Cogeco Communications announces Q4 2025 financial results

Cogeco Communications announces Q4 2025 financial results Canada NewsWire MONTRÉAL, Oct. 29, 2025 Ongoing strength in Canadian Internet subscriber net additions Canadian wireless deployed across most of our footprint since October 15 Improving U.S. subscriber metrics, with positive Ohio Internet subscriber net additions for the first time in 4 years 3-year transformation program well underway; year one delivered as expected and next two years focused on both revenue generation and cost efficiencies Increasing quarterly dividend by 7.0% to $0.987 per share MONTRÉAL, Oct. 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA) ("Cogeco Communications" or the "Corporation") announced its financial results for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2025 and is issuing its fiscal 2026 financial guidelines. "Last quarter, we stated we were expecting strong continued Canadian customer growth, combined with some improvement in the U.S.," said Frédéric Perron, President and CEO. "We are pleased to be delivering on that expectation. "Our Canadian business is firing on all cylinders, achieving its best Internet subscriber growth in 13 years with 16,988 new subscribers, and our wireless rollout is ahead of schedule", Mr. Perron continued. "In the U.S., our turnaround efforts are starting to take hold, as shown by our improving customer metrics. We expect continued improvements in our subscriber trends over the coming quarters. "We just finished year one of our 3-year transformation program, where we met our internal cost reduction targets. Years two and three will now increasingly focus on our top-line performance, driving additional customers, in addition to cost efficiencies, as per our original plan. "Our financial guidelines for next year reflect our focus on cash generation, while at the same time making additional investments to scale wireless in Canada and certain sales channels in the U.S." Consolidated financial highlights Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change Change in constant  currency (1) (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except % and per share data) (unaudited) $ $ % % Revenue 708,693 747,751 (5.2) (5.3) Adjusted EBITDA (1) 358,554 370,418 (3.2) (3.3) Adjusted EBITDA margin (1) 50.6 % 49.5 % Profit for the period 81,690 85,484 (4.4) Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation 77,422 81,958 (5.5) Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation (1)(2) 88,590 99,054 (10.6) Cash flows from operating activities 265,143 319,177 (16.9) Free cash flow (1) 107,781 148,189 (27.3) (27.4) Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects (1) 165,599 205,100 (19.3) (19.5) Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 157,625 154,260 2.2 Net capital expenditures (1)(3) 154,274 152,253 1.3 1.2 Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects (1) 96,456 95,342 1.2 1.4 Capital intensity (1) 21.8 % 20.4 % Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects (1) 13.6 % 12.8 % Diluted earnings per share 1.82 1.94 (6.2) Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)(2) 2.09 2.35 (11.1) Operating results For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 ended on August 31, 2025: Revenue decreased by 5.2% to $708.7 million. On a constant currency basis(1), revenue decreased by 5.3%, mainly explained as follows: American telecommunications' revenue decreased by 9.0%, or 9.2% in constant currency, mainly due to a decline in our subscriber base, especially for entry-level services, and to a higher proportion of customers subscribing to Internet-only services, as well as a competitive pricing environment. Canadian telecommunications' revenue decreased by 1.5%, mainly due to a lower revenue per customer as a result of a decline in video and wireline phone service subscribers, as an increasing proportion of customers subscribe to Internet-only services, as well as a competitive pricing environment, partly offset by the cumulative effect of high-speed Internet service additions over the past year. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.2% to $358.6 million. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.3%, mainly due to lower revenue in both the American and Canadian telecommunications segments, offset in part by lower operating expenses driven by cost reduction initiatives and operating efficiencies across the Corporation as a result of our ongoing three-year transformation program. American telecommunications' adjusted EBITDA decreased by 7.6%, or 7.9% in constant currency. Canadian telecommunications' adjusted EBITDA decreased by 1.4% as reported and in constant currency. Profit for the period amounted to $81.7 million, of which $77.4 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, was attributable to owners of the Corporation compared to $85.5 million, $82.0 million, and $1.94 per diluted share, respectively, in the comparable period of fiscal 2024. The decreases in profit for the period and profit attributable to owners of the Corporation resulted mainly from lower adjusted EBITDA, as well as higher financial expense and acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs, partly offset by last year's non-cash pre-tax impairment charges of $14.9 million, mostly related to assets under construction write-offs, and lower depreciation and amortization expense. Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation(2) was $88.6 million, or $2.09 per diluted share(2), compared to $99.1 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, last year. Net capital expenditures were $154.3 million, an increase of 1.3% compared to $152.3 million in the same period of the prior year. In constant currency, net capital expenditures(1) were $154.1 million, an increase of 1.2% compared to last year, mainly due to higher capital spending related to customer premise equipment in the Canadian telecommunications segment. The increase is partly offset by the timing of certain initiatives in the Canadian telecommunications segment, as well as lower capital spending in the American telecommunications segment, mainly related to customer premise equipment. Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects were $57.8 million, or $57.4 million in constant currency(1), compared to $56.9 million in the same period of the prior year. Excluding network expansion projects, net capital expenditures were $96.5 million, an increase of 1.2% compared to $95.3 million in the same period of the prior year. In constant currency, net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects(1) were $96.6 million, an increase of 1.4% compared to last year. Network expansion projects continued, mostly in Canada, with additions over 47,000(4) homes passed during fiscal 2025, of which more than 15,000(4) were in the fourth quarter. Capital intensity was 21.8% compared to 20.4% last year. Excluding network expansion projects, capital intensity was 13.6% compared to 12.8% in the same period of the prior year. Acquisition of property, plant and equipment increased by 2.2% to $157.6 million, mainly resulting from higher spending. Free cash flow decreased by 27.3%, or 27.4% in constant currency, and amounted to $107.8 million, or $107.7 million in constant currency(1), mainly due to lower adjusted EBITDA, higher current income taxes, financial expense and acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs. Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects decreased by 19.3%, or 19.5% in constant currency, and amounted to $165.6 million, or $165.1 million in constant currency. Cash flows from operating activities decreased by 16.9% to $265.1 million, mostly due to the timing of collection of trade and other receivables and of the payments of trade and other payables, as well as to lower adjusted EBITDA. At its October 29, 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors of Cogeco Communications declared a quarterly dividend of $0.987 per share, an increase of 7.0% compared to $0.922 per share last year. FISCAL 2026 FINANCIAL GUIDELINES Cogeco Communications released its fiscal 2026 financial guidelines. Fiscal 2026 will be the second year of a three-year transformation program, where investments are made in order to set the Corporation on a path to sustainable growth. On a constant currency basis, the Corporation expects fiscal 2026 revenue to decrease by 1% to 3%, resulting mostly from a growing Internet subscriber base, a decline in video and wireline phone subscriptions, as well as a competitive pricing environment. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA is expected to decrease by 0% to 2%, as we continue to face revenue pressures in the U.S., and are investing into new sales and marketing capabilities, especially in the U.S., as part of our three-year transformation program, while generating additional operational efficiencies. In addition, fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA reflects operating costs and investments to scale wireless in Canada. Net capital expenditures are anticipated to be between $560 and $600 million, including net investments of approximately $100 to $140 million in growth-oriented network expansions, which will increase the Corporation's footprint in Canada and the United States. Capital intensity is expected to range between 19% and 21%, or 15% and 17% excluding network expansion projects. On a constant currency basis, free cash flow and free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects are expected to increase by 0% to 10%, due to lower financial expense, partially offset by higher current income tax and continued growth-oriented investments. October 29, 2025 Projections (i) Actual Fiscal 2026 (constant currency) (ii) Fiscal 2025 (In millions of Canadian dollars, except percentages) $ $ Financial guidelines Revenue Decrease of 1% to 3% 2,910 Adjusted EBITDA Decrease of 0% to 2% 1,443 Net capital expenditures $560 to $600 588 Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects $100 to $140 108 Capital intensity 19% to 21% 20.2 % Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects 15% to 17% 16.5 % Free cash flow Increase of 0% to 10% (iii) 517 Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects Increase of 0% to 10% (iii) 626 (i)    Percentage of changes compared to fiscal 2025. (ii)    Fiscal 2026 financial guidelines are based on a USD/CDN constant exchange rate of 1.3962 USD/CDN. (iii)  The assumed current income tax effective rate is approximately 11.5%. These financial guidelines, including the various assumptions underlying them, contain forward-looking statements concerning the business outlook for Cogeco Communications, and should be read in conjunction with the "Forward-looking statements" section of this press release. These financial guidelines exclude