EX-99.2 3 992-supp_q119.htm SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - FIRST QUARTER 2019 Supplementary Financial Information

Exhibit 99.2


BCE (1) (2) (3)
Consolidated Operational Data

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except share amounts) (unaudited)   Q1
2019
    Q1
2018
      $ change   % change  

Operating revenues

                       

Service

  5,045     4,964       81   1.6 %

Product

  689     626       63   10.1 %

Total operating revenues

  5,734     5,590       144   2.6 %

Operating costs (A)

  (3,256 )   (3,263 )     7   0.2 %

Post-employment benefit plans service cost

  (69 )   (73 )     4   5.5 %

Adjusted EBITDA (4)

  2,409     2,254       155   6.9 %

Adjusted EBITDA margin (4)

  42.0 %   40.3 %         1.7  pts

Severance, acquisition and other costs

  (24 )   -       (24 ) n.m.  

Depreciation

  (882 )   (780 )     (102 ) (13.1 %)

Amortization

  (221 )   (212 )     (9 ) (4.2 %)

Finance costs

                       

Interest expense

  (283 )   (240 )     (43 ) (17.9 %)

Interest on post-employment benefit obligations

  (16 )   (17 )     1   5.9 %

Other income (expense)

  101     (61 )     162   n.m.  

Income taxes

  (293 )   (235 )     (58 ) (24.7 %)

Net earnings

  791     709       82   11.6 %

Net earnings attributable to:

                       

Common shareholders

  740     661       79   12.0 %

Preferred shareholders

  38     36       2   5.6 %

Non-controlling interest

  13     12       1   8.3 %

Net earnings

  791     709       82   11.6 %

Net earnings per common share - basic and diluted

$ 0.82   $ 0.73     $ 0.09   12.3 %

Dividends per common share

$ 0.7925   $ 0.7550     $ 0.0375   5.0 %

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (millions)

  898.4     900.2              

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (millions)

  898.7     900.6              

Number of common shares outstanding (millions)

  898.8     898.0              

Adjusted net earnings and EPS

                       

Net earnings attributable to common shareholders

  740     661       79   12.0 %

Severance, acquisition and other costs

  18     (1 )     19   n.m.  

Net mark-to-market (gains) losses on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans

  (73 )   56       (129 ) n.m.  

Net losses on investments

  4     -       4   n.m.  

Impairment charges

  3     3       -   -  

Adjusted net earnings (4)

  692     719       (27 ) (3.8 %)

Impact on net earnings per share

$ (0.05 ) $ 0.07     $ (0.12 ) n.m.  

Adjusted EPS (4)

$ 0.77   $ 0.80     $ (0.03 ) (3.8 %)

 

n.m. :  not meaningful
(A) Excludes post-employment benefit plans service cost

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 2


 

BCE
Consolidated Operational Data - Historical Trend

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except share amounts) (unaudited)   Q1 19       TOTAL
2018
      Q4 18     Q3 18     Q2 18     Q1 18  

Operating revenues

                                       

Service

  5,045       20,441       5,231     5,117     5,129     4,964  

Product

  689       3,027       984     760     657     626  

Total operating revenues

  5,734       23,468       6,215     5,877     5,786     5,590  

Operating costs (A)

  (3,256 )     (13,667 )     (3,756 )   (3,355 )   (3,293 )   (3,263 )

Post-employment benefit plans service cost

  (69 )     (266 )     (65 )   (65 )   (63 )   (73 )

Adjusted EBITDA

  2,409       9,535       2,394     2,457     2,430     2,254  

Adjusted EBITDA margin

  42.0 %     40.6 %     38.5 %   41.8 %   42.0 %   40.3 %

Severance, acquisition and other costs

  (24 )     (136 )     (58 )   (54 )   (24 )  

-

 

Depreciation

  (882 )     (3,145 )     (799 )   (779 )   (787 )   (780 )

Amortization

  (221 )     (869 )     (216 )   (220 )   (221 )   (212 )

Finance costs

                                       

Interest expense

  (283 )     (1,000 )     (259 )   (255 )   (246 )   (240 )

Interest on post-employment benefit obligations

  (16 )     (69 )     (18 )   (17 )   (17 )   (17 )

Other income (expense)

  101       (348 )     (158 )   (41 )   (88 )   (61 )

Income taxes

  (293 )     (995 )     (244 )   (224 )   (292 )   (235 )

Net earnings

  791       2,973       642     867     755     709  

Net earnings attributable to:

                                       

Common shareholders

  740       2,785       606     814     704     661  

Preferred shareholders

  38       144       37     36     35     36  

Non-controlling interest

  13       44       (1 )   17     16     12  

Net earnings

  791       2,973       642     867     755     709  

Net earnings per common share - basic and diluted

$ 0.82     $ 3.10     $ 0.68   $ 0.90   $ 0.79   $ 0.73  

Dividends per common share

$ 0.7925     $ 3.0200     $ 0.7550   $ 0.7550   $ 0.7550   $ 0.7550  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (millions)

