TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 6, 2008) - BFI Canada Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:BFC.UN) reported strong financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007. All amounts are in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated. Management Commentary "We achieved a strong close to another benchmark year and are well positioned as we head into 2008," said Keith Carrigan, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We grew revenues more than 25% quarter over quarter, and nearly 19% year over year, after the impact of foreign currency translation, as we continued to benefit from our market-based organic growth strategies coupled with contributions from acquisitions. Organic Canadian and U.S. segment revenue growth, which excludes acquisitions and fuel and environmental surcharges, was 14.6% and 7.7% quarter over quarter, respectively, and 12.6% and 7.5% year over year, respectively." Mr. Carrigan continued, "We are pleased that our formula for growth continues to be effective, resulting in solid improvement in both EBITDA(A) and free cash flow available for distribution(B). In the three months and the year, after the impact of foreign currency translation, EBITDA(A) increased 15.2% and 16.8% to $69.4 million and $275.5 million, respectively, and free cash flow available for distribution(B) increased 21.2% and 18.8% to $47.6 million and $168.5 million, respectively. Accordingly, the Fund's payout ratio was 65.6% and 73.2%, indicating that we remain comfortably positioned to pay distributions." "We believe that there is long-term potential for growth in our industry, however, the current economic downturn may moderate the results of certain segments of our business. Regardless, we plan to intensify our efforts to identify and act upon both internal growth and acquisition opportunities, with the goal of creating additional value for our unitholders, customers and employees." Financial Highlights for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2007 - Total consolidated revenues increased 25.3% and 18.9% to $251.0 million and $917.4 million. - Total consolidated revenue growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, was 36.3% and 23.1%. - Total EBITDA(A) growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, was 24.7% and 20.5%. - Free cash flow available for distribution(B) increased to $47.6 million and $168.5 million or 21.2% and 18.8%. - The Fund's payout ratio was 65.6% and 73.2%. - The Fund's payout ratio excluding the effects of the foreign currency hedge was 69.4% and 76.2%. Other Highlights for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2007 - Effective August 31, 2007, the Fund acquired Winters Bros. Waste Systems, Inc. ("Winters Bros.") for total cash consideration of U.S. $277,207. - Effective August 31, 2007, the Fund amended its U.S. long-term debt facility. Concurrently, the Fund's U.S. $160,000 note receivable ("U.S. note") from IESI was effectively cancelled through a restructuring. - Effective August 28, 2007, the Fund received all of the necessary permits for the expansion of its Seneca Meadows landfill. - Effective August 31, 2007, the Fund received an operating permit to continue accepting waste at its Calgary landfill through 2010. - Effective April 5, 2007, the Fund closed a 3,565 trust unit offering, inclusive of the exercised over-allotment option, for net proceeds of approximately $87,600. Proceeds from the offering were used to repay U.S. revolving credit facility advances. - Effective March 21, 2007, the Fund amended its Canadian long-term debt facility. - Effective March 28, 2007, the Fund entered into a new 15 year agreement for variable rate demand solid waste disposal revenue bonds ("IRBs") in the state of Texas. - For the year ended December 31, 2007, and excluding the acquisition of Winters Bros., the Fund completed 17 acquisitions. - The Trustees continue to actively work with management to review the Fund's corporate structure in light of changes to the taxation of income trusts as it relates to the Fund's continuous improvement and growth strategy. To date no definitive conclusions have been reached. Summarized Financial Highlights
Three months
ended Year ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2007---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues December 31, 2006 $ 200,319 $ 771,819 Organic growth and acquisitions (includes fuel and environmental surcharges) 72,698 178,120
Foreign currency exchange impact (21,988) (32,582) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues December 31, 2007 $ 251,029 $ 917,357 % Revenue growth before foreign currency exchange impact 36.3% 23.1%
Total revenue growth % 25.3% 18.9%
EBITDA(A) December 31, 2006 $ 60,235 $ 235,917 Organic growth and acquisitions 14,900 48,359
Foreign currency exchange impact (5,774) (8,741) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA(A) December 31, 2007 $ 69,361 $ 275,535 % EBITDA(A) growth before foreign currency exchange impact 24.7% 20.5%
Total EBITDA(A) growth % 15.2% 16.8%
Free cash flow available for distribution(B) December 31, 2006 (see page 5) $ 39,283 $ 141,857