the impact from possible business acquisitions and/or disposals, and do not take into consideration unusual adjustments that could result from regulatory environment changes (including changes to Internet wholesale rates), and/or unforeseeable legal matters or non-recurring items. (1) Adjusted EBITDA and net capital expenditures are total of segments measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin and capital intensity are supplementary financial measures. Constant currency basis, adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation, net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects, free cash flow and free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects are non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures. Change in constant currency, capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-IFRS Accounting Standards ratios. These indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by IFRS® Accounting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS Accounting Standards") and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more information on these financial measures, please consult the "Non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures" section of this press release. (2) Excludes the impact of non-cash impairment charges, and acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs, net of tax and non-controlling interest. (3) Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance. (4) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, homes passed were adjusted following an exhaustive review of the calculation of American homes passed. This change has been applied retrospectively to the comparative figures. Financial highlights Change in constant currency Change in constant currency Three months and years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (1)  (2) 2025 2024 Change (1)  (2) (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except % and per share data) $ $ % % $ $ % % Operations Revenue 708,693 747,751 (5.2) (5.3) 2,910,493 2,976,524 (2.2) (3.4) Adjusted EBITDA (2) 358,554 370,418 (3.2) (3.3) 1,442,645 1,442,314 — (1.1) Adjusted EBITDA margin (2) 50.6 % 49.5 % 49.6 % 48.5 % Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs (3) 16,032 10,561 51.8 23,320 59,731 (61.0) Impairment of property, plant and equipment — 14,862 — 1,574 14,862 (89.4) Profit for the period 81,690 85,484 (4.4) 341,787 354,132 (3.5) Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation 77,422 81,958 (5.5) 322,579 335,534 (3.9) Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation (2)(4) 88,590 99,054 (10.6) 337,143 400,431 (15.8) Cash flow Cash flows from operating activities 265,143 319,177 (16.9) 1,138,009 1,175,219 (3.2) Free cash flow (2) 107,781 148,189 (27.3) (27.4) 517,188 476,021 8.6 7.9 Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects (2) 165,599 205,100 (19.3) (19.5) 625,663 613,415 2.0 1.3 Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 157,625 154,260 2.2 596,172 659,090 (9.5) Net capital expenditures (2)(5) 154,274 152,253 1.3 1.2 588,276 637,833 (7.8) (9.1) Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects (2) 96,456 95,342 1.2 1.4 479,801 500,439 (4.1) (5.7) Capital intensity (2) 21.8 % 20.4 % 20.2 % 21.4 % Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects (2) 13.6 % 12.8 % 16.5 % 16.8 % Per share data (6) Earnings per share Basic 1.84 1.95 (5.6) 7.66 7.87 (2.7) Diluted 1.82 1.94 (6.2) 7.60 7.83 (2.9) Adjusted diluted (2)(4) 2.09 2.35 (11.1) 7.94 9.35 (15.1) Dividends per share 0.922 0.854 8.0 3.688 3.416 8.0 (1) Key performance indicators presented on a constant currency basis are obtained by translating financial results from the current periods denominated in US dollars at the foreign exchange rates of the comparable periods of the prior year. For the three-month period and year ended August 31, 2024, the average foreign exchange rates used for translation were 1.3690 USD/CDN and 1.3606 USD/CDN, respectively. (2) Adjusted EBITDA and net capital expenditures are total of segments measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin and capital intensity are supplementary financial measures. Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation, free cash flow, free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects and net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects are non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures. Change in constant currency, capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-IFRS Accounting Standards ratios. These indicated terms do not have standardized definitions prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more information on these financial measures, please consult the "Non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures" section of this press release. (3) For the three-month period and year ended August 31, 2025, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs were mainly related to additional restructuring costs incurred in connection with certain cost optimization initiatives undertaken, and costs associated with the configuration and customization related to cloud computing and other arrangements. In addition, for the year ended August 31, 2025, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs were partly offset by a $13.8 million non-cash gain recognized during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 in connection with a sale and leaseback transaction of a building in Ontario. For the three-month period and year ended August 31, 2024, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs were mostly related to restructuring costs recognized during the second half of the year in connection with the strategic transformation announced in May 2024 and other cost optimization initiatives. (4) Excludes the impact of non-cash impairment charges, acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs, and gains/losses on debt modification and/or extinguishment, all net of tax and non-controlling interest. (5) Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance. (6) Per multiple and subordinate voting share.   