  898.4       898.6       898.1     898.0     898.0     900.2  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (millions)

  898.7       898.9       898.4     898.3     898.3     900.6  

Number of common shares outstanding (millions)

  898.8       898.2       898.2     898.0     898.0     898.0  

Adjusted net earnings and EPS

                                       

Net earnings attributable to common shareholders

  740       2,785       606     814     704     661  

Severance, acquisition and other costs

  18       100       44     39     18     (1 )

Net mark-to-market (gains) losses on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans

  (73 )     58       (25 )   5     22     56  

Net losses on investments

  4       47       27     -     20     -  

Early debt redemption costs

  -       15       -     2     13     -  

Impairment charges

  3       146       142     1     -     3  

Adjusted net earnings

  692       3,151       794     861     777     719  

Impact on net earnings per share

$ (0.05 )   $ 0.41     $ 0.21   $ 0.06   $ 0.07   $ 0.07  

Adjusted EPS

$ 0.77     $ 3.51     $ 0.89   $ 0.96   $ 0.86   $ 0.80  

 

(A) Excludes post-employment benefit plans service cost

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 3


 

 

BCE (1) (2) (3)
Segmented Data

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1
2019
  Q1
2018
    $ change   % change  

 

                 

Operating revenues

                 

Bell Wireless

2,112   2,021     91   4.5 %

Bell Wireline

3,064   3,009     55   1.8 %

Bell Media

745   749     (4 ) (0.5 %)

Inter-segment eliminations

(187 ) (189 )   2   1.1 %

Total

5,734   5,590     144   2.6 %

 

                 

Operating costs

                 

Bell Wireless

(1,207 ) (1,210 )   3   0.2 %

Bell Wireline

(1,725 ) (1,696 )   (29 ) (1.7 %)

Bell Media

(580 ) (619 )   39   6.3 %

Inter-segment eliminations

187   189     (2 ) (1.1 %)

Total

(3,325 ) (3,336 )   11   0.3 %

 

                 

Adjusted EBITDA

                 

Bell Wireless

905   811     94   11.6 %

Margin

42.9 % 40.1 %       2.8  pts

Bell Wireline

1,339   1,313     26   2.0 %

Margin

43.7 % 43.6 %       0.1  pts

Bell Media

165   130     35   26.9 %

Margin

22.1 % 17.4 %       4.7  pts

Total

2,409   2,254     155   6.9 %

Margin

42.0 % 40.3 %       1.7  pts

 

                 

Capital expenditures

                 

Bell Wireless

151   167     16   9.6 %

Capital intensity (5)

7.1 % 8.3 %       1.2  pts

Bell Wireline

674   744     70   9.4 %

Capital intensity

22.0 % 24.7 %       2.7  pts

Bell Media

25   20     (5 ) (25.0 %)

Capital intensity

3.4 % 2.7 %       (0.7 ) pts

Total

850   931     81   8.7 %

Capital intensity

14.8 % 16.7 %       1.9  pts

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 4


 

BCE
Segmented Data - Historical Trend

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1 19     TOTAL
2018
    Q4 18   Q3 18   Q2 18   Q1 18  

 

                           

Operating revenues

                           

Bell Wireless

2,112     8,818     2,407   2,269   2,121   2,021  

Bell Wireline

3,064     12,267     3,137   3,060   3,061   3,009  

Bell Media

745     3,121     850   731   791   749  

Inter-segment eliminations

(187 )   (738 )   (179 ) (183 ) (187 ) (189 )

Total

5,734     23,468     6,215   5,877   5,786   5,590  

 

                           

Operating costs

                           

Bell Wireless

(1,207 )   (5,297 )   (1,528 ) (1,330 ) (1,229 ) (1,210 )

Bell Wireline

(1,725 )   (6,946 )   (1,798 ) (1,724 ) (1,728 ) (1,696 )

Bell Media

(580 )   (2,428 )   (674 ) (549 ) (586 ) (619 )

Inter-segment eliminations

187     738     179   183   187   189  

Total

(3,325 )   (13,933 )   (3,821 ) (3,420 ) (3,356 ) (3,336 )

 

                           

Adjusted EBITDA

                           

Bell Wireless

905     3,521     879   939   892   811  

Margin

42.9 %   39.9 %   36.5 % 41.4 % 42.1 % 40.1 %

Bell Wireline

1,339     5,321     1,339   1,336   1,333   1,313  

Margin

43.7 %   43.4 %   42.7 % 43.7 % 43.5 % 43.6 %

Bell Media

165     693     176   182   205   130  

Margin

22.1 %   22.2 %   20.7 % 24.9 % 25.9 % 17.4 %

Total

2,409     9,535     2,394   2,457   2,430   2,254  

Margin

42.0 %   40.6 %   38.5 % 41.8 % 42.0 % 40.3 %

 

