Shaw Communications Inc.
Plan (“DRIP”). Retained earnings increased due to current year income of $736 million partially offset by dividends of $618 million.
As at October 15, 2019, there were 494,400,771 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 October 15, 2019, 8,231,823 Class BNon-Voting Shares were issuable on exercise of outstanding options. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Trading Symbols: TSX – SJR.B, SJR.PR.A, SJR.PR.B, NYSE – SJR, and TSXV – SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca.
Liquidity and capital resources
In the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2019, the Company generated $545 million of free cash flow. Shaw used its free cash flow along with $551 million net proceeds from the sale of its investment in Corus Class B Shares and another minor portfolio investment, $993 million net proceeds from a senior note issuance, and proceeds on issuance of Class BNon-Voting Shares of $35 million to fund the net working capital change of $120 million, pay common share dividends of $389 million, purchase $492 million in spectrum licenses, and pay $124 million in restructuring costs.
Debt structure and financial policy
On November 2, 2018, the Company solidified its balance sheet through the issuance of $1 billion in senior notes, comprised of $500 million at a rate of 3.80% due November 2, 2023 and $500 million at a rate of 4.40% due November 2, 2028. The funds will be used for general corporate purposes which may include the repayment of indebtedness. On November 21, 2018, the Company amended the terms of its $1.5 billion bank credit facility to extend the maturity date to December 2023. The facility can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including to issue letters of credit.
The Company issued Class BNon-Voting Shares from treasury under its DRIP which resulted in cash savings and incremental Class BNon-Voting Shares of $217 million during the twelve-month period ending August 31, 2019. Subsequent toyear-end, on October 25, 2019, and in accordance with the terms of our Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRIP”), the Company announced that in lieu of issuing shares from treasury, it will satisfy its share delivery obligations under the DRIP by purchasing Class B Shares on the open market. In addition, the Company will reduce its discount from 2% to 0% for the Class B Shares delivered under the DRIP. These changes to the DRIP will apply to the dividends payable on November 28, 2019 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2019.
Effective May 29, 2019, the Company amended the terms of its accounts receivable securitization program to extend the term of the program to May 29, 2022 and increase the sales committed up to a maximum of $200 million. As at August 31, 2019, $40 million was drawn under the program and, pursuant to the terms of the amendment, the Company will also be required to draw an additional $40 million (for a total of $80 million) under the program by November 1, 2019. The Company continues to service and retain substantially all of the risks and rewards relating to the trade receivables sold, and therefore, the trade receivables remain recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and the funding received is recorded as a current liability (revolving floating rate loans) secured by the trade receivables. The buyer’s interest in the accounts receivable ranks ahead of the Company’s interest and the program restricts it from using the trade receivables as collateral for any other purpose. The buyer of the trade receivable has no claim on any other assets of the Company.
As at August 31, 2019, the net debt leverage ratio for the Company was 1.9x. Considering the prevailing competitive, operational and capital market conditions, the Board of Directors has determined that having this ratio in the range of 2.0 to 2.5x would be optimal leverage for the Company in the current environment.
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