 18.7 n.m. 173.0 134.8 28.3 %
=========================================================================
Blended federal and
provincial statutory
tax rates (%) 33.6 33.3 0.3 pts 33.5 33.6 (0.1)pts
Effective tax
rates (%) 26.9 4.9 22.0 pts 27.7 19.1 8.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The decrease in the blended federal and provincial statutory income tax
expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2007, when compared with
the same periods in 2006, relates primarily to the decreases in income before
taxes of 7.9% and 11.7%, respectively. Revaluation of the future income tax
liability in the second quarter of 2007 arose from further reductions to
future federal income tax rates as well as future tax rates being applied to
temporary differences. The effective tax rates in 2006 were lower due to
revaluation of future income tax liabilities because of enacted changes in
federal tax rates in the second quarter of 2006.
Based on the assumption of the continuation of the rate of TELUS
earnings, the existing legal entity structure, and no substantive changes to
tax regulations, the Company expects to be able to substantially utilize its
non-capital losses before the end of 2007. The Company's assessment is that
the risk of expiry of such non-capital losses is remote. Under the existing
legal entity structure, TELUS currently expects cash tax payments to be
minimal in 2007, increasing in 2008, with substantial cash tax payments in
2009. The blended federal and provincial statutory tax rate for 2007 is
expected to be approximately 33 to 34%.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling Quarters ended Six-month periods
interests June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.3 2.6 (50.0)% 2.8 4.7 (40.4)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling interests represents minority shareholders' interests in
several small subsidiaries.
Comprehensive income
As discussed in Section 8.2 Accounting policy developments, commencing
with the 2007 fiscal year, the Company adopted the recommendations of the
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) for accounting for
comprehensive income (CICA Handbook Section 1530). Currently, the concept of
comprehensive income for purposes of Canadian GAAP, in the Company's specific
instance, is primarily to include changes in shareholders' equity arising from
unrealized changes in the fair values of financial instruments (see Section
7.8). The calculation of earnings per share is based on Net income and Common
Share and Non-Voting Share income, as required by GAAP.
5.4 Wireline segment results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues - Quarters ended Six-month periods
wireline segment June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voice local(1) 515.6 523.3 (1.5)% 1,047.7 1,058.9 (1.1)%
Voice long distance(2) 167.7 205.7 (18.5)% 355.3 413.5 (14.1)%
Data(3) 434.6 403.1 7.8 % 859.4 796.7 7.9 %
Other 62.2 57.8 7.6 % 123.3 119.4 3.3 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
External operating
revenue 1,180.1 1,189.9 (0.8)% 2,385.7 2,388.5 (0.1)%
Intersegment revenue 28.7 24.8 15.7 % 53.8 48.3 11.4 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating
revenues 1,208.8 1,214.7 (0.5)% 2,439.5 2,436.8 0.1 %
=========================================================================
(1) Voice local revenue, after adjusting to exclude the impact of first-
quarter regulatory adjustments, decreased by approximately
$26 million or 2.5% for the first six months of 2007.
(2) Voice long distance revenue, after adjusting to exclude the impact
from billing system conversion, decreased by approximately
$25 million or 12% in the second quarter and decreased by
approximately $45 million or 11% in first six months of 2007.
(3) Data revenue, after adjusting to exclude the impact of two mandated
retroactive competitor price reductions in the first quarter, grew by
approximately $74 million or 9.3% in the first six months of 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network access lines As at June 30
(000s) 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential network
access lines 2,685 2,848 (5.7)%
Business network
access lines 1,793 1,771 1.2 %
-------- -------- -------
Total network access
lines(1) 4,478 4,619 (3.1)%
Quarters ended Six-month periods
June 30 ended June 30
(000s) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in residential
network access lines (56) (52) (7.7)% (90) (80) (12.5)%
Change in business
network access lines 8 8 - % 20 8 150.0 %
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Change in total
network access lines (48) (44) (9.1)% (70) (72) 2.8 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Network access lines are measured at the end of the reporting period
based on information in billing and other systems.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet subscribers As at June 30
(000s) 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
High-speed Internet
subscribers 962.7 830.9 15.9 %
Dial-up Internet
subscribers 172.2 216.8 (20.6)%
-------- -------- -------
Total Internet
subscribers(1) 1,134.9 1,047.7 8.3 %
Quarters ended Six-month periods
June 30 ended June 30
(000s) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
High-speed Internet
net additions 13.9 29.2 (52.4)% 46.0 67.8 (32.2)%
Dial-up Internet net
reductions (9.4) (11.0) 14.5 % (21.9) (19.3) (13.5)%
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total Internet
subscriber net
additions 4.5 18.2 (75.3)% 24.1 48.5 (50.3)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Internet subscribers are measured at the end of the reporting period
based on Internet access counts from billing and other systems.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues in the Wireline segment decreased by $5.9 million in the second
quarter and increased by $2.7 million in the first six months of 2007, when
compared with the same periods in 2006.
- Voice local revenue decreased by $7.7 million and $11.2 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
when compared with the same periods in 2006. The decrease was due
primarily to lower revenues from basic access and optional enhanced
services arising from increased competition for residential
subscribers offset in part by growth in business local services and
price increases allowed under regulation. For the first six months of
2007, this was partly offset by first quarter recoveries of
approximately $14.5 million from the price cap deferral account,
which offset unfavourable mandated retroactive rate adjustments for
basic data revenue pursuant to two recent CRTC (Canadian Radio-
television and Telecommunications Commission) decisions and included
recovery of previously incurred amounts associated with mandated
local number portability and start-up costs.
Residential line losses include the effect of increased competition
from resellers and VoIP competitors (including cable-TV companies,
which have expanded their geographic coverage and introduced lower-
priced telephony services), as well as technological substitution to
wireless services. To a lesser degree, residential second lines
decreased from migration of dial-up Internet subscribers to high-
speed Internet service. The net increase in business lines was
experienced in the Ontario and Quebec urban non-incumbent areas.
- Voice long distance revenues decreased by $38.0 million and
$58.2 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006 due
primarily to lower average per-minute rates (due to industry-wide
price competition) and lower business minute volumes, partly offset
by increased consumer minute volumes. In addition, a one-time
reduction of about $13 million was recorded in the second quarter of
2007 as a result of system enhancements, which provided management
with better data for estimating earned, but unbilled revenue.
- Wireline segment data revenues increased by $31.5 million and
$62.7 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006. This
growth was primarily due to increased Internet, enhanced data and
hosting service revenues from growth in business services and high-
speed Internet subscribers. High-speed Internet subscriber net
additions were lower than one year earlier, reflecting competitive
markets and the impact by the new billing and client care system,
which temporarily reduced the Company's order processing capability
in the second quarter. Monthly rates for high-speed Internet services
were raised by one dollar per month in the second quarter of 2006 for
those customers not on rate protection plans, which contributed to an
overall increase in average revenue per subscriber. Managed data
revenues from the provision of business process outsourcing services
to customers also increased.
Pursuant to CRTC Decision 2007-6 (relating to digital network access
link charges) and CRTC Decision 2007-10 (relating to basic service
extension feature charges), retroactive rate reductions totalling
approximately $11 million in basic data services revenues the first
quarter of 2007. Data revenue for the first six months of 2007 grew
by approximately $74 million or 9.3% once adjusted to exclude the
impact of these two mandated retroactive competitor price reductions.
- Other revenue increased by approximately $4 million for both the
second quarter and first six months of 2007 when compared with the
same periods in 2006. The increase was due mainly to a reduction in
the provision for quality-of-service rate rebates (see Section 10.1
Regulatory - Quality-of-service rebate program), partly offset by
lower voice equipment sales.
- Intersegment revenue represents services provided by the wireline
segment to the wireless segment. These revenues are eliminated upon
consolidation together with the associated expense in the wireless
segment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses -
wireline segment Quarters ended Six-month periods
($ millions, except June 30 ended June 30
employees) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries, benefits
and other employee-
related costs,
before net-cash
settlement feature 428.0 417.0 2.6 % 856.9 830.2 3.2 %
Net-cash settlement
feature expense - - - 153.1 - -
Other operations
expenses 344.1 311.6 10.4 % 667.5 638.8 4.5 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations expense 772.1 728.6 6.0 % 1,677.5 1,469.0 14.2 %
Restructuring costs 2.8 29.8 (90.6)% 7.2 44.7 (83.9)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating
expenses 774.9 758.4 2.2 % 1,684.7 1,513.7 11.3 %
=========================================================================
Operations expense
(as adjusted)(1) 772.1 728.6 6.0 % 1,524.4 1,469.0 3.8 %
Total operating
expenses
(as adjusted)(1) 774.9 758.4 2.2 % 1,531.6 1,513.7 1.2 %
Full-time equivalent
employees, end
of period(2) 24,786 22,552 9.9 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes the net-cash settlement feature expense. Operations expense
(as adjusted) is regularly reported to the chief operating decision-
maker.
(2) The number of full-time equivalent employees providing outsourcing
services to the Company's customers was 4,811 on June 30, 2007 and
3,761 on June 30, 2006. Full-time equivalent staff elsewhere
increased by 1,185 or 6.3%.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Wireline operating expenses increased by $16.5 million and
$171.0 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of
2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006. Expenses in the second
quarter included approximately $16 million of additional costs related to the
March billing and client care system conversion (of which approximately
$5 million was recorded in salaries and benefits for customer contact centres
and $11 million was recorded in other operations expenses primarily for
external labour costs), as well as $2 million in preparation costs for
expected flooding in British Columbia.
Operations expense:
- Salaries, benefits and employee-related expenses increased by
$11.0 million and $26.7 million, respectively, in the second quarter
and first six months of 2007, when compared with the same periods in
2006. The increase was mainly due to scheduled compensation increases
and increased staffing, partly offset by a lower defined benefit
pension plan expense.
- A non-cash charge of $153.1 million was recorded in the first quarter
of 2007 as a result of introducing a net-cash settlement feature for
share option awards granted prior to 2005.
- Other operations expenses increased by $32.5 million and
$28.7 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006.