Organic growth and acquisitions 11,489 31,194
Foreign currency exchange impact (3,144) (4,565) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow available for distribution(B) December 31, 2007 (see page 5) $ 47,628 $ 168,486 % Free cash flow available for distribution(B) growth before foreign
currency exchange impact 29.2% 22.0% Total free cash flow available for
distribution(B) growth % 21.2% 18.8% Free cash flow available for distribution(B) without hedge $ 44,973 $ 161,939
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions and dividends declared $ 31,227 $ 123,326
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payout ratio with foreign currency hedge 65.6% 73.2% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payout ratio without foreign currency hedge 69.4% 76.2% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign Currency Hedge A significant portion of the Fund's operating results, maintenance capital and landfill expenditures ("maintenance expenditures"), interest on long-term debt, and cash income taxes reported in Canadian dollars, originate in the U.S. Operating expenses, maintenance expenditures, interest on long-term debt, and cash income taxes originating in the U.S. are settled in U.S. dollars generated from U.S. operations which results in a natural cash flow hedge. A portion of the resulting free cash flow available for distribution(B) is hedged by three single rate hedge agreements through February 2008 to purchase 4,500 Canadian dollars monthly at an average foreign currency exchange rate of approximately $1.222.
Financial Highlights
(in thousands, except per weighted average trust unit and participating
preferred share ("PPS"))
Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating results
Revenues $ 251,029 $ 200,319 $ 917,357 $ 771,819
Operating expenses 151,356 111,878 531,614 436,311
Selling, general and
administration
expenses ("SG&A") 30,312 28,206 110,208 99,591
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before the
following
("EBITDA(A)") 69,361 60,235 275,535 235,917
Amortization 40,226 37,297 161,006 148,128
Interest on
long-term debt 13,824 9,311 42,964 34,307
Financing costs - - 7,192 79
Net gain on sale
of capital assets (91) (34) (1,434) (443)
Net loss on
financial instruments 7,666 3,902 9,384 3,363
Net foreign exchange
(gain) loss (1,131) (8,629) 13,671 (2,578)
Other expenses 43 23 48 210---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest 8,824 18,365 42,704 52,851 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income tax expense 2,950 6,351 4,697 12,917
Non-controlling interest 952 1,846 6,320 7,191
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 4,922 $ 10,168 $ 31,687 $ 32,743 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income per
weighted average
trust unit, basic
& diluted $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.56 $ 0.61
Trust units and
PPSs outstanding
Weighted average
number of trust
units outstanding 57,562 53,617 56,564 53,506
Weighted average
number of PPSs
outstanding 11,144 11,774 11,239 11,885 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weighted average number of trust units and PPSs outstanding 68,706 65,391 67,803 65,391 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate number of trust units and PPSs outstanding 68,706 65,391 68,706 65,391
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance and
growth expenditures
Maintenance
expenditures $ 11,577 $ 11,642 $ 56,463 $ 52,504
Growth capital and
landfill expenditures ("growth expenditures") 38,296 18,554 97,022 77,372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total maintenance and growth expenditures $ 49,873 $ 30,196 $ 153,485 $ 129,876 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating and free
cash flow
Cash generated from
operating activities $ 78,794 $ 58,183 $ 217,415 $ 185,698
Free cash flow
available for
distribution(B)
(see page 5) $ 47,628 $ 39,283 $ 168,486 $ 141,857
Free cash flow
available for
distribution(B)
per weighted
average trust unit
and PPS $ 0.69 $ 0.60 $ 2.48 $ 2.17
Distributions
Distributions declared,
trust units $ 26,165 $ 24,369 $ 102,888 $ 93,721
Dividends declared,
PPSs 5,062 5,351 20,438 20,582 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total distributions and dividends declared $ 31,227$ 29,720$ 123,326$ 114,303
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions
and dividends
declared per weighted
average trust unit
and PPS $ 0.45 $ 0.45 $ 1.82 $ 1.75
Management's Discussion
(all amounts are in thousands, except per trust unit, PPS, and foreign currency exchange rate amounts) Foreign Currency Exchange Rates The Fund reports its financial results in Canadian dollars. Consequently changes in the foreign currency exchange rate between Canada and the U.S. impacts the translated value of the Fund's U.S. operating results to Canadian dollars. The U.S. segments financial position and operating results have been translated to Canadian dollars applying the following U.S. to Canadian dollar foreign exchange rates:
2007 2006
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Cumulative Cumulative
Current Average average Current Average average
---------------------------- -----------------------------
