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TELUS reports fourth quarter 2012 results and announces financial targets for 2013
(Canada Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Strong revenue and EBITDA growth driven by both wireless and wirelineEPS up 17 per cent and free cash flow up 29 per centTargeting 2013 growth in revenue up to 6 per cent, EBITDA up to 8 per
cent and EPS up to 14 per centEarnings enhancement program through 2015 announced
VANCOUVER, Feb. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - TELUS Corporation's fourth quarter 2012
revenue increased six per cent to $2.85 billion from a year earlier,
while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) increased by more than eight per cent to $947 million.
Earnings per share (EPS) rose 17 per cent to $0.89.
Consolidated revenue growth was generated by an eight per cent increase
in wireless revenue, due to continued subscriber and data average
revenue per unit (ARPU) growth, and a 13 per cent increase in wireline
data revenue. Consolidated EBITDA growth primarily reflects higher
wireless EBITDA driven by revenue growth and higher margins.
TELUS finished the year with 13.1 million customer connections, adding
132,000 connections in the final quarter of the year. In the quarter,
TELUS added 123,000 new postpaid wireless customers, 41,000 new TV
subscribers and 23,000 high-speed Internet customers, partially offset
by losses of prepaid wireless customers, phone lines and dial-up
Internet. TELUS' total wireless subscriber base of 7.7 million is up
4.5 per cent year over year, the TELUS TV subscriber base of 678,000 is
up 33 per cent, and the number of high-speed Internet customers is up
nearly seven per cent to 1.3 million.
Free cash flow in the fourth quarter increased 29 per cent from a year
ago to $263 million primarily due to higher EBITDA. For the year, free
cash flow increased 34 per cent to $1.3 billion.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
C$ and in millions, except per share amounts
three months ended
December 31
per cent
(unaudited)
2012
2011
change
Operating revenues
2,851
2,690
6.0
Operating expenses before depreciation and amortization
1,904
1,816
4.8
EBITDA(1)
947
874
8.4
Net income(2)
291
237
22.8
Earnings per share (EPS), basic(2)
0.89
0.76
17.1
Capital expenditures
521
512
1.8
Free cash flow(3)
263
204
28.9
Total customer connections(4)
13.1
12.7
3.0
(1)
For definition, see Section 7.1 in the 2012 fourth quarter Management's
review of operations.
(2)
Net income and EPS for both the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2011 included
favourable income tax-related adjustments of $10 million or three cents
per share.
(3)
For definition, see Section 7.2 in 2012 fourth quarter Management's
review of operations.
(4)
Sum of wireless subscribers, network access lines, total Internet
subscribers and TELUS TV subscribers (IPTV and satellite TV).
Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO said; "2012 was an exceptional
year for TELUS, fuelled by our long-term strategy of investing in
broadband data technology and services and applications within our core
business. This has been achieved whilst maintaining an unremitting
focus on putting customers first in every aspect of our business.
Accordingly, in 2012 TELUS earned 385,000 new customers connections
across our Optik TV, high-speed Internet and wireless lines of
business. Notably, our valued customers are staying with us longer as
evidenced by our industry leading 1.12 per cent postpaid wireless
monthly churn rate. This operational performance translated into
strong fourth quarter 2012 financial results as demonstrated by growth
in wireless data revenue of 22 per cent and in wireline data revenue of
13 per cent. This helped drive consolidated EBITDA growth of eight per
cent, a net income increase of 23 per cent and free cash flow growth of
29 per cent to $263 million. We firmly believe that TELUS will
continue to build on this extraordinary momentum in 2013 and beyond."
Mr. Entwistle stated, "Operating efficiency is an ongoing way of life at
the TELUS organization made necessary by the competitive intensity in
our industry and legacy business margin pressure. Accordingly, we are
implementing an earnings enhancement programme over the next 36 months
to drive improvements in annual EBITDA of $250 million by 2015. This is
reflected in the 56 per cent increase in our planned 2013 restructuring
charge of $75 million and our 2013 targets, which include a significant
improvement in our wireline EBITDA trend in 2013."
Mr. Entwistle noted, "Our strong cash flow and 2013 targeted earnings
growth supports our shareholder friendly, three-year, 10 per cent
dividend growth model, which we are clearly delivering on with ongoing
semi-annual dividend increases. I look forward to the Annual General
Meeting in May to update investors on our dividend growth model for the
next three years and our intentions with respect to multi-year share
repurchase programmes."