Approximately half of the increase in the second quarter was due to
higher external labour costs for billing/client care system support,
installation/repair activity to improve service levels, and flood
preparation costs. The remaining second quarter increases was due to
network facility costs from higher customer demand, increased cost of
sales as well as inflationary increases. The increase for the six-
month period also included external labour costs to help clear
backlogs caused by severe winter weather on the west coast early in
2007, partly offset by: (i) increased capitalization of labour
related to the higher capital expenditure activity in 2007; (ii)
lower transit and termination charges due to lower per-minute rates
partly offset by higher outbound minute volumes; and (iii) lower
expenses arising from CRTC decisions on basic service extension
features and network access link charges.
Restructuring costs in 2007 were for several small efficiency initiatives
and decreased by $27.0 million and $37.5 million, respectively, in the second
quarter and first six months of 2007, when compared with the same periods in
2006.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA ($ millions) Quarters ended Six-month periods
and EBITDA margin (%) June 30 ended June 30
wireline segment 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 433.9 456.3 (4.9)% 754.8 923.1 (18.2)%
EBITDA
(as adjusted)(1) 433.9 456.3 (4.9)% 907.9 923.1 (1.6)%
EBITDA margin 35.9 37.6 (1.7)pts 30.9 37.9 (7.0)pts
EBITDA margin
(as adjusted) 35.9 37.6 (1.7)pts 37.2 37.9 (0.7)pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes a non-cash charge of $153.1 million in the first six months
of 2007 for introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share
option awards granted prior to 2005. EBITDA (as adjusted) is
regularly reported to the chief operating decision-maker and
corresponds to the definition used in setting TELUS' 2007 EBITDA
target and revised guidance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline EBITDA decreased by $22.4 million and $168.3 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007, when
compared with the same periods in 2006, while Wireline EBITDA (as adjusted)
decreased by $22.4 million and $15.2 million, respectively. The decrease to
adjusted EBITDA resulted mainly from second quarter billing system conversion
impacts of about $29 million, including increased expenses of $16 million and
a one-time long distance revenue reduction of $13 million. In addition,
increased labour costs to deal with weather-related backlogs were
approximately $2 million in the second quarter of 2007 and approximately
$4 million in the first six months of 2007.
5.5 Wireless segment results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues - Quarters ended Six-month periods
wireless segment June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network revenue 989.8 884.0 12.0 % 1,934.3 1,708.7 13.2 %
Equipment revenue 58.2 61.3 (5.1)% 113.7 118.5 (4.1)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
External operating
revenue 1,048.0 945.3 10.9 % 2,048.0 1,827.2 12.1 %
Intersegment
revenue 6.7 5.2 28.8 % 13.0 11.1 17.1 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating
revenues 1,054.7 950.5 11.0 % 2,061.0 1,838.3 12.1 %
=========================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key operating indicators
- wireless segment As at June 30
(000s) 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribers -
postpaid(1) 4,236.0 3,840.5 10.3 %
Subscribers -
prepaid 1,036.0 896.6 15.5 %
--------- -------- --------
Subscribers -
total(2) 5,272.0 4,737.1 11.3 %
Digital POPs(3)
covered including
roaming/resale
(millions)(4) 31.5 31.0 1.6 %
Quarters ended Six-month periods
June 30 ended June 30
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
---------------------------------------------------
Subscriber gross
additions - postpaid 219.2 205.7 6.6 % 392.5 385.4 1.8 %
Subscriber gross
additions - prepaid 134.8 100.9 33.6 % 257.5 196.0 31.4 %
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Subscriber gross
additions - total 354.0 306.6 15.5 % 650.0 581.4 11.8 %
Subscriber net
additions - postpaid 99.2 103.3 (4.0)% 160.0 173.7 (7.9)%
Subscriber net
additions - prepaid 29.0 20.6 40.8 % 58.7 42.7 37.5 %
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Subscriber net
additions - total 128.2 123.9 3.5 % 218.7 216.4 1.1 %
ARPU ($)(5) 63.65 63.18 0.7 % 62.85 61.76 1.8 %
Churn, per month
(%)(5) 1.45 1.30 0.15 pts 1.40 1.32 0.8 pts
Lifetime revenue per
subscriber ($)(5) 4,390 4,860 (9.7)% 4,489 4,679 (4.1)%
COA(6) per gross
subscriber addition
($)(5) 425 394 7.9 % 431 411 4.9 %
COA per gross
subscriber addition
to lifetime revenue
(%)(5) 9.7 8.1 1.6 pts 9.6 8.8 0.8 pts
Average minutes of
use per subscriber
per month (MOU) 411 412 (0.2)% 397 399 (0.5)%
EBITDA ($ millions) 450.7 440.8 2.2 % 894.1 836.7 6.9 %
EBITDA (as adjusted)
(7) ($ millions) 452.5 440.8 2.7 % 916.3 836.7 9.5 %
EBITDA to network
revenue (%) 45.5 49.9 (4.4)pts 46.2 49.0 (2.8)pts
EBITDA (as adjusted)
to network revenue (%) 45.7 49.9 (4.2)pts 47.4 49.0 (1.6)pts
Retention spend to
network revenue (5)(%) 8.2 6.2 2.0 pts 7.8 6.2 1.6 pts
EBITDA excluding COA
($ millions)(5) 601.1 561.7 7.0 % 1,174.0 1,075.5 9.2 %
EBITDA (as adjusted)
excluding COA
($ millions) 602.9 561.7 7.3 % 1,196.2 1,075.5 11.2 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
pts - percentage points
(1) A one-time adjustment was made to the postpaid subscriber base.
Cumulative subscribers were reduced by approximately 2,600 in the
period to reflect the discontinuation of network service to its
cellular digital packet data (CDPD) subscribers effective January 31,
2007.
(2) Subscribers are measured at the end of the reporting period based on
information from billing systems.
(3) POPs is an abbreviation for population. A POP refers to one person
living in a population area, which in whole or substantial part is
included in the coverage areas.
(4) At June 30, 2007, TELUS' wireless PCS digital population coverage
included expanded coverage of approximately 7.5 million PCS POPs due
to roaming/resale agreements principally with Bell Mobility (Bell
Canada).
(5) See Section 11.3 Definition of key operating indicators. These are
industry measures useful in assessing operating performance of a
wireless company, but are not defined under accounting principles
generally accepted in Canada and the U.S.
(6) Cost of acquisition.
(7) Excludes non-cash charges of $1.8 million and $22.2 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 for
introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards
granted prior to 2005. EBITDA (as adjusted) is regularly reported to
the chief operating decision-maker and corresponds to the definition
used in setting TELUS' 2007 EBITDA targets and revised guidance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment revenues increased by $104.2 million and $222.7 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 when compared
with the same periods in 2006, due to the following:
- Network revenue increased by $105.8 million and $225.6 million in the
second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when
compared with the same periods in 2006. The increase was a result of
the 11.3% expansion of the subscriber base combined with increased
average revenue per subscriber unit per month. ARPU increased by
$0.47 in the second quarter of 2007, when compared to the same period
in 2006, representing the 18th successive quarter of year-over-year
growth, as increased data usage more than offset declining voice
ARPU. Voice ARPU was $57.07 in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease
of $1.66 or 2.8% from the same period in 2006, caused mainly by a
greater mix of included-minute rate plans as voice minutes of use per
subscriber per month (MOU) remained relatively steady. Similarly,
voice ARPU declined by $1.24 or 2.2% to $56.43 for the first six
months of 2007.
Data revenues increased to 10.4% of Network revenue, or
$103.2 million, in the second quarter of 2007 as compared with 7.1%
of Network revenues, or $62.8 million, in the second quarter of
2006 - reflecting a growth rate of 64.3%. Similarly, data revenues
for the first six months of 2007 increased to 10.3% of Network
revenue, or $199.4 million, as compared with 6.7% of Network revenue,
or $114.1 million, for the same period in 2006 - reflecting a growth
rate of 74.8%. Data ARPU increased by 47.9% to $6.58 for the second
quarter and increased by 57.0% to $6.42 for the first six months of
2007 as compared with $4.45 and $4.09, respectively, for the same
periods in 2006. This growth, driven by the significant increase in
voice to data migrations, was principally related to text messaging,
mobile computing, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, Internet
browser activities and pay-per-use downloads such as ringtones,
music, games and videos.
At June 30, 2007, postpaid subscribers represented 80.3% of the total
cumulative subscriber base, remaining relatively stable from one year
earlier. The 99,200 postpaid subscriber net additions for the second
quarter of 2007 represented 77.4% of all net additions as compared
with 103,300 or 83.4% of all net additions for the same period in
2006. Moreover, the 160,000 postpaid subscriber net additions for the
first six months of 2007 represented 73.2% of all net additions as
compared with 173,700 or 80.3% of all net additions for the same
period in 2006. Total net subscriber additions increased in the
second quarter and first six months of 2007 as compared with the same
periods in 2006 as a result of the growth in prepaid net subscriber
additions.
The blended churn rate increased in the second quarter and first
six months of 2007 when compared with the respective periods in 2006.
The postpaid monthly churn rates for the second quarter and first
six months of 2007 were approximately one per cent, increasing
slightly over the same periods last year. The prepaid churn rates
also increased slightly in the second quarter and first six months of
2007 when compared with the same periods in 2006. Total deactivations
were 225,800 for the second quarter and 431,300 for the first six
months of 2007 as compared with 182,700 and 365,000, respectively,
for the same periods last year. Wireless number portability had a
full quarter impact on churn and deactivation results for the first
time since its implementation in late-March 2007.
- Equipment sales, rental and service revenue decreased by $3.1 million
and $4.8 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007 when compared with the same periods in 2006. The
decreases, despite continued subscriber growth and higher retention
activity, were principally due to a shift in product mix and
increased promotional activity related to wireless number
portability. Gross subscriber additions were 354,000 for the second
quarter of 2007 (a record second quarter loading for TELUS) and
650,000 for the first six months of 2007 as compared with 306,600 and
581,400, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The increase in
gross additions included the impact of increased competitive porting-
in as a result of wireless number portability. Handset revenues
associated with gross subscriber activations are included in COA per
gross subscriber addition.