March 31 $ 1.153 $ 1.172 $ 1.172 $ 1.167 $ 1.155 $ 1.155
June 30 $ 1.063 $ 1.098 $ 1.135 $ 1.115 $ 1.122 $ 1.138
September 30 $ 0.996 $ 1.045 $ 1.105 $ 1.115 $ 1.121 $ 1.133
December 31 $ 0.988 $ 0.982 $ 1.074 $ 1.165 $ 1.139 $ 1.134
Readers are reminded that a significant portion of the Fund's financial results originate in the U.S. The impact of foreign currency exchange on the Fund's consolidated results is included in the Fund's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Operating Highlights
Three months ended December 31 Year ended December 31---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 $ Change 2007 2006 $ Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Revenues $ 251,029$ 200,319$ 50,710$ 917,357$ 771,819$ 145,538
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada$ 89,418$ 74,943$ 14,475$ 336,527$ 288,640$ 47,887
U.S. south $ 77,479$ 70,097$ 7,382$ 314,690$ 267,121$ 47,569
U.S.
northeast $ 84,132$ 55,279$ 28,853$ 266,140$ 216,058$ 50,082
Operating expenses $ 151,356$ 111,878$ 39,478$ 531,614$ 436,311$ 95,303
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada$ 46,562$ 38,573$ 7,989$ 175,305$ 146,565$ 28,740
U.S. south $ 51,805$ 45,260$ 6,545$ 204,323$ 177,263$ 27,060
U.S. northeast $ 52,989$ 28,045$ 24,944$ 151,986$ 112,483$ 39,503 SG&A $ 30,312$ 28,206$ 2,106$ 110,208$ 99,591$ 10,617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada$ 11,888$ 12,222$ (334)$ 41,504$ 40,086$ 1,418
U.S. south $ 9,783$ 10,130$ (347)$ 40,743$ 36,570$ 4,173
U.S. northeast $ 8,641 $ 5,854 $ 2,787 $ 27,961 $ 22,935 $ 5,026 EBITDA(A) $ 69,361$ 60,235$ 9,126$ 275,535$ 235,917$ 39,618
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada$ 30,968$ 24,148$ 6,820$ 119,718$ 101,989$ 17,729
U.S. south $ 15,891$ 14,707$ 1,184$ 69,624$ 53,288$ 16,336
U.S. northeast $ 22,502$ 21,380$ 1,122$ 86,193$ 80,640$ 5,553 The discussions to follow are in addition to the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations which are detailed in the Fund's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenues - Three months and year ended December 31 The increase in consolidated revenues for the three months ended is due in part to solid organic Canadian and U.S. segment growth, where organic growth excludes the impact of fuel and environmental surcharges, acquisitions and foreign currency translation. Contributions from strategic "tuck-in" and platform acquisitions coupled with fuel and environmental surcharges accounts for the balance of the increase. The Fund's U.S. northeast segment experienced some revenue softness at its landfills in the later half of the year. The decline is due to an increase in overall disposal capacity within the segment coupled with an overall economic softening in the region leading primarily to lower volumes entering Fund-owned landfills. The unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation was partially offset by higher fuel and environmental surcharges. The increase in consolidated revenues for the year ended is due in part to organic Canadian and U.S. segment growth, defined above, and higher revenues attributable to acquisitions and fuel and environmental surcharges. The unfavourable impact of landfill revenues on the Fund's U.S. northeast segment, coupled with the impact of foreign currency translation was partially offset by higher fuel and environmental surcharges. Operating expenses - Three months and year ended December 31 Higher total disposal and labour costs are attributable to higher internally collected waste volumes and higher costs to service new and existing customers, contracts, and acquisitions for the three months and year ended. The balance of the total changes are due principally to higher vehicle operating costs and repairs and maintenance expense partially offset by a decline in insurance and equipment and facility rent. Selling, general and administration expenses - Three months and year ended December 31 Higher total salaries are the primary reasons for the period over period and year over year increases. Acquisition and organic growth are the primary reasons for the increase in total salaries. Higher facility and office costs and travel expenditures, as a result of acquisition and organic growth, are the primary reasons for the balance of the change. Free Cash Flow Available for Distribution(B) Change in calculation Effective July 6, 2007, the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") amended National Policy 41-201 - Income Trusts and Other Indirect Offerings. Amended policy changes, which includes the concept of maintaining productive capacity, have resulted in a change to the Fund's calculation of free cash flow available for distribution(B). The Fund has historically viewed costs to maintain the productive capacity of its limited life landfills as a cost funded from excess free cash flow available for distribution(C). Accordingly, these amounts have not been included in the Fund's determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). Costs incurred to maintain the productive capacity of landfills are included in the Fund's landfill asset amortization rate per tonne and effective July 6, 