Exhibit 99.1
Telesat Posts Strong Growth and Improved Margins in First Quarter of 2010
OTTAWA, CANADA, May 6, 2010 - Telesat Holdings Inc. (Telesat) today announced its unaudited financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2010. Unless otherwise stated herein, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.
For the three month period ended March 31, 2010, Telesat reported consolidated revenues of $199 million, a decrease of approximately 2% ($5 million) compared to the same period in 2009. However, when adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, revenue increased by 5% compared to the same quarter in 2009. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, operating and cost of equipment sales expenses of $52 million were $11 million (17%) less than 2009, or 9% when adjusting for foreign exchange rate movements. Adjusted EBITDA1 for the first three months of 2010 was $149 million, an increase of 3% ($5 million) and an increase of 12% adjusting for foreign exchange rate differences. The Adjusted EBITDA margin1 for the first quarter was 75%, compared to 70% for the same period in 2009. Net income was $80 million, compared to a loss of $39 million in 2009. The combined impact on net income of a non-cash foreign exchange gain related to Telesat’s U.S. dollar denominated debt and the non-cash losses on the change in the fair value of financial instruments was $73 million, compared to a loss of $43 million in the comparable quarter of 2009.
“I’m very pleased with Telesat’s first quarter results,” commented Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO. “Incremental revenue contributions from Nimiq 5 and Telstar 11N and continued discipline on the cost side of our business resulted in strong growth in Adjusted EBITDA and a meaningful improvement in Telesat’s Adjusted EBITDA margin. We also concluded an important agreement in the quarter with Shaw Direct for a new payload on a new satellite, underscoring the strength on our North American direct-to-home video business and augmenting our already industry leading contractual backlog.”
Business Highlights
| | o | Telesat had contracted backlog for future services of approximately $5.8 billion. |
| | o | Fleet utilization was 87% for Telesat’s North American fleet and 77% for Telesat’s international fleet. |
| · | On March 31, 2010, Telesat announced it had completed an agreement for a new satellite with one of its key customers, Shaw Direct. Shaw Direct agreed to utilize a payload on a new Telesat satellite called Anik G1. Anik G1 is planned to commence construction in the second quarter of 2010 and enter commercial service in the second half of 2012. In addition to the Shaw Direct capacity, Anik G1 will carry additional payloads to serve other markets. |
| · | Telesat currently has two new satellites under construction, Telstar 14R and Nimiq 6. Telesat anticipates Telstar 14R will enter commercial service in the second half of 2011 and anticipates Nimiq 6 will enter commercial service in mid-2012. During the quarter, Telesat selected International Launch Services’ Proton launch vehicle for the launch of Nimiq 6, and entered into launch insurance contracts for both satellites. |
| · | On February 4, 2010, Telesat announced that it was supporting Haitian relief with vital communications links. Telesat’s support included satellite capacity on its Telstar 11N, Telstar 14 and Anik F3 satellites. |
All Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins included in this release are non-GAAP financial measures, as described in the End Notes section of this release. For information reconciling non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the consolidated financial information below.
Telesat will post its quarterly report on Form 6-K for the three months ended March 31, 2010 on its website at www.telesat.com under the tab “Media Room” in the “Investor Relations” section. This information will also be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be accessed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Telesat has scheduled a conference call to discuss its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2010 and other recent developments for Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The call will be hosted by Daniel S. Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michel Cayouette, Chief Financial Officer, of Telesat.
Dial-in Instructions:
The toll-free dial-in number for the teleconference is +1 (866) 226-1798. Callers outside of North America should dial +1 (416) 340-2219. The access code is 4056042. Please allow at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to connect to the teleconference.
Dial-in Audio Replay:
A replay of the teleconference will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. EDT May 6, 2010, until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2010. To access the replay, please call +1 (800) 408-3053. Callers outside of North America should dial +1 (416) 695-5800. The access code is 6542830 followed by the number sign (#).
Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words “scheduled for”, “planned”, “will”, “believe”, or “expected” or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Detailed information about some of the known risks and uncertainties is included in the “Risk Factors” section of Telesat Canada’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This filing can be obtained on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance, volatility in exchange rates and risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects Telesat’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Telesat disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.
About Telesat (www.telesat.com)
Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, Telesat is the fourth largest fixed satellite services operator. The company provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Telesat has a global state-of-the-art fleet of 12 satellites, with two more under construction, and manages the operations of 13 additional satellites for third parties. Telesat is privately held. Its principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).
For further information:
Michael Bolitho, Telesat, +1 (613) 748-8700 ext. 2336 (ir@telesat.com)
Telesat Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)
| FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31 | | Three months | |
| | | | | | | |
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| Operating revenues | | | | | | |
| Service revenues | | | 195,825 | | | | 198,806 | |
| Equipment sales revenues | | | 3,412 | | | | 5,244 | |
| Total operating revenues | | | 199,237 | | | | 204,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Amortization | | | 62,370 | | | | 61,273 | |
| Operations and administration | | | 49,288 | | | | 58,239 | |
| Cost of equipment sales | | | 2,769 | | | | 4,382 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 114,427 | | | | 123,894 | |
| Earnings (loss) from operations | | | 84,810 | | | | 80,156 | |
| Interest expense | | | (65,841 | ) | | | (71,070 | ) |
| (Loss) gain on changes in fair value of financial instruments | | | (40,363 | ) | | | 57,927 | |
| Gain (loss) on foreign exchange | | | 113,389 | | | | (100,866 | ) |
| Other income (expense) | | | (347 | ) | | | (978 | ) |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | | 91,648 | | | | (34,831 | ) |
| Income tax expense | | | (11,522 | ) | | | (4,255 | ) |
| Net earnings (loss) | | | 80,126 | | | | (39,086 | ) |
| Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares | | | 80,126 | | | | (39,086 | ) |
Telesat Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Assets | | | | | | |
| Current assets | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | | 229,682 | | | | 154,189 | |
| Accounts receivable | | | 50,064 | | | | 70,203 | |
| Current future tax asset | | | 2,086 | | | | 2,184 | |
| Other current assets | | | 35,801 | | | | 29,018 | |
| Total current assets | | | 317,633 | | | | 255,594 | |
| Satellites, property and other equipment, net | | | 1,926,094 | | | | 1,926,190 | |
| Other long-term assets | | | 39,475 | | | | 41,010 | |
| Intangible assets, net | | | 498,241 | | | | 510,675 | |
| Goodwill | | | 2,446,603 | | | | 2,446,603 | |
| Total assets | | | 5,228,046 | | | | 5,180,072 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 55,685 | | | | 43,413 | |
| Other current liabilities | | | 152,865 | | | | 127,704 | |
| Debt due within one year | | | 25,211 | | | | 23,602 | |
| Total current liabilities | | | 233,761 | | | | 194,719 | |
| Debt financing | | | 2,902,172 | | | | 3,013,738 | |
| Future tax liability | | | 279,527 | | | | 269,193 | |
| Other long-term liabilities | | | 700,736 | | | | 671,523 | |
| Senior preferred shares | | | 141,435 | | | | 141,435 | |
| Total liabilities | | | 4,257,631 | | | | 4,290,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Shareholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
| Common shares (74,252,460 common shares issued and outstanding) | | | 756,414 | | | | 756,414 | |
| Preferred shares | | | 541,764 | | | | 541,764 | |
| | | | 1,298,178 | | | | 1,298,178 | |
| Accumulated deficit | | | (332,263 | ) | | | (412,389 | ) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (8,006 | ) | | | (7,422 | ) |
| | | | (340,269 | ) | | | (419,811 | ) |
| Contributed surplus | | | 12,506 | | | | 11,097 | |
| Total shareholders' equity | | | 970,415 | | | | 889,464 | |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | | 5,228,046 | | | | 5,180,072 | |
Telesat Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
| FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31 | | Three months | |
| | | | | | | |
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| Cash flows from (used in) operating activities | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) | | | 80,126 | | | | (39,086 | ) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
| Amortization | | | 62,370 | | | | 61,273 | |
| Future income taxes | | | 10,382 | | | | 1,847 | |
| Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss | | | (118,227 | ) | | | 100,729 | |
| Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives | | | 41,770 | | | | (53,855 | ) |
| Dividends on senior preferred shares | | | 3,489 | | | | 3,710 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | | 1,409 | | | | 1,576 | |
| Loss on disposal of assets | | | 28 | | | | 155 | |
| Other | | | (6,019 | ) | | | (10,064 | ) |
| Customer prepayments on future satellite services | | | 13,056 | | | | 3,309 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | | | 25,416 | | | | 31,368 | |
| | | | 113,800 | | | | 100,962 | |
| Cash flows from (used in) used in investing activities | | | | | | | | |
| Satellite programs | | | (32,307 | ) | | | (90,302 | ) |
| Property additions | | | (1,574 | ) | | | (1,614 | ) |
| Proceeds on disposals of assets | | | 5,974 | | | | 3 | |
| | | | (27,907 | ) | | | (91,913 | ) |
| Cash flows from (used in) financing activities | | | | | | | | |
| Repayment of bank loans and debt financing | | | (7,335 | ) | | | (8,755 | ) |
| Capital lease payments | | | (809 | ) | | | (2,436 | ) |
| Satellite performance incentive payments | | | (1,982 | ) | | | (1,222 | ) |
| | | | (10,126 | ) | | | (12,413 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | | | (274 | ) | | | 599 | |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 75,493 | | | | (2,765 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 154,189 | | | | 98,539 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | | 229,682 | | | | 95,774 | |
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | | | | | | | | |
| Interest paid | | | 35,081 | | | | 43,012 | |
| Income taxes paid | | | 548 | | | | 2,672 | |
| | | | 35,629 | | | | 45,684 | |
The following table reconciles our Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shareholders to our Adjusted EBITDA1 and presents our Adjusted EBITDA margin1:
| Telesat Holdings Inc. | | | |
| FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31 | | Three Months | |
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares | | | 80,126 | | | | (39,086 | ) |
| Income tax expense (recovery) | | | 11,522 | | | | 4,255 | |
| Loss (gain) on financial instruments | | | 40,363 | | | | (57,927 | ) |
| Loss (gain)on foreign exchange | | | (113,389 | ) | | | 100,866 | |
| Other expense (income) | | | 347 | | | | 978 | |
| Interest Expense | | | 65,841 | | | | 71,070 | |
| Amortization | | | 62,370 | | | | 61,273 | |
| Restructuring Charges | | | - | | | | 793 | |
| Non cash expense related to stock compensation | | | 1,409 | | | | 1,576 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | | 148,589 | | | | 143,798 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Operating Revenues | | | 199,237 | | | | 204,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | | | 75 | % | | | 70 | % |
End Notes
| 1 | The common definition of EBITDA is “Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.” In evaluating financial performance, we use revenues and deduct certain operating expenses (including making adjustments to operating expenses for stock based compensation expense and unusual and non-recurring items, including restructuring related expenses) to obtain operating loss/income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and Adjusted EBITDA margin (defined as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to operating revenues) as measures of our operating performance. |
Adjusted EBITDA allows us and investors to compare our operating results with that of competitors exclusive of depreciation and amortization, interest and investment income, interest expense, and certain other expenses. Financial results of competitors in our industry have significant variations that can result from timing of capital expenditures, the amount of intangible assets recorded, the differences in assets’ lives, the timing and amount of investments, the effects of other income (expense), and unusual and non-recurring items. The use of Adjusted EBITDA assists us and investors to compare operating results exclusive of these items. Competitors in our industry have significantly different capital structures. The use of Adjusted EBITDA improves comparability of performance by excluding interest expense.
We believe the use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin along with GAAP financial measures enhances the understanding of our operating results and is useful to us and investors in comparing performance with competitors, estimating enterprise value and making investment decisions. Adjusted EBITDA as used here may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by competitors. Adjusted EBITDA should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as a substitute for cash flows from operations as a measure of our liquidity or as a substitute for net income as an indicator of our operating performance.