- Intersegment revenues represent services provided by the wireless
segment to the wireline segment and are eliminated upon consolidation
along with the associated expense in the wireline segment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses -
wireless segment Quarters ended Six-month periods
($ millions, except June 30 ended June 30
employees) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment sales
expenses 166.6 136.9 21.7 % 312.0 263.1 18.6 %
Network operating
expenses 126.7 111.6 13.5 % 241.3 217.5 10.9 %
Marketing expenses 114.6 92.0 24.6 % 215.4 185.8 15.9 %
General and
administration
expenses 195.7 168.3 16.3 % 397.5 332.5 19.5 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations expense 603.6 508.8 18.6 % 1,166.2 998.9 16.7 %
Restructuring costs 0.4 0.9 (55.6)% 0.7 2.7 (74.1)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating
expenses 604.0 509.7 18.5 % 1,166.9 1,001.6 16.5 %
=========================================================================
Operations expense
(as adjusted)(1) 601.8 508.8 18.3 % 1,144.0 998.9 14.5 %
Total operating
expenses
(as adjusted)(1) 602.2 509.7 18.1 % 1,144.7 1,001.6 14.3 %
Full-time equivalent
employees at end
of period 7,576 6,605 14.7 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes non-cash charges of $1.8 million and $22.2 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 for
introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards
granted prior to 2005. Operations expense (as adjusted) is regularly
reported to the chief operating decision-maker.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment total operating expenses increased by $94.3 million and
$165.3 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of
2007 when compared with the same periods in 2006. Total operating expenses as
adjusted to exclude the 2007 non-cash charges for share option awards expense
increased by $92.5 million and $143.1 million, respectively, to promote,
acquire, retain and support 11.3% year-over-year growth in the subscriber base
and the significant increase in Network revenue.
- Equipment sales expenses increased by $29.7 million and
$48.9 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007 when compared with the same periods in 2006, due
principally to an increase in gross subscriber activations and
increased retention activity related to wireless number portability
combined with a greater mix of data products but, partially offset by
favourable exchange rates. Handset costs including data equipment
associated with gross subscriber activations are included in COA per
gross subscriber addition.
- Network operating expenses increased by $15.1 million and
$23.8 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
respectively, when compared with the same periods in 2006. The
increases were principally due to higher transmission and site-
related expenses to support the greater number of cell sites, a
larger subscriber base, third party data content providers, and
improved network quality and coverage. Moreover, expenses for the
first six months of 2007 were net of a reduction arising from CRTC
Decision 2007-6 related to retail network access link charges.
- Marketing expenses increased by $22.6 million and $29.6 million in
the second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, when
compared with the same periods in 2006, primarily due to higher
advertising and promotions costs driven by wireless number
portability and increased dealer compensation costs related to the
higher gross subscriber additions and increased retention activity.
Despite higher prepaid gross additions, COA per gross subscriber
addition increased by $31 or 7.9% in the second quarter as compared
with the same period last year. The increase was principally related
to higher subsidies on certain popular handsets driven by competitive
activity and higher advertising and promotion spending related to
wireless number portability and new product launches. Similarly, COA
increased by $20 or 4.9% for the first six months of 2007. Wireless
number portability also contributed to increased retention costs,
which as a percentage of network revenue, were 8.2% and 7.8%,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007, as
compared to 6.2% in the same periods in 2006. Despite higher ARPU,
the lifetime revenue per subscriber decreased in the second quarter
and first half of 2007 because of the increased churn rates.
Consequently, COA as a percentage of lifetime revenue increased in
the second quarter and first six months of 2007.
- General and administration expense increased by $27.4 million and
$65.0 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2007,
respectively, when compared with the same periods in 2006. Excluding
non-cash charges for share option awards granted before 2005, general
and administration expenses grew by $25.6 million and $42.8 million
for the second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively.
The increases were principally due to the 14.7% increase in employees
to support the significant growth in Network revenue, subscriber
base, and continued expansion of the client care team and company-
owned retail stores.
- Restructuring costs were in respect of the Company's operational
efficiency program.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA ($ millions) Quarters ended Six-month periods
and EBITDA margin (%) June 30 ended June 30
wireless segment 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 450.7 440.8 2.2 % 894.1 836.7 6.9 %
EBITDA
(as adjusted)(1) 452.5 440.8 2.7 % 916.3 836.7 9.5 %
EBITDA margin 42.7 46.4 (3.7)pts 43.4 45.5 (2.1)pts
EBITDA margin
(as adjusted) 42.9 46.4 (3.5)pts 44.5 45.5 (1.0)pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes non-cash charges of $1.8 million and $22.2 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 for
introducing a net-cash settlement feature for share option awards
granted prior to 2005. EBITDA (as adjusted) is regularly reported to
the chief operating decision-maker and corresponds to the definition
used in setting TELUS' 2007 EBITDA targets and revised guidance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment EBITDA increased by $9.9 million and $57.4 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 when compared
with the same periods in 2006. When adjusted to exclude the non-cash charge
for options expense in 2007, EBITDA increased by $11.7 million and
$79.6 million, respectively, due to strong revenue growth partially offset by
the increased COA related to the improved gross additions, higher retention
spend related to the implementation of wireless number portability, and to a
lesser extent, higher operations costs to support growth in the total
subscriber base.
6. Financial condition
The following are changes in the Consolidated balance sheets in the six-
month period Notional Carrying Fair June 30, 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, Dec. 31, Changes Explanation of the
2007 2006 change in balance
($ millions) (adjusted)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Assets
Cash and 2.2 (11.5) 13.7 n.m. See Section 7.
temporary Liquidity and
investments, capital resources
net
Short-term 54.8 110.2 (55.4) (50.3)% Liquidation of some
investments investments of
surplus cash
Accounts 571.8 707.2 (135.4) (19.1)% Lower days
receivable outstanding on
wireline
receivables, a
decrease in wireless
voice ARPU and
receivables from
dealers, and receipt
of inducements for
renegotiated
building leases
Income and 99.2 95.4 3.8 4.0 % -
other taxes
receivable
Inventories 158.8 196.4 (37.6) (19.1)% Primarily a seasonal
reduction of
wireless handset
inventories
Prepaid 291.7 195.3 96.4 49.4 % Primarily prepayment
expenses of annual property
and other taxes and wireless
licence fees as well
as accrued and
prepaid employee
benefits, all net of
amortization
Current 48.7 40.4 8.3 20.5 % Primarily new net
portion cash-settled equity
derivative swaps offset by the
assets maturity of cross-
currency swaps
related to the notes
maturing June 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current
Liabilities
Accounts 1,547.9 1,363.6 184.3 13.5 % Primarily increases
payable in the liability for
and net-cash settled
accrued share options and
liabilities NCIB purchases
awaiting settlement
Income and 6.7 10.3 (3.6) (35.0)% -
other
taxes
payable
Restructuring 28.8 53.1 (24.3) (45.8)% Payments under
accounts previous and current
payable and programs exceeded
accrued new obligations
liabilities
Advance 609.4 606.3 3.1 0.5 % Primarily increased
billings billings and
and customer deposits,
customer net of draw-downs
deposits from price cap
deferred revenue
Current 6.4 1,433.5 (1,427.1) (99.6)% Repayment of U.S.
maturities dollar notes that
of long- matured June 1 and
term debt medium-term TCI
notes that matured
in February
Current 10.1 165.8 (155.7) (93.9)% Maturity of cross-
portion of currency swaps
derivative related to the note
liabilities maturing June 1,
partly offset by
changes to U.S.
currency forward
contracts
Current 258.1 137.2 120.9 88.1 % An increase in
portion temporary
of future differences for
income current assets and
taxes liabilities as well
as partnership
taxable income that
will be allocated in
the next 12 months.
The December 31,
2006 balance
includes a
reclassification of
$44 million from
long-term future
income taxes. See
Note 2(c) of the
interim Consolidated
financial statements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working (1,240.2) (2,436.4) 1,196.2 49.1 % Mainly repayment of
capital(1) the current
maturities of long-
term debt. See
Section 7.3 Cash
used by financing
activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital 11,076.6 10,982.1 94.5 0.9 % See Sections 5.3
Assets, Consolidated results
Net from operations -
Depreciation and
amortization and 7.2
Cash used by
investing activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets
Deferred 1,064.6 956.6 108.0 11.3 % Primarily pension
charges plan contributions
and pension
recoveries resulting
from favourable
returns on plan
assets
Investments 30.6 35.2 (4.6) (13.1)% Includes an
$11.8 million write-
off of an equity
investment in AMP'D
Mobile, Inc., net of
new investments and
fair value
adjustments
Goodwill 3,168.8 3,169.5 (0.7) 0.0 % -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term 4,800.5 3,474.7 1,325.8 38.2 % Includes notes
Debt issued in March and
commercial paper
issued in May, net
of the repayment of
bank facilities and
a reduction in the
Canadian dollar
value of 2011 U.S.
dollar notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 1,644.4 1,257.3 387.1 30.8 % Primarily foreign
Long-Term exchange rate
Liabilities changes and a fair
value adjustment of
the deferred hedging
liability associated
with 2011 U.S.
dollar notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future 1,018.6 1,023.3 (4.7) (0.5)% A decrease in
Income temporary
Taxes differences for
long-term assets and
liabilities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non- 22.1 23.6 (1.5) (6.4)% -
Controlling
Interests
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders'
Equity
Common 6,614.8 6,928.1 (313.3) (4.5)% Decreased primarily
equity due to NCIB
expenditures of
$370.2 million,
dividends of
$250.9 million and
transitional amounts
for accumulated
other comprehensive
income of
$176.2 million;
partly offset by Net
income of
$447.9 million and
Other comprehensive
income of
$51.9 million.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Current assets subtracting Current liabilities - an indicator of the
ability to finance current operations and meet obligations as they
fall due.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Liquidity and capital resources
7.1 Cash provided by operating activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions) Quarters Six-month periods
ended June 30 ended June 30
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,061.9 813.0 30.6 % 1,522.5 1,486.1 2.4 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $248.9 million and
$36.4 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of
2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006. Changes in cash provided by
operating activities included:
- EBITDA decreased by $12.5 million and $110.9 million, respectively,
in the second quarter and first six months of 2007, when compared to
the same periods in 2006;
- Share-based compensation payments in excess of the expense included
in EBITDA increased by $21.6 million in the second quarter of 2007
when compared with the same period in 2006. Share-based compensation
expense in excess of payments in the first six months of 2007
increased by $108.6 million when compared with the same period in
2006;
- Employer contributions to employee defined benefit plans decreased by
$30.3 million and $26.9 million, respectively, in the second quarter
and first six months of 2007, when compared to the same periods in
2006 mainly due to accelerated funding in 2006;
- Interest paid decreased by $53.0 million and $42.5 million,
respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 when
compared to the same periods in 2006. The decrease in the second
quarter was due to the paid amounts in the second quarter of 2006
including $31.2 million for terminating cross currency interest rate
swaps as well as partial payment of interest in respect of a court
decision in a lawsuit regarding a 1997 BC TEL bond redemption matter.