2007 the Fund has elected to charge these amounts to the calculation of free cash flow available for distribution(B). The impact of this change is reflected through all free cash flow available for distribution(B) amounts disclosed in this press release. Costs incurred to develop a replacement or new landfill site are deferred until such time as the site is successfully permitted. Upon successful permitting, these costs are included in the Fund's landfill asset amortization rate per tonne and are charged to free cash flow available for distribution(B). Results Free cash flow available for distribution(B) totalled $47,628 and $168,486 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007 versus $39,283 and $141,857 for the comparative periods, respectively. Free cash flow available for distribution(B) per weighted average trust unit and PPS for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $0.69 and $2.48 and is $0.09 and $0.31 higher than the comparative periods, respectively. Free Cash Flow Available for Distribution(B) - Cash Flow Approach
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Cash generated from operating activities (per statement of cash flows) $ 78,794$ 58,183$ 20,611$ 217,415$ 185,698$ 31,717
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating
Changes in non-cash
working capital
items (24,533) (8,585) (15,948) (6,177) 3,529 (9,706)
Net change in
landfill closure
and post-closure
costs 3,394 1,411 1,983 (4,111) 4,546 (8,657)
Maintenance
expenditures (11,577) (11,642) 65 (56,463) (52,504) (3,959)
Financing
Amortization of
gain on settlement
of bond forward
contracts 56 56 - 224 224 -
Financing and
deferred costs
(net of non-cash
portion) (30) (429) 399 7,063 (847) 7,910
Effect of foreign
currency hedges
to support
Canadian dollar
distributions 2,655 918 1,737 6,547 3,885 2,662
Realized foreign
exchange gain (1,131) (629) (502) (3,705) (2,674) (1,031)
Realized foreign
exchange loss
on U.S. note - - - 7,693 - 7,693 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow available for distribution(B) $ 47,628$ 39,283$ 8,345$ 168,486$ 141,857$ 26,629
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Cash Flow Available for Distribution(B) - Operations Approach
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA(A) $ 69,361 $ 60,235 $ 9,126 $ 275,535 $ 235,917 $ 39,618
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of
capitalized
landfill asset
closure and
post-closure
costs, including
revisions to
estimated cash
flows not
recorded to
operating
expense 2,279 664 1,615 (5,566) (5,538) (28)
Interest on
long-term debt (13,824) (9,311) (4,513) (42,964) (34,307) (8,657)
Management
transaction
bonuses (other
expenses) (43) (23) (20) (48) (210) 162
Current income
taxes (1,279) (1,614) 335 (8,779) (5,610) (3,169)
Maintenance
expenditures (11,577) (11,642) 65 (56,463) (52,504) (3,959)
Effect of foreign
currency hedges
to support
Canadian dollar
distributions 2,655 918 1,737 6,547 3,885 2,662
Amortization of
gain on
settlement of
bond forward
contracts 56 56 - 224 224 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow available for distribution(B) $ 47,628$ 39,283$ 8,345$ 168,486$ 141,857$ 26,629
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance and Growth Expenditures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 49,873 $ 30,196 $ 19,677 $ 153,485 $ 129,876 $ 23,609---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maintenance: Canada $ 5,784 $ 5,169 $ 615 $ 19,931 $ 18,406 $ 1,525
U.S. 5,793 6,473 (680) 36,532 34,098 2,434 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total maintenance $ 11,577$ 11,642$ (65)$ 56,463$ 52,504$ 3,959
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth: Canada$ 9,231$ 11,058$ (1,827)$ 25,467$ 30,717 $ (5,250) U.S. 29,065 7,496 21,569 71,555 46,655 24,900 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total growth $ 38,296$ 18,554$ 19,742$ 97,022$ 77,372$ 19,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maintenance and growth expenditures include amounts accrued in respect of capital and landfill assets received for which payment of such amounts remains outstanding at the end of any period or year. Maintenance Expenditures Three months ended December 31, 2007 The Canadian segment increase is largely attributable to the replacement of landfill equipment at the Fund's Lachenaie landfill. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, the U.S. segment decline is due to foreign currency exchange fluctuations. Year ended December 31, 2007 The Canadian segment increase for the year ended December 31, 2007 is consistent with reason outlined above for the three months ended December 31, 2007. The U.S. segment increase is due principally to a larger business base, which is the result of solid organic and acquisition growth, and increasing costs to purchase maintenance capital. Foreign currency exchange fluctuations partially offset the foregoing. Growth Expenditures Three months ended December 31, 2007 The timing of landfill cell construction, which declined period over period, was partially offset by higher vehicle, container, and building expenditures, and collectively accounts for the Canadian segment decline. Higher landfill cell construction and municipal contract wins are the primary reasons for the increase in U.S. segment growth expenditures. Year ended December 31, 2007 Canadian segment residential contract wins which commenced in 2006 exceeded those that commenced in 2007 resulting in a decline in comparative growth expenditures. The timing of landfill expenditures, primarily at the Seneca Meadows landfill, and an increase in municipal contract wins are the primary reasons for the U.S. segment increase in growth expenditures. Distributions The following table summarizes various details of the Fund's 2007 and 2006