                           

Capital expenditures

                           

Bell Wireless

151     664     133   183   181   167  

Capital intensity

7.1 %   7.5 %   5.5 % 8.1 % 8.5 % 8.3 %

Bell Wireline

674     3,193     809   797   843   744  

Capital intensity

22.0 %   26.0 %   25.8 % 26.0 % 27.5 % 24.7 %

Bell Media

25     114     32   30   32   20  

Capital intensity

3.4 %   3.7 %   3.8 % 4.1 % 4.0 % 2.7 %

Total

850     3,971     974   1,010   1,056   931  

Capital intensity

14.8 %   16.9 %   15.7 % 17.2 % 18.3 % 16.7 %

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 5


 

Bell Wireless (1) (2) (3)

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1
2019
  Q1
2018
    % change  

Bell Wireless

             

Operating revenues

             

External service revenues

1,554   1,502     3.5 %

Inter-segment service revenues

12   12     -  

Total operating service revenues

1,566   1,514     3.4 %

External product revenues

545   506     7.7 %

Inter-segment product revenues

1   1     -  

Total operating product revenues

546   507     7.7 %

Total external revenues

2,099   2,008     4.5 %

Total operating revenues

2,112   2,021     4.5 %

Operating costs

(1,207 ) (1,210 )   0.2 %

Adjusted EBITDA

905   811     11.6 %

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Total operating revenues)

42.9 % 40.1 %   2.8 pts

Capital expenditures

151   167     9.6 %

Capital intensity

7.1 % 8.3 %   1.2 pts

Wireless subscriber gross activations (5)

410,301   404,790     1.4 %

Postpaid

320,558   347,319     (7.7 %)

Prepaid

89,743   57,471     56.2 %

Wireless subscriber net activations (losses)

38,282   44,377     (13.7 %)

Postpaid

50,204   68,487     (26.7 %)

Prepaid

(11,922 ) (24,110 )   50.6 %

Wireless subscribers end of period (EOP)(A)

9,480,835   9,195,048     3.1 %

Postpaid(A)

8,808,189   8,471,021     4.0 %

Prepaid(A)

672,646   724,027     (7.1 %)

Blended average billing per user (ABPU)($/month) (5)(B)

67.35   66.56     1.2 %

Churn (%) (average per month) (5)

1.31 % 1.31 %   -  

Postpaid

1.07 % 1.13 %   0.06  pts

Prepaid

4.49 % 3.40 %   (1.09 ) pts

 

(A) At the beginning of Q1 2019, we adjusted our wireless subscriber base to remove 167,929 subscribers (72,231 postpaid and 95,698 prepaid) as follows:
  • 65,798 subscribers (19,195 postpaid and 46,603 prepaid), due to the completion of the shutdown of the code division multiple access (CDMA) network on April 30, 2019
  • 49,095 prepaid subscribers as a result of a change to our deactivation policy, mainly from 120 days for Bell/Virgin Mobile Canada (Virgin Mobile) and 150 days for Lucky Mobile to 90 days
  • 43,670 postpaid subscribers relating to Internet of Things (IoT) due to the further refinement of our subscriber definition as a result of technology evolution
  • 9,366 postpaid fixed wireless Internet subscribers which were transferred to our retail high-speed Internet subscriber base
(B) Our Q1 2018 blended ABPU was adjusted to exclude the unfavourable retroactive impact of the CRTC decision on wholesale wireless domestic roaming rates of $14 million.

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 6


 

Bell Wireless - Historical Trend

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1 19     TOTAL
2018
    Q4 18   Q3 18   Q2 18   Q1 18  

Bell Wireless

                           

Operating revenues

                           

External service revenues

1,554     6,269     1,581   1,620   1,566   1,502  

Inter-segment service revenues

12     48     12   12   12   12  

Total operating service revenues

1,566     6,317     1,593   1,632   1,578   1,514  

External product revenues

545     2,497     814   636   541   506  

Inter-segment product revenues

1     4     -   1   2   1  

Total operating product revenues

546     2,501     814   637   543   507  

Total external revenues

2,099     8,766     2,395   2,256   2,107   2,008  

Total operating revenues

2,112     8,818     2,407   2,269   2,121   2,021  

Operating costs

(1,207 )   (5,297 )   (1,528 ) (1,330 ) (1,229 ) (1,210 )

Adjusted EBITDA

905     3,521     879   939   892   811  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Total operating revenues)

42.9 %   39.9 %   36.5 % 41.4 % 42.1 % 40.1 %

Capital expenditures

151     664     133   183   181   167  

Capital intensity

7.1 %   7.5 %   5.5 % 8.1 % 8.5 % 8.3 %

Wireless subscriber gross activations

410,301     1,954,792     546,203   535,647   468,152   404,790  

Postpaid

320,558     1,615,764     447,590   426,719   394,136   347,319  

Prepaid

89,743     339,028     98,613   108,928   74,016   57,471  

Wireless subscriber net activations (losses)