The decrease for the six-month period was caused by the same reasons,
partly offset by repayment of forward starting interest rate swaps in
the first quarter of 2007.
- Interest received decreased by $15.8 million in the first six months
of 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006, due to the receipt
of interest on tax refunds in the first quarter of 2006;
- Income taxes received net of installment payments decreased by
$92.4 million in the first six months of 2007 when compared to the
same period in 2006, due mainly to collection of income taxes
receivable during first quarter of 2006;
- Cash provided by a decrease in Short-term investments was
approximately $55 million during the second quarter and first six
months of 2007;
- Proceeds from securitized accounts receivable increased by a net
$350 million during the second quarter of 2007, compared with an
increase of $135 million during the second quarter of 2006 for a
comparative increase in operating cash flow of $215 million. Proceeds
from securitized accounts receivable were unchanged during the first
six months of 2007, compared with a net increase of $35 million
during the first six months of 2006 for a comparative decrease of
$35 million in operating cash flow for the six-month period; and
- Other changes in non-cash working capital for the respective periods.
7.2 Cash used by investing activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions) Quarters ended Six-month periods
June 30 ended June 30
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
477.8 486.1 (1.7)% 870.1 802.2 8.5 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by investing activities decreased by $8.3 million in the second
quarter of 2007 and increased by $67.9 million in the first six months of
2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006. The decrease in the second
quarter was primarily due to $19.5 million for acquisitions in 2006. Capital
expenditures increased by $23.3 million and $84.4 million, respectively, in
the second quarter and first six months of 2007, when compared to the same
periods in 2006 (see below).
Assets under construction were $603.8 million at June 30, 2007, a
decrease of $121.6 million from December 31, 2006. The decrease primarily
reflects a transfer of $342.1 million to intangible assets subject to
amortization in the first quarter of 2007 for activation of certain phases of
the new consolidated wireline billing and client care system, net of increases
in other assets under construction during 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital
expenditures Quarters ended Six-month periods
($ in millions, June 30 ended June 30
ratios in %) 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline segment 308.7 311.4 (0.9)% 579.4 570.4 1.6 %
Wireless segment 173.1 147.4 17.4 % 284.3 208.9 36.1 %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS consolidated
capital expenditures 481.8 458.8 5.0 % 863.7 779.3 10.8 %
=========================================================================
Capital expenditure
intensity ratio(1) 21.6 21.5 0.1 pts 19.5 18.5 1.0 pt
EBITDA less capital
expenditures(2) 402.8 438.3 (8.1)% 785.2 980.5 (19.9)%
EBITDA (as adjusted)
less capital
expenditures(2) 404.6 438.3 (7.7)% 960.5 980.5 (2.0)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Capital expenditure intensity is measured by dividing capital
expenditures by operating revenues. This measure provides a method of
comparing the level of capital expenditures to other companies of
varying size within the same industry.
(2) See Section 11.1 EBITDA for the calculation and description.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS' capital intensity ratio in the second quarter of 2007 was similar
to the same period in 2006. For the first six months of 2007, capital
expenditures are tracking towards the annual guidance of approximately
$1.75 billion, which implies higher capital intensity. See Section 9: Annual
guidance for 2007. TELUS' EBITDA (as adjusted) less capital expenditures
decreased primarily because of higher capital expenditures levels in 2007,
largely offset by higher EBITDA (as adjusted) for the six month period.
- Wireline segment capital expenditures decreased by $2.7 million in
second quarter of 2007 and increased by $9.0 million in the first six
months of 2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006.
Expenditures decreased for billing and client care system development
in both the second quarter and first six months of 2007 as a result
of putting the system into service in March. Up-front capital
investment to support new enterprise customers in Central Canada as
well as expenditures for network sustainment increased for both the
second quarter and first six months of 2007. Wireline capital
expenditure intensity levels in 2007 were 25.5% for the second
quarter and 23.8% for the first six months of 2007 - similar to 2006.
Wireline cash flow (EBITDA less capital expenditures) was
$125.2 million and $175.4 million, respectively, in the second
quarter and first six months of 2007, or decreases of 13.6% and
50.3%, respectively, from the same periods in 2006. Wireline cash
flow based on EBITDA (as adjusted) for the first six months of was
$328.5 million in the first six months of 2007, a decrease of 6.9%
from the same period in 2006.
- Wireless segment capital expenditures increased by $25.7 million and
$75.4 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six
months of 2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006. The
increases were principally related to continued enhancement of
digital wireless capacity and coverage, and strategic investments in
high-speed EVDO Rev A wireless network technology. Wireless capital
expenditure intensity levels in 2007 were 16.4% for the second
quarter and 13.8% for the first six months of 2007 as compared to
15.5% and 11.4%, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. Wireless
cash flows (EBITDA less capital expenditures) were $277.6 million in
the second quarter and $609.8 million for the first six months of
2007 representing declines of 5.4% and 2.9%, respectively. Wireless
cash flows based on EBITDA (as adjusted) were $279.4 million in the
second quarter, a decrease of 4.8% from the same period in 2006, and
was $632.0 million for the first six months of 2007, an increase of
0.7%, from the same period in 2006.
7.3 Cash used by financing activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions) Quarters ended Six-month periods
June 30 ended June 30
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,115.9 344.4 n.m. 638.7 711.1 (10.2)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used by financing activities increased by $771.5 million in the
second quarter of 2007 and decreased by $72.4 million in the first six months
of 2007, when compared with the same periods in 2006:
- Proceeds from Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares issued were
$0.2 million in the second quarter of 2007 and $0.6 million for the
first six months of 2007, as compared to $12.5 million and
$45.7 million, respectively, in the same periods in 2006. The
decreases were due to implementation of the net-cash settlement
feature for share option awards granted prior to 2005 and the
introduction of the net equity settlement feature in May 2006.
- Cash dividends paid to shareholders were $125.0 million in the second
quarter of 2007 and $250.9 million in the first six months of 2007,
representing increases of approximately 32% when compared to the same
periods in 2006. The increases were due to the higher quarterly
dividend paid per share, partly offset by lower average shares
outstanding.
- The Company's renewed NCIB program (Program 3) came into effect on
December 20, 2006 and is set to expire on December 19, 2007. At
June 30, 2007, the Company has purchased 19% of the maximum
12 million Common shares and 34% of the maximum 12 million Non-Voting
Shares under this program. From December 20, 2004 to June 30, 2007,
TELUS repurchased approximately 18.7 million Common Shares and
26.9 million Non-Voting Shares for $2.14 billion under three NCIB
programs.
The following table shows quarterly purchases under NCIB programs for
2007 and 2006.
Normal course issuer bid programs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase cost
Shares repurchased ($ millions)
--------------------------------- -----------------------
Charged Charged
to to
Share Retained
Common Non-Voting capital earnings
By program Shares Shares Total (1) (2) Paid
--------------- --------------------------------- -----------------------
2006
(Program 2)
First quarter 1,783,300 3,334,500 5,117,800 93.3 138.3 231.6
Second quarter 2,913,600 2,643,300 5,556,900 93.0 156.4 249.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months 4,696,900 5,977,800 10,674,700 186.3 294.7 481.0
=========================================================================
2007
(Program 3)
First quarter 1,975,000 1,530,000 3,505,000 57.8 142.9 200.7
Second quarter 330,000 2,367,300 2,697,300 55.0 114.5 169.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months 2,305,000 3,897,300 6,202,300 112.8 257.4 370.2
=========================================================================
(1) Represents the book value of shares repurchased
(2) Represents the cost in excess of the book value of shares repurchased
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- A major debt issue was completed in March 2007 with five-year and
10-year maturities:
2012 Canadian dollar notes: the Company publicly issued $300 million
4.50%, Series CC, Notes at a price of $999.91 per $1,000.00 of
principal.
2017 Canadian dollar notes: the Company publicly issued $700 million
4.95%, Series CD, Notes at a price of $999.53 per $1,000.00 of
principal.
The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole at
any time, or in part from time to time, on not fewer than 30 and not
more than 60 days' prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of (i) the present value of the notes discounted at the
Government of Canada yield plus 15 basis points for the 2012 notes
and 24 basis points for the 2017 notes, or (ii) 100% of the principal
amount thereof. In addition, accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
will be paid to the date fixed for redemption.
- On May 15, 2007, TELUS entered into an unsecured commercial paper
program, which is backstopped by a portion of its credit facility,
enabling it to issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate of
$800 million (or U.S. dollar equivalent), to be used for general
corporate purposes. Commercial paper totaling $663.5 million was
outstanding at June 30, 2007.
- Other debt issues in 2007 were primarily periodic draws on the bank
facility, which were subsequently repaid (amounts outstanding:
March 31 and June 30, 2007 - nil; December 31, 2006 - $120 million).
- Debt repayments in 2007 included the $1,483.3 million to repay U.S.
$1,166.5 million 7.50% Notes that matured on June 1, and $70 million
to repay TCI 7.10% Medium-Term Notes that matured in February.
The following are anticipated requirements to meet long-term debt
repayments, including related hedge amounts and calculated upon such long-term
debts owing as at June 30, 2007, during each of the five years ending
December 31. Interest obligations are not included.