distributions:
Year ended December 31
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monthly Annual Total
distribution distribution distributions Percentage
per trust per trust and PPS increase in total
unit and PPS unit and PPS dividends distributions and Period dividend dividend declared PPS dividends
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2007 January-
December $ 0.1515 $ 1.8180 $ 123,326 7.9% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2006 August- December $ 0.1515$ 1.8180$ 49,534 January-
July $ 0.1415 $ 1.6980 $ 64,769
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 114,303
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt Summarized details of the Fund's long-term debt facilities are as follows:
Letters of
credit (not
reported as
long-term
debt on the
Facility drawn Consolidated Current
Available at December Balance available
lending 31, 2007 Sheets) capacity---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian long-term
debt facilities -
stated in Canadian
dollars
Senior secured
debentures, series A $ 47,000 $ 47,000 $ - $ -
Senior secured
debentures, series B $ 58,000 $ 58,000 $ - $ -
Revolving credit
facility $ 150,000 $ 72,000 $ 24,713 $ 53,287
U.S. long-term
debt facilities -
stated in U.S.
dollars
Term loan $ 195,000 $ 195,000 $ - $ -
Revolving credit
facility $ 575,000 $ 333,500 $ 166,755 $ 74,745
IRBs $ 104,000 $ 104,000 $ - $ -
Both the Canadian and U.S. long-term debt facilities have an accordion feature which can increase the available capacity of the Canadian revolving credit facility from $150,000 to $200,000 and can increase the available capacity of the U.S. term loan and revolving credit facility from U.S. $770,000, in aggregate, to U.S. $825,000, in aggregate, subject to certain restrictions. Definitions of EBITDA and free cash flow available for distribution (A) All references to "EBITDA" in this press release are to "income before the following" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). "Income before the following" excludes some or all of the following: "amortization, interest on long-term debt, financing costs, net gain or loss on sale of capital and landfill assets, net gain or loss on financial instruments, net foreign exchange gain or loss, write-off of deferred financing costs, other expenses, income taxes, and non-controlling interest". EBITDA is a term used by the Fund that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. EBITDA is a measure of the Fund's operating profitability, and by definition, excludes certain items as detailed above. These items are viewed by management as either non-cash (in the case of amortization, certain financing costs, write-off of deferred financing costs, net gain or loss on financial instruments, net foreign exchange gain or loss, and future income taxes) or non-operating (in the case of interest on long-term debt, net gain or loss on sale of capital and landfill assets, certain financing costs, other expenses, current income taxes, and non-controlling interest). EBITDA is a useful financial and operating metric for management, the Fund's Trustees, and its lenders, as it represents a starting point in the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). The underlying reasons for exclusion of each item are as follows: Amortization - as a non-cash item amortization has no impact on the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). Interest on long-term debt - interest on long-term debt is a function of the Fund's debt/equity mix and interest rates; as such, it reflects the treasury/financing activities of the Fund and represents a different class of expense than those included in EBITDA. Financing costs - financing costs are a function of the Fund's treasury/financing activities and represents a different class of expense than those included in EBITDA. Net gain or loss on sale of capital and landfill assets - the gain or loss on sale of capital and landfill assets has no impact on the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B), because proceeds from the sale were either reinvested in other capital or landfill assets or used to repay the Fund's revolving credit facility. Net gain or loss on financial instruments - as non-cash items, gains or losses on financial instruments have no impact on the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). Net foreign exchange gain or loss - as non-cash items, foreign exchange gains or losses have no impact on the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). Write-off of deferred financing costs - as