As at August 31, 2025 August 31, 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except %) $ $ Financial condition Cash and cash equivalents 75,152 76,335 Total assets 9,692,395 9,675,009 Long-term debt Current 43,632 361,808 Non-current 4,510,769 4,448,261 Net indebtedness (1) 4,527,171 4,803,629 Equity attributable to owners of the Corporation 3,160,522 2,979,691 Return on equity (2) 10.5 % 11.3 % (1) Net indebtedness is a capital management measure. For more information on this financial measure, please consult the "Non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures" section of the Corporation's MD&A for the year ended August 31, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. (2) Return on equity is a supplementary financial measure and is calculated as profit attributable to owners of the Corporation for the year divided by the average of the equity attributable to owners of the Corporation for the year. Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to Cogeco Communications Inc.'s ("Cogeco Communications" or the "Corporation") future outlook and anticipated events, business, operations, financial performance, financial condition or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may"; "will"; "should"; "expect"; "plan"; "anticipate"; "believe"; "intend"; "estimate"; "predict"; "potential"; "continue"; "foresee"; "ensure" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Particularly, statements relating to the Corporation's financial guidelines, future operating results and economic performance, objectives and strategies are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results of operations, purchase price allocation, tax rates, weighted average cost of capital, performance and business prospects and opportunities, which Cogeco Communications believes are reasonable as of the current date. Refer in particular to the "Corporate objectives and strategy" and "Fiscal 2026 financial guidelines" sections of the Corporation's fiscal 2025 annual Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for a discussion of certain key economic, market and operational assumptions we have made in preparing forward-looking statements. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Corporation, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what Cogeco Communications currently expects. These factors include risks such as general market conditions, competitive risks (including changing competitive and technology ecosystems and disruptive competitive strategies adopted by our competitors), business risks, regulatory risks (including changes in laws or government policies and the impact of regulatory decisions, such as those of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC") in Canada or of the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S.), tax risks, technology risks (including the evolution of technology and the threat of cybersecurity), financial risks (including variations in currency and interest rates), economic conditions (including inflation pressuring revenue, trade tariffs, reduced consumer spending and increasing costs), talent management risks (including the highly competitive market for a limited pool of digitally skilled employees), human-caused and natural threats to the Corporation's network (including increased frequency of extreme weather events with the potential to disrupt operations), infrastructure and systems, sustainability and sustainability reporting risks, ethical behavior risks, ownership risks, litigation risks and public health and safety, many of which are beyond the Corporation's control. For more exhaustive information on these risks and uncertainties, the reader should refer to the "Uncertainties and main risk factors" section of the Corporation's fiscal 2025 annual MD&A. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Cogeco Communications and future events and results may vary significantly from what management currently foresees. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information contained in this press release and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Cogeco Communications' expectations as of the date of this press release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. While management may elect to do so, the Corporation is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) and does not undertake to update or alter this information at any particular time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. This press release should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in the Corporation's fiscal 2025 Annual Report, the Corporation's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto prepared in accordance with IFRS® Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS Accounting Standards") for the year ended August 31, 2025. Non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures This press release includes references to non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures used by Cogeco Communications. These financial measures are reviewed in assessing the performance of Cogeco Communications and used in the decision-making process with regard to its business units. Reconciliations between non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measures are provided below. Certain additional disclosures for non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures used in this press release have been incorporated by reference and can be found in the "Non-IFRS Accounting Standards and other financial measures" section of the Corporation's MD&A for the year ended August 31, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The following non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures are used as a component of Cogeco Communications' non-IFRS Accounting Standards ratios. Specified non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures Used in the component of the following non-IFRS Accounting Standards ratios Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation Adjusted diluted earnings per share Constant currency basis Change in constant currency Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects Capital intensity, excluding network expansion projects Financial measures presented on a constant currency basis for the three-month period and year ended August 31, 2025 are translated at the average foreign exchange rate of the comparable periods of the prior year, which were 1.3690 USD/CDN and 1.3606 USD/CDN, respectively. Constant currency basis and foreign exchange impact reconciliation Consolidated Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 708,693 (767) 707,926 747,751 (5.2) (5.3) Operating expenses 346,688 (324) 346,364 372,095 (6.8) (6.9) Management fees – Cogeco Inc. 3,451 — 3,451 5,238 (34.1) (34.1) Adjusted EBITDA 358,554 (443) 358,111 370,418 (3.2) (3.3) Free cash flow 107,781 (125) 107,656 148,189 (27.3) (27.4) Net capital expenditures 154,274 (203) 154,071 152,253 1.3 1.2   Years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 2,910,493 (36,120) 2,874,373 2,976,524 (2.2) (3.4) Operating expenses 1,449,632 (19,254) 1,430,378 1,513,258 (4.2) (5.5) Management fees – Cogeco Inc. 18,216 — 18,216 20,952 (13.1) (13.1) Adjusted EBITDA 1,442,645 (16,866) 1,425,779 1,442,314 — (1.1) Free cash flow 517,188 (3,641) 513,547 476,021 8.6 7.9 Net capital expenditures 588,276 (8,395) 579,881 637,833 (7.8) (9.1) Canadian telecommunications segment Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change  (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 372,931 — 372,931 378,702 (1.5) (1.5) Operating expenses 172,798 (17) 172,781 175,688 (1.6) (1.7) Adjusted EBITDA 200,133 17 200,150 203,014 (1.4) (1.4) Net capital expenditures 86,325 (49) 86,276 71,000 21.6 21.5   Years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 1,495,308 — 1,495,308 1,510,506 (1.0) (1.0) Operating expenses 704,586 (1,135) 703,451 710,706 (0.9) (1.0) Adjusted EBITDA 790,722 1,135 791,857 799,800 (1.1) (1.0) Net capital expenditures 298,889 (1,095) 297,794 356,274 (16.1) (16.4) American telecommunications segment Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 335,762 (767) 334,995 369,049 (9.0) (9.2) Operating expenses 166,327 (306) 166,021 185,588 (10.4) (10.5) Adjusted EBITDA 169,435 (461) 168,974 183,461 (7.6) (7.9) Net capital expenditures 66,295 (154) 66,141 76,238 (13.0) (13.2)   Years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Revenue 1,415,185 (36,120) 1,379,065 1,466,018 (3.5) (5.9) Operating expenses 711,775 (18,104) 693,671 759,658 (6.3) (8.7) Adjusted EBITDA 703,410 (18,016) 685,394 706,360 (0.4) (3.0) Net capital expenditures 278,036 (7,285) 270,751 267,728 3.9 1.1 Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation Three months ended August 31 Years ended August 31 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ $ $ Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Corporation 77,422 81,958 322,579 335,534 Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs 16,032 10,561 23,320 59,731 Impairment of property, plant and equipment — 14,862 1,574 14,862 Loss on debt extinguishment (1) — — — 16,880 Tax impact for the above items (3,938) (6,648) (8,064) (24,109) Non-controlling interest impact for the above items (926) (1,679) (2,266) (2,467) Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Corporation 88,590 99,054 337,143 400,431 (1)    Included within financial expense. Free cash flow and free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects reconciliations Three months ended August 31 Years ended August 31 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ $ $ Cash flows from operating activities 265,143 319,177 1,138,009 1,175,219 Changes in other non-cash operating activities (1,530) (34,878) (6,328) (56,369) Income taxes paid 5,170 6,526 7,151 5,719 Current income taxes (12,183) (553) (47,584) (20,147) Interest paid 75,376 71,695 268,899 266,464 Financial expense (69,633) (61,925) (273,986) (277,690) Loss on debt extinguishment (1) — — — 16,880 Amortization of deferred transaction costs and discounts on long-term debt (1) 2,567 2,190 8,867 9,143 Net capital expenditures (2) (154,274) (152,253) (588,276) (637,833) Proceeds from sale and leaseback and other disposals of property, plant and equipment 606 594 23,338 3,378 Repayment of lease liabilities (3,461) (2,384) (12,902) (8,743) Free cash flow 107,781 148,189 517,188 476,021 Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects 57,818 56,911 108,475 137,394 Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects 165,599 205,100 625,663 613,415 (1) Included within financial expense. (2) Net capital expenditures exclude non-cash acquisitions of right-of-use assets and the purchases, and related borrowing costs, of spectrum licences, and are presented net of government subsidies, including the utilization of those received in advance. Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation Three months ended August 31 Years ended August 31 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ $ $ Profit for the period 81,690 85,484 341,787 354,132 Income taxes 17,621 15,225 87,330 62,342 Financial expense 69,633 61,925 273,986 277,690 Impairment of property, plant and equipment — 14,862 1,574 14,862 Depreciation and amortization 173,578 182,361 714,648 673,557 Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other costs 16,032 10,561 23,320 59,731 Adjusted EBITDA 358,554 370,418 1,442,645 1,442,314 Net capital expenditures and net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects reconciliations Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) $ $ $ $ % % Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 157,625 154,260 2.2 Subsidies received in advance recognized as a reduction of the cost of property, plant and equipment during the period (3,351) (2,007) 67.0 Net capital expenditures 154,274 (203) 154,071 152,253 1.3 1.2 Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects 57,818 (387) 57,431 56,911 1.6 0.9 Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects 96,456 184 96,640 95,342 1.2 1.4   Years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) $ $ $ $ % % Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 596,172 659,090 (9.5) Subsidies received in advance recognized as a reduction of the cost of property, plant and equipment during the period (7,896) (21,257) (62.9) Net capital expenditures 588,276 (8,395) 579,881 637,833 (7.8) (9.1) Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects 108,475 (550) 107,925 137,394 (21.0) (21.4) Net capital expenditures, excluding network expansion projects 479,801 (7,845) 471,956 500,439 (4.1) (5.7) Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects reconciliations Three months ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Free cash flow 107,781 (125) 107,656 148,189 (27.3) (27.4) Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects 57,818 (387) 57,431 56,911 1.6 0.9 Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects 165,599 (512) 165,087 205,100 (19.3) (19.5)   Years ended August 31 2025 2024 Change (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentages) Actual Foreign exchange impact In constant currency Actual Actual In constant currency $ $ $ $ % % Free cash flow 517,188 (3,641) 513,547 476,021 8.6 7.9 Net capital expenditures in connection with network expansion projects 108,475 (550) 107,925 137,394 (21.0) (21.4) Free cash flow, excluding network expansion projects 625,663 (4,191) 621,472 613,415 2.0 1.3 Additional information Additional information relating to the Corporation, including its Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation's website at corpo.cogeco.com. About Cogeco Communications Inc. Cogeco Communications Inc. is a leading telecommunications provider committed to bringing people together through powerful communications and entertainment experiences. We provide world-class Internet, wireless, video and wireline phone services to 1.6 million residential and business subscribers in Canada and thirteen states in the United States. Our services are marketed under the Cogeco and oxio brands in Canada, and under the Breezeline brand in the U.S. We take pride in our strong presence in the communities we serve and in our commitment to a sustainable future. Cogeco Communications Inc.'s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA). For information: Investors  Troy Crandall Head, Investor Relations Cogeco Communications Inc. Tel.: 514 764-4600 [email protected] Media  Isabelle Famery Manager, External Communications Cogeco Communications Inc. Tel.: 514 764-4600 [email protected] Conference Call: Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) A live audio webcast of the analyst call will be available on both the Investor Relations and the Events and Presentations pages of Cogeco Communications' website. Financial analysts will be able to access the live conference call and ask questions. Media representatives may attend as listeners only. A recording of the conference call will be available on Cogeco Communications' website for a three-month period. Please use the following dial-in number to access the conference call 10 minutes before the start of the conference: Local - Toronto: 1 289 514-5100  Toll Free - North America: 1 800 717-1738 To join this conference call, participants are required to provide the operator with the name of the company hosting the call, that is, Cogeco Inc. or Cogeco Communications Inc. SOURCE Cogeco Communications Inc. View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2025/29/c4965.html