38,282     479,811     143,114   177,834   114,486   44,377  

Postpaid

50,204     447,682     121,780   135,323   122,092   68,487  

Prepaid

(11,922 )   32,129     21,334   42,511   (7,606 ) (24,110 )

Wireless subscribers EOP(A)(B)

9,480,835     9,610,482     9,610,482   9,487,368   9,309,534   9,195,048  

Postpaid(A)(B)

8,808,189     8,830,216     8,830,216   8,728,436   8,593,113   8,471,021  

Prepaid(A)

672,646     780,266     780,266   758,932   716,421   724,027  

Blended ABPU ($/month)(C)

67.35     67.76     67.46   69.28   67.71   66.56  

Churn (%)(average per month)

1.31 %   1.32 %   1.41 % 1.27 % 1.28 % 1.31 %

Postpaid

1.07 %   1.16 %   1.26 % 1.14 % 1.10 % 1.13 %

Prepaid

4.49 %   3.17 %   3.18 % 2.76 % 3.34 % 3.40 %

 

(A) At the beginning of Q1 2019, we adjusted our wireless subscriber base to remove 167,929 subscribers (72,231 postpaid and 95,698 prepaid) as follows:
  • 65,798 subscribers (19,195 postpaid and 46,603 prepaid), due to the completion of the shutdown of the CDMA network on April 30, 2019
  • 49,095 prepaid subscribers as a result of a change to our deactivation policy, mainly from 120 days for Bell/Virgin Mobile and 150 days for Lucky Mobile to 90 days
  • 43,670 postpaid subscribers relating to IoT due to the further refinement of our subscriber definition as a result of technology evolution
  • 9,366 postpaid fixed wireless Internet subscribers which were transferred to our retail high-speed Internet subscriber base
(B) At the beginning of Q4 2018, we adjusted our postpaid wireless subscriber base to remove 20,000 subscribers that we divested to Xplornet Communications Inc. as a result of BCE's acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.
(C) Our Q1 2018 blended ABPU was adjusted to exclude the unfavourable retroactive impact of the CRTC decision on wholesale wireless domestic roaming rates of $14 million.

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 7


 

Bell Wireline (1) (2) (3)

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1
2019
  Q1
2018
    % change  

Bell Wireline

             

Operating revenues

             

Data

1,885   1,820     3.6 %

Voice

907   948     (4.3 %)

Other services

59   63     (6.3 %)

Total external service revenues

2,851   2,831     0.7 %

Inter-segment service revenues

69   58     19.0 %

Total operating service revenues

2,920   2,889     1.1 %

Data

133   104     27.9 %

Equipment and other

11   16     (31.3 %)

Total external product revenues

144   120     20.0 %

Inter-segment product revenues

-   -     -  

Total operating product revenues

144   120     20.0 %

Total external revenues

2,995   2,951     1.5 %

Total operating revenues

3,064   3,009     1.8 %

Operating costs

(1,725 ) (1,696 )   (1.7 %)

Adjusted EBITDA

1,339   1,313     2.0 %

Adjusted EBITDA margin

43.7 % 43.6 %   0.1  pts

Capital expenditures

674   744     9.4 %

Capital intensity

22.0 % 24.7 %   2.7  pts

Retail high-speed Internet subscribers (5)

             

Net activations (A)

22,671   18,156     24.9 %

Subscribers EOP (A) (B)

3,442,411   3,311,931     3.9 %

Retail TV subscribers

             

Retail net subscriber losses (A)

(1,560 ) (10,354 )   84.9 %

Internet protocol television (IPTV)

20,916   13,573     54.1 %

Satellite

(22,476 ) (23,927 )   6.1 %

Total retail subscribers EOP (A)

2,764,851   2,734,498     1.1 %

IPTV

1,696,622   1,578,489     7.5 %

Satellite

1,068,229   1,156,009     (7.6 %)

Retail network access services (NAS)

             

Residential NAS lines (A)

2,894,029   3,163,618     (8.5 %)

Residential NAS lines net losses (A)

(66,779 ) (56,071 )   (19.1 %)

 

(A) As of January 1, 2019, we are no longer reporting wholesale subscribers in our Internet, TV, and residential NAS subscriber bases reflecting our focus on the retail market. Consequently, we restated previously reported 2018 subscribers for comparability.
(B) At the beginning of Q1 2019, our retail high-speed Internet subscriber base was increased by 9,366 subscribers due to the transfer of fixed wireless Internet subscribers from our wireless segment.