Long-term debt maturities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred
hedging
liability,
($ millions) Principal net Total(1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 (balance of year) 2.3 - 2.3
2008 5.6 - 5.6
2009 1.5 - 1.5
2010 80.8 - 80.8
2011 2,048.1 903.5 2,951.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Where applicable, principal repayments reflect foreign exchange rates
at June 30, 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.4 Liquidity and capital resource measures
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
As at, or 12-month periods ended, June 30 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of debt and coverage ratios(1)
($ millions)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt (including securitized accounts
receivables) 6,239.7 6,274.6 (34.9)
Total capitalization - book value 13,002.4 13,139.0 (136.6)
EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs -
12-month trailing 3,507.7 3,418.4 89.3
Net interest cost - 12-month trailing 495.0 571.0 (76.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt ratios
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed-rate debt as a proportion of total
indebtedness (%) 81.4 90.8 (9.4)pts
Average term to maturity of debt (years) 5.7 5.0 0.7
Net debt to total capitalization (%)(1) 48.0 47.8 0.2 pts
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding
restructuring costs(1) 1.8 1.8 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coverage ratios(1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest coverage on long-term debt 3.8 2.9 0.9
EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs
interest coverage 7.1 6.0 1.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other measures - 12-month trailing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow ($ millions)(2) 1,387.2 1,506.7 (119.5)
Dividend payout ratio (%)(1) 50 46 4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) See Section 11.4 Definition of liquidity and capital resource
measures.
(2) See Section 11.2 Free cash flow for the definition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt and total capitalization are calculated on a basis generally
consistent with the Company's credit agreements. Net debt excludes accumulated
comprehensive income amounts arising from financial instruments used to manage
interest rate and currency risks associated with U.S. dollar denominated debt.
Total capitalization also excludes accumulated other comprehensive income. See
Section 11.4.
Total capitalization decreased because of lower net debt and share
capital, partly offset by higher retained earnings. Changes in Net debt and
12- month trailing EBITDA did not have a significant impact on the net debt to
EBITDA ratio at June 30, 2007 when compared to one year earlier. The average
term to maturity of debt of 5.7 years at June 30, 2007 represents an increase
from 4.5 years at December 31, 2006 due to repayment of maturing notes on
June 1 net of the March debt issue and May commercial paper issue. The
proportion of debt on a fixed-rate basis decreased with the issue of
commercial paper.
Interest coverage on long-term debt improved by 0.4 because of lower
interest expenses, and improved by 0.5 because of increased income before
taxes and interest expense. The EBITDA interest coverage ratio improved by 0.9
due to lower net interest cost and improved by 0.2 due to higher EBITDA -
excluding restructuring costs. The decrease in 12-month trailing free cash
flow resulted from higher capital expenditures and lower recoveries of income
tax and related interest, net of improved EBITDA before share-based
compensation and lower interest paid. The dividend payout ratio based on
actual earnings at June 30, 2007 was at the midpoint of the target guideline
(45 to 55% for sustainable net earnings). The dividend payout ratio was 48%
when the impacts of tax-related adjustments and the charge for introducing the
net cash feature are excluded from earnings.
The Company's strategy is to maintain the financial policies and
guidelines set out below. The Company believes that these measures are
currently at the optimal level and provide access to capital at a reasonable
cost by maintaining credit ratings in the range of BBB+ to A-, or the
equivalent.
TELUS' long-term financial policies and guidelines are:
- Net debt to total capitalization of 45 to 50%;
- Net debt to EBITDA of 1.5 to 2.0 times; and
- Dividend payout ratio of 45 to 55% of sustainable net earnings.
7.5 Credit facilities
On March 2, 2007, TELUS closed a new five-year $2 billion credit facility
with a syndicate of 18 financial institutions. The new facility replaced
$1.6 billion of existing credit facilities, of which $800 million would have
expired in 2008 and $800 million would have expired in 2010. The new facility
may be used for general corporate purposes including the backstop of
commercial paper. The new facility has no substantial changes in terms and
conditions other than reduced pricing and extended term, which reflects
favourable market conditions and TELUS' financial position. Notably, the May
2012 maturity date of the new credit facility extends beyond the maturity date
of TELUS' June 2011 Notes.
TELUS had available liquidity from unutilized credit facilities of
approximately $1.3 billion at June 30, 2007, consistent with the Company's
objective of maintaining at least $1 billion of unutilized liquidity.
TELUS Credit Facilities at June 30, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding Backstop
undrawn for
letters commercial
($ in of paper Available
millions) Expiry Size Drawn credit program liquidity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five-year
revolving May 1,
facility(1) 2012 2,000.0 - (103.7) (663.5) 1,232.8
Other bank
facilities - 77.3 - (2.9) - 74.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - 2,077.3 - (106.6) (663.5) 1,307.2
=========================================================================
(1) Canadian dollars or U.S. dollar equivalent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS' revolving credit facility contains customary covenants including a
requirement that TELUS not permit its consolidated Leverage Ratio (debt to
trailing 12-month EBITDA) to exceed 4.0:1 (approximately 1.8:1 at June 30,
2007) and not permit its consolidated Coverage Ratio (EBITDA to Interest
Expense on a trailing 12-month basis) to be less than 2.0:1 (approximately
7.1:1 at June 30, 2007) at the end of any financial quarter. There are certain
minor differences in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio and Coverage Ratio
under the credit agreement as compared with the calculation of Net debt to
EBITDA and EBITDA interest coverage. Historically, the calculations have not
been materially different. The covenants are not impacted by revaluation of
capital assets, intangible assets and goodwill for accounting purposes.
Continued access to TELUS' credit facility is not contingent on the
maintenance by TELUS of a specific credit rating.
7.6 Accounts receivable sale
On July 26, 2002, TCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of TELUS, entered into
an agreement, which was amended September 30, 2002, and March 1, 2006, and
November 30, 2006, with an arm's-length securitization trust under which TCI
is able to sell an interest in certain of its trade receivables up to a
maximum of $650 million. As a result of selling the interest in certain of the
trade receivables on a fully serviced basis, a servicing liability is
recognized on the date of sale and is, in turn, amortized to earnings over the
expected life of the trade receivables. This revolving-period securitization
agreement had an initial term ending July 18, 2007; the November 30, 2006
amendment resulted in the term being extended to July 18, 2008.
TCI is required to maintain at least a BBB (low) credit rating by
Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) or the securitization trust may require
the sale program to be wound down. The necessary credit rating was exceeded by
three levels at A (low) as of August 1, 2007. The balance of proceeds from
securitized receivables increased from $150 million at March 31, 2007 to
$550 million at May 31, 2007 and subsequently decreased to $500.0 million at
June 30, 2007, with the closing balance equal to the balance at December 31,
2006. The balance of proceeds from securitized receivables on June 30, 2006
was $535 million.
7.7 Credit ratings
On February 26, 2007, Moody's Investors Services upgraded its rating for
TELUS by one level to Baa1 (equivalent to BBB+) and assigned an outlook of
stable. On March 5, 2007, DBRS upgraded the rating of TELUS notes to A (low)
from BBB (high) and confirmed its A (low) ratings for TCI, all with a stable
trend. In addition, DBRS confirmed its preliminary rating of R-1 (low) for
TELUS' commercial paper program.
On June 21, 2007, TELUS announced that it was in non-exclusive
discussions to acquire BCE. This was followed by a second announcement by
TELUS on June 26 that inadequacies in BCE's bid process did not make it
possible for TELUS to submit an offer as part of the strategic review process
announced by BCE. After the June 21 announcement, DBRS placed the credit
ratings for TELUS Corporation and TCI "under review with developing
implications". Similarly, Moody's affirmed its Baa1 rating for TELUS and
changed its outlook to "developing" and Standard and Poors (S&P) placed the
credit ratings of TELUS Corporation and TCI on "credit watch with negative
implications." As of August 1, these three credit rating agencies have not
removed their qualifications.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit rating summary DBRS(1) S&P(2) Moody's(3) Fitch(4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS Corporation
Senior bank debt - - - BBB+
Notes A (low) BBB+ Baa1 BBB+
Commercial paper R-1 (low) - - -
TELUS Communications Inc.
Debentures A (low) BBB+ - BBB+
Medium-term notes A (low) BBB+ - BBB+
First mortgage bonds A (low) A- - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Under review with developing implications.
(2) Credit watch with negative implications.
(3) Outlook developing.
(4) Outlook stable.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.8 Financial instruments; Commitments and contingent liabilities
Financial instruments (Note 4 of the interim Consolidated financial
statements)
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and temporary
investments, accounts receivable, investments accounted for using the cost
method, accounts payable, restructuring accounts payable, short-term
obligations, long-term debt, interest rate swap agreements, share-based
compensation cost hedges, as further discussed in Note 10(b)-(c) of the
interim Consolidated financial statements, and foreign exchange hedges.
Fair value: The carrying value of cash and temporary investments,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, restructuring accounts payable and
short-term obligations approximates their fair values due to the immediate or
short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying values of the
Company's investments accounted for using the cost method would not exceed
their fair values.
The carrying value of short-term investments equals their fair value as
they are classified as held for trading. The fair value is determined directly
by reference to quoted market prices.
The fair values of the Company's long-term debt are estimated based on
quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates
offered to the Company for debt of the same maturity as well as the use of
discounted future cash flows using current rates for similar financial
instruments subject to similar risks and maturities. The fair values of the
Company's derivative financial instruments used to manage exposure to interest
rate and currency risks are estimated similarly.
The fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments used to
manage exposure to increases in compensation costs arising from certain forms
of share-based compensation are estimated based upon fair value estimates of
the related cash-settled equity forward agreements provided by the
counterparty to the transactions.
The effect of the adoption of comprehensive income on the Company's
derivatives was to record them at their fair values rather than at their
carrying amounts. The primary change was in derivatives classified as held for
hedging and used to manage interest rate and currency risks associated with
U.S. dollar denominated debt, as shown in the table below.