Mr. Entwistle added: "I want to express my sincere gratitude to our
committed shareholders for their overwhelming support of our successful
share exchange. TELUS shareholders now benefit from increased liquidity
and strengthened marketability of our 326 million common shares, which
are now listed on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time."
John Gossling, TELUS Executive Vice-President and CFO said, "Our 2013
targets announced today show mid-single digit growth in revenue and
EBITDA that translates into EPS growth of up to 14 per cent. This is
made possible by our planned EBITDA growth not only in the wireless
business, but also in wireline, facilitated by on-going major strategic
network and technology investments, as well as a continued intense
focus on operational efficiency initiatives."
Mr. Gossling added, "The financial strength of TELUS was demonstrated in
December with the $500 million issuance of 10 year notes at a very
attractive interest rate of 3.35 per cent based on our strong
investment grade credit ratings, good liquidity position and healthy
balance sheet. With $1.9 billion of available liquidity, we are
exceedingly well positioned for the modest $300 million of debt coming
due in 2013 and for our participation in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum
auction."
This news release contains statements about future events and financial
and operating performance of TELUS that are forward-looking. By their
nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make
assumptions and predictions and are subject to inherent risks and
uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking
statements will not prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of
factors could cause actual future performance and events to differ
materially from that expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, this news release is subject to the disclaimer and
qualified by the assumptions (including assumptions for 2013 annual
targets,semi-annual dividend increases to 2013 and CEO three-year goals to 2013
for EPS and free cash flow growth to 2013 excluding spectrum costs),
qualifications and risk factors referred to in the attached fourth
quarter Management review of operations and Management's discussion and
analysis in the other 2012 quarterly reports and 2011 annual report,
and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with
securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and in the
United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). In addition, there can be no
assurance that the Company will initiate a normal course issuer bid.
Except as required by law, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation
to update or revise forward-looking statements, and reserves the right
to change,at any time at its sole discretion, its current practice of
updating annual targets and guidance.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
TELUS wireless
External wireless revenues increased by $109 million or 7.7 per cent to
more than $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to the
same period a year ago. This growth was driven by continued growth in
subscribers and ARPU.
Data revenue increased by $104 million or 22 per cent to $570 million,
which makes up 41 per cent of network revenue. Data ARPU increased by
$3.64 or 17 per cent to $25.29. These increases were due to continued
strong adoption of smartphones and applications, as well as related
data plans, higher roaming volumes, increased revenues from text
messaging and growth in mobile Internet devices and tablets.
Blended ARPU increased by $1.87 or 3.2 per cent to $60.95 as data ARPU
growth more than offset a moderating 4.7 per cent voice ARPU decline.
This is the ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in
blended ARPU.
Monthly postpaid subscriber churn was 1.12 per cent, down 11 basis
points from a year ago, while blended churn decreased 16 basis points
to 1.51 per cent. This is the best fourth quarter churn result in six
years, reflecting TELUS' successful Customers First marketing and
service approach, investments in retention and lower churn on
smartphones.
Total wireless net additions of 112,000 were lower by 17,000
year-over-year, as postpaid net additions of 123,000 were offset by a
loss of 11,000 lower ARPU prepaid subscribers. Postpaid net additions,
which declined by 17 per cent from a year ago, were impacted by lower
gross additions, partly offset by lower churn.
Total wireless subscribers were up 4.5 per cent from a year ago to 7.67
million, while the proportion of high-value postpaid subscribers grew
to 85 per cent. Smartphone subscribers now represent 66 per cent of
TELUS postpaid subscriber base, which is up from 53 per cent a year
ago.
Wireless EBITDA of $569 million increased $69 million or 14 per cent
over last year due to strong network revenue growth and expense
management. The EBITDA margin increased by 2.0 points to 36.9 per cent.
Simple cash flow (EBITDA less capital expenditures) increased by
$46 million or 14 per cent to $378 million in the quarter. EBITDA
growth was partially offset by increased capital spending related to
the ongoing investments in TELUS' 4G network capacity and coverage.
TELUS wireline
External wireline revenues increased by $52 million or 4.1 per cent to
over $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, when compared with the
same period a year ago. This growth was generated by increased data
service and equipment revenues, partially offset by moderate declines
in legacy voice and other revenues.
Data service and equipment revenues increased by $90 million or 13 per
cent, due primarily to strong growth in the TELUS TV subscriber base
and high-speed Internet and enhanced data services, TV and high-speed
Internet rate increases and higher data equipment sales to businesses.