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 8


 

Bell Wireline - Historical Trend

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1 19     TOTAL
2018
    Q4 18   Q3 18   Q2 18   Q1 18  

Bell Wireline

                           

Operating revenues

                           

Data

1,885     7,466     1,910   1,867   1,869   1,820  

Voice

907     3,782     933   948   953   948  

Other services

59     247     60   60   64   63  

Total external service revenues

2,851     11,495     2,903   2,875   2,886   2,831  

Inter-segment service revenues

69     242     64   61   59   58  

Total operating service revenues

2,920     11,737     2,967   2,936   2,945   2,889  

Data

133     466     153   111   98   104  

Equipment and other

11     64     17   13   18   16  

Total external product revenues

144     530     170   124   116   120  

Inter-segment product revenues

-     -     -   -   -   -  

Total operating product revenues

144     530     170   124   116   120  

Total external revenues

2,995     12,025     3,073   2,999   3,002   2,951  

Total operating revenues

3,064     12,267     3,137   3,060   3,061   3,009  

Operating costs

(1,725 )   (6,946 )   (1,798 ) (1,724 ) (1,728 ) (1,696 )

Adjusted EBITDA

1,339     5,321     1,339   1,336   1,333   1,313  

Adjusted EBITDA margin

43.7 %   43.4 %   42.7 % 43.7 % 43.5 % 43.6 %

Capital expenditures

674     3,193     809   797   843   744  

Capital intensity

22.0 %   26.0 %   25.8 % 26.0 % 27.5 % 24.7 %

Retail high-speed Internet subscribers

                           

Net activations (A)

22,671     116,599     32,518   53,122   12,803   18,156  

Subscribers EOP (A) (B)

3,442,411     3,410,374     3,410,374   3,377,856   3,324,734   3,311,931  

Retail TV subscribers

                           

Retail net subscriber (losses) activations(A)

(1,560 )   21,559     13,231   13,230   5,452   (10,354 )

IPTV

20,916     110,790     36,473   40,091   20,653   13,573  

Satellite

(22,476 )   (89,231 )   (23,242 ) (26,861 ) (15,201 ) (23,927 )

Total retail subscribers EOP (A)

2,764,851     2,766,411     2,766,411   2,753,180   2,739,950   2,734,498  

IPTV

1,696,622     1,675,706     1,675,706   1,639,233   1,599,142   1,578,489  

Satellite

1,068,229     1,090,705     1,090,705   1,113,947   1,140,808   1,156,009  

Retail network access services (NAS)

                           

Residential NAS lines (A)

2,894,029     2,960,808     2,960,808   3,020,819   3,094,060   3,163,618  

Residential NAS lines net losses (A)

(66,779 )   (258,881 )   (60,011 ) (73,241 ) (69,558 ) (56,071 )

 

(A) As of January 1, 2019, we are no longer reporting wholesale subscribers in our Internet, TV and residential NAS subscriber bases reflecting our focus on the retail market. Consequently, we restated previously reported 2018 subscribers for comparability.
(B) At the beginning of Q1 2019, our retail high-speed Internet subscriber base was increased by 9,366 subscribers due to the transfer of fixed wireless Internet subscribers from our wireless segment.

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 9


 

 

BCE (2)
Net debt and other information

BCE - Net debt and preferred shares

       

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited)

       

 

March 31
2019
  December 31
2018
 

Debt due within one year

5,485   4,645  

Long-term debt

22,016   19,760  

Preferred shares - BCE (A)

2,002   2,002  

Cash and cash equivalents

(668 ) (425 )

Net debt (4)

28,835   25,982  

Net debt leverage ratio (4)(B)

2.98   2.72  

Adjusted EBITDA /net interest expense ratio (4)

8.80   9.00  

 

       

 

(A) Net debt includes 50% of preferred shares
(B) The March 31, 2019 increase in our net debt leverage ratio reflects a one-time increase due to the adoption of IFRS 16 which increased net debt by $2,304 million on January 1, 2019.

 

Cash flow information

               

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited)

Q1
2019
  Q1
2018
  $ change   % change  

Free cash flow (FCF) (4)

               

Cash flows from operating activities

1,516   1,496   20   1.3 %

Capital expenditures

(850 ) (931 ) 81   8.7 %

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(26 ) (33 ) 7   21.2 %

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(27 ) (13 ) (14 ) n.m.  