As at ($ millions) June 30, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hedging
item
maximum
maturity Notional Carrying Fair
date amount amount value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Long-term debt
Principal 4,806.9 5,154.4
Derivatives(1) classified as
held for hedging and used to
manage interest rate and
currency risks associated with
U.S. Dollar denominated debt
- Derivative asset 2007 - -
- Derivative liability
- Current 2007 - -
- Non-current 2011 2,950.5 1,081.8
1,081.8
- Interest payable 7.3
Net 1,089.1 1,089.1
Derivatives(1) used to manage
interest rate risk associated
with planned refinancing of
debt maturing June 1, 2007 2007 $ - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,896.0 6,243.5
=========================================================================
December 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hedging
item
maximum
maturity Notional Carrying Fair
date amount amount value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Long-term debt
Principal 4,908.2 5,535.9
Derivatives(1) classified as
held for hedging and used to
manage interest rate and
currency risks associated with
U.S. Dollar denominated debt
- Derivative asset 2007 809.9 (40.4)
- Derivative liability
- Current 2007 673.4 165.8
- Non-current 2011 2,950.5 710.3
835.7
- Interest payable 6.3
Net 842.0 1,090.6
Derivatives(1) used to manage
interest rate risk associated
with planned refinancing of
debt maturing June 1, 2007 2007 500.0 - 6.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,750.2 6,633.0
=========================================================================
(1) Designated as cash flow hedging items.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 17 of the interim
Consolidated financial statements)
The Company's commitments and contingent liabilities have not changed
significantly in the six-month period ended June 30, 2007. Changes to
maturities of long-term debt as a result of financing activities in the first
six months of 2007 were described in Section 7.3 above.
On July 6, 2007, the CRTC issued Decision Telecom 2007-50, Use of
deferral account to expand broadband services to certain rural and remote
communities. In this decision, the CRTC approved the use of the deferral
account for the purpose of expanding broadband services in a limited number of
communities in British Columbia and Quebec. The Company is currently reviewing
the implications of this decision in conjunction with its previously filed
submission for use of the deferral account funds and, as directed by the CRTC,
will file an update to the previously filed submission in September 2007.
A number of claims and lawsuits seeking damages and other relief are
pending against the Company. It is impossible at this time for the Company to
predict with any certainty the outcome of such litigation. However, management
is of the opinion, based upon legal assessment and information presently
available, that it is unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided
for through insurance or otherwise, would be material in relation to the
Company's Consolidated financial position, excepting the items enumerated in
Note 17(c) of the interim Consolidated financial statements.
7.9 Outstanding share information
The following is a summary of the outstanding shares for each class of
equity at June 30, 2007 and at July 13, 2007. In addition, for July 13, 2007,
the total number of outstanding and issuable shares is presented assuming full
conversion of outstanding options as well as options not yet granted, but for
which shares have been reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class of equity security Common Non-Voting Total
(millions of shares) Shares Shares shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common equity
Outstanding shares at June 30 and
July 13, 2007 176.4 155.3 331.7(1)
Options outstanding and issuable(2)(3)
at July 13, 2007 0.5 16.3 16.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding and issuable shares at
July 13, 2007 176.9 171.6 348.5
=========================================================================
(1) For the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the
number of shares for the second quarter of 2007 was 336.9.
(2) Assuming full conversion and ignoring exercise prices.
(3) Not reduced for any options that may have been forfeited or expired
in the period July 1 to July 13, 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Critical accounting estimates and accounting policy developments
8.1 Critical accounting estimates
TELUS' critical accounting estimates are described Section 8.1 of its
2006 Management's discussion and analysis. The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
8.2 Accounting policy developments (Note 2 of the interim Consolidated
financial statements)
The interim Consolidated financial statements follow the same accounting
policies and methods of their application as set out in Note 1 of TELUS' 2006
Consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, other
than as set out below, including that certain of the comparative amounts have
been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted currently.
Convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards
In 2006, Canada's Accounting Standards Board ratified a strategic plan
that will result in Canadian GAAP, as used by public companies, being
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards over a transitional
period currently expected to be complete by 2011. The precise timing of
convergence will depend on an Accounting Standards Board progress review to be
undertaken and released by March 31, 2008.
Canadian GAAP will be converged with International Financial Reporting
Standards through a combination of two methods: as current joint-convergence
projects of the United States' Financial Accounting Standards Board and the
International Accounting Standards Board are agreed upon, they will be adopted
by Canada's Accounting Standards Board and may be introduced in Canada before
the complete changeover to International Financial Reporting Standards; and
standards not subject to a joint-convergence project will be exposed in an
omnibus manner.
As this convergence initiative is very much in its infancy, it would be
premature to currently assess the impact of the initiative, if any, on the
Company.
Comprehensive income; recognition and measurement of financial
instruments
Commencing with the Company's 2007 fiscal year, the recommendations of
the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) for accounting for
comprehensive income (CICA Handbook Section 1530), for the recognition and
measurement of financial instruments (CICA Handbook Section 3855) and for
hedges (CICA Handbook Section 3865) apply to the Company. Currently, the
concept of comprehensive income for purposes of Canadian GAAP, in the
Company's specific instance, is to include changes in shareholders' equity
arising from unrealized changes in the values of financial instruments. The
implementation and the application of Handbook Sections 1530, 3855 and 3865
were described in the Company's 2007 first quarter Management's discussion and
analysis. See Note 2(b) of the interim Consolidated financial statements.
Income taxes arising from partnership income
In mid-2006, Canada's Accounting Standards Board's Emerging Issues
Committee issued a Draft Abstract (D59) regarding the accounting for income
taxes related to entities that consolidate partnership interests that have a
different year end than the consolidating entity. The Company has applied the
guidance therein contained through its 2006 year-end. In March 2007, the
Emerging Issues Committee issued a revised Draft Abstract (RD59) which changed
the approach to determination of the classification of future income taxes
between current and non-current. In May 2007, the Emerging Issues Committee
removed this issue from its agenda.
Given the absence of specific guidance on the issue, the Company has
adopted the policy of accounting for the current portion of the future income
tax liability for partnerships to include the tax effect of differences
between the accounting and tax bases of current assets and current liabilities
and the tax on partnership income to be allocated during the next twelve
months. The Company has retrospectively applied this policy, which has, in the
Company's specific current instance, the net effect of increasing the current
portion of future income tax liabilities. The consolidated balance sheet
reclassification is as set out in Note 2(c) of the interim Consolidated
financial statements.
Financial instruments - disclosure and presentation
Commencing with the Company's 2008 fiscal year, the new recommendations
of the CICA for financial instrument disclosures and presentation (CICA
Handbook Section 3862) will apply to the Company. The new recommendations will
result in incremental disclosures, relative to those currently, with an
emphasis on risks associated with both recognized and unrecognized financial
instruments to which an entity is exposed during the period and at the balance
sheet date, and how an entity manages those risks. The Company is assessing
how it will be affected by these new recommendations.
9. Annual guidance for 2007
The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the Caution
regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of Management's
discussion and analysis. It is also qualified by Section 10: Risks and risk
management of TELUS' 2006 annual and 2007 first quarter Management's
discussion and analyses, as well as this report.
The Company has revised its annual guidance for high-speed Internet net
additions as a result of competitive activity and temporarily reduced order
processing capability resulting from the billing and client care system
conversion. See Section 10.3 Process Risks.
Previous guidance
Revised guidance and original Change
for 2007 targets for 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated
Revenues $9.175 to $9.175 to
$9.275 billion $9.275 billion no change
EBITDA(1) $3.725 to $3.725 to
(as adjusted)(2) $3.825 billion $3.825 billion no change
Earnings per share
- basic
(as adjusted)(3) $3.25 to $3.45 $3.25 to $3.45 no change
Capital expenditures Approx. Approx.
$1.75 billion $1.75 billion no change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireline segment
Revenue (external) $4.85 to $4.85 to
$4.9 billion $4.9 billion no change
EBITDA $1.775 to $1.775 to
(as adjusted)(2) $1.825 billion $1.825 billion no change
Capital expenditures Approx. Approx.
$1.2 billion $1.2 billion no change
High-speed Internet More than More than Approximately
net additions 125,000 135,000 10,000 fewer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless segment
Revenue (external) $4.325 to $4.325 to
$4.375 billion $4.375 billion no change
EBITDA $1.95 to $1.95 to
(as adjusted)(2) $2.0 billion $2.0 billion no change
Capital expenditures Approx. Approx.
$550 million $550 million no change
Wireless subscriber More than More than
net additions 550,000 550,000 no change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) See Section 11.1 Earnings before interest taxes depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) for the definition.
(2) Excluding a cash-settled share option expense of approximately
$180 million in 2007 for introducing the net-cash settlement feature,
of which, approximately $155 million is in wireline and approximately
$25 million is in wireless.
(3) Excluding an after-tax charge per share of approximately $0.33 for
introducing the net-cash settlement feature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following key assumptions were made at the time the original targets
for 2007 were announced in December 2006. Management believes the assumptions
remain reasonable.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key assumption for 2007 targets Actual result for the year to-date
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian real GDP growth of 2.7% The Conference Board of Canada recently
(revised to 2.5%) issued a revised estimate of 2.5% for
2007 and 3.2% for 2008.
Increased wireline competition Cable-TV competitors have begun to
in both business and consumer market VoIP services to home office
markets, particularly from type business in some communities, and
cable-TV and VoIP companies have increased promotion of lower-
price "light" services to residential
households
Forbearance for local retail Assumption unchanged. TELUS has filed
wireline services in major forbearance applications following the
urban markets by the second first quarter Federal Cabinet
half of 2007 Order-in-Council that simplified the
conditions for regulatory forbearance.
On July 25, the CRTC granted TELUS
local forbearance in Fort McMurray
with additional rulings expected by
early August. See Section 10.1
Regulatory
No further price cap mandated The CRTC's decision on the parameters
consumer price reductions for the next price cap period was
announced on April 30, 2007 confirming
this assumption.