a non-cash item, write-off of deferred financing costs has no impact on the determination of free cash flow available for distribution(B). Other expenses - other expenses represent amounts paid to management of the Fund on account of certain acquisitions and are not considered an expense indicative of continuing operations. Accordingly, other expenses represent a different class of expense than those included in EBITDA. Income taxes - income taxes are a function of tax laws and rates and are affected by matters which are separate from the daily operations of the Fund. Non-controlling interest - non-controlling interest represents a direct non-controlling equity interest in IESI through PPS holdings. Accordingly, non-controlling interest represents a different class of expense than those included in EBITDA. EBITDA should not be construed as a measure of income or of cash flows. The reconciling items between EBITDA and net income (loss) are detailed in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) beginning with "income before the following" and ending with "net income (loss)". (B) The Fund has adopted a measurement called "free cash flow available for distribution" to supplement net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. Free cash flow available for distribution is a term which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. The objective of presenting this non-GAAP measure is to calculate the amount which is available for distribution to unitholders and non-controlling interest. PPS holdings are presented as non-controlling interest in the consolidated financial statements; however, management of the Fund has elected to include the shareholdings of the non-controlling interest in the calculation of free cash flow available for distribution as PPSs are entitled to dividends that are economically equivalent to the distributions received by unitholders and PPSs are exchangeable on a one-to-one basis for trust units of the Fund. Details of the calculation are included in the "Other Performance Measures - Free cash flow available for distribution(B)" section of the Fund's MD&A. Free cash flow available for distribution is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. All references to "free cash flow available for distribution" in this press release have the meaning set out in this note. (C) Excess free cash flow available for distribution represents the result of free cash flow available for distribution(B) less distributions and dividends declared. Forward-looking statements This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Fund's operations or to the environment in which it operates, which are based on the Fund's operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, or are beyond the Fund's control. A number of important factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. These factors include those set forth in the Fund's Annual Information Form for the period ended December 31, 2007. Consequently, readers should not rely on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Fund cannot assure unitholders that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements, and the Fund disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Fund, through its operating subsidiaries, is one of North America's largest full-service waste management companies, providing non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in five Canadian provinces and ten states in the United States. The Fund serves over 1.8 million customers with vertically integrated collection and disposal assets. The Fund's Canadian segment operates under the BFI Canada brand and is Canada's second largest full-service waste management company providing integrated non-hazardous solid waste collection and landfill disposal services in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. The Canadian segment operates one and owns and operates four landfills, carries on solid waste collection operations in 20 markets and operates four transfer collection stations, seven material recovery facilities and one landfill gas to energy facility. The Fund's U.S. operations provide integrated non-hazardous solid waste collection and landfill disposal services in two geographic regions: the south, consisting of various service areas in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri, and the northeast, consisting of various service areas in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The U.S. south and northeast segments operate in 38 markets and operates 31 transfer stations, 17 landfills and 10 material recovery facilities, and one transportation operation. The Fund's units are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BFC.UN. For more information on the Fund, visit www.bficanada.com. Management will hold a conference call on March 7, 2008 at 8:30 am (EDT) to discuss results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007. To access the call, participants should dial 416-644-3421 or 1-800-731-5319 at approximately 8:20 am (EDT). The conference call will also be webcast live at www.bficanada.com and subsequently archived on the BFI Canada website. A rebroadcast of the call will be available until midnight on March 21, 2008. To access the rebroadcast, dial 416-640-1917 or 1-877-289-8525 and quote the reservation number 21263135#. BFI CANADA INCOME FUND