Acquisition and other costs paid

29   18   11   61.1 %

FCF

642   537   105   19.6 %

 

               

 

Cash flow information - Historical trend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited)

Q1
2019
  TOTAL
2018
  Q4
2018
  Q3
2018
  Q2
2018
  Q1
2018
 

FCF

                       

Cash flows from operating activities

1,516   7,384   1,788   2,043   2,057   1,496  

Capital expenditures

(850 ) (3,971 ) (974 ) (1,010 ) (1,056 ) (931 )

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(26 ) (149 ) (46 ) (35 ) (35 ) (33 )

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(27 ) (16 ) -   (3 ) -   (13 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

29   79   14   19   28   18  

Voluntary defined benefit pension plan contribution

-   240   240   -   -   -  

FCF

642   3,567   1,022   1,014   994   537  

 

                       

 

n.m. : not meaningful

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 10


 

BCE (2)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) March 31
2019
    December 31
2018
 

ASSETS

         

Current assets

         

Cash

546     425  

Cash equivalents

122     -  

Trade and other receivables

2,937     3,006  

Inventory

472     432  

Contract assets

978     987  

Contract costs

383     370  

Prepaid expenses

350     244  

Other current assets

246     329  

Total current assets

6,034     5,793  

Non-current assets

         

Contract assets

477     506  

Contract costs

331     337  

Property, plant and equipment

27,276     24,844  

Intangible assets

13,269     13,205  

Deferred tax assets

129     112  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

803     798  

Other non-current assets

864     847  

Goodwill

10,657     10,658  

Total non-current assets

53,806     51,307  

Total assets

59,840     57,100  

LIABILITIES

         

Current liabilities

         

Trade payables and other liabilities

3,610     3,941  

Contract liabilities

733     703  

Interest payable

203     196  

Dividends payable

735     691  

Current tax liabilities

218     253  

Debt due within one year

5,485     4,645  

Total current liabilities

10,984     10,429  

Non-current liabilities

         

Contract liabilities

204     196  

Long-term debt

22,016     19,760  

Deferred tax liabilities

3,159     3,163  

Post-employment benefit obligations

1,998     1,866  

Other non-current liabilities

941     997  

Total non-current liabilities

28,318     25,982  

Total liabilities

39,302     36,411  

EQUITY

         

Equity attributable to BCE shareholders

         

Preferred shares

4,004     4,004  

Common shares

20,067     20,036  

Contributed surplus

1,153     1,170  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

20     90  

Deficit

(5,015 )   (4,937 )

Total equity attributable to BCE shareholders

20,229     20,363  

Non-controlling interest

309     326  

Total equity

20,538     20,689  

Total liabilities and equity

59,840     57,100  

Number of common shares outstanding (millions)

898.8     898.2  

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 11


 

 

BCE (2)
Consolidated Cash Flow Data

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1
2019
  Q1
2018
    $ change  

Net earnings

791   709     82  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities

             

Severance, acquisition and other costs

24   -     24  

Depreciation and amortization

1,103   992     111  

Post-employment benefit plans cost

85   90     (5 )

Net interest expense

278   238     40  

Losses on investments

4   -     4  

Income taxes

293   235     58  

Contributions to post-employment benefit plans

(81 ) (87 )   6  

Payments under other post-employment benefit plans

(18 ) (19 )   1  

Severance and other costs paid

(66 ) (35 )   (31 )

Interest paid

(267 ) (236 )   (31 )

Income taxes paid (net of refunds)

(289 ) (284 )   (5 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

(29 ) (18 )   (11 )

Net change in operating assets and liabilities

(312 ) (89 )   (223 )

Cash flows from operating activities

1,516   1,496     20  

Capital expenditures

(850 ) (931 )   81  

Cash dividends paid on preferred shares

(26 ) (33 )   7  

Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(27 ) (13 )   (14 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

29   18     11  

Free cash flow

642   537     105  

Business acquisitions

-   (223 )   223  

Acquisition and other costs paid

(29 ) (18 )   (11 )

Acquisition of spectrum licences

-   (36 )   36  

Disposition of intangibles and other assets

-   68     (68 )

Other investing activities

(24 ) (35 )   11  

Increase (decrease) in notes payable

567   (57 )   624  

Increase in securitized trade receivables

31   -     31  

Issue of long-term debt

-   1,466     (1,466 )

Repayment of long-term debt

(204 ) (173 )   (31 )

Issue of common shares

20   1     19  

Repurchase of common shares

-   (175 )   175  

Purchase of shares for settlement of share-based payments

(76 ) (88 )   12  

Cash dividends paid on common shares

(678 ) (646 )   (32 )

Return of capital to non-controlling interest

-   (29 )   29  

Other financing activities

(6 ) (18 )   12  

 

(399 ) 37     (436 )

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

243   574     (331 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

425   625     (200 )

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

668   1,199     (531 )

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 12


 

BCE
Consolidated Cash Flow Data - Historical Trend

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) Q1 19     TOTAL
2018
    Q4 18   Q3 18   Q2 18   Q1 18  

Net earnings

791     2,973     642   867   755   709  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities

                           

Severance, acquisition and other costs

24     136     58   54   24   -  

Depreciation and amortization

1,103     4,014     1,015   999   1,008   992  

Post-employment benefit plans cost

85     335     83   82   80   90  

Net interest expense

278     987     255   251   243   238  

Losses on investments

4     34     34   -   -   -  

Income taxes

293     995     244   224   292   235  

Contributions to post-employment benefit plans

(81 )   (539 )   (309 ) (69 ) (74 ) (87 )