TV additions - both IP-based Optik TV and satellite TELUS TV - of 41,000
were lower by 15,000 than the same quarter last year, as lower gross
additions were partly offset by a significant improvement in churn. The
total TV subscriber base of 678,000 is up 33 per cent or 169,000 from a
year ago.
High-speed Internet net additions of 23,000 were stable year over year,
and reflect successful promotions and the pull-through effect of Optik
TV sales. TELUS' high-speed subscriber base of 1.3 million is up 6.8
per cent or 84,000 from a year ago.
Total network access lines declined 5.2 per cent from a year ago to
3.4 million. Residential lines are down 7.7 per cent over last year,
reflecting ongoing wireless and Internet substitution and competition.
Business lines are down 7,000 in the quarter and 39,000 for the year,
reflecting ongoing price-based competition in the small and medium
business market and customer adoption of IP services.
Wireline EBITDA of $378 million increased by $4 million or 1.1 per cent
due to improving Optik TV and Internet margins resulting from price
increases, a lower cost of subscriber acquisition and subscriber
growth. This is the first quarter-over-quarter increase in two years.
Simple cash flow (EBITDA less capital expenditures) increased by $18
million or 60 per cent to $48 million in the quarter due to lower
capital spending and higher EBITDA.
TELUS sets 2013 financial targets and new dividend payout ratio
TELUS today announced 2013 financial targets that reflect continued
execution of the company's long-standing and successful national growth
strategy focused on wireless and data.
TELUS' 2013 targets build on the strong results achieved in both
wireless and wireline in 2012, including strong double-digit data
revenue growth in both operating segments of the business. TELUS plans
to generate future growth through wireless net additions combined with
smartphone adoption and upgrades, continued Optik TV and high-speed
Internet subscriber growth, while assuming ARPU growth across these
services.
These targets demonstrate the benefits of the company's ongoing major
strategic network and service-related investments combined with
customer-focused operational execution, which has resulted in revenue
and profitability growth as well as strong free cash flow.
The 2013 targets and 2012 comparative results are presented based on
applying amended accounting standard IAS 19 Employee Benefits (2011), effective in 2013. For targets presented before application of
IAS 19 please see Section 1.4 of the Management's review of operations,
which follows.
After application of IAS 19 2013 Targets2012 adjusted resultsGrowthConsolidated
Revenues
$11.4 to $11.6 billion
$10.921 billion
4 to 6%
EBITDA(1)(2)$3.95 to $4.15 billion
$3.859 billion
2 to 8%
Earnings per share (reported)(2)
$3.80 to $4.20
$3.69
3 to 14%
Capital expenditures, excluding
payments for spectrum (3)Approx. $1.95 billion
$1.981 billion
-
Wireless
Revenue (external)
$6.2 to $6.3 billion
$5.845 billion
6 to 8%
EBITDA(2)$2.575 to $2.675 billion
$2.458 billion
5 to 9%
Wireline
Revenue (external)
$5.2 to $5.3 billion
$5.076 billion
2 to 4%
EBITDA(2)$1.375 to $1.475 billion
$1.401 billion
(2) to 5
1)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)
after restructuring costs.
Total restructuring costs are estimated at approximately $75 million in
2013 ($48 million in 2012).
2)
The 2013 targets and comparative figures for 2012 EBITDA and EPS include
the effects from applying
amended accounting standard IAS 19 Employee Benefits (2011).
3)
Capital expenditure target for 2013 excludes purchases of wireless
spectrum.
For 2013, TELUS is targeting consolidated year-over-year revenue growth
of between 4 and 6 per cent, while EBITDA is targeted to be higher by 2
to 8 per cent. Revenue and EBITDA should benefit from continued strong
execution in wireless and data services. Earnings per share (EPS) is
targeted to be higher by 3 to 14 per cent, due to EBITDA growth.
TELUS wireless revenue is targeted to increase between 6 and 8 per cent
in 2013 as a result of modest growth in subscribers and ARPU. Loading
should benefit from a Canadian wireless industry penetration gain
similar to 2012 of approximately two to three percentage points. TELUS
should continue to benefit from its 4G long-term evolution (LTE)
network investments, resulting in continued growth in data and roaming
revenues and helping to offset moderating declines in voice ARPU.
Wireless EBITDA is targeted to be higher by between 5 and 9 per cent.