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (in thousands of dollars)
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
CURRENT
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,359 $ 9,275
Accounts receivable 115,851 102,350 Due from non-controlling interest - 6,638
Other receivables 457 1,737
Prepaid expenses 15,001 11,665
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
144,668 131,665
OTHER RECEIVABLES 761 1,517
FUNDED LANDFILL POST-CLOSURE COSTS 5,976 4,142
INTANGIBLES 144,686 77,204
GOODWILL 616,534 481,334
DEFERRED COSTS 7,306 4,051
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS - 7,015
CAPITAL ASSETS 404,900 322,372
LANDFILL ASSETS 644,711 730,290
OTHER ASSETS 1,670 7,070----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,971,212$ 1,766,660---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
CURRENT
Accounts payable $ 66,815 $ 64,284
Accrued charges 75,355 57,318 Distribution and dividends payable 10,409 9,907
Income taxes payable 2,515 1,280
Deferred revenues 12,018 10,212
Current portion of long-term debt - 50
Landfill closure and post-closure costs 2,900 5,824
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
170,012 148,875
LONG-TERM DEBT 801,973 543,454
LANDFILL CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS 55,943 58,711
OTHER LIABILITIES 5,056 383
FUTURE INCOME TAX LIABILITIES 57,668 31,922
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,090,652 783,345
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST 251,371 282,026
UNITHOLDERS' EQUITY 629,189 701,289
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,971,212 $ 1,766,660
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BFI CANADA INCOME FUND
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months (unaudited) and year ended December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 (in thousands of dollars, except net income per trust
unit amounts)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES $ 251,029 $ 200,319 $ 917,357 $ 771,819
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
OPERATING 151,356 111,878 531,614 436,311
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATION 30,312 28,206 110,208 99,591 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE THE FOLLOWING 69,361 60,235 275,535 235,917
AMORTIZATION 40,226 37,297 161,006 148,128
INTEREST ON LONG-TERM DEBT 13,824 9,311 42,964 34,307
FINANCING COSTS - - 7,192 79
NET GAIN ON SALE OF CAPITAL ASSETS (91) (34) (1,434) (443) NET LOSS ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 7,666 3,902 9,384 3,363 NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE (GAIN) LOSS (1,131) (8,629) 13,671 (2,578) OTHER EXPENSES 43 23 48 210
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST 8,824 18,365 42,704 52,851
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME TAX EXPENSE (RECOVERY) Current 1,279 1,614 8,779 5,610
Future 1,671 4,737 (4,082) 7,307
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,950 6,351 4,697 12,917
----------------------------------------------------------------------------INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST 5,874 12,014 38,007 39,934
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST 952 1,846 6,320 7,191
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME 4,922 10,168 31,687 32,743
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Foreign currency translation
adjustment (3,407) 23,402 (95,859) (421) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 1,515$ 33,570$ (64,172)$ 32,322
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income per trust unit,
basic and diluted $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.56 $ 0.61
Weighted average number of
trust units outstanding
(thousands), basic 57,562 53,617 56,564 53,506
Weighted average number of
trust units outstanding
(thousands), diluted 68,706 65,391 67,803 65,391
BFI CANADA INCOME FUND
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months (unaudited) and year ended December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 (in thousands of dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INFLOW (OUTFLOW) OF CASH
RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES
OPERATING
Net income $ 4,922 $ 10,168 $ 31,687 $ 32,743
Items not affecting cash
Amortization of intangibles 8,849 5,286 25,443 19,851
Amortization of deferred
financing costs - 368 - 1,380 Amortization of capital assets 18,299 15,153 66,295 56,874 Amortization of landfill assets 13,078 16,490 69,268 70,023 Net gain on sale of capital assets (91) (34) (1,434) (443) Write-off of deferred costs 30 429 129 847 Write-off of deferred financing
costs - - - 79
Accretion of landfill closure
and post-closure costs 719 736 3,086 2,932
Net unrealized foreign
exchange loss (gain) - (8,000) 9,683 96
Future income taxes 1,671 4,737 (4,082) 7,307
Net loss on financial instruments 7,666 3,902 9,384 3,363
Non-controlling interest 952 1,846 6,320 7,191 Landfill closure and