Payments under other post-employment benefit plans

(18 )   (75 )   (17 ) (20 ) (19 ) (19 )

Severance and other costs paid

(66 )   (138 )   (43 ) (27 ) (33 ) (35 )

Interest paid

(267 )   (990 )   (295 ) (207 ) (252 ) (236 )

Income taxes paid (net of refunds)

(289 )   (650 )   (92 ) (161 ) (113 ) (284 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

(29 )   (79 )   (14 ) (19 ) (28 ) (18 )

Net change in operating assets and liabilities

(312 )   381     227   69   174   (89 )

Cash flows from operating activities

1,516     7,384     1,788   2,043   2,057   1,496  

Capital expenditures

(850 )   (3,971 )   (974 ) (1,010 ) (1,056 ) (931 )

Cash dividends paid on preferred shares

(26 )   (149 )   (46 ) (35 ) (35 ) (33 )

Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(27 )   (16 )   -   (3 ) -   (13 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

29     79     14   19   28   18  

Voluntary defined benefit pension plan contribution

-     240     240   -   -   -  

Free cash flow

642     3,567     1,022   1,014   994   537  

Business acquisitions

-     (395 )   -   (151 ) (21 ) (223 )

Acquisition and other costs paid

(29 )   (79 )   (14 ) (19 ) (28 ) (18 )

Voluntary defined benefit pension plan contribution

-     (240 )   (240 ) -   -   -  

Acquisition of spectrum licences

-     (56 )   (1 ) (19 ) -   (36 )

Disposition of intangibles and other assets

-     68     -   -   -   68  

Other investing activities

(24 )   (32 )   32   (9 ) (20 ) (35 )

Increase (decrease) in notes payable

567     (123 )   (133 ) (30 ) 97   (57 )

Increase (decrease) in securitized trade receivables

31     (2 )   -   -   (2 ) -  

Issue of long-term debt

-     2,996     -   1,530   -   1,466  

Repayment of long-term debt

(204 )   (2,713 )   (338 ) (1,134 ) (1,068 ) (173 )

Issue of common shares

20     11     8   1   1   1  

Repurchase of common shares

-     (175 )   -   -   -   (175 )

Purchase of shares for settlement of share-based payments

(76 )   (222 )   (46 ) (39 ) (49 ) (88 )

Cash dividends paid on common shares

(678 )   (2,679 )   (677 ) (678 ) (678 ) (646 )

Return of capital to non-controlling interest

-     (51 )   -   (10 ) (12 ) (29 )

Other financing activities

(6 )   (75 )   (14 ) (20 ) (23 ) (18 )

 

(399 )   (3,767 )   (1,423 ) (578 ) (1,803 ) 37  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

243     (200 )   (401 ) 436   (809 ) 574  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

425     625     826   390   1,199   625  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

668     425     425   826   390   1,199  

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 13


 

Accompanying Notes

(1) We report our results in three segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline and Bell Media. Our reporting structure reflects how we manage our business and how we classify our results for planning and measuring performance.

Throughout this report, we, us, our, the company and BCE mean, as the context may require, either BCE Inc. or, collectively, BCE Inc., Bell Canada, their subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates. Bell means, as the context may require, either Bell Canada or, collectively, Bell Canada, its subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates.

 

(2) As required, we adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 16 - Leases effective January 1, 2019. We adopted IFRS 16 using a modified retrospective approach whereby the financial statements of prior periods presented were not restated and continue to be reported under IAS 17 - Leases, as permitted by the specific transition provisions of IFRS 16. The cumulative effect of the initial adoption of IFRS 16 was reflected as an adjustment to the deficit at January 1, 2019. For further details, see Note 2, Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies and Note 3, Adoption of IFRS 16, of the Q1 2019 consolidated interim financial statements.

Under IFRS 16, most leases are recognized on the statement of financial position as right-of-use assets within property, plant and equipment, with a corresponding lease liability within debt. Under IFRS 16, expenses related to these leases are recorded in depreciation and interest expense, whereas under IAS 17, operating lease expenses were recorded in operating costs. Under IFRS 16, repayments of principal for these leases are recorded in repayment of long-term debt within cash flows from financing activities and the interest component is recorded in interest paid within cash flows from operating activities. Previously, under IAS 17, operating lease payments were recorded within cash flows from operating activities.

 

 (3) To align with changes in how we manage our business and assess performance, the operating results of The Source (Bell) Electronics Inc. (The Source) are now entirely included within our Wireless segment effective January 1, 2019, with prior periods restated for comparative purposes. Previously, The Source’s results were included within our Wireless and Wireline segments.
(4) Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin

The terms adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, they are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

We define adjusted EBITDA as operating revenues less operating costs (including post-employment benefit plans service cost) as shown in BCE’s consolidated income statements. Adjusted EBITDA for BCE’s segments is the same as segment profit as reported in BCE’s consolidated financial statements. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by operating revenues.