Canadian wireless industry TELUS' gross additions and net
market penetration gain of additions in the first half of 2007
4.5 to five percentage points were consistent with this assumption
TELUS would record approximately Restructuring costs are currently not
$50 million of restructuring expected to exceed $35 million in 2007
expenses
TELUS' statutory income tax Assumptions unchanged. See Section 5:
rate is expected to be 33 to Consolidated results from operations -
34% with minimal cash tax Income taxes
payments in 2007
A discount rate of 5.0% and Assumptions unchanged
expected long-term average
return of 7.25% for pension
accounting
Average TELUS shares Average shares outstanding were
outstanding of 330 to 335.3 million in the first half of
335 million shares for the 2007, a decrease of about 3% from the
full year same period in 2006 and within the
range of the 2.5 to 4% reduction
implied by the key assumption for the
full year
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS continues to have long-term policy guidelines for Net debt to total
capitalization, Net debt to EBITDA and dividend payout, described in Section
7.4. The 2007 annual guidance is in compliance with these policy guidelines.
10. Risks and risk management
The following are significant updates to the risks described in Section
10 of TELUS' 2006 annual and 2007 first quarter Management's discussions and
analyses.
10.1 Regulatory
The outcome of any existing or future regulatory reviews, proceedings,
court appeals, Federal Cabinet appeals or other regulatory developments could
have a material impact on TELUS' operating procedures, costs and revenues.
Local forbearance
On July 25, in Telecom Decision 2007-58, the CRTC granted forbearance for
local residential services in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The CRTC had granted
conditional forbearance for Fort McMurray, Alberta in March 2007 subject to
achievement of certain competitor quality-of-service standards, which were
met, on average, for the six-month period from December 2006 to May 2007.
Forbearance decisions are expected for Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary and
Edmonton by early August and for Rimouski later this year. TELUS has also
applied for deregulation of regulated business phone services in phone
exchanges covering 78 per cent of business lines in B.C. and Alberta, and
52 per cent in eastern Quebec.There can be no assurance that forbearance will
be granted for any or all of the outstanding applications.
Price cap regulation
The CRTC issued Telecom Decision 2007-27 on April 30, 2007, setting the
parameters for the price cap regulation effective June 1, 2007. The decision
created a uniform price cap regime for TELUS across its incumbent territories
in B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec and eliminated the deferral account on a
go-forward basis. Constraints were removed for upward pricing of optional
residential services, features and bundles. Flexibility was granted to
increase basic residential services in rural high cost serving areas by the
lesser of the annual inflation rate and five per cent with a corresponding
reduction to the contribution subsidy paid and received. Flexibility to
increase business rates was maintained at the overall annual inflation rate,
with a maximum increase of 10% for individual rates. In addition, local
payphone calls may be increased to a maximum of 50 cents per cash call ($1 per
non-cash call) and rates remain frozen at existing levels for public safety
and social services such as 911 and message relay service. Competitor services
were largely unchanged by the price cap decision.
Essential services
In Telecom Decision 2007-46, the CRTC ruled that ILECs should not be
required to implement Ethernet and high-speed Internet (ADSL) orders
concerning competitor services until the CRTC issues a decision on review and
vary applications filed by TELUS and certain other ILECs - such decision
expected by the end of August 2007. In the essential services proceeding
currently under way (Public Notice 2006-14), TELUS continues to argue that
ADSL and Ethernet are not essential services and should not be unbundled.
Quality-of-service rebate program - CRTC decisions on TELUS'
exclusion applications
In May, the CRTC released decisions on two of TELUS' exclusion
applications for retail quality-of-service rate rebates. Decision 2007-29
addressed three adverse events from mid-July 2003 to December 2003: forest
fires in the Interior of B.C. and South-western Alberta, a cable-cut in
Vancouver and floods in the Lower Mainland of B.C. The CRTC granted that three
retail quality-of-service measures could be excluded during these adverse
event periods. The CRTC also directed TELUS to adjust three other quality-of-
service measures to an average level measured in the six-month period
preceding the adverse events and to implement applicable customer credits for
the July 2002 to December 2003 rate adjustment period. In Decision 2007-30,
the CRTC granted TELUS' exclusion application for severe flooding in Southern
Alberta in June 2005, directing that TELUS exclude three retail quality-of-
service measures for the months of June and July, similar to the February
Decision 2007-14 for TELUS' exclusion application for competitor quality-of-
service measures.
In June, the CRTC granted relief from the competitor quality-of-service
rate rebate program from November 2006 to January 2007 for the Lower Mainland
of B.C. during a series of severe storms. In addition, under Telecom Decision
CRTC 2007-40, the CRTC made provision such that TELUS can substitute the
competitor quality-of-service results for the excluded periods with results
from adjacent periods as part of applicable forbearance applications.
In July, the CRTC acknowledged in Telecom Decisions 2007-52 and 2007-55
that the 2005 labour disruption qualified as an adverse event. The first of
these two decisions granted relief from four of seven competitor quality-of-
service indicators for the period of the actual disruption as well as the time
required to return to normal operations (July 2005 through February 2006
inclusive). The second decision granted relief for all six retail quality-of-
service indicators for applicable period between July 2005 through February
2006.
TELUS has one remaining exclusion application before the CRTC for retail
quality-of-service programs concerning the series of severe storms in the
Lower Mainland of B.C. from November 2006 to January 2007. If the CRTC grants
relief from the remaining outstanding exclusion application or future adverse
events, any mandated quality-of-service rate rebates in the future would be
reduced; however, there can be no assurance that relief will be granted.
Wireless number portability (WNP)
Phase one of WNP (sometimes referred to as local number portability, or
LNP) was implemented successfully on March 14, 2007 in the majority of
populated centres in Canada by Canadian wireless carriers, including TELUS.
Implementation of WNP in remaining areas is mandated for September 2007.
Experience from one full-quarter of WNP, indicates that it is a net
contributor to increased subscriber loading for TELUS with inbound porting
exceeding outbound porting, but WNP has also contributed to increased wireless
customer retention costs (8.2% of network revenue in the second quarter of
2007 compared to 6.2% of network revenue in the same period in 2006) and
increased subscriber churn (1.45% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to
1.30% in the same period in 2006). Subscriber churn and retention spending may
be permanently higher in the future.
WNP could also lead to an increase in migration of network access lines
to wireless services, as well as present opportunities to TELUS to market more
effectively in the business/enterprise market in Central Canada where TELUS
has a lower market share than its competitors. There can be no assurance that
this will be the case.
Foreign-ownership restrictions
TELUS and its subsidiaries are subject to the foreign ownership
restrictions imposed by the Telecommunications Act, the Radiocommunication Act
and the Broadcasting Act. In July 2007, the Minister of Industry and the
Minister of Finance announced the creation of a Competition Review Panel to
review Canadian competition and investment legislation: the Competition Act
and the Investment Canada Act. As the Panel will report to the Minister of
Industry by June 30, 2008, it is expected that any subsequent legislation
changes would not be effective until late-2008 or 2009. TELUS has supported
the relaxation of foreign ownership restrictions in the past, but believes
that any such relaxation must be on an equal basis for broadcasting and
telecommunications companies.
10.2 Human resources
Collective bargaining at TELUS Quebec
Two collective agreements between TELUS Quebec and the Syndicat des
agents de maitrise de TELUS covering professional and supervisory team members
in Quebec expired on March 31, 2007. The parties continue to negotiate to
achieve a new collective agreement.
10.3 Process risks
TELUS systems and processes could negatively impact financial
results and customer service - Billing/revenue assurance and
efficiency programs
TELUS successfully converted all of its wireline consumer customers in
Alberta to a new integrated billing and client care system in late-March 2007.
The new system includes re-engineered processes for order entry, pre-
qualification, service fulfillment and assurance, customer care,
collections/credit, customer contract and information management. During the
second quarter of 2007, initial system difficulties were experienced that
reduced order processing capability, which caused increased installation
backlogs and higher costs such as extra call centre resources in order to
maintain service levels. The critical billing function performed as expected
and call centre operations are expected to return to normal levels in future.
There can be no assurance that this undertaking will not negatively impact, on
an extended basis, TELUS' customer service levels, competitive position and
financial results.
Additional phases of development and conversion are planned over the next
several years including a similar system conversion for B.C. consumers planned
for the first half of 2008. There is no assurance that the B.C. conversion
will be as successful as the Alberta conversion. This customer-focused project
required extensive system development and, in itself, presents future
implementation risks due to the complexity of the implementation task and
resource constraints, as well as reliance on newly developed third party
software code. Significant time delays in implementing new phases of this
system, or system instability, could negatively impact TELUS' competitive
ability to quickly and effectively launch new products, services and
promotions; achieve and maintain a competitive cost structure; and deliver
better information and analytics to management.
11. Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures and definition of key operating
indicators
11.1 Earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA)
TELUS has issued guidance on and reports EBITDA because it is a key
measure used by management to evaluate performance of business units, segments
and the Company. EBITDA is also utilized in measuring compliance with debt
covenants - see Section 11.4 EBITDA excluding restructuring costs. EBITDA is a
measure commonly reported and widely used by investors as an indicator of a
company's operating performance and ability to incur and service debt, and as
a valuation metric. The Company believes EBITDA assists investors in comparing
a company's performance on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation
and amortization, which are non-cash in nature and can vary significantly
depending upon accounting methods or non-operating factors such as historical
cost.
EBITDA is not a calculation based on Canadian or U.S. GAAP and should not
be considered an alternative to Operating income or Net income in measuring
the Company's performance, nor should it be used as an exclusive measure of
cash flow, because it does not consider the impact of working capital growth,
capital expenditures, debt principal reductions and other sources and uses of
cash, which are disclosed in the Consolidated statements of cash flows.
Investors should carefully consider the specific items included in TELUS'
computation of EBITDA. While EBITDA has been disclosed herein to permit a more
complete comparative analysis of the Company's operating performance and debt
servicing ability relative to other companies, investors should be cautioned
that EBITDA as reported by TELUS may not be comparable in all instances to
EBITDA as reported by other companies.