post-closure expenditures (1,834) (1,483) (4,541) (13,016) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
54,261 49,598 211,238 189,227
Changes in non-cash working
capital items 24,533 8,585 6,177 (3,529) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash generated from operating activities 78,794 58,183 217,415 185,698 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING
Acquisitions (2,708) (13,850) (366,244) (33,578) Investment in other receivables (210) (611) (610) (2,095) Proceeds from other receivables 432 502 2,596 1,633 Funded landfill post-closure costs (392) (402) (1,472) (2,525) Purchase of capital assets (30,535) (14,139) (96,176) (74,334) Purchase of landfill assets (17,236) (15,677) (59,693) (55,051) Proceeds from the sale of
capital assets 144 42 1,996 1,183
Investment in deferred costs 1,238 (792) (3,385) (1,910)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash utilized in investing
activities (49,267) (44,927) (522,988) (166,677) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING Payment of deferred financing
costs - (892) - (1,890) Proceeds from long-term debt 48,779 63,269 562,415 215,406 Repayment of long-term debt (47,184) (43,404) (218,644) (123,774) Trust units issued, net of
issue costs (17) - 87,562 (46) Distributions and dividends paid to trust unitholders and participating preferred
shareholders (31,227) (29,720) (122,824) (113,649) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash (utilized in) generated
from financing activities (29,649) (10,747) 308,509 (23,953) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Effect of foreign exchange changes on foreign cash and cash equivalents 212 (171) 1,148 65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH INFLOW (OUTFLOW) 90 2,338 4,084 (4,867) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD OR YEAR 13,269 6,937 9,275 14,142
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 13,359 $ 9,275 $ 13,359 $ 9,275 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BFI CANADA INCOME FUND
Consolidated Statements of Unitholders' Equity, Deficit and Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
For the three months (unaudited) and year ended December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 (in thousands of dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Year ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTED EQUITY
Trust units, beginning of
period or year $ 1,006,268 $ 908,221 $ 908,221 $ 891,070
Issuance of trust units,
net of issue costs and
related tax effect, during
the period or year (17) - 89,414 (46)
Trust units issued on
exchange of PPSs, during
the period or year 500 - 9,116 17,197 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trust units, end of year 1,006,751 908,221 1,006,751 908,221
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A units, beginning of period or year - - - - Class A units issued, during the period or year - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A units, end of year - - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Treasury units, beginning of period or year - - - - Trust units acquired by the U.S. LTIP, during the period or year - - (1,698) (1,281)
Deferred compensation
obligation, during the
period or year - - 1,698 1,281 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Treasury units, end of year - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CONTRIBUTED EQUITY 1,006,751 908,221 1,006,751 908,221 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFICIT
Accumulated net income,
beginning of period or year 110,142 76,779 86,947 54,204
Accumulated distributions, beginning of period or year (337,714) (236,622) (260,991) (167,270)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deficit, beginning of period
or year (227,572) (159,843) 174,044 (113,066) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income, during the period or year 4,922 10,168 31,687 32,743 Transition adjustment, during the period or year - - (3,570) - Distributions declared, during
the period or year (26,165) (24,369) (102,888) (93,721) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated net income, end of year 115,064 86,947 115,064 86,947 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated distributions,
end of year (363,879) (260,991) (363,879) (260,991) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFICIT, END OF YEAR (248,815) (174,044) (248,815) (174,044) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of period or year (125,340) (56,290) (32,888) (32,467) Foreign currency translation adjustment, during the period
or year (3,407) 23,402 (95,859) (421) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS, END OF YEAR (128,747) (32,888) (128,747) (32,888) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFICIT AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, END OF YEAR (377,562) (206,932) (377,562) (206,932)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 629,189$ 701,289$ 629,189$ 701,289 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
BFI Canada Income FundChaya Cooperberg
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(416) 401-7729
Email: chaya.cooperberg@bficanada.com
Website: www.bficanada.com
Source: BFI Canada Income Fund
|