We use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe that certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a company’s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the telecommunications industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin to evaluate the performance of our businesses. Adjusted EBITDA also is one component in the determination of short-term incentive compensation for all management employees.

 

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 14


 

 

  Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin have no directly comparable IFRS financial measure. Alternatively, adjusted EBITDA may be reconciled to net earnings as shown in this document.

Adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per share (EPS)

The terms adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, they are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

We define adjusted net earnings as net earnings attributable to common shareholders before severance, acquisition and other costs, net mark-to-market losses (gains) on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs and impairment charges, net of tax and non-controlling interest (NCI). We define adjusted EPS as adjusted net earnings per BCE common share.

We use adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS, and we believe that certain investors and analysts use these measures, among other ones, to assess the performance of our businesses without the effects of severance, acquisition and other costs, net mark-to-market losses (gains) on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs and impairment charges, net of tax and NCI. We exclude these items because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply they are non-recurring.

The most comparable IFRS financial measures are net earnings attributable to common shareholders and EPS, as reconciled in this document.

Free cash flow

The term free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

We define free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities, excluding acquisition and other costs paid (which include significant litigation costs) and voluntary pension funding, less capital expenditures, preferred share dividends and dividends paid by subsidiaries to NCI. We exclude acquisition and other costs paid and voluntary pension funding because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply they are non-recurring.

We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our businesses because it shows how much cash is available to pay dividends on common shares, repay debt and reinvest in our company.

We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow to value a business and its underlying assets and to evaluate the financial strength and performance of our businesses.

The most comparable IFRS financial measure is cash flows from operating activities, as reconciled in this document.

Net debt

The term net debt does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

We define net debt as debt due within one year plus long-term debt and 50% of preferred shares, less cash and cash equivalents, as shown in BCE’s consolidated statements of financial position. We include 50% of outstanding preferred shares in our net debt as it is consistent with the treatment by certain credit rating agencies.

 

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 15


 

 

 

  We consider net debt to be an important indicator of the company’s financial leverage because it represents the amount of debt that is not covered by available cash and cash equivalents. We believe that certain investors and analysts use net debt to determine a company’s financial leverage.

Net debt has no directly comparable IFRS financial measure, but rather is calculated using several asset and liability categories from the statements of financial position, as shown in this document.

Net debt leverage ratio

The net debt leverage ratio does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We use, and believe that certain investors and analysts use, the net debt leverage ratio as a measure of financial leverage.

The net debt leverage ratio represents net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA. For the purposes of calculating our net debt leverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA is twelve-month trailing adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense ratio

The ratio of adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We use, and believe that certain investors and analysts use, the adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense ratio as a measure of financial health of the company.

The adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense ratio represents adjusted EBITDA divided by net interest expense. For the purposes of calculating our adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense ratio, adjusted EBITDA is twelve-month trailing adjusted EBITDA. Net interest expense is twelve-month trailing net interest expense as shown in our statements of cash flows, plus 50% of declared preferred share dividends as shown in our income statements.

 

(5)  Key performance indicators (KPIs)

In addition to the non-GAAP financial measures described previously, we use a number of KPIs to measure the success of our strategic imperatives. These KPIs are not accounting measures and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Average billing per user (ABPU) or subscriber approximates the average amount billed to customers on a monthly basis, which is used to track our recurring billing streams. Wireless blended ABPU is calculated by dividing certain customer billings by the average subscriber base for the specified period and is expressed as a dollar unit per month.

Capital intensity is capital expenditures divided by operating revenues.

Churn is the rate at which existing subscribers cancel their services. It is a measure of our ability to retain our customers. Wireless churn is calculated by dividing the number of deactivations during a given period by the average number of subscribers in the base for the specified period and is expressed as a percentage per month.

Wireless subscriber unit is comprised of an active revenue-generating unit (e.g. mobile device, tablet or wireless Internet products), with a unique identifier (typically International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number), that has access to our wireless networks. We report wireless subscriber units in two categories: postpaid and prepaid. Prepaid subscriber units are considered active for a period of 90 days (previously 120 to 150 days) following the expiry of the subscriber’s prepaid balance.

 

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 16


 

 

 

  Wireline subscriber unit consists of an active revenue-generating unit with access to our services, including retail Internet, satellite TV, IPTV, and/or NAS. A subscriber is included in our subscriber base when the service has been installed and is operational at the customer premise and a billing relationship has been established.
  • Retail Internet, IPTV and satellite TV subscribers have access to stand-alone services, and are primarily represented by a dwelling unit
  • Retail NAS subscribers are based on a line count and are represented by a unique telephone number

 

 

BCE Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2019 Page 17