The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA with Net income and Operating
income. EBITDA (as adjusted) excludes a non-cash charge for introducing a net-
cash settlement feature for share option awards granted prior to January 1,
2005. EBITDA (as adjusted) is regularly reported to the chief operating
decision-maker and corresponds to the definition used in setting TELUS' 2007
EBITDA targets and revised guidance (see Section 9).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters Six-month periods
ended June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 253.1 356.6 447.9 566.7
Other expense (income) 18.5 9.6 22.3 13.9
Financing costs 127.2 127.5 244.8 254.5
Income taxes 93.7 18.7 173.0 134.8
Non-controlling interest 1.3 2.6 2.8 4.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 493.8 515.0 890.8 974.6
Depreciation 318.3 335.2 636.0 674.4
Amortization of intangible assets 72.5 46.9 122.1 110.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 884.6 897.1 1,648.9 1,759.8
Add back: Non-cash charge in 2007
for introducing a net-cash
settlement feature for options
granted prior to 2005 1.8 - 175.3 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted) 886.4 897.1 1,824.2 1,759.8
=========================================================================
In addition to EBITDA, TELUS calculates EBITDA less capital expenditures
as a simple proxy for cash flow in its two reportable segments. EBITDA less
capital expenditures may be used for comparison to the reported results for
other telecommunications companies over time and is subject to the potential
comparability issues of EBITDA described above.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters Six-month periods
ended June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 884.6 897.1 1,648.9 1,759.8
Capital expenditures (Capex) (481.8) (458.8) (863.7) (779.3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA less capital expenditures 402.8 438.3 785.2 980.5
Add back: Non-cash charge in 2007
for introducing a net-cash
settlement feature for options
granted prior to 2005 1.8 - 175.3 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (as adjusted) less capital
expenditures 404.6 438.3 960.5 980.5
=========================================================================
11.2 Free cash flow
The Company reports free cash flow because it is a key measure used by
management to evaluate its performance. Free cash flow excludes certain
working capital changes and other sources and uses of cash, which are
disclosed in the Consolidated statements of cash flows. Free cash flow is not
a calculation based on Canadian or U.S. GAAP and should not be considered an
alternative to the Consolidated statements of cash flows. Free cash flow is a
measure that can be used to gauge TELUS' performance over time. Investors
should be cautioned that free cash flow as reported by TELUS may not be
comparable in all instances to free cash flow as reported by other companies.
While the closest GAAP measure is Cash provided by operating activities less
Cash used by investing activities, free cash flow is considered relevant
because it provides an indication of how much cash generated by operations is
available after capital expenditures, but before proceeds from divested
assets, and changes in certain working capital items (such as trade
receivables, which can be significantly distorted by securitization changes
that do not reflect operating results, and trade payables).
The following reconciles free cash flow with Cash provided by operating
activities less Cash used by investing activities:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters Six-month periods
ended June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating
activities 1,061.9 813.0 1,522.5 1,486.1
Cash (used) by investing
activities (477.8) (486.1) (870.1) (802.2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
584.1 326.9 652.4 683.9
Net employee defined benefit
plans expense 21.0 1.3 45.0 2.9
Employer contributions to employee
defined benefit plans 14.7 45.0 48.6 75.5
Amortization of deferred gains on
sale-leaseback of buildings,
amortization of deferred charges
and other, net (4.3) 7.3 4.8 (8.6)
Reduction (increase) in
securitized accounts receivable (350.0) (135.0) - (35.0)
Non-cash working capital changes
except changes in taxes, interest,
and securitized accounts
receivable, and other (99.8) (81.8) (114.7) 85.0
Acquisition - 19.5 - 19.5
Proceeds from the sale of property
and other assets (1.3) (0.6) (1.3) (8.0)
Other investing activities (2.7) 8.4 7.7 11.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow 161.7 191.0 642.5 826.6
=========================================================================
The following shows management's calculation of free cash flow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters Six-month periods
ended June 30 ended June 30
($ millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 884.6 897.1 1,648.9 1,759.8
Restructuring costs net of
cash payments (7.3) 19.0 (24.3) 3.4
Share-based compensation (8.9) 12.7 129.7 21.1
Donations and securitization fees
included in Other expense (9.1) (7.6) (18.4) (12.1)
Cash interest paid (218.5) (271.5) (242.1) (284.6)
Cash interest received 5.6 0.8 7.5 23.3
Income taxes received (paid), less
investment tax credits received
that were previously recognized
in either EBITDA or capital
expenditures, and other (2.9) (0.7) 4.9 95.0
Capital expenditures (481.8) (458.8) (863.7) (779.3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow 161.7 191.0 642.5 826.6
=========================================================================
11.3 Definition of key operating indicators
These measures are industry metrics and are useful in assessing the
operating performance of a wireless company.
Average revenue per subscriber unit per month (ARPU) is calculated as
Network revenue divided by the average number of subscriber units on the
network during the period and expressed as a rate per month. Data ARPU is a
component of ARPU, calculated on the same basis for revenues derived from
services such as text messaging, mobile computing, personal digital assistance
devices, Internet browser activity and pay-per-use downloads.
Churn per month is calculated as the number of subscriber units
disconnected during a given period divided by the average number of subscriber
units on the network during the period, and expressed as a rate per month. A
prepaid subscriber is disconnected when the subscriber has no usage for
90 days following expiry of the prepaid card.
Cost of acquisition (COA) consists of the total of handset subsidies,
commissions, and advertising and promotion expenses related to the initial
subscriber acquisition during a given period. As defined, COA excludes costs
to retain existing subscribers (retention spend).
COA per gross subscriber addition is calculated as cost of acquisition
divided by gross subscriber activations during the period.
COA per gross subscriber addition to lifetime revenue is calculated as
cost of acquisition for new subscribers divided by expected lifetime revenue
of the subscriber base, expressed as a percentage.
EBITDA excluding COA is a measure of operational profitability normalized
for the period costs of adding new customers. COA was $150.4 million and
$279.9 million, respectively, for the second quarter and first six months of
2007 as compared to $120.9 million and $238.8 million, respectively, for the
same periods in 2006.
Lifetime revenue per subscriber is calculated as ARPU divided by the
churn per month. The metric provides a means of estimating the average total
revenue expected from existing subscribers.
Retention spend to Network revenue represents direct costs associated
with marketing and promotional efforts aimed at the retention of the existing
subscriber base divided by Network revenue.
11.4 Definition of liquidity and capital resource measures
Dividend payout ratio is defined as the most recent quarterly dividend
declared per share multiplied by four and divided by basic earnings per share
for the 12-month trailing period. The target guideline for the annual dividend
payout ratio on a prospective basis, rather than on a trailing basis, is 45 to
55% of sustainable net earnings.
EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs is used in the calculation of Net
debt to EBITDA and EBITDA interest coverage, consistent with the calculation
of the Leverage Ratio and the Coverage Ratio in credit facility covenants.
Restructuring costs were $28.3 million and $84.5 million, respectively, for
the twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs interest coverage is defined as
EBITDA excluding restructuring costs divided by Net interest cost.
Historically, this measure is substantially the same as the Coverage Ratio
covenant in TELUS' credit facilities.
Interest coverage on long-term debt is calculated on a 12-month trailing
basis as Net income before interest expense on long-term debt and income tax
expense divided by interest expense on long-term debt. Interest expense on
long-term debt for the 12-month trailing period ending June 30, 2006 includes
losses on redemption of long-term debt. The 12-month periods ended June 30,
2007 and 2006 also include accruals for estimated costs to settle a lawsuit.
Net debt is a non-GAAP measure whose nearest GAAP measure is the sum of
Long-term debt and Current maturities of long-term debt, as reconciled below.
Net debt is one component of a ratio used to determine compliance with debt
covenants (refer to the description of Net debt to EBITDA below).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
As at As at As at
June 30, Dec. 31, June 30,
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt including current portion 4,806.9 4,908.2 4,708.3
Debt issuance costs netted against
long-term debt 32.5 19.9 22.2
Deferred hedging liability, net 1,081.8 838.5 990.5
Accumulated other comprehensive income
amounts arising from financial instruments
used to manage interest rate and currency
risks associated with U.S. Dollar
denominated debt (179.3) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt 5,741.9 5,766.6 5,721.0
Deduct Cash and temporary investments (2.2) 11.5 18.6
Add proceeds from securitized accounts
receivable 500.0 500.0 535.0
Net debt 6,239.7 6,278.1 6,274.6
=========================================================================
The deferred hedging liability in the table above relates to cross
currency interest rate swaps that effectively convert principal repayments and
interest obligations to Canadian dollar obligations, which at June 30, 2007,
is in respect of the U.S. $1,925.0 million debenture maturing June 1, 2011. At
December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006, the deferred hedging liability was in
respect of the 2011 debenture and the U.S. $1,166.5 million debenture that
matured June 1, 2007. Management believes that Net debt is a useful measure
because it incorporates the exchange rate impact of cross currency swaps put
into place that fix the value of U.S. dollar-denominated debt, and because it
represents the amount of long-term debt obligations that are not covered by
available cash and temporary investments.
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs is defined as Net debt
as at the end of the period divided by the 12-month trailing EBITDA excluding
restructuring costs. TELUS' guideline range for Net debt to EBITDA is from 1.5
to 2.0 times. Historically, Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring costs
is substantially the same as the Leverage Ratio covenant in TELUS' new credit
facilities.
Net debt to total capitalization provides a measure of the proportion of
debt used in the Company's capital structure. The long-term target ratio for
Net debt to total capitalization is 45 to 50%.
Net interest cost is defined as Financing costs before gains on
redemption and repayment of debt, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis. No
gains on redemption and repayment of debt were recorded in the respective
periods. Losses recorded on the redemption of long-term debt are included in
net interest cost. Net interest costs for the 12-months ending June 30, 2007
and 2006 are equivalent to reported quarterly financing costs over those
periods.
Total capitalization - book value excludes Accumulated other
comprehensive income and is calculated as follows.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
As at As at As at
June 30, Dec. 31, June 30,
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt 6,239.7 6,278.1 6,274.6
Non-controlling interests 22.1 23.6 25.3
Shareholders equity 6,614.8 6,928.1 6,839.1
Less: Accumulated other comprehensive income 125.8 - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total capitalization - book value 13,002.4 13,229.8 13,139.0
=========================================================================
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: August 3, 2007
TELUS Corporation
/s/ Audrey Ho
_____________________________
Name: Audrey Ho
Title: Vice President, Legal Services and
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary