- Quebecor Inc (TSX:QBR.B) have announced a 78 per cent increase in quarterly dividends from C$0.1125 to $0.2
- Revenue has increased $112.8 million year on year to a total of $4.29 billion
- The company aims to achieve a dividend equal to 30 to 50 per cent of their annual free cash flow
- Adjusted EBITDA in 2019 grew 5.8 per cent to 1.8 billion a year, up $103.2 million
- Quebecor Inc (QBR.B) was down 5.18 per cent, with shares trading at $29.23 and a market cap of $5.15 billion
Media conglomerate Quebecor Inc (TSX:QBR.B) has announced an improved dividend and increased net revenues for 2019.
The Montreal media player, who own Videotron and a host of other media and entertainment companies, have announced dividends will rise 78 per cent as revenues and adjusted EBITDA rose in 2019.
Dividends will now move from C$0.1125 to $0.2, in line with a company policy to gradually move dividends into the range of 30 – 50 per cent of annual free cash flows.
The gains come on the back of larger revenue from the telecommunications sector in the business, which grew revenue by $98.4 million.
Videotron posted increased in revenues from mobile telephony, customer equipment and internet access.
They also boosted their total sales while increasing cost per unit by $0.49.
Colourful Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau said the 2019 financial year had been remarkable for the company in both profitability and technological advancement.
“The strong performance of Videotron and TVA Group contributed to a 5.8 per cent increase in Quebecor’s adjusted EBITDA in 2019 and a 23.7 per cent increase in adjusted income from continuing operating activities.
“Our solid financials and business model will allow us to continue investing in promising projects and advanced technologies to support further growth in our mobile telephony business,” he said.
While the business has performed well, larger market forces are battering the TSX today.
With the second trading halt called in a week, the TSX has lost a remarkable 20 per cent of its value in just 4 days.
That is bad news for Quebecor, who have been caught in the downward spiral despite posting improved financials from last year.
Quebecor Inc (QBR.B) was down 5.18 per cent, with shares trading for $29.23 at 12:10pm EST.
