Shaw Communications Inc.
Financial position
Total assets were $15.5 billion at February 28, 2019, compared to $14.4 billion at August 31, 2018. The following is a discussion of significant changes in the consolidated statement of financial position since August 31, 2018.
Current assets increased $1.0 billion due to increases in cash of $904 million, accounts receivable of $23 million, inventories of $13 million, other current assets of $59 million, and current portion of contract assets of $15 million. Cash increased primarily due to the issuance of $1 billion of senior notes that netted proceeds of $993 million, as well as funds provided by continuing operations. This was partially offset by cash outlays for investing activities.
Other current assets increased over the period mainly due to a significant increase in Wireless subscribers participating in the Company’s MyTab Boost, a plan that allows customers to pay less for their handset upfront if they pay a predetermined incremental amount on a monthly basis. This increase continues to be driven by growth in handset sales.
The current portion of contract assets increased over the period mainly due to an increase in Wireless subscribers participating in the Company’s discretionary wireless handset discount program. Under IFRS 15, the portion of this discount relating to the handset is applied against equipment revenue at the point in time that the handset is transferred to the customer while the portion relating to service revenue is recorded as a contract asset and amortized over the life of the contract against future service revenues.
Investments and other assets increased by $16 million due to equity income and other comprehensive income of associates related to the Company’s investment in Corus. Property, plant and equipment increased $45 million due to capital investments in excess of amortization.
Current liabilities increased $1.2 billion during the period primarily due to an increase in the current portion of long-term debt of $1.25 billion due to the reclassification of a $1.25 billion senior note coming due in October 2019, partially offset by decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $39 million, provisions of $11 million, income taxes payable of $19 million and current portion of contract liabilities of $8 million. Accounts payable and accruals decreased due to the timing of payment and fluctuations in various payables including capital expenditures, interest and programming costs. The decrease in current provisions was mainly due to the payment of restructuring costs related to the TBT. In connection with the VDP, the Company recorded a total of $447 million in restructuring charges in fiscal 2018 and 2019 primarily related to severance and other related costs, of which $252 million has been paid, $170 million is included in current provisions and $25 million is included in long-term provisions. Income taxes payable decreased due to normal course tax installment payments, partially offset by the current period provision.
Long-term debt decreased $255 million primarily due to the change in classification of the $1.25 billion senior note to current, as noted above, partially offset by the issuance of $1 billion in senior notes, with $500 million due in 2023 and $500 million due in 2028.
Shareholders’ equity increased $159 million mainly due to an increase in share capital of $133 million, retained earnings of $34 million, and accumulated other comprehensive income of $6 million. Share capital increased due to the issuance of 5,411,548 Class Bnon-voting participating shares (“Class BNon-Voting Shares”) under the Company’s option plan and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”). Retained earnings increased due to current year income of $341 million partially offset by dividends of $200 million.
As at March 31, 2019, there were 490,527,515 Class BNon-Voting Shares, 10,012,393 Series A Shares, 1,987,607 Series B Shares and 22,372,064 Class A Shares issued and outstanding. As at March 31, 2019, 8,759,635 Class BNon-Voting Shares were issuable on exercise of outstanding options. Shaw is traded on
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