Wireline revenue is targeted to increase between 2 and 4 per cent in
2013, reflecting continued data revenue growth from Optik TV and
high-speed Internet, as well as from business services, partially
offset by continued decreases in legacy voice revenues. The wireline
EBITDA range is targeted to increase by up to five per cent or to be
lower by two per cent. The company assumes margin improvements from
Optik services, large enterprise business and efficiency initiatives,
partially offset by the ongoing industry trend of revenue losses from
higher-margin legacy voice services. It should be noted that before
applying amended accounting standard IAS 19 (2011), the 2013 wireline
EBITDA target was $1.5 to $1.6 billion, an increase of zero to six per
cent from 2012 reported EBITDA of $1.5 billion, which was down 5.5 per
cent from 2011.
Consolidated capital expenditures in 2013 are targeted to remain at
approximately $1.95 billion, which excludes purchases of spectrum,
including the cost for 700MHz spectrum from a planned national auction
in the second half of 2013. The company plans to continue investing in
wireless capacity and network growth, while investment in urban
deployment of 4G LTE is planned to decline. TELUS intends to continue
broadband infrastructure expansion and upgrades to support Optik TV and
high-speed Internet subscriber growth and faster Internet broadband
speeds. In addition, the company plans to complete the new advanced
Internet data centre in Kamloops, B.C. Capital intensity as a
percentage of consolidated revenue is targeted to decline to
approximately 17 per cent from 18 per cent in the last three years.
As an outcome of our 2013 targets, free cash flow before dividends and
potential wireless spectrum purchase costs is calculated to be in the
range of $1.2 to $1.4 billion, which is comparable to $1.3 billion in
2012. Strong growth in EBITDA is being offset by higher cash taxes in
the range of $390 to $440 million ($150 million in 2012). Cash taxes
are moving higher due to rising taxable income and we do not anticipate
major positive adjustments in 2013 as were attained in past years, such
as resolutions of prior years' tax issues.
The preceding disclosure respecting TELUS' 2013 financial targets and
the following disclosure on TELUS dividend payout ratio guideline
contain forward-looking information and are fully qualified by the
'Caution regarding forward-looking statements' at the beginning of the
accompanying Management's review of operations for the fourth quarter
of 2012 and are based on management's expectations and assumptions as
set out in section 1.5 entitled 'Financial and operating targets for
2013' of such Management's review of operations.
Financial guideline on dividend payout increased
TELUS follows a published set of financial objectives, policies and
guidelines, including generally maintaining a minimum of $1 billion of
unutilized liquidity, maintaining a ratio of net debt to EBITDA
(excluding restructuring costs) of 1.5 to 2.0 times, and following a
dividend payout ratio guideline.
The Board of Directors has approved a 10 percentage point increase in
the dividend payout ratio guideline to a range of 65 to 75 per cent of
sustainable net earnings on a prospective basis for dividends declared
in 2013 onward. This change is due to the negative non-cash impact on
EPS of applying in 2013 the amended accounting standard IAS 19 for
employee benefits.
CORPORATE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
TELUS completes non-voting share exchange effective February 4
TELUS completed its exchange of all non-voting shares for common shares
on a one-for-on basis on February 4.
At a shareholder meeting on October 17, TELUS shareholders
overwhelmingly approved TELUS' revised proposal to exchange non-voting
shares into common shares on a one-for-one basis. Of the votes cast,
62.9 per cent of common shares and 99.5 per cent of non-voting shares
were in favour of the exchange.
In December, the Supreme Court of B.C. approved the share exchange and
dismissed Mason Capital's appeals. However, Mason filed a further
appeal and the court issued a stay postponing the exchange until this
appeal was concluded. Mason announced in January that its
previously-reported hedged position of approximately 19 per cent of
TELUS common shares had been reduced to 3.4 per cent. On January 25,
Mason and TELUS agreed to abandon all litigation, allowing the share
exchange to be completed effective on February 4, 2013. The agreement
did not involve the payment of funds to either party.
TELUS now has a single class of 326 million common shares, which are
trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for the first time, as
well as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Having a single class of
widely traded shares should benefit all shareholders through enhanced
marketability and trading volumes and enhances TELUS' track record of
excellence in corporate governance.
TELUS non-voting shares were delisted from the NYSE on February 4 and
from the TSX on February 8. TELUS common shares were listed and began
trading on the NYSE on February 4 under the symbol "TU," the same
symbol under which TELUS' non-voting shares had traded previously. The
additional common shares issued began trading on the TSX on February 11
under the current symbol 'T.'
Registered shareholders who held non-voting shares certificates do not
need to take any action. A DRS (Direct Registration System) advice form
was mailed to registered shareholders for the total number of common
shares received upon the exchange. This allows registered shareholders
to hold their new common shares in "book-entry" form without having a
physical share certificate. TELUS' agent Computershare mailed the DRS
Advice forms to registered holders of former non-voting shares on
February 13, 2013.
John Gossling new CFO effective January 1
John Gossling became TELUS' chief financial officer on January 1, 2013
after joining the executive team in November 2012. He is a highly
talented and proven finance executive with extensive experience in the
communications industry. From 2008 to 2011, John was the CFO of
CTVglobemedia, leading all financial activities for the company. From
2000 to 2008, he held senior leadership roles with the Rogers
Communications organization, including CFO at Rogers Wireless.
TELUS issues $500 million of long-term debt at attractive rate
In December, TELUS successfully completed a $500 million public offering
of 10-year 3.35 per cent notes. The net proceeds of the new bonds were
used to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper. This debt
issue and attractive interest rate demonstrates TELUS' excellent access
to capital markets based on the company's strong investment grade
credit ratings, good liquidity position and healthy balance sheet.
TELUS launches highly anticipated BlackBerry Z10
In February, TELUS launched the long-anticipated BlackBerry® Z10
smartphone. The new device has been re-designed, re-engineered and
re-invented to be the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry yet.
Enhancements include:
Blackberry Hub, which ensures the information that matters most to
customers is only one swipe away;
An enhanced keyboard that enables customers to type faster and more
accurately;
BBM™ (BlackBerry Messenger), which allows customers to share things in
an instant with the people who matter to them;
BlackBerry Balance™ technology, which protects what is important to
customers and the businesses they work for.
TELUS adds new Android and Windows Phone 8 smartphones to its device
line-up
In the fourth quarter, TELUS continued to offer customers a wide choice
of the latest and best Android and Windows 8 devices, including the HTC
One X+, Samsung ATIV S, the LG Optimus G, and the Samsung Ace II X.
TELUS' 4G LTE wireless network now reaches more than two-thirds of
Canadians
In the fourth quarter, TELUS extended its LTE network to reach more than
two-thirds of Canadians. Now, the world's fastest and most advanced
wireless technology is also available in:
British Columbia: 100 Mile House, Meritt, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort
St John, Tumbler Ridge, Golden, Revelstoke, Sunshine Coast, Armstrong
Alberta: Fort McKay, Lloydminster, Hinton, Jasper, Fort McMurray
Ontario: Brantford, St. Catharines, Blue Mountain, Sudbury, Niagara
Falls, Leamington, Thunder Bay, Oshawa, Whitby
Quebec: St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Ste-Marie de Beauce, Sept-Îles, Port
Cartier, Trois Rivières, Matane, Ste-Hyacinthe
New Brunswick: Moncton
Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's.
TELUS opens advanced, green Internet data centre in Rimouski
In December, TELUS officially opened its new $65 million Intelligent
Internet Data Centre (IDC) in Rimouski, announcing it will invest an
additional $13 million in added IT infrastructure to bring world-class
cloud-based solutions to Canadian businesses. Over 80 per cent more
energy-efficient than traditional IDCs, the new facility ranks among
the top-performing data centres in the world and provides TELUS clients
with maximum reliability and security. TELUS will open a similar
facility in Kamloops, B.C. in mid-2013.
TELUS is contributing to Canada's competitiveness by offering
world-class managed cloud-based solutions that enable businesses to
focus on their core activities, while providing business agility,
helping to align IT with business strategy, and providing significant
cost savings.
TELUS Health and Desjardins bring simplicity to online claims
In December, TELUS Health and Desjardins Financial Security (DFS)
announced the availability of point-of-care online claim submissions
via the TELUS Health eClaims web portal service. Now, allied healthcare
providers - physiotherapists, chiropractors, vision care providers,
naturopathic doctors, massage therapists and acupuncturists - can file
claims in their offices for patients who are DFS plan members, saving
patients time and accelerating the claims process.
TELUS one of The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World
TELUS was the only North American telecommunications company to earn a
place on the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World
ranking. The Global 100 is the world's most extensive data-driven
corporate sustainability assessment. Corporate Knights uses the Global
100 ranking and the underlying research methodology to explore
'sustainable' investment strategies with investors.
TELUS inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of
Fame
In February, TELUS was inducted into Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate
Cultures Hall of Fame by executive search firm Waterstone Human
Capital. The national program recognizes Canadian companies for having
a culture that has helped them enhance performance and sustain a
competitive advantage. TELUS joins just five other Canadian companies
that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award
Two TELUS leaders were among 100 outstanding women honoured by the
Women's Executive Network (WXN) in 2012. Andrea Goertz, senior
vice-president of strategic initiatives and communications, was
recognized in the Corporate Executives category. Monique Mercier,
senior vice-president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, was
recognized in the Professionals category. WXN is Canada's leading
organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of
executive-minded women in the workplace.
TELUS wins Canadian Health Informatics Award 2012 Award for Corporate
Citizenship
The TELUS Health team received the prestigious Canadian Health
Informatics Corporate Citizenship Award in November. Kids' Health Link
Foundation nominated TELUS Health for the award in recognition of TELUS
Health's commitment to health informatics and its more than $1 billion
investment in healthcare over the past five years.
TELUS top in 2012 Corporate Reporting Awards
In November, TELUS received the top overall award at the 2012 Corporate
Reporting Awards, presented by the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants (CICA). This is the third year in a row TELUS has won the
top award and the fifth time in the last six years. The awards cover
all aspects of corporate reporting including financial reporting,
corporate governance disclosure, electronic disclosure and sustainable
development reporting.
TELUS receives Canadian Partner of the Year Award from Palo Alto
Networks
Palo Alto Networks named TELUS its Canadian Partner of the Year in
November. TELUS was honoured with the award at the Palo Alto Networks
Americas Partner Summit 2012 for, among other things, continued
excellence in technical support and customer service.
TELUS honoured as Philanthropic Company of the Year
In November, TELUS became the first organization to be named
Philanthropic Company of the Year by the Association of Fundraising
Professionals-Quebec Chapter (AFP-QC). Non-profit organization
Lighthouse Children and Families nominated TELUS for the award. Each
year, AFP-QC pays tribute to individuals and companies whose community
engagement has a significant impact on Quebec society.
TELUS and Free the Children launch Give Where You Live curriculum
In January, TELUS and Free the Children announced the Give Where You
Live program to encourage and empower young Canadians to become leaders
in their local communities. Launching in 40 British Columbia secondary
schools this year, the program aims to involve 150,000 youth across
Canada in the philanthropic curriculum by 2016.
Dividend Declaration and new dividend payout ratio target guideline
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of sixty-four
cents ($0.64) Canadian per share on the issued and outstanding Common
shares of the Company payable on April 1, 2013 to holders of record at
the close of business on March 11, 2013. This first quarter dividend is
the same as the previous quarter, but represents a six cent or 10.3 per
cent increase from the 58 cents paid a year earlier.
The Board of Directors approved a 10 percentage point increase in the
dividend payout ratio guideline to a range of 65 to 75 per cent of
sustainable net earnings on a prospective basis, effective for
dividends declared in 2013 onwards. The change results from the
negative non-cash effects from applying in 2013 the amended accounting
standard IAS 19 Employee benefits (2011).
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications
company in Canada, with $10.9 billion of annual revenue and more than
13.1 million customer connections, including 7.7 million wireless
subscribers, 3.4 million wireline network access lines, 1.4 million
Internet subscribers and 678,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by
President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of
communications products and services, including wireless, data,
Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team
members and retirees have contributed more than $300 million to
charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.8 million
hours of service to local communities since 2000. Fourteen TELUS
Community Boards lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was
honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation
globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals,
becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious
international recognition.
Access to Quarterly results information
Interested investors, the media and others may review this quarterly
earnings and 2013 targets news release, management's review of
operations, quarterly results and 2013 targets slides, audio and
transcript of investor webcast call, supplementary financial
information and our full 2011 annual report at telus.com/investors.
Full quarterly earnings release available at: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2013/15/c5932.html
TELUS' fourth quarter and 2013 targets conference call is scheduled for February 15, 2013 at 11 a.m. ET and will feature a presentation followed by a question and answer
period with analysts. Interested parties can access the webcast at telus.com/investors. A telephone playback will be available on February 15 until May 15 at
1-855-201-2300. Please use reservation 950321# and access code 30599.
An archive of the webcast will also be available at telus.com/investors and a transcript will be posted on the website within several